Countdown to 700 games.

[thenightsshadow]

This is a thread separate from my usual Battle Reports, because no matter what happens over the next five games on VASSAL, I'll be chronicling them. After all, it's a countdown. Once those five games are over, I'll have hit 700 games of Summoner Wars (and 50 on VASSAL).

Why 700? I dunno. Probably because I like the number 7, and 700 was a nice round number.

Either way, I probably won't have my next match until the next tournament match, so I'm just putting this up preemptively. I still have my story to update Sunday Morning, CoRT to post Sunday afternoon.

See you around for then!

[thenightsshadow]

Game 696: killercactus (Deep Dwarves) vs. thenightsshadow (Guild Dwarves)

Full vlog here: http://www.mediafire.com/?ug6iu51uqv64n5x
(Load up the file on VASSAL to be able to see the entirety of the game, one step at a time, though you do have to click your way through.)


General Thoughts:
Being able to see killercactus' cards in the log really helps me to understand why I lost. Sure, I drew Reinforcements, A Hero Is Born, Magic Drain, Heroic Feat, and a Defender, so not exactly the ideal hand, but I was too focused on getting Reinforcements for double Spear Grounder, which I did over the course of the game twice. The second time, Grungor really should have been there instead.

Still, Oldin suffered all of his wounds not adjacent to a Wall, so poor defensive playing by me there.


Takeaway Lesson:
The Guild Dwarves are not the Cave Goblins. Stop trying to play the Guild Dwarves like a rush faction.

Record (as of this game): 381-315
GD Record (as of this game): 18-24
VASSAL Record (as of this game): 16-30
- In my defence, the past 9 games I've had on VASSAL (2-7), I've had really really bad luck with the dice in general. One particular game had my Grognack take 7/8 while I went 1/11 on Abua Shi.

[jwalker]

hey thenightshadow
thanks fror the report. It's awesome to watch a replay in vassal ^^.

Some thoughts about your play. I think you didn't choose the wrong tactics. Against these sneaky deep dwarves you need to be agressive. However you did a serious mistake (I immediately was wondering why you did this) moving Odin and exposed him for 2 rounds (moving him from starting postion one square to the left). Without the 3 maybe even 5 wounds you took there the game could have been way different. Of course double summoning surge as CUE ready didn't help ;) Anyway was a nice watch and waiting for more

[thenightsshadow]

I've actually just finished game 705, so I've actually completed all of these already. The problem is, I can't seem to find enough spare time to upload these.

Excuses, excuses. I'll try and do them tomorrow.

[Clarissimus]

Congratulations on making 700 games! I'm looking forward to seeing the other uploads.

[thenightsshadow]

Thanks, Clarissimus.

Game 697: Deceit (Sand Goblins) vs. thenightsshadow (Phoenix Elves)

Full vlog here: http://www.mediafire.com/?n25pi8x137vn788
(Load up the file on VASSAL to be able to see the entirety of the game, one step at a time, though you do have to click your way through.)

General Thoughts:
I hate the Sand Goblins. Unlike facing the Deep Dwarves, it's so hard for me to plan for every single potential outcome that the Sand Goblins have. I'd even say that the Sand Goblins have more options in a random turn in the game than the Deep Dwarves.

With that said, my Phoenix Elves deck in this game is a little heavy on the Archers. This makes it very poor against the Sand Goblins for obvious reasons. Like Game 704 (vs the same person, no less), I drew Fire Drake too early, but at least in this game, I got him out. It came down to the wire, but a good defensive play prevented me from killing him with Rahlee, forcing me to send a Fire Beast to defend. It didn't matter in the end, but still, I should have defended with Rahlee.

That's what I get for playing offensively.



Takeaway Lesson:
I hate the Sand Goblins. Moreso if I'm playing the Phoenix Elves. This game, however, was pretty good, all things considering.
No really, the lesson here is count the Events. I would have seen the Taunt coming if I had counted the Events in the discard pile.


