N0X vs MBL; First Match of SoW!

After an interminable All Out War season, I was once again excited for an event not name AoH. Siege of Winterfell was back, and I breathed a sigh of relief. The first game of the season was upon us and we had a surprise guest on out ranks; IMPERIAL ROCK has decided to join N0X for this first game, that bolstered our confidence for sure. Our opponents were MBL, an alliance we had faced before with them having the upper hand more often than not. So, there was a cloud of worry about the results. Having IMPERIAL ROCK should be helpful but in SoW even the strong die to persistence and pincer attacks. So, as the battle drew near we stepped onto the battlefield with a mixture of trepidation, confidence and hope.

The first thing that everyone noticed was the difference in attendance, it was pretty shocking to me really, We had a whooping 83 people against a mere 62 from MBL. Scythe our Duchess and one of the main shotcallers for the event kept exclaiming about how unexpectedly low the turnout on MBL side was. But Belore was quick to point out that MBL always had strongish players but their attendance numbers were never super high. We split up into two teams one led by Belore going towards Hot Springs and another led by Scythe moving to take over the armory.

Meanwhile IMPERIAL ROCK had the license to go wherever he wanted. He was unquestionably the strongest N0Xian on the field and we expected him to leave a trail of destruction wherever he went, which he seemed only too happy to do as the game began. The fighting was most intense at the Hot Springs as usually tends to happen but our superior numbers were enough to clean up both armory and Hot Springs quickly.

We had a big presence at Winterfell by the time the first package dropped. Spuddles with her golden stilettoes was our assigned package bearer as she has been countless other times season after season. We kept the MBL forces at bay as Spuddles collected the package and sped towards her destination. But suddenly out of nowhere out popped Bearface right alongside Spuddles, killing her march even as her escorts surrounded Bearface and massacred his march. After this small bump on the road, she was able to turn in the first package safely.

The map was looking pretty good for us, we had control of everything in our half of the map and we were pushing up towards Stark Outposts and bases on both sides of the map. Belore kept emphasising the need to keep a firm control over the map as map control had more value this season compared to packages, though obviously getting the packages helped.

When time came for the next package, MBL were already there trying to block Spuddles from taking the package. Belore was there as expected trying to rake control of the area even as a large force of N0Xianss including me were converging on Winterfell to provide support. Bearface however was too quick and managed to get his hands on the package, carrying it away towards MBL base at breakneck speed. But we had control of most of the map so we were able to surround him and his cohorts from all sides eventually taking back the package.

As we reached the halfway point of the match we were well and truly in control of the game, But that in no way meant we were going to get complacent. Even as Spuddles sprinted to a safe base with the package, the rest of us reset and moved towards the three remaining objectives still under MBL control. Usually we gave away objectives to our opponents after securing 80k points but this time even before the season started the N0X leadership had decided that we will aim to get as many points as possible every game so that we would have a better chance to make it to the play offs. So as the minutes ticked by we focused on keeping every objective under control even as Spuddles and IMPERIAL ROCK kept delivering packages. Turns out IMPERIAL ROCK was not only the strongest N0Xian on the field but the fastest as well!

Bearface had been a constant nuisance throughout the game, popping up everywhere to surreptiously steal away undefended objectives or to take away any packages on the way to a safe base. Credit where credit's due he caused us no end of trouble with his antics. He might have singlehandedly stopped us from earning more points in this match.

As the last package spawned IMPERIAL ROCK volunteered to try and carry the package to the nearest base. But again guess who showed up to cause more disruptions? Bearface who else. Due to his interference even the super speedy IMPERIAL ROCK couldn't manage to deliver the last package much to our disappointment.

In the end it was a stomp and to no one's surprise IMPERIAL ROCK topped the charts in elimination, He was everywhere all over the map killing off MBL warriors left right and center. Looking at the damage he liberally handed out, I repeated my fellow N0Xian Alysanne's words about IMPERIAL ROCK to myself, "I'm glad he's friend shaped" He was only here for the one match but I am pretty sure Scythe already wanted to adopt him permanently.