1K Pts (LEL G2) - Angry Goats (Iron Hands) vs Alpha Legion

[Goat Rider]

Part 2 of the ongoing Saga of the Lord Emperor League campaign, a 1K Point League at my FLGS.

Previous games I've played in the series, and other information about the Campaign, can be found here:

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/341428-angry-goats-iron-hands-battle-reports-1k-league/

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“Secure communication station in sector 14S UA.” That single sentence was the entirety of the orders the task force had received, but it was all that was needed. With a thought, Chaplain Valdosta accessed multiple data banks and cross-referenced a plethora of images and intelligence reports on the area. It seems that enemy forces had been using the equipment there to both disrupt Imperial communications and to also spread heretical propaganda. Some reports even hinted that members of the Alpha Legion had been seen in the area. The thought of bringing the Emperor’s Justice to these heretics stirred the blood in Valdosta’s broken body. Within the cold confines of the Venerable Dreadnought, his righteous fury began to build.

Scout Squad Kiko ranged far ahead of the rest of Task Force Valdosta in a recon patrol. When they reached the site of the communications facility, there was little to indicate an active enemy presence of any kind. At first. But through the broken ruins and field of dead bodies, one thing did stand out: a massive Maulerfiend with the tendrils on his back lashing about at random. Seeming to be the only thing in the area unconcerned with concealment, the massive beast stamped around the base of the communications tower like an unruly guard dog. With the threat identified, Squad Kiko took an elevated firing position and called in the rest of Task Force Valdosta.

The ancient war machines of the Angry Goats chapter marched forward towards their objective. Well aware of the Alpha Legion’s reputation for treachery, the 5 venerated Dreadnoughts maintained a defensive posture as they approached. And while stealth wasn’t their strong suit, their targeting sensors certainly were. As they neared the communication tower, firing solutions began to light up on their respective displays. A hulking Helbrute, a handful of Alpha Legionaries, and the Maulerfiend were identified and assigned firing priorities. This handful of opponents would hardly be a match for Task Force Valdosta. But as the Dreadnoughts neared their optimum engagement range, something proved to be drastically wrong. What had originally registered as a field of the dead, was now moving.

Venerable Dreadnought Repartida was the first to notice that something was off. From the field of the dead, 40 Cultists broke from cover and surged towards the Dreadnoughts. But such ancient warriors were not to be intimidated by such a motley horde. Repartida’s well-practiced targeting systems were quick to analyze the situation and reprioritize targets. With a blurt of machine code, he passed his new targeting algorithms to the rest of the Task Force. Contemptor Saanen adjusted his formation to form a firing line with Chaplain Valdosta and Contemptor Pyrenean. In a veritable wall of death, the 3 Dreadnoughts opened up with their Assault Cannons and Bolters. The first two ranks of the Cultists were cut down almost simultaneously, joining the field of the dead once more. Seeing their fellows mutilated so quickly proved too much for the majority of the remaining cultists and they nearly all retreated with curses flowing freely. Only the Cultist Champion and his 3 greatest sycophants seemed dedicated (or crazy) enough to continue the charge. The second volley proved their spurt of courage to be unfounded.

Not to be outdone, Venerable Orobica and Venerable Repartida charged up their Lascannons and Autocannons. The combined firepower of their first volley struck the raging Maulerfiend with deadly accuracy. The massive beast barely had time to let out an infuriated roar before his power core overloaded and sent his body parts out in rain of plasma, shrapnel, and blood. Three of the Alpha Legion Havocs, who were already lifting their Heavy Bolters to return fire, were consumed in the blast. But before Task Force Valdosta could press their advantage, the scent of warp-tainted ozone saturated the air. Amidst the sound of disembodied screaming, a Chaos Sorcerer and a trio of thrice-damned Obliterators appeared among their compatriots. The Alpha Legion reinforcements had come.

Immediately upon arrival, the Sorcerer began to chant in a language so foul that only the blasphemous Obliterators seemed to be emboldened by it. But emboldened they were, and immediately unleashed a hellish volley at the Dreadnoughts. The first shots flew towards Chaplain Valdosta with a nightmarish fury. But the Dreadnought’s armor was some of the most ancient and venerated in the Angry Goats Chapter and would not be easily marred. Most of the shots, that should have torn gaping holes in his torso, instead seemed to glance off the relic armor and left only superficial damage behind. Still guided by the Sorcerer’s chanting, the second volley flew into Ancient Saanen with equal ferocity. Though the damage he received did prove to be more severe, the automatic shield deflected the worst of the shots, and he remained quite functional.

