Battle Report: LGS Escalation League - Speedy Traitors!

The theme of my second Escalation League match was speed.  This time I brought Land Speeders with multi-meltas to better deal with big targets.  I think that would have helped a lot last match.  This week, however, despite the best efforts of my speedy speeders, the fastest things on the board were a pair of giant Helbrutes.  Despite their bulky size, they nimbly ambled across the board and smashed Tourbillion's entire unit right out of the gate.  I'm embarrassed to admit that, while I have been a fan of 40K for a long time, I still don't know a lot about every faction, probably for various reasons, but I guess the main one being that I'm stuck in Rogue Trader and the lore/fluff since isn't quite the wacky and open-ended grim grim darkness that I prefer, and so I tend to just write my own head canon...

But I digress, this battle:

Battle Report:

Ruleset: 2022 War Zone Nephilim Grand Tournament - Incursion (w/ Q4 Balance Datasheet)
Mission: 1 3 Desperate Raid
Points: 1000

My Forces:

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP  1,000pts ++
**Chapter Selector**: Ultramarines
Battle Size [3CP]: 2. Incursion (51-100 Total PL / 501-1000 Points) [3CP]
Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim

+ HQ  +

• Epistolary Prior Isaac Theodesius - Librarian in Terminator Armour: 1) Veil of Time, 2) Might of Heroes, 3) Null Zone (Aura), Adept of the Codex, Armor of Kronor, Chapter Command:  Chief Librarian, Force axe, Iron Resolve, Storm bolter, Stratagem: Exemplar of the Chapter, Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord

+ Troops +

• Vitus - 10 man Tactical Squad - Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol, Missle launcher, Meltagun
• Kaiel - 5 man Tactical Squad - Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol, Meltagun

+ Elites +

• Nox - 5 man Terminator Assault Squad - Teleport Homer, 2x Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield, 3x Lightning Claw (Pair)
• Tourbillion - 5 man Terminator Squad - Power sword, Storm bolter, Assault cannon, Chainfist 3x, Power fist

+ Fast Attack +

• Land Speeder Tornado: Heavy flamer, Multi-melta
• Land Speeder Tornado: Heavy flamer, Multi-melta

Secondaries: Oaths of Moment, We March for Macragge, and Warp Ritual

Jason's Chaos Space Marine Red Corsairs

+ HQ +

• Lord Discordant on Helstalker: 1-2. Reaver Lord, Baleflamer, Black Rune of Damnation, Magma cutter, Mark of Nurgle, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord

+ Troops +

• Legionaries (5) : Bolt pistol, Boltgun,  Havoc autocannon
• Legionaries (5) : Bolt pistol, Boltgun,  Havoc autocannon

+ Elites +

• Helbrute: Chaos Undivided, Heavy flamer, Helbrute fist, Power scourge
• Helbrute: Chaos Undivided, Heavy flamer, Helbrute fist, Power scourge

+ Fast Attack +

• Chaos Bikers (3):  Bolt pistol, Chainsword, Flamer
• Chaos Bikers (3):  Bolt pistol, Chainsword, Flamer

+ Heavy Support +

• Defiler: Combi-bolter, Defiler scourge, Twin heavy bolter

Secondaries: Raid And Reave, Abhor the Witch, No Prisoners

Takeaways & Analysis:

I kinda held my own for a bit, but yeah 4 those big bodies move really fast which I just wasn't expecting.  I'm familiar with the Black Legion, Emperor's Children, Word Bearers, Emperor's Children (and also Death Guard, T-sons etc), but Red Corsairs came out of left field for me and so I didn't realize they were the White Scar mirror, I had a feeling when I saw the bikes though, and my opponent warned me.  So, yeah missed on the prep for the game a bit.  My plan was to bunker in on my side of the middle and get a few warp rituals in and then bunker in cover on 3 objectives to eke out a win.  I didn't have the worst luck and was actually able to Smite the Helbrutes and some bikes and such.  But I made a few critical errors.  First was that I had charged the Lord Discordant but didn't elect to fight that charge first, and so he got a fight interrupt off (I might still have not cleared him but he was down to 4 wounds).  Also, I didn't realize smite targeted the closest enemy unit (thus why you might take Psychic Scourge which is otherwise just worse) - so yeah Theodesius smote some mooks on bikes instead of the big bad, whoopse!

Still, it was a lot of fun, and I'm still doing better in terms of playing a bit faster, fewer mistakes, and such.  Some times the plan just doesn't match up.  And Jason pointed out that fast melee armies are just pretty tough to handle on a short battlefield unless you had really been planning for it.  My approach has always just been to bring what I have and try to have a balanced force, and yeah I think I did much better than the last time against a melee heavy rush since I was able to clear off 3 units, and might have been able to get a 4th.  I think I still would have lost though.  The ending total was 35-37 just before we called it in Round 3, but by then my force was mostly destroyed.

