The Renascibilitas Crusade [Redemptor WIP]

[Marshal Mattias]

My submission to the Imperial Fists subforum "Sons of Dorn' challenge. I'm saving the unit of counts-as 'Legion of the Damned' for the ETL, but this was an opportunity to give some background to the characters of the unit and explain their presence within the crusade. Call it a 'preview' of things to come :)

 

------

 

+++The Deathless Sons of Dorn+++

 

 

Sword Brother Reric de Conta stood still as a statue under the flickering glare of a faulty light. Such a small thing, probably just a loose connection, but it irritated him. He would find a servitor to repair it upon his return. If they weren't busy with more important repairs, of course. The constant rumble of the engines, along with the shaking of cannon fire and returning impacts had become unremarkable to him after so many months in orbit. The conflict had been ongoing for even longer, but his mission had led him far and wide, only now bringing him back to the front lines. A what a strange mission it was. He had argued at first; now that he looked back on it he couldn't imagine his own insolence at that behaviour. The High Marshal himself had called on him, who was he to question that? But still, it had taken him away from his brothers of many years, and not all of them were still alive when he had returned. And it had seemed so pointless.

 

"Why must we look outside the chapter for these warriors? I could have four of my brothers armed and ready in minutes! Who better to fight at my side than those I trust?"

 

Helbrecht had been unusually patient with him.

"This is no ordinary task, brother. You above all your kin have the experience to lead this mission, it is true. Your escape from the prison-ship over Thantos was most ingenious. You understand the working of engines and devices in a way only the Masters of the Forge could surpass, and your years of void combat have honed your martial skills beyond most of your brethren. But I need others like you if this plan is to work. I don't ask you to trust anyone other than the truest Sons of Dorn himself, do not insult them or the Primarch by your rash judgements. You must find the best among them, and above all they must be like you - survivors, blessed with good fortune by the Emperor. You will understand why when the time comes. Now, your mission is clear, you may begin immediately."

 

The first he had found was the easiest. Veteran Sergeant Rafael of the Crimson Fists. Reric glanced down at his own left gauntlet. The crimson paint was beginning to wear away, flecks of black showing through once again. Another task for his return. The two Astartes had fought together in the gruelling Declates crusade. Both had been elevated due to their acts of heroism in that campaign. The losses to both chapters had been extraordinary, but the toll they had inflicted on the orks was greater. The sergeant had been the last man standing from his original tactical squad. Reric had stumbled over a ridge to find Rafael using his bolter as a club to beat back the mob of orks who had surrounded him. Out of ammunition, and weary, it was the cry of "No Pity! No Remorse" which had renewed the blue-clad warriors spirit in time to survive the coming melee. Reric had arrived like a charging bull, pistol blazing and his ceramite pauldron cracking the skull of the first ork to leap at him. The two sons of Dorn had trekked several miles over rubble and mud together to reach the ork artillery. Sharing ammunition, they had silenced the crews before they knew what had hit them. The Fist then jury-rigged an impressive firework display from the crude assortment of ordnance. The main Ork assault had crumbled shortly after the bombardment was ceased.

Reric looked to his right, the flickering light causing shadows to leap and dance across the marine stood there. The deep crimson of his armoured helm was unmistakeable, the black-and-red Templar cross upon his knee honouring the brother he had fought and bled alongside. He had been quick to pledge himself, and his Captain had reluctantly agreed to allow him to join Reric's team until Rafael deemed his debt fulfilled. It was good that he was here, Reric felt sure he would need him and the Crimson Fist was a veritable expert in the field of demolitions.

 

The next had been difficult. It had required inspiring words - a great many of them in fact - and that was not Reric's speciality. He had requested assistance from a more eloquent brother in arms, none less than Chaplain Grimaldus. That was before he was sent to the surface on his doomed mission to that accursed city. Reric felt a momentary pang of loss - if the chaplain truly did not return, he would be sorry for it. It was Grimaldus who had secured the second of his team and a warrior Reric had come to view with the utmost of respect. Brother Gaius was the last of his kind. There was something about that fact that lent him an incredible core of strength. But he wasn't always that way. When the Imperials had first found him, they had hardly believed their eyes. Floating unnoticed in orbit around the desolate planet that had once held a towering fortress monastery, now just a shattered ruin, was a single stasis pod. The warrior inside was gravely injured and mid-transport when the vessel carrying him had made a split-second decision to jettison the entire contents of the bay holding his sealed pod. As the vessel was destroyed moments later, the single pod went unnoticed in the wreckage. For nearly ten years, it charted a course that saw it circling its former home, coming close to devastating collision more than once. Eventually, a routine Militarum patrol had spotted a faint signal and investigated. Though the small blackened viewport, they could see the unmistakeable purple and silver hue of a dead chapter.

The Astartes inside was awoken in an inquisitorial facility. His early interrogation corroborated what they already believed - here was the last of the Shadow Wolves. When he learned of what had befallen his brothers, the utter extinction of his beloved chapter, he was silent. Days, he passed in meditation, until finally he spoke, requesting a position in the Deathwatch. Given his clean bill of health, the Ordo saw no reason to refuse.

His first few missions saw him throwing himself headlong at the enemy, recklessly and with no regard for his safety. After each mission, the team would voice concern about his motives, and refuse to work with him again. Eventually, Master of the Vigil himself was required to step in. A long conversation was held behind closed doors. Rumours since suggest that the subject of the Blackshields was raised. If a loyal brother could still fight for the Emperor, knowing that his entire chapter had betrayed all he believed in, then it was a failure for brother Gaius to chase death when his brethren died upholding that honour. When he walked from that room, he was different. In truth, he was what the Shadow Wolves were once famed for. He was pragmatic, facing death and staring it down. He endured countless suicidal missions but somehow always came through them. His dogged determination to keep his chapter alive and fighting was incredible, and if anything his martial prowess only increased as he worked alongside such exceptional brethren. In a few short years, he had carved out a reputation as a natural survivor and a gifted member of the strike-team.

