Grudge Match 2: This time it's Grudgier (A Team tournament preview)

 This Saturday (26th Feb) sees the return of the Grudge Match between your erstwhile heroes at Drawn Combat vs the nefarious villains of Rebel Base Gaming. The format will be a 4 round 500 point tournament, but with a twist in that the last round you will be randomly assigned one of the 16 armies that have been brought to the event! We have drawn the first round so lets have a little preview. It's worth mentioning that RBG won the first Grudge Match (definitely cheated, it's the only explanation) so we here at DC are fighting for pride this time!

(To address the Mumak in the room, I know we did one of these previews for the first Grudge Match and never followed up but that's because sadly several of team DC were struck with COVID and/or childcare issues right before the event and so it went ahead with reduced numbers. It was a bit of a bummer for those who couldn't go so we didn't try to hard to follow up. Hopefully this time will be different!)

Scenario 1: Clash By Moonlight

Game 1: Rivendell (RBG) v Army of Thror/Iron Hills (DC)

Erestor (General)

1 High elf; bow, spear
3 High elf, shield, spear
1 High elf; banner, shield, spear
1 High elf, shield
6 Rivendell Knight, shield

High Elf Captain; Horse, Lance, Shield
7 High elf; spear, shield
2 High elf, shield

VS

Thror
8 guardians of the King

Dain on pig
2 goat riders
7 Iron Hills dwarves with spears


Elves vs Dwarves in our first matchup. The Elves' shooting is severely hampered by the scenario but will become more deadly up close. That being said the Dwarves' throwing axes are going to be extremely lethal. This game could well be decided in the shoot phase!






Game 2: Shire/Lothlorien (RBG) v Corsairs (DC)


Meriadoc, Captain of the Shire Pony, Shield
13x Hobbit Militia: Axe, Battlin' Brandybucks

Farmer Maggot 

Grip, Fang and Wolf
8x Hobbit Archer

Haldir, Elf Bow, Heavy Armour
4x Galadhrim Knight, Shield
5x Wood Elf Warrior, Bow, Wood Elf Spear
5x Wood Elf Warrior: Wood Elf Spear
Wood Elf Warrior: Banner, Wood Elf Spear


VS

Dalamyr
8 Corsairs: Shields
8 Corsairs: Spears

Delgamar
6 Corsairs: Shields
6 Corsairs: Spears
3 Corsairs: Bows

Bo’sun
5 Corsairs


This is going to be another deadly shooting battle but, thanks to the scenario, the Corsairs have been given a slight reprieve from being murdered at a distance. Once the lines clash the pirates will mull through the Hobbits but could come up against an issue in the Elves. 





Game 3: Grand Army of the South (RBG) v Ugluk's Scouts (DC)

Mumak Warleader
5 Mahud Warriors; Blowpipe
6 Haradrim warriors; Bow
1 Haradrim Warrior, Spear
1 Haradrim Warrior

VS

Ugluk
5 Scouts: Shields
6 Scouts: Bows
1 Scout

Mauhur
6 Scouts: Shields
5 Scouts: Bows
1 Scout: Banner, shield

Grishnakh
8 Orcs: Spears
4 Orcs: Shields

The Mumak Warleader! I know I am supposed to be rooting for DC but THE MUMAK WARLEADER! I do think there will be a lot of squished Orcs and Uruks but the Scouts have a lot of Might to fling at heroic moves, and with Animosity the elephant could get in trouble quickly!






