Batrep: Epic, 40k

If you've arrived at Death By Die thinking this is a battle report of an Epic 40k game, I apologise. If you've come here thinking this is a game of 40k that was Epic, welcome, my friend.

As you may know, a few months ago myself and Alun visited the Crow Valley Crusaders and played against an Imperial Fist/Iron Hands combo. And we lost. Aluns Dark Eldar was shot down quickly and I couldn't do much but be overwhelmed by numbers. We went down to the longest night on the weekend, and beat Mike, one of the players we'd previously lost too. But it wasn't that fulfilling... Shaun, who had commanded the Imperial Fists was otherwise busy being a Lannister and taking over (well, trying too) Westeros. Monday night however at the Reavers, who would challange us to a game, but that very pair of ruffians, Mike and Shaun. It was Imperial Fists and Iron Hands again, this time Alun chose his regular Eldar army after they proved succesful on Saturday (except against me ha). 

2000 points per player, all about the kills.

For a comprehensive list of the armies we took, then please accept my apologies for I have none. The photo above shows deployment, my reinforcments consisted of a ten man strong Legion of the Damned unit, Stormtalon and 5 Sterguard in drop pod with combimeltas looking for that first blood.

And you'll be glad to know I got it! I took out one of Mikes Plasma Predators, nasty buggers especially to power armour! We managed to take down a nice little chunk of the boys troops too, no total squads but there were whittled down with as much as we could fire, night fighting restricting us from concentrating fire too much. Aluns Dark Reapers also did well, the Exarch particularly.

Mike and Shaun struck back, by not knowing where to deploy their drop pods.

Lets be honest, sticking down your drop pods can take longer than deployment. Whats in them? Whats the biggest threat? This was the best bit though.... Shaun trying to explain to Mike that he couldn't get into melta range to kill my vindicator because the drop pod was in the way. Mike said he'd get rid of it, but then 5 minutes were needed to explain that he can't move into range to shoot it in the shooting phase. I think Alun was using his psyker abilities to strike discord in the Crow Valley ranks!

Mikes Contemptor jumped out and shot my Land Raider in the jacksie, causing a glancing hit. Shauns came down in front of Aluns Dark Reapers, whose destruction made them a prime target. Although they were battered, a couple still stood at the end of the turn. Elsewhere casualties were limited, although one of my five man squads took a couple of casualties and fled back, but regrouped safely.

All my reserves made it on, which is a relief as it rarely happens!

The storm talon races up the left flank, to give Aluns eldar some support and the Legion of the Damned materialse in the CVC lads deployment zone, also on the left. A brutal display of firing by the ghostly marines takes out Shauns Heavy Bolter devs, and in return Mikes plasma pred takes out 7 of the legionaires. I'd taken 14 wounds and lost 7.... what on earth! My sterguard were charged but killed a terminator with an overwatching melta hit, and my land raider bites the dust after a charge from Mikes contemptor. I fire at it with a lascannon and multimelta but do nothing, bloody contemptors! Again, casualties to both of our troops is taken and we both suffer some losses. Alun does get some charges into Shauns Sternguard and Chapter master, and a brutal combat erupts, each side taking some casualties but fighting on.

So my Land Raider is lost, out comes Vincent Eniko wielding the Burning Blade and holding aloft his Shield Eternal leading the Terminators on to charge into Mikes Terminators and Shauns Land Raider Achilles. I roll a three to charge. I do get into contact with the terminators but I'm half an inch away from the tank... Eniko had Furious Charge from his warlord trait and the termies could have done some serious damage to the landraider, now, I doubt I'd scratch it... or get to it even! Mikes termies duly died however so not all bad. The Legion of the Damned, well, two that were left, charged into the ruins and sent the scouts to their graves. Alun took out the Contemptor and more people died in combat, with Shauns Chapter Master finally dying to the Archons attacks. Elsewere the stormtalon took out some infantry, my thunderfire cannon was smashed apart, and Mike lost one of his contemptors too.

We had no idea who was winning at this point, each side claiming a lot of kills so we fought on. Aluns gravtanks flew across the board, although 2 were blown up, the firewarriors being taken down by small arms fire and a Termie charge. Mikes Chapter Master headed out to attack another Eldar tank, and I aimed my own Chapter Master at him. My termies were slowly taking out tactical marines but not quick enough to earn any points, although they did previously take two hull points off an achilles(yes there were two). Aluns Archon swept into more marines killing another unit with his incubi. The Legion of the Damned sergeant, now on his own, took on the Techmarine that was manning the Imperial Fists Thunderfire, aiming to reap revenge for the loss of my own artillery. And revenge was gained, the sarge slicing the Techmarines helmut down the middle with his power axe. I lost two Combat squads this turn, one to termie firepower and the other to the contemptor on my right. My stormtalon fired everything into Mikes second plasma pred and it blew up, phew!

