Trolls 1, Khador 0

Finally! I got a win under my belt.

He played:
Kommandant Irusk
Behemoth
Man-O-War Drakhun
Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios
(looks like he's 21 points shy)

I played my same Grim list:
Grim Angus
Troll Axer
Troll Impaler
Earthborn Dire Troll

First turn I walked Grim up and sniped Eiryss out of a copse of trees (if I remember correctly, my first kill). One shot, one kill. A few turns of screwing around with the Behemoth and Drakhun jumping (getting tossed) down my throat.
During this time I took a shot at Irusk and popped a huge hole in him. After Drakhun tried to take out my Earthborn I moved Grim to the flank and popped Irusk and finished him off.

That makes me 1 and 3. I think I still need more games under my belt.

What did I do wrong?
1.) I dropped all my fury off of Grim at two points and would not have been able to damage transfer had I been attacked.
2.) I didn't throw Drakhun when I had the chance. I could have possibly knocked the Behemoth down with that.
3.) I didn't know from the get-go what happened when a warbeast who was knocked down and frenzies.

What did I do right?
1.) I kept Grim close to his Earthborn for the most part and kept him in trees and safe.
2.) I didn't keep a one-track mind. I didn't try to only slingshot my Earthborn, I didn't try to tether as my sole means of controlling the board. I used different spells and abilities and came out well.

***EDIT: apparently I didn't account for Drakhun's 20pt dismount, sounds like a gymnastics competition***

Wet Palette

On another note I tried a wet palette and love it.

Ingredients:
Old Plastic container with lid
Paper Towels
Parchment Paper
Water

I took an old plastic container, lined it with paper towels (probably about 1/2" to 3/4" deep).
put enough water in the container to keep the towels wet, but not to flood the container (the parchment is going right over it and your paint goes on the parchment paper, don't want to flood that).
then took a piece of parchment baking paper and cut it to size over it.

what i can do now is mix a paint and let it sit for hours and more and come back and use it and it won't be dried out because as the paint evaporates water it soaks some up through the parchment paper from the wet paper towels.

Update, I got my paints from Joel on Friday ($3 per pot). Yesterday, the wife wasn't feeling 100% so she took it easy while I painted.

Here are pix of painted bases, and preliminary skin. I think I'm going to wash it to help blend the colors more.


Borka and Kenny

Impaler #1 (#2 looks the same)

Axer
Sorry about the shitty pix

Madrak is still primed black, haven't worked on his skin tones yet, was more concerned with the blues I will be painting from now on...

Cygnar Rematch

I've challenged the Cygnar (Haley) player I played last monday to a rematch. I think even with him taking solos I can beat him. I just need a clear shot at Haley when I'm standing still and I know I can do some damage.

I need 17" and a clear line of sight (13" normal, +4 with Impaler's Far Reach animus).

RAT 7 (9 standing still), means I hit Haley on 9/7 (I think she's DEF 16). And the Headhunter should be able to pound her. If she's not accessible, I'm going to see about tossing my Axer or Impaler in her direction.

I know she's going to be Temporal Barrier-ing all over the place, 14" radius of trudging. I need to get through that. As I will not be able to charge through it (unless I can get her 12-14" close without her TB up or I have to shoot her with Impaler and Headhunter.

Two Board Con-Troll Lists

I am working up to a 500 point list and want to be able to play some board control. My sole (personal preference) limitation is no minions. I'm most likely to play Warmachine as much if not more than Hordes.

List 1 - Borka Board ConTroll
490/500

Borka Kegslayer
-Pyg Keg Carrier
Winter Troll
Dire Troll Mauler
Trollkin Longriders (3)
Trollkin Champions
Fell Caller

Basically, freeze models with longriders huge sphere of influence and slaughter with champs. (sorry Not Dice) if the opportunity arises pick up and toss Borka.

