The Benelux (BElgium, NEtherlands, LUXembourg) Masters open championship 2009 was the largest WARMACHINE/HORDES tournament in Europe, ever. It would field about 50 to 60 players in a two-day event, finally deciding who would be the king of MK.I WARMACHINE and HORDES over here, before MK.II would start next year.
The anticipation was slowly building up at our local forum in the Netherlands, from the first ideas being posted in February 2009, a poll being posted by the organization in june and finally the announcement in July. My gaming buddies and I started practicing and theory-machining like madmen and it wasn't until two weeks before the kickoff that I finally decided on my faction! I was constantly contemplating between Skorne (all that cool new metamorphosis stuff!) and my first WM faction, the Protectorate of Menoth). In the end I decided that finishing the MK.I era just had to be done with the Protectorate of Menoth (of course, the prospect to field Kreoss, the Testament, Idrians and zealots just one more time was pretty cool).
The advantage of playing in a small country in Europe, is that events like this are pretty much always international. I had the opportunity to play against Belgians and Germans, players from our neighboring countries, so winning it all would only be more satisfying. I was very curious to the quality of the playing field in Germany, for example (and I can assure you, the four Germans that visited the event were all very skilled players). There were also two infernals from the privateer press forums who joined us. Tensions were high and we were really excited for the big day.
To keep a long story pretty short: It was a fantastic experience, the organization was superb and the gaming spirit was awesome with very friendly opponents in all seven games. In the end me and my buddy were exhilarated and I was very content with winning it all. It earned me the right to gloat till the next tournament. So now and then I gather my friends and start boasting about my amazing victories.
Overall, the playing level was pretty high, especially in the final rounds. We played seven rounds in total, 4 x 500 pts and 3 x 750 pts, a mix of steamroller scenarios and plain 'kill-the-caster' rounds. So, I created an assassination list and a list which could hold out well in steamroller scenarios. For those of you, still interested in MK.I lists, they were:
Army 1 (Day 1)
Army Points: 500/500
Victory Points: 18
Grand Scrutator Severius
Blessing of Vengeance
Hierophant
High Paladin Dartan Vilmon
Holy Zealots (10)
Monolith Bearer
Idrian Skirmishers (10)
Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain and Guide
Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios
Rupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Army 2 (Day 1)
Army Points: 499/500
Victory Points: 19
High Exemplar Kreoss
Redeemer
High Paladin Dartan Vilmon
Choir of Menoth (4)
Holy Zealots (9)
Monolith Bearer
Idrian Skirmishers (10)
Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain and Guide
Rupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Lady Aiyana and Master Holt
Army 3 (Day 2)
Army Points: 750/750
Victory Points: 27
Hierarch Severius
Blessing of Vengeance
Redeemer
Hierophant
High Paladin Dartan Vilmon
Vassal of Menoth
Wrack
Wrack
Choir of Menoth (5)
Holy Zealots (10)
Monolith Bearer
Idrian Skirmishers (10)
Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain and Guide
Anastasia di Bray
Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios
Gorman Di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist
Rupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Lady Aiyana and Master Holt
Army 4 (Day 2)
Army Points: 746/750
Victory Points: 25
Testament of Menoth
Hierophant
High Exemplar Gravus
High Paladin Dartan Vilmon
Exemplar Vengers (5)
Flameguard Cleansers (6)
Holy Zealots (10)
Monolith Bearer
Idrian Skirmishers (10)
Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain and Guide
Anastasia di Bray
Eiryss, Angel of Retribution
Rupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Lady Aiyana and Master Holt
I had to field all the most powerful stuff Menoth had to offer like the Indrian skirmishers and zealots in order to win. But they were absolutely necessary for victory. I had to face the Black 13, Deathjack, The Dark Champion and Major Haley with trenchers. It was two days chock-full of MK.I cheese. I loved it.
There were many highlights, like meeting friends, the usual tense dice rolls that could burst a few veins. I faced a very skilled German infernal which was a wonderful match, despite me losing that battle (the only loss of the event).
As you will have noticed, just sheer positivism all around and I can assure everyone of you: go to a large tournament if you have the opportunity. It will be great, it will be exhausting and it will definitely hone your playing skills rapidly. And winning it all feels so damn good.
Thanks for the game Privateer. I’m looking forward to many tournaments in the MK.II era.