The board was looking emptier now, both sides had taken a beating and there was no clear winner. My Chapter Master swept into Mikes, Termies still trying to deal with the tactical squad. although I didn't lose any, there was just too many with only 4 attacks per turn, especially with how I roll dice! A couple more squads were finished off, Aluns Dire Avengers fleeing and counted as a point, stormtalon finishing off one of Shauns Tactical Sqauds. The battle of the Chapter Masters could prove important so it seemed!

 The Chapter Masters struck each other, Mikes having a power axe and armour from the Clan Raukaan. I got some hits and wounds, but Mike saved them bar one. He cause two on me, and I too lost one. Drawn! Next combat phase I caused a wound on the Iron Father, and Mike failed his save. In return, he swung back and the wound bounced off the shield. It could potentially come down to a morale test then? Mike rolled, and it came up a six. Chapter Masters would have fought on! I'll take that as a morale victory though, cause more wounds! 

So we added up the points, myself and Alun had lost 17 units. When I saw that I thought we'd lost... but Shaun announced they'd lost 16. However, we'd gained First Blood, Slay the Warlord, and Linebreaker. A win by just two points, I couldn't believe it! To be fair, no matter what the score was I felt like we'd won because it was one of the most enjoyable games of 40k I'd ever played and one of the finest examples of why I love this game. Little moments, good luck, bad luck, tense dice rolls, and excellent people to play with and against. It doesn't get much better than that I can tell you! I'm sure I've forgotten some events from the game, but if the lads want to add comments then hopefully they will. Can't always have the victors tell the tale after all!

I think we'll have to do something special next time, perhaps an even bigger game. How my Legion sarge survived I don't know, truly a legend amongst the dead marines. Another dead Land Raider though! Thanks to these guys we now know how barrage works properly, as we wasn't sure before. For now though, thats it from me. Wrestlemania is coming up Sunday, and on Saturday is our very own event for International Tabletop Day so expect a report on that with plenty of photos!

Apocalypse Batrep,30k Eldar vs Space Marines

Well here she is, I've not posted for over a week or so as I've been busy and had this monstrosity to get ready for posting! About a week and a half ago, we at the Tredegar Reavers had one of our much loved amongst members all day events. Huw put on a game of No Quarter which I will post about soon, Huws finding some time to get some things written up about the game played by him, Louis and Mike. As soon as I get the text I'll knock the post out with some pictures. As for the rest of us, which was myself, Jordan, Bam, Alun and Andrew, we organised a nice chunky game of Apocalypse. 15k per side, 30k in total. You may have remembered a while ago I painted up a Realm of Battle board for the club, well I've now painted a second to match which meant we had this to put scenary and armies on, I was rather proud of myself! 

Anyway, onto the game. Alun and Andrew controlled an Eldar and Dark Eldar combination, Wave Serpents, Raiders, Ravagers and a handful of flyers took to battle. With them, was a Revenant Titan. This beastie worried us a little as we had no superheavies of our own, but we did have some D-weapon capability in the form of a Predator Assassin Squadron, IF they survived. The Imperial allies consisted of Krohmus Guard, Bam with Imperial Fists (yet to be painted!) and Jordan with his Company of Space Wolves. One warning before we start, I've gone into storytelling mode. Look out!

The numbers of the Eldar seemed far too few to worry about, but it looked as though they were about to mount an attack. Thornarim, the Krohmus Guard Scout Sergeant carefully observed the yellow wraithboned transports of the Eldar as they hovered delicately into view. The Squat had fought Eldar before, and crushed a few of their heads in with his own fists after his position had been attacked by armoured Aspect Warriors in green armour. 'Fast buggers, but land a punch on them and they go down like anything' Thornarim thought to himself. He heard a new noise come into the area, similar to the grav-engines of the Eldar but whinier, more painful sounding the Demiurg thought. Into view came a slim skimmer, with a pointed hull with small sails on and filled with Eldar in much more spikier armour than he had ever seen the pointy eared Xenos wear before. Thornarim spoke into his comms... 'Lads, you seeing this?' Scout Harkin replied 'Dark Eldar, it seems the Eldar numbers could be greater than we thought Sergeant'. Thornarim felt his hand stroke the barrel of his sniper rifle and smiled to himself. 'Soon you'll be giving those pointy eared bastards holes in the heads' he said to himself, but for now his orders were strictly observation. 

