Showing posts with label Battle Reports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Battle Reports. Show all posts

Mar 6, 2017

The Ghoul Star Quest - Mission 1

Welcome to our new narrative campaign! We will simply link together some missions to create a story, not following any particular script or such. Just seeing what we end up with. To start with, we're playing Black Legion vs Emperor's Children, and we'll get into some back story in a moment...

First the campaign rules:

We decided to have persistent characters, meaning we will name them all and roll after each battle to see if they survive or not. We'll be using this simple table:

Wound table (roll D6 after battle character has been removed in)
D6 Result
Dead
-1W (if only 1W, -1T instead) next game
3-4  -1T next game
5+ Fully restored

Since we're also playing Chaos Space Marines, Boons of Chaos is a thing. So we decided to make the boons possibly permanent by rolling a D6 after each battle that the character survives without being removed from play (the Chaos Gods doesn't look kindly on Champions who fail...). On a roll of 5+ the Boon becomes permanent. Boons can't stack, so if you roll the same Boon several times you're out of luck.
Also, as with all Chaos Lords it's a aim to become a Daemon Prince, so we added som additional rules to prevent some random Cultist from becoming a Daemon Prince before the Lord... Ignore Daemon Prince result and instead treat as D3 rewards that you automatically keep after battle (if it survives).
Also, the Warlord re-rolls spawnhood (but second result stays!).

And that's it for rules so far! We'll see what we end up adding as we go along!


Mission 1: The Relic of Eternity

The Black Legion Chaos Sorcerer Urkadon has divined the Relic of Eternity in the Ghoul Star sector, in an abandoned ruin in the southern hemisphere of  one of the outlaying planets. They say nobody returns from the Ghost Stars, but with this Relic Urkadon could unleash immense power. However, Abaddon had already charged Urkadon to oversee the Black Legion forces elsewhere so instead he sends a small strikeforce led by Nazuroth to claim the relic. And if it's true that nobody returns from the Ghost Stars, then so what? Nothing valuable is lost after all. Nazuroth however, has completely different plans. He understands well that if he can claim this relic for himself he might be granted the Boon of the Gods and ascend to Daemonhood. And who is to order him around then?

What neither Urkadon or Nazuroth realised in their haste to assemble the forces is that they're being watched. Ancalion Vex of the Emperor's Children notices the small fleet heading towards the Ghoul Star sector and quickly realise that whatever it is they're after it must be valuable. So he sends his own force to intercept the Black Legion forces and take whatever it is they're going for. It must be something very useful indeed if they send such a small force into that sector of space... perhaps valuable enough to redeem himself and restore his honour...

The mission is basically The Relic. The winner will hold the Relic for the next mission.



Forces

Emperor's Children - 750p Stormshard Cult

Chaos Lord - Shriekwave, Dark Aura, Veterans of the Long War
Ancalion Vex
Warlord trait: Quicksilver Reflexes (+2 I)

5 Noise Marines - 4 Sonic Blasters, Veterans of the Long War
Noise Champion - Doom Siren
Lazarus 

10 Noise Marines - Blastmaster, Icon of Excess, 6 Sonic Blasters, Veterans of the Long War
Noise Champion - Doom Siren
Levandor

Rhinos
Phoenician's Wrath
Sound of the Tempest

Obliterators - Veterans of the Long War, Mark of Slaanesh
Vergathrex
Forash

---

Black Legion - 750p Strikeforce Dragon

Chaos Lord - Melta bombs, Plasma pistol, Power Axe, Sigil of Corruption, Veterans of the Long War
Nazuroth
Warlord trait: Unholy Fortitude (It Will Not Die)

Chaos Space Marines
4x Chaos Marines, Plasma Gun, Veterans of the Long War
Aspiring Champion
Kre'palos
Chaos Rhino - Dirge Caster, Dozer Blades, Havoc Launcher

Chosen
4x Chosen, 2x Replace boltgun w/ Meltagun, Veterans of the Long War
Chosen Champion - Bolt Pistol, Boltgun, Power Axe
Hezthor
Chaos Rhino - Dirge Caster, Dozer Blades, Havoc Launcher


Raptors
4x Raptor - 2x Meltagun, Veterans of the Long War
 Raptor Champion - Melta Bombs, Plasma Pistol, Power Sword
Tagor

Raptors
4x Raptor - 2x Flamer, Veterans of the Long War
Raptor Champion - Plasma Pistol, Power Fist
Demaphoz


Deployment





Turn 1 - Emperor's Children

In the last hours before dawn Ancalion Vex ordered the company to a halt. Before them lay a massive ruined site and the darkened structure that once had been a mighty Shrine of the Aquila. The two sellsword Obliterators Vergathrex and Forash loomed somewhere ahead in the darkness, protecting the flanks of the two Rhinos. From his leading vehicle Phoenician's wrath Vex prepared himself and his units with combat drugs to act lightning quick and enhance the senses. He sent a silent wish to She who thirsts and ordered the Rhino forward at full speed.

On the Intercom the second Rhino Sound of the Tempest called out that they somehow got stuck in the heavy terrain just outside the Shrine, possibly a tanktrap that remained hidden in the dark. - Disembark and all senses alert, we're not alone here! Vex called out and ended the transmission.


