Ranior's Battle Reports

[Ranior]

Game 3: Ranior (Deep Dwarves) vs. Eric (Mountain Vargath)

So this was a good game though. Early on my goal was to avoid his tough attacks, and keep Tundle safe. However he charged through my early units, and a Brute knocked me around in a bad spot. I had to be careful, but wound up getting Tundle (with only 1 life left) in a safe spot, protected by some walls.

And that's when I just turtled. I kept using meditate, and just attacking anything that was in the way--which wasn't much. He spent a turn or two to build up and get Quen, who slowly beat on my wall. I had got a good shot on Sunderved earlier, leaving him sorta weak at like 3-4 life. Anyhow I built up to a large magic pile. He summoned up Torodin though and with Torodin's Advance snuck into my area. I pulled up my champions, and attacked. The next round or two utilized my Magic Statisis to hold the Mountain Vargath back and prevent Quen from double attacking, while Wake the Father Game helped me get some really good attacks from Gem Mages. I managed to kill Torodin, wound Sunderved (yeah Illusonry Warrior for a Rusher!), and have Quen at one life.

I slowly was able to beat through, and killed most of his stuff. He summoned his last 2 cards, a Warrior and Rusher and came forward. I only had a little bit, but I did have a Gem Mage in hand whom I summoned and got a shot at Sunderved due to his poor position. Overall though it was pretty close, and Tundle was very near death. It was a fun game, and I certainly like the Deep Dwarves more than I thought. Still though I don't love the defense nature, and love to go on the attack. And I wish there were some better one cost units...Miners just don't really cut it for me for whatever reason. Overall it was fun to try out the Deep Dwarves, but I'm not sure they are for me.


And then just to make a quick review on the Master Set though: I love it! Great factions, once again they all feel really unique and have their own benefits, but none of them seem to be weak or anything. Great balance, great combination with the old sets. I wonder why we are seeing such unusual starting set ups now though--I kinda liked the more traditional centered ones, but it still is interesting I guess how it sets up.

The quality of the cards and the art/design is superb still. The only thing I dont' like yet is the wound markers--and this is a very minor complaint, but they are opposite of the other wound markers I have. So when I subconciously go to put them on, by feeling the rounded edge, I wind up putting 3 wounds down instead of one, and vice versa. Not a big issue at all, but I do keep doing it without thought. Just something kinda odd I noticed.

Otherwise though, there simply isn't a better way to get into summoner wars. 6 factions and a board for 50 bucks is amazing. The only other thing then though--these 6 factions are harder to understand than some of the others. Makes sense we were introduced to other factions first, these guys certainly have more wrinkles and "break" more rules. Overall though, definetly a great game! Can't wait to get a lot more use, and try out the Swamp Orcs and Benders (2 factions I haven't used yet!)

And I want to get some more games in with the Mountain Vargath and some with the Shadow Elves. I think the Vargath are awesome and I really want to get some more plays in with them.

[Sauam]

Ranior (Sand Goblins) vs. Eric (Benders).

Good stuff, it is good to see almost most people have their hands on the MS.

This particular match up is one difficult one on the bender I can say for sure, because within the MS and only MS factions, we had this the most.... I can say with confidence that this match up is 7/3 in SG favor

[Ranior]

Good stuff, it is good to see almost most people have their hands on the MS.

This particular match up is one difficult one on the bender I can say for sure, because within the MS and only MS factions, we had this the most.... I can say with confidence that this match up is 7/3 in SG favor

Yeah....the Benders have a a hard time with it for sure.

With that being said:

Ranior (Benders) vs Eric (Sand Goblins)

Well my first time with the Benders and against a faction that doesn't seem like a good match for them...


But I managed somehow. I got out Gulldune decently early and was able to control a few units. Eric wound up getting all his champs early and got rid of two of them--probably his biggest mistake.

I managed to get summoning surges at good times, and stay on top of my summons. I also got to mind control a few of his units, including a Scavenger which wasted one of his turns killing. His own Shaman helped in the end to attack Krusk and finish him off.

Additionally towards the end the combo of a Deciever and I think the champion Sorgwen (whichever champion allows you to attack twice with a common). That way Eric had to get rid of two cards in a row for two turns, removing 4 of his commons from every helping him. He only ever summoned Biter as a champ, and Sorgwen and some Decievers took him out.

Overall a very close game, I think draws helped me as they were good, and rolls were generally helpful for me. Overall Benders also aren't really my style, and I just don't feel like they're low life can hold up often enough. Overall cool faction with lots of style but feels a lot like the Cloaks too me--rely too much on gimmicks and combos. I prefer my units to be a bit beefier. Basically I think Benders fail on one thing all factions that I do like have: a 2 attack common.

[Sauam]

snip.

I think you meant magic drain, bender has no SS event...

anyways, there is 3 main strength of bender, deceiver choke, insane explosion of controller+sorgwen and taco-lulu himself. (with that being said bender does have 2 av unit, controller... in fact one of the best range 2av unit in the game)

thing is that SG has sandstorm and taunt that really kill the first mention two bender strength, reducing bender to just rely on tacullu's counter summon (which is a must against SG)

edit:
what is your favorite faction so far in MS?

[killercactus]

Just wait until you're playing benders and Jake Eldwyn hits the board. He's the benders worst nightmare.

[Ranior]

Oh I fear for my future Bender days....I don't see how to slow things down enough to really have a chance, but I guess we'll see.

Otherwise I know the Benders have a 2 AV common....I guess I'd like to say I generally prefer factions that have a 1 cost 2 AV common. I don't know....I just see Benders as similar to like Cloaks and FK who rely more on tricks and combos than being able to just fight and pummel based on strength of stats.

Otherwise I'm a fan of the Mountain Vargath. Strong units, but kinda swarm like the Cave Goblins. I like that. I haven't got to play with them a ton though....in fact I still haven't played with the Swamp Orcs either, which look fun to me. So I've got plenty more time to mess with things.

[Ranior]

Figured I should update this with my first ever real tournament. It was a great experience, I will need to get more organized, and get to more as well.

But anyhow, link to part one

And part two