Intro and Lists
Kenny and I were paired up for Northwoods Doubles 2026, fielding some Elemental-themed Forces of Nature and some Undead, respectively. You can read more about that right here.
The day had been a lot of fun, but going into the final game of the event, our record was decisively not great. We had two losses, and had scrapped a pitiful 2 out of 10 points for our consolation Attrition score. We were scrapping at the bottom table, surprisingly against Rob and his Halflings, and Joe and his Orcs. Their match-ups had not been kind, and astute readers may recall that Joe was actually running the event. We had some late attendance shuffles, necessitating he step up as the Ringer as well. Joe had the following:
It is a similar list to what we've seen before from Joe, but all painted up now, and just slimmed down to the essential combat pieces, with multiple regiments of Axes and Riftforged and a few characters to issue Green Rage.
Rob's list explored some other ground. He does not like where his army is at, and feels like Mama and her multiple Orders is a mandatory take. In addition to the legendary cook, we've got a Gunnery Sergeant, allowing for conscripted Trolls in Core, and two Grenadiers are around to make use of all the stacking, variable Brutal.
Table and Terrain
The event was in Reedsburg, WI, and we were throwing down at the neat, multifunctional community center. The Forests were Height 10, the two-layered rock outcroppings were blocking at Height 7, Hills 3, Obstacles Height 2, but just for cover purposes, and the rough terrain here was an overgrown field and is Height 1. Being a Northwoods event, one of the flat pieces of terrain was a third forest.
At some previous Northwoods events, we had used a veto and pick system for scenarios, but that was also apparently tossed, with the TO revealing the scenario for each round as team pairings and tables were announced.
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| Overview of the table. |
For the third and final game of the day, we have Dominate. Coming off the exact center of the board is a 12” radius scoring zone. The most Unit Strength within that zone at the end of the game wins it.
We again lost the roll for sides, and they even forced us to switch sides! The blocking terrain plus forests was pretty rough over here… and we again went for team drops, with both players each placing a unit before passing the action back.
We have living Trolls with the Stone, a Gunnery Sergeant backed up by Grenadiers, and the Trolls with the Brew of Sharpness, Mama, and more Grenadiers. The Orcs had Ax regiments in the front, with the Riftforger and Thonaar tucked in, and then three Riftforged regiments as reserve units.
With the outcropping really gumming things up for the scenario, I convinced Kenny to play things a little tighter, with my goal being to delay a bit in the center, and pile in from the left.
The Wights again ended up on the far left, with the intent being to order them up and pivot. Our opponents are back enough this shouldn’t threaten much next turn, but I’m hoping to pressure in the midgame with them. So we have Wights, Skeletons, and Zuinok, with angled Zombie Trolls, and then the Revenant horde continuing the line. The woods are an issue, but with the field opposite us, we shouldn’t be too badly boxed in, so the Water Elementals ended here, with Earth Elementals ready to move up and abuse the outcrop. The Intern Druid is behind the Water Elementals, Fire Elementals are back, the Gladewalker even further back, and the Air Elementals way way back in reserve. I think we could have stuck the Gladewalker and Air Elementals on the line and applied some better pressure, coming around the back of the outcropping, but that is not my section of the field to command!
After three Rounds of lost setup rolls, we finally get the chance to seize the initiative. Kenny is hesitant, but we’re taking this, and Team Compost starts things off against Team Horcs (their name).
Top of Round 1: Team Compost
The Wights are ordered to lose shambling, and move up and pivot. Depending on how far the Trolls move up, with a little more positioning, we should be able to do that again next turn, without needing to first pivot around the outcropping over there, and if not needed, we can easily hop the obstacle if we want. The Wights are again having an okay opening.
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| The Undead inch up, forming a concave battle line. |
Skeleton Spears shamble up and pivot, and the angled Zombie Trolls shuffle ahead as well. Zuinok move ahead, but remains a bit behind the Revenants, who march up into the woods, along with the Water Elementals.
The Earth Elementals do pull up behind the outcropping, and fire Elementals awkwardly shuffle ahead, under the supervision of both Druids. The Air Elementals shuffle around too, a bit indecisive.