Ten members of the Stormshard Cult disembarked the Rhino outside the perimeter and got support from the Obliterators showing up at the broken wall on the east side of the Shrine. The Rhino crew of Sound of the Tempest sensed movement beyond the eastern wall and fired a warning shot with the Havoc Launcher. If something was hit there was no sound but the eerie echoes from falling bricks and metal further away in the shadows of the great arches of the Shrine.

The Phoenician's Wrath went alone into the ruin and Ancalion sensed that the ancient device they came for was closer than he thought possible. In a shallow sarcophagus next to the vehicle something was glowing dim. Anticipation and greed filled his soul as he and his squad checked the surroundings before the disembarkment.

- We're under fire! We're not alone! Nazuroth heard from the vox as he was sitting in his Rhino looking out at the darkness. - What? This world is supposed to be devoid of life. What trickery is this? Very well then, let's show them how the Black Legion greets strangers. Tagor, drop on them! Nazuroth called back over the vox.

Turn 1 - Black Legion

Out of the cover of darkness, over the western walls five Raptors appeared all of a sudden – with all guns blazing. Ancalion cursed that he had not been more careful in his approach towards the relic. A heavy thud against the hull indicated that a melta gun had struck home, but somehow the shot failed to penetrate the Rhino's side armour. Vex turned the hatch open and started to disembark. - Move out, and make it quick. Lazarus, you take the lead! Ancalion barked to his closest Noise champion. Then, from out of the shadows a Rhino approached like some giant creature. The lance beam from another melta lit up the night, causing the Phonicians Wrath to explode in a dark cloud of fire and smoke.




The Noise Marines, Lazarus and Ancalion found their footing quickly out of the burning wreck due to lightning reflexes and turned to face the nearby Raptors. The Doom Sirens blared out and slew two Raptors with their distorted frequencies. One from the Noise Marine Company fell to the fire of a boltgun pressed against helmet. The Stormshard Company eventually won the upper hand and smashed the Raptors dead. Ancalion feared incoming enemy support squads and ordered his own reserves to move in for the kill amongst the ruins. Another Rhino became visble behind the eastern wall and the Obliterators sought to bring them down with multimeltas and lascannons, although their aim was somehow obscured by the melee. 

Turn 2 - Emperor's Children

Ancalion regrouped and ordered his Noise Marines to grab the relic and fall back. Boltguns fired as the closest member of his squad got caught in a crossfire and fell during the retreat, the relic slipping from his grip. Havoc laucher missiles and boltgun rounds fell like rain among his troupe, forcing them to retreat even further towards Noise champion Levandor and his squad without being able to retrieve the item again. Strengthened by the prescence of an icon of Excess only half as many comrades fell than would otherwise be the case. Slaanesh was still with them in this dire hour.


Turn 2 - Black Legion

Nazuroth was itching to get close to the enemy, so he ordered his Chosen to Disembark and unload at the enemy. They were wearing the purple colours of Emperor's Children. Of course those slippery Slaanesh worshippers would get their noses wet...



From the closest Black Legion marked Rhino climbed a unit of Chosen and feathered out like the wings of an ill omened crow. Ancalion ordered the Obliterators to take them down with their plasma cannons, but in all haste the raging blue fire scattered off and burned two Noise Marines to ashes instead. It was a weak comfort that one of the Black legion Chosen fell to the same fires. 

Nazuroth saw the incoming plasma fire and ordered his men to push forward. - Charge them! Show them the fury of the Gods!


Turn 3 - Emperor's Children


Ancalion started to wonder if he had been betrayed by the mercenaries, but dropped the thought, since his fighting skill was more required to survive now. There would be time for questions and vengeance later. The Noise Marines closest to the icon and Levandor spotted a second group of Raptors on the north flank and focused all their fire with support from the Rhino Sound of the Tempest and managed to bring a few down before the Raptors disappeared again on swift wings. 

Turn 3 - Black Legion

Ancalion heavily beset from all sides saw the relic being snatched up by the unit of Black Legion Marines as a menacing looking Black Legion Lord and his retinue of Chosen closed in on Ancalion's company. Lazarus fell to the shots of another damned boltgun and Ancalion answered with the wail of his Doom Siren; slaying many, but certainly not enough before the close combat took hold. Levandor joined the fight and met the challenge of the enemy leader, his lightning reflexes served him well as he landed two swift blows that struck home. Filled with the sensation of pain the Dark Lord slew him in return, and although he got badly wounded some dark power closed his wounds as quick as they had appeared. 

The Black Legion command Rhino saw its chance to cause further chaos and tank shocked towards Ancalion who stepped aside with contemptous ease. Behind it, the black armoured relic thieves started to drag away their prize. Ancalion would not let them get away so easily. He saw Vergathrex fall under heavy fire, mutated limbs twisting in their final dance of death and by the first light of dawn the Raptors closed in and met Forash in a brutal assault that claimed the lives of both attacker and defender. 

