Isstvan III Campaing Game 2: Blood Feud (Picture Heavy)

[Telhdrat]

So, continuing the campaign we started in my last battle report we played our second game. We selected Blood Feud as the scenario since it gives the most campaign points to the victor (aside from the legendary battle) in the first phase. After that, my brother chose an alliance of Sons of Horus and Emperor's Children led by Loken as his force, and I took command of traitorous World Eaters again. Here's a more detailed list of the forces used:
 
Loyalist Force:

Garviel Loken

Apothecary Vaddon, Primus Medicae
Power Sword

Sons of Horus Command Squad
Standard Bearer with Power Axe, Chosen With Thunder Hammer, Chosen with Ligthning Claw & Volkite Charger, Chosen with Plasma Pistol & Power Maul

Sons of Horus Terminator Squad
5 men, Reaper Autocannon, 2x Combiplasma, 2x Power Axes, 1x Thunder Hammer, 1x Lightning Claw, Sergeant with Grenade Harness & Power Sword

Sons of Horus Tactical Squad
15 men, extra CCW, Sergeant with Plasma Pistol & Chainsword

Sons of Horus Tactical Squad
10 men, Sergeant with Combiplasma

Sons of Horus Recon Squad
5 men, Sniper Rifles, Cameoline

Sons of Horus Heavy Support Squad
5 men, missile launchers

Emperor's Children Centurion Valerius
Power Sword, Artificier Armour, Reftractor Field

Emperor's Children Assault Squad
10 men, Sergeant with Power Sword

Emperor's Children Rapier Battery
1 Laser Destroyer with two crew

Emperor's Children Heavy Support Squad
5 men, autocannons, sergeant with bolter, nuncio vox & augury scanner

Traitor Force:

Captain Furgal, World Eater Praetor
Pair of master crafted Lightning Claws , Iron Halo

World Eater Terminator Squad
5 men, 3x Power Axes, 1x Pair of Lightning Claws, 1x Plasma Blaster, 1x Chainfist, Sergeant with Grenade Harness & Power Axe

World Eater Contemptor Dreadnought
2x Powerfist, one twin-linked bolter & one graviton gun

World Eater Apothecary

World Eater Rampager Squad
10 men, Caedere Weapons, Sergeant with Power Fist

World Eater Tactical Squad
14 men, BP & Chainaxe, Sergeant with Power Axe

World Eater Tactical Squad
10 men, Bolters

World Eater Assault Squad
10 men, Sergeant with Power Sword

World Eater Tactical Support Squad
5 men, Meltaguns

World Eater Skyhunter Squadron
3 Jetbikes, Volkite Culverin

World Eater Predator
Plasma Destroyer, Heavy Bolter Sponsons

Deployment
Though we had already chosen our scenario, we rolled for the deployment and got a basic Hammer and Anvil.

Loyalists win the roll to choose sides and to see who goes first. Electing to go first, they deploy in a line along the edge. Loken and the command squad deploy on the loyalist right side, along with the large Sons of Horus Tactical Squad with Apothecary Vaddon, and the Emperor's Children Assault Squad. The Recon Squad and the long ranged Emperor's Children units take up positions in the ruins among the centre, while the Terminator squad and the second tactical squad with the Emperor's Children Centurion take the left. Finally the Missile Launcher squad takes cover in a crater behind the terminators and the tactical marines.

Likewise, the traitors deploy along the edge of their zone. Captain Furgal rolls Void Walker for his warlord trait, and elects to give deep strike to the terminators. The Sky Hunter Squadron also go to reserve, though they do not deep strike. Captain Furgal and the apothecary join the large tactical squad and deploy facing Loken and his squads, backed up by the assault squad. The Predator also takes position behind them, out of range from the loyalist missiles and laser destroyer. The second tactical squad, the support squad and the Contemptor head for the loyalist left side, spearheaded by the Rampagers whose bloodlust make them surge foward before anyone else can react.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/deployment_zpsf5fc4150.jpg

Deployment from the traitor side

Loyalist turn one:

The right side and the terminators advance slightly, and the Emperor's Children assault squad discovers an ammunation cache in one of the ruins. Then the whole force opens fire with their bolters. But even after the members of the smaller Sons of Horus tactical squad empty their clips, only two traitors fall: a rampager, and a tactical marine.