He was particularly adept with his multi-melta, lugging the heavy weapon alongside his teammates. His patience and pragmatism made him the ideal support member - he would always pick his shot with exceptional timing, ensuring his target was crippled and no longer a threat. This approach kept his team alive on more than one occasion, and it was this that marked him out to Reric. Gaius, however, was not interested in leaving the brotherhood he had forged among the Deathwatch. They were a replacement for his chapter, giving him purpose. It was only the moving tale that Grimaldus told - as he had personally witnessed the death of the Shadow Wolves as he fought to try and save them - that convinced Gaius to fight alongside the Templars as his brothers once did. His chapter, such as he was, had a duty to uphold. He swore his service to them, and promised to return to the deathwatch should he complete his mission.

That made them three.

 

Number four was a more tragic specimen, worse by the fact that his sad tale was still being woven. The Celestial Lions had deployed heavily in the defence of Armageddon, but something was not right. They were being taken apart piecemeal by friend and foe alike, more times than could be explained. Pride-leader Adembi could only be described as an optimist. On initial deployment, he was aboard a Thunderhawk transporter which was shot down by imperial defences in an apparent accident. Scores of lives and equipment were lost, but Adembi walked away from the crash without any injury. Several days later, his Pride were ambushed by ork kommandos in a sector marked out as 'secured' by the local platoon. They lost their apothecary to a stray shot and most of the unit was slain by carefully laid explosive charges. How the enemy had time to lay such traps was unclear, but once again Adembi fought his way to safety. Later, the survivors were caught in the open when imperial artillery began bombarding their sector. Unable to raise anyone on the vox, they lost another brother before making their way back to base. Such calamities continued, but Adembi faced them all with a grim determination to do his duty. He was a renowned marksman among his company and designated the squad plasma-operator. When word reached Reric of this apparently emperor-blessed warrior, who continued to survive against all the odds, he felt it prudent to meet him. By now, most of the chapter had already been lost in the fighting. None remained of the brothers Adembi had fought side by side with for many years. He saw the offer of this new position as an opportunity to avenge those he had lost. Unable to contact any of his superiors, he was in direct command of all survivors of his company - namely, himself. With nothing to hold him back, he was swift to bring his skills to the new unit. Of course, since then, more information was coming forth, and his resolve was being sorely tested. Not that you could tell, looking at him stood there, carefully checking the calibration of the sights on his rifle, reciting the litanies of battle to its machine spirit. Reric too had heard what had befallen the Lions. At last count, less than 200 remained. That was effectively extinction for most chapters. Reric felt sympathy for Adembi, but couldn't let that cloud his mind now. He would speak to the high command later, and see what they might offer their brother chapter, considering the dedication that Adembi was serving with.

 

The last of their unusual family was the only member to have sought Reric out, rather than the other way around. Frankly, he was the only link in the chain that Reric wasn't completely certain of. He was a capable warrior, this was true. Rarely had a brother Astartes fought alongside the Templars in the melee and matched them blow-for-blow, with the same zeal and ferocity. And he was honourable, it was true. There was something though; Reric was ashamed to admit to himself that perhaps he was suspicious simply because of the chapter with which Brother Keltath served. The Executioners were a problematic sibling among the sons of Dorn. Their 'betrayal' during the Badab wars was serious and yet forgivable, apparently. They had, foolishly, sworn a powerful oath which had drawn them into a war they wished no part in. It had taken them some time and much bloodshed before they had recognised their error, however. "Your honour is your life."

Reric had heard it more times than he could count. He could relate to his disgraced brothers, really, but he had always followed that litany with the guidance handed down by the first High Marshal, Sigismund himself: "Zeal makes all things possible. Duty makes all things simple." It was the last part that stood out in this situation. Their primary duty should always be to the Emperor, no matter their oaths or allegiances. How had they forgotten this? And what if Keltath was to forget his duty again?

Reric chided himself for his doubts. The rogue chapter had been offered a formal chance at redemption, and so far had already been fighting in penance for eighty-six years. It spoke volumes that Keltath had heard of Reric's mission and seen it as an opportunity to further the redemption of his chapter. He knew the slim odds, but also that playing his part would bring much honour to his troubled brethren. Reric could respect that, and had told him as much, but explained that he needed a very particular type of warrior for this task. He could not offer him a place simply due to his good intentions. Keltath had actually laughed, he suspected as much. He had answered on a private vox-channel, with a single word: "Corcyran."

Reric had stood for a time, just looking at him. The Executioner was slightly larger than the average of the Astartes, and even at rest he stood poised, as if expecting to fight. Reric's eyes took in the multiple blades that were strapped to the battered armour of the penitent warrior, and his keen ears could hear faint whirring sounds from beneath the ceramite plate, suggesting grievous wounds and mechanical replacements. If it were true...

The massacre at Corcyran was legendary. Some had gone so far as to dismiss it as false. A single bloody battleground within a derelict facility, its dark corridors slick with gore and scattered bodies. All of them Astartes, the Ececutioners and Carcharodons. Renowned brutal combatants, over one hundred bodies were supposedly found with no survivors claimed by either side. Truly, if one of the Executioners had triumphed, it would have been unwise for the chapter to make it public knowledge while under such scrutiny. To admit it to Reric even now was risky. He looked him up and down once more, then extended his arm to Keltath.

"Welcome aboard."

 

Now he stood alongside him once more in the flickering light, and was glad he would have such a fighter by his side. A strange band they made for sure;

 

The doubtful, the dutiful, the dead, the dying, and the deathless. Together they were brothers, but they were not the same. A warning beep sounded, and Reric could feel the change in the air as the electrical systems all around them began to power-up.

They had practised for this, to make 'the jump,' as they had taken to calling it. The Thunderhawk would get them as close to the monstrous rok as possible, avoiding the crude AA fire. Upon reaching the exact co-ordinates, they would activate their tele-packs. Strange devices they were, but they seemed reliable enough. Brother Gregor of the forge had been awestruck by the design. He looked almost moved to tears, were it possible for an Astartes to succumb to such emotion. "Nothing like it before... Emperor's mercy, you are blessed just to witness such wonders..."