Turn 4 - Emperor's Children

With daylight upon the scene Ancalion realized he was all alone in this fight and though the enemy had taken heavy casualties he soon needed to find an escape plan. His Doom Siren Shriekwave set to the most disturbing frequencies caused the head of three Black Legion Marines to explode in a gory triplet fountain, splattering the nearby Rhino with stains of dark blood. He had lost his momentum and revealed his position, but the thieves had also dropped their cargo. The relic was still within reach of his grasp! -By Slaanesh, this prize is MINE! Ancalion swore under his heavy breath as two boltgun shots found their way through his armour. He rolled his eyes in twisted pleasure and turned to face The Black Legion Lord closing in with his gory axe held high.

Turn 4 - Black Legion


Some dark device made Ancalion's Doom siren to misfire when he needed it the most. He summoned all his strength and hoped that his speed would somehow buy him the time required to finish off his enemy with a few clean cuts within the blink of an eye. Sorely wounded his blows landed clumsier though than his pride would admit. The Chosen accompaning the Lord with the axe caught his arm through the flurry of blows. The opening from the parry was all his Lord needed and Ancalion soon found the monstrous axe buried in his chest.The last thing he heard was the sound of the black Rhino tanks leaving in the distance. The pain was still sweet to him when he fell into the dreamless sleep among the ruins under the light of the setting sun. 



Nazuroth smiled at his downed enemy. He was fast that one, but not fast enough to avoid his sizzling Power Axe. -We've secured the Relic, moving out! the crackling voice of Kre'palos sounded over the vox. Good, thought Nazuroth, now just to figure out how this thing works. But Kazgan should be able to help with that... he owes me one after all. He gave the order to move off the planet and chuckled to himself thinking about that favour...




The Aftermath

Well that was a bloody battle! Not much was left standing on the board after the game finished. And as per the Campaign rules, no characters really dies unless they roll poorly after the battle. And the few boons we rolled out, did they stick or not? Here's the results:

Emperor's Children:
Ancalion Vex
Boons: None
Wounds: Went down in the battle. -1T for the next battle.

Lazarus
Boons: +1T
Wounds: Went down in the battle. Fully restored.

Levandor
Boons: None
Wounds: Went down in the battle. -1T for the next battle.

Black Legion:
Nazuroth
Boons: Hatred (so same as Black Legion trait...)
Wounds: Survived the battle.

Tagor
Boons: None
Wounds: Went down in the battle. -1T for the next battle.

Hezthor
Boons: None
Wounds: Went down in the battle. -1T for the next battle.

Demaphos
Boons: None
Wounds: Went down in the battle. Fully restored.

Kre'palos
Boons: None
Wounds: Survived the battle.


So... no characters really died, and no boons to speak of... which isn't unsurprising considering I rolled almost only the Unworthy Offering result for my Black Legion, and the one Boon I did get that wasn't turned out to be Hatred... which I already had due to being Black Legion. Ohwell!
On the other side that Noise Champion with +1T might turn out to be a big deal! I predict this guy to get more boons in the future, being hard to kill in challenges etc...

So that's it for mission 1! Stay tuned for mission 2! And thanks to V for writing his side of the story (everything in the EC colours!)!

Oct 12, 2014

The Battle for Medina Tri - Campaign Update Week 6+7



All right, due to life being busy I missed making this summary for week 6, so here's a very short recap of both week 6 and 7. A lot happened these weeks actually, starting with week 6 the Blood Angels attacked the Black Legion HQ triggering a 2500p vs 1500p battle. I was prepared with a really nasty Summoning Army for defence though and managed to fight them to a tie, effectively meaning a win for me due to the campaign rules and the defenders advantage. Oh, and my army also bought Dropships. Meanwhile the Orks and Sisters of Battle had another fight right outside the Sisters HQ, both sides took huge losses in this fight, but the Orks emerged victorious once again. The Space Wolves fled from the advancing Eldar.

Won't type full battle reports, not post the full lists. But here's my battle against the Blood Angels in pictures:






This Dread spent the whole game walking up and down this hill. In the end he also tried to cast a power... and of course he got a perils. Not his best showing...


Swooshing in super sonic speed!

Defiler vs Terminators and Warlord... this continued for most of the game, a real slap fight!

Eventually some Daemonettes came in, only two survived, but they killed the last three Terminators when they charged in... Eventually the Librarian was also punked. The Dread holding the Objective to the right survived long enough to effectively make me lose points. Had he not survived for as long as he did I would've won instead of a draw. But for the campaign the draw was good enough!

And thus here is the conclusion for week 6:



Week 7!


There's actually Extra Defences built in the middle by me, but turned out hard to see. That has been fixed for next weeks map.

Retribution from Chaos! Time to drop them back! Blod Angels wisely moves back to defend their HQ. Meanwhile Orks hungry for more blood attack the Sisters last HQ possibly eliminating them from the Campaign. The Eldar multiply their armies, and the Spaces Wolves decides to drop out unfortunately. 

But here's the Orks vs Sisters battle 2500p vs 2500p in pictures:


Looks like a solid defence!

These buggers actually have 2W each...

Saint Celisine comes out to defend the Adepta Sorortias in their time of need!

That's a lot of Dakka.

The Nobs eager for battle charge over everything.


I CAN TAKE THEM MYSELF! WATCH MY MIGHTY FLAMER SLIGHTLY HEAT UP THESE BIKES!