After a few minutes, the Dark Eldar skimmer shot off to the west and the Eldar started mobilising to a new position. Even with these new allies they'd be hard pressed to break the Adeptus thought Thornarim. Not only were the Krohmus Guard here, but the company of Ragnar Blackmane of the Space Wolves was present along with Captain Danarth Lysander and a force of Imperial Fists too. Suddenly his comms went off. 'Sergeant Thornarim, this is Eniko. What news for me friend?' 'Well, its not just the Eldar we got, its their darker brothers too. All bastards though' said the stunted sergeant. 'Librarian Shiori said he's picking up psychic interference, he and the other librarians are trying to sense whats happening but Brother Lysander mentioned webway portals, so be aware' the Chapter Master announced. 'If they're attacking they have a surprise or three planned, we'll need you and your squads sniper rifles back at base. Disperse and return.'  'Aye' Thornarim replied and then passed the orders onto his unit. Just as he was about to turn and make his way back to the command centre he felt something wasn't right. He turned again and saw that there was one Eldar transport still hovered in the small clearing. Several Eldar in ornate armour and strange looking helms all gathered in a semi-circle. As he zoomed in he could see the air bristling in front of them, as if a storm was coming. suddenly lighting came from nowhere and the area in front of the psykers cackled and a chill wind picked up. The electricity picked up until the air was torn, a portal into which Thornarim could see the warp space circling around inside it. It grew from the size of a dreadnought into something a good dozen of the Eldar skimmers could fit through at once. Thornarim flicked his comms back on. 'Vincent, seems the Librarians were right. They're making a huge tear in reality, this isn't good'. 'Thornarim, are there forces coming out?' Negative, noth.... Wait a second... Oh shit. Its something big. Must be 60ft at least... Thin body with a gun on each arm, doesn't look friendly' the Squat reported. 'Titan. Scout class by the sound of it. Thornarim, get back to base. Your unit will be needed. With haste brother' Eniko ordered. 'Aye, hasty be right!' Thornarim said as he left his spot.
 

Brother Ithala ordered his Predator squadron into place. It had been joined by an Imperial Fists predator, all fitted in the Annihilater pattern and it seemed to make sense to keep them together to concentrate firepower on the heaviest enemy armour. Orders mentioned that a scout class titan could be part of the Eldar force, and Ithala knew the combination of 15 lascannons in his squadron would help deal some damage. Movement could be seen across the more open ground and Eldar forces could be seen across the way. Yellow vehicles hovered into view, along with Dark Eldar skimmers to the right flank. Then the Titan hovered into view. Above the ruins of what had been an Imperial town was the immense Eldar construct, and even Ithala felt a sense of ugency to destroy the fearsome yet graceful looking thing. Ithala had heard of these before, and instantly relayed his knowledge to the other tanks in his squadron. 'Those weapons are Pulsars, long ranged and absolutely lethal. Aim for the head with everything you've got when it comes into range!' ordered Ithala. Suddenly the guns on the Eldar Titan glowed a pale blue. In the central ground between the amassed armies energy fizzled and two webway portals ripped open real space and more Dark Eldar skimmers flew out. The comms went crazy with reports of Dark Eldar units appearing behind Imperial lines, skimmers, female warriors scantily clad with all manner of combat weapons, Eldar with bodies mutilated and large mechanical beasts hovering in the air trying to snap the defenders in half with huge claws. Ithala's attention was squarely on the Titan. The predators all turned to bring the Titan to their fore. As they did, Ithala saw a drop pod ram into the ground near the Titan. The Pulsars lit up and tore the Predator behind Ithala up causing a massive explosion. In literally seconds it had turned to absolute chaos. Another two shots from the other Pulsar blew up a Krohmus Guard Land Raider, Ithala angrily shouting 'AVENGE OUR BROTHERS, AIM FOR THE HEAD!' He saw the Titan's left Pulsar fall as its shoulder socket disintegrated, melta shots coming from the Sternguard who had drop podded in crippling its firepower. The Predator to his right opened up, but the shot flew past the titan, the image flickering slightly. 'Holofields, aim to the left!' he yelled as the Imperial Fists predator shot the lascannons smashed into the other shoulder, making the Titan stagger back. Ithala pulled the trigger on his own lascannons and unleashed three energy beams into the Titans head.

There was a horrendous shriek and the Revenants head exploded, the huge machine collapsing towards the Imperial line. Eldar flyers swarmed in over the explosion and missiles spun from the craft into the bikes that were zooming forward. Most of the Krohmus Guard bikes were smashed apart but the Fists bikes continued on, joining with the Krohmus attack bike that had survived the blasts and rearing around a ruin towards two smaller Dark Eldar skimmers. Vincent Eniko, Chapter Master of the Krohmus Guard, looked through the holograph screen in his Land raider 'The Colossus'. 'This is bridge Captain Raforno, coordinates my Lord?' 'Concentrate on the grav tanks heading towards the base, we need them slowed down so more fire can be brought to bear' ordered Eniko. Yes my Lord' answered Raforno, and within seconds a large explosion could be heard even within the confines of the Colossus. As the mighty machine sped around the now banking Imperial Fists bikes Eniko saw something he hadn't expected. Guardsmen. All bore inquisitorial badges, was a Radical Inquisitor working with the Eldar? 'Ready to disembark, we assault these heretics!' Vincent roared as the engines of the Colossus echoed its Chapter Masters' thoughts and stormed straight towards the Guardsmen. As the assault ramp lowered, the small yet wide figure of Koll bounded forward as Vincent Eniko, Chaplain Gyozo and his Honour Guard followed. They were superhumans, but even they struggled to keep up with a Chainaxe carrying Squat. 

