The Renascibilitas Crusade [Redemptor WIP]

[Marshal Mattias]

So the next project is a fairly basic one, as I lack the funds currently for buying anything new:

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/89C3B5FE-ED6F-441E-B81A-A0F21F9B8B6B_zps9ydnf8sf.jpg

 

I have a dilapidated original metal Land Raider Crusader which has suffered over the years. However, I acquired new plastic hurricane bolter sponsons, so have dismantled and begun cleaning up parts in the hope that it can be reborn along with the rest of my crusade. A little greenstuff in gaps, a respray, and hopefully my Crusader can bring glory to the battlefield!

 

EDIT: In deference to the vehicle's Veteran status, I will be keeping the old metal sponson-shields. They are too awesome not to use!

Edited August 7, 2014 by Marshall Mattias

[Marshal Mattias]

Short report:

 

The Renascibilitas crusade stumbled upon a minor Tyranid incursion, and had to make do with what limited resources they had available at short notice to try and neutralise the threat. This they achieved successfully, thanks to tempered Zeal and timely action.

 

(Pick up game using a selection of borrowed marine models in store).

 

3x MSU crusader squads with plasma and missile/las/heavy bolter.

 

1x 10/4 Crusaders with dual P-Swords, flamer, LRC with Multimelta.

 

1x 6 crusaders with dual p-swords and flamer.

 

1x captain AA, BB, Grav Pistol

1x Chapter Master, termi, thunder hammer, Primarch's Wrath.

 

1x Stormtalon with twin linked las cannon.

 

The enemy had a flying tyrant with a horrible number of shooting attacks and the ability to regenerate, some big mobs of warriors and some 'thropes, plenty of gaunts of various types, and some deep striking ravagers/lictors.

 

Is never played tyranids before and was pleasantly surprised at just how effective all my shooting was. However, the tyrant was an absolute monster who wiped a 4-man squad in one shooting round, and also took my talon out in his turn after it showed up. Despite wounding it probably 6 times at least, it kept regenerating. Thankfully, his gaunts were kept in check by bolter fire and the LRC. The captain and unit inside made short work of the deep-strikers in a bloody round of combat which saw them lose a single neophyte. The chapter-master's squad saw casualties from the tyrant in another round of shooting, so he charged alone out of his building into a mob of gaunts, smashing plenty. The enemy joined that combat with his warriors and Prime, who accepted the challenge from the chapter master. Obviously, the CM turned the prime into paste on the end of his hammer.

 

At game end, the tyranid assault had faltered, but the flyrant was still free to move after vectoring the talon. I held 3 objectives to his 2, taking first blood and losing line breaker. A slim win, but it could probably have gone either way, had the game continued into extra time. I just couldn't get that tyrant to crash-land where I could finish him off properly!

[Marshal Mattias]

+++Sector Review:Imperial Records++++

+++Information acquired by REDACTED+++

+++Intelligence regarding Black Templar Activities+++

 

Restoration work continues unabated on the ancient Crusader-pattern Land Raider 'Consecrare,' one of the few surviving vehicles of the 'Lost' crusade. Its completion will bring new strength to the Renascibilitas Crusade, and may well bring new purpose to the growing force, heralding the start of major operations in the sector.

Troubling reports of growing warp-influence in the region have prompted the high command to gather intelligence in advance of a great purge. The Templars are seemingly resistant to this insidious threat, and are readying for war. The enemies of mankind are already beginning to grow fearful. It is my belief that those tattered remnants of the missing crusade are indeed unaffected by their long voyage in the warp, and have remained pure and loyal to the Emperor. As such, I recommend that we make official contact immediately, as they may well be interested in partaking in our planned manoeuvres - a common goal could see our forces aligned for greater strength.

Imperator Vult.

 

+++END REPORT+++

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/60BFFAFB-6F3A-473B-8A49-7CFBAEBAD0E4_zps3cegd56f.jpg

[Marshal Mattias]

Oh wowsers, I'm super psyched (not psyker!) that on Wednesday, I should have a game against Orks :) I've never had the chance to play them before, so I'd really appreciate some pointers on what to expect. I caught the tail-end of a game the other day in which he was definitely running some heli-type units, some deep striking rocket packs and some two-legged walkers, plus a massive mob of boys. I'd dearly love to get some Helsreach-esque action going on! (Except of course I would like to end the match with a few more survivors).

 

Maybe I can bring my new (old) land raider?

