DV8 Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 BLOOD TRIALS Ragnar Blackmane closed his eyes and took in a deep breathe. He exhaled slowly, and felt his double-hearts beating in gleeful anticipation of the conflict ahead. His scouts had brought the news: Astartes. These were not normal Astartes though; they were Fallen. Traitors. World Eaters. The bastard-sons of Angron had spat on their oaths of loyalty and turned against the AllFather so many millennia ago, and the chance to bring them to justice put a smile to Ragnar's lips. Arjac fell into line beside Ragnar, and though he spoke with the softest of voices, there was nothing but confidence in his tembre. "So we face Astartes do we?" He rested Foehammer across his broad shoulders. "They bring with them the foul Greenskins and the Necron abominations. I do not know how, but that is the challenge before us." "They outnumber us then?" "Very much so, at least four to one." chuckled Ragnar. "Good. No sport otherwise." Ragnar turned to leave. "I assume we have some sort of a plan?" Ragnar turned, and without hesitation, answered, "Kill them all, of course." Pre-battle So the inaugural battle with my (actual) Space Wolves. It will be my just over 2000 points of Space Wolves vs 1000 points each of World Eaters, Orks, and Necrons. We arranged the game so that I would not only face 3 players, but I would also be 1000 points short (they would have a total of 3000 to my 2000), to balance the fact that I have more experience and familiarity with the game. The army lists are as follows. For the sake of clarity and WYSIWYG, we basically made a lot of the wargear options (particularily the Orks) as is, and if they weren't modelled with it, they didn't have it. http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/armylists.jpg I commanded the Space Wolves. The World Eaters were commanded by Jonathan Han (aka zeroeightfive), who also assumed overall command of the enemy forces. The Orks were commanded by my brother Ernest. The Necrons were commanded by Christopher (Jonathan's brother) The Set-up We rolled Seize Ground (3 objectives), with a Pitched Battle deployment. We set up the terrain as below, and placed the 3 objectives along the center of the board (the red X's). The three enemy commanders rolled a dice each, and totaled 10, while I rolled three and totaled 9. They elected to take sides (and consequently deploy first, and take first turn). http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/thetable.jpg Outnumbered four to one and 1000 points under, I needed every advantage I could get. My basic plan was to outflank them quickly with my faster army, and roll up their lines, taking on 800 to 1000 point chunks of their army at a time, thereby negating their numbers, and allowing me to bring my full army to bear on a fraction of theirs. Christopher deployed the bulk of his Necrons (Lord, Immortals, and 2 Warrior squads) on the left, and placed a Warrior squad on the right to lend their support. Jonathan deployed his World Eaters just to the right of Christopher, with Ernest's Orks taking up center and right flank. I knew I wanted to save tackling the World Eaters for (near) last, and I wouldn't even bother with the Necrons holding the far left side. They would be too difficult to shift, and would eat up valuable time. My goal would be to capture the far right objective very early on, and to focus everything I had to secure the second objective in the center. With their deployment I knew I would be able to buy myself 3 turns at the most before the World Eaters came in, and I knew I had to take out as many of the Orks as possible before they over-ran me. I began by assigning my Wolf Guard: 1 Power Fist to each Rhino-borne squad, and Arjac + Ragnar into the Drop Pod. I placed everything on the right flank, with the 3 Rhinos on the table edge and the Lone Wolf, TDA Wolf Guard, Jump Pack Wolf Guard, and Typhoons in the building to the left. Nothing had Line of Sight to me first turn, so I knew I would be able to advance up unmolested. I chose not to seize the initiative. http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/Deployment.jpg Commentator's note: the three enemy commanders could not put aside their squabbles, and as a result were not as well coordinated as they should have been. The Space Wolves used this to their advantage. The First Turn The enemy took to the field and with a blood-curdled roar, surged forth in a stamped of flesh and armor. Everything advanced, everything ran. W 3 secured the left objective, OB 2 with the Warboss moved to secure the center objective, while OB 1 in a headstrong rush, secured the right objective. The World Eaters and the remainder of the Orks and Necrons began wheeling around to the right, while W 1 moved up to support OB 1. Already the enemy had 2 objectives and would secure the third by Turn 2. I had to act fast. http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/turn1a.jpg I began by placing my Drop Pod to block off one of the main arteries. If I could force my opponent to move around in an arc, it might buy me an extra turn. Ragnar, Arjac and GH 4 deployed right beside W 1. The rest of my army advanced up, with all three of my Grey Hunter squads deploying. My Jump Pack Wolf Guard take to the skies and land just short of W 1, while WG 1 and the Lone Wolf run forward to support Arjac. The Land Speeders boost forward and arm Kraks. With a