Preparing for the GLWL Finals

The goal I set out with this season was to win the GLWL. Lofty goal, for sure, but I am one step closer after news this weekend. I had originally gone undefeated this season with a 5-0 record but lost a spot in the finals because Mike also went 5-0 in our division and scored more VP's to earn the spot in the finals. After a week of cancellations and spot filling I am in the GLWL 2012 "Elite 8" tournament for the League Championship and get a chance to complete my goal of winning the 2012 GLWL.

The tournament is an 8 man bracket within the 30 player tournament coming up next weekend. Our group of 8 plays and the winners move on, while the losers of each round are deposited back into the rest of the field. There will be a League Champion at the end of the day, as well as a Tournament Champion. Last year I didn't make it to the finals and ended up the Tournament Champion... this year I hope to win the League!

For those that don't follow regularly, the GLWL is a series of 5 games where you know your opponent and are required to publish online a 1500 point Fixed List. You then have another 1000 points to tailor for each opponent. In the finals tournament, we are required to make our lists using the previous fixed list, so we know what to partially expect going into the finals. I REALLY like this because I get to have even more fun preparing for the tournament with strategizing and theory-hammer.



Here are the Elite 8:

Mike Hernandez, Lizardmen

1 Slann Mage-Priest @ 540.0 Pts
     General; 4 Discipline; Magic Level 4; Lore of Light; Battle      Standard
     Cube of Darkness [40.0]
     Crown of Command [35.0]
     Standard of Discipline [15.0]
     # Higher State of Consciousness
     # Focus of Mystery 

39 Saurus Warriors @ 470.0 Pts
     Shield; Standard; Musician
     1 Champion @ [12.0] Pts

23 Saurus Warriors @ 294.0 Pts
     Shield; Standard; Musician
     1 Champion @ [12.0] Pts

3 Salamander Hunting Packs @ 225.0 Pts
     9 Skink Handlers 

Total Army Cost: 1529.0

I'm not going to lie, Mike is a good player but this is the Lizardman list I want to face out of the 2. No Cupped Hands and no Becalming Codgitation will make my day much easier. Mike usually runs a large block of Skink/Krox as well that I love to hit with Crack's Call. No double rare that cost over 100 points means I don't have to worry about more than the 3 Salamanders. I believe I have the tools to win this matchup easier than some of the other times we have played each other.



Jason Matley, Dark Elves

1 Dreadlord @ 297.0 Pts
     General; Heavy Armour; Sea Dragon Cloak
     Dragonhelm [10.0]
     Pendant of Khaeleth [35.0]
     Crown of Command [35.0]
     Soulrender [15.0]
     1 Dark Pegasus @ [50.0] Pts

1 Supreme Sorceress @ 285.0 Pts
     Magic Level 4; Lore of Shadow
     Sacrificial Dagger [25.0]

1 Death Hag @ 225.0 Pts
     Poison Attacks; Cauldron of Blood; Frenzy; 2ndWeapon; 
     Battle Standard
     1 Cauldron of Blood @ [110.0] Pts

20 Dark Elf Repeater Crossbowmen @ 225.0 Pts
     Rptr Crossbow; Light Armour; Shield; Musician

20 Dark Elf Repeater Crossbowmen @ 225.0 Pts
     Rptr Crossbow; Light Armour; Shield; Musician

1 Cold One Chariot @ 100.0 Pts

1 War Hydra @ 175.0 Pts

Total Army Cost: 1532.0

 A pretty standard Dark Elf list, in which I won't have to worry about double Hydras. I usually beat up on the list with my Skaven, but I will definitely have to plan around the "unkillable" Lord and try to ground him as much as possible through whatever means I have available.