As long as it worked, Reric would be happy. The packs should drop them at a precise location deep within the winding interiors of the ork rok. The target areas were much too narrow for the use of tactical dreadnought armour, but they expected to experience heavy resistance as well as intense heat from the engines. Gregor had managed to acquire a number of relics from their brothers of the Imperial Fists. He called them 'breaching shields,' these elongated storm shields with firing-slots. Reric rarely carried a shield of any kind, preferring in all honesty to carry a second chainsword. Yet he knew what they expected to face in the darkness, and tightened his grip on the shield. In his other hand: a most arcane piece of tech. A combi-grav, an elegant weapon that made use of both his special munitions and some of the most potent anti-armour technology the crusade possessed. If by some horror it wasn't enough, the unusual melta-weapon carried by Gaius was sure to do the trick. Brother Gregor had been most proud of that one; stripped down and lightened wherever possible, it retained the range of the full weapon while being able to fire accurately on the move. With Adembi's highly-accurate plasma-fire and the burning effect of their bolter rounds, combined with their advanced targeting systems, they would be a force to be reckoned with even in the chaos of low-gravity, near-void combat in the hot, narrow, fume-filled tunnels.

Reric was concerned that they would be slow-moving, but it was sacrifice worth making for the protection of the shield. The suspensor technology contained within it actually made for a surprisingly stable firing platform, meaning their progress would be slow but continuous. If they should make it to the target, they would bring total destruction from the inside to this rok and the countless foul Xenos aboard it. Preventing them from reaching the planet would be a major blow to the enemy.

 

"Ready?"

 

He looked along the line at his comrades. They acknowledged him with a nod.

 

"Jump."

 

The air crackled, and with a low hum and a sudden 'pop,' a faint blue afterglow was all that remained to show they were there.

The legend of the Deathless Sons of Dorn began that day.

[HLVW]

Your termis look awesome. Great poses and the chains just add so much for the details.

[Marshal Mattias]

"A Black Templar Battle Summary; in which our heroes face the might of the Ultramarines first company."

 

Had a really fun and bloody game yesterday. My opponent brought in a null-deployment unbound list with;

 

Terminator Witch, force axe and storm-shield.

5-man Terminator squad, cyclone.

 

2x 10-man Sternguard, combat squads with three combi-meltas and separate flamer. Drop pods.

 

Venerable dread, multimelta, drop pod.

 

2x 5-man Vanguard Veterans, stormshield and power-fist sergeants, couple of bonus power weapons.

 

2x Stormtalons with lascannons.

 

I ran my latest list build to tackle some of the nastier local builds with masses of jink/monstrous creatures:

 

Chapter Marshal, TDA, TH/SE

 

Inquistor (Ordo Xenos), Liber Heresius, Power Armour, servo skulls, Psychostroke grenades.

 

These two riding with 5-man crusaders with 2x power weapon, flamer in dedicated LRC.

 

Damocles Rhino.

 

Vindicator.

 

In reserve;

 

Stormtalon, skyhammers.

 

Ironclad, dual flamers, Lucius pod.

 

Counts-as 5-man legion of the damned, combi-grav, plasma, multimelta.

 

5-man assault squad, two flamers, power weapon.

 

1/6/3 crusader squad, 2x power weapons, melta. Riding in a Stormraven, with las/melta.

 

----

 

Ultras won the roll-off, choosing to null deploy first and then give me first turn. We were playing 'deadlock' with ever-decreasing numbers of tactical objectives.

 

I rolled 'stealth in ruins/move through cover' so carefully deployed my rhino in LOS blocking ruins in the back corner, holding OBJ-1, with the vindicator covering its flank. The LRC went a little further right, holding OBJ-3 and gaining some cover from ruins.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/31914289-5000-41F1-A856-A4F83A317521_zpsstlmluen.jpg

 

Taking first turn, I drew some nice cards, gaining 1VP each for the two objectives I held, while dropping the lucius pod onto OBJ-5 just in the enemy deployment zone to gain 'behind enemy lines' as well as a single point from a D3 from 'ascendancy' (holding at least 3 objectives). (Obviously I wasn't really thinking when I dropped that pod - I meant to send in the assault squad first turn but mixed them up. At least my servo skulls kept him on-target).

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/B901BB6C-8C5E-445D-96ED-7E897134BDEC_zpsaagegohg.jpg

 

Ultras first turn:

 

My deployment was tough for his pods to get that magic 6-inch melta range without real risk of scattering off-board or landing in the open in front of a couple of pie-plates. He decided to focus on the landraider, but both pods scattered back to the the wrong side of the large ruins (8+9 inches I think) and he was forced to scramble for cover and at least pick up a VP on OBJ-4. He ended up basically just using run-moves to spread out.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/F1CBA385-C455-489E-A6E5-BBE21D673738_zpsr8uu30wk.jpg

 

Templars turn 2 -

 

The LotD and Assault Marines are ready to drop, but the Damocles uses its communication array to hold back the air support until the enemy flyers arrive ;)

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/4003B656-1450-4690-BCFB-E5318BA01ACA_zpsfduq9my1.jpg

 

LotD teleport in onto OBJ-2 and fire on a sternguard squad, while the vindicator rolls forward and does the same. One 5 man unit is wiped out and a pod takes two hull points, netting first blood. The assault marines drop to take OBJ-6. I hoped to use the pod to hold it and deploy the marines out to flame something, but a little scatter forced me to deploy them into the building. I gained a VP for discovering all the mysterious objectives (the flamers finding 'skyfire' :P )

The LRC fires on a melta unit, leaving one man standing.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/903DEC04-0879-4CDE-8D8C-635FCE8535CF_zpss8lhw9vm.jpg

 

(This is when I should have launched my first Orbital strike - I foolishly decided to 'save' it for when the reserves arrived).

 

Ultra 2 -

 

A vanguard unit drops onto a locator beacon in front of the LRC and moves into ruins. The Melta marine runs up as he was out of 6" range anyway. A Stormtalon arrives as does the venerable dread. Between the two, they manage to wreck the vindicator. The witch, second vanguard and other talon all fail to arrive. The second Melta combat squad hide inside a building to deny LoS to any units. No VPs for the enemy this turn.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/2B34C9F2-77DD-4F71-BC87-0303CDB36201_zpsimho0abj.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/482C3D81-5469-4566-8861-C63A41899952_zpsco4dckpr.jpg

 

Templar 3 -

 

The Damocles brings in the flyers, but hopes to stay hidden among the ruins and unnoticed by the enemy dread. The two flyers manage to stun the enemy talon and take a hull point... Not especially impressive work.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/5CCE690E-7810-4086-A01C-FD0B27ECB9FC_zpsoefqa8ji.jpg

 

The LRC fires again this time at the vanguard, killing two. The dread runs and links up with the assault squad to move in on the surviving sternguard. The Deathwind launcher scores a kill and the Lucius pod claims a VP for holding OBJ-5.