Traitors turn one:

Unhampered by the loyalist fire, the whole traitor line advances towards the loyalists. Most units make all haste and run towards their enemies, but the Predator and the bolter armed squad return fire. However, the loyalist are too well entrenched in their positions, and only a single recon marine falls. Finally, the Contemptor fires a graviton pulse to slow the Sons of Horus Terminators down.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/afterfirstturn_zps4b9b4381.jpg

Both sides advance

Loyalist turn two:

Realising that unless they retreat, the World Eaters will reach them, the Emperor's Children assault squad instead makes a bold move, and surges forward to meet the large traitor tactical squad head on. The terminators also try to press forward, but the graviton effect makes their progress slow. The loyalist line opens fire for the second time, and once again bolt rounds mostly just bounce off the traitor's armour. Then the Emperor's Children's heavy support squad trains their autocannons on the Rampagers, and five of the World Eaters vanish in a mist of blood. Not to be outdone by their brothers, the Sons of Horus heavy support squad fire their missiles at the Contemptor and blow it up, killing one of the meltagunners with the blast.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/kaboom_zpsae5d14ac.jpg

The dreadnought blows up


Powering their jump packs the Emperor's Children charge their enemies.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/bravery_zps427fc89e.jpg

A bold charge

 

But whilst their bravery almost catches the World Eaters off guard, the twelfth legion prove who are the true masters of close combat. In a matter of seconds, all the Emperor's Children lie dead, and not a single World Eater falls. The nails in their skulls now singing, the World Eater surge towards the nearby Sons of Horus...

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/bloodied_zps5dfa12d1.jpg

Butchering their foes, the World Eaters press forwards

Traitors turn two:

Reinforcements arrive as the Terminator materialize deep behind the enemy lines, and three jetbikes swoop to the battlefield. Smelling blood, the assault squad joins the push led by Captain Furgal's unit and jumps towards the Sons of Horus. On the other side, the Ramapers are undauted by their fallen comrades, but the sight of five Sons of Horus clad in Cataprachti warplate makes them hesitate and choose a more cautious approach, allowing the meltagunners a chance to follow them.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/deepstriking_zpsbb7aa746.jpg

World Eater Terminators teleport behind the enemy lines, but are badly off target

The predator closes in, so that it does not have to fire too close to the World Eaters leading the charge, and open fire on the Sons of Horus. Most of the shots are wide of the mark, but the plasma destroyer still claims the lives of a few tactical and recon marines. The tactical squad, and newly arrived Sky Hunters train their guns on the autocannons, but the Emperor's Chilren have chosen their position well only one falls. Finally the terminators kill a member of Loken's command squad.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/turn2beforeAP2_zps854dfb7b.jpg

The main forces are about to clash

The tactical squad led by Captain Furgal run across the barricades on the street, but are left alone in their charge as the assault squad fails to keep up. The melee is furious, and the Sons of Horus prove a much stronger foe. After several casualties, most inflicted by Captain Furgal and Apothecary Vaddon, neither sides gains an advantage and the combat carries on.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/acrossthebarricades_zpsf65f2199.jpg

Charge across the barricades!


Loyalist turn three:
Sensing a change to turn the tide, Loken leads his squads forwards, and orders the terminators to do the same. The autocannons and the Rapier then train their guns on the approaching Word Eater Predator, but the Rapier misses (for the third time in a row!) and the armour proves too thick for the autocannons. The missile launchers, still too far from the traitor tank, instead target the jetbikes, and promptly clear the sky of them. The terminators hold their fire, rest of the forces pour more ineffective small arms fire at the traitors.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/thetwofights_zpse120a46c.jpg

Loyalists counter attack...

