The last time I'd fought against Dark Elves (against a different opponent), I'd been massacred. Learning from that humbling experience, I realised that their hatred was a real advantage. I couldn't rely on them to break, and because they could reroll missed attacks I knew that I had to prevent them from being able to attack back; this meant charging, and wiping out the front rank, but aginst such formidable opponents, this was not easy.

The scenario was basically a pitched battle. After a (failed) High Elf invasion of Naggaroth, the only surviving contingent were my High Elves, who had pitched camp in the middle of the night, only to find that they were right next to a Dark Elf watchtower (doh!) Presented with the option of "surrender or die" we chose neither, instead pledging to fight to the death, etc., etc. We had my usual army (spearmen, archers, Silver Helms, chariot) with the addition of two mages, and my newly aquired Repeater Bolt Thrower. I borrowed my opponents 'High Magic' cards, hoping that potent spells would give me the edge.

I had the first turn. I chose not to move, instead remaining in a defensive position inside our camp. I decided to try and eliminate my opponents two repeater bolt throwers, but sadly could only get rid of one in the shooting phase. No spells were cast in the magic phase. My opponent chose to advance, hoping that he could charge before he lost too many of his men. He flew high with his Harpies. Shooting was inconclusive, causing absolutly no damage. I tried to cast a spell (don't ask me which one), but it was blocked.

I decided to advance with my chariot and Silver Helms, taking a risk hoping that I'd be able to dispose of the second repeater Bolt Thrower. I was relieved when my missile troops were sucessful. Now all my opponent had in terms of firepower were a handful of Crossbowmen- I could now advance without fear (almost). My opponent was angry, and flew his Harpies down on my repeater Bolt Thrower, killing its crew. I was able to gain revenge when I cast the fiery convocation (I think that's its name) on the Harpies, killing half their number. Now every magic phase they would take 2D6 strength 4 hits.

I charged some warriors in the flank with my chariot. This was not especially for the combat bonus (hatred meant that they took no modifiers against their leadership value), but because I only needed to kill two warriors to stop them having any attacks back- which I did. Of course, the warriors did not break. I advanced with my spearmen, placing them in a defensive position at the edge of my camp. Shooting only picked off a few Spearmen. Whereas last magic phase everything went right for me, this phase everything went wrong. The fiery convocation did no further damage on the Harpies- hopefully it would do better next phase. My opponent cast the Malediction of Nagash, which meant that my general could not do anything whilst the spell remained in play, and would suffer D3 wounds each subsequent magic phase.

My opponent charged my Silver Helms with his cold one riders, but fell short by a few inches. Yet again his repeater crossbows failed to have any effect. My Chariot was slowly working through the warriors, but they just would not break... I needed to do something quick, or I would not destroy them before the end of the battle. In the magic phase, I destroyed the Harpies at last! Unfortunately, my general died. Curse that spell!

I charged the warriors with my Silver Helms, hoping to finally destroy them. I did completely wipe them out, but was now looking vulnerable for the cold one riders, who charged my Silver Helms. The Spearmen charged my chariot, which fled. The Silver Helms performed embarrasingly, and were destroyed.

At the start of my last turn, the chariot rallied. The Dark Elves could now not charge any of my units, as they were too far away. I had won! Hurrah! (Gloat, gloat). The magic and the repeater bolt throwers were real advantages; I will now always include the repeater bolt thrower, and magic will become a permanent fixture after I purchase Warhammer Magic at Christmas.