List 2 Grim Domination
487/500

Grim Angus
Winter Troll
Earthborn Dire Troll
Troll Axer
Trollkin Longriders (full)

Again, Grim and Winter have Longriders lock down models. Grim snipes, EBDT charges with Axer's animus. Grim can also tether and knock down as necessary. Longriders can knock around models as necessary.

I see both lists as having plenty (imo) of utility and alternate win contingencies. I see the 2nd list as being model-light, but I'm not sure as I've yet to play a 500 point game.

Impasse

Progress since last post:
Painted the bases.

What's holding me up?
1.) I asked Israel to order me some basing materials (because of course he didn't have any). As of Monday night they hadn't been ordered yet.
2.) The paints I want to use i either don't have or are dried out. I'm waiting till I get paid Friday to go to Joel's to stock up.

At this point I think I want to start in on the other models I have in my possession: Grim Angus (I have a cool conversion idea for him I stole from DakkaDakka.com) and 2 Dire Troll Maulers, but I worry that this would distract me from the goal I have set.

Earthborn Slingshot

Thinking today and browsing the PP forums I found and am thinking about the following for my Grim list:
Earthborn Dire Troll - 5" speed base, Elemental Communion (+2" SPD when activation begins within 1" of rough terrain)
Grim Angus - Bait The Line (+2" when charging damaged model)
Troll Axer - Rush (5" Charge distance)

Basically if I start my turn, have my Impaler give Grim Far Reach (effective 17" Headhunter range). Impaler finishes activation, activate Axer, who uses Rush animus on Earthborn Dire Troll, end activation, Grim activates shoots Headhunter @ target model, finishes activation. Earthborn activates within 1" of rough terrain, charges model Grim tagged, now with a 14.5" charge reach.

5"(base) + 5"(Charge/Rush) + 2"(Bait The Line) + 2"(Elemental Communion) + 0.5"(melee range) = 14.5" Effective Threat Range

If the following turn order occurs:
Top Turn 1) Enemy runs forward (48"table - 20" for deployment=28" battlefield length, 10" run = 18" left)
Bottom Turn 1) Trolls advance at full speed or slower (18"-5" advance = 13" left)
Top Turn 2) Enemy runs, walks, or stands still (13" or less)
Bottom Turn 2) Trolls can slingshot Earthborn Dire Troll 14 inches, boost hits and damage with 5 fury stat, hopefully caster kill.

On Hordes...

I like how the army changes dynamics so much with the change of warlock.

That said I'm trying to think of a 350 list for Borka. I guess I never thought that you could double or chain throw a model. i.e. throw Borka from Dire Troll Mauler to Earthborn Dire Troll; then throw Borka from Earthborn @ the intended target. BLAMMO! I know Borka Bombing is not a technique to rely on, but at 350 Tooth & Claw I think it's doable.

Borka Bomb 350 T&C, possible regular list:
Borka Kegslayer
    Kenny, the Pyg Keg Carrier
Dire Troll Mauler
Winter Troll
Trollkin Longriders (min)
(edit: Longriders would not be allowed in a Tooth & Claw list)

Cygnar 1, Trolls 0

Played 350 points tonight versus Cygnar.

He played:
Captain Victoria Haley
   Centurion
   Thorn
Journeyman Warcaster
Gun Mage Captain Adept
Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios

I played my 350 Grim list:
Grim Angus
Earthborn Dire Troll
Troll Axer
Troll Impaler

I made a LOT of mistakes. My poorest game yet. Or perhaps I'm getting better at realizing what makes a well played game?
Mistakes made:
1.) I played a Tooth and Claw list versus a normal 350 list. There were entirely too many targets.
2.) I placed terrain poorly. I placed two pieces of forest terrain right at my deployment edge. This meant I got into it, but I was pretty well locked in that area. Then I had to run out of the forests at half speed due to Haley's Temporal Barrier and got shot to shit.
3.) I played too defensively. I got into the trees and didn't want to move.