With an unnatural speed the Helbrute burst from the ruins and charged forward, all the while screaming praises to Papa Nurgle. His wildly firing Multi-melta scorched the walls near Valdosta, but did nothing to impede the Chaplain. And though he was goaded on by the Sorcerer, the Helbrute was not destined to sake his bloodlust. Seeing the Helbrute dart forward triggered a subroutine in the Venerable Dreadnoughts, and they both immediately turned to fire. Before the massive fiend could get to grips with his prey, he was intercepted by a hail of Autocannon and Lascannon fire. Though the Helbrute’s meaty legs continued to stride forward for a few more steps, it was of little use as its entire upper half was missing. The torturous existence of this affront to the Machine God had been ended.

With their front-line units expended, the Chaos Lord and Sorcerer began to fall back under the cover of the Havocs and Obliterators unyielding fire. Seeing this retreat, all elements of Task Force Valdosta began to press forward. But in the heat of battle, mistakes can be costly. Scout Squad Kiko and Contemptor Pyrenean broke from cover a fraction of a second early and they paid for it dearly. Several members of Squad Kiko were given the opportunity to pass on their gene-seed to the next generation by the Havoc’s Heavy Bolter fire. Meanwhile, Ancient Pyrenean suffered the ire of the Obliterators, and was severely damaged and knocked out of the fight. But despite their losses, the advance pressed on.

In a hail of fire, Venerable Repartida and Orobica destroyed two of the Obliterators and injured the third while the combined fire of Valdosta and Saanen punched through the ruins and saw one of the havocs dead. Techmarine Surati, amidst a mixture of curses, machine code, and complains about “repair queues” lifted his bolter. With a righteous hatred for the Obliterators, that had so badly damaged Ancient Pyrenean, guiding his aim he placed a bolter round directly through the eye of the last Obliterator. Its blasphemous existence was ended.

With the way clear, Saanen and Valdosta charged forward into the remnants of the Alpha Legion force. Contemptor Saanen caught up with the Sorcerer first and their exchange was short but vicious. The Sorcerer proved to be no slouch in close range combat, and unleashed a torrent of ethereal energies at the Dreadnought. Though Saanen’s shielding proved to be ineffective against the blasts, his momentum was not slowed. After several dodged swings of his massive fist, he finally managed to catch the Sorcerer. With the sound of straining servos, the ancient corrupted Terminator Armor around the Sorcerer buckled and crushed him inside.

Chaplain Valdosta reached the Chaos Lord and the remaining Havoc Marine at the same time. With an almost casual sweep of the Dreadnought’s fist, the Havoc was pulverized against his firing port. The Chaos Lord, however, proved a far deadlier foe. His shimmering, oversized Chainsword seemed to be in 3 places at once and Valdosta was forced back with every swing. Great rends were being carved into the Dreadnought’s normally resilient armor. But instead of pressing the attack against the now-smoking Chaplain Dreadnought, the uninjured Lord stepped back and simply stated “Enjoy your … ‘Victory’ … while you can …” Then, before Valdosta could move to react, the Lord vanished.

With the Alpha Legion forces all destroyed or in retreat, the communications tower was secure. As Chaplain Valdosta moved to establish a perimeter, he checked the incoming damage reports. Though Contemptor Pyrenean had been the most badly hit, his damage was all fully repairable. Techmarine Surati estimated that they would all be back to full combat capabilities before night fall. But despite this good news, and even through the thrill of victory, Valdosta was still bothered by the Lord’s departing words. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he and his forces had been lured into this area, and that this ‘victory’ was only the beginning of something far larger.

Edited November 20, 2017 by Goat Rider

[Goat Rider]

If you have any feedback, please let me know!

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This is a match during my FLGS's current "Lord Emperor League". The Lord Emperor League is a "King of the Hill" style league. There are 3 tiers, the current Champion on top, the Veterans in the Middle, and the Experienced at the bottom. The Experienced players have to challenge the Veterans in order to move up. If the Experienced players win, they take the Vet's place. If the Veteran wins, they get a "challenge token" and can then take on the Champion. When a Veteran challenges the current Champ and wins, he becomes the new Champ. If the Champion wins 3 successive challenges, they win the series and the tournament restarts.