Eniko suddenly thought about the day he first met the demiurg warrior. When the Krohmus Guard had rescued the small clan of Squats from a Chaos invasion one of the Squats had turned traitor, and Koll was the brother of the heretic. Kolls brother, Ufnaud, had become unstable and fled the invisible world on one of the ancient ships that the Demiurg once used to cargo materials from their mines to other clans for trading. He had somehow come into contact with the  Chaos Lord Balekith, who had wanted to claim the cloaking technology the Squats had used to remain unknown for his own evil deeds. Koll had been sickened by his brothers actions, and had renounced his family name, swearing that he will kill his brother or die trying. After the battle, Koll had shaven his hair off leaving a mohawk, apparantly copying tales of great ancestors and legends. When the Krohmus Guard had taken the Squat survivors to Mars, a handful had decided to stay with the Adeptus Astartes to not only serve with them on the battlebarges and with the Techmarines but to also fight alongside the Space Marines. Eniko thought of Thornarim, whose keen aim had killed scores of Xenos and Traitors. Koll was even deadlier, but his forte' was in combat. The Chapter Master was adept in combat, but after he had seen Koll slaughter 8 Bezerkers with little effort, he knew the stuntied fellow was a supreme combat monster.

 Before the Honour Guard and Eniko could put blade to flesh, Koll had already decapitated 3 Guardsmen and dismembered two more. The unit were wiped out in just a few seconds. Eniko and the Honour Guard pressed themselves against the building the Guardsmen had been next too, and could see the battle in the centre of the lines was brutal. A Krohmus Guard Vindicator was blown up as a stormraven flew overheard, guns blazing away taking down Dark Eldar flyers with ease. It had seemed the orbital blast hadn't taken many of the skimmers down, as there were still almost a dozen flying towards the northwest most corver of the base. As he looked up, he saw what he thought were ghosts, and Koll leapt over his and with a grim whisper claimed, 'mine'. Eniko ordered his honour guard back into the Colossus, they would head towards the middle ground and hunt for more clues as to the Guardsmen and the Inquisitorial badges they had. As they turned the corner Eniko saw something that was fearsome yet welcoming. A cold blueish glow appeared from nowehere and twenty Legionaires of the Damned appeared, guns firing into buildings nearby with human screams being heard even over the gunfire of the battle. Vincent had seen these warriors before, and always had they been on the side of the Kromus Guard. 'The Emperor gives us strength my Lord' said Chaplain Gyozo.

Koll leapt up the ruins onto the second floor of the building, firing off a shot from his grav pistol sending one of the Eldar Rangers falling. Three fired their sniper rifles at him but he was too fast, even for the Eldar. He chopped the arms off one as it still aimed its rifle, with his chainaxe tearing two more in half. 'Your race is dead, you do not belong here' a ghostly voice said. 'All dead? Then your eyes are lying, come make sure we're all dead you bastard' shouted Koll. The sound of energy fizzing into life came from behind, and Koll spun to block a strike that most Marines would have lost their head too. Koll stood face to face with another Ranger, but one whose appearence suggested more veteran and bestowed than a simple Eldar scout. 'Our Farseers saw your races death years ago, the Great Devourer consumed you.' Aye, but they didn't like the taste of me, like old boots I am.' Koll retorted, swinging his axe around wounding the Xenos Scouts arm with a huge gash. The Eldar whinced in pain as it brought its sword up, desperate to land a blow on Koll. The Demiurg blocked easily, but another Ranger had hit him across the back of the neck with its rifle. As he turned his chainaxe bit deep into its waist, chopping the Ranger into half. The talkative Eldar however managed to jab its power sword towards Kolls head. Koll felt the heat of the blade slice his side and spun towards the Eldar, quickly grabbing his arm and pulled him over his head and over the edge of the platform they were fighting on. The Ranger managed to avoid falling by deftly grabbing a girder and swinging himself to safety. The Eldar Ranger was battered but had escaped the Squat. Koll glanced at his wound and almost smiled at it. Leaping across a gap in the ruins he saw the spectral Legion of the Damned fighting with Dark Eldar, smashing armoured warriors with ease he could see the Archon had dispatched one of the ghostly warriors but was now retreating back. 'Mine' Koll said.

