Warhammer Fantasy Battle Reporter Forum

Sorry in advance, I didn't think to take any pictures. It wouldn't have helped tons anyway because we only had 2 completed units in use anyways. This was a teaching game I played with a friend, who was playing for the first time. We were using the previous edition of the Dark Elf Army Book (him) and I used the current High Elf Army. The scenario was that a lone lord on dragon was ambushing a small Dark Elf force . . .

My Army:
Prince Argent - Star Dragon, Shield, Mask of the Merlord, Vambraces of Defence, Skeinsliver, Great Weapon, Longbow.

Opposing Army:
Dark Elf Noble w/ Great Weapon on Dark Steed (Not sure if that's legal . . .)
6 units of 10 Dark Elf Warriors
Reaper Bolt Thrower

Turn 1:
Prince Argent comes upon a platoon of Dark Elves that are preparing for a raid on a nearby village. Knowing that the nearest troops won't come in time, he attacks along with his faithful Star Dragon, Khellendros (Kudos if you catch reference). He begins by swooping in, unleashing a blast of fire onto the unsuspecting Dark Elves.

The Dark Elves respond by immediately charging and surrounding Prince Argent. Or at least two, as the rest quiver in fear. They try valiantly to pierce Khellendros'es scales, but to no avail. Their attacks are returned in a barrage from the Dragon and his Prince, breaking the adjacent units, chasing one down and destroying it while the other flees the battlefield altogether.

Turn 2:

"Now, we strike." Murmurs Argent to his steed. moving as one, they leap forwards towards the next unit, tearing it to shreds, and chasing it down until they crash into the enemy general and his Reaper Bolt Thrower. "This one seems worthy." Argent says. "I challenge you, vile Druchii! For Caledor!"

Sly laughter erupts from behind as the remaining Dark Elves think they've ensnared the Prince. He merely focuses on the enemy's commander, and effortlessly slays him, albeit in an extremely gory way [Overkill points +5]. The rest of the Druchii are so shaken by this, they flee the battlefield in terror of this noble knight. [Opponent surrendered]

Like I said, my opponent was learning for the first time. He decided that he really liked the game, and I think that he learned very quickly, especially that Dragons rock and Lords are infinitely superior to core troops. Of course, if we had been playing with the updated Dark Elves, this may have been very different.

Oh right, The Board Layout:
Flat board, except for one large hill in the Dark Elf end. Deployment Zones were each half of the board. It was 4 feet by 2 feet.

Victory: Massacre to High Elves; but valiant Dark Elf effort (the last time I will use valiant and Dark Elf or Druchii in the same sentence, I promise).

Any advice on teaching new players? Thanks!

I actually have found a modified version of the Battle for Skull Pass works well; not neccesarily buying it because unless you want to play gobbos or dwarfs, not much point, but breaking a couple core units down and letting them go at it with maybe a special per side.

Exam-ple, since you are rolling High Elf and Dark Elf, go with 10 spearmen, 10 seaguard with bows, 5 swordmasters and a basic noble for the High Elves, and with maybe 5 cold ones, 10 repeater crossbows and 10 line troops for the Dark Elfs. Maybe put a hydra for Dark Elves and Repeater Bolt Thrower for high elfs.

Don't woory too much about army special rules the first game or two, and play each side once. Gives them a feel for missile troops, line combat troops, war machines, cavalry, and monsters, how it is to play with them and how to play against them.

then you introduce the army special rules and play another game, playing once each side.

Then you can add a low level wizard or something and pretty soon they have seen each phase of the game, have not had it thrown at them all at once, and will be hooked. Much like a substance that is white and sounds like track, the first one is free...after that, they pay for their butt-kicking

Hm. That's a good idea. I would have never thought of that because I've never bought either of the starting sets. My friend is interested in starting either Wood Elves or Vampire Counts; do you have any idea what would be good for him to choose to get first apart from the army rulebook (which he'll probably torrent, knowing him)?

Vampire Counts are probably the tougher to play, though both are very squishy. I actually recommend trying a couple games with proxies first. I have a friend who just bought a bunch of Bretonnians up front before playing a game and if he had it to do over again, I doubt he would.

I went Wood Elfs at first because I really, really, really wanted to play Wardancers and after seeing them in combaty 5 times now, I do not even put Wardancers in.

So I would start small, maybe a 500 or 750 point block. With Wood Elfs I actually really like the Battallion Box as the Glade Guard and Glade Riders are awesonme, gives you a feel for Dryads, and by just adding a hero model, you can easily field about 6-- points right there, more than enough to play a few small games and get a feel for what to add next. Also gives you experience with Fast Caavalry and Fear causing models.

Next you can add a few Waywatchers (scout, killing blow) or maybe a Treeman and if he likes the army, it has been built in palatable steps.

VC I have less experience with, so making a competitive army is something someone else will have to help with, I probably would butcher it.

CRel, ouch ! What a way to introduce your friend to the game. Are you sure you're not a Dark Elf in disguise

Love the way you introduced him by absoloutely demolishing him! Could have scared him off.

If he wants the Codexs send me a P.M.