 

Load'em up:

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/9ABA6650-9520-4E14-886F-5858BFB11E7A_zpsxscuvapj.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/03E214B9-F937-4D96-B8BB-476C1E92AE4E_zpsdpiw9gph.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/0927375C-2E17-49D1-A6DC-E9E9FDAAA77F_zpsauj8zpkc.jpg

 

What does that say? Lest ye forget:

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/E5F26244-3707-4ED4-B7DF-C7C9A100B772_zpsprkphec2.jpg

 

Crusade expansion status: Successful.

Edited August 23, 2014 by Marshall Mattias

[Marshal Mattias]

Reclusiarch Mortshtekk had returned, the Garian's Lament Crusade had been successful and the planet lay empty behind them. Every trace of the filth that had crawled upon it was burned and purged away. The acknowledgement of his report arrived from the Eternal Crusader, noting his success and little else. He didn't care, he had brought the Emperor's light to a dead world and now it was cleansed and soon to be re-claimed by the Mechanicus, under strict supervision by the Ordos of the Inquisition. The Templars were already clear of the system; let the politicians squabble over the spoils.

It was going to be complicated, and the Reclusiarch was happier to remember simpler times...

 

++++------------++++

 

Armageddon; the third war. A small Black Templar force was moving to link up with Imperial forces moving towards Helsreach. Chaplain Mortshtekk was leading his brethren in the rites of upcoming battle aboard his ancient Land Raider Crusader 'Consecrare', escorting the venerable Vindicator 'Vult.' The demolisher cannon would be invaluable in breaking through the ragged Ork outposts blocking the main roads to the hive city. Out to their flanks, a squadron of Landspeeders hummed through the dry air, kicking up great clouds of ash as they scouted ahead.

Suddenly, the warning sounded over the vox - "Orks ahead, a crude ambush attempt. How shall we proceed?"

"Get me a link to the nearest strike cruiser."

+++++----------------+++++

 

Mission: Crusade :D

(Opponent didn't have the cards and wanted to keep it simple).

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/3644AD53-00D0-4E99-AAEA-C94973BBB408_zpsoerntx4g.jpg

 

Templars have initiative, allow enemy to deploy first.

Orks spread their lines wide, with lootas in upstairs ruins and battle wagon with burnas outside next to meganobs. Warlord in two massive footslogging boys squads in the centre. Out to my right flank, he deploys his grots and their artillery, supported by 5 bikers and another empty battle-wagon with loads of shootiness.

 

Templars deploy cautiously, using cover to keep the LRC and Vidicator behind limited ruins to the centre-left, with the solo Typhoon speeder in support. The two-speeder squadron takes the wide right flank, again out of LOS.

 

 

The enemy is thrown by the arrival of the Templars and the alerts of incoming drop pods - they wait for the Templars to make the first move.

 

Honoured Brother Ludovic, clad in iron, drops precisely onto the left objective and climbs out into the edge of the ruins below the large loota squad. A small squad of crusaders with 4 shotgun neophytes and a flamer/maul land next to him, entering the ground floor, the pods blocking in the battle wagon and securing the leftmost objective.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/31CBF59C-1BC0-4408-B3C8-B62898794251_zpsx1te72ln.jpg

 

The vindicator moves up and blasts the battle wagon, only stunning it but taking out two meganobs and causing the third to flee. The LRC moves up 6" and takes another hull point from the wagon, as does the combined shooting from all the speeders. Vehicle wrecked, the burnas climb out behind.

 

The deathwinds in the pods fire on the lootas, killing 5, and the large boys squad contains the warlord killing 10! No kidding, it was glorious.

The ironclad roasts the other 4 lootas on the 1st floor, and the last one upstairs runs 12" down and towards the board edge.

The crusaders on the ground floor fire on the burnas, killing 4 out of 8.

The emperor looks down on this fine work and smiles on his most true of warriors.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/B4E88CEA-A1E5-4240-B884-1E56EF02C78A_zpsbaj1aqug.jpg

 

The burnas move up to engage the crusaders, ready to charge with their AP3 combat ability. The meganob and loota both rally. The Warlord squad moves up to engage the crusader drop pod in order to fight their way through toward the objective. The other boyz squad moves towards the centre objective. The bikers head out wide around the flank. The artillery has no targets, and the rockets from the battle wagon surviving, fail to scratch the AV13 of the vindicator.

The drop pod is wrecked, but they only consolidate 1". The burnas charge, and lose three in overwatch to neophyte shotguns, while the fourth one is taken out in a single swing by the power-maul initiate.