For this match, I will be challenging the current Champion in an attempt to take the spot for myself!

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The Armies:

Alpha Legion

Chaos Lord (Warlord) – Blade of the Hydra, Chainsword, Combi-Bolter, Mark of Nurgle

Sorcerer in Terminator Armor – Combi-Bolter, Force Stave, Prescience, Warptime, Mark of Tzeentch

Helbrute – Helbrute Fist, Multi-Melta, Heavy Flamer, Mark of Nurgle

Maulerfiend – Lasher Tendrils, Mark of Khorne

Obliterators x3 – Fleshmetal Guns, Mark of Slaanesh

Chaos Cultists x40 – Autoguns, Mark of Slaanesh

Angry Goats (Iron Hands)

Chaplain Dreadnought - Assault Cannon, DCCW, Storm Bolter, Armor Indomitus

Contemptor Dreadnought - Kheres Assault Cannon, DCCW, Combi-Bolter

Contemptor Dreadnought - Kheres Assault Cannon, DCCW, Combi-Bolter

Venerable Dreadnought - Twin Lascannon, Twin Autocannon

Venerable Dreadnought - Twin Lascannon, Twin Autocannon

Techmarine - Bolter, Chainsword, Servo Arm

Scout Squad - 5x Sniper Rifles

Deployment Type and Mission:

As the defender, he got first pick. He the Invasion mission, probably hoping for his Cultists to swarm my objective. I chose the ... interesting deployment zone to try and keep his forces bunched up as much as I could and so I would know for sure where his Objective would end up.

Deployment and Objectives

He put his Objective (the stars) roughly in the center of his deployment zone, which was roughly the center of the board. I put mine in the bottom right hand corner.

He kept the Sorcerer and his Obliterators in Reserve, and used 1 CP to infiltrate his 40 Cultists as close to me as he could, and put the rest in what little space he had in the center.

While I was technically able to use all 4 corners to set up in, I didn't want to risk having any of my forces isolated so I just shoved it all in the bottom right corner. My Techmarine and a Contemptor Dread are a bit further back than I would like, but it was necessary to ensure I didn't have any open Deep Strike pockets in my back field.

My Scouts (not in this picture) were in the top-right corner. They chained themselves out slightly to push any Deep Strike from the Obliterators farther from the Venerable Dreadnoughts.

First Turn:

I finished deploying first, and after tying on the first roll, I won the roll-off to go first!

He failed to Seize.

Angry Goats - Turn 1

· 2 of my Scouts moved so that they could see anyone in the ruins.

· One Contemptor backed up slightly to get to within 6” of the central Venerable Dreadnought.

· Everyone Else stood still.

· I used 1 CP to enact the “Wisdom of the Ancients” Stratagem to get nearly my whole force a reroll 1s buff.

· The Shooting was FIERCE.

· Both Venerable Dreadnoughts sent all their Lascannon and Autocannon shots into the Maulerfiend, since he doesn’t benefit from the Alpha Legion Traits. The Combined Firepower destroys it, it explodes, and kills a 2 Cultists and 3 Havocs.

· Scouts target the Lord, and do nothing.

· Both Kheres Assault Cannons, the Assault Cannon, and 3 Storm/Combi-Bolters lay into the Cultists. 16 more are killed, for a total of 18 dead.

· He rolls a 6 for Morale (with Leadership 6) to kill another 18 Cultists in the Morale phase.

· An absolutely brutal start to the game.

Alpha Legion - Turn 1

· His Sorcerer and Obliterators come in.

· His Helbrute, Lord, and Cultists make a move towards my lines.

· His Sorcerer casts Warptime on the Helbrute, and Prescience on the Obliterators

· The Havocs fire into the Scouts, killing 2.

· His Helbrute shoots the Multimelta at the Chaplain Dread, but misses.

· His Obliterators roll S8, AP-3, D3 and fire at my Chaplain Dread.

o I activate the Armor Indomitus for a 3++ Save.

o After all the saves and FNPs, he takes 2 Damage.

· He spends 2 CP for “Endless Cacophony” and fires at the left Contemptor.

o He gets S9, AP-1, D2.

o Two Shots go through, for 4 Damage.

· The Helbrute fails the 9” charge.

Angry Goats - Turn 2

· The uninjured Contemptor moves up to be in charge range of the Helbrute if needed.

· My Techmarine moves up to heal the damaged Contemptor, but I forget to roll for it.

