Steve Jackson's Ogre Vs Oldhammer Part 1 - Enemy At The Gates

And now for something completely different!  This is an Oldhammer battle report that is inspired by Steve Jackson's Ogre boardgame.  For those who dont know Ogre, its about a giant cybernetic tank (the Ogre) that is trying to destroy an enemy HQ defended by a horde of infantry, tanks, missile tanks, artillery, and hovercraft.  I played the heck out of the mini pocket game when I was a kid.  The basic game was pretty much just a single scenario that my pals and I played over and over again.  Everyone had their own strategy and theory of how best to play as or against the Ogre and many a lunch break was occupied with heated discussion over tactics.  Playing as the Ogre tank, felt like the 4th of July, in that you had all these weapons and you got to decide which one to light and fire off next.  As the defenders, you had all these cannon fodder units, and if you actually damaged the Ogre you had to decide whether you targeted its weapons (to lessen the deathtoll to your troops) or its treads (and slow the Ogre down so it didnt get in firing range of your HQ).

In tribute to this great little game, I present this battle report inspired by Ogre. Obviously, no... there is no giant tank in Moria.  But what will represent the Ogre?  An Ogre?  A Dragon?  Balrog? Something else?

Can you guess what it will be?  I will try to drop a hint or two below.  Place your bets here folks...

Onwards to the fluff...

Murkillor the Wraith marches at the HEAD of his Undead army.

The cavern grounds tremble at their approach.

The Orcs show up, they are LOOKING for a good rumble.

The Drow also show up.  Their commanders are cold blooded killers.  Lord Commander Alric is a deadly swordsman with an enchanted cursed blade.   Lady Alyza is a vampiric magic-user that has great BEAUTY.  Initially, they were keen to kill everyone, Dwarf, Undead, or Orc, but they are still waiting for the opportune moment to do so.

Murkillor and his commanders approach the bridge and suddenly stop in their tracks.  They look around confused.
The Wraith looks upset, his commanders avoid looking him IN THE EYE...  Sockets that is.
There is an invisible forcefield that prevents them from getting to the bridge.  They hear the Dwarves cheering from the other side.

In fact, some brave (foolhardy!) Dwarves run across the bridge right to the edge of the force shield and taunt the Undead.

Cheery Dwarf:  (blows raspsberries)  You cannot passsss!
Stilts:  Thats some good "Ent"-tertainment!   (Crowd Boos!)

Some Dwarves get carried away and show their backsides, but a volley of arrows from the Dark Elves drives them away.


Murkillor:  (gives the silly Dwarves an evil EYE)  Drow open fire at your convenience.
Cheery:  Hey Sleepy! Wake up and run for your narcoleptic life!

The evil commanders gather for a little conference.

Murkillor:  Well, I guess you Orcs and Drow have to go ahead without us.
Lord Commander Alric:  There wont be enough of us to take that fortress.
Gragg:  We Orcs are not afraid!  We will go, even if the Elves will not!
Murkillor:  Lady Alyza, perhaps your Dragons can fly over and knock out their Rune Totem?
Lady Alyza:  Ive only got 6, and 2 of them have no wings.  SEE, that one is a basilisk, and the other one there is a hydra. 
Murkillor:  Well, how about...

Murkillor: ... I bribe you with a pet Blink Dog!  (summons the creature)

Lady Alyza:  (pets the Elven Blink Dog)  I shall call you Muffins!  Fine, Wraith! But I still wont risk my Dragons in a suicide mission...  instead, I have just the thing to solve this problem for us... (summons a creature)

Lady Alyza:   Behold!  erm... a Beholder.
Murkillor:  That... is... wonderful!  Wherever did you get him?
Lady Alyza: Found him left for dead in a ravine.  Seems he got in a tussle with those very same Dwarves across the bridge. (points to the Dwarves)
Beholder:  (growls)
Lady Alyza:  Apparently, all this poor Beholder wanted was some beer to quench his firey thirst after being a participant in the famous Middle Earth eating contest "Radagast's Rhosgobel Annual Hellpepper Showdown".  Instead of helping out, the Dwarves chose to stab him with spears and throw him over a cliff.  Rude... if you ask me...

(From the post "Tale of the Evil Eye"  here:  http://mars-miniatures.blogspot.com/2015/05/heartbreaker-dwarves-tale-of-evil-eye.html)

Murkillor:  Lady Alyza, you have done your part, now I will do mine!  (begins to chant and cast a spell)

Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul!

Beholder:  (magical flash) Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!  Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Murkillor:  Nearly finished....

