Battle Report #249: Caine2 vs Vlad1

:: Prologue ::

Following a quick game 1 we re-racked and played again.

:: Lists ::

Cygnar:

Captain Allister Caine - WJ: +27
- Reinholdt, Gobber Speculator - PC: 4
- Stormwall - PC: 39 (Battlegroup Points Used: 27)
- Lightning Pod
Captain Arlan Strangewayes - PC: 4
Journeyman Warcaster - PC: 4
- Charger - PC: 9
Gobber Tinker - PC: 2
Ragman - PC: 4
Lanyssa Ryssyl, Nyss Sorceress - PC: 3
Rangers - Leader & 5 Grunts: 9
Storm Lances - Leader & 2 Grunts: 12
Storm Lances - Leader & 2 Grunts: 12

Opponent:

Vladimir Tzepesci, The Dark Prince - WJ: +28
-    Behemoth - PC: 24 (Battlegroup Points Used: 24)
-    Ruin - PC: 17 (Battlegroup Points Used: 4)
-    Rager - PC: 11
-    Rager - PC: 11
Kovnik Jozef Grigorovich - PC: 4
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor - PC: 5
Winter Guard Rifle Corps - Leader & 5 Grunts: 8
-    Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
-    Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
-    Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
Winter Guard Rifle Corps - Leader & 5 Grunts: 8
-    Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
-    Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
-    Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
Battle Mechaniks - Leader & 3 Grunts: 3

:: Pre-Battle Thoughts & Deployment ::

This time I won the roll-off. I probably should've gone 2nd to better learn that dynamic (as I think it's a lot better for me to go first) but I chose to go first because I was also eager to see how that affects the game.

The idea was to overwhelm a flank and pressure scenario if he didn't play cautiously. For him to not respect that would probably give me a significant lead. I wanted the Stormwall left to anchor. With meks and 2 Shield Guards I wasn't expecting the 'wall to get a lot of work done early game anyway.

:: Game ::

All Lances run towards the right. I'm hoping to draw out his Rifles because if I can kill one unit quickly the game opens up so much for me. It doesn't matter if I lose a Lance or two because there are still enough left and Caine's presence to ensure the flank will be in dire straits for Khador.

The Rifles go for the Lances but only kill 1: Vlad moved to the left trench and thus not many of them could benefit from S&P.

I initiate the plan on the right flank. The remaining 2 Lances get a Press Forward order and 1 assaults while the other runs in position. The other Lances shoot 3 bolts in the back of the running one which takes out 2 boys. Caine finishes the rest and move behind. I spread out Rangers and the Charger while the Stormwall moves to shoot Behemoth, taking care to stay outside of 15" of Ruin. If he wants to solo-charge Behemoth without support of any kind (I don't think he can even get S&P from Vlad in range without compromising his safety) I'll happily accept it.

The Tinker finishes off my turn by contesting the lower left flag in case he wants to feat for a crazy scenario move.

Khador don't really know what to do and the position is basically just consolidated. It's funny how much the loss of the Rifles on the right flank meant to his ability to control the table, and by extension, the scenario.

The 3-0 opening is real: Caine can wipe out some Rifles and crash onto the flag. Lanyssa marks the objective and the Charger and a Lance kill it. The rest of my army all run up to jam him as best as I can with the exception of the 'wall which runs to counter any models trying to contest me. 3-0.

Vlad1 feats and Behemoth and a Rager get in contest range.

Ragman spins up Death Field, Stormwall goes in with power from Arlan and starts hitting Behemoth. When he's done Caine opens up with Feat and with a focus or two left he takes out the last jack contesting me.

Victory to the Swans!

:: Evaluation ::

In this game I felt I was able to dictate the flow and the when and where the fights happened. I'm a little unsure of how cautiously I need to play Caine himself in this matchup but I think I'll simply have to allow Khador the chance to feat and try and pound him with Behemoth. Even with S&P he needs some pretty crazy rolls to kill me I think.

Playing both Lances on the same flank is definitely the right call. By having them on one flank, Caine in the middle and the Stormwall on the opposite flank Vlad really struggles with where he wants his jacks to go. Outside of feat he has big issues with mobility whereas Caine largely does not (basically only the Stormwall struggles). As long as the plan with the Stormwall is sound Caine is a happy camper. I think the trick here is to kind of force vlad into a position he doesn't want. He could've started pushing with jacks here but he could quickly find himself in a position where he doesn't really want to feat and commit them if he does do so.

I was very happy and satisfied with finding such a powerful play following a huge blunder in game 1. At least I learned my lesson!