"Severed In Twain..." Brawlmachine Batrep Dec 14, 2021: Cryx vs Protectorate

Over the holiday break at the end of December & the beginning of January, Donna & I got in quite a few games. This Cryx vs Protectorate throw down was from a quiet Tuesday evening in mid-December. We had just bought our first couple of sets of wooden tokens from Muse On Minis & I had just finished building our 2nd house and sculpted the improved versions of our stone walls.

Scenario & Terrain

We rolled a d6 to choose the scenario & played Brawlmachine Scenario 2: Binary. There are two circular zones offset in the center of the battlefield a few inches away from each other and each of them slightly off center towards each army's deployment zone. Each zone has a flag centered on it from left to right and a few inches closer to the opposite deployment zone.

For our terrain layout, we used a random terrain generator. An L-shaped forest was just to the left of the far-side flag. About 24" to the right of it, there was a wooden house (obstruction) just outside of the right zone.

Another forest sat in the center of the battlefield overlapping both zones. A stone wall (obstacle with cover) was inside the left zone and a large boulder (obstruction) was inside the right zone. 

Another stone wall (obstacle with cover) was between the left zone and the near-side table edge offset to the left side of the battlefield. A stucco house (obstruction) was on the right side of the battlefield in line with the wooden house.

The zones represent territories Protectorate intended to build sites of worship at. The flags each represent command posts that serve to provide strategic advantage to armies deployed around them. 

Left zone = eastern, right zone = western, far-side flag = northern, near-side flag = southern.

Lists & Deployment

Donna won the starting roll & chose to go 2nd. With the forest blocking LOS in the center of the table, she wanted to force me to move first. That way she could work her Sunburst (deployed in the middle of her formation) to the best possible position to get a shot off in the first round and cause maximum trouble for my infantry.

Cryx (Me) - "Black Industries": Wraith Witch Deneghra with a Slayer, Stalker, Defiler, & Ripjaw, Darragh Wrathe, Hellslinger Phantom, and a min unit of Mechanithralls with a Skarlock Commander & 2 Brute Thralls (req option). 

Protectorate (Donna) - no theme: Grand Scrutator Severius with an Indictor, Revenger, & Vigilant, Exemplar Warder Elias Gade, Deliverer Arms Master, Deliverer Sunburst Crew, and a full unit of Exemplar Bastions.

Cryx deployed spread out across the middle of the battlefield situated between the near-side stone wall & stucco house. To the left was Darragh Wrathe, Slayer, & Defiler. Deneghra was about 6" to their right with Hellslinger Phantom & Ripjaw together a few inches to her right.

Protectorate deployed in a single line formation. From left to right: Vigilant, Indictor, Severius, Deliverer Arms Master, Revenger, Deliverer Sunburst Crew, & Exemplar Bastions.

The Skarlock Commander advanced deployed his Mechanithralls ahead of the Slayer's formation. The Stalker advanced deployed ahead of Deneghra / Hellslinger Phantom.

Exemplar Warder Elias Gade advanced deployed in front of Indictor & named the Stalker as his initial "Prey" target.

Severius was surveying the southern region of Icthosa when word came of trouble near the coast. Unspeakable abominations had been sighted in the area with reports of some of Menoth's faithful being abducted under the cover of night. By the time the Grand Scrutator & his retinue had arrived, the civilians had already begun to flee north towards Aclenius. 

"It would appear that all the refugees have cleared the area, Hierarch", reported Exemplar Warder Elias Gade. Having scouted ahead, Gade confirmed the rumors. "It's the Wraith Witch Deneghra...she's got a small force of shambling monstrosities moving towards the forests from the southern edge of town."

"Very well...", the elder warcaster replied. "Lead the way, Elias. As the Creator guides our hand, their evil will spread no further this day." 

Cryx Turn 1

The area was quiet...too quiet.