 

5-man assault team drop pods in onto the right objective, moves into cover, wishes they had brought another Deathwind for dealing with the massive squad which is bound to now head their way. Shooting still removes several orks from the mob.

The dread burns out the last loota. The LRC moves forward and deploys the Chaplain, Emperor's Champion and the 10-man squad, ready to hammer the warlord squad.

The crusaders in the ruins act as the anvil, wearing down the other side of the squad with a hail of shooting from the ruins. No further shooting on this squad so as not to gimp the charge distance.

The vindicator has slid past the LRC and fires at the other large boyz squad, but scatters onto the wagon scoring a hull point. The 3 typhoons all fire on the bikers but only manage to kill 2.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/EB37BF31-4A9B-4622-ACF8-856E56442724_zpsul3nrjw6.jpg

 

My big squad charge the monstrous warlord and declare a challenge, as my warlord trait is 'Champion of Humanity' and also, you know, Black Templar. Despite re-rolls, the duelling champ only hits twice and fails to wound... (This guy NEEDS more attacks). The warlord squashes him in response. Eep, that didn't go as planned...

The Chaplain is enraged, and the Templars wipe the squad to a single remaining boy, but lack the punch to take out the boss.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/14C54490-26F7-4993-9165-0C36560FA37C_zpsemsmlwo0.jpg

 

The mega survivor moves round to potshot at the crusaders in ruins. His charge is successful but he is pulled down by the squad before he can cause casualties. They consolidate out onto the objective.

The wagon whiffs his shooting again.

The bikes open fire on the Speeder squadron, causing 2 hull points which is split between them (we weren't sure if this was correct, but it didn't matter too much).

The wagon and grot artillery manage to put out a hull point on the vindicator.

The boyz charge into the ruins, and lose several to overwatch and the first strikes of the 5-man team. They have a total of 64 attacks, and somehow only pull down 3 of the 5... Until he remembers his Nob with power klaw has not struck yet, just managing to take the last squad members out. (Which was a shame, because he would have lost the combat if even just one of my guys survived).

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/0C70A37F-335B-4857-BC9C-3E47D6C39AD4_zpslmalsh9e.jpg

 

The combat with the warlord is looking grim as his boss bellows a challenge. The sword brother of the squad steps up to die for the Emperor, leaving the rest of the squad to butcher the last boy and batter the warlord with their leftover attacks. With the hidden power axe and the chaplain's maul, they manage to put a couple of wounds on the warlord, but he isn't running away.

 

The LRC claims the central objective, the pod-crusaders claim the leftmost, and the enemy mob consolidates onto the right, their 'objective secured' rule overriding my fast-attack drop pod... (For all that two flamers is great, I may try and stick to only ever putting troops in pods for these second-wave roles).

The dread stomps into the enemy deployment zone, ready to charge into the the rear of the warlord combat. The 3 typhoons blast the remaining bikers apart.

 

The Ork spirit breaks, and they flee en masse, conceding the game.

 

With two objectives, linebreaker and first blood, vs one objective and warlord:

Black Templars 8 - 4 Orks

 

The Ork warboss was just too tough for my Champ, I realised that I only needed a single 6 with his AP2 to cause instant death, but he just doesn't have the attacks needed to give him the chance, especially when he needs 5+ or something to wound. If i had used the unwieldly stance for a strength bonus, I might have wounded him a couple of times but I'd still not have slain him in the first round. Of course, I failed both invulnerable saves when the boss struck back, which was a shame.

 

List Review:

 

The ironclad and crusaders were great, they devastated some killer units that would have threatened my armour and infantry, and used their pods to block access to objectives. The doomed LRC squad still demolished something like twice their numbers in Ork boys on a single charge, it was pretty awesome. They just needed something tougher than the EC to lead them against the Warboss, a captain with BB, or a SE/fist/hammer combo would have been better, but more pricey.

The Deathwind launchers are incredible against anyone with massive squads and poor saves. Even though they only got one shot off each, they were point-for-point the deadliest upgrade I bought :P

The vindicator did...okay? He didn't manage the one-shot-kill on anything, but he got two megas and some hull points, while drawing ALL the enemy AT fire, so purpose well-served. The typhoons were good too, their range and mobility let them score two hull point from the battle-wagon side armour, while staying entirely out of range or LOS from return fire. Also, when the left flanker wasn't required in support, he was able to swiftly re-locate in support of the other flank.

Truly, the only under-performers were the assault squad (because I allowed myself to get carried away about dropping directly on the objective, putting them too close to the enemy), and the EC (because he kinda sucks, but I also threw him up against a much too tough opponent).

