Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1) vs. Kaelyssa, Night's Whisper (Kaelyssa1)

The pointy eared xenophobes are on the move again. Since the Infernals have been kicked out of Khador, the Retribution are attempting to get rid of the few remaining humans with magic. Luckily, Vlad1 is back with his relentless Winter Guards. They have been affected by the quality of life update and are now ready to once again defend the Motherland's borders. The battle is fierce, However, Vlad is a bit rusty and has to face defeat against Kaelyssa and her Defenders of Ios. 

A year of playing Winter Guard Kommand

It has been around a year since I decided to focus on Winter Guard Kommand and try to actually figure our how it works. I have played basically two different lists. One Stalingrad-style list under Irusk2 and one Gun Carriage based list under Vlad1 (in addition to a few variations of the themes). I think it is about time to evaluated how Winter Guard Kommand has worked, what is good and bad, and what I have learned.

Last stand of Vlad and his valiant Winter Guards

Vlad is at his last stand. After leading the infamous Winter Guards for over a year, it is about time to allow him to rest. Going out with a bang is important. So, Vlad went to a five game tournament where he got to face Crucible Guards, Dwarfs, Skorne and Infernals. At the end of a busy day, it is not completely clear that he actually went out with a bang. He did, however commit 100% in every single battle and tried out all tricks that he could think of. Here are the adventures of Vlad's five game last stand.

Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1) vs. Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1)

This is strange Vlad is facing Vlad. The confusion is complete. The only thing I am sure of is that Vlad is going to win. So, Vlad the Imposter is challenging the True Vlad. imposer is bringing Jaws of the Wolfs against True Vlad's famous Winter Guards. The battle proceeds as expected. Vlad is more or less in control, until he does what he sometimes do when he is bored. He wanders too far forward. He ends up inside Behemoth's threat range... Imposter is victorious.  

Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1) vs. The Harbinger of Menoth (Harbinger1)

The Harbinger is back. She has become a returning visitor to the rough land of Khador. Personally, I think she has gotten an unhealthy appetite for this whole chains and whip thing. At least she seems to enjoy having her rear smacked by Vlad. Once again, she discovers that Khador is among the fastest factions in the world. Between Gun Carriages and Marauders thriving on Vlad's feat, she is again a victim of piston to face (which she seems to enjoy). 

Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1) vs. vs. Lord Ghyrrshyld, the Forgiven (Goreshade4)

Goreshade is back with the elves. This should be a battle well suited for Vlad and his fantastic Winter Guards. However, Vlad (or rather the man behind the lines) has a really crappy day. The battle quickly boils down to an excellent demonstration of "what not to do", "how to use the clock most inefficient", and "consequences of no planning". This is not the proudest day in the Winter Guards annals. Vlad will have a discussion with the man behind the lines. 

Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1) vs. Supreme Kommandant Irusk (Irusk2)

Khador seems to have become a troubled place lately. Once again two of the Empress' finest are at it against each other. Irusk is leading a bunch of homicidal maniacs, support by several winged flying creatures against Vlad and his finest Winter Guards. This battle turns into a rather bloody thing. The final clash is between old wisdom (and really big cool flag) and young stamina. Irusk must admit that maniacs are no match for the valour and discipline of Winter Guards.  

Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1) vs. Kommander Oleg Strakhov (Strakhov1)

Once again there is civil unrest in Khador. This time, Strakhov or an imposter is plaguing the land. He is wandering around with a colossal, a few 'jacks, and is supported by the female Kayazy. Vlad is dispatched to contain the threat. It appears to be going quite well. Until, Vlad gets this brilliant idea of not just hanging back, enjoying the scenery, and handing out Signs & Portents. 

Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1) vs. Captain Kara Sloan (Sloan1)

Apparently Cygnar never manages to learn a lesson. This time Sloan is send into Khador territory. Vlad, having developed quite a hobby dealing with Cygnar troops is once again dispatched. It turns out that Sloan brought an impressive eight shooting 'jacks. This brawl turns into a slow bloody grind. After an impressive six rounds, Vlad turns out victorious. He clearly demonstrates to Sloan what a group of determined Winter Guards can do to claim and hold the battlefield. 

Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1) vs. Major Markus ‘Siege’ Brisbane (Siege1)

Cygnar is once again making incursions into Khador territories. This time, Siege1 is brining some Heavy Metal. Who else but Vlad and his trusted Winter Guards can clean up the Cygnar trouble. It turns out to be a pretty simple exercise for the long term veterans. Khador metal is simply just heavier than Cygnar metal. Vlad is victories despite being on the receiving end of an assassination attempt under Siege1's feat. As an extra bonus, in this game Vlad never did get to use his feat!

Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1) vs. Eminent Configurator Orion (Orion1)

Convergence is an almost unknown enemy. So, when they arrive at the Empress' borders, Vlad is send to investigate and contain. Vlad and his trusted Winter Guards discover a lot of shiny robots floating around, and decides to contain. It was a surprisingly easy match. Several of the best tricks are shown. such as: "How to kill a colossal" by Jozef Grigorovich; "Marauder to face" by Vladimir Tzepesci, and finally "How to ground flying robot" by the Gun Carriage Corps. 

Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1) vs. Kommander Zoktavir, the Butcher Unleashed (Butcher3)

So, Orsus is a strange character. Not only is he extremely dangerous, irregardless of incarnation. He is also a tiny bit unpredictable. On this occasion, he seems to be under the impression that the Winter Guards he is facing is not entirely faithful to the Empress and require a good killing. Luckily, Vlad is leading the Winter Guards. In a case of squishy men vs. mammoths of steel, the Winter Guards come out on top through an assassination by Carriage.  

Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1) vs. The Harbinger of Menoth (Harbinger1)

The Harbinger again. She seems incapable of learning a lesson. Vlad will have to move his Winter Guards once again. This is a recurring match where the Harbinger list changes a little bit each time. Vlad's stay the same. I think we are roughly 50-50 against each other. So it is really a grudge match. However, Vlad comes out on top. One should never underestimate Marauders charging 14". 

Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1) vs. The Harbinger of Menoth (Harbinger1)

Once again, the Harbinger is bringing her deranged religious fanatics into Khador territory. This time Vlad is called upon to bring his trusted Winter Guards. The game is fast and brutal. Vlad is on top of it most of the way, and after the traditional kill Judy intermezzo, he is set to win. However, out of the blue Harbinger pulls the biggest hail Mary win I have ever seen.

Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1) vs. Marshal General Baldwin Gearhart & Mr. Clogg (Gearhart1)

The dissidents from Llael seem to have a hard time accepting the natural order of things under the Empress' rule. Once again they are stirring things up. This time Gearhart is attacking our supply lines and Vlad with his trusted Winter Guard Kommand is dispatched to stop this nonsense. Vlad deals out swift justice and stops the Crucible Guards in the shortest game so far.

Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince (Vlad1) vs. Lord Ghyrrshyld, the Forgiven (Goreshade4)

Goreshade is making trouble again. Last time he managed to get the better of Irusk and his Winter Guards. This time the responsibility falls to Vlad. He brings the new hard hitting Winter Guard Kommand list, including two of the wonderful Gun Carriages. However, he is not the only one bringing Battle Engines. Goreshade is bringing a Trident, which turns out to be quite dangerous. However, the crazy elves are no match for Vlad and a Marauders in assassination mood.

Winter Guard Kommand under Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Prince's orders (Vlad1)

Vlad is a Winter Guard's second best friend after Irusk2. Where Irusk2 keeps them alive to fight another day, Vlad1 makes them fight today. This post details my approach to Winter Guard Kommand under Vlad1. As a special treat, this list contains two of the Empress' finest Gun Carriages. A marvellous addition to a WGK list under Vlad1.