In what little capacity she had left for emotion, the Wraith Witch would take pleasure in ending the serenity of that silence. This was no secret mission to be hidden in the underground tunnels that Cryxian forces typically enjoyed passage through.

No.

This was a mission of abject terror with a very specific goal and, as such, Deneghra was happy to lead the show of force.

Loud clicks and whirs of dark necromechanikal warmachines disturbed the otherwise peaceful morning as Deneghra's loyal helljacks & bonejacks powered up; waiting on her command. She sent her Stalker running forward towards the central forest on the western side of town. Tarnished steel blades tore into the ground as the gangly bonejack skittered ahead; stopping just behind the tree line.

Hellslinger Phantom's leather trench coat floated inches above the ground as his Incorporeal form passed through the southern command post. The post's flag waved gently in the wind as he stopped just beyond it. Ripjaw ran past the spectral gunslinger; a thick black smog bellowing from the exhaust stacks along its back. The bonejack came to rest at the edge of the holy site to the east; its mouth agape with its Bone Saw emitting a chilling buzz as it spun.

Darragh Wrathe exhaled a displeased groan through the metal grill that replaced what was once his blighted, rotting lower jaw. He'd much rather be riding alongside Soulhunters in service of his liege, Lich Lord Terminus. As much as he loathed being here under Deneghra's command, he dare not go against Terminus' directive to accompany her. Begrudgingly, he recognized his sorcerous talents were needed here.

He nudged his undead steed & it walked forward to position him behind the Mechanithralls where he could gain better range to the Wraith Witch. He raised his Necro-Scythe aloft & esoteric runes of sickly-blue energies radiated from it. Casting "Death Ride*" to quicken the step of the undead in his presence, an azure mist spread out to cover the shambling Thralls & Deneghra.

The Skarlock Commander let out an indecipherable screech & motioned his thralls forward toward the western zone. Empowered by Darragh's sorcery, the unit of Mechanithralls rushed forward; making quickened, haphazard steps as rotted flesh & machinery worked as one. Understanding the need to avoid a bunched formation, their leader spread his unit throughout the zone, lest too many fall prey in an instant to the cursed fire their enemies bore. Two thralls spread across the northern edge of the zone, while the rest formed a herringbone "wall" across its center. A Brute Thrall towered over smaller thralls on either side of the formation with the Skarlock Commander floating up to the safety behind a stone wall.

With the rest of her army in position, Deneghra sent the last of her warjacks racing into the western zone. Slayer's soulfire furnace belched noxious smoke as the massive helljack ran to support the Thralls; an eerie blue glow emanating from its eyes. A perversion of the already toxic necrotite, turned blue due to the refining process developed by the Necrotechs' experiments under Asphyxious. Defiler then ran up behind the Brute Thrall on the left of the formation; leaving a trail of repulsive muck that had dripped from its Sludge Cannon along the way.

Lastly, the Wraith Witch herself marched forward. Not hastily though...as she knew that careful timing of her most powerful incantations would be needed to withstand the initial onslaught. Deneghra waved her right hand before her & in an instant vanished; only to reappear ahead of her previous position. Casting "Shadow Step*", she was now just behind the Stalker and had a better vantage point to assist her warjacks & warriors alike. 

Her eyes flashed & every fiber in her body tensed. A ripple of necromantic energy shot out from her as her "Web of Shadows*" spread across the region. A full five members of her army seemed to shimmer in an instant. The corporeal forms of both Brute Thralls, Slayer, Skarlock Commander, & Ripjaw were suddenly changed; transformed into shimmering apparitions. 

* Death Ride - Friendly Faction undead models activating in Darragh's command range gain +1" movement to their Normal Movement. Lasts 1 turn.

* Shadow Step - Enemy models currently within 2" of Deneghra suffer Shadow Bind for 1 round. Deneghra can be placed anywhere completely within 3" of her current location. Can only be cast once per activation.