 

Hope you enjoyed this "flashback" to the origins of the Renascibilitas Crusade on Armageddon. Chaplain Mortshtekk received a commendation for his fearlessness in keeping the squad together, even in the face of the beast that felled their Champion. While the creature escaped, the casualties on the Templar side were minimal, and the armoured column was successful in reaching Hive Helsreach and joining with the survivors there.

Who knows, perhaps this Ork Warlord is still out there somewhere, recuperating, waiting for a chance at revenge...

Now 'Reclusiarch' Mortshtekk is older, wiser and more badass than ever, ready to deliver the finishing blow!

[Bernard The slayer]

Lol all that worry about have to dead woo the megatons and they run off turn one

[MrSocks]

Some great battle reports in here (with a nice amount of narrative) and a lovely army! As someone who has also returned to the hobby recently it is nice to see someone build and paint an army so well so quickly. (and I'm still sitting here with a squad of scouts which are slowly getting done!)

 

Out of curiosity what do you think of landspeeder typhoons. I haven't had a landspeeder since the beginning of 3rd when they came in the starter set and I bought one recently, they really appeal to my style of play (having switched from blood angels fast vehicles to ultramarines slow ones... :(. ) but I wondered what kind of luck you'd had with them?

[Marshal Mattias]

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated. I was lucky in that I have a chunk of infantry already, so I've been getting to just build and paint fun elite/Hq stuff.

 

As for typhoons, I got my own first speeder in the box set like you :) I've since sourced some plastic missile sponsons online for a few quid to give the option to all three of my speeders, (hooray for magnets).

Gameplay-wise, they're still incredible value at 75 points. They are very mobile, and considering the kinds of in-your-face threats I like to bring to the table, they survive reasonably well. They're great for dishing out hull points and taking on transports, or swing them across-table to punch holes in MEQ units, maybe switch up to frags and blow apart a horde. I love them, and they are easy to hide behind terrain/land raiders. The longer you keep them out of LOS, the better. Just about anything that shoots at them has a chance of knocking them out of the sky. With most of my opponents, their long range shots are all anti-tank and they are forced to fire at ironclads/Vindicators/landraiders, while their more medium-strength guns are out-ranged by my typhoons. Thumbs up from me, as long as you play them carefully :)

[MrSocks]

Yeah fair, I guess with an strike of drop pods in the first turn they're far down the target priority list, thanks for the info!

[Marshal Mattias]

The tyranid menace rears its foul countenance once more...

Dispatched by the Renascibilitas Crusade to face the enemy tomorrow are;

 

Castellan, BB/Grav Pistol

Chaplain

 

LRC w/MM, 7/5 Crusaders, SB w/Fist, Meltagun, Maul.

 

Stormraven, MM, las. 5 Crusaders, flamer.

 

Ironclad, HFlamers, drop, Deathwind.

 

Vindicator, siege shield.

 

Typhoon Speeders x2.

 

Total, 1498.

 

Any suggested tweaks or Raven tactics? Never flown one before!

[Marshal Mattias]

A Tyranid swarm has landed on an Imperial world, already devouring the first settlement they encountered. The Renascibilitas Crusade responds, diverting an armoured contingent to halt the spread and eliminate the creatures before they can draw more of their kind. But the Xenos' numbers swell; will this intervention be enough?

 

-------------------------------------

 

Tyranid Forces approximation:

 

2x Flyrant with 2 twin-linked devourers (12 shots of str 6 each)

Both also had a template-haywire assault weapon of some sort.

 

1x Lictor

9x Ravager(?) (multi-wound, rending claws)

10x Warriors in 3 squads

2x zoanthropes for cover saves

2x maxed gaunt squads

 

He rolled a strategic trait that allowed him to nominate multiple units as infiltrators, allowing him to push his lines forward early on.

He rolls his psychic powers and I don't remember exactly what he got, except that he was pretty disappointed and the only power he really used was a WS/BS-reducing malediction.

 

My list was as posted previously, with Initiate Bob and his flying carpet taking on the role of 'Stormraven' and waiting in reserves with my drop-dread and typhoons.

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/73704880-69FE-48BD-ACE8-DFCA6797BDAA_zpsvdv1lbml.jpg

 

I rolled 'Champion of Humanity' again. Considered the likelihood of getting my Castellan into a challenge with his flyrant; decided anything is better than rolling 'Fear'.

The mission is Maelstrom 6, where our tactical objectives start at 6 each, then drop by 1 each turn. Night fighting is in effect, along with mysterious objectives.