Murkillor:  And.... done!
Alyza:  YOU.... turned him into a Frost Beholder.  Brilliant!
Beholder:  Mrrmm?
Alyza:  (holds up a mirror)  You look good, Beholdy!
Beholder: Grrr.....  (Anxious to show those no good Dwarves what it can do)

So there you have it, dear readers!  Our "Ogre" for the game.  And the HQ is the Dwarven Rune Totem.  How many of you guessed it was a Beholder?  The clues were the words in all caps.  Beauty is in the eye of the...
Class? Anyone? Anyone? Anyone seen this before? The Laffer Curve. Anyone know what this says? 
Its Ferris Bueller, c'mon... its funny.  No?
Well, anyway, pat yourselves on the back and buy yourselves a pint of Bugmans Brew, if you did guess it...

Here's the reward for all those who guessed correctly.  Cash in your prize by high fiving the Displacer Cat's paw on the image below...

So what does the Beholder do in game terms?
Well, its a flying creature, is lawful evil, has darkvision 360 degrees so it may target enemies with eye powers even in total darkness.

Frost Beholder Move 6, WS 7, BS 4, S 5, T E, W see below, I 5, Attacks 3

Beholder has 12 hitpoints on its carapace. For every 2 full wounds taken there, it loses 1" of movement.  Each eye has 1 hitpoint, except its main eye which has 3 points.  So it has a total of 24 hitpoints.  An attacker may choose which area to hit.  To kill it, it must lose all 12 hitpoints on its carapace, and all hitpoints on its eyes. 

Beholder Powers, these powers may be used during the magic phase, and may target models in base to base contact with beholder.  Each eye has a points cost to power it, and the Beholder may use as many eyes as it has points to use.  But each eye can only be used once per turn.  Beholder has a starting power points stat of 6, use a d6
end of every turn to regains d3 points.  It may never have more than 6 power points at any time.

Main eye:
Freeze ray, this costs 3 points, it uses flamer template that can shoot out to a distance of 12".  Everyone under the template is frozen. Armor can help you from freezing, all affected models may make an armor save to avoid being frozen to death, if model has no armor save, they get a 6+.

Minor eyes: each power can only be used once per turn and costs 1 point each.

1) Fear, a single model must take a morale check with a -2 modifier, if it fails it is routed (or retreats for 2 turns, as per the chart). 18" range

2) Charm Person, a single model must take a morale check, if it fails it may make an immediate move in any direction Beholder decides, it may even charge and make an attack against its own friendly units.  It is free of charm at the end of beholders turn. 12" range

3) Telekinetic Blast,  use small round template with a range of 12".  All units under template are moved directly away 2d6 inches.  If they come into contact with terrain, every model takes a single Str3 hit.  If they contact other models, all models involved take a single Str 3 hit.

4) Death Ray, use flame template with short end touching Beholder and facing any direction.  Any figure under it must save vs death or suffer instant death.  To save vs Death, make a d6 roll under or equal to figure's Strength.

5) Disintegrate, 24" range.  A single model must save vs Disintegrate or suffer instant death.  To save vs Disintegrate, make a d6 roll under or equal to figure's Strength.

6) Slow, 12" range.  A single target unit or character loses half its movement next turn and may not charge. It may still move during reserve movement, but at half speed. If used on a unit, it affects d6+2 figures.

7) Sleep, 12" range.  A single unit or character must save vs Sleep or lose its next turn.  To save vs Sleep, make a d6 roll under or equal to the figure's Initiative.

8) Paralyze, 6" range. A single model is paralyzed and may not move for rest of game, unless a heal spell is cast on it.

9) Turn To Stone, 6" range.  A single model is turned to stone and is considered dead.  To save vs Turn to Stone, make a d6 roll under or equal to the figure's Strength.

---
I have no idea how under or over powered this monstrosity is.  Lets just throw it into combat!

Next post:  Steve Jackson's Ogre Vs Oldhammer Part 2 - Prepare For Ground Assault!

Dungeon Chef: Quest For Meat Part 3 - No Room For Dessert

The stunning finale of this 3 part battle report...

Rope Dwarf leads his captive Giant Frog over the bridge, as skellies shamble from the northeast.

Penny, Bertha, Cheery Dwarf, encourage the drunk Dwarf to run faster towards their battle line.

The skeletons in the northwest corner capture counter 3, which turns out to be an Elven Blink Dog.

Valdor and Mochi might have Bonked the Dire Boar too much.  They practically have to to lift and carry the great beast to make it move faster.

The last of the Dwarves from the north are coming over the bridge now...

Rope Dwarf:  Cmon Sleepy, lets get this cattle drive a'mooving!