Todd McGee, Warriors of Chaos

1 Troll King Throgg @ 175.0 Pts
     General

1 Exalted Hero of Khorne @ 190.0 Pts
     Mark of Khorne; Frenzy; Chaos Armour; Battle Standard
     Sword of Swift Slaying [25.0]
     Dragonhelm [10.0]
     Ironcurse Icon [5.0]

1 Chaos Sorcerer @ 165.0 Pts
     No Mark; Lore of Death; Magic Level 2; Chaos Armour
     Rod of Torment [45.0]

5 Trolls @ 225.0 Pts

5 Trolls @ 225.0 Pts

17 Chaos Warriors of Khorne @ 348.0 Pts
     Mark of Khorne; Halberd; Chaos Armour; Standard; Musician
     1 Champion @ [12.0] Pts
          Chaos Armour

23 Chaos Marauders @ 140.0 Pts
     Flail; Standard; Musician
     1 Chieftain @ [8.0] Pts

5 Chaos Warhounds @ 30.0 Pts

6 Marauder Horsemen @ 102.0 Pts
     Flail; Light Armour; Musician
     6 Warhorses

4 Ogres @ 210.0 Pts
     Great Weapon; Chaos Armour; Musician

1 Chaos Chariot @ 120.0 Pts

5 Chaos Knights of Khorne @ 240.0 Pts
     Mark of Khorne; Barding; Ensorcelled Weapons; Chaos Armour;
     Shield; Musician
     5 Barded Chaos Steed 

1 Chaos Giant @ 225.0 Pts

1 Scyla Anfingrimm @ 105.0 Pts
     
Total Army Cost: 2500.0

Throgg list! Because the list included special characters Todd was forced to publish all 2500 points. I have been beaten up my Warriors monster lists before, but only when they also included Kholek Suneater. I am much less worried about this list than some of the others but I still have to be very, very careful. I think my magic and artillery will win me the day over this list.

Nathan Dymora, Skaven

1 Grey Seer @ 465.0 Pts
     General; Magic Level 4
     Dispel Scroll [25.0]
     1 Screaming Bell @ [200.0] Pts
        
1 Chieftain @ 120.0 Pts
     Battle Standard
     Armour of Destiny [50.0]

30 Clanrats @ 147.0 Pts
     Light Armour; Shields; Standard; Musician

40 Clanrats @ 192.0 Pts
     Light Armour; Shields; Standard; Musician

40 Clanrats @ 192.0 Pts
     Light Armour; Shields; Standard; Musician

1 Hellpit Abomination @ 250.0 Pts
     Warpstone Spikes

1 Doomwheel @ 150.0 Pts


Total Army Cost: 1516.0

I rarely get the opportunity to face off against other Skaven, especially in tournament matches (not since Ard Boyz 2010). I really want this match up because I think I have the better Skaven list. I don't think the Doomwheel or the Bell or optimal choices, and I have the tools to take them out. Also possibly having no Slaves puts the match up well in my favor. I want this one!

Mark Wendling, Lizardmen

1 Slann Mage-Priest @ 460.0 Pts
     General; Magic Level 4; Lore of Life; Battle Standard
     # Focus of Mystery 
     # Becalming Cogitation 
     # Focused Rumination 
     Cupped Hands of the Old Ones [45.0]
     Standard of Discipline [15.0]

19 Saurus Warriors @ 250.0 Pts
     Shield; Standard; Musician
     1 Champion @ [12.0] Pts

10 Skink Skirmishers @ 80.0 Pts
     Javelin; Shield

10 Skink Skirmishers @ 80.0 Pts
     Javelin; Shield

19 Temple Guard @ 420.0 Pts
     Halberd; Light Armour; Shield; Standard; Musician
     Razor Standard [45.0]
     1 Revered Guardian @ [34.0] Pts
          Light Armour; Shield
          Sword of Battle [20.0]

6 Chameleon Skinks @ 72.0 Pts
     Blowpipe

2 Salamander Hunting Packs @ 150.0 Pts
     6 Skink Handlers 

Models in Army: 75

Total Army Cost: 1512.0

This is much closer to the typical Lizardmen list I prepare for and expect. And while it is probably the one I don't want to face of the two, I have a lot of practice against it and am prepared for all of the "tricks" it has with Skaven-y tricks of my own. Only 2 Salamanders is a very nice treat for my giant blocks of infantry. And while I am afraid of Dwellers, I would much rather face a Slaan in a small block of Temple Guard... so much easier to get rid of with Skaven.