whoop and a shout, my Grey Hunters unleash hell. With righteous Bolter fire, 22 Orks from OB 1 are killed, while Arjac, Ragnar, GH 4, and the Typhoons target W 1. Only the Meltagun, Foehammer, and Kraks do any damage, so 4 Warriors are removed from play. In a spectacular show of skill that would mark a pattern of performance for WG 2, they unleash pistol and Plasma fire, failing do not only do no damage, but over-heating and killing one of their own! The Orks hold their nerves, while W 1 flee from the Wolves. The Drop Pod's Deathwind Launchers fire at OB 2, but only manage to kill 4 Orks. http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/turn1b.jpg The Second Turn W 1 is within 6" of GH 4, and so continues to flee. W 3 moves to consolidate it's position on the objective, while the rest of the Necrons continue to advance. OB 1 advance on GH 1, while OB 2 with the Warboss move in to seize the central objective. The Lootas remain stationary while the rest of the Orks swing around. The World Eaters continue their armored advance. Their shooting sees very little done. The Lootas take out the Drop Pod's Deathwind Launchers, while OB 1 takes some pot shots at GH 1 before charging, taking out a Grey Hunter with the Big Shoota. As the Orks charge, the Wolves howl and counter-charge, In a flurry of blades, the remaining 8 Orks are cut down, for 4 Wolf losses in return. I did not relish losing half of a Troops squad so early in, but at least I had secured the right side of the table. It would have to do. http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/turn2a.jpg I begin by re-embarking into the Rhinos and continuing my advance. Ragnar, Arjac, GH 4, with WG 2 advance up behind the ruins, Rh 1 and Rh 2 sweep around the top of the ruins, while Rh 3 sweeps around the bottom and pops smoke. I boost one Typhoon to within 6" of W 1 to push them off the table, while my second Typhoon drifts forward and readies its guns. This turn is not as eventful, I continue to shoot W 1 and take out another Warrior with a Krak missile. http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/turn2b.jpg The Third Turn W 1 is forced to continue to flee, and with a shocking 11, flee off the table. The Warboss and OB 2 advance up and take potshots at the Grey Hunters, killing 1 with massed fire, while the Tankbustas swing around to target Rh 3, shaking it. The World Eater Typhoon swings around and manages to destroy the Rhino's Storm Bolter. The rest of the enemy continues it's advance, with the World Eaters deploying from their transports.. http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/turn3a.jpg My turn sees a flurry of motion, as everything advances left. Ragnar, Arjac, GH 4, and WG 2 move into the building, while the Lone Wolf runs to catch up. WG 1 advance and lay fire into TB 1, killing 4 (they hold). LST 2 returns fire at the World Eater Typhoon, taking out it's Missile Launchers and stunning the skimmer. LST 1 fires at OB 3, taking out 4 of them with Frag Missiles and Heavy Bolter shots. I deploy GH 1, now reduced to 5 strong, to secure the objective to the right, and I charge Ragnar, Arjac, GH 4, and WG 2 into the Orks. Ragnar and the Wolves set upon the Orks, while Arjac moves to the Warboss. With the strength of Fenris, the Space Wolves decimate the Orks before they can strike back. With titanic strength, Arjac pummels the Warboss with Foehammer, landing no less than 6 blows on the foul beast. To no surprise, the Ork crumples without doing anything to Arjac in return. I use my massacre moves to bring my models as far right as possible to avoid being charged next turn. http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/turn3b.jpg The Fourth Turn There is hesitation in the enemy now. Their numbers are beginning to dwindle and they have barely put a dent in the charge of the Wolves. They act quickly in an attempt to retake the initiative and swing the odds back in their favor. OB 3 advance into the ruins while laying fire into GH 4, taking out 3 of their number. The Lootas and Tankbustas set upon Rh 3 with noise that would make only an Ork proud, but when the smoke cleared, Rh 3 remained untouched. The World Eaters advance as quickly as possible towards the center, with the Immortals bringing up the rear and W 2 leading the way. http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/turn4a.jpg I once again bait the enemy in, advancing Ragnar, Arjac, and GH 4 towards OB 3, while WG 2 jump over and make ready to engage the World Eaters. Rh 3 and RH 2 position themselves behind the terrain and disembark their cargo, while LST 1 swings round and continues to lay down suppressive fire, taking out several more Orks from OB 3. LST 2 shoots and destroys LST 1, now a sitting duck, while WG 1 finish off the Tankbustas. GH 2 and 3 rapid fire into the Orks and Necrons, reducing the Orks to 11 in number, and taking down 4 of the Warriors. I charge once again, unleashing Ragnar, Arjac, GH 4, and the Lone Wolf on OB 3, once again obliterating them to a man but losing another 2 Grey Hunter in the process. WG 2 set upon the World Eaters and take out 8 of their number, losing 2 in return. The Astartes flee, and the Wolves once again consolidate their position in the ruins. http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/turn4b.jpg The Fifth Turn The tide has changed. Where victory once seemed so sure, now was slipping quickly from their reach. The