Battle report for the last battleplan in the AOS starter box, Death Knell.

The Hammers of Sigmar have added a Stardrake to their ranks whilst the Goretide now incorporate a Daemons starter box.

The battle began with the Stormcast moving towards the Goretide battleline, the chaos visibly trembled as the Stardrake leered at them from over the treetops. Despite the battleplan victory conditions requiring the death of the general for victory, Vandus’ Hammerhand led the line on his Dracoth Chalanax. The Stardrake was in range for Rain of Stars so drew first blood.

The Chaos responded with equal enthusiasm to get to battle and with Khorgus Khul’s command ability, sped towards the Celestial host. A group of Chaos heroes charged the Stardrake, led by a Korgoroth and dealt it some damage with the Slaughterpriest’s blood prayers.Whilst the Blood Reavers headed for a unit of Liberators.

In combat the Stardrake inflicted minimal damage to the Korgoroth but managed to decimate the Reavers with teeth and tail – however, Portal of Skulls allowed them to stay in the battle.

The next round saw a charge from the second unit of liberators as they sought the Bloodletters. On the right flank the Relictor and Retributors headed for the rest of the Chaos Daemons. Vandus Hammerhand, wielding his axe Heldensen, charged the remaining Reavers. In return the Blood Warriors and their General headed for Vandus and the Bloodthrone and ‘Crushers stampeded into the Retributors.

The Liberators made a grave error in not attacking first and they were wiped out entirely by the daemonic hellblades. The Korgoroth and Reavers were also destroyed as the blood began to flow.

A combined Chaos charge at the Stardrake, coupled with Blood boil saw the Stardrake go down in round 3 and the Stormcast looked doomed. The Retributors attempted to take the right flank and prevent the Daemon battlehost assaulting their general. It was at this point that thunder struck and three prosecutors descended from the heavens.

Both Generals were injured and the battle hang in the balance, victory would go to the side that acted fastest. That side was the Stormcast, The Prosecutors charged the rear of the Mighty Lord of Khorne but it was Vandus himself who struck the fateful blow.

This was our first large battle (approx. 1500 pts.) and it couldn’t have been more intense as it went right down to the wire. I was in control of the Stormcast Eternal whilst the Chaos were split in to Mortal and Daemons and commanded respectively by Dan C and Marc. Though they lost they were pleased to take out the Stardrake who initially seemed like it would be able to destroy the Goretide by itself.