Thornarim took aim, and the last Wych fell from the raider as the driver pulled away. Reloading his sniper rifle he turned around to see scout Torstein fire a krak missile at another raider, missing the vehicle but hitting a Dark Eldar warrior off and exploding as missile and xenos hit the ground.  Another Raider was hit by a Demolisher shell, and the occupants, more wyches, flew from its chassis and crashed into the groud. Four were killed from the crash but the rest leapt up eager to fight, and started to dance their way up the wall of the base towards Thornarim's squad. Three more Wyches fell as the scouts fired rounds but two still came, one opened the throat of scout Phanius before being knocked to the ground by scout Torstein but another spilt blood. Pirouetting between two of the Scouts she flipped over another, all three of the young Krohmus Guard having their heads taken from their shoulders. This Wych meant busines, and headed straight for Thornarim. As the old Squat took aim he fired a round which hit the female xenos in the hip, she took the shot and spun around, planting one of her blades in the neck of Thornarim. Torstein came at the Wych from behind, and she struck him in the stomach with a wickedly spiked heel. He clutched at her ankle, and swung her off the platform where she landed on her neck, the breaking bones being heard over the noise of battle. Torstein and scout brother Aryx ran towards Thornarim, who was slumped against the wall of the platform. 'Apply pressure quick, you'll be fine sergeant I swear it!' shouted Torstein in a panic. 'Of course I'll be fine' the stricken Squat said. 'A pain in the neck won't kill you.....' and Thornarims eyes closed. 

Chapter Master Eniko was recieving reports from all over the battlefield. Ragnar Blackmane and a group of the young Blood Claws had battled Dark Eldar that were mutilated and supported by strange clawed hovering mechanical beasts, the rest of his Great Company held the western flank against a sea of Dark Eldar Jetbikes. Lysander had intercepted a Seer Council and a vicious combat was being fought between the two sides nether side being able to clutch the initiative. Eldar were mounting towards to the gate of the base and had to be stopped. Even though the base was open from above, the gate held the controls to the base and could be sabotaged. Eniko would rather see the gate destroyed than it held by the cunning Xenos. Thornarim had been struck down, but his squad had defended not just the old Squat but their part of the wall, testament to the teachings of Enikos short friend. The Imperial air support had been superb. Xenos flyers had been taken down systematically and the Stormravens and Stormtalons of the Krohmus Guard and Imperial Fists now poured fire into the ground based Eldar units, working their way back to the gate of the base to defend the vital point. 

The Colossus was about to pull away until more heat readings were picked up by its sensors. 'What is it?' questioned Eniko. 'More Eldar, coming in from behind' replied Chaplain Gyozo, 'Koll will have to deal with them my Lord, we have targets in front.' Eniko looked and in front of the Colossus was a Venom skimmer. Onboard he could see the veterans of the Dark Eldar, the Incubi and knew they were deadly opponents. 'Ready to arms my brothers...' and suddenly Eniko paused. 'Back to Koll, he needs our support!' 'But my Lord, the Archon and his retinue?' They're being handled Orneus, the Emperor watches, and fights with us.' Orneus looked at the holograph screen and could see that the Legion of the Damned had joined combat with the Archon and his retinue. Two of the warriors vanished from blows by the Archon but the rest took out the Incubi. The Archon fled, knowing fear for the first time in his life most likely thought Eniko as the strange warriors of the Damned butchered his fellow Xenos. The Archon sprinted back, and met up with the Eldar reinforcments. Howling Banshees, with an Exarch, met the Archon and readied themselves to serve death. The Archon, now supported by more Eldar gained confidence and strode forward with the armoured women and headed towards Kolls position. The Colossus sped forward, the assault ramp once more thundering down to the ground where Chapter Master Eniko, Orneus Gyozo and the honour guard spilled out into the Archon and the Banshees. 'Man, Woman, all pointy eared bastards!!!' screamed Koll as jumped from the first floor of the building, chainaxe spinning flicking blood off its small teeth as the Squat targeted the Exarch. Eniko aimed for the Archon, the Xenos commander having the same idea. 

The Honour Guard fought against the Banshees, and gained the upperhand as they killed three with well aimed blows. The Aspect Warriors were fast but just couldn't cut through the armour of the Krohmus Guards finest. Koll swung maniacally at the Eldar, whose lithe frame danced around the strokes as if taunting the Squat. His eyes keened and stopped swinging the chainaxe, the Banshee immediately struck and Koll sidestepped the darting power sword and headbutted the Banshee, her mask cracked and fell off revealing her face. 'Pretty lass, too bad you're dead' announced Koll as the chainaxe met the side of her cranium, splattering flesh and gore everywhere. The Archon yelled and the remaining Banshees fled with the Dark Eldar leader. Eniko looked around and saw that the Eldar had been eradicated from the gate, although the gate itself had collapsed under the gratuitous firepower the Imperial allies had thrown at it. Koll approached, a satisfied smile visible under the blood covering the Squats face and giant mohawk. 'Any left laddy?' 'I'm awaiting reports Koll. Thornarims been injured, bad too by the sounds of it. We'll get back to the Colossus and head to base. Honour Guard Gormedes shouted 'Lord, the Legion has just disappeared, bodies of dead Guardsmen where they stood!' Eniko, Koll, Gyozo and the rest of the Honour Guard turned the corner to see the devastation the Legion of the Damned had caused. Over thirty bodies were strewn in a small space between some ruins, the greying ash turned red from the blood, and more bodies lay elsewhere. 'My Lord, if this is the work of our beloved Emperor then he doesn't mean to give mercy to those who once served him'. Eniko paused for a second then turned around. 'And neither do we. Those who turn their backs to Chaos or Xenos are our enemy, and our wrath is their end.' 'Aye, kill all the bastards I will' said Koll smugly. 