* Web of Shadows (FEAT) - Choose d3+3 friendly non-warcaster Faction models currently within Deneghra's control range to gain Incorporeal for 1 round.

Protectorate Turn 1

Garrett Shaw made his way towards the northern command post when he was stopped in his tracks. The veteran Arms Master had recognized the horrid smell of the Mechanithralls before he could see them, but now he had caught sight of one near the central forest. He pointed the blade of his sword to signal the direction of the Thrall to the Sunburst Crew. Calling out windage & elevation estimations to the Sunburst's Gunner, Shaw coordinated* their fire as they prepared the heavy ballista.

After the crew loaded a bolt into the Sunburst, Rowe Oldham steadied & adjusted it as Shaw had commanded. A hardened member of the Deliverer Corps, Rowe had worked his way up to the position of Gunner with undeniable expertise. Years of constant warfare had given him a mastery over the oft-inaccurate Sunburst that few in his position could match.

Leaning all of his weight into the lever, Rowe sent the ornate projectile screaming towards the outskirts of the forest in a low arc. The bolt slammed into the ground right at the feet of the Thrall and obliterated it; sending debris of flesh & metal spraying into the trees nearby. Another Thrall just behind the one targeted was also caught in the explosion & collapsed as fire consumed what remained of its decaying body. 

Running past the wooden house, the Bastions' heavy armor announced their presence with a resounding thunder. As they entered the eastern zone, their leader, Ansel, directed them to stagger their position. The chance of facing the toxic sprays some Cryxian horrors are known for required his troops to avoid bunching up closely.

Severius sent his Revenger running towards the center of the battlefield. The Hierarch recognized his physical frailty would mean he need practice caution in his advancement. Walking up behind Arms Master Shaw, he gripped his Staff of Judgement tightly in both hands as he invoked the Creator's blessing to cast an aura of protective "Vision*" onto Revenger. He then connected with the warjack on an ethereal plane, channeling a defensive spell of warding* onto the Exemplar Bastions.

Elias Gade walked up behind the western forest; readying both Crossbows. He positioned himself to defend against any attempts for Deneghra's force to move around and flank Severius.

Severius then commanded Indictor to run towards Shaw & the northern command post. The heavy warjack stood behind its mighty shield & readied its Banisher sword in anticipation. Lastly, Vigilant was sent near Gade to assist in warding off any flanking maneuvers the Cryx may have planned.

* Combat Coordination - Friendly Deliverer model in Shaw's command range can reroll 1 attack or damage roll, then it expires.

* Vision - Ignore 1 damage roll from a direct hit, then it expires.

* Defender's Ward - Friendly Faction model / unit gains +2 DEF & ARM.

Cryx Turn 2

The air around Deneghra blurred as she shifted into a ghostly form*. Walking into the western zone, she focused the entirety of her being towards Revenger. With her arms outstretched, she clenched her fists & forced the jack's exhaust stacks to temporarily choke; artificially thickening the air inside them & effectively stealing its steam engine's ability to breathe*. 

In a flourish, she swung her arms out to her sides; hands now opened with her palms to the sky. Dark blue energy surged from the Wraith Witch into Revenger. The warjack's posture slumped slightly as its form looked as if it were fully transparent for a moment; cursing Revenger to enshroud it in shadow*.

Having bewitched Severius' arc node, she directed the Skarlock Commander to rally his automatons to charge into the forward rank of Protectorate warjacks. Raising his Fell Spear, he ordered the Thralls forward into the fray. Two Mechanithralls & a Brute Thrall charged into Indictor; all 3 attempting to slam their dual SteamFists in a combined strike*. Where neither lesser Thrall was able to do more than scuff Indictor's armor, the Brute Thrall drove both of her Heavy SteamFists into its chest; hitting Indictor for 9 to column 3.

