Seahawk Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 For the first time in over a year (possibly two), I finally got in a game of Battlefleet Gothic! Little did I know how much I missed it. I wanted to try out the 2010 FAQ changes, and so I did! It was a 1000 point game, until he realized he cannot use refits unless agreed upon before the battle. I dropped two frigates and a reroll to even it out. Ultramarines: Strike Cruiser Vae Victus - extra shield, master of the fleet Strike Cruiser Righteous Fury - extra shield Strike Cruiser Venator - extra shield Strike Cruiser Icarus - extra shield, extra bombardment cannons 4 Gladius Frigates of Circes Squadron Tyranids: Hive Ship Tyranid Cruiser Tyranid Cruiser 6 Escort Drones 3 Vanguard Drones (mostly shorter range stuff, but the hive ship could launch 6 attack craft squadrons per turn until 12 were floating around) I was scared of that Hive ship! I had never faced Tyranids before this game. We played the Fleet Engagement scenario on a 4x4; terrain included scattered gas/dust clouds and a small planet. I won the roll off, so I was able to deploy in a tight wedge, while he was spread out to encircle me. The hive ship and 6 drones deployed in the center, a cruiser anchored each flank, and the vanguard drones supported the cruiser on the right. Turns 1-3 Since we were both pretty short ranged fleets, the first few turns were relatively uneventful. My squadrons maneuvered to port to focus on the lone cruiser (while it was still alone). All throughout the engagement the six thunderhawk squadrons ran non-stop sorties; they took out two escort drones in the third turn. Also on the third turn, all of my ships locked on and targeted the cruiser, shredding it to a torn up carcass, which eventually drifted out of the engagement area. Turns 4-6 As the rest of the Tyranid fleet gathered to engage the Ultramarines, the strike cruisers carved back around to the rear of the hive ship. The frigate squadron swept wide around the Tyranids' rear, peppering the hive ship, though none of the shots penetrated its protective screen of spores. In response, the ship disgorged tons of assault boats. The close-in defenses accounted for one, but the rest slammed in, the organisms inside wreaking as much havoc as possible before being destroyed by the defenders. The starboard batteries took a heavy pounding (3 times), while the acids started to eat away at the structural integrity of the ship (2 Fire! results). Fortunately, one Fire result was swiftly repaired, though the other went on and the Icarus suffered the first SM damage of the game. On the next phase, the second fire was repaired. The thunderhawks went out again and again, destroying two more escort drones. In another attack, they massed up to attack the hive ship, the skilled pilots sought out the various weapons points, disabling through precision strikes. The Ultramarines ships raked the hive ship as they passed astern, inflicting some telling hits and causing it to bleed internally (fire result). This wasn't repaired for a while, which ended up crippling the ship (being repaired once it got to 5 remaining hits). Still, the hive ship was essentially a listing hulk at this point. With 3-4 critical hits on each of its weapons areas (those thunderhawks were merciless!) and a max move of 5cm each turn, the Ultramarines had almost taken it out. Turns 7-9 The drones were starting to get behind the cruiser squadron too often for me to be able to shoot them. Thus, the thunderhawks were sent out to deal with some, while the massed batteries of the fleet dealt with the rest. Still, a couple hits were score on the squadron but these were absorbed by the shields. Despite closing to close quarters fighting (tens of kilometers, of course :angry:), the Tyranid ships were not doing well. The close range allowed the gunners a field day; it was practically target practice. The second Tyranid cruiser hemorrhaged massively, convulsed and died. Finally all that was left was the crippled hive ship. The frigate squadron peeled away, leaving the honor of the kill to the strike cruisers. All four moved in for a boarding action; their combined power was overwhelming and the hive ship was finished. An entire hive fleet destroyed, with the return being only a single point of damage on the Icarus. To be fair, it was a big learning experience for him (though I haven't played in a long time). Still, crushing massacre for the Ultramarines! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/241432-um-vs-tyranids/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
greatcrusade08 Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 really cool, i havent played BFg for a while, but a few friedns have been bugging me to pick it up again.. thankfully theres a big following at my LGS so when i do get back into it, ill get some games in. tell me, would you never take a battlecruiser or is one at 1000pts too wasteful? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/241432-um-vs-tyranids/#findComment-2916324 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShinyRhino Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Neat! I've on ly ever played one game of BFG, but it was really fun. It was a simultaneous game alongside an Apocalypse battle. Any time one of your capital ships managed to get within the gravity well of the main planet, you could walk over and immediately drop an Apocalypse template blast on the Apoc battle. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/241432-um-vs-tyranids/#findComment-2916451 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of Rawl Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Never played BFG before but am really interested now Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/241432-um-vs-tyranids/#findComment-2916453 Share on other sites More sharing options...