After way too many turns in combat and a failed Hit&Run Saint Celistine was actually punked by the Power Klaw Nob with only a single wound remaining... no third coming for you!

I think this Rhino is used to having stuff on top of it by now...

WAAAAGH!!!

The last valiant defence, great position to defend but the 2W Orks are too much and eventually turn out victorious with almost every Battle Sister dead. A notable exception being the Land Raider and one Immolator... both got stuck in the River at the same turn... sitting out the rest of the battle completely ignored by everything. 

So eventually the Orks took a pretty solid victory, and the after battle results shows the Ork victory was even more solid. They barely lost 500p, which is less than the previous battle where they started with a much greater advantage. Dice are funny sometimes.

So that leaves us with this map by the end of week 7! 

Sep 21, 2014

The Battle for Medina Tri - Campaign Update Week 4


Time for Week 4! And now the action starts for real with a very important battle in the middle between Black Legion and Eldar. The Eldar starts with 300p more, and you can read the battle report HERE. Blood Angels bought Dropships which they can use next turn, and Orks consolidated their new areas. The Sisters of Battle didn't dare stealing an area from the mighty Eldar and instead just expanded into neutral ground. Space Wolves surprisingly moved towards the Eldar!

So here are the lists for week 4, before the battle:

+++ Strike Force Delta (2293pts) +++
+++ 1500pt Blood Angels +++

Current Credits: 0
Current Income: 600
Upgrades this week: Dropship

+ HQ +

* Librarian Michelangelo - Librarian
Terminator Armor, Power Staff, Storm Bolter
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

+ Elites +

* Assault Terminators
4x Terminators
2x Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield, 2x Lightning Claws
* Ilgast - Terminator Sergeant
Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

* Librarian Armando - Furiso Librarian
Blood Fist (built-in Storm Bolter), Psychic hood, Force weapon
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

+ Troops +

* Assault Marines
9x Assault Marines, Meltagun, Jump Packs
* Rend - Space Marine Sergeant
Bolt Pistol, Chain Sword, Melta Bombs
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

* Death Company
8x Death Company Marines, Thunder Hammer, Jump Packs
* Lemartes, Guardian of the Lost
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

* Death Company Dreadnought
2x Blood Talons, Storm Bolter, Meltagun

+ Fast Attack +

* Baal Predator
Twin-linked Assault Cannon

* Baal Predator
Twin-linked Assault Cannon

+ Heavy Support +

* Storm Raven Gunship
Twin-linked Heavy Bolter, Twin-linked Lascannon, 4x Bloodstrike Missiles, Ceramite Plating, Searchlight

* Dreadnought
Twin-linked Lascannon, Missile Launcher

Vindicator
Demolisher Cannon, Strom Bolter, Dozer Blade


+++ Division Deathhammer (2219pts) +++
+++ 2500pt Chaos Space Marines: Supplement - Black Legion (2013) +++

Current Credits: 58
Current Income: 500
Upgrades this week: Harvesters 101

+ HQ + 

* Lord Osiris - Chaos Lord
Melta bombs, Sigil of corruption, Veterans of the Long War, Plasma Pistol, Power Axe, Mark of Slaanesh, Skull of Ker'ngar
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

* Daedalus - Warpsmith
Aura of dark glory, Bolt Pistol, Power Axe, Veterans of the Long War
Character Improvements: - 
Current XP:

+ Troops +

* Chaos Cultists
29x Cultists
* Pluto - Cultist Champion
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

* Chaos Space Marines
4x Chaos Space Marine, Plasma Gun, Veteran of the long war
Mors - Aspiring Champion
Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Fist
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:
* Chaos Rhino
Combi-bolter, Havoc Launcher, Searchlight, Smoke launchers

* Chaos Space Marines
4x Chaos Space Marine, Plasma Gun, Veteran of the long war
* Orcus - Aspiring Champion
Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Fist
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:
* Chaos Rhino
Combi-bolter, Havoc Launcher, Searchlight, Smoke launchers

* Chosen 
7x Chosen, 2x Replace boltgun w/ Meltagun, 2x Replace CCW w/ Power Axe, Veterans of the Long War
* Styx - Chosen Champion
Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Melta Bomb, Power Maul
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:
* Chaos Rhino
Combi-bolter, Dirge caster, Havoc Launcher, Searchlight, Smoke launchers, Warpflame gargoyles

* Noise Marines 
Icon of Excess, 2x Noise Marine w/ Blastmaster, 8x Noise Marine w/ Sonic Blaster, Veteran of The Long War
* Bruce - Noise Champion
Bolt Pistol, CCW, Doom Siren, Melta Bombs
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

+ Fast Attack +

* Chaos Bikers
4x Chaos Biker, Mark of Nurgle, 2x Meltagun, Veteran of the Long War
* Shingon - Chaos Biker Champion
Bolt Pistol, Power Fist
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

* Heldrake
Baleflamer

+ Heavy Support +

* Obliterators
Mark of Nurgle, 2x Obliterator, Veteran of The Long War

* Obliterators
Mark of Nurgle, 2x Obliterator, Veteran of The Long War

* Maulerfiend 
Lasher tendrils


+++ Da Smasha Squad (1900pts) +++
+++ 2500pt Orks (2014) +++

Current Credits: 60
Current Income: 750
Upgrades this week: Harvesters 562, Factories 564, 563, 603