*Anomaly 30 meters ahead, be vigilant brothers!*

*The way is clear, Sir!*

*I sense malevolence from the warp nearby!*

*..That speed!..*   *THEY ARE UPON US! BOLTERS!*

*JAMMED!*  (Yelling noises)

*SQUAD TOURBILLION ELIMINATED!*

*(Deadpan) Brother, we're gonna need a faster speeder...*

*WITH A THOUGHT YOU DIE TRAITOR!*

*Be at ease brother, back in my T-16---*

*AIEEEE---* (Static noises)

*Right... off for a pint then?*

++++Transmission: Adeptus Astartes Ultra++++
(REDACTED)
Date: 3827022.M42

Location: Iax
System: Iax
Sub Sector: Ultramar
Segmentum: Ultima
ATT: (REDACTED)

(REDACTED)

The effect was to corrupt the remaining elements of the Cadian division stationed here.  Regulus was sent to purge their ranks when the warp flared. In order to re-establish contact, Epistolary Prior Theodesius attempted to nullify a disturbance detected on the surface of Iax.

Contact has not been reestablished, but imagry suggests traitor legions have emerged from the empyrean.  I will personally lead an expedition to investigate (REDACTED)

(REDACTED)

Primus Leo Exevio Faustus - Weeks prior to the breakout of the Plague Wars

++WARNING: DATE CODE MISMATCH DETECTED++
REF: R66Q/00023-78019-8U5653M097FD
THOUGHT: Say the prayer of firing and curse the target. Do this rapidly lest the wrath of the weapon be wasted. (SRB131)
++++Transmission End++++

Battle Report: LGS Escalation League - The Guard! (Heretics!)

The local game store has a 40k Escalation League (progressively larger games with a volunteer rules facilitator).  And since I recently will have some free nights for a few months I decided on a whim to go and get some more experience.

For my first match I ran into the Guard - aka the Astra Millitarum.  My opponent, Austin, was just getting back into 40k.  This would be my first match against forces of the Imperium interestingly enough.  I joked that we should roll off to see who was the traitor, but Austin decided that probably his Cadians would be deemed corrupted and thus Space Marines sent to purge them.  Maybe so, but in the 41st (well now 42nd) millennium, no one is above suspicion!

Face Off against the Cadians!  Tank vs Tank Suits (its all propaganda though, don't recommend standing in front of a tank, even in a 'tank suit')

Battle Report:

Ruleset: 2022 War Zone Nephilim Grand Tournament - Incursion (w/ Q4 Balance Datasheet)
Mission: 31 Rise of the Machine Spirit
Points: 1000

My Forces:

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP  1,000pts ++
**Chapter Selector**: Ultramarines
Battle Size [3CP]: 2. Incursion (51-100 Total PL / 501-1000 Points) [3CP]
Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim

+ HQ  +

• Praelior Tarquinius Iulian Regulus - Chaplain in Terminator Armour 4. Mantra of Strength, 6. Canticle of Hate (Aura), Benediction of Fury, Chapter Command: Master of Sanctity, Crozius arcanum, Litany of Hate, Storm bolter, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter [-1CP], Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter [-1CP], Wise Orator
• Lt Cmdr Psigoras - Lieutenant: Adept of the Codex, Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Plasma pistol, Power sword, Stratagem: Warlord Trait [-1CP], Warlord

+ Troops +

• Nero - 10 man Tactical Squad - Plasma pistol, Power sword , Heavy bolter, Meltagun
• Vitus - 10 man Tactical Squad - Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol, Lascannon, Plasma gun

+ Elites +

• Nox - 5 man Terminator Assault Squad - Teleport Homer, 2x Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield, 3x Lightning Claw (Pair)
• Tourbillion - 5 man Terminator Squad - Power sword, Storm bolter, Assault cannon, Chainfist 3x, Power fist

Secondaries: Oaths of Moment, We March for Macragge, and Behind Enemy Lines.

Austin's Cadian Guard (Guess):

+ HQ  +

• Company Commander: Frag grenades, Laspistol
• Tank Commander: Heavy Bolter, Stat Damage (Leman Russ Commander), Turret-mounted Punisher Gatling Cannon, Warlord, 2x Multi-melta

+ Troops +

• Infantry Squad - 10 man Squad with Heavy Weapon Team: Heavy bolter, Lasgun, Laspistol
• Infantry Squad - 10 man Squad with Heavy Weapon Team: Heavy bolter, Lasgun, Laspistol
• Infantry Squad - 10 man Squad with Heavy Weapon Team: Heavy bolter, Lasgun, Laspistol

+ Elites +

• Bullgryns - 3x Bullgryns with Frag bombs, Grenadier gauntlet, Slabshield

+ Heavy Support +

• Leman Russ Punisher: Heavy Bolter, Stat Damage (Leman Russ), Turret-mounted Punisher Gatling Cannon, 2x Multi-melta
• Leman Russ Punisher: Heavy Bolter, Stat Damage (Leman Russ), Turret-mounted Punisher Gatling Cannon, 2x Multi-melta

Secondaries: Raise the Banners High, Inflexible Command, Boots on the Ground

Takeaways & Analysis:

Perhaps I'll add a turn by turn analysis later, but in summary I made a few early mistakes that made the difference.  I conceded at the end of turn 3 even though our victory point total was closely matched (38-40) because I wouldn't have the force strength needed to maintain my position and eke ahead.  (I did feel a bit bad ending the game early, but also it was late on a Sunday and as per usual I was going a bit slow so we were already 3 hours in)

Tactical units set up to Inload some Data-Psalms.  Amen.