Of the 2 Thralls that attacked Revenger, only 1 had any success. Even against Revenger's temporarily weakened state, the lowly Mechanithrall was only able to do a single damage to column 5. Skarlock Commander & the other Brute Thrall ran to close the distance with the jacks, as their paths were blocked from charging by the stone wall & edge of the forest, respectively.

"Steady!", Ansel called out to his Bastions as a ghostly form approached their ranks. As the command rang out, Hellslinger Phantom had already taken Ansel & the trooper to his left in his sights. Both Wraithstorm Pistols erupted with maleficent intent; sending bolts of dark flame into the Bastions. 

Fire enveloped their armor as both were hit directly. Ansel suffered a single wound, while Brill to his left was struck for 4 damage. Each of his brothers beside him sacrificed a bit of their own strength to take some of the pain; relieving Brill of a near-mortal wound through their shared Sanguine Bond*.  

Hoping to capitalize on their suffering, Deneghra had Ripjaw charge into the left-most Bastion in the formation. Bracing for the impact, Bairn Kendrick steadied his Consecrated Halberd right as Ripjaw's Bone Saw came into range. Bairn drove the blade into the jack's gaping maw. Bone & metal exploded into shrapnel when Ripjaw's head was struck by the blade. Suffering 12 damage to column 1, its cortex & head were both crippled in the defensive strike*. Weakened by the counter attack, Ripjaw was unable to mount any offense in its attempt to retaliate.

Darragh considered advancing to support the Thralls, but with how the early battle was playing out, he chose instead to take up position on the southern command post. Hellslinger Phantom had abandoned it to assault the Exemplar Bastions, expecting Ripjaw to tie them up while the spectral gunslinger continued to attack them from a distance. Now that Ripjaw stood miserably in such a battered state, Hellslinger would stand alone in the face of a some of Protectorate's most dangerous warriors. Darragh pulled the reins of his mechanikolt to the right, sending it running over to assume position at the command post.

Deneghra cursed at the positioning of the Thralls so closely engaged with the Protectorate warjacks. She had planned to move Defiler up to spray Revenger. However, the awkward twitching & erratic spacing of the Thralls prevented a clear shot without also spraying several Thralls. Adjusting her strategy, she had Defiler run towards the central forest in hopes of getting a shot at the Bastions when the opportunity presented itself.

She pushed Slayer to run up behind Skarlock Commander. It was all but certain that the lowly thralls would fall to the might of Indictor & Revenger eventually, but this was by design. They would serve as cannon fodder to slow the warjacks' advance until Slayer could close the distance to rend them to shreds.

Deneghra then directed the Stalker to proceed through the forest of aptly named witch hazel trees. Yellow blossoms fell in a shower as the spidery warjack moved through the trees. Once it reached the clearing on the other side, Stalker's engine roared as it leapt high into the air; coming down to land behind Revenger. Striking out with one of its Eviscerators, Stalker attempted to drive the blade into Revenger's back. A field of energy flashed & prevented any damage as "Vision" triggered & expired immediately after. In a surprising turn of events, Stalker's second attack missed on a roll of double 1s.

* Breath Stealer - Target model / unit suffers -2 SPD and DEF for 1 round.

* Curse of Shadows - Target model / unit suffers -2 ARM & cannot make free strikes. Models can advance through the affected model(s) if they have enough movement to move competely past it. Upkeep spell.

* Combo Strike - Make a single melee attack. The damage roll is this model's STR plus twice the POW of the weapon.

* Sanguine Bond - When this model would suffer damage from an enemy attack, 1 or more models in its unit can suffer any amount of that damage. A model cannot suffer more damage than it has empty boxes as a result of Sanguine Bond.

* Defensive Strike - Once per turn, when an enemy model advances into & ends its movement in this model's melee range, this model can immediately make 1 basic melee attack against it.

Protectorate Turn 2

Ansel was able to extinguish the fire on his armor, but Brill's continued to burn. Thankfully, the heavy Bastion armor prevented the flames from injuring him for now.