'Lord Blackmane, how do you fare?' asked Eniko into his comms. 'Bloodied, but the enemy is broken. Fun fight too.' the Space Wolf replied. Eniko couldn't see Koll but knew he was smiling, the Squat had got on well with the Space Wolves, although they, as most Imperial authorities often felt at first contact with Koll, was that some 'mutant or deviant' should not be allowed part of the Adeptus Astartes. Eniko knew the situation could be problematic, but did the Imperial Guard not employ Ratlings and Ogryns? If they fight for the Emperor then why should they not fight beside us? The Adeptus Mechanicas had opened their mechancal arms when Kyrann Locke, Master of the Forge of the Krohmus Guard, had informed them that Squats were with the fleet and heading to Mars to share knowledge of ancient tech with them. The Krohmus Guard had already benefitted from the Demiurg in this sense. Gravguns, once thought to be incredibly difficult to manufacture, were created in a much easier method by Squat 'Smiths'. It still took time and many days to create the weapons, but it was progress. Something, Eniko thought, he saw little of these days in the Imperium. 'We'll be back at base shortly Lord Blackmane' said Vincent. 'Captain Lysander, how do you fare?' The comms remained silent....

'The Xenos Commander slipped away' Lysander replied a few moments later. 'One moment the Hammer of Dorn was about to cave his skull in, the next, he vanished. We slaughtered his retinue however, now making way to base. Seems the enemy are routed Lord Eniko' Lysander spoke. 'It would appear so, we will rendezvous with Lord Blackmane in 20 minutes and assess the damage. I hear repairs are needed to the gate.' 'What gate?' Lysander replied dryly. 

As the Colossus rumbled steadily towards the base, Eniko reviewed the damage. Parts of the Eldar Titan were still visible, although all smoked from the explosion that tore it up. Where the gate once stood, came into view. Eldar vehicles, belonging to both Craftworld and their darker kin, were demolished around the walls of the base. Some of the skimmers had simply floated above the battlements and dropped their cargo off, but the base was now secure. The Land Raider slowly opened its ramp, and the passengers disembarked from the Colossus. Battle scars surrounded the ramparts, but the only traces of xenos were burnt remains and dead bodies. 'What news on Thornarim and his Scouts?' Eniko asked the Command Squad. Apothecary Floxeus was about to answer but was interrupted. 'I'll be fine' said a raspy voice. Eniko glanced over and saw Thornarim limping towards him, a bloodied mess but still standing. 'I was almost worried Thorny, didn't think a poncy Eldar could cut that deep through Squat skin though' Koll beamed as he took Thornarim in his arms and hugged him. Thornarim looked at his blood spattered friend, 'I see you've been doing the damage Koll' Thornarim replied, Kolls smile widening in response. 

Chapter Master Eniko looked around as they Imperial forces had defended the base. The Eldar were a cunning race however, 'one minute they fight us, the next they aide us. Then we join in battle again' Eniko thought as he looked at several dead Eldar bodies. Fight with or against them, they were never to be trusted. Lysanders Stormraven flew overhead as Ragnar and his retinue of Blood Claws entered the base. Marines from differing Chapters embraced, Eniko felt pride beaming from his body as brothers not just from his Krohmus Gaurd, but first founding Chapters embraced his warriors as equals. His Chapter was young, but they were certainly not inexperienced, and having the respect of Heroes of such magnitude as Lysander and Ragnar Blackmane made Eniko proud to be an Astartes and fight alongside the distinguished Chapters. He had no doubt they would fight alongside each other many more times too, the battle was won, but war, is eternal.

And there we go folks! If you read all of that then I highly appreciate it and will reward you with not having to go through that again for a good while! As always playing a big Apocalypse game was a great spectacle, and its always motivational to get your armies painted. As some of the players had new armies, this just wasn't possible but it still looked pretty good and I think it will spur people on to get things prepared for when we have another epic battle. 

I'm no tentirely sure of the score, but it didn't clearly represent how much carnage had taken place on the table. The Imperium held most of the objetives but only because we had gone second and were able to take the Eldar allies off a couple of the objectives at the end and claim them for ourselves. Bloody pointy ears! I hope you enjoyed the post, even if it was just the pictures. Hopefully I'll have a No Quarter post soon along with some other projects I'm working on. But for now, go rest your eyes and listen to some soothing music... or go roll some dice and kill some Xenos!

Batrep vs Crow Valley Crusaders

So another battle report, but this time myself and the eflling Alun took a wee trip down to the Crow Valley Crusaders where we challanged a couple of its members to a game of 40k! Shaun, whose Imperial Fists Contemptor has been featured on this very blog before, and Michael took up the challange. Just recently myself, and the other Chairman from the Welsh GCN clubs had a little meeting about more interclub gaming and events, and we've got some great ideas we're hoping to implment over the coming year. Byron, the GCN rep for Wales and also Chairman for the CVC guys has come up to the Reavers several times, so it was great to get down and play on away turf!