Bottom of Round 1: Team Horcs
The Orcs were all pivoting and orienting and pushing ahead towards the center while copying the Elementals, looking to use the big outcrop to mess with charges and alignment.
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| The Orcs marching towards the center. |
The Halflings also moved out, mostly into the fields, assuming a loose formation with the Trolls and the Sergeant in front, and Mama and Grenadiers in the back.
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| And the Halflings also heading into the midfield. |
The center of the field was already drawing many units in, and this was looking like it might be a very bloody game!
Top of Round 2: Team Compost
We are able to be sneaky. The Skeleton Spears move up, and Zuinok is able to tuck in behind them, though I think he needed to move at the double. He again order the Wights to lose Shambling, and we are able to run up, and just get out of arc of the Forest Trolls. The Wights aren’t really supported, but with only two things able to hit a facing now, I think the math is on our side to hold and just be a menace here.
The Zombie Trolls awkwardly clamber onto the hill, and the Revenants just adjust slightly.
The Water Elementals get a Striding Order… but with no charges, I convince Kenny not to try another crazy Surge play with them. I think Thonaar alone has a charge into them next turn, so we’re trying to play things pretty safe.
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| Wights get into a cozy spot, and the Undead constrict. |
The Earth Elementals sidestep towards the outcrop, preventing any sneaky sliding down charges, and the Fire Elementals continue to stare ahead. The Air Elementals do sidestep to the right, now threatening a future move and pivot and rear charges should the Orcs advance too far. I think this is great, as this should slow down the march of the Orcs into the center.
Bottom of Round 2: Team Horcs
While not actively threatening charges, the Elemental wing is slowing things down and making the Orcs think. They opt to layer. Thonaar again mirrors the Earth Elementals, and moves in nearer the outcropping. Axes move up to protect him, more Axes pull up behind. Two regiments of Riftforge continue their march, but keep it slow, and the third regiment thinks the Halflings need help, and pivots and moves at the double, moving behind the field and looking to add some strength over here.
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| Charges from the Halflings, with the Orcs being patient. |
The Trolls with the Brew of Sharpness pop their front facing out of the woods, and set up a bit of a kill-box with the Orc line, and the rest of the Halflings look to stuff up the Undead and delay them.
Grenadiers and a hindered Gunnery Sergeant hit the Wights, but as-hoped, the damage is low with just 3, and a Brutal +1 from the Order and +2 from the Grenadiers isn’t enough to move them.
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| The Undead endure the assaults. |
The flying Grenadiers are hindered by Phalanx, and still land 2 damage into the Spears, plus a Brutal 5 from their abilities and orders. The Trolls are hindered as well, and thump 6 damage into the Spears, but the Skeletons do hold on 8 total damage.
Top of Round 3: Team Compost
The Wights land 7 damage into the Gunnery Sergeant, and with Hann’s, get down to just 1 damage themselves. I’ve got Brutal, but with 15 Nerve, we aren’t able to break her.
Kenny is trigger happy so the Revenants pivot and move, pushing more into the center, and ready to help the Elementals out with their push, and everything dangerous is kept in front arc of the decaying horde.
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| Charges from Team Compost. |
Zuinok is able to land the covered +3 Lifeleech to get them up to Lifeleech 4. I opt to try and let the Spears grind here. With the Revenants moving ahead, the Spears can reform, and let the Zombie Trolls charge in against the Grenediers. The Trolls land 8, and injured and looking to Lifeleech things back before fighting the trolls, the Spears stab into the fliers as well, landing a hot 7 damage, and getting down to just 4 damage themselves. On 15 damage, the Grenadiers are devastated, but are Insane.
Kenny wants to multi-charge (he’s learning!) but can only fit multiple units into the relatively sturdy Forest Trolls with the Brew of Sharpness. He issues his commands, but we don’t catch him in time. The Intern Druid failed a Striding Command to the more potent Water Elementals, and the Gladewalker then lands one into the Earth Elementals, instead of trying again for the Water Elementals. Not great, but at least the stronger Earth Elementals are on the more dangerous side. And luckily, Kenny Math is in full swing. I miss the actual damage dealt, but improbably, but push works, and the Trolls and their Brew of Sharpness are picked up!