With his warjacks either engaged with the enemy or en route to them, Severius lent a portion to each of them from the blessings the Lawgiver had bestowed upon him.

Shaw was able to make way to the northern command post & get a better view of the embattled front line. He called out to Rowe & his crew to take aim at Defiler. With his guidance as an experienced "Artillerist*", he was able to direct them with expert instruction. Heeding their Arms Master's directions, Rowe readied the Sunburst while Grunts Wyatt & Shay loaded another projectile.

A deafening roar echoed across the countryside as the bolt exploded into the small bonejack. The resulting fireball completely consumed one of the smaller Thralls engaged with Revenger and also caught a Brute Thrall & Slayer in the blast. The direct hit on Defiler did 6 damage to column 1; crippling its head & by extension, its Sludge Cannon. Slayer was unharmed by the blast, though its chassis was covered in fire & cause for concern that any exposed hydraulic hoses be compromised if the fire were not extinguished soon. The Brute suffered 4 damage. Though weakened and burning, she continued to fight on.

Looking through the eyes of Indictor, Severius saw the chance to set the stage in his favor with a single move; perilous as it were. It would be a gamble for certain, but he sent Indictor trampling over the Mechanithrall directly to its left. Skarlock Commander was also caught in the path as the heavy warjack barreled towards Deneghra. Expending the last of the added blessing bestowed on it by Severius, Indictor crushed both Thrall & Skarlock under foot. With their leader laying dead before them, Deneghra instructed one of the Brute Thralls to take command of what little remained of the unit.

Indictor did not escape the powerful attack unscathed however. Both Brutes, a Mechanithrall, & Slayer all took free strikes after it trampled their compatriots. The Mechanihrall & Brute Thrall who had been engaged with Indictor struck it for 1 to column 3 & 8 to column 2 respectively. The other Brute Thrall slammed her Heavy SteamFist into Indictor's side for 3 damage to column 2 and Slayer tore at it for 9 more damage to column 6.

When the dust settled, Indictor's movement & left arm were crippled, but the heavy warjack still stood...now in close range to Deneghra; the key to Severius' gamble. With the aura of Indictor's "Consecration" radiating out, Deneghra's ability to cast spells would be stifled. Additionally, his presence in the western zone nullified any chance she had of capitalizing on it.

Severius sent Vigilant charging the Brute that Indictor was previously in melee with; driving its right Shield Fist into her skull. The Mechanithrall standing beside her was covered in blood, bone, & bits of flesh as the attack annihilated the Brute Thrall. A second later, the Mechanithrall too fell victim to a blistering punch from Vigilant's other Shield Fist. 

Not wanting to leave the Hierarch in danger of the Stalker, Gade moved closer to Severius & took aim at his Prey. Both of his Heavy Crossbows shot true. The first bolt pierced Stalker's chest; doing 5 damage to column 3 at straight dice. The second arrow struck deep into its left shoulder for 10 damage to column 5;  severing internal wiring & crippling its right Eviscerator.

Seeing the Stalker struggling to maintain an upright posture, Severius took matters in his own hands to remove the threat. A ball of immolating fire* burst forth from the tip of his staff to engulf the Cryxian warjack. As its smoldering wreckage crumpled to the ground, the Exemplar Warder shifted his focus to the remaining Thralls; eyeing them to be his new Prey targets.

Invigorated by how the tides had turned so favorably for his entourage, the elder warcaster charged the Mechanithrall that was fighting Revenger. With all the strength he could muster, Severius swung his Staff of Judgement to bring it crashing down into the Thrall; splitting its head open to end the misery that passed for its undead life.

Having gained better range to Deneghra, Severius saw the perfect opportunity to unleash the unmatched "Divine Might*" of the Lawgiver. Striking the butt of his Staff into the ground, he sent a shockwave rippling across the battlefield. As it passed over Deneghra, she felt a portion of her power begin to fade.

