Tom's Toy Soldiers: 2025

Saturday, 20 December 2025

Warmaster Revolution: Kislev v Dark Elves

Variety being the spice of life we decamped to Andy's Gaming Den for a game of Warmaster Revolution. I took the Kislev forces, fresh from Warmaster 25 and Andy opted to try an all infantry Dark Elf force.

We tried to make a video, but my camera wasn't playing ball, so the results aren't great.

My camera was also having a bit of an off day, so here's some slightly ropy pictures.

The Kislev Kavalry Krest the hill

Hordes of Horses

Naturally there were war wagons, too.

The Dark Elves had come from the frozen north, snow still on their boots.

The field of war

Kislev pushed up and closed off a gap.

And secured the other flank

What turned out to be an unwise charge on a Hydra

The battle unfolds

Aha, caught in the flank

The Dark Elf centre holds firm

Some additional phone pictures

In the end I secured a narrow win. Helped by the absence of enemy cavalry I was more able to pick fights that suited me and pushed Andy to his break point.

Monday, 15 December 2025

Dragon Rampant Campaign - The Valley of Jeff - Game One

Martin and I have embarked on a Dragon Rampant campaign using the campaign rules from the new second edition book.

I was hoping to use my old metal Dark Elves, but got distracted by various things and so have instead opted to use my Orcs. Martin will be taking his Dwarfs.

Martin has created a splendid map of the Valley of Jeff.

Victory for either side moves you closer to your enemy's base. Three points for a win and the first to 15, or the first to capture the enemy capital.

Game one was a pitched battle across the banks of the swift flowing River Jeff

Here's the game in video form:

My photos are unfortunately a little ropy...

I was using magic for the first time in DR2 - a light foot spellcaster with 2 colours of magic, Magenta and Saffron

I also had Elite Foot in the shape of Black Orcs.

A swift recount on turn three made sure I actually only used 6, not 12!

Martin had his armoured Bears (Lesser Warbeasts) to add some muscle

And some Goat Riding cavalry.

The Wild Charging Bears were met by counter-charging Orcs. This did not end well for the Bellicose Foot Orcs.

As the Clan Oakenfinger Dwarfs advanced to the skirl of pipes.

The Orcs and Bears were still going at it.

But the bears mauled them before running into the Black Orcs.

The bears fled, but the Clan Dwarfs continued their advance.

On the waiting Orc Elites

The spellcaster spent most of the battle buffing his fellows furiously.

Disaster struck the Orcs as the chariots failed to charge home

Te Black Orcs met the Clan on the bridge over the River Jeff

With some WD40 the Orcs reduced the moisture in their axels and took the fight back to the Dwarfs.

Barin Oakenfinger and his hearthguard waded into the swirling Jeff - but it was too late - the crossings belonged to Gruzzkupp!

Terrific fun game which ebbed and flowed (like the River Jeff itself).

Plenty of unexpected and unasked for turn endings when the dice deserted us and activations failed helped to keep the action in the balance until the very end.

Additional phone pictures.

The moment the Chariots failed to charge home, handing initiative to Oakenfinger!