 

-------------------------------------

 

Tyranids deploy heavily along their right, with warriors in cover on objective 6, and large gaunt squads preparing for a long run.

Big squad of ravagers in reserve.

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/DD6D2ECB-89E6-4C01-AE6E-17EF2FB47CFA_zpsqdictmcj.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/694708C1-EED9-4583-B7F6-4ACCD02AB04E_zpsmooqa22i.jpg

 

My warlord, chaplain and large crusader squad deploy in their Crusader between lots of terrain, as far forward and central as possible. The vindicator parks in ground-floor ruins to the right, gaining cover for his rear and left flank. Nothing else starts on the table!

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/42027DDC-4CD0-4DEA-A85A-1289D4D57CDC_zpspfye6ekv.jpg

Infiltration of lictor into cover on tyranid left flank. Warlord infiltrates with 4 warriors deep into my board edge, in cover on my left flank on objective 2. Second flyrant uses infiltrate to push towards the centre behind tall terrain. I feel slightly nervous about the freedom of movement for the tyrants. Tyranids keep the initiative and launch their push under cover of darkness. Game on!

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/655106F2-1B05-49E7-85B7-CF14ED738D9B_zpssrbk5cih.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/0B8F6730-834A-4475-BB26-F7A773488720_zpsrudpbew1.jpg

 

Tyranid 1

 

Large gaunt swarm pushes down towards his infiltrated warlord and warriors.

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/F361FDC6-A9B4-46FF-BF24-FF8DFE97019F_zps8w1kjn9h.jpg

Second flyrant swoops over to the exposed right flank of the vindicator and fires his haywire, but whiffs. Manages a glance from his devourer. Unearths objective 4 as a +1 to cover, and re-roll shooting 1's on objective 6.

The rest of the turn is spent shuffling around and trying to decide what to do with all that lovely Ceramite.

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/F361FDC6-A9B4-46FF-BF24-FF8DFE97019F_zps8w1kjn9h.jpg

 

Templar 1

 

Ironclad drops straight next to the warriors on objective 6, and burns one to a crisp while wounding the zoanthrope as well. The Deathwind fires at the gaunts, but scatters a little and doesn't get as many as hoped. Also, several survive thanks to buffed cover saves.

 

The LRC rolls up to claim objective 2, which turns out to be skyfire nexus - oh yeah :)

With no chance of hitting any tyrants this turn, it fires everything at the exposed gaunts and blows several to pieces.

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/8878332E-D91F-40F3-B484-1D3193BFDFDA_zpsgsenqnaf.jpg

The Vindicator plows through the cover to put ruins between him and the flyrant, and line up a long shot at the gaunts running towards the safety of the ruins by their warlord, adding to the tally from the LRC.

 

Tyranid 2

 

The warlord doesn't like the skyfire bonus, decides against tangling with the LRC and retreats full speed to the centre of the board. He can't see the dread due to the pod placement, so glances the pod to pieces.

The other flyrant retreats back behind cover as well, trying to shoot at the dread and causing a glance, I think.

The gaunts finish their rush upfield and hide behind the ruins. The centre warriors and zoanthrope move into the building nearby and claim objective 3, Grav generator. The rear gaunt squad is unsure where to go and just tries to find some LoS cover.

The ravagers deep-strike safely onto their lictor-beacon and start eyeing-up the ironclad.

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/71B29DE2-006D-41D3-A529-078757A9F9D3_zps7dswu2bo.jpg

Psychic phase sees the LRC successfully impaired and reduced to BS2 for the turn, reducing the benefits of his skyfire somewhat.

 

Templar 2

 

Raven Bob comes in and fires on the beta-tyrant, putting a couple of wounds on him.

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/A848C29A-017D-421D-8DEB-D7D63CACA63A_zpsziypdyk8.jpg

One typhoon deep strikes into the enemy board edge near the ironclad and targets the zoanthrope, finishing it off and breaking the cover buff while fulfilling a TacOb.

The ironclad burns the warriors again before charging into combat and splattering them.

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/7D43E32F-6E77-4743-B6B1-C47351800C89_zpsacqagrab.jpg

Vindicator moves up to claim objective 1 and fires at the clumped up mob of Ravagers... unfortunately scattering just enough to only kill one - very disappointing. Manages a wound from the storm bolter too, but this is small consolation.