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| Most of the charges unfortunately bounce. |
I step in to counsel some reforms, and point out that we just want the Earth Elementals to change facing. This gets all the orcs that can threaten them into front arc, and protects the flank of the Water Elementals. The Water Elementals can just hold, and be safe for a turn. With minimal movement we should be able to order and surge them around next turn if needed, and they are already threatening the flank of the reinforcing Riftforgers, and even have the arc to help my Wights next turn. They are right were we want them!
The Fire Elemental move up to block for the Druids, and the Air Elementals move around a bit to more convincingly threaten getting behind the Orcish line.
Bottom of Round 3: Team Horcs
The Wights are grounded, but still a threat. The Grenadiers want to withdraw, but there sia big dead zone between them and the Riftforged unit that wants to relieve them. Rob is a very clever player though, and positions Mama between the units, and pivots such that corners are stretching out to cover the most space, minimizing the chance that the Grenadiers will simply stop and block up the Orcs. The Withdraw works, and the Grenadiers end up bouncing behind the Orcs, who then charge in against the Wights.
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| Withdraws and charges. |
The Riftforger moves back to attempt a Green Rage for the relieving Orcs, but the command fizzles, and the dice here are in my favor again. I think I should expect to land on 7 or 8 damage, which is tough, but not impossible, but the Orcs and Sergeant land a cool, combined 3 damage, to take the Wights up to just 4, and we hold. The Sergeant rolls a hot 4 for Regeneration though, getting down to just 3 damage.
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| The Undead hold. |
Mama grants the Trolls a Brutal 1, and they thump their expected 7 damage onto the Spears, with the Grenadiers landing a very hot 3 off of what should be half attacks due to being devastated. I think they rolled their full attacks, but on 14 damage, we still hold.
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| Overview of the battle. |
A regiment each of Riftforged and Ax orcs charge the Earth Elementals, with the Riftforgers being hindered. Thonaar’s supped up Green Rage lands on the Orcs, and he joins with a flank charge. The Earth Elementals are uninspired, and break. The other Ax regiment holds, content to sit and score, while the remaining Riftforged regiment in reserve pivots to protect the rear of the Orc’s line from the Air Elementals.
Top of Round 4: Team Compost
Kenny doesn’t want to commit the Air Elementals to a front-charge into a ready regiment, so delaying aside, he pivots and moves them beck towards the center. Even without a charge, I think we could have been a little sneakier here, just hopping the outcrop and threatening a charge instead of slowly positioning for one, but again that section of the battlefield is not mine to command, and the delay is working just fine!
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Kenny still wants to fight though, though I believe the Intern fails a Striding Command onto the Fire Elementals. For kicks, I opt to join them with a hindered charge from the Revenant horde into Thonaar. We’re hindered, and the damage is ridiculously low, with the Revenants contributing 1, and the Elementals 3, taking the Warlord up to 4 damage. This is funky but ok, as Thonar being stuck here actually prevents anything from getting in against the Fire Elementals, as the warlord can’t reform and keep in base contact to allow any of the wider Orc units to get in.
The Gladewalker is able to land a Striding Command onto the Water Elementals, and Kenny Math swings hard the other way, and what should be ~15 damage, ends up at just 8. Kenny insists he rolled the attacks twice for the flank attack, and while this is a suspicious break. his dice results really are something else, and I cannot say. I will note that we should also have slid the Water Elementals down more. I guess we were a little lazy with positioning.
Thinking the reinforcing Riftforgers were toast, the Wights threw their attacks into the Gunnery Sergeant, adding a pitiful 4 damage, also about half the damage expected. Kenny Math is rubbing off on me, but the Nerve checks are great, and I am still able to pick the Sergeant up, and before the Water Elemental’s rolled their combat.
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| A few Halfling units break, but we are still brawling hard in the center. |
The Zombie Trolls are forced to throw into the Grenadiers, and are able to pick up the devastated unit this time. They hold. I am admittedly trying to be sneaky. I am threatening the flank of the living Trolls, and hoping if Rob prevails against the Skeletons (very likely, given the last turn), he forgets that my Trolls Shamble.
