Excellent report Skyros, thanks for sharing.
What are your post game thoughts on:
1) 3 mortars = 225 points; very little effect even when spammed vs. high T or high AS troops (Dwarves, Ogres)
/ great vs. low T and AS troops (O&G)
vs.
1 HRB + 1 mortar = 195 points ....... do you think the S5 HRB would have been more consistent vs. all opponents.
I ask because I have yet to make a decision myself , although I have an unhealthy fascination for the HRB.
My mortar would probably have done better against ogres and dwarves if I hadn't continually forgotten the D6 S3 hits under the hole. I like the HRB, but it's inaccuracy (and higher cost) dissuaded me from taking one. If I had the spare points I'd definitely replace a mortar with one, but I'm not sure one mortar and an HRB is better than three mortars.
2) 3 blocks of regular troops (1 Sword, 2 Halberd) @ 30 bodies per unit + a small (15 bodies) unit of GS
vs.
2 blocks of regular troops (2 Halberd) @ 40 bodies per unit + a big (30 body) unit of GS
(a) Do you think that the bigger units, although fewer in number, would have lasted longer against all opponents
especially 'killy' ones like Dwarves with GW or Ogres?
(b) would you have been able to achieve your various objectives/flexibility despite having one less unit?
Your opinion/analysis would be very useful to the tactically challenged, such as myself
My blocks were big enough except in two instances, really: fighting the dwarf warriors, where I broke and ran after being pounded by template weapons, and fighting the ogre tyrant's unit + gorger friend, where I was eventually wiped out. More men wouldn't have necessarily helped in the first instance, but would have helped in the second. However, I definitely needed all 3 blocks against the ogres, as he had 3 decent sized blocks of bulls/ironguts.
There are a lot of spells that punish larger units more (flames of phoenix, dwellers below) so that taking a larger unit isn't necessarily better. I've tried the 30 GS unit and they just attracted mass 'death by characteristic test' spells that would finish off 15 at a time.
That's why I also don't put my characters in my 'elite' troop blocks - it becomes too many eggs in one basket and a no brainer for my opponent to target with pit of shades or dwellers or what have you. There was one skaven player at the tournament who counted on a suicide IF 13th spell to wipe out the opponents small elite units and general, if he was with them.