Game 4: Minas Tirith (RBG) v Minas Tirith (DC)

(RBG)

Faramir (Heavy Armour, armoured horse, shield, lance, leader)
2 guard of the fountain court (shield)
2 knights of minas tirith (shield)
5 rangers (one spear)
2 warriors of minas tirith (shield)
3 warriors of minas tirith (shield/spear)
1 warrior of minas tirith (shield/banner)

Hurin (horse)
2 guard of the fountain court (shield)
2 knights of minas tirith (shield)
4 rangers
3 warriors of minas tirith (shield)
3 warriors of minas tirith (shield/spear)

VS

(DC)
Boromir: Horse, Shield, Banner
5 Warriors: Shield
3 Fountain Court Guard: Shields
3 Rangers: Spears
2 Knights: Shields

Hurin: Horse
5 Warriors: Shields
3 Rangers: Spears

It's a family feud! Boromir vs Faramir, who will show the most quality? Boromir has the Might and Fight advantage (so does his battle line) but has sacrificed troop numbers to do so. Can he Might his way to victory? A barrel of tomatoes to the winner!





Game 5: Vanquishers (RBG) v Easterlings/Khand (DC)

Saruman the Wise
Galadriel Lady of Light

Gandalf the Grey

VS

Amdur on horse
5 acolytes
4 warriors with pike and shield

Captain on horse
4 acolytes
4 warriors with pike and shield

Khandish chieftain on chariot
3 Khandish horsemen


Yes that's right, dear reader, the scoundrels at RBG brought Vanquishers. Sigh. It's a shame the depths some will stoop to just for a win. The chariots have had issues with Vanquishers in the past but now they have been toned down a notch will they get ground under the wheels? I think this game is going to have a sad loser either way!

Game 6: Harad/Corsairs (RBG) v Depths of Moria (DC)

Dalamyr -Leader
5x Black Numenorean
5x Corsair Spear and Shield
6x Arbalester 

Suladan on Horse
3x Serpent Rider
5x Haradrim with spear
1x Haradrim with bow
8x Haradrim with bow and spear

VS

Balrog
6x Goblins with Shields
6x Goblins with Spears

Goblin Captain with Shield
4x Goblins with Shields
3x Goblins with Spears
3x Goblins with Bows

3 Heroes of Legend on this table, and a scenario that wants you to kill heroes. I think that Goblin Captain is going to be hiding for a lot of this game! Can the RBG squad deal with the Balrog? Time will tell...

Game 7: Mordor (RBG) v Erebor Reclaimed (DC)

Witchking; Crown, Fellbeast, 3/16/3

4 Morannons; Shield
3 Morannons; Shield, Spear

Gorbag; Shield
3 Morannon; Shield
3 Morannonss, Shield, Spear

Kardush

3 Morannons; Shield
3 Morannons; Shield, Spear

VS

Thorin: Goat
8 Iron Hills Dwarves: Shields, Spears
1 Iron Hills Dwarf: Shield, Spear, Banner
1 Goat Rider

Dwalin: Goat
8 Iron Hills Dwarves: Shields, Spears

Big heroes vs inescapable magic. I feel like I've said a thing or two about this before... Once the lines clash the Dwarves should have an advantage but I don't think those two mighty heroes are going to do much except get Transfixed and the Felbeast-ed. No need to worry though, if Thorin just rolls 6s he'll be laughing!





Game 8: Ugluk's Scouts (RBG) v Angmar (DC)


Ugluk 
7 Scouts (shield) 

6 Scouts (bows)
2 Scouts 

Mauhur
6 Scouts (shield) 
6 Scouts (bows) 

Grishnakh 
12 Orcs (spear and shield) 

VS

The Witch-king of Angmar: Crown of Morgul, 2x Extra Fate, 3x Extra Might, 3x Extra Will, Horse
7x Angmar Orc Warrior: Shield
7x Angmar Orc Warrior: Shield, Spear
1x Angmar Orc Warrior: Banner, Shield, Spear

Buhrdûr, Troll Chieftain

Barrow-wight
5x Angmar Orc Warrior: Shield

6x Angmar Orc Warrior: Shield, Spear

Yeah, I know, we brought Angmar. Sorry. No Gulavhar though so not too bad. The sheer number of Scouts is scary but they are definitely outclassed in the hero department. Could be down to the courage checks in this one!

So there we go? A stunning victory for DC? Inevitable really. But the real question is who will get the Mumak in round 4?! We'll let you know who did (and who won I suppose) next week!