The figures moved cautiously from the edge of the pine trees, gradually coalescing in the early morning light into a line of fur and leather clad men and women, hunting bows at the ready, scanning the terrain ahead with keen eyed attention. Once they were certain there was no danger they moved swiftly on across the more open ground, following them were a more formed group of Warriors armed with a mix of Spears, axes and shields, reforming their ranks once out of the trees they set off after the Scouts, marching with their weapons slung and their eyes taking in the new terrain, for now they were free of the Mountain Pass and its snow clad Pine Forest, they were into the Meadows and fields of the Southern Lands, here the foes of the Northern Alliance were gathering and so it was that the Doughty Warriors of the Volsungar Aetta had journeyed from their frozen Northern Fastness to engage them in battle. Following on from the Tribesmen came the lithe shapes of Ice Naiads with their tridents of Ice and then the lumbering hulk of the be-fanged and sharp clawed Cavern Dweller, blindly following the army in the quest for violence and food. Guiding the Cavern Dweller, a pair of Snow Troll Primes strode mightily forwards, their fur shining in the morning sun. Overhead swept a flock of massive Ravens, each one carrying a doughty Dwarf Warrior, ice spears and bombs glistening in the brightening light, while behind them the awesome Lord of the Army glided on his Chimera Mount.
This is the First time I have used the Full Northern Alliance Army that I painted for my Partner in a Tournament, I enjoyed painting the Army and it has already been to two Tournaments under different generals. As my Partner is too unwell to take part in a two Day tournament I leapt at the chance to use this army as it may be the only chance I get, It also means that I have an excuse to paint a bit more stuff for the army and expand our choices for use.
The War Up North Tournament that the Northern Alliance are being prepped for is now in its third edition, it is run at the Element Games North West Gaming Centre in Stockport, England and this venue has previously been the home of Clash of Kings. It is a 44 table venue with shop and a bar allowing a weekends worth of relaxed gaming to take place. The event is run by the Ribble Warriors Wargames Club and is well worth keeping an eye out for, there are already Two more War up Norths booked for next Year and it should be a cracking event. I have previously attended the WuN 1&2 with my Free Dwarf Army and indeed the Northern Free Dwarfs won Best Painted Army there last time. This time I decided to use the Northern Alliance over my Ogre Army and I am glad I did as there are already 3 Ogre armies attending the Event.
Of the Twenty Two Players attending the Army Breakdowns are as below
Ogres – 3
Salamanders – 3
Halflings -2
Northern Alliance – 2
Order of the Green Lady – 2
Forces of the Abyss – 1
Free Dwarfs -1
Varangur -1
Kingdoms of Men – 1
Dwarfs – 1
Abyssal Dwarf -1
Undead -1
Basilean -1
Forces of Nature -1
Elves -1
So plenty of Choice among the opposing armies at the event with 15 Factions represented and some very good players amongst them, Hopefully I will be able to maintain my record of Mid Table mediocrity and won’t bring home another Wooden spoon at a home event.
With this In mind I am, of course using an army I have barely practised with and have not even finished painting yet as I write this. This is the cause of the use of “hopefully” a lot in this article. I have thought a lot about this list and consulted several Northern Alliance players for advice. Then done my own thing as usual. I suppose the proof will be in the pudding so to speak and am sure that I will have a set of interesting After Action Reports to write up next week.
With this in mind I will share some of my thoughts about the list and the forthcoming battles below.
I have changed the list to reflect my own ideas about the Northern Alliance as below.
I have kept the Ice Naiads Horde with the Hammer of Measured force along with an ice queen with Heal(5) to help them along, however I have also given the Ice Queen Surge(8) as I have included a Regiment of Ice Elementals in the list, both for their high defence and their ability to be surged into units after they have shot them with their Ice Shards attack. The Ice Queen has the EJ periscope so she can hide behind the Naiads and still heal height two stuff that needs it.
The Human Tribesman horde is still there, this time with the Chalice of Wrath to enable them to keep grinding in combat and with a Cavern Dweller and the Ice Elementals adding chilling presence I hope to get the most out of the Tundra fighters upgrade I have given to most of my infantry units. The Human Tribesmen Horde is a respectable Battleline unit with its 25 attacks at melee 3+ and Crushing Strength(1) it can deal out a lot of damage to all but the toughest of foes and the addition of Fury to mitigate those awkward wavers makes it capable of holding its own for a few turns and hopefully their Wild Charge(1) will allow them to catch opponents unawares.
I am running the Pack Hunters with Javelins as I intend to close quickly with the enemy and having these three regiments sat at the back shooting does not fit in with that idea. Also the Steady aim and Piercing(1) may make them a bit more useful at close range. Although this seems to be contrary to current thinking I am hoping (against all hope as I have seen the shooting content of my possible opponents armies) that their Stealthy and Steady Aim will make up for the 12” range. Also their Pathfinder will allow them to move through cover to enhance their survivability a bit and with 12 attacks with Thunderous Charge(1) they can be helpful in a flank attack or adding their weight to another units combat, especially with Vicious if the target is Frozen.
The Frostclaw Horde with the Boots of Striding is another Unit I want to use to keep pressure on the enemy as it has a useful shooting attack and is very handy in Close Combat especially with the addition of Strider/Pathfinder for a turn. I want these guys shoot chaff to support the main battleline and then take flanks/rears when the main units are engaged. Their 12 attacks at Range 18” is the longest ranged attack I have and the fact they are Steady Aim and Piercing (1) makes them my most effective chaff remover at long range, hopefully the Pack Hunters will be able to clear out some chaff as well with a deluge of javelin shots.
Joining the Army for the first time will be a pair of Snow Troll Primes. Normally Frostfang Thegns are included but I decided to trial the Primes as it also gives me an incentive to get them painted and based, they are an inch slower than the Frostfangs but aside from that they are pretty similar, lacking the Strider but gaining Regeneration(5+) and Vicious(melee) instead, Height 3 and Nimble will allow them to see over and charge around the infantry that makes up the majority of my army and their inspiring will help to keep that infantry going. 5 attacks at Melee(3+) and Crushing Strength(2) will be a useful addition to a combat and if they can get in the flanks or Rear …….
The Cavern Dweller is a stalwart in the Northern Alliance lists we write, it is a lovely model and proves to be so useful in combats with its 7-12 attacks (6+D6) at Melee(3+) and Strider with Crushing Strength(3) and Lifeleech(3) allows it to dish out damage and keep itself in the fight. High Nerve means it can hang around quite well and speed 6 is useful. But Chilling Presence is the icing on he cake as it activates the Tundra Fighter bonus in those that have it, so the Cavern Dweller will usually be found in the thick of the action, blindly crushing the enemies of the Northern Alliance with chilling Glee.
I have kept the Lord on Chimera in the army as I rarely get to use large monsters and with his brew of haste, I am hoping he will help to dominate my opponents. Also it enables him to have a useful 23” shooting range with his Icy breath and that will help with chaff removal I think. His 10 attacks with Melee(3+) and Elite with Crushing Strength(3) and (hopefully) Vicious from Tundra Fighter makes him a good addition to any combat and his Very Inspiring should help to keep the Army together.
I am looking forwards to finding out if my theories about this army meet my expectations or will they be dissolved in the crucible of Combat at the War up North 3?
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