The legion finish off another stern combat squad.

 

Ultra - 3

 

The remaining vanguard and termies arrive, deep striking next to the pods in a growing mass in the centre. The 3 surviving Vanguard leap from the ruins and meltabomb the LRC (whoops, thought they only had a single powerfist...)

Sternguards hop out of cover and kill off my assault marines with the assistance of the Terminators.

The venerable spots the damocles at the last moment, firing on him but failing to break through a 3+ cover save. The subsequent charge manages to take two hull points, however the vehicle survives.

Librarian casts some buffs and the ultras activate Devastator doctrine, meaning the termies now snap-fire at full BS with re-rolls.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/561F9D12-147F-4E8F-A45B-AAEA030B360B_zpsu6snx9cd.jpg

 

Templar 4 -

 

The LRC has done its job again, keeping my unit safe until the time was right. The Marshal, Inquisitor and crusaders clamber from the wreckage and prepare to charge the terminators. The Stormtalon hovers and softens them up, dropping the sergeant and a veteran, leaving no-one save the witch to answer the Marshal's challenge.

The crusaders in the raven disembark and prepare to charge the centre sternguard unit. The damocles escapes from the venerable dread (still not having fired its orbital!)

The ironclad and legion wipe out a third combat squad.

The raven fires everything on the untouched vanguard, killing four. The veteran (like all the others) refuses to fall back.

The crusaders charge and kill two more terminators before they swing, and the marshal ties up the enemy warlord in the challenge. Foul magics abound, and the marshal suffers a wound from 3 hits, while the enemy manages to make 5 successful storm-shield saves. The last enemy terminator kills a crusader, and the combat is tied.

 

Ultra 4 -

 

The venerable fires at the raven but a quick jink saves it. The first talon fires on my equivalent, causing a detonation... The second fires on the ironclad, managing the same! It's all going a bit wrong... The 2 survivors of the first vanguard squad and a lone sternguard charge in to assist their warlord, and this round of combat sees the last of the small unit of crusaders fall, taking a vanguard and sternguard with them. The Marshal is furious, and utterly thwomps the enemy witch, causing instant death and a second wound which carries over onto the last terminator. Warlord kill, plus a D3 (3VP!) for a tactical objective.

The large crusader squad fluff their charge, but suffer no overwatch problems.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/4F68A3BF-A209-46EB-ADE3-158E71598730_zpsmv7gvmai.jpg

 

At this point, we are short on time. Although my opponent had managed to grab another couple of VPs (flyer, unit destroyed), I still held a strong lead. We called the game here, and although I feel I had all his ground forces mopped-up, his talons would have been tricky now that I had lost my own. Either way, it would be nigh impossible for him to score any more VPs. With both of us claiming linebreaker, final tally 13-6 in favour of the Templars (if I got all the VPs correct!).

 

A glorious final battle for my Templars before the new codex hits the shelves ;)

[ThirtySixNights]

Excellent work brother, the ultrasmurfs had a distinct lack of ZEAL. No doubt this contributed to their loss.

[Zeller]

Do you find storm ravens to be more or less useful to your overall list and course of battle than a storm talon? 

[Marshal Mattias]

A bit of both actually works best. My raven has never been shot down - that's pretty cool. That AV12 with jink is surprisingly resilient. I have found that the firepower tends to feel a little underwhelming - it will blow chunks out of infantry, but tops out at four kills. It has to get really close to enemy tanks to be effective. It's easier to get it close to enemy flyers, then that TL Multimelta gets to shine. If only it could fire more shots, then mine would always be in my list instead of only in my larger games. The talon is certainly more-bang-per-buck, and is great at harassing infantry/transports/light flyers. However, it really is flimsy and can drop fast. My Raven usually weathers incoming fire (or completely deters it in the first place) and allows a safe precision delivery of a crucial assault unit, or even just an urgent cheap troop squad to claim an objective. At <1500 I run a talon. At 1850 up, I try to run one of each. Two talons is cheaper but I think they aren't as potent as the little'n'large duo.

[Andhil]

Las/ Melta Raven? I personally prefer the Assault Cannons, as they're a more versatile choice for the Raven, as the Missiles and the MM usually take care of flyers/ Vehicles, the Assault Cannon is a handy thing to have for dealing with both Vehicles and Infantry; possible Rendings don't hurt either. I can definitely advise such a setup. (I personally use Hurricanes as well, just to maximize my Infantry killing options as well, Sometimes the PotMS really helps!) 

 

Either way, good match, well played and an excellent writeup. 

Edited June 9, 2015 by Andhil

[Marshal Mattias]

It has been too long since my last update. Firstly, I finally went back to my stormraven and finished the windows properly:

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/A620D055-A8C0-47B9-81F0-DD146C779254_zpslhzwhs00.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/A7789122-6A52-442D-A096-74E0AA7774BA_zpsxvzmwovs.jpg

 

Then, I did the same for my Blacktalon: http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/D6CC5F32-FAFD-4DB1-8BF2-3242DFF5AE13_zpspxpp6xvv.jpg

 

And finally, Forge-brother Petyr takes to the field in a heavily customised landspeeder. Primarily used in the battlefield recovery and repair of valuable crusade assets, the speeder is larger than usual for extra stowage and also features a powerful servo-arm. Preferring to work alone, Petyr has hard-wired his helmet targeting systems into the front-mounted heavy bolter, eliminating the need for a secondary gunner (should his handy bolt pistol not be enough to slay any foolish scavengers). The potent communication array carried by the recon vehicle allows for accurate Thunderhawk rendezvous when recovering larger assets, but can equally be deployed as an offensive counter-measure against enemy telemetry. All this gear leaves the vehicle with slightly reduced armour compared to its standard counterparts, and so is also equipped with a 'Cerberus' pattern micro-missile launcher. This weapon trades destructive power in its design to disrupt enemy targeting arrays and prevent accurate return fire against the vulnerable speeder, should it be caught in the open. Petyr is however an exceptional pilot, and Marshal Robért regularly assigns him to a battlefield escort role when deploying large quantities of armour from the Forge's stockpiles.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/07E97944-B26E-447E-A09D-7DE48433D147_zpsdat9230x.jpghttp://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/FECC1588-E26C-420A-A2A9-E6DEAB7E392A_zpsfxxoljuw.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/2457BB41-ABD3-465C-8A49-07D5E11C05DE_zpsazfxntpv.jpg

(still WIP)

[Acebaur]

I like it!  What the servo arm from? Also I really like the fluff explanation, you should put some techy looking boxes in the extra "stowage" areas 

[Marshal Mattias]

Yes, definitely needs some crates in there ;)

The arm is from an old Gorkamorka wrecking-ball truck, but it will need a suitable claw/grabber of some sort to finish it off.