The terminators soon show the reason for their restraint, as they attack not just the remaining Rampagers but the assault squad as well, trusting in the protection  of their thick armour. However, that proves to be as insufficient as their skill; the World Eaters easily avoid their clumsy attacks and butcher them all in return.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/deathofterminators1_zpsb97eb78d.jpg

... but Cataphractii plate is not enough to stop the World Eaters

Meanwhile, Loken brings his squad to bear in the other fight, and their skills shows, as one of the chosen butchers the World Eater sergeant and the others kill several traitors, even if Loken himself fails to kill any. As apothecary Vaddon and the other add to the World Eater's casualties, their ferocity begins to falter and only captain Furgal manages to slay any of the Sons of Horus. Despite being now seriously outnumbered, with only the apothecary by his side, Furgal stands his ground.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/counterattack_zps6ac6df12.jpg

Loken's counter attack proves effective

Traitor turn three:

All its targets now engaged in close combat, the predator advances again, hugging the building for cover, as it now enters the range of the missile launchers. Faced with multiple enemies, the remaining Rampagers and assault marines, decide that captain Furgal is already doomed and instead head for the other Sons of Horus tactical squad. The meltagunners join the advance Behind the enemy lines the terminators advance, but they are fully aware they missed their teleport cordinates by a large margin. They are too far to reach any enemies yet so instead they fire at the autocannons and together with the meltagunners kill three of the Emperor's Children. The bolter armed squad also move forward, and try to whittle down at least some of the deadly missile armed Sons of Horus, but fail in their attempt. Finally the Predator vaporizes the rapier, though its crew still survive.

The assault squad and the Rampagers attack the tactical squad together, anticipating a quick slaughter. Instead, they find themselves in a near bloodless stalemate as centurion Valerius steps forward to protect his brothers from the 16th Legion.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/secondWEcharge_zps6c863b15.jpg

World Eaters mistake the second Sons of Horus tactical squad for easy prey

On the other side of the battlefield, Loken refuses the challenge of captain Furgal, or perhaps one of his chosen warriors is faster to react, stepping forward, thunder hammer glowing. Loken takes the fight to the Apothecary, and with some effort manages to slaim. All eyes then turn to the duel, as captain Furgals launches a series of lightning fast strikes that get past the veteran warrior's guard, but fail to pierce the artificied armour upon him. The warrior then pushes Furgal back and the captain's Iron Halo sparks to life as he sends his hammer towards Furgal's head. For a moment the battlefield seems to be still as the two energy fields war with each other...

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/hammertime_zpsc090f7b5.jpg

Splat!

...and then the loyalists let out a triumphant cheer, as Furgal's head vanishes in a bloody mist.

Loyalist turn four:

Holding a quick tactical council with apothecary Vaddon, Loken then takes his command squad to meet the World Eater terminators behind their lines, while Vaddon heads towards the other combat with his squad. Except for the missile launcher squad, those units that can see fire at the terminators, to but the cataprachtii plate is too strong this time. The missile launchers then again prove their deadly accuracy and send several missiles towards the approaching Predator tank, that goes up in flames despite the cover of the ruins. The remaining forces pour fire at the meltagunners killing all but one, and the last one retreats.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/preddies_zps26b749fc.jpg

Once again, the missiles of the Sons of Horus find their target

In the close combat the World Eater are again surpised, as despite making several kills, the Son of Horus fight back equally well, and Valerius also slays one of the Rampagers in a duel. This proves too much for his two comrades, who turn to retreat, leaving the assault squad alone in the fight.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/cowards_zps19221439.jpg

Cowardice of the Rampagers

Loken leads the charge against the terminators, and kills two by himself, the rest of his squad then finish them off, though the World Eaters manage to take one of the chosen with them.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/behindthelinesbetter_zpse879d2d4.jpg

Loken and his squad attack the terminators behind the loyalist lines

Traitor turn four:

Becoming ashamed for leaving their comrades, the rampagers turn around, and the meltagunner follows their example, though instead of heading back towards the enemy he takes cover in the ruins. The bolter remaining tactical squad tries to advance to the aid of the assault marines, but the crater proves too difficult to navigate, and they are forced to simply fire on the missile launcher squad, killing two.