greatcrusade08 Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Never played BFG before but am really interested now its a good game and doesnt last that long, 1000 pts is a good size tbh my friends and i used to play 4 way games at 2000 pts each, took ages, more of a laugh really. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/241432-um-vs-tyranids/#findComment-2916456 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 Well, the battlebarge would have soaked up nearly half my points...at bigger points sure, but at 1k, not so useful. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/241432-um-vs-tyranids/#findComment-2916469 Share on other sites More sharing options...
greatcrusade08 Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 ive always found the strike cruiser to be over costed compared to chaos and imperial crusiers.. if it werent for the bombardment cannon they would be next to useless.. but i guess you need multiples to make them work Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/241432-um-vs-tyranids/#findComment-2916478 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Emperor's Champion Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Hmmmm..... That reminds me, I need to learn to play BFG. I find myself suddenly in possession of a large Space Marine Fleet, courtesy of Megamarines. I wonder if anyone around here even plays it..... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/241432-um-vs-tyranids/#findComment-2916523 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 Strike cruisers are amazing when used properly. Properly, to me, means a squadron of no less than four (and usually no more than four, either). 160 points for two shields/turrets, 6+ armor, high Ld, superior assault boats, boarding bonuses, and bombardment cannons standard is quite nice, to me. Most people apparently think the bombardment cannon swap is overpowered, and the option should have only been a FP3 cannon, tops. I kinda agree...but then I also enjoy more blasting power! ;) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/241432-um-vs-tyranids/#findComment-2916538 Share on other sites More sharing options...
greatcrusade08 Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 its got less hit points and costed about the same as a larger more durable imperial cruiser, so i think the bombardment cannon makes it more worthwhile.. i like them. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/241432-um-vs-tyranids/#findComment-2916750 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 A comparable IN cruiser, the Dauntless, is far weaker. Same hits, shields, turrets, but 35 less points for no super fighter/assault boats and 5+ armor. Upgrade to the extra shield and it's 160 compared to the minimal IN cruiser cost of 180. The IN cruiser generally will then have slightly stronger guns and two extra hit points but will still lack the thunderhawks and all-round 6+ armor. IN ships are most effective when showing their broadsides, reducing armor to just a 5+ normally. Also, IN ships are slower and only turn 45 degrees as opposed to the strike cruiser's 90. In a 1v1 slug match...nothing will usually happen, as neither has enough firepower to break through the shields. The thunderhawks are the deciding factor though, crippling the IN ship by taking away it's ability to fight. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/241432-um-vs-tyranids/#findComment-2916775 Share on other sites More sharing options...
karden00 Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Ahh I miss BFG...I had a 100 pt space marine fleet back when it was getting a push...gosh was that back in the year 2000? I loved the concept, flow, heck pretty much everything about BFG was a hit for me, but I could Only get games against GW staffers, it was so unpopular in my hood. I ended up giving almost all of my fleet away, they were so unused =( Would you suggest, Seahawk (as the only one Ive seen mention BFG in ages, Im choosing you as my authority on the subject) any places to get my hands on unused, unwanted, misfit fleets, or just keep an eye out on Ebay? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/241432-um-vs-tyranids/#findComment-2917080 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted November 5, 2011 Author Share Posted November 5, 2011 Ebay is your best bet. Bitz Barn has most things a little cheaper than retail as well, though you can order stuff through the Warstore for definite cheaper cost. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/241432-um-vs-tyranids/#findComment-2917278 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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