· Both Venerable Dreadnoughts focus on the Helbrute and destroy it with Lascannon and Autocannon fire.

· The Scouts target the Havocs, all hit, and roll 5,5,6 for the damage. 1 Havoc Dies.

· The Chaplain Dreadnought fires at the Cultists, and kill the remaining 4.

· 1 Contemptor fires on the Sorcerer, but fails to penetrate the Terminator Armor.

· The other Contemptor fires on the Obliterators, with no effect.

· The Contemptor fails his 9” charge.

Alpha Legion - Turn 2

· Everyone by the Havoc pulls back.

· The Obliterators gain Prescience, and the lead Contmptor takes 1 wound from Smite.

· The Obliterators fire on the Lead Contemptor, and take off a staggering 8 wounds, bringing him down to just 1.

· Everyone else shoots at the Contemptor, but fail to take off the last wound.

Angry Goats - Turn 3

· My Chaplain and Contemptors make a move forward.

· My Sniper Scouts Advance and move towards the center objective.

· The Techmarine follows behind. Heals the severely damaged Dread up to 4 wounds.

· The Combined Firepower from all 5 Dreadnoughts kills a grand total of 2 Obliterators.

· The left Contemptor fails his charge against the Sorcerer.

[No Photo]

Alpha Legion - Turn 3

· His Sorceror moves up towards the Dreads.

· Casts smite to remove a wound from the Left Contemptor.

· This Obliterators chew through the last 4 wounds of the center Contemptor, for no explosion.

· Havoc Shooting kills 1 more Scout, leaving only 1 remaining.

· His Sorceror charges the remaining Contemptor Dread. Causes no damage, but loses 3 wounds in return.

Angry Goats - Turn 4

· My Chaplain Dread moves up towards the center.

· The Techmarine moves infront of the Contemptor Dread, intending to heal him. I again forget.

· The remaining Scout advances towards the center and in to the trenches.

· The Venerable Dreadnoughts and Chaplain Dreadnought only cause 2 wounds on the Obliterator.

· The Techmarine lines up a single Bolter shot, and takes off the last wound.

· The Chaplain Dreadnought charges the remaining Havoc, makes the charge after a reroll, and kills him dead. He Piles in to the Chaos Lord.

· The Contemptor Dreadnought takes off the last wounds on the Sorcerer.

· The Chaos Lord fails to get any wounds through on the Chaplain Dreadnought.

[No Photo]

Alpha Legion - Turn 4

· Straight to Fight Phase

· Lord gets the Chaplain Dread down to 5 wounds.

· Chaplain Dread causes 2 wounds, but the lord rolls 6,6 for his saves.

[No Photo]

Angry Goats - Turn 5

· Scout Advances, gets to within 3” of the center objective.

· Venerable Dreadnought backs up to within 3” of the bottom-right objective.

· Contemptor and Techmarine move up, but are outside of charge range still. Techmarine heals the Contemptor back up to 6.

· Chaplain Dread causes 3 wounds, but Lord saves all of them.

· Lord causes 1 more wound, down to 4.

· Angry Goats Currently control both Objectives.

Alpha Legion - Turn 5

· Straight to Fight Phase

· Lord causes a whopping 5 wounds on the Dreadnought

· Dreadnought fails several saves, but FNP saves the day.

· The Dreadnought survives with 1 wound remaining.

· Dreadnought causes 2 more wounds, but they are both saves yet again!

With both objectives taken from the Alpha Legion, it is an Angry Goats Victory!

Final Thoughts:

Well, I missed a few pictures. But I think that overall I got more taken!

This game was a blast!

I was sweating during the entire set-up process. I brought a grand total of 11 models total and I was outnumbered nearly 5 to 1! Seeing that massive blob of Cultists made me very itchy. It wasn't until I had put down my dice at the end of turn 1 that I could breath again.

I got really lucky with my shooting and beat up anything I targeted. A few flubbed rolls and this whole thing would have been a different story.

With this Victory in hand, I am now the (temporary) Champion of the Lord Emperor League! Now I have to wait for the next person to challenge me and try and take my throne. I can't wait!

Edited November 20, 2017 by Goat Rider

[QuarterPounder]

Great bat rep! Really enjoyed both versions! Congrats, too, on getting Champion.

[Goat Rider]

Thanks so much!  
I'm actually working on Game 3 now, so Stay Tuned!