[Acebaur]

Yes, definitely needs some crates in there

The arm is from an old Gorkamorka wrecking-ball truck, but it will need a suitable claw/grabber of some sort to finish it off.

 

A converted dreadnought claw might work

[Marshal Mattias]

Working on converting the ride-along scouts and pilot into zealous neoohyte reinforcements. My favourite so far is this little John Woo inspired fella: http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/DB3BEEB0-335A-4BA8-8190-F1752D7EDBE1_zpsottudeh5.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/4E0E4846-D703-41AC-8DB5-0BFBE20DBD27_zpsiwsn5tjk.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/55CBB193-216A-400F-AB14-BACFFF76560D_zpsghaktcyd.jpg

 

Brother 'Tequila' Yuen, I think ;)

 

And a WIP group-shot:

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/671D9A74-832E-43F2-8E00-43E3EACCB541_zpslpsf0pg4.jpg

Edited July 2, 2015 by Marshal Mattias

[Marshal Mattias]

The Renascibilitas Crusade are the only Black Templars - from possibly the only chapter - currently fielding a rare, and recently rediscovered, early pattern of the Stormtalon, designated 'Blacktalon.' It was recovered from an abandoned Mechanicum facility on a previously traitor-controlled planet during the Crusade of Wrath, one of 23 planets reclaimed in the name of the Emperor during that campaign.

 

Thanks to the belly-mounted vertical take-off thrusters, the Blacktalon is an exceptional fire-support unit, able to hover when required and handling as nimbly as it's more common counterpart. It also excels in combat against dedicated fighter-class vessels due to its compact sweeping wings and variable missile arrays. The machine spirit is particularly aggressive and it takes a talented pilot to control the vehicle in the heat of a firefight. The vessel has been named 'Zelus Talus' in accordance with its nature, and bears large crusade badges proudly displaying its heritage in the Maelstrom campaign as well as its rediscovery and rebirth among the brothers of the Renascibilitas Crusade. Its battlefield presence has become a great comfort and inspiration to the mortal allies of the Templars. Techmarine Gregor took it upon himself to paint the winged symbol of the Emperor on the undercarriage in order to fill the lesser warriors of mankind with a surge of Zeal when they see it soaring above. If anything, the machine spirit has embraced its role as an icon and is capable of unleashing its firepower against ground targets with unnerving accuracy when it knows there is an audience!

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/32B2E6FB-81BA-48F2-B9A8-2C3F1E50BDC0_zpsrznawurt.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/9068EA58-1579-4DB7-9704-F75ED5EC24F2_zpsy26utjma.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/A05C5405-A03F-4870-B179-2B94F3BDD265_zpsoaapc4e8.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/B75E9B6A-A37B-4E6D-865F-1EFB342D7E60_zpsiupsw0bh.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/89D680BB-5096-45C4-A7D4-FB1C8EF05A44_zpsxm42jjfb.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/A1EA6ED9-47D1-4A0A-9609-54CB5F751698_zpsglxhi5lv.jpg

 

The wings and tinted canopy are magnetised for transport and for getting a closer look at the pilot ;)

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/FB691914-C8D9-4652-A444-AD2A5A651E77_zpszvo7nia4.jpg

 

And here it is flying with its big brother, Stormraven 'Devotio.'

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/FD390066-B7FC-40C1-802E-7B08B14536CF_zpscraei5cx.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/567FCFC9-C43A-4FE8-90BA-F6A199E21DE0_zpsy35msbt1.jpg

[Marshal Reinhard]

Must admit, I like that a fair bit more than the regular stormchicken. It also looks a lot more capable of being supersonic than said stormchicken.

 

Might be a little nitpicky, but the cloaked figure in relicy bits still feel a bit too much Dark Angely still, but that's pretty much the only criticsm I'd be ready to voice

 

Overall thumbs up!

Edited August 4, 2015 by Reinhard

[Marshal Mattias]

Thanks! Yeah, I know it isn't to everyone's taste, but I view it as broadly Gothic-Imperial and feel it fits. I trimmed the big sword flanges to a proper crusader's point because to me, that was the DA bit :P

While some chapters use certain imagery more than others, I feel that large chunks are appropriate for any chapter of the Angels of Death once they exit their fortress monasteries. Namely; wings, aquilas, weaponry, 'religious' iconography, monk/robes etc. I don't bat an eyelid at an ultramarine with a 'knightly' style helmet, for example, or consider them too 'Templary' for doing so ;)

Edited August 4, 2015 by Marshal Mattias

[Marshal Mattias]

So, after my Ironclad 'Ludovic' destroyed an enemy Baneblade in close combat in a single turn for first blood, surviving the cataclysmic explosion that followed, I felt he deserved some battle honours. I found a large back-banner from the proper ironclad kit, which should be perfect, but I don't know where to start with designing the banner. I kind of like the idea of something stylised, ideally showing a silhouetted dread snapping a Baneblade over his knee or above his head or something. Maybe putting his fist through a Baneblade surrounded by the explosion? I'm really no artist though and I'm having trouble finding a concept I can squeeze onto a banner that size while still being recognisable. Anyone got some ideas or maybe even a quick suggestion/sketch?

[Honda]

One possibility could be a lightning bolt slicing down through a baneblade, with the Latin title Ferae Peremtor, i.e. Beast Killer.

[Marshal Mattias]

Ludovic gets a banner detailing his glorious achievements, and Ordo Xenos Inquisitor 'Colonel' adds some 'rad' new grenades and a snazzy liber to his gear.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/AF394F41-B341-48BD-B93A-61F58184B451_zps8nalb9wc.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/F517F16D-24A7-4F04-9BA2-9EBF392248E0_zps0invryne.jpg

[Honda]

Ooh...close up pics of the banner please.

[Firepower]

and Ordo Xenos Inquisitor 'Colonel' adds some 'rad' new grenades 

 

 

 

By the way, where are my 6 new flyers? ;)

Edited August 11, 2015 by Firepower

[Marshal Mattias]

Ooh...close up pics of the banner please.