On to the next game with more knowledge under my belt.
“All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.” ~Winston Churchill

if you're keeping track I'm currently 0 Wins 3 Losses with my Trolls

Board Con-Troll

So I've been thinking of Grim and his controlling abilities and the synergy that would go along with that.
I would like to see Grim on the board with a Winter Troll and a unit of Champions. This way he could Cast the animus on one champ, the Troll cast it on another champ, locking down an effective 4" frontage 2" deep of enemy models. I would add in an Impaler to increase Grim's reach with his snare gun. I would use Grim's tether to lock down a model not affected by the freezer champions and his knockdown spell for another (I think this would put me at 0 Fury, 3 for WInter Troll anumis, 3 for Knockdown). The Impaler could boost his thrown spear for a 33% chance to knock down another model. That's MINIMUM 2 models knocked down, 1 tethered, and however many in the freezer champs.

The list thus far would be:
Grim Angus
Winter Troll
Troll Impaler
Trollkin Champions

332pts

Maybe add in some sort of damage buff? Pyre Troll or Dire Troll Mauler?
Some sort of nastiness in CC like an Earthborn Dire Troll?
Some sort of Protection for Grim (he's kinda squishy) Troll Bouncer, Krielstone Bearers & Stone Scribes?

Learning the fun of Grim

Looking online I see a bunch of Grim Angus lists and I guess I didn't see him as anything more than a mediocre warlock.

Then I saw a 350pt Tooth and Claw list.

Grim Angus
Earthborn Dire Troll
Troll Axer
Troll Impaler

I love it. I wanna try it as soon as I get my new models in. I think Sunshine will be holding an Escalation league and I think this would rock socks.

Big Order

Sunshine Adventure Games is having a 40% off Black Friday Sale.
I placed a monster order:

Hoarluk Doomshaper
Earthborn Dire Troll
Winter Troll
Fell Caller
Krielstone Bearer and Stone Scribes (5)
Trollkin Champions (5)
Trollkin Long Riders (5)

I will have it on Black Friday or the following Sunday/Monday.

500pts of Borka's Boys

500pt list as it stands:

• Borka Kegslayer


• Kenny, the Pyg Keg Carrier


• Dire Troll Mauler


• Winter Troll


• Trollkin Champions


• Fell Caller


• Krielstone Bearer and Stone Scribes (full)

The idea is to have Winter Troll cast his animus on a champion, then Borka cast it on another champ and freeze anything in the area. Borka's mosh pit will knock your models back, allowing free strikes at all of them and they'll auto hit because you're frozen.
if the space opens up i'll use the Dire Troll to toss Borka over small based models and charge him at your caster for the assassination.

Received Trade Items

I traded using Bartertown last week. Traded my BFG fleet and Assault on Black Reach Mini Rulebook for 2 Dire Troll Maulers and Grim Angus.

I received the items today and the Maulers are missing their tusks and none of the cards were shipped. I'm a bit perturbed. I have PM'd the trader in the hopes there was a mistake. I await his response...

Protectorate 1, Trolls 0

Played a game tonight, troll warpack versus the Menoth battle box.

Lost.
Miserably.

As usual I'm learning from my losses.

Where did I go wrong?

• Didn't use the Impalers to throw their spears. crit slams are badass and can lock down the opponent's army


• Didn't use Madrak's Sure Foot.
  1. against Kreoss' feat (which DESTROYED me) this is a huge help
  2. I didn't realize it would give the DEF bonus.
  
  
• Guided hand, only used it once. Guided hand should be on an impaler as much as possible. crit slams rock socks!!


• When playing vs. Warmachine, don't concern myself with the Jacks unless they're immediately important, make my way to the caster and get him out of the way.

Ok, so on to another game...

Optimus Primed

Ok, so where do I stand?

Borka Kegslayer - Primed
Pyg Keg Carrier - Primed
Madrak Ironhide - Primed
Troll Axer - Primed
Troll Impaler #1 - Primed
Troll Impaler #2 - Primed
Bases for all models - Primed

Looks like I'm ready for paint! (psychologically, this is the hardest part for me)

I will be following the tutorial on Brushthralls.com for my models.