+ HQ + 

* Rugg Facesmash - Warboss
Headwoppa's Killchoppa, shoota, choppa, stikkbombs, 'eavy armour, attack squig, cybork body
Character Improvements: -
Current XP: 1

* Gazboom - Big Mek
Shokk attack gun, choppa, Mek's tools, stikkbombs, 'eavy armour, 3x ammo runt, cyborg body, gitfinda
Character Improvements: -
Current XP: 3

+ Elites +
* Tankbustas
5x Tankbusta
rokkit launches, stikkbombs, tankbusta bombs
* Trukk
Big shoota, reinforced ram

* Nobz
5x Nob
5x shoota, 3x big choppa, 2x power claw, Waaaagh! banner, bosspole, 'eavy armour, stikkbombs
* Krunch - Boss Nob
shoota, power claw, Waaaagh! banner, bosspole, 'eavy armour, stikkbombs
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:
* Battlewagon
3x big shoota, reinforced ram, boarding plank, wrecking' ball
+ Troops +

* Boyz
10x Boyz
* Kaz II - Nob
Power Klaw, Bosspole
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:
* Trukk
Big shoota, reinforced ram

* Boyz
25x Boyz
* Krug - Nob
Power Klaw, Bosspole
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

* Boyz
25x Boyz
* Tograzh - Nob
Power Klaw, Bosspole
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

+ Fast Attack +

* Warikerz
8x Warbiker
* Drogaschz - Nob
Power Klaw, Bosspole
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

* Dakkajet
twin-linked supa shoota, flyboss

+ Heavy Support +

* Lootas
10x Loota

* Lootas
10x Loota


Order Militant of the Shrine to Our Martyred Lady, Relic world Medina Tri (2038pts)1500pt Adepta Sororitas w/ Inquisitorial Detachment

Current credits: 18
Current income: 500
Upgrades this week: Upgrade 452 with harvesters

ADEPTA SORORITAS
HQ 

* Clementia, Canoness of Our Martyred Lady
Inferno pistol, The Blade of Admonition, Rosarius
Warlord trait: Legendary Fighter
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

* Medina Tri Sororitas Command Squad
3x Celestian w/ Multimelta
1x Celestian w/ Sacred Banner of the Order Militant of Our Martyred Lady
1x Hospitaller

* Berengarius, Ministorum Priest
Litanies of Faith
Character Improvements: -
Current XP: 

Troops

* The Righteousness of Our Martyred Lady, Battle Sister Squad
9x Battle sister, hvy flamer, flamer
* Domitilla - Sister Superior
Bolt Pistol, Combi-plasma
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:
* Iustitia, Immolator tank
Twinlinked multimelta

* The Loyalty of Our Martyred Lady, Battle Sister Squad
5x Battle sister, 1x Meltagun, 1x Heavy Flamer
* Prudentia - Sister Superior
Bolt Pistol, Combi-flamer
Character Improvements: -
Current XP: 2
* Fidelitas, Immolator tank
Twinlinked heavy flamer

Fast Attack

* The Vengeance of Our Martyred Lady, Dominion Squad
4x Dominions, 4x Meltagun
* Fabiola - Dominion superior
Bolt Pistol, Combi-plasma
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

* The Wrath of Our Martyred Lady, Seraphim Squad
6x Seraphim, 2x 2 Handflamers

Heavy Support

* Angerona, Avenger Strike Fighter

* Aquilina, Exorcist tank
Storm bolter

* Columba II, Exorcist tank
Storm bolter

INQUISITORIAL DETACHMENT
HQ

* Iuturna, Ordo Malleus Inquisitor
1x Hellrifle, Power armour, 2x Servo Skull
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

Elites

* Blades of Ire, Inquisitorial Henchmen Warband
3x Crusader
6x Death Cult Assassin
* Alexius - Ministorum Priest
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:
* Bellona, Land Raider Redeemer

* Lashes of Justice, Inquisitorial Henchmen Warband
6x Arco-Flagellants
3x Acolyte w/ laspistol and chainsword
* Viatrix, Valkyrie
Multilaser, 2x Multiple Rocket Pods, 2x Heavy Bolters


+++ Tir-Val Punitive Expedition +++
Codex: Eldar

Current credits: 60
Current income: 700
Recent upgrades: Harvesters 401

++ Mon'keigh Thelios [Inferior Race Absence] (2500pts) ++

+ HQ +
+Autarch Sial Eihk [Near To Pity]: Shard of Anaris; Mantle of the Laughing God; Jet-bike; Banshee mask; fusion gun 180
Character Improvements: none
Character experience: 0

+Farseer Sai Fhir [Serpent Honesty] 100
Character Improvements: none
Character experience: 0

+ Troop +
10 Guardian Defenders: Heavy Weapon Platform (bright lance) 110
Unit Improvements: none
+Warlock Gorash Arith [To Jest Red]: singing spear 40
Character Improvements: none
Character experience: 0
+ Wave Serpent; Holo-fields; Shuriken Cannon 130
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none