In the close combat, Valerius slays the World Eater Sergeant, but othewise the fighting is again close and boths side suffer casualties.


Loyalist turn five:

Vaddon leaves his squad in order to allow them to fire freely at the unengaged World Eaters, and heads himself to join the ongoing melee. Loken also leads his squad with that goal in mind but they are further away and will not reach it so quickly. The nails singing in their heads, the surviving Rampagers ignore even grievous injuries and it takes all loyalist firepower to bring them down. With Vaddon's power swords joining him, Valerius makes quick work of the remaining World Eater assault marines.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/FinalMoments_zps57b419de.jpg

The last casualties of the battle fall to the blades of apothecary Vaddon and centurion Valerius

Traitor turn five:

Realizing the battle is lost, the remaining World Eaters fire their final shots and withdraw from the battlefield, the day belong to the Loyalists.

 

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff46/Gorzag_bucket/Horus%20Heresy/Battle%20Reports/endofthebattle_zps5752c9c2.jpg

The battle ends

Final Victory Points:

Loyalist 15

Traitors 4


Afterthoughts:

A very fun game, even if the end result was ultimately a bit one sided. If anything this game showed unpredictable assaults can be. I don't think there was a single assault in the game that went anywhere along the lines we would have predicted, and almost every time the guy who made the assault lost that fight. The SoH Heavy Support Squad, were clearly the stars of the game, destroying both my vehicles, and killing several marines, while staying out of range of almost everything I had, after the terminators scattered away. Also, my brother seems to have a slow power up period needed with Legion Praetors. In both games so far, his warlord has had terrible luck at first, before slowly beginning to turn into the killing machines they are supposed to be.

With the Loyalist victory we agreed, that the next game will decide the winner of the first campaign game. The Loyalists need a victory to pull a win, even a draw is enough for the traitors. Actually, according to the campaign rules, they'd still have one less point than the traitors, but since there are just the two of us playing, we decided to make this tweak to a) allow us to progress the campaign in a reasonable time and b ) to keep a point to the last game of the first phase.

[BrotherCaptainArkhan]

Really fun to read mate. Nicely written and great photos. Awesome that you're playing with your bro as well, mine knows all the background but I can't convince him to play (yet). Am off to read your previous report now.

[Honda]

Excellent battle report and the two armies look amazing!

 

Thanx for sharing.

[Dam13n]

Another impressed reader, written well enough that I was able to read it quickly, yet savour the best moments of the game when they came up.

 

I would be very happy if a few more of these reports appeared here when you play some more games.

 

Thanks for sharing.

[awfulawful]

Great report.  Very well written and the captions on the photos are awesome.  Both armies look very nice as well.  I look forward to the final report of the campaign.

[Telhdrat]

Thanks for the comments everyone! Glad to hear that you liked it, I tried to write it so that you could follow what happened in the game without actually speaking of the game mechanics too much. And I do plan on making more reports as the campaign continues, though not necessarily of every game (I might, but we'll see).

 

@BrotherCaptainArkhan

Brothers are like that. Mine's quite willing to play but getting him to paint his own miniatures, now that's a challenge I haven't quite succeeded in.

 

@awfullawful

The next game is not the last one, it's just the last of the first of four campaign phases (the initial traitor attack, the ensuing battle in the streets and catacombs, loyalist counter attack, and finally the annihilation of the last remaining loyalist).