Zuinok tries to get the Skeleton Spears to Lifeleech more, but all attempts fail. The Skeletons also fail pretty hard anyways, dealing just 1 damage to the living Trolls.
It was a wild round for our dice.
Bottom of Round 4: Team Horcs
Grenadiers make a hindered flank charge into the Water Elementals, still and still manage to over-perform with 3 damage, and a total of Brutal 3, getting 1 from themselves and 2 from Mmama. The Orc regiment smacks 5 more damage into them, and the hindered Riftforger goes 4/4 as well, and thanks to Brutal the Water Elementals are broken. That’s a rough loss, as they really shouldn’t have bounced last turn, and this was some good dice from hindered charges.
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| Charges from the Horcs. |
The Trolls got a Brutal 3 from Mama, and take the Skeletons up to 19 damage before breaking them. As I had hoped, Rob spends some time thinking, and spinning, until we agree that the living Trolls are indeed outside the arc of the Zombie Trolls.
Thonaar Withdraws, clipping past the Orc lines, allowing a regiment of Ax into the Fire Elementals. I believe Green Rage fails but the dice are still good, with 5 damage making it through.
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| Reforms from the Horcs. |
The other regiment of Ax, and both remaining regiments of Riftforgers jockey about, a bit gummed up, and wanting to help, but still contributing a ton to the scenario right now.
Top of Round 5: Team Compost
A Forces of Nature Command and double Heal spell gives the Fire Elementals a clean bill of health, and they burn a few damage into the Axes.
The Air Elementals move and pivot, getting into the woods. They’ll very likely need Strider to help any fights next turn, but they are up enough to be scoring for the scenario, and could still threaten some strong charges as the came concludes.
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| Aftermath of Team Compost's Turn 5. |
The Revenants sidestep and pivot past the combat, their flank secure, as they look to command the center. Ever-wary of the free Grenadiers, Zuinok protects his facing against them with the Revenant horde, and is able to surge the Zombie Trolls into the flank of the living Trolls, once my unit pivots.
The Zombie Trolls claw 12 damage onto their relatives, but it is not enough to pick them up when it is time to test. Nuts.
The Wights halt, still engaged with the Riftforgers. The Wights hit it, and things break out way here, with decent damage but a fine check against the Riftforged regiment (I think Mama is just out of range to offer Inspiring), we pick the unit up. The Wights Lifeleech down to just 2 damage, and overrun all the way to Mama, but can’t start a new combat against her, unfortunately.
Bottom of Round 5: Team Horcs
The lucky, living Trolls regenerate 3 and get down to 9 damage. They reform to right their rotting brethren, and Grenadiers leave the field, aiding with a hindered flank charge. Mama tries to Brutal the Trolls and fails, but gets a Brutal 1 onto the more important Grenadiers. The Zombie Trolls take 7 damage, but hold.
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| Charges form the Horcs. |
The remaining Riftforged regiments move into the center, trying to zone things out to score, with Thonaar and the Riftforger in the thick of it. Thonnar’s Rage lands to help the Axes against the Fire Elementals, and they are taken up to 7 damage, but hold on.
Top of Round 6: Team Compost
Zuinok gets a Lifeleech +1 onto the Zombie Trolls, and they again try to hit their living brethren, landing a fresh 6 damage, taking them up to 17 damage. They are not devastated, but also found to be Insanely Courageous. Boo.
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| Charges from Team Compost |
I talk things out with Kenny, and convince him to help my Wights against a unit of Riftforged, as we need to try and pick up some unit strength from our opponents. My Wights hit the front, hindered, but the Air Elementals hit the flank after getting a Striding order, and we able to pick the regiment up and reform.
My Revenants make a clean charge into the Riftforger, where 4 damage is expected, but just 1 damage connects.
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| And precious few Horc units break. |
The Fire Elemental get some Heals, but not enough to be topped off this time. While they do take the Ax regiment up to 8 damage, we aren’t able to break them, unfortunately.