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/4E5DE3CA-D8F9-4E42-961A-3E1FAB05B89E_zps9yosbtul.jpg

LRC fires full-auto at the retreating Warlord Tyrant, but the malediction serves it's purpose and despite re-rolls, the Tyrant only has to jink a couple of hits.

 

Tyranid 3

 

The enemy warlord moves behind a large building, shooting at the Typhoon. The typhoon dodges an impressive 5 times but spirals to the ground under the barrage of fire.

The second tyrant had been forced to jink and snap-fired at the raven but failed to trouble it.

The warriors all found they still had nothing to target ;)

The ravagers made a dash for the ironclad and stormed into combat. This was troubling, as the wall-of-fire made little impact thanks to their multi-wound nature. Also, some foul malediction had gone off against the dread, dropping him to WS 1 for the turn. Brother Ludovic stood strong, taking a glance from a rending hit (due to the horrific number of attacks the unit put out). Smashed one in return, for Dorn.

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/EE14F3FF-E242-4C2D-9548-72190326D015_zpsjwscazua.jpg

 

Templar 3

 

The LRC unit moved up to gain a fire-lane against the horde of gaunts bubble-wrapping the warriors on objective 4, obliterates most and leaves around 8 survivors.

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/1DA53B38-C0E2-4D79-B36F-50D1BA9000A4_zpsdfz0zwyv.jpg

 

The vindicator takes a pot shot at the rear unit of gaunts again, they are now around half strength.

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/40383735-BF76-464A-8C44-A5661E1118B6_zpsiko4dfgi.jpg

The Raven moves forward at reduced speed to clear the buildings, sweeping in to fire on the flyrant again, putting out two more wounds.

The second typhoon deep strikes into the enemy table edge near the only undiscovered objective, number 5, firing on the warlord but failing to force the jink.

The massive assault continues, poor Ludovic taking one more glance and scoring another kill despite the hampering witch powers.

 

Tyranid 4

 

The heavily depleted gaunts try to hide behind cover on the other side of the ruins on objective 4.

The rear squad runs into the combat with Ludovic to hide from the demolisher cannon, while the wounded flyrant moves to vector-strike the Raven, but to no effect. He shoots at the vindicator and glances again. The warlord tyrant fires everything at the raven who has to jink, nullifying all but a glancing hit.

The ravagers finally knock the ironclad to the ground, consolidating back out towards the raven. This is a worrying barrage of hull points taken from the Templars! However, worth noting that in this round both the Raven and the Ironclad managed to Deny the Witch ;)

 

Templar 4

 

The large crusader squad finally disembarks ready to charge into the fray and take objective 4. As the gaunts have moved outside the controlling building, they focus on the synapse creatures. The LRC opens fire on the warriors and kills two of them, while the crusaders fire just the Meltagun at the warriors and destroy another, leaving only a single one standing for the Castellan to take on in combat, scoring several tactical objectives this turn.

The vindicator turns to fire at the Lictor who had moved into objective 5, killing him outright. The jinked Raven drops into hover to spin and snapfire at the wounded flyrant, but fails to hit the creature despite the short range.

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/F0C4F6CE-6B0E-461F-95CB-6C9F0060E37A_zpsvgjugr1x.jpg

Thankfully, the typhoon comes to his aid, scoring an impressive number of long-range hits that sends the beast tumbling to the ground, to the sound of much rejoicing from the Templars! TacOb scored! Careful planning comes into effect this turn as the Templars rack up at least 4 victory points in one fell swoop, despite their losses.

 

Tyranid 5

 

The warlord hurtles towards the raven, intent on avenging its brood-mate, but the pilot heroically evades the vector strike and shooting attacks. Another deny the witch roll is made successfully :)

The mid-table warriors excitedly ready their guns and attempt to fire a large-blast pinning attack at the crusaders behind their transport, but it scatters 11" into nowhere. They make a strange chittering sound which is oddly like a sigh, even I feel a little pity for them until I remember I'm a Templar and laugh loudly.

The gaunts turn and launch an assault against the crusaders in the ruins. The angle they enter from means they technically don't pass through any cover, so they strike at the same time as the Castellan. Despite his best efforts, the heat from his sword causes his iron halo to flare in his defence and in the momentary breach of his defences, several gaunts slip past him and one of the neophytes tragically falls beneath the beasts before the rest of the squad can finish them off.

The ravagers make an impressive charge distance to hit the Vindicator, scoring enough hits to finally wreck the vehicle. Although he hasn't quite made any of his 'big' shots this game, he has chipped away at enough squads to earn his honours, also while securing a good half of the 6x4 table and keeping the swarm in manageable chunks. Their consolidation takes them in the direction of the crusaders...