Noooo! Don't make me take close-ups, they're only supposed to be seen from an average distance of 3 feet! Well, I'll see what I can do when I'm home again, although the gist is Explosion/Baneblade and your suggested title 'Ferae Peremtor,' undershot with a Templar cross and Renascibilitas phoenix.

[Marshal Mattias]

With my next-door GW closing on the 23rd, it was time for one last Thursday Night Gaming. Who better to face off against than the closet-heretics, the Dark Angels? The enemy brought a surprise list featuring no ravenwing at all, but a solid core of classic green! Pride of place went to a unit of Deathwing Knights and 3 Tactical squads (2 in rhinos, 1 pod) all supported by a small assault squad, dreadnought with multimelta, a devastator squad with plasma/flakk-missiles and led by Ezekiel himself, riding in a landraider with a seriously tooled-up squad of company veterans.

Facing them was my own latest incarnation of an 1850 list. Grimaldus riding in an LRC with a simple 7/7 split crusader squad, just packing an axe (in case of emergency). Add a ride-along Inquisitor called 'the colonel' with his liber heresius, skulls and rad grenades.

A second crusader squad 5/5 with an axe and a flamer were waiting in a drop pod, as were a command squad packing 4 meltaguns and the famous Honoured Brother Ludovic, Ironclad Dreadnought, slayer of Baneblades. In support was the "Zelus Talus" with assault cannons and skyhammers, and the 'raven "Devotio" with lascannons and multimelta. (Not to forget the lone Cenobyte Servitor, "Z34L0U5" riding in his private rhino).

 

The teams were ready, and the stage was set as both factions arrived on the edges of an abandoned imperial facility - a mess of ruins and craters which they were determined to control, BECAUSE REASONS! Four points of interest were flagged, one far out on the Templar's left flank, one exposed just right of centre by a large statue, and the remaining two sat in the upstairs of ruined buildings to either side of the central objective.

 

Because the Templars arrived late (literally!), the DA set up and took first turn. Let the crusade commence!

 

------

 

DA1:

 

The rhinos take position to my right, while the assault squad push up on my left flank towards the lone objective. The dread moves upstairs into ruins on another just a little closer to the centre. The deathwing started on the table and march forward alongside the landraider, watched from above by the devastators in the ruins along his rear deployment.

My rhino is behind LoS blocking ruins, with the LRC to its right. A drop pod lands to the left, deploying a tactical squad whose plasma gun and grav pistol manage only a hull-point against the servitor-wagon. The devs can't scratch the LRC and he has no other targets.

 

BT1:

 

The crusaders drop with precision directly onto the left-flank objective and deploy out the front to target the assault squad, killing one traitorous marine.

The command squad lands its pod directly in the way of the deathwing, chuckling at the blocked enemy as they hop out in front of the landraider. Their four meltaguns manage 3 penetrating hits, the final one causing a spectacular detonation of the lascannons reactor... Unfortunately this means the vehicle is utterly destroyed and now leaves the command squad exposed to a counter-charge from the company veterans, who would otherwise have been forced to clamber out the back of a wreck... At least they secured first blood!

Meanwhile, the LRC repositions a little and eliminates four of the tactical marines currently firing on the stunned rhino.

 

DA2:

 

The rhinos push up and disembark, one squad moving towards centre and the other clambering up the ruins to hold the right-most objective.

The Knights move up and assault the drop-pod, wrecking it. The veterans and Ezekiel charge the meltagun command squad, destroying it - but not before losing a veteran to a searing blast in overwatch.

The assault squad shoots at the crusaders and fells a neophyte, much to the anger of the squad. The Templars' flamer fires on overwatch, killing two of the attackers, before their pistols and blades do the rest of the work in a flurry of violence.

The dread manages only a glancing hit against the remaining Templar pod which is holding an objective for me. The devastators try and shift it as well, but they struggle to find an angle and their shots are wide of the target.

The surviving tacticals from the pod scramble towards the ruins, firing again on the rhino, stripping another point. Then someone helpfully reminds the DAs that they are carrying krak grenades - the thrown explosive sails straight into an exposed exhaust vent and blows the vehicle up from the inside. Servitor Z34L0U5 is blasted into the air and lands among the rubble, before shaking himself off and holding his banner high once more.

 

BT2:

 

The Zelus Talus comes soaring in from my right flank, and opens fire on the rhino-tactical squad climbing into the ruins objective, dropping three of the heretics. No sign of Devotio or Ludovic...

 

The small crusader squad moves up towards the building where the enemy dread stands on the objective above them, throwing an overly-optimistic krak grenade.

The LRC stays put, firing to full effect against the tacticals, but still only killing another four. The servitor scrambles forwards for cover.

 

A short turn for the Templars!

 

DA3:

 

The deathwing are slowed by the wreckage of the pod and don't make it far towards the corner of the dread's building, just out of sight of the crusader squad. The dread manages to bullseye an unfortunate neophyte. (At least it was quick...)

 

Ezekiel runs his veterans forward to hold the central objective, as they have few options. The so-far unsullied tactical squad move towards them in support.

The objective-holding tactical squad find themselves without a target they can hit, while the devastators' pair of flak missiles spiral towards the zooming Blacktalon, but impact harmlessly against the ruined tower between them.

The two remaining pod-tacticals are running in a hasty retreat away from the LRC and forget about the servitor, who is out of sight. (Ironic - Even as I smile inwardly that the enemy forgot about the servitor, I completely forget about the tacticals too once I can't see them...)

 

BT3:

 

Reports come in - Devotio is delayed by enemy air assets! Ludovic can wait no longer, he has spied a witch on the battlefield. Ludo's pod slams down in front of an enemy rhino, disembarking the other side he targets the veterans and opens fire with his flamers, at the same time as the Templar flyer lets rip, felling more than a half-dozen of the elite unit.