Record (as of this game): 381-316
PE Record (as of this game): 23-10
VASSAL Record (as of this game): 16-31

[Clarissimus]

Takeaway Lesson:
I hate the Sand Goblins. Moreso if I'm playing the Phoenix Elves. This game, however, was pretty good, all things considering.
No really, the lesson here is count the Events. I would have seen the Taunt coming if I had counted the Events in the discard pile.

How about . . . Takeaway Lesson: Don't ever let Prince Elien get attacked unless it's lategame and/or you are facing imminent loss.

[thenightsshadow]

Eh, that too I guess. I'm too much into the habit of treating the Summoner as a Unit instead of the King in Chess.

Actually, I should do that. If I treat the Summoner as a King...it's still hard to. The Queen's the most powerful "Unit" in Chess, and I don't use the King as much because he's hard to use offensively.

Sorta like Tacullu.

Hmm. Maybe I have to change my mindset with the Phoenix Elves...

[PePe QuiCoSE]

Elien is pretty cool offensively IF the opponent's summoner is also on the offensive

[thenightsshadow]

Game 698...maybe. Deceit (Swamp Orcs) vs. thenightsshadow (Deep Dwarves)

Full vlog here: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?0imlbtipivc5ra5
(Load up the file on VASSAL to be able to see the entirety of the game, one step at a time, though you do have to click your way through.)

General Thoughts:
I don't know how to play the Deep Dwarves. I admit it. It's a circular cycle, really: I don't know how to play the faction, then play poorly with it, which leads me to believe I don't know how to play the faction. Granted, most factions start like that. But even now, after 15 games with the faction, I still don't know how they tick.

Oh yeah. The reason I say maybe up at the top...check towards the end of the game. It could have been different is what I'm saying.


Takeaway Lesson:
You can't master every faction. (Something I put into practice recently, I'm only using 8 decks now instead of 22. Cave Goblins, Jungle Elves, Swamp Orcs, Benders, Tundra Orcs, Phoenix Elves, Swamp Orcs Free Build, and I'm keeping my Mercenary Deck around.)


Record (as of this game): 381-317
DD Record (as of this game): 4-11 [retired as of this game]
VASSAL Record (as of this game): 16-32

I'm still counting the game as a loss because it was a loss; there was just a mistake that could have changed the game.

[thenightsshadow]

Game 699: Deceit (Deep Dwarves) vs. thenightsshadow (Tundra Orcs)

Full vlog here: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?r1ixxwhjs0ad3ba
(Load up the file on VASSAL to be able to see the entirety of the game, one step at a time, though you do have to click your way through.)

General Thoughts:
That Fighter. Oh Itharia, that Fighter. He was mad, but he was smart. I swear, despite the whole mistake with Rukar going down really really quickly, this game was over quick because of that Fighter. And then Ragnor. Oh man. So much Fury.

This also reinforces why I like the Chargers in the deck more than Smashers. I recognize both of their uses, but it's the Chargers I like. Still doesn't help that in this deck I run 7 Smashers but only 4 Chargers.

The Deep Dwarves just take time to get going, so the really early blitz I got was a great start, but I think I didn't push as hard as I could have. Still, that was a great game in part due to the rolls I got.


Takeaway Lesson:
The dice rule games. Always be prepared in case the dice don't go your way.

Record (as of this game): 382-317
TO Record (as of this game): 27-11
VASSAL Record (as of this game): 17-32

[thenightsshadow]

I just realized I didn't finish this <_<

Game 700: Benders (Tundra Orcs) vs. thenightsshadow (Cave Goblins)

Full vlog here: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ug2b2x6f33hprnn

General Thoughts:
To be honest, I was feeling a little exhausted here as I really wanted the game to be over so I could get to 700. However, that didn't stop me from actually trying with the Goblins against the sneaky Benders. I believe completely in pushing Sneeks early in order to get those early kills, though I have to be more careful about it next time. As you'll notice in the file, Scagg, while helpful here, didn't do anything Krag or Reeker could've done as well. It's why I no longer use the weird Goblins.

Takeaway Lesson:
Bad Goblins. Letting Sneeks take too much damage before the end game.