 

Templar 5

 

For Dorn! For Sigismund! For The EEEMMMMPRRRAAAAHHHHHH!

 

The crusaders charge into the LRC, which smashes through the terrain and opens its hatches again to allow them to disembark once more, leaving their transport holding objective 4 while punting them toward the ravagers. They throw themselves at the enemy, and pay a price for it - the inexperienced neophytes are the only ones to fall wounded by the hulking creatures. This drives the Templars into a fury, and between the Flaming Blade, Crozius, Maul, Power Fist and Chainswords, they pump out enough wounds to leave only a single ravager cowering in its broken shell.

The jink of the Raven limits its firing ability again, and the aerial-ballet continues as the enemy warlord dodges the fire again. The typhoon adds its own firepower but nothing is able to bring the beast to earth.

 

I keep my fingers crossed for one more turn to try and finish the ravagers, ground the tyrant and challenge him in single combat!

 

But the game ends! (This is the only time a Templar is allowed to show remorse).

 

Final result (I can't find the bit of paper, but it was approximately 11-6 in favour of the Templars).

 

Not a true victory however; the foul enemy alpha escaped into the wilderness and will need to be hunted down... Another battle for another day!

 

(Sorry the pictures thinned out - we started to run out of time as per usual!)

 

So, any critiques/corrections/advice? All is thoroughly welcomed!

[Marshal_Roujakis]

Pretty good Battle Report

Hope to see the actual Stormraven soon because using a place holder also means facing issues and LoS issues when using the actual Flyer.

 

Also, I would just like to point out... the Warlord Traits in the Space Marine book is very very very lackluster... 

In the C:SM you have:

• Fear
• 1 time Furious Charge
• 1 time 12" reroll to Hit
• 12" Ld buff
• +1 to Assault results if your Warlord is locked in combat
• +D3 VP when your Warlord slays the enemy Warlord

This is just my opinion but the Warlord Traits in the Rulebook is better anyday

You could have:

 

Personal Trait

• Counter-Attack
• Furious Charge (not One Use Only, you could do this whenever you charge)
• Outflank (outflanking LRC?)
• 1VP for EVERY CHARACTER SLAIN BY YOUR WARLORD
• Feel No Pain
• Fearless AND It will Not Die

Command Trait

• 12" Ld buff
• Enemies within 12" uses LOWEST Ld value not highest
• 12" Move through Cover
• 12" +1 distance when they run or charge (I Love this one )
• 12" rerolls shooting hits of 1
• 12" rerolls melee hits of 1

Then you have Tactical Traits too for Maelstrom missions and Strategic Traits which are great to mess around your opponents tactics or improve your own. I'd just suggest taking a look at them as they far outshine the Warlord Traits in our Codex.

 

My EC loves the no. 4 Personal Trait... I run him as a Capt. with BB and Artificer Armour and he just wins games for me... especially against Chaos

Edited October 5, 2014 by Marshal_Roujakis

[Marshal Mattias]

Thanks, I agree, only once have I found the warlord traits from the codex any use. I think I will make a point of rolling on the personal traits as 'default' instead. Yes, the proxy-raven is due to not wanting to rush the building process, I want to get some magnets and Templar bits in there. I hope to have it built at least before my next match. As far as the match went, I asked my opponent nicely and offered the benefit of the doubt in any Los/facing issues. As it was, there was never any question in this match, the raven always had clear lines and was only attacked from head-on. So that was lucky ;)

[Marshal Mattias]

Raven work-in-progress;

 

Every Templar a Knight - "I'm flying us in closer so I can hit them with my sword!"

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/127B2122-B778-4A45-A060-1EA4B0B835D2_zpsoskeash8.jpg

 

I tried my hand trimming the landraider door down, but I was struggling to make it fit just right. So I made my own gubbins and I think they turned out rather well :)

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/F9BB9744-4DE2-4064-8924-85F923DBFB30_zpsvo8ldjhy.jpg

[Brother Christopher]

I'm sorry, sir. But I'm borrowing the idea for the front ramp. Is that okay with you?

 

What you did is classy, tasteful and very BT. I've been struggling with coming with a good idea for the ramp of my Storm Eagle. I need a thicker ramp to hide the magnets, and I could do that under the book and cross. I was thinking about a huge Maltese cross, but there was always something off about the idea. But your design... GW couldn't have done it better! I commend you on this idea, and execution. I'm kind of rendered speechless now.