World Eater Rhinos swung around and targeted WG 2, but failed to kill any. With concentrated fire, both remaining World Eater squads and the Warriors manage to kill not only GH 4, but Arjac as well. Evidently his Terminator Armor is no match for massed Bolt shells and Gauss beams. The Lootas unleash hell, firing 18 shots into GH 3 and taking out 4 of their number. Losing Arjac at this point was not something I relished. I was relying on him to take out Khârn (Jonathan's Ragnar), but without him, I would have to strike hard and fast in this turn before Khârn charged me next turn. http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/turn5a.jpg I advanced WG 2 with Ragnar and GH 2 to take on GH 1 and Khârn, while GH 3 and the Lone Wolf moved on W 2 and GH 2. Both Typhoons and my TDA Wolf Guard target the bottom World Eater's squad, taking them to half strength with weight of fire. They hold though, and refuse to flee. Firing Bolt Pistols as they ran in, I declared that Ragnar would howl, giving Furious Charge to everything within 12". Obviously angry at the loss of Arjac, Ragnar sets upon the World Eaters and slays the entire squad to a man! With nothing but Khârn to attack, I set upon him with Wolf Guard wielding S6 Power Weapons, Power Fist, Bolter and Chainsword. As quickly as it began, the fight ended. I had lost 3 more Grey Hunters, but in return had struck down an entire squad of World Eaters as well as their general. GH 3 and the Lone Wolf performed equally as well, breaking the Necron Warriors and forcing them to flee. The Lone Wolf (who had charged the World Eaters) managed to take down 2 more, for nothing in return. The World Eaters stubbornly held their ground. We roll to see if the game ends, and get a 5. We play another turn. http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/turn5b.jpg The Sixth Turn There is little left the enemy can do. The Wolves have broken their back, and they know it. The top World Eaters squad (GH 3) rallies and advances, but there is no hope in accomplishing anything. World Eaters GH 2 continues to flee along with W 2, and the Rhinos continue to take potshots at the Wolves. The Immortals lay suppressive fire to cover the retreat, taking GH 2 down to 3 marines, while the Lord kills the last of WG 2. http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/turn6a.jpg This turn is just mop up, with the Lone Wolf charging in and finishing off the rest of W 2, while the Wolf Guard and Typhoons finish off the bottom World Eater's squad (GH 2). Ragnar advances on his own to take out the Lootas, while the Grey Hunters( GH 2 and GH 3) consolidate their position on the objective. Ragnar, in true Fenrisian style, kills the Lootas to a man. I offer to roll for the Seventh Turn, but my opponents concede, accepting defeat. http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/turn6b.jpg The Aftermath Victory to the Wolves of Fenris! As per the plan, I held both the right and center objectives, and had pushed my opponent back. I had no problems surrendering the left objective (I would've never reached it in time and would have had to forgo a lot of combat/shooting to do so). http://www.spacewithinspace.net/images/battlereports/bloodtrials/theaftermath.jpg Overall a great game for the Wolves, and a result I had not expected (despite my upper hand in experience, I had expected the 1000 point handicap and the 3 on 1 to do me in). Definitely the inability of my opponents to properly coordinate from the beginning, and my ability to capitalize on this (my deployment and speed allowing me to quite literally roll across their lines) aided in my success. Had I been given command of the enemy forces, I would have deployed everything in the center and waited for the Wolves to deploy. I would have sent 2 Necron squads to claim the objectives (center, and the one furthest from the Wolves), and then sent everything I had straight at the Space Wolves. With 600 points more AND numerical superiority, that would have just steam-rolled my army (especially if you envelope it and give it nowhere to go). Alas, such is the way of things. For Russ and the AllFather! DV8 Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/182078-blood-trials/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard12 Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 I love those diagams! How did you make them? other than that sounds like you had a great game. keep those reports coming in please. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/182078-blood-trials/#findComment-2154856 Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard12 Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 What the, thats the second time it's happend to me today. I doble posted. :sigh: I'll have to get used to not doble pressing that post nw thingy button when B&C is going slow Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/182078-blood-trials/#findComment-2154858 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradskey Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 A glorious victory for the Wolves! They won even though they were the, ahem, underdogs. ;) Good job! Diagrams are Great Keep up the Good Work Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/182078-blood-trials/#findComment-2154972 Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlbitz Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 Great report! I really enjoyed this read. