Right, now that the world cup craziness is finally done and ze Germanz done it again i got time to write something up as well.
First of all, the Exeter Entrenchment was probably the best Epic tournament i have been so far!
Massive thanks and props to Tim/Brokenbayonet for organising and hosting a really professional and entertaining event!
Also very impressed by the amount of support from all the sponsors!
A couple minor hick-ups aside, the whole day went smooth and had a friendly competitive atmosphere throughout. The location was spacious, clean and fresh!
A small but great detail has been the provision of free tee/coffee and water. All participants where allowed to order lunch in advance, choosing from a varied list which then got delivered spot on at lunch break. Nothing better then gaming with a full stomach, haha
Of course the best thing of the whole event where the amazing themed tables!
I had the joy of playing on the not-Hoth ice world and twice on the now infamous lava world.
Both tables where visually stunning and easy to play on. The trench theme added a nice flavour to the matches without complicating the flow of the game. Though some generals might disagree
Sure the TO will smooth things out even further next year.
I played a straight forward Death Korps of Hoth list, with everything that is not an immobile gun or aircraft being a WE and coming in doubles. Our driver Matt, Alan and me had a super early start and i figured i keep things simple to not hurt my brain, haha
I am not good with battle reports so i just outline my games.
Round 1 vs RichardL/Biel Tan Eldar
His army was centred around a Warlock titan which i still don't know how to handle other then throwing some bait in front of it and hoping for the best. Kinda worked but not good enough as the game ended turn 3 when time was called with a draw in Richards favour.
Best two moments (and most valuable formations) where when his jet bikes assaulted out of the warp gate towards a heavy aa formation in gun emplacements. A 2nd heavy aa formation on overwatch behind them opened fire and rolled 2 hits out of 3 on 5+. The bikes failed both armour saves and continued the assault.
After rolling our attacks the guns had to make 3-4 saves (not entirely sure anymore) on 5+ which they managed without breaking a sweat while managing 1-2 hits on 6+ themselves which took down another bike. I then have been up by one, we roll our dice and manage a draw so i win by one, hack one down, break them and survive unharmed! Boom!
The second epic moment was when the Warlock assaulted my Warhound, managing a large amount of regular hits which all got saved and only two titan killer hits and in return taking three wounds himself!
Round 2 vs Reedar/Orks
I mentioned the lava board turning infamous which happened in this game. Unfortunately, the TO missed to leave gaps in both trench lines of the table… in my first game on this table i didn't realise it as both my WE and Richard's Eldar are not bothered in their movement by it. But for Reedar and his vehicle heavy Ork army it ment that all his vehicles had to move through dangerous terrain first turn…
The poor warboss lost 11 units in the process!
His despair and my shameless amusement made for a slower game, when time got called we where two turns in. I managed a draw in my favour.
Best moment was an air assault by a Landa full or Orks against an intermingled infantry company and a Warhound. In an epic struggle, both Gorgons and the hound managed to save about 15 out of 18 saves and drawing the combat. After having managed to kill two Grots, the Orks lacked the numbers to block both Gorgons so 10 units of Snowtrooper could swarm out and save the day!
The broken Orks where down to half size, lost their Landa and where so intimidated that they failed to rally end of turn as well.
Darth Vader's troops only lost two infantry units and suffered a point of damage on each WE involved!
Round 3 vs Blip/Biel Tan Eldar
The last round has been a tense but super fun game against Blip, full of epic assaults, useless Shadowswords and an unkillable Darth Vader who in one turn managed to fend of a full-on shooting of 2 Revenant titans and a retained assault of mounted Guardians + Avatar + Revenant Titans! While he lost half is company he managed to kill half the Guardians and break them in return!
Again time was called with us being at the end of turn three, resulting in a draw in my favour.
Tim then proceeded into the awards ceremony and gave out so much prizes, it was unreal!
Really nice has been that LargoW, who traveled all the way from Germany, managed to place 2nd and claim best painted army! Well deserved, his Tyranids are beautifull!
To my big surprise, all my opponents thought my trash talk was so entertaining that i have been awarded most sporting player!
Summing up the day, i couldn't have asked for more out of an Epic tournament and our great community!
No question that i'll make it again next year!
.....) Fantastic to meet you all and chuffed everyone seemed to enjoy themselves on the day. I was most particularly proud of the atmosphere in the hall, as it felt more like a regular meet-up rather than a tournament. 
