The 4th game of SoW was upon us! After the predictable loss to HoH in game 3 we were ready to get back to our winning ways. Av0 has been designated as our opponents for this battle by the Old Gods, and there were mixed feelings about it. I was absolutely certain that we would win this game because we have always had success against them in the past but Belore wasn't so sure about that. Av0 had recently faced UTB who beat them by a small margin, so the expectation was Av) has grown stronger and may pose a bigger threat than anticipated. I was having none of it. We needed this win if we wanted to continue our forward momentum.

As warriors from both sides set themselves up on the battlefield Scythe and Belore, the main shotcallers explained the basic plan for the match. We will have two groups on either side; the main armory and hot springs groups will be lead by Belore and Scythe as is usual but Mickyvee and Glorie will be placed in charge of a smaller group each armory group 2 and Hot Springs group 2 respectively. These groups will be running around providing reinforcements when and where needed and support the package carrier too. Much to my chagrin I was placed in Micky's group. I wasn't sure if my slowpoke spears would be up to the task of running from one emergency to another but then I remembered Mickyvee himself is an Infantry turtle who wouldn't be winning any races.

The Av0 forces had a slight advantages in terms of troops on the field as they had 91 warriors vs our 84. But we were already gaining an upper hand at both armory and Hot Springs getting the first capture at both objectives, However the Av0 were flooding into the fight intent on pushing us away.

The fight at both armory and Hotsprings continued unabated. But Belore ordered the armoury team 2 to move towards the Stark Stronghold 1 as capping that would stop Av) from teleporting onto the battlefield. Making them march to the fights the old fashioned way would only compound their problems and give them an upper hand in map control for as long as we could hold the strongholds. The Hot Springs team under Glorie's leadership was mirroring our actions on the right.

When the first WF package spawned, Av0 went all in for that, determined to secure it. The strategy was understandable as we had control of a large chunk of the map and had pulled ahead of them by about 6k points just due to points per minute difference. The package would bring down the difference significantly. However we had the upper hand, so the package moved towards the Greyjoy Stronghold 1.

Av0forces had already figured out that their only hope to secure the package would be to take the stronghold from us, so they flooded the objective with warriors, trying to take the base from us while one of their warriors carried the package into the base. Not the smartest decision there, we were firmly in control of the base so the package carrier march died within seconds, giving me the chance to pick up the package which instantly counted as delivered propelling us forward in points. I felt quite proud of this accomplishment, probably the most useful thing I have done so far this season of SoW, if I am being honest. I am no longer as strong as I used to be so a feeling of being not of much use has definitely settled in my mind.

By the time the next package spawned the course of the battle had changed drastically. Almost all of the map was under our sway. Av0 still stubbornly holding onto the Stark Outpost 1 and trying to take back Stark Stronghold 1. N0X warriors were already on their way to root out and decimate the last pockets of resistance.

Though our package carrier HotepRa looked a bit worse for wear by the time we brought in the second package to Greyjoy Stronghold , the package was never really in danger. We had enemies trying to melt our package carriers but we outnumbered them at the fight. After this point in the battle, it was quite clear which way the wind was blowing. Av0 were having trouble keeping up with the healing requirement while we were just happy to overload the bases with defensive troops and deliver the WF packages when they spawned.

The game had been decided for a while at this point but the fight over the WF package still happened, I wasn't quite sure if Av0 were actually trying to take the package or if they were using the opportunity to farm some eliminations for their bigwigs like Ganicus, Lord Pablo, Rinox940 etc. During this game Belore had asked us to avoid all the shiny special buildings. I am sure not everyone was happy about that command but it proved to be a really good decision in the end. Most N0Xians barring a few stayed away from those buildings while Av0 members flocked there making it much easier to win skirmishes.

This was a much much easier battle than even I anticipated. I felt pretty vindicated to be honest. What a great opportunity to say "I told you so" to Belore, these opportunities don't calm along often enough 😂