Pictures attached:

A little progress this weekend.
I drilled holes for foot pins in all models for their scenic bases.
I finished basing the scenic bases.
I drilled holes in the bases to accept the pins

Tomorrow I will prime.

Pix, as promised

Corked bases:



Madrak, done:




Axer, done (axe to be painted seperately and attached post-paint):



Impalers, done (quivers to be painted seperately and attached post-paint):

Progress

Got a lot done watching the news tonight...

Madrak has had his gaps greenstuffed
Impaler #1 has had his gaps greenstuffed
Impaler #2 has had his gaps greenstuffed
Axer has had his gaps greenstuffed
All four bases have had cork applied.

Tomorrow night I will prime Borka and set pins in all four models above for their feet.
I will add ballast to the four bases.

Pictures tomorrow.

oh, and I voted for the first African American president.

Madrak & Co.

I got a little more modeling done tonight.

Madrak is complete.
Impaler #1 is complete*
Impaler #2 is complete*
Axer is complete*

Borka's base has been primed.

*Axer and Impalers are having their axe and quivers (respectively) attached after paint.

Tomorrow night should allow for green stuff work to fill gaps and add to some shock absorption.

Got my first game in

Saturday I got my first Troll game in. I played my Trollbloods warpack vs. the Everblight warpack @ War & Pieces.
I don’t remember the game turn for turn, but here’s the breakdown:
He came close with Lylith.
I used my Axer’s animus on my Impaler (who was closer) and charged my Impaler over terrain at Lylith. And missed every…single…swing.
Lylith ran away and I got some nice free swings at her, but not enough to kill her or a beast. She then shot and killed my Impaler (I forgot to roll for Tough, I won’t forget again though!)
Carnivean charged Madrak. Took a small chunk outta him which got scrolled away. I think Lylith took a shot at Madrak too which got transferred.
Madrak takes a swing back at the Carnivean and did a good amount of damage. I drained him of Fury to try to kill the Carnivean in one turn and get it out of Maddy’s face and just couldn’t come up with the dice I needed. All the while my Axer took a Thresher swing at two Shredders in his front arc, destroying one and wounding the other badly.
Maddy takes another bad round to the face which can’t be transferred away due to draining all his fury in his last activation. The Axer bites it and I forget the Tough roll again.
Lone Impaler takes the final swing at the Shredder he’s been dancing with but Maddy’s had it, the Carnivean smacks him once more to put him out (and I forget the tough roll again!) of his misery.

What did I learn?

• Take your Tough roll.


• Remember your abilities; the Carnivean almost got a charge on me because I didn’t know the special ability.


• Take your Tough roll.


• You can’t kill a Carnivean with a lone model in one round without cheating.


• Did you take that Tough roll yet?

Trolls 0, Legion 1

November 1st, Fall Backward, Progress Forward

got a bunch done today with my warpack:

Troll Impalers #1 & 2 is 90% assembled (pins and all), will need some GS work to fill gaps and reinforce.
Left arm still needs attaching, and will leave quiver off until painting is done.



Troll Axer is also 90% assembled, still needs some GS work for gaps and reinforcement. Needs to have axe attached, in Brushtralls.com they didn't paint it with the axe attached either in order to gain access to the whole front, I think I will do the same.



My workspace:

(gee Ray, what's the candle for? well i've found out that if you drill into the candle before you drill into the metal, the wax lubricates the bit for you a bit and cuts a bit easier)

Woot! Got 'Em

Finally received my Trollbloods warpack and Evolution book.

I sat right down and cleaned the models and washed them free of mold release. Probably going to go to War & Pieces tomorrow to work on modeling them.









Step-By-Step
Also tonight I sealed my basing for Borka Kegslayer and the Pyg Keg Carrier.

Sealing is just taking a 65/35 or 70/30 water to white glue mix and spreading it over the base materials to solidify it.