[Marshal Mattias]

Cool, I'm glad you like it :) I just rummaged in the bits box for a while, and when I saw those =I= books with the sword, I couldn't resist turning them into something more BT. I'm not completely sold on my attempts to GS a chain across the book, but perhaps it will stay (even if it makes painting the whole thing a bit harder :P)

That front ramp definitely needed something, given how prominent it is once it is up on the flying stand. I'm looking at all these bits now and feeling like I can probably finish it off, although I may still get hold of the brass from FW anyway!

Cool, I'm glad you like it :) I just rummaged in the bits box for a while, and when I saw those =I= books with the sword, I couldn't resist turning them into something more BT. I'm not completely sold on my attempts to GS a chain across the book, but perhaps it will stay (even if it makes painting the whole thing a bit harder :P)

That front ramp definitely needed something, given how prominent it is once it is up on the flying stand. I'm looking at all these bits now and feeling like I can probably finish it off, although I may still get hold of the brass from FW anyway!

 

EDIT: Do also check out the Dolorous Crusade to see how a landraider side-door can be cut to fit the front ramp. It may give you the thickness you require to stash the magnets. I'm afraid to say I tried but just couldn't manage the same level of finish and had to get creative and look for alternatives.

Edited October 10, 2014 by Marshall Mattias

[Brother Christopher]

I understand your feelings about GS too well - I always get that with my attempts (and I envy those, who can mould GS to their will). I'd say that the chain is good (it will be especially after painting), but if you're not certain, there's always room for improvement. You could also consider making it less stretched, hanging loosely like on BT chapter upgrade doors. But that's a suggestion. And there's the problem of the slant ramp - the loose chain should would hang from the ramp, unless pressed to it be air when the Raven flies.

[Marshal Mattias]

Yeah, I wanted it to look a little like it is binding the book to the front in the same way the as the chains around the sword, so it should be fairly taught. Of course, who ties a real book to an aeroplane? Maybe they are real crusade relics and have their own tiny stasis field, like the relics aboard the Eternal Crusader? Maybe they are more like a sculpted figurehead, and it's all symbolic. Doesn't matter really :)

[Brother Christopher]

Of course, who ties a real book to an aeroplane? Maybe they are real crusade relics and have their own tiny stasis field, like the relics aboard the Eternal Crusader?

 

Haha. Fair point. But, I think that's very Templar. I always pictured our chapter to be more, hm, robust, in-your-face-like. So it's in our nature to ram things, even if the rammer is a flyer. So placing an open book on a nose of a vehicle is a good idea to give the literate foe one, last lesson in his life, just before he is splattered onto the ramp. There the stasis field comes in handy - removing liquids from parchment is just meh.

[Marshal Mattias]

More WIP:

 

Installing Brother Sterling into his cockpit, weapons ready just incase.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/26F90EBB-C203-49BC-9665-AE1BC5F5FEAF_zpsgdtbwkgc.jpg

 

The interior has had a simple painting, now the fuselage assembly can begin. I have some larger magnets on order for the wings.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/FC1BFFC6-37FE-444B-ADA9-57CD1F8480B7_zpsa9zlguej.jpg

 

Also, I'm considering trying to use magnets to allow the landing gear to be be both up or down. Has anyone here done this, or stumbled across someone who has? I'm concerned I could spend ages drilling and cutting only to discover that it's completely unstable and can't hold the weight

[AndrewChristlieb]

*Stchz* "Brothers, this is the pilot, brace yourselves while I manuver into position to stab something with my sword." *stchz*

 

Love it.

[Marshal_Roujakis]

Magnetized landing gears are in Acebaur's Stromeagle thread, you could look that up or just pm him.

here's Ace's account: Acebaur

[Acebaur]

I did indeed magnetize my Storm Eagle Landing gear. Though I had the advantage of having both the gear for it as well as extra foot pads from the Raven sprue it comes with.  Though they can be substituted with styrene to show the folded gear. If you like I can post some pics of how I did it.

[Marshal Mattias]

Ooh, that would be great!

I figured perhaps something like a magnet in the hull, magnets on both sides of the central 'mechanisms' then magnets in the 'feet.' That way, the middle can just be removed to leave the feet visibly retracted. But I haven't had a chance to fiddle with them yet and see if it's possible. I'd like to see how you did it though, I have some plasticard knocking around. :)

[Acebaur]

Sure, I'll get some pics up tonight. 

 

I forgot to add, you were worried about it holding the weight. It should be fine, mine holds the Storm Eagle and it is way heavier with all the resin.