We'll ride on the Prairies' across the wide rivers
And on through the flats where there's never a town
Our horses are weary, we're tired and we're hungry
They still, little dogies stop roaming around

Whoopee ti yi yo, get along little dogies
It's your misfortune ain't none of my own
Whoopee ti yi yo, get along little dogies
You know that Wyoming will be your new home

Ratcatcher spied these fellas two turns ago and fell back to the center.  Now, all four corner entry points are crawling with the undead.

The Dwarves form a battle line and beat back an assault from the southwest.
The Undead lose 3 and fall back 2".  They decide to wait for more skellies to bolster their numbers, before they attack again.  At least it buys some time for the Dwarves.

Cheery Dwarf fell casualty in that last attack, and Ratcatcher picks him up.  With 2 casualties on the Dwarven side, it is time to get out of this place.  The heat is definitely on.

Mochi drags the Boar onwards towards the southern tunnel.
Valdor breaks off and faces the oncoming enemy from the southeast.
They are attacking from all 3 directions in a coordinated attack!

The Dwarven line forms up again.  We must hold them up for one more turn!

Valdor spies 5 skellies... no problemo!

Get that pig outta here, Mochi!

Fall back... retreat...

But one Dwarf does not!  He stands in the narrow corridor of the southern tunnel.
He will buy time for his friends to get away.

Valdor lives up to his name, Valdor the Valiant.
As the last of the Dwarves escape, they manage to catch a last glimpse of him smashing bones to dust.  His heavy mace smashing his enemies aside with bone crushing intensity.

Up above, Valdor sees the Undead commander.  He begins to sing a bloody song of death and vengeance...  of probable doom and certain woe.  He stomps skulls and laughs.  This is what Dwarves were born for...
The sheer numbers of his foes eventually brings the Dwarf down to one knee, a dozen wounds streaming from him...
With his Slayer challenges braying from his bloody lips, Valdor defies his enemy for the last time...

Murkillor!!! 

Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!

Despite his bravery, Valdor falls at last...

Even the Wraith, for all his hatred of all things Dwarven, was moved by the bravery of the Slayer.

Renzo Avanti, undead champion, brings forward the captured Elven Blink Dog.

Murkillor thinks it is a good omen that they were able to catch this creature.  It would make a fine gift to their new Dark Elf allies.  Perhaps he can court favor with the Vampire Witch Elf Alyssa and use her to overthrow Lord Commander Alric.  Divide and conquer... 

To his surprise, Mordini brings forward the Dwarf Slayer, bloody, broken, but still living. 

Murkillor:  And now, we will discuss the location of your hidden rebel base... 

Valdor: (watches the Interrogator droid enter but remains silent)

Murkillor:  People have no grasp of what they do. You broke into my house, stole my property, murdered my servants, and my PETS! And that is what grieves me the most! You killed my snake. Thorgrim is beside himself with grief! He raised that snake from the time it was born. 

Valdor:   You killed my mother! You killed my father, you killed my people! You took my father's sword... ah... the riddle... of steel...

Murkillor:  Not until you tell me all about the house that Xavier built... and the machine called Cerebro.

Valdor:  Im the best there is at what I do, but what I do isnt very nice...

 Murkillor:  You look nervous...Is it the scars? You wanna know how I got 'em?  So I had a wife, who tells me, I worry too much, who tells me I oughta smile more. Who gambles and gets in deep...with the sharks. One day they carve her face. I just wanna see her smile again...hmm. I just want her to know that I don't care about the scars. So...I stick a razor in my mouth and do this...to myself. And you know what?...SHE CAN'T STAND THE SIGHT OF ME! She leaves...Now I see the funny side...Now I'm always smiling!

---

Again, those damned wires keep getting crossed! 

As for this battle report, I must say, I do like Warhammer 1st edition when its small scale actions.  Its clunky and old, but it gets the job done.  I do keep forgetting some rules, like checking for morale on individual hero models (not in a unit) when they are wounded.  With that said, I hope to acquire a 2nd edition box set in the future when my finances allow.  And 3rd, with the Realms of Chaos books.  Sigh.  Im afraid to pick up Rogue Trader 1st edition, because then I would have to buy squats.  I cant afford to fight a war on two fronts. I... must... stay... strong...

So, about the fluff implications?  The dwarves managed to eke out a Minor Victory with 7 points of dungeon meat, but suffered 3 casualties.  The siege of Easthold, when it comes, will find the Dwarven food supply adequate.  Oh, also, Im happy with Mochi as a character, he was unlucky with his to hit rolls, but he always managed to avoid death multiple times.  I was saddened to see Cheery Dwarf fall, but Im sure Balgar Blackwing can mix a potion to get him back to snuff in no time.  As for Penny and Bertha... they are death machines, exemplars of Dwarven women everywhere.  I wonder, however, if the valiant Valdor needs a rescue scenario. 