Shaun was using Imperial Fists, and Michael used Iron Hands tactics, although his marines were very red! It sort of looked like the Howling Griffons had curdled and split into two forces! I was using Krohmus Guard, while Alun had speedily built his latest purchases, and was able to field an all Dark Eldar force for the first time. 

Mission was Crusade, 2k points per player so 8k altogether, 4 objectives with the diagonal deployment. Looking across the table we could see a lot of firepower and already I was worried about whether I had enough to send into them. Alun assured me his 10 or so dark lances would be fine so we set off with the first turn. Night Fighting in effect as Alun had a warlord trait to put in into effect.

Heres the deployment, the achilles worried me a little, although I didn't realise it had three multimeltas on it! Thunderfire cannon would hurt, especially as there were objectives and two FW Plasma predators could do a lot of damage to me. 

First turn kicks off and I send a drop pod down in front of Mikes Land Raider Redeemer to try and blast it open with a meltagun. Which obviously I miss! Alun advances his raiders and ravagers forward but his fire only immobilises the land raider and takes another hull point off. Not good so far! My bikers advance around the flank, cautious of the contemptor there and my on foot tactical squad advance into the ruins towards the objective there. Aluns two venoms fly up the right flank to get into a position to assault next turn.

The CVC guys first turn proved devastating. Most of Aluns raiders or ravagers suffered horribly, either blowing up and taking a lot of the wyches away with the resulting explosions or losing weaponry or being immobilised. Not good for an army that needs to get across the board quickly! My drop pod and squad are wiped out from the redeemer and terminator fire. I roll for reserves and nothing comes on in the next turn!

Aluns flyers come on, and whittle down some of the squads in front of us. I advance my Land Raider and chapter master, chaplain and termies come out and charge the contemptor dread in their way. They blow him up, the explosion killing three of my terminators in the blast. Yep, another terrible armour roll for my terminators! Bikes advance a little more, Aluns survivors try to get into position to stay alive and the venoms unleash their Archons and incubi, who assault into a tactical squad butchering most and the terminator squad where their combat is a lot closer, a couple of termies die along with the incubi but the archon survives and fights on. 

Shaun and Mikes turn and two Fireraptors enter play, yes two! These Fists termies come down too, and do a little damage before a well placed plasma cannon shot and some wyches sort them out. 

The Fireraptors are deadly buggers fair play, being able to fire at four targets they annihilate Aluns two flyers and do more damage to Aluns surviving raiders, leaving alun looking very vulnerable. my tactical squad lose a couple more members due to thunderfire cannon fire, and the contemptor dread unsleashes Kheres assault cannon fire into the dark eldar killing even more.  Then my chapter master gets target. So much firepower butchers him, the chaplain and last two terminators. I had hoped they'd last longer but my dice rolling just isn't good!

My reserves come on, the tactical squad drop podding near the slightly forgotten about objective with the bikes moving up to support. The Stoemtalon flies in between the fireraptors into a position that it can't get shot by them next turn, crafty move I thought! I use the tactical doctine but completely forget to reroll ones, missing with both krak missiles this could have made a difference and I only take a hull point off and shake the crew. Its something though and helps an archon and incubi unit survive a little more in the next turn! Elsewhere fire proves to be fairly ineffective as we just don't have much left. In combat the other archon joins his beleagured general and wounds the chatper master, no easy thing! The other archon does die however, his shadowfield flickering and dying out. 

Aluns army is finished off in this turn, and I curse the Dark Eldars fragile nature. And Aluns bad dice rolling haha. Shauns contemptor with powerfists comes hurtling through the ruins and charges into my bike squad, the gravguns firing but doing little but the storm talon does fly in from behind and takes a hull point off. The grav guns fire again and I manage to get the two sixes I need to finish it off and hopefully keep the objective on the left flank. My tactical squad on the other objective are barraged heavily by loads of fire and all members die leaving the objective free. Two Imperial Fists capture the middle objective after Aluns wyches were finished off and another Fists squad holds the other objective. I fire some kraks at the unit but the Chapter master takes the missiles which kill him, granting us an extra point. 

The game ends and the score is 9-4 to the Crow Valley lads. Thats a generous result considering I had very little left and Alun was wiped off the table, but we had a great game and I hope the guys enjoyed! Those Fireraptors are crazy, and we just couldn't deal with the amount of firepower across the table from us. If Aluns dice were a little better in the first turn it could have been a lot closer, and he'd also forgotton about the bonus to jink saves from the night fighting which may have helped... although I doubt it! Tactically I made some mistakes during deployment. Putting the Crusader in the middle just invited firepower from all fronts, so when my Chapter Master came out he was right in the middle of everything and that was just daft! Fair play though Shaun and Michael played a great game and I hope we get to play them again to regain some pride and get some revenge!