 

The small crusader squad move up into charge range of the deathwing Knights. A foolish move without their Champion on the field yet? Hardly - they have already seen the LRC 'Consecrare' come ploughing through a wall towards the foe, their hero of Helsreach charging out the front of his ride at the head of a swarm of true knights. The LRC potshots at the enemy dread, but only glances once. Hilariously, I forgot to bother shooting with either of the two squads before launching their assault. The enemy Knight Commander declares a challenge, which Grimaldus himself is prepared to answer. The two warriors slug it out, with their power fields absorbing most of the blows, except one which slips through and winds the Templar hero. The rest of the Templars are already swarming the foe, a furious tide that drowns them in attacks. A single remaining power axe attack is all that remains to spill over into the challenge, but it is enough to fell the last of the terminators. The small crusader squad consolidate and scramble upstairs to face the enemy dread, while Grimaldus turns to see a great billowing cloud of dust to his right.

 

That dust cloud is all that remains of the witch and his retinue, as the charging ironclad's fury is fired by the booming voice of Grimaldus, reciting litanies of hate. The first two fell instantly, the third had only a moment to ponder his poor fortune as a power fist dwarfing his own crumpled his combat shield like paper. Only Ezekiel remained, wishing he had some sort of invulnerable save, right before the final blow left him a smear upon the ground.

 

The enemy warlord is dead, and things are looking 'Grim' for the Dark Angels...

 

DA4:

 

The dread fires on the crusaders before him, killing one, but declined to charge (I really don't know why).

The tacticals in the open move up and fire at Grim's squad, to little effect, as do the various stormbolters on the rhino transports. The Devs don't risk their plasma against their own men, so only fire some krak missiles at the talon, forcing him to jink.

Then, horror of horror, the forgotten two tactical marines manage a line of sight to Ludo's rear armour. Boltguns and plasma manage two hullpoints and a broken arm, before the drop-pod fires and manages the final glancing hit!

 

BT4:

 

Finally the raven arrives, zooming in and blasting apart the enemy dread with rear armour shots.

The crusaders now hold the objective, firing their small arms at the devastators and killing one.

Grim's squad charge the tacticals, wiping them out and losing only one neophyte to their full-BS overwatch, then they consolidate back to surround the centre objective.

The LRC moves up to hold the same point, and mows down the two-man squad in revenge, before blasting apart the drop-pod with a machine-spirit multimelta shot.

The Talon drops to hover and slides behind the devastators to kill two more and sit in a linebreaker position.

 

DA5:

 

In a last ditch attempt, everything fires at grim's squad, causing several casualties but without breaking the unit. The two rhinos rush up to try and contest it, but cannot get close enough due to the spreading of the infantry.

 

BT5:

 

The raven hovers over, EC and honour guard disembarking and trying to make a 7" charge at the devastators, but to no avail.

 

The LRC tears apart one rhino with an explosion as the raven detonates the other. The talon and infantry fire on the remaining tacticals cowering in the ruins but cannot make them run.

 

Game Ends -

 

BT hold 3 objectives, plus Warlord/Line/First Blood

 

DA cling to a single objective with 5 men and a broken devastator squad in their rear.

 

Crushing victory!

 

-----

 

The list performed admirably, even against the DA 'gladius' with its ob-sec on everything. Ideally I should find the points for a couple of brethren with meltabombs, and some kind of reserve-control, but the list is so tight already and really I don't think there is anything I could drop without breaking it. As it was, the EC and his HG were denied a proper fight AGAIN, as seems to happen every time they travel by stormraven...

[Marshal Mattias]

Not much interest in the last Batrep, perhaps it needed some pictures and a bit more story? Well here we go!

 

The moon was a blasted wasteland, its surface dotted with compact structures and simple fortifications, unremarkable to the casual observer. However, the Templar in the skull-helm knew what treasures lurked within - a sophisticated network of long-range defensive missiles, essential to the continued existence of the nearby forgeworld. The local colonies were considered of low strategic value and utterly expendable, their populations determined to be currently of indeterminate guilt. The forgeworld was the opposite - an extremely efficient rate of production, and promises of valuable assets, had made the Mechanicum agent's petition particularly persuasive. The Reclusiarch had been disinterested in such base negotiations until the mention of the particular foes which currently occupied the facility.

 

He could hardly hide the disgust in his voice:

"Wretched creatures - for they cannot be called Astartes to have descended into such traitorous rage. Sanguinius would be ashamed to see his sons fallen so low."

 

The Blood Angels on the base had reportedly fought off a sortie from traitor elements in a brutal and bloody running battle. After routing the enemy, they had inexplicably turned on the PDF troops and massacred them before running amok in an orgy of violence.

"The foul mark of the traitor stains this moon, and corrupts the once proud Angels. We will put an end to this heresy."

 

----

 

The Landraider "Consecrare" crested the hilltop, and saw a sea of red-armoured marines pouring from a derelict facility, charging towards the power-relays that supplied the nearby missile silo. "We must stop them from reaching it - secure the lines and protect the silo!"

The a rhino transport pulled up alongside, its many relics and banners billowing in the hands of the reclusiam servitors that stood motionless at the top hatch. The machine-spirit growled an 'affirmative' and signalled the transports above - the Templars would have to move fast, but they could intercept this horde with luck. And luck was on their side...

 

---

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/E35CF82B-61A8-4B47-8047-A2841EAC3F24_zpsayk1xuwr.jpg

 

The drop-pod slammed into the dirt bare metres from the target - a predator battle-tank, its lascannons already charging. The Templars who leapt from the pod were no slouches - four jets of molten fury pinched straight through the side of the vehicle, causing a tremendous explosion that lit the dark sky for miles around. "You have free reign, Reclusiarch, the enemy predator is... Hell! Enemy dreadnought, inbound!"

 

"Make some room, brother!" The booming voice of honoured brother Ludovic was a welcome sound as his pod sped in moments later. He strode out, wreathed in flame as he burned a path through the enemy assault marines as they swarmed around him like depraved insects.

 

The enemy surge faltered, caught off guard. The Templar hero was swatting enemies left and right, but could not reach the other pod. Enemy fire was streaming in and he saw several brothers fall. Out of nowhere, a drop-pod daubed in black and red slammed into the open space behind the Templar assault. Frothing, mad warriors emerged, adding their salvos of bolter fire to the streams that downed the Templar's in front of them.