10 Guardian Defenders: Heavy Weapon Platform (shuriken cannon) 105
Unit Improvements: none
+Warlock Avten Tannascurath [Man Spirit Warrior]: singing spear 40
Character Improvements: none
Character experience: 0
+ Wave Serpent; Holo-fields; Shuriken Cannon 130
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none

9 Dire Avengers: 130
Unit Improvements: none
+Exarch Siar Angau [Dispersed Fate]: diresword and shuriken pistol; Battle Fortune 45
Character Improvements: none
Character experience: 0
+ Wave Serpent; Holo-fields; Brightlance 135
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none

+ Elite +

5 Wraithguard; D-Scythes: 210
Unit Improvements: none
+ Wave Serpent: 115
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none

+ Fast Attack +

+ Exarch Novis Eakion Shenestra [Flying Without Redemption] (Crimson Hunter): Marksman's Eye 190
Character Improvements: none
Character experience: 0

Crimson Hunter 160
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none

9 Warp Spiders: 225
Unit Improvements: none
+ Exarch Sha'eil Iall [Warp Sent] (spinneret rifle; Fast Shot) ~
Character Improvements: none
Character experience: 0

+ Heavy Support +

Nightspinner; Holo-fields: 130
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none

Nightspinner: 115
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none

3 War Walkers: (bright lance; bright lance) 210
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none


The battle results

For the battle then! The Black Legion managed to edge out a victory and thus captured the middle, but taking severe losses while the Eldar emerged rather untouched losing basically only one Wave Serpent and the Warp Spiders. The Chaos on the other hand only has a bunch of Champions and Characters left along with 30 Cultists, 2 Rhinos, Heldrake and Maulerfiend. Losing about 1500 points all in all. And thanks to the movements of the Sisters of Battle and Space Wolves the Eldar were forced to retreat really far back.
So until next week!



Medina Tri Campaign (week 4): Eldar vs Black Legion

So my first game in the campaign! And I'm all ready looking like the underdog... the Eldar has been sitting uncontested and has been able to concentrate on economy putting him at a very scary 2500p army. That's a hefty 300p advantage, and to make matters even worse for me he has no less than FOUR Wave Serpents! Uphill battle indeed! All ready beforehand I have taken the stance that I expect to lose, but due to the current situation on the map I felt forced to act. I couldn't let him get this hex uncontested, so my goal is simply to damage his forces as much as I possibly can while staying somewhat intact myself, setting up for a second round later in the campaign. And not even that is an easy task, considering I will have to chase around to board to get to him... a challenge indeed. Should I win however I sit in a really nice spot in the campaign! Play big, win big? We will see how it goes...

Lists


+++ Division Deathhammer (2219pts) +++
+++ 2500pt Chaos Space Marines: Supplement - Black Legion (2013) +++

+ HQ + 

* Lord Osiris - Chaos Lord
Melta bombs, Sigil of corruption, Veterans of the Long War, Plasma Pistol, Power Axe, Mark of Slaanesh, Skull of Ker'ngar
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

* Daedalus - Warpsmith
Aura of dark glory, Bolt Pistol, Power Axe, Veterans of the Long War
Character Improvements: - 
Current XP:

+ Troops +

* Chaos Cultists
29x Cultists
* Pluto - Cultist Champion
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

* Chaos Space Marines
4x Chaos Space Marine, Plasma Gun, Veteran of the long war
Mors - Aspiring Champion
Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Fist
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:
* Chaos Rhino
Combi-bolter, Havoc Launcher, Searchlight, Smoke launchers

* Chaos Space Marines
4x Chaos Space Marine, Plasma Gun, Veteran of the long war
* Orcus - Aspiring Champion
Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Fist
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:
* Chaos Rhino
Combi-bolter, Havoc Launcher, Searchlight, Smoke launchers

* Chosen 
7x Chosen, 2x Replace boltgun w/ Meltagun, 2x Replace CCW w/ Power Axe, Veterans of the Long War
* Styx - Chosen Champion
Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Melta Bomb, Power Maul
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:
* Chaos Rhino
Combi-bolter, Dirge caster, Havoc Launcher, Searchlight, Smoke launchers, Warpflame gargoyles

* Noise Marines 
Icon of Excess, 2x Noise Marine w/ Blastmaster, 8x Noise Marine w/ Sonic Blaster, Veteran of The Long War
* Bruce - Noise Champion
Bolt Pistol, CCW, Doom Siren, Melta Bombs
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

+ Fast Attack +

* Chaos Bikers
4x Chaos Biker, Mark of Nurgle, 2x Meltagun, Veteran of the Long War
* Shingon - Chaos Biker Champion
Bolt Pistol, Power Fist
Character Improvements: -
Current XP:

* Heldrake
Baleflamer

+ Heavy Support +

* Obliterators
Mark of Nurgle, 2x Obliterator, Veteran of The Long War

* Obliterators
Mark of Nurgle, 2x Obliterator, Veteran of The Long War

* Maulerfiend 
Lasher tendrils


+++ Tir-Val Punitive Expedition +++
Codex: Eldar
++ Mon'keigh Thelios [Inferior Race Absence] (2500pts) ++

+ HQ +
+Autarch Sial Eihk [Near To Pity]: Shard of Anaris; Mantle of the Laughing God; Jet-bike; Banshee mask; fusion gun 180
Character Improvements: none
Character experience: 0