Severius then moved Revenger slightly so that it could get Defiler in range of its Halberd without risking a free strike from the Brute Thrall nearby. The blade cut deep into the side Defiler's head, crippling its cortex with 5 damage to column 1. The Brute to its right was proving to be a nuisance, prompting Revenger to turn & batter her with its Repulsor Shield. The impact sent the lifeless body of the Thrall staggering backwards before falling to her knees. The massive wound to her face  was now visible; revealing how the attack crushed her frontal lobe to kill her.

Finally, the light warjack turned its attention back to Defiler. Expending the last of the blessing Severius had gifted, it mustered the power to attack Defiler once more with its Halberd. The blade drove clean through the bonejack; utterly destroying the arcane internal mechanisms that gave it life. 

"By the Creator's will!", Ansel exclaimed as he charged Hellslinger Phantom. His loyal warriors followed his lead. Victor joined Ansel in assaulting the Phantom, while Brill & Perth swarmed Ripjaw and Bairn ran to protect Severius. The eidolic gunslinger dodged both Bastions' attacks with ease, but Ripjaw would not be so lucky. Brill slashed across its back, tearing open exhaust stacks, before Perth decapitated the bonejack.

Score

Cryx +1 (near-side flag)

Protectorate +1 (far-side flag)

Cryx 1 - Protectorate 1

* Artillerist - Target friendly Faction model gains +2 RAT when making its next AOE ranged attack this turn. If the attack does not directly hit, you can reroll the direction and / or distance of its deviation.

* Immolation - RNG 8 POW 12 Fire damage magical attack. The model hit suffers the Fire Continuous effect.

* Divine Might (FEAT) - While in Severius' control range, enemy models cannot cast spells or be used to channel spells and enemy warcaster / warlock models suffer -2 FOCUS and FURY. Lasts 1 round.

Cryx Turn 3

Her army had been decimated, but Deneghra was too stubborn to retreat. In a clearer mind, she may have, but she allowed the anger raging through her to cloud her judgement. Her power weakened by Severius' accursed sorcery coupled with Indictor's proximity disrupting her necromantic abilities left her little choice in strategy going forward. She transferred a portion of what little vitality she had left to Slayer.

If she could destroy Indictor, Slayer would be free to tear into Revenger & the Bastion protecting Severius. Deneghra tried 3 times in vain to destroy the debased warjack; exerting the last of her power to summon the energy for repeated attacks. Though the blade of her Eclipse struck Indictor each time, its armor was too much for her to overcome in her weakened state. After failing to destroy it on the final attempt, she channeled a Dark Banishment* through Eclipse. In the blink of an eye, Indictor vanished, only to reappear near Darragh Wrathe. If she could not destroy Indictor, she would at least ensure that it was no longer affecting her corrupting influence on the western zone.

Maintaining his position on the command post, Darragh slashed his Necro-Scythe across Indictor's back. To his amazement, the heavy warjack stood; defiantly holding out as the attack was only able to take out 1 of its remaining 2 health.

Hellslinger Phantom turned slightly & fired an Incendiary shot into the side of Indictor. Deneghra cursed in disbelief to see yet another attack fail to destroy the Protectorate warjack. Before he could get another shot off, the malevolent specter was accosted by one of the Bastions nearby. Firing his other Wraithstorm Pistol at point blank range as he turned, the Incendiary shot hit Victor in the shoulder for 1 damage.

Under the urging of his mistress, Slayer charged into Revenger. Drawing upon the power from Deneghra to increase its chance to hit, Slayer lunged with both of its Death Claws* into Revenger's chest for 6 damage to column 1. Depleting the last of the additional energy from Deneghra, it attempted another attack, but Revenger dodged it easily.

Score

Cryx +1 (left zone)

Protectorate +1 (far-side flag)

Cryx 2 - Protectorate 2

* Dark Banishment - When this model hits an enemy model with this weapon during its activation, after the attack is resolved you can place the enemy model anywhere completely withing d6 + 3"  of its current location. A model can be placed by Dark Banishment only once per turn.