My goal was to use tactical units to hold the quadrant positions and perform actions while Tourbillion and the Lieutenant held the center for Oaths of Moment, and Regulus and Squad Nox beamed in behind.  Much to my chagrin, however, in my pregame planning I didn't think about how much smaller an Incursion board is compared to a Strike Force battle field, and against armies with large footprints (hordes) you can get blocked out of a deep strike.  So my plan was foiled really before we began the game. Doomed!  Also I need to bring more meltas to deal with armor and other tough targets.  Lascannons just never work and so I don't know why I bring them (well the models are some of my favorite).  

Vitus charges up the left flank

...and finds some friends!

Tactically, I did a better job with cover this game, but still didn't put the terminators into cover initially.  There kinda wasn't room with the terrain, but it turns out that because ruins are breachable and the piece had a base, I could have set up with a model 'toeing in' or inside and just walked through the wall and have been fine.  You would think this would sink in because I've had a few games going second now.  Finally, I need to be more diligent about pile-in and consolidate moves to make it harder for big vehicles to fall back.  I think this was the first game against vehicles where the opponent did that, so hadn't thought about that before.  "Tripointing" or “wrapping” is probably needed (I guess it might be harder to do in 9th now?) so its good that I'm getting to the point where I need to learn this.

There were some fun moments though: once again Brother Veridian alone withstood withering fire from practically the entire Cadian army.  A marine with a knife stabbing through tank armor!  And Praelior Regulus and squad Nox made an inspired (by Canticle of Hate) charge into Ausitn's tank commander.  But later, when Nox was completely destroyed, Regulus' voice faltered (snake eyes roll!) and it was a sign from the Emperor to pack up and go home!

"Ah, I see you've played Knifey-Tanky.."

"Ey mates, I've got a permit to drive this..."

++++

Brothers, the heretic will feel the fury of our righteousness.  Cast them in---- (explosion sounds) ++++Transmission End++++

-Tarquinius Regulus

Another Dive into Green Stuff: Seams and Such

I have moved on from sculpting rocks.  The original reason for the dive into green stuff was to be able to mount the space marine jump packs with enough of a gap to allow for the shoulder pauldrons to fit when the character is lifting the weapon up. I found that to support the raised arms, the jump packs had to be tilted back a bit and there wouldn't be enough surface contact to create a strong bond.  This is exactly what green stuff is supposed to fix.

I also wanted to learn how to use the stuff for smaller seams as well, such as the gaps between the two halves of the torso for the veteran sergeant, and the two halves of 2 plastic jump packs.

I think I did a pretty good job with the interface between the jump pack and torso for the veteran sergeant.  I even added some texture to simulate connection cables/joints.  I didn't get pictures of the metal miniatures but there I just went a bit more basic and kinda just extended the block from the back of the torso.

Using the sculpting tools I feel I was able to get the green stuff into the recesses and flattened and smoothed on the various surfaces of the jet pack pretty well.  

On the torso, which was actually the first thing I tried, I think the visible areas were pretty good, but I could have done a bit better job around the gorget.  Luckily, with the head in place, all of this area should be well hidden.

Finally, to add a bit more 'bling' to the sergeant, I used another bit from the Ultramarines upgrade sprue and attached an ultima to the jump pack.  I think they intend for it to mount on top like the final on a flag, but I prefer to avoid things like that where possible (already enough things that can break off) so instead I wanted to mount it flush.

Next Dive into Green Stuff: Tactical Rocks

Using green stuff for fixing gaps and such was a fairly easy way to get started and learn how to work with it.  Next I used it for creating 'tactical rocks.'  This required a bit more skill in sculping rocks, but since rocks are usually blobs, it didn't take much skill.  Obviously real rocks of different types have different properties - river rocks are generally smooth, shale or similar sedimentary rock are rough and have 'fissile' characteristics (splitting flat), and so on.  So I didn't achieve any particular uniform rock-like characteristics - I just made blobs, but I think with some mud, paint, and ballast I can make them a bit more rock like.

This tactical rock didn't quite get centered under the foot, but I felt it was all right since maybe sometimes these transhumans have more things to worry about on the battlefield than posting with the foot squarely on the rock, you know, gotta make sure that hammer is just so for the warcry.  Pretty much all of the other minis in this squad needed a similar rock and got most of those centered, so this guy has character, maybe he's earned the name 'Shifty' or something.

Here we had some extra so I made some tactical mud to go with the tactical rock, which is of course hiding the bit of pewter supporting the foot and connecting it to the base slot tab.  I think this rock looks fine and its got a split in the front.  Using the silicone sculpting tools I was able to add texture and think it looked good enough. The 'mud' will probably get covered by paint-mud or ballast, but at least it will add a bit of dimension.