.::. Banner of the World Dragon - Introduction .::.
The banner provides near-immunity to magic in all its forms, as well as making Dragons within 12" stubborn. At its moderate cost, even elite units can take it with ease, thus giving our otherwise fragile T3 5+ save elves some sorely needed protection. Multiple successful High Elf lists have used it and it can be found mounted, on a BSB or in an elite unit which can either be medium-sized or a deathstar.
Many players hate this item a lot and I consider it similar to the Book of Hoeth featured in our last book: people hate what they cannot do anything about. A failsafe 2++ against anything magical really breakes some of the basic mechanics of the game and certain armies (in particular virtually anything DoC can field) really struggle to get past this. Just like the Book of Hoeth used to grant IF on any doubles (when the cast was successful, mind you), there is nothing an opponent can do about this. At best, they can avoid it. While this might in itself be a game-winning strategy (assuming you can kill the rest efficiently), it is still annoying. It`s just basic human psychology.
Most High Elf lists can really benefit from this banner. A few noteworthy exceptions exist, but even if the banner had been MR(5) alone (which is but a fraction of its power), it would be well worth it to a lot of lists in a game where LD10 Spirit Leeches and other sniping spells are prevalent.
.::. Application Areas .::.
The Banner can be used to provide Stubborn for a Dragon, protect a cavalry deathstar, preserve points and provide a safe haven, create an infantry deathstar and provide an elite unit with some much needed durability. Where possible, references will follow.
:: Stubborn Dragon & Points Preservation (1) ::
The Dragon and Frostheart work in tandem to create a mobile, high-damage output threat. The supporting bus is very expensive and relatively weak, but in the right matchups (High Elves actually being a perfect example) it can crash home with the Dragon for devastating effect. BOTWD + Shield of Saphery means it is very hard to get big points from the stubborn M9 bus. I`ve seen this list often get away with a minor loss, tie, or even a small win despite the Dragon + Prince going down. After all, it`s "only" 700 vp.Prince on Star Dragon: General, Shield, Star Lance, Dragonhelm, Golden Crown of Atrazar, The other
Trickster's Shard, 598
Noble on Ithilmar Barded Elven Steed: BSB, Lance, Heavy Armour, Shield, Banner of theWorld
Dragon, 172 Noble on Ithilmar Barded Elven Steed: Lance, Heavy Armour, Enchanted Shield,
Luckstone, Crown of Command, 140
Mage on Elven Steed: Level 2, High Magic, Dispel Scroll, 155
Mage on Elven Steed: Level 2, High Magic, 130
18 Silver Helms: FCG, Shield, 444
2x 5 Ellyrian Reavers: Champion, Bow Swaps, 95
4x 1 Eagle Claw Bolt Thrower: 70
1 Great Eagle: 50
1 Frostheart Phoenix: 240
Total: 2399
:: Cavalry Deathstar (2) ::
:: Protected Elite Unit (3) ::Prince on Barded Elven Steed: General, Dragon Armour, Shield, Giant Blade, Dragonhelm, Dawnstone, 285
Archmage on Elven Steed: Level 4, High, Crown of Command, Dispel Scroll, 300
Noble on Barded Elven Steed: BSB, Dragon Armour, Sword of Might, Enchanted Shield, Luckstone, Potion of Strength, 170
Noble on Barded Elven Steed: Dragon Armour, Star Lance, Charmed Shield, Golden Crown of Atrazar, Potion of Foolhardiness, 145
2x 5 Ellyrian Reavers: Bow for Spear, 85
2x 15 Archers: Musician, 160
10 Archers: Musician, 110
11 Dragon Princes: FCG, Banner of the World Dragon, 399
1 Frostheart Phoenix: 240
2x 1 Repeater Bolt Thrower: 70
5 Sisters of Averlorn: 70
1 Great Eagle: 50
Total: 2399
Loremaster of Hoeth, General, Lvl2, Heavy armour, Great weapon, Earthing rod, Biting blade, Shield
of merwyrm, 280
Archmage Lvl4, Lore of light, Book of hoeth, Ironcurse icon 280
Mage, Lvl1, Lore of light, 85
Lothern Seahelm, BSB, Shield, Spear, Light armour, Standard of disiplin 140
5 silverhelms shields 115
23 Achers Musician, 240
5 Ellerion Reavers, 80
5 Ellerion Reavers, 80
5 Ellerion Reavers Bowswap 85
28 White lions FCG, Banner of world dragon, 444
1 Frostheart Phoenix, 240
1 Great eagles, 50
Eagle claw bolt thrower, 70
Eagle claw bolt thrower, 70
Eagle claw bolt thrower, 70
Eagle claw bolt thrower, 70
The Banner here allows the Lions to perform a defensive role without being weak against anything and everything that might be thrown their way. Miscast protection is also a big bonus. The Coven of Light combined with Archers and RBT force an enemy`s hand. There are a few lists that out-gun this, but those who do struggle to find big points, and, in the case of Dwarfs, an advancing horde of Lions with BOTWD is very hard to deal with seeing as their war machines are always runed up.
:: Combined Arms (4) ::
This list was pioneered by Furion, who`s also written about this list in an army blog on this forum. The bus is protected by Obsidian Lodestone, which coupled with Lifebloom makes it very hard to hurt by ways of magic. The BOTWD are essential to supporting this bus.1 Prince on Barded Steed@ 271.0 Pts
General; Heavy Armour; Shield;
Giant Blade
Dawnstone
Dragonhelm
1 Archmage on Steed @ 310.0 Pts
Magic Level 4; Lore of Life
Dispel Scroll
Obsidian Lodestone
1 Noble on Barded Steed @ 170.0 Pts
Dragon Armour; Battle Standard;
Enchanted Shield
Star Lance
The Other Trickster's Shard
5 Ellyrian Reavers, Bow (swap) @ 85.0 Pts
5 Ellyrian Reavers, Bow (swap) @ 85.0 Pts
5 Silver Helms, Shields, Musician @ 125.0 Pts
12 Silver Helms, Shields, FCG @ 306.0 Pts
25 White Lions, FCG, Banner of Worlds Drag @ 405.0 Pts
1 Tiranoc Chariot @ 70.0 Pts
1 Frostheart Phoenix @ 240.0 Pts
1 Great Eagle @ 50.0 Pts
4 Eagle Claw Bolt Thrower @ 4x70.0 Pts
Total Army Cost: 2397.0
.::. Summary .::.
This is a rather short article, but there`s only so much you can say about a single item. I hope I`ve shown you some new ways to take the Banner to the field, as well as how it can create unique High Elf lists that otherwise would be be feasible. C&C appreciated
.::. References .::.
(1) Used by Italy and Spain at ETC2013 to great effect. Won Conquest 2014 and placed strongly (7th) at SM2014 (though the list was eventually disqualified because standins were used for 2 games, the list itself still proved solid).
(2) Highest-scoring High Elf list at ETC2013. Variations of this list also placed strongly (2nd) at SM2014 and have been run by Malossar as well (see his blog here for details: click
(3) Second highest scoring High Elf list at ETC2013. Small variations of this list won BSK2013 and Conquest 2013.
(4) Winner of multiple Polish tournaments, see Furion`s blog here for details: click