Bottom of Round 6: Team Horcs
The pressure is on! The Axes fight get Thonnar’s Rage against the Fire Elementals, and ridiculous dice, to land 12 new damage off their 12 base attacks thanks to the Rage and just amazingly hot dice. They overrun, threatening to pin down the Druids.
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| Final fights from the Horcs. |
The other Ax unit gets a normal amount of Rage from the Riftforger, and they are able to pick the Air Elementals up with the help of a hindered charge from Thoonar.
The remaining Riftforger regiment makes a hindered charge into Wights, landing 3 damage and tying them up.
The Riftforger fights the Revenants, landing 2 damage, while Mama runs in, but is not charging, just to get the majority of her base in to score.
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| Oof, A significant amount of Team Compost falls. |
While he fell for my trap, the insane living Trolls are able to fight their way out of it, regenerating down to 12 damage, before the duo of Halfling units brings my Zombies up to 12, plus Brutal 2 to pick them up. Unfortunately for Team Horc, the living Trolls and the Grenadiers can’t make their way into the zone to score with any reforms, and we do not roll up a Round 7.
Team Horc has the Champion Mama (1), the Champion Riftforger (1), a regiment of Riftforged (2), two regiments of Axes (2 each) and the Warlord Thonaar (2) for a total of 10 US within the Dominate circle.
Team Compost has a regiment of Wights (2), a horde of Revenants (4), A Warlord Gladewarden (2), a Warlord Zuinok (2), and a Champion Intern Druid (1) for a total of 11 US within the Dominate Circle.
A razor-close victory to Team Compost!
Game Conclusion
A third great game to close out the day, and we get to end things on a win! Dice were particularly wild here. I don't think we typically take this, but we were able to apply lessons learned earlier in the day, had good pressure from the Undead, Elementals working together, and managed to pull this out. This was a great game to close out on, as I feel like Kenny and I were each making strides to understand our armies more, and were rewarded with the win.
Testing Conclusions
- Zuinok Iceblood. I don't think he ever missed a Spell or a Command Order, which is pretty good! He's the only big Surge caster for Undead, and access to the Arcane Library does make him appealing. The Fireball is neat, but the only times it hit, I forgot it had a 12" heal range and not 6", so didn't get much use out of it. If you want an Arcane spell, he seems like a fine pick.
- Revenants Horde. They are sturdy indeed! I would have loved to have given them an item, but they did just fine holding the line each game.
- Skeleton Spear Horde. They were a bit of a hedge, as I was expecting single regiments of cavalry plus the J Boots, but that did not materialize. I guess we hindered some Grenadiers, but the Spears didn't really come into play. With the rule changing and not stripping all Thunderous, they are little more niche, it seems, and normal Skeletons would have been just as good in the team games today.
- Zombie Trolls. They can still hold the line pretty well for cheap, but losing a few attacks has been noticeable, as they are just not punching through anything. The few attacks is probably good for balance, and this still feels like a large infantry unit. They are still a good budget option to fill space up with some Def5, but not the powerhouse all-comers statistical outlier it was before.
- Wights, Hanns. Positioning is important, and it seems keeping them nearer the front line (where they can actually make use of their greater speed) would have been the better call throughout the day, and having them on a flank was they better call, so that they can make use of the order.
Event Round-Up
- Get paired with a new face. Well, we got a new army out of him, but we've definitely played Kenny before, so the first goal is technically a flub. Still, spending the day with him was a lot of fun and his temperament was just what I wanted to manifest for this event. Kenny was a wonderful partner and I had a blast here!
- Play one new player. Game 2 had two new players for me, and strong ones at that! It was nice to chat and learn, so goal completed and then some here!
- Enjoy all three games. I definitely did! Each had their moments, and a lot was learned throughout the day. It's great getting out and seeing what other people are doing and thinking about the game, especially since the Minnesota guys are consistently operating at higher level than us. Big losses just mean big things to learn, and I was learning stuff all day while having fun.
- Win one game. It looked like we might flub on this one too! Warlords and Undead throngs, the Intern and no Round 7 all had to conspire to help us close the event out with our singular win. Goal completed!
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