Tom Baker, Dwarfs

 1 Runelord @ 273.0 Pts
     General; Gromril Armour; Shield
     Runic Talisman [100.0]
         Master Rune of Balance
         Rune of Spellbreaking (x2)
     Runic Armour [30.0]
         Rune of Resistance
         Rune of Stone

1 Thane @ 165.0 Pts
     Gromril Armour; Battle Standard
     Runic Armour [50.0]
         Master Rune of Gromril
         Rune of Resistance
     Runic Talisman [25.0]
         Master Rune of Challenge

37 Warriors @ 405.0 Pts
     Great Weapon; Heavy Armour; Standard; Musician
     1 Veteran @ [10.0] Pts

34 Hammerers @ 500.0 Pts
     Great Weapon; Heavy Armour; Standard; Musician
     Runic Banner [50.0]
         Master Rune of Grugni
     1 Gate Keeper @ [12.0] Pts

1 Cannon @ 95.0 Pts
     Engineering Runes [5.0]
        Rune of Burning

1 Organ Gun @ 120.0 Pts


Total Army Cost: 1558.0

Lots of artillers, flaming cannons, and multiple dispel scrolls. This will be a tough match up, and I will have to power up in the Dwarfs face and force my magic through with IF. I know I can do it, but this is easily the toughest match up for my style of play: big targets doing the heavy lifting with lots of magic support.

Eric Stephens, Dark Elves

1 Dreadlord @ 291.0 Pts
     General; Great Weapon
     Pendant of Khaeleth [35.0]
     Crown of Command [35.0]
     Armour of Darkness [25.0]
     1 Dark Pegasus @ [50.0] Pts

1 Death Hag @ 225.0 Pts
     Poison Attacks; Cauldron of Blood; Frenzy; 
     2ndWeapon; Battle Standard
     1 Cauldron of Blood @ [110.0] Pts

10 Dark Elf Repeater Crossbowmen @ 105.0 Pts
     Rptr Crossbow; Light Armour; Musician

10 Dark Elf Repeater Crossbowmen @ 105.0 Pts
     Rptr Crossbow; Light Armour; Musician

29 Dark Elf Warriors @ 225.0 Pts
     Spear; Light Armour; Shield; Standard; Musician
     1 Lordling @ [6.0] Pts

24 Dark Elf Warriors @ 190.0 Pts
     Spear; Light Armour; Shield; Standard; Musician
     1 Lordling @ [6.0] Pts

5 Harpies @ 55.0 Pts

10 Shades @ 170.0 Pts
     2ndWeapon; Rptr Crossbow

1 War Hydra @ 175.0 Pts

Total Army Cost: 1541.0

Another tough Dark Elf list. Similar tactics to the first, with less shooting. I think I would rather face this list of the two, but I know both are very good players.

Brad Schwandt, Skaven

1 Grey Seer @ 295.0 Pts
     General; Magic Level 4
     Earthing Rod [25.0]
     The Foul Pendant [30.0]

1 Warlock Engineer @ 45.0 Pts
     Doom Rocket [30.0]

29 Stormvermin @ 235.0 Pts
     Halberd; Heavy Armour; Standard; Musician

     1 Fangleader @ [10.0] Pts

29 Clanrats @ 155.0 Pts
     Light Armour; Shields; Standard; Musician
     1 Clawleader @ [8.0] Pts

29 Clanrats @ 155.0 Pts
     Light Armour; Shields; Standard; Musician
     1 Clawleader @ [8.0] Pts

40 Skavenslaves @ 82.0 Pts
     Slave Musician

40 Skavenslaves @ 82.0 Pts
     Slave Musician

5 Gutter Runners @ 90.0 Pts
     2ndWeapon; Poisoned Attacks; Sling; Throwing Stars

34 Plague Monks @ 300.0 Pts
     Frenzy; 2ndWeapon; Standard; Musician
     Plague Banner [30.0]
     1 Bringer-of-the-Word @ [10.0] Pts

1 Warp-lightning Warp Cannon @ 90.0 Pts

Total Army Cost: 1529.0

My own list isn't even as optimized as I would have liked, taking more Core than I needed and probably would have wanted if I wrote it again. I've used it successfully against the guys I know I have played before, though, which gives me confidence.

Here we go!