+Farseer Sai Fhir [Serpent Honesty] 100
Character Improvements: none
Character experience: 0

+ Troop +
10 Guardian Defenders: Heavy Weapon Platform (bright lance) 110
Unit Improvements: none
+Warlock Gorash Arith [To Jest Red]: singing spear 40
Character Improvements: none
Character experience: 0
+ Wave Serpent; Holo-fields; Shuriken Cannon 130
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none

10 Guardian Defenders: Heavy Weapon Platform (shuriken cannon) 105
Unit Improvements: none
+Warlock Avten Tannascurath [Man Spirit Warrior]: singing spear 40
Character Improvements: none
Character experience: 0
+ Wave Serpent; Holo-fields; Shuriken Cannon 130
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none

9 Dire Avengers: 130
Unit Improvements: none
+Exarch Siar Angau [Dispersed Fate]: diresword and shuriken pistol; Battle Fortune 45
Character Improvements: none
Character experience: 0
+ Wave Serpent; Holo-fields; Brightlance 135
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none

+ Elite +

5 Wraithguard; D-Scythes: 210
Unit Improvements: none
+ Wave Serpent: 115
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none

+ Fast Attack +

+ Exarch Novis Eakion Shenestra [Flying Without Redemption] (Crimson Hunter): Marksman's Eye 190
Character Improvements: none
Character experience: 0

Crimson Hunter 160
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none

9 Warp Spiders: 225
Unit Improvements: none
+ Exarch Sha'eil Iall [Warp Sent] (spinneret rifle; Fast Shot) ~
Character Improvements: none
Character experience: 0

+ Heavy Support +

Nightspinner; Holo-fields: 130
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none

Nightspinner: 115
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none

3 War Walkers: (bright lance; bright lance) 210
Unit/Vehicle Improvements: none


Pre Game


For Warlord traits he rolled the one that grants Move Through Cover within 12" of Warlord, and I got the one that lets me re-roll Chaos Boons. For Powers he got Guide, Prescience and Invisibility for his Farseer, and Conceal/Reveal for his Warlock.
We decided to play a Maelstrom-mission and got the one where you draw number of Objectives equal to the turn number with Hammer and Anvil deployment. I won the roll off to choose sides, and I also won the roll off to decide who goes first (we house rule and use the sixth edition way where the one who deploys first goes first), and chose to go first.
I deployed on both flanks, favouring my left flank and having a smaller force on the other flank. I would've liked to be all on the same flank, but due to a huge mountain in the middle and the Hammer and Anvil deployment I couldn't quite fit on one flank so decided to split up a bit. The Warpsmith Shatter Defences on the ruins.
There was no Night Fight, and he didn't manage to seize. 




Turn 1 - Black Legion




I drew the Objective that grants D3 for holding 3 Objectives so I basically moved my units forward that needed to get closer, and stayed back to shoot with the rest. Pretty lucky shooting actually, Blastmasters and Obliterators causing 2 Pens on one Wave Serpent, but both are downgraded to Glances, Havoc Launcher causes one wound on the Mantarch and kills a Guardian. On the other flank Obliterators cause a stunned result on a Wave Serpent, and the Chosen Rhino with Warpflame Gargoyles fires at the Guardians killing three and causing Soul Blaze. Soul Blaze then kills another one. I manage to hold three Objectives and gets the full 3 VPs.

Turn 1 - Eldar



The Eldar draw the Objective to kill a unit from Shooting. The shuffle a bit like Eldar do, the Warp Spiders comes out from hiding, the Mantarch as well goes for the Bikers that I left exposed. The entire flank shoots at them and eventually kills them, granting Eldar both First Blood and their Objective. The War Walkers kills a Rhino despite failing both Guide and Prescience on them. The rest of the Shooting basically missed or failed to go through armour.
Soul Blaze than caused a mighty 5 wounds on the Guardians, killing the Bright Lance in the process.

Turn 2 - Black Legion



I drew Objectives to kill a Psyker and hold one of the Objectives that I was all ready close to with my now disembarked CSM from the destroyed Rhino. My Heldrake came on, and the stuff that moved forward last time continued to move forward. Heldrake, Assault Cannons from Oblits and Noise Marines focussed on the Warp Spiders, killing all but three and Pinning them. The Heldrake also managed to cover the Mantarch and causes another wound on him. On the other side Oblits shoots Assault Cannons at the Guardians in the ruins trying to thin them out, and together with Havoc Launcher they kill all but the Warlock. The Warlock then takes a full 6 wounds from Soul Blaze and dies, giving me a VP. In the middle the Maulerfiend charges a Wave Serpent and causes a single HP. I really missed my Magma Cutters here...



Turn 2 - Eldar

In case you wonder, in the Eldar army you become an Exarch by putting on a condom.


He drew two Objectives that was rather difficult to score this round. Both Crimson Hunters arrive, Guide once again failed on the War Walkers. The Mantarch cowardly hides behind a hill next to the Farseer.
Chosen Rhino is Immobilized and takes another Glance, the remaining Rhino is Shaken. War Walkers kills the Maulerfiend as all saves are failed, and the Exarch Crimson Hunter scores three hits at the Heldrake who also fails every save despite jinking. 
No VPs scored.

