Wargamers: John Bultena, Zach, Sean Nittner
System: Mordheim
A few months ago John reached out on Bluesky and invited me to play in his Mordheim league. I haven’t played a skirmish game in 30 years, but who am I to turn down the hospitality of another gamer. Here’s the Middenheim mercenary warband let me use, The North Wolves!
We’re a fair ways apart, so I spent the train ride reading up the rules. I probably remembered 30% of them, but John’s knowledge was encyclopedic. He knew every roll needed from years of running games. John’s terrain and minis were incredible. It was such a delight to notice all the little details he added.
I played in four skirmishes throughout the day. Two verses the Norse (I lost both of them), one against Zach’s undead army (victory!) and one against John’s dark elves defending a location (another victory). I’m happy with a 2 wins and 2 losses, but I’ve definitely got ideas for how I’d adapt my strategy in the future. Mostly being more bold with my archers.
At the end of the 3rd game, my Gunnvid my Wolf Priest of Ulric learned the spell to turn into a werewolf, and one of my marksman was promoted to being a hero. Yay, Jorn Marco!
I had a dire wolf named Elric, so what more can a rookie wargamer ask for!
Thoughts on the game
The rate of survival even after being taken out during a fight is generous, which really takes the sting out of losing a battle, and makes routing a tactical choice rather than a feeling of failure. I liked that after battles I could usually tell at least a few of the mistakes I made, and hopefully would be able to improve next time.
The experience system really rewards long term play. Obviously at some point a warband would probably become too powerful, but I think that’s why you play in a league so that at the end of the league, things reset and you get a chance to try out new heroes and new tactics.
I expected to find myself speaking in character and adding a story element to the game (for my own benefit if no one else’s) but my mind was so busy trying to think of the next move that any narrative I might have had in mind had to wait till after the battle. Stories to tell of deeds done.
The things that tripped me up the most were remembering that you couldn’t run if an enemy was within 8″ and that once engaged, you can’t disengage unless an enemy is knocked down or stunned (and at that point, it makes much more sense to finish them). I had a few times when I used my wolf to scout hidden enemies that paid of, but as noted above, I think that strategy would have worked better if I had been more bold moving my archers forward so they could take more shots.
Next time remember: Counter charge for the win. Especially if you have Frenzy. And if your foes have Frenzy, knock them down to knock them out of it!
Overall, I had a blast. Not sure I’ll make it to another league game (3 hour train ride each way) but the games will keep living rent free in my head for a while.
I have fond memories of sinking many hours into Mordheim when it first came out. I think Melissa bought me the base set as a birthday present. This was either a clever ploy to get rid of me for days at a time or more likely a fumbled miscalculation leading to unsolicited conversations about the nature of Skaven. Either way I still have some terrain decorating my game room within arms reach!
Hah, I learned how Skaven came to be playing Mordheim with John. It’s a hot topic! I’m not good at creating a gamescape, it’s never been my jam. But I can imagine pulling out a bit of terrain at the right moment and wowing your players.
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