* Combo Strike: Death Claw - Same as described previously for Mechanithralls / Brute Thralls.

Protectorate Turn 3

The fires burning on the Bastions & Indictor continued, but only Victor & Brill suffered any damage from the flames. Victor was hit for 2 damage, while Brill suffered 1 due to the fire. Severius saw the opportunity to dispatch the Cryxian invaders as Deneghra stood alone in the western zone with her power nearly depleted. He prayed additional blessings upon both Indictor & Vigilant once more and directed the warjacks to converge on the Wraith Witch.

As Indictor lumbered towards the zone, Darragh attempted a free strike, but failed miserably as his blade just glanced off of the warjack's back. Sparks flew as metal clashed, but Indictor marched onwards.

Struggling to move, Indictor just barely made it into range for the attack. With both of its arms crippled, it expended most of Severius' blessing to boost its chance to hit & damage with its Banisher. The powerful blow struck Deneghra in the back; forcing her to use the last of her energy reserve to reinforce her powerfield. Even with this protection, she suffered 5 damage. Indictor then slammed its Shield into her, using the last of its blessings to increase its chance of hitting. Connecting once more, the attack hit her for another 3 damage.

As she struggled to regain her footing, Vigilant's steam engine roared to life & it charged in. Fueled by Menoth's righteous anger, the massive Shield Fist struck Deneghra mid torso; severing her spine & ending her life.

After Action Review


Jason's Thoughts

Revisiting this play as I wrote this really made me miss playing Cryx. I'm definitely going to start swapping them in for a game every now & then even though I'm mostly playing Skorne at the moment. In my heart, I'm a Cryx player, but I'm going to continue my experiment trying to learn what combos / synergies I can with the Skorne lists I'm running.

That said, there were definitely a few things I did wrong in this game though. For one thing, I should have concentrated more thralls on Revenger to get rid of it. I definitely like using Mechanithralls as more of a nuisance to slow her heavy hitters down, but I spread them out too much between Indictor & Revenger. Indictor's ARM 21 is just too much for them to crack by  much even with using POW 13 Combo Strikes. 

I'd have been better off just having the Brute Thralls tie up Indictor since their Combo Strike hits at POW 19 and let more Mechanithralls harass Revenger. Also, with both Brute Thralls on Indictor, it would have prevented that trample power attack.

I also committed too few models to deal with the Bastions. My plan was to have Ripjaw charge in to boost & do so much damage that she wouldn't use Sanguine Bond. I knew the danger of Defensive Strike was there, but didn't expect it to take out its head right away; which made the follow up attack so weak.

Donna's Thoughts

I was really getting comfortable with how to play Severius. I like how he can make Exemplar Bastions and Indictor so much tougher with Defender's Ward, Vision, etc. Those 2 hit so hard, especially Indictor with the Banisher being POW 18 with Severius' Eye of Menoth ability. The Exemplar Bastions were my first experience with Weapon Master. Also, I like how their weapons are magical since so much of his Cryx can be Incorporeal.

I was really proud of the trample with Indictor. I hadn't done too many power attacks before then, but I saw the chance to trample over the Mechanithrall & Skarlock AND put Indictor close enough to Deneghra so she couldn't cast spells. It just hit me when I looked at where everybody was and I went for it.

The only problem was if all the free strikes after killed it, but thankfully Jason only got a few good rolls for damage. We were both blown away to see him still standing with 2 boxes left after 5 different free strikes, especially with Slayer & 2 Brute Thralls hitting him. 

This game was a lot of risky but fun stuff for me. The idea of charging a Mechanithrall with Severius was just too silly not to try. I normally wouldn't want him too close to the action, but I knew I still had the Exemplar Bastions to activate and could run one of them to protect him.