"I'm going to stand up there because I can!!!"


Turn 3 - Black Legion



I draw one Objective to have three units 12" from my Deployment Zone and a Secure Objective which is within my reach as well as a third one I don't remember.
Rhinos fail to repair themselves, despite the Warpsmith. Obliterators on one sides fired Twin-linked Plasma Guns at the non-Exarch Crimson Hunter, making it Jink and gets one HP through. The other Oblits cause a pen on one of the Wave Serpents, but it's downgraded to a Glance. Blastmasters shoot at another Wave Serpent, one scatters off and kills a couple of Guardians the other hits and pens though, but is downgraded to a Glance so no explosion. My CSM manages to make a 6" run and thus narrowly gives me 3 units within 12" of my table edge. I score 2 VP's. 

Turn 3 - Eldar



Non-Exarch Crimson Hunter flies off. Invisibility is cast on the Wraithguard. Guide on War Walkers once again fail... The remaining Warp Spiders and Guardians manages to finish off the two Obliterators on their side of the board with a lot of rending hits. Wave Serpents finish off both Rhinos, but nothing is Pinned. Exarch flyer shoots at the Chosen, two Precision Shots are scored on the Chaos Lord, he decided to tank them and takes a single wound. Night Spinners and a Wave Serpent kills 4 of the Marines from the other Rhino leaving the Champion alive. 
Don't remember what Objectives he got, but notes says he scored 2 VP's.

Turn 4 - Black Legion


Running out of things on the board at this point. I got two to hold the Objectives in the forest and the one next to the Chosen. So I didn't move the Chosen despite wanting to get them closer to the enemy. Obliterators shoots Assault Cannons at the Mantarch as they could just see him sticking out from his hiding place... one of the scored wounds turns up a 1 on the cover save... but the re-roll from the Mantle saves him. Blastmasters manage to finish off the Warp Spiders and due to scatters also kills a couple of Guardians and score a pen on one of the War Walkers. The lone CSM Champion with a Power Fist just barely fails his charge at a Wave Serpent. Had he made it and killed the Serpent I would've scored another Objective.
I score those two Objectives I mentioned earlier, the one in the forest due to the Marines once again making a clutch run move giving them just enough distance.

Turn 4 - Eldar



Invisibility fails, and Guide on War Walkers fails yet again... those War Walkers really didn't want to be Guided this game! Wraithguard unleashed D-Scythes on Noise Marines, and together with War Walkers kill all but the two Blastmasters, a single Noise Marine and the Champion. A Wave Serpent kills the Marines who had been running back and forward all game, another kills the lone Champion. Night Spinners and Wave Serpents wither down the Chosen, the flyer Exarch kills the last Obliterators. 
He scored one 1 VP for holding the Objective on his side.

Turn 5 - Black Legion


Noise Marines shoots at the Mantarch, but scatters off to kill two Wraithguard while the Mantarch is untouched. Chosen and Warpsmith shoots meltas at the closest Wave Serpent, and forgetting he shot the Shield last turn he decides not to jink. The Warpsmith causes a pen, and it's a lucky explosion! 2 Dire Avengers die from the explosion.
Cultists and Chosen score two VP's for me again.

Turn 5 - Eldar


Due to it being late we called this the last turn. Noise Marines are killed off by Mantarch and Wraithguard. Dire Avengers takes their revenge from last time and kills 3 Chosen, and combined shooting kills the rest of the unit including the Warpsmith, only the Chaos Lord survives with a single wound left. The Crimson Hunter Exarch kills three Cultists including the champion for lack of targets. He scores Linebreaker with the Mantarch.

Final result is a Chaos victory, 11-8!


Casualties


So for the campaign results, the Eldar lost the Warp Spiders but the Exarch was only wounded. One of the Wave Serpents stayed dead. Most of the rest came back.
I was not as lucky with my rolls however... Every single squad that was killed off stayed dead, but most of the Champions survived - leaving me with a bunch of 1 man-squads. The Chosen stayed dead, including the hero Rhino. One of the CSM squads died as well, only the Rhino surviving. 3 of the 4 Obliterators stayed dead. But both the Heldrake, Maulerfiend and Warpsmith stayed in the Campaign.

Analysis


So. I knew I was in for a rough one playing against 4 Wave Serpens and a 300p deposit, so I'm quite happy I managed to squeeze out a win by playing the mission and resisting the temptation to run off and try to kill stuff. But the after-game results really made it into a pyrrhic victory... it feels like one of these "we won the battle, but may still lose the war". We'll see how that turns out. As for the game itself I was really unhappy with the Hammer and Anvil deployment (as if I wasn't all ready having a uphill battle!) which messed up my deployment and ultimately cost me my bikers turn 1. I really didn't like splitting up this way either, but seeing as I had no choice to stay effective and also avoid those artillery pieces etc. In the end it was my shooting that did work, which is very unusual for my CSM. This also resulted in very little experience points for my Characters unfortunately... so even if they survived they're still scrubs. I will have to change things up for next battle, I really need to keep more units alive. Might be too difficult vs Eldar though. Puts me in a interesting position for the campaign however!