Operation Stribozh - Crusade Campaign

[Focslain]

So taking a break from the knights and working on this army again.

 

Mostly due to the crusade my friends started I was asked not to bring the knights and my Tau are a second choice.

 

I even built and painted a new commander for it.

 

An XV85 w/ CIB, MP, SG, Drone Controller

 

Basically based on the RVF-25 from Frontier.

For the crusade there are four of us.
Me - Tau
Housemate - Necrons (mostly the imdonitus box)
and my two buddies, one playing nurgle, the other guard.

 

I have a table set up in my basement so we can game even during times like these.

 

For the crusade Order of Battle I started with:

 

XV85 Commander
Cadre Fireblade
3 man Crisis Team (CIB, SG, MP)
3 man Crisis Team (BC, MPx2)
XV9 - (twin BC, PSR, SG)
3x 4 man drone units (2x marker, 2x shield)

 

I then spent 1 RP to give the commander the puretide chip, 3 RP for +15 PL and 1 RP for a riptide. I'm only going to use the riptide against the nurgle player as he is a veteran player and has a pretty nasty daemon prince in his force.

 

At first... Once we get to strike force level I may bring the riptide.

 

The basic plan for adding to the force was be to port over all the Macross army. But the Bork coldstar and the stormsurge might not be a good idea. Not sure how the stormsurge will do with it being in a SHA by itself. Which means no sept bonus, unless I (most likely) missed something.

 

I did ponder adding another crisis team, this one theme'd after the VF-11 from Macross 7. So a four man team with BC, MP, SG. Like the other BC team, no drone controller. I'm going to look into a different shield style to the CIB squad.

 

Also going to look into replacing the shield drones with gun drones to give something more point effective(?).

 

Only thing I'm going to add is another XV9 or four depending on if I can get my paws on the part I need for the PSR and how many parts I have left for suits as I'm not buying anymore kits for this.

 

I'll have some fluff for the group later. Out side the name: 7th Gur'vessa Wing and the fact most of the pilots and crew are human I don't have much. I know I want to go russian as a naming theme.

 

Also getting the itch to build some tau based objective markers and figure out a bunker....

 

Anyway I'll drop in battle reports, fluff and modeling pictures here.

 

Hope you all enjoy the read and sorry in advance for the poor pictures. Lighting in my basement isn't the best.

Edit: Placed battle report in separate post.

Edited August 14, 2020 by Focslain

[Focslain]

I did get a game in with a small combat patrol of the following:

 

XV85 commander - CIB, MP, SG, Drone controller, puretide chip

3 man XV8 team - CIB, MP, SG

3x 4 man drone squads - 2x marker, 2x shield

 

clocked at 507, opponent didn't care as she just took equal.

 

From memory the necron force I faced was the following:

Overlord
Plasmcer
6 Immortals w/ tesla
10 warrior squad
11 warrior squad (easy add for the point difference)

 

Mission was Secure and Sweep.

 

The board had two buildings and a area ruin. I started in the ruin with the necrons in one building and a building between us.

 

 

Game was short due to her not being aggressive enough. I got first turn, and moved most of my force into the center building to grab the objectives.

 

There was no shooting turn one because the center building blocked LOS (being obscuring). The crons shifted their building, the Immortals getting a better view from the second floor. Turn two I had three of the four objectives. I had to advance the commander as he held back to tag the home objective, but he got in range to support the