Warlords of Goria II - Another Warlords of Eherwon/Celtos AAR

Introduction

Since my first game (AAR here) I've been itching to get back to Goria.  This time I played with the Fir Bolg and Formorians from my collection.  I used selections from the Orc and Goblin lists from The Warlords of Eherwon book for the Formorians, and the Undead for the Fir Bolg.  I had to do a bit of work to convert the Celtos Flesh Eaters but otherwise I used the troops straight from the WoE book.  I've put the lists here for those interested.

Set up

I had already assigned a number 1-6 for each unit of each faction and marked each command dice appropriately to help randomise activation and I extended this idea to deploy the units randomly.  I rolled a D6 to place each unit on the table working top to bottom.  This helped avoid me unconsciously matching up units as I deployed them, something that can happen with solo games. 

Starting positions Fir Bolg to the left.

Turn 1

As expected the first turn was all about movement with some exceptions.  The Goblin Archers Advanced and fired on the Flesh Eaters who’d moved forward. Although they hit 3 times and inflicted a Pin they caused no casualties.  The Skeleton Archers were more successful, killing an Orc Mauler and causing a Pin.  That was the main action of the turn.

Position at end of Turn 1

Turn 2

After the usual slow start it all kicked off in Turn 2.  The Orc Raiders sprinted to charge the Flesh Eaters passing their Agility test.  In the ensuing melee the Flesh  Eaters took 3 casualties to the Orcs' 2.  The Flesh Eaters passed the Break test and the Orcs decided to press home and in the follow on combat killed another Flesh Eater with no loss to themselves.  They now consolidated moving apart.  The Flesh Eaters activated next and being crazed pyschos rushed back into the fray.  This time they got the better of their opponents killing 2 but taking a casualty themselves. Although losing the combat they just passed the Break test and the fight continued.  Another Orc went down but also another 2 Flesh Eaters. With one figure left and 8 Pins which was equal to their Command stat the unit was destroyed.  

Flesh Eaters and Orc Raiders hard at it

The Orc Spearmen failed their Agility roll on moving into the woodland and had their movement reduced to half. The Zombies shuffled towards the Orc Raiders and then failed their Agility test to take a Pin. The Orc Shaman Advanced and cast Peculiar Portal on the Wraith which narrowly failed.  The Skeleton Spearmen moved forwards to flank the Orc Spearmen.  The Skeleton Archers unleashed a volley of arrows on the Orc Spearmen, who were now grateful for being caught up in the woods as it gave them  some cover and they only took a single casualty and Pin.  The Orc Maulers passed their Order test and charged the Skeleton Spearmen, taking a Pin for failing the Agility test after sprinting.  In the melee each side took a casualty. The Orcs lost due to having that extra Pin from sprinting. They passed the Break test and the two sides moved apart.  The Skeleton Warscythes charged the Orc Spearmen and 3 Orcs and 2 Skeletons were slain.  The Orcs failed their Break test  taking another 3 Pins which resulted in the unit being destroyed.  The Orc Chieftain charged into the flank of the Skeleton Spearmen hitting three times but caused no wounds. The Skeleton response killed his 2 bodyguards. He passed the Break test and the Skeletons pressed their attack. One attack wounded the Chieftain, who failed to damage his assailants but did pass his Break test.  The two sides disengaged. 

The Orc Chieftain in action just about to lose his bodyguard

The Goblins Advanced and fired at the Wraith without effect.   The Wraith charged into the Orc Raiders killing one, the Wraith shrugged off the return attacks.  The Orcs break and the additional 2 Pins caused the unit to be destroyed. A costly turn for the Formorians.  End of turn.

Position at end of Turn 2

Turn 3

The Goblins fired on the Wraith but his Toughness enabled him to roll off those hits that got through.  The Skeleton Warscythes failed their Order test and went Down losing a Pin.   The Zombies shambled on taking another Pin. The Orc Shaman called down a lightning bolt onto the Wraith causing 1 Wound.  The Orc Chieftain passed his Order test and charged the Skeleton Spearmen again, destroying 3 Skeletons but taking 2 hits and although shrugging off one he was  wounded for a second time and destroyed,  The Orc Maulers failed their Order test and went Down losing a Pin. 

Across the battlefield

The Skeleton Archers wounded the Orc Shaman.  The Skeleton Spearmen failed their Order test and went down shedding a Pin.  The Wraith charged the Orc Shaman and although hitting failed to damage him.  The Shaman missed his attack and having no desire to continue retreated apart.  Having lost half their force the Formorians rolled to see if they would continue, the game goes to one more turn.  

Of the units with a Down order the Orc  Maulers and Skeleton Warscythes passed their  Recovery tests, the Skeleton Spearmen failed.  End of turn.

Position at end of Turn 3

Turn 4 final turn

The Goblins shot at the Wraith causing another Pin.  The Orc Shaman failed his Command test but removed a Pin and went Down. 

Goblin Archers and Orc Shaman

The Wraith attacked the Shaman again and this time the Orc magic user is unable to ward the attacks off and falls.  

The last moments of the Orc Shaman

The Skeleton Archers Advanced to inflict 3 casualties on their Goblin counterparts.  The Orc Maulers inflicted 3 casualties on the Skeleton Spearmen without loss. The last remaining Skeleton Spearmen passed the Break test but is then wiped out in the follow on. The Warscythes clattered into the Maulers flank.  In the combat 3 Maulers and 1 Skeleton fall. The Maulers rout.  

The Skeleton Warscythes pile in

The Goblins were the only Formorian unit left on the table and they did what Goblins do and scampered to safety.  That's the end of the game.

Summary

A brutal demonstration of the Fir Bolg's power as they overcame the Formorians.  I thought that it would be a close game that could go either way, but it was a comprehensive Undead victory.  The Wraith was a very powerful unit, hence the high points cost and the Formorians should have targeted him more.  The Zombies did nothing at all apart from shamble about very slowly about, but they are nice models.  All in all another enjoyable game.  

If we look at these last two games as the semi-finals then I should play a final.  That'll be the Fir Bolg vs the Sidhe.  Now that should be a clash of legend.