But before all that can happen, the next couple of posts will bring the focus back to Gimli and the events and new miniatures that are happening in the deepest levels of Moria... the Savage Lands.   Its going to be beautiful and I cant wait to see how events unfold there!  The minis, the terrain, the scenarios, and the new fluff...  I want things to go in a certain direction, but ultimately, its for the dice gods to decide.  Until next post, Baruk Khazad! Khazad Ai-menu!

Cheers,
Mar

Dungeon Chef: Quest For Meat Part 2 - Dire Pork Luau Party

The quest for dungeon meat continues...

Penny and Bertha close in on the southeast location and it is revealed to be number 5.

Manticore!  These vicious beasts are lions with wings and scorpion tails!  It is edible, but the meat is sure to be a bit wild and gamey.

The two girls wish they had brought more help with them.  This is going to be a life or death battle!  Penny levels her crossbow and unleashes bolts at the scary monster charging at her.  Bertha steps in front of Penny, grits her teeth, raises her cleaver and countercharges! 

Bertha: For King Kazador, Easthold, and the Reclaimed Kingdom of Moria!

Mochi has a string of bad die rolls and doesnt identify the token until he is close.

It turns out to be a whopper of a monster!  Its a Dire Boar.  Worth a tremendous 3 meat points.
But it has multiple wounds and is pretty tough to boot.  Wheres that Slayer, now that you need him?

Vincent: Want some bacon?
Jules: No man, I don't eat pork.
Vincent: Are you Jewish?
Jules: Nah, I ain't Jewish, I just don't dig on swine, that's all.
Vincent: Why not?
Jules: Pigs are filthy animals. I don't eat filthy animals.
Vincent: Bacon tastes gooood. Pork chops taste gooood. 

Waving Dwarf delivers the Grick to the tunnel and checks to see if Sleepy is doing his job.
Might have to put some coffee in his mug instead of beer.

Valdor the Slayer and Ratcatcher are back in the center again.
Choices, choices... where do these two go now?
Mochi needs help across the bridge in the north, but Penny and Bertha also need help against that scary manticore!

They split up!  Valdor heads north to make himself some pork chops.
Ratcatcher takes a party Dwarf (Cheery Dwarf) with him to help turn the tide against the Manticore.  And their combined attacks brings the monster down!

Meanwhile in the north, Rope Dwarf and Chumley decide to go for the north east objective.
It turns out to be number 6...

Giant Frog! The frog is worth 1 dungeon meat point and turns out to be a runner.  It hops away!
The two Dwarves run after it.

Mochi has trouble landing any blows on the Dire Pork, even with Dudley lending an axe chop or two.

Haru: Do not worry. A ninja knows when he is in danger.

[Tanley and his men fire machine guns at them]

Haru: Now we are in danger. We are really in danger. 

And then, what everyone feared would happen, happens...  the Undead show up.
Isnt it a little early in the year for Halloween?

And where do these trick or treaters show up?  Right on the doorstep of the southwest corner.
Even with the Drunken Dwarf sentry there, they will show up next turn.  Which means they are lurking at the entry point.

Another band of skeletons show up lurking outside the entry point of the northeast corner.
That Frog is doomed one way or another...

Cheery Dwarf leads the now passive Manticore to the south entrance.
Hey Sleepy, you still with us?

Seeing how useless putting a drunk Dwarf on sentry was for the southwest, Ratcatcher is nominated to sentry for the southeast.  He has a further +1 modifier for detecting enemy further out in the tunnel.
But it does keep him from helping out in combat elsewhere.

The Dire Boar will just not go down easily!  Valdor is finally here though, lets see how long that giant porkchop lasts against a Dwarf Slayer.

The Giant Frog is finally captured and dragged by Rope Dwarf and prodded by Chumley.

More Skeletons arrive in the southwest.

Six skellies lurk outside the northwest entry point, which is going to make it really really hard to capture the last objective point.

Dudley the woodcutter is knocked out by the Dire Boar.  Enraged by the fall of one of their own, Valdor brings the hurt down on the pig.  And finally, Mochi succeeds in wounding and Bonking it.

Haru: I may not be a great ninja; I may not be one with the universe; but I will say this: NO ONE MESSES WITH MY BROTHER.

Chumley picks up his buddy and carries him towards the bridge.

Chumley:  We have to abandon the north now!  Get that big pig moving!  Undead approach from both entry points...

Next post:  No Room For Dessert!