GW 40k Gaming

So this Friday just gone, myself and Alun travelled down to our most local GW store in Cwmbran, which is still half hour away! I had planned to play store manager Etienne, all round nice guy and we'd been bantering for a while about who was going to win. 

Firstly though I had to take a picture of this. One of the guys painting to my left, a gentleman by the name of Shaun Beckett, was working on a contemptor in Imperial Fists colours, and while chatting he'd mentioned he'd finished one already and took it out... and I was blown away! Not only my most wanted fit if I get a contemptor of dual Kheres pattern assault cannons but nicely painted too. I'll definately be keeping an eye out for more of his miniatures when I visit the store!

So onto the game. 1500 points and 4 objectives in a modified version of the scouring. I was facing Necrons, and I should have been more fearful of this than I was! I took an assault based army using the white scars tactics again.

Early going, I moved up to the right with my bikes but failed a fairly long assault attempt. My jump packs did charge the wraiths however and in two combat turns I'd killed them... relief! Then all of a sudden Etiennes necron troops teleported away from my bikes and threatened the four point objective... I didn't know they could do that! Anyway, bitter fighting took place, my captain tried to take on a necron lord, I did wound but mindshackle scarabs made him wound himself and eventually killing himself. For 15 points they're horrible, its hard to believe a Necron player not taking them. My assault marines were brought down by another warrior squad with Obyron and a cryptek and I just didn't have enough to budge them away. 

If the game ended on turn 5 however I would have sneaked a win just by contesting and positioning units, but I ended up losing 12-3 I think... ouch! Those necrons have so many special rules, the death ray on the necron flyer is insane too, and they're just hard to keep down. Especially with 2 special characters and some more in the warriors and immortals... very cheesy! 

I still enjoyed it though, and I've learnt a little more about necrons. After the game myself and Alun played a 1000 pt game of Relic. Alun, who'd just built up his harlequins took eldar, and I used Marines again.

This game ended 1-1, I went after the objective straight away and managed to get it back towards my deployment zone but the rhino carrying it was blown apart and the lone tactical squad member carrying it was shredded by dire avenger fire. I did get first blood however, when my bikes and captain blew up the fire prism. Aluns point from slay the warlord after I rolled three ones on 6 saves. Eugh! Just wasn't my day dice rolling wise but thats how it rolls sometimes... heh. 

Next up are using the new Sternguard box for a new chapter master and possibly some honour guard, when I can get a vanguard boxed set too. I've got some ideas with what to equip the new chapter master model, so keep an eye out for some WIP pictures in the next couple of weeks.

Crusade of Fire... I Have It!

I made a post about the upcoming Crusade of Fire campaign book, and how I was tempted to get it. Well, I'm very happy to say I've obtained a copy two days before release! I've had a flick through, and I'm pretty impressed thus far. Theres several pages of backstory, of which I'm yet to read but the basic structure is set in a part of space that no-one has been able to access... until now. A Crusade has been sent to reclaim it yet as they enter local space... Chaos and Xenos are there too. Intriguing!

As you can see, the cover is pretty darn nice. Nice to see a Hellbrute depicted in a pose that isn't like the model... Hopefully a boxed poseable version of him soon!

Each commander gets to pick an overall 'Grand Warlord', and these traits give you campaign points. There are Servants of Ruin, the Chaos forces, Crusade of Fire, Imperium, and then the Prophets of War which represent the Xenos can choose which table to pick, Campaign points can be granted for killing or capturing enemy HQ's, capturing objectives and so on depending on which trait you roll.

I had to take a quick snap of these, Kevin Chin's Imperial Fists are sublime. The guy has 9 dreadnoughts and two full boarding marine squads, totally suiting the Imperial Fists! 

Also included are rules for dogfighting with flyers, and they seem interesting. Whether I'll get to use them I'm unsure as not many flyers are at club, so we shall see. From what I've seen though they could be a good bit of fun. 

Speaking of fun...

The Arena of Death is a place to save your captured commanders and characters. If you win, you can escape. If you lose, then you're probably dead! As you can see from the above picture, you get bonuses for attacking from the side or rear, and you also get bonuses via 'Roar of the Crowd' tokens which you earn from how well you do. There are also some cards to photocopy and print which give you certain actions to use. It looks like a heck of a laugh and I'm hoping to rope some of the guys at club into having a go and maybe doing a videoblog on it. We shall see!

Many people may look at the book and wonder "why couldn't this have been in White Dwarf?" Well, it may have been possible and it wouldn't surprise me if they had thought of releasing it in this way initially. It works really well though as a book, although the £25 price point may put some off. If you're into campaigns and want something designed for 40k, this could well be for you. Seeing the participants armies is great, I could look at others armies all day! They go through the different games, add rules for fighting in Daemon worlds, for me its worth the money. If you're not a campaign person, then this probably won't be for you. For me though its a good little pick up. Lets hope people at the club can be persuaded to get involved!