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/182078-blood-trials/#findComment-2154984 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valerian Posted October 18, 2009 Share Posted October 18, 2009 DV8, Excellent battle report. Really enjoyed the read, and the diagrams were easy to follow. I know that your army list is largely shaped by your excellently painted models that you've got up in the stickied thread, and that originally you used the Codex: Space Marines to represent them (e.g. Jump Pack Wolf Guard pack based on the Vanguard Veteran models, and their rules). Now that your using the new Space Wolves codex, what changes and/or additions to your army (model wise) and to your army list, are you considering? What new units will you be painting up for the Wolves that you didn't have for your C:SM based force? Just curious, Valerian Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/182078-blood-trials/#findComment-2155768 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilmerlin Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 Nicely done. You took great advantage of the relatively slow response and pulled off a sweetly executed refused flank. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/182078-blood-trials/#findComment-2155910 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DV8 Posted October 19, 2009 Author Share Posted October 19, 2009 I love those diagams! How did you make them? other than that sounds like you had a great game. keep those reports coming in please. It was pretty fun, we all enjoyed it (despite zeroeightfive still fighting off the last of the flu). I made the diagrams with Adobe Illustrator. Not exactly to scale, but it's simple and yet still very informative so I like it. DV8, Excellent battle report. Really enjoyed the read, and the diagrams were easy to follow. I know that your army list is largely shaped by your excellently painted models that you've got up in the stickied thread, and that originally you used the Codex: Space Marines to represent them (e.g. Jump Pack Wolf Guard pack based on the Vanguard Veteran models, and their rules). Now that your using the new Space Wolves codex, what changes and/or additions to your army (model wise) and to your army list, are you considering? What new units will you be painting up for the Wolves that you didn't have for your C:SM based force? Just curious, Valerian Well, I've always been a fan of the Bolter. My original army, based on Codex: Space Marines, used this to the utmost, relying heavily on Tactical squads and Sternguard squads with Meltaguns. I forgo-ed a lot of longer range firepower and used my Sternguard to hunt bigger things like Monstrous Creatures and more heavily armored, tougher troops. Without that special ammunition, I've found I've had to rely a lot more on close range shooting followed up by a healthy charge. To that end, Ragnar and Arjac are a staple in my armies. Ragnar is a unit grinder, and Arjac is a monster/tank/character hunter. Combo them together and they are a duo made full of epic win (so long as you don't expose them to massed fire). I've found I've had to build a few more meltagun models (I had a lot of combi-melta in my Sternguard squads), and Marks of the Wulfen for all my units. My Vanguard squad is now just a Skyclaw pack (I only used them as Wolf Guard in this battle to get myself up to 2000 points). I'm also using a Lone Wolf, a few Terminators, and Long Fangs (in my WIP 1700 point list). Other than the addition of 2 units and a few models here and there, my army remains relatively unchanged. It still relies entirely on Grey Hunter packs with Bolters and Meltaguns, and I replace the damage done by Sternguard, with Ragnar, Arjac, and Mark of the Wulfen. Here are my lists that I will use (1000 and 1500, still working on my 1700) Wolves of Fenris - 999 pts Wolf Lord Frost Blade, Belt of Russ, Meltabombs Lone Wolf Mark of the Wulfen, Meltabombs 3 Wolf Guard (1 per Grey Hunter pack) Bolters, 2 Power Fists Arjac Rockfist 9 Grey Hunters Bolters, Meltagun, Mark of the Wulfen, Rhino 8 Grey Hunters (Wolf Lord) Bolters, Meltagun, Mark of the Wulfen, Rhino 8 Grey Hunters (Arjac) Bolters, Meltagun, Mark of the Wulfen, Drop Pod Wolves of Fenris - 1502 pts Ragnar Blackmane Lone Wolf Mark of the Wulfen 4 Wolf Guard (1 per Grey Hunter pack) Bolters, 3 Power Fists, 3 Meltabombs Arjac Rockfist 9 Grey Hunters Bolters, Meltagun, Mark of the Wulfen, Rhino 9 Grey Hunters Bolters, Meltagun, Mark of the Wulfen, Rhino 9 Grey Hunters Bolters, Meltagun, Mark of the Wulfen, Rhino 7 Grey Hunters (Ragnar + Arjac) Bolters, Meltagun, Mark of the Wulfen, Drop Pod 2 Land Speeder Typhoons And to contrast, my 1000 and 1500 point lists using Codex: Space Marines: Space Marines - 1005 pts Pedro Kantor 8 Sternguard (Pedro) Power Fist, Rhino 10 Tactical Marines Power Fist, Meltagun, Rhino 10 Tactical Marines Power Fist, Meltagun, Rhino 5 Assault Marines Space Marines - 1500 pts Pedro Kantor 8 Sternguard Power Fist, 2 Combi-meltas, Drop Pod 9 Sternguard (Pedro) Power Fist, 2 Combi-meltas, Rhino 10 Tactical Marines Power Fist, Meltagun, Rhino 10 Tactical Marines Power Fist, Meltagun, Rhino 5 Assault Marines Power Weapon 2 Land Speeder Typhoons. DV8 Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/182078-blood-trials/#findComment-2155946 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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