 

"We need support! We may yet be able to recover our brothers!" Intoned the ancient ironclad veteran. In response, he heard the reassuring thud of another drop pod and the wails of the enemy as they were cut to pieces by the arriving crusaders barrage of fire before the torrent of burning promethium hit them.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/A017EAA2-E917-45B1-81A9-EC9AE3F37225_zpst6k4d6z0.jpg

 

Overhead, the 'Zelus Talus' announced its arrival with a staccato of gunfire that detonated the power plant of the enemy dreadnought in seconds. The Landraider and Rhino were jostling for position as they sought to lay claim to the strategic points along the power relays, all while the behemoth sought to shield the vulnerable smaller vehicle as multiple blips showed a rapidly approaching squad of vanguard and an enemy vehicle full of marines.

 

Having slaughtered the remaining assault marines and crippled the enemy lines, Ludovic turned towards the surging right flank and sprinted after the enemy. The enemy vanguard and tacticals were swarming up the sides of the silo, even as they were targeted by the firepower of 'Consecrare', 'Zelus Talus' and everything else that could draw a bead. The fortification was old but solid, most of the shots peppering the balustrades. The crusaders in the backfield were stuck in a bloody melee against a foe as brutally efficient and rage-filled as a Templar - the losses on both sides were tremendous but neither would give any ground.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/470B75AF-8A1C-4F0C-963F-000DD01612BF_zps991t8jf9.jpg

 

Above, the Storm Raven 'Devotio' soared towards the battlefield, lascannons screaming a bolt of white-hot energy that detonated the enemy drop-pod. "Reclusiarch, we encountered enemy Sanguinaries in the air - they have been 'delayed.' I hope we are not too late to be of use to you." The vox carried a distinct tone of joviality - even without the ID number flashing across his display, the Reclusiarch could not mistake that voice. "First Blade Antón, your presence is most welcome. I'm sure we can find some work for the Black Sword."

"Looking at these readings, I think I may have found some for myself. Good hunting, brother."

 

As Ludovic neared the enemy rhino and readied his flamers for the cowering troops, there was whine of engines in the air - four vanguard veterans were hurtling towards him in a suicidal charge. He roared and his fists rose to meet them, snatching one from the air crushing him, casting the shattered remains aside as he backhanded a second.

From a distance, the Reclusiarch saw the enemy troops scampering further up the silo towards the access hatch, Ludovic unable to reach them as he fought off his crazed attackers. "Now, Brothers, defend this this station - and kill them all!"

The Crusaders swarmed out of their landraider and up the walls of building, spreading out and covering all approaches to the hatch.

 

At the same time, almost unnoticed, a humming sound announced the arrival of the diseased veterans of the enemy strike force, their teleports only now activating and dropping them among the undefended Templar armour. The ring of red TDA circled a blue core, a witch, and Antón felt the bile rise in his throat.

"I think we have found the source of this corruption, brothers."

The Sword Brethren beside him drew their blades, and readied to disembark. It went unspoken, yet all knew - the Witch was for the Black Sword and none other.

 

The corrupted terminators were firing on the Templar rhino to poor effect, when the full firepower of 'Consecrare' and 'Zelus' were brought to bear, blasting their foes to pieces even as the warcry of Antón du Lancel was hear over the thundering of the assault cannons.

By the time he had closed the distance, only the witch and the heavy-TDA warrior remained standing. Their attempts to gun him down were futile, and he leapt the last distance, sword arcing as he bellowed his challenge to the witch. The hollow-eyed traitor moved to meet him, staff twirling with skill, but he was no match for a son of Sigismund.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/FF187987-0A68-4A14-AA2A-4D8E54B436AF_zpseb3trqms.jpg

 

As the other sword brethren reached him, Antón was already ducking and spinning, his black blade plunging through the chest of the final enemy veteran who had charged up behind him. The headless corpse of the witch still stood motionless before him, before slowly toppling to the ground.

 

He glanced to his brothers - "shall we finish this?" - before sprinting off towards the crusaders still steadfastly holding the right flank.

 

In the distance, Ludovic and the Reclusiarch were closing in on either side to clean up the remaining fallen Blood Angels, and the Black Templar aircraft dominated the skies. This battle was over and the Astartes honour was redeemed.

 

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/matzeke/C9BC4834-40E7-4033-98B4-15F3F631515A_zpsl0ocyl8s.jpg

 

 

------

End

------

 

It was a great battle, which saw both sides suffer delayed reinforcements. When the sanguinary guard finally turned up alongside the terminators, they scattered far off the table and were delayed further.

My opponent struggled to deal with the armour and flyers after I stole the initiative and melta'd the predator. Because the command squad had all specials rather than combi's, he couldn't ignore them which allowed the stormtalon to swoop in for an easy kill on the dreadnought too.

I was able to manoeuvre my tanks to kite his vanguard around until they were no longer a threat, and by the time his termies arrived there was really no chance for them - they could have been gunned down entirely but I wanted the Champ to get stuck in and slay the witch ;)

Surprise success went to the small crusader squad and droppod, who landed in cover and opened fire (along with the other pods) on a 10-man bolter-equipped death company. They killed 4 in the opening salvo, then lost one of their own in retaliation, then claimed another in overwatch. In the first round of combat, the DC took out four crusaders, who in return had only slain one. Then I remembered to swing the power axe and got two more. After that, the combat continued for several turns with both sides making armour/FNP saves and the axe guy rolling 1/2 on every wound-roll. :P

 

Also, this was my first game against the BA and I really enjoyed the fact that we both placed all the objectives basically in a line along the middle of the board :D

 

Black Templar: 12

(3x Obj Held, Linebreaker, Warlord, First Blood).

Blood Angels: 1

(Linebreaker).

[Lord Blackwood]

maybe I missed it as I am skimming the battle rep at work but can you put yer list there as well ?

[Marshal Mattias]

maybe I missed it as I am skimming the battle rep at work but can you put yer list there as well ?

I hadn't gotten around to unpacking since my last game, so I ran the same list again. I have run this one (or similar) a few times now and it tends to do well, although I always end up cursing my failed reserve rolls:

 

Grimaldus Warlord, with one servitor, with 7/7 Crusaders with a power axe. Dedicated LRC with Multimelta.

EC with 5-man honour guard. Thunderhammer and mixed power weapons. Ride in Stormraven with Las/Multimeltas and extra armour.

Drop pod Crusader squad with 5/5 split, power axe and flamer.

Ironclad with two heavy flamers and seismic hammer, drop pod.

Command Squad with 4 meltaguns, drop pod.

Stormtalon with skyhammers.

Rhino (for servitor).

Inquisitor ally with rad grenades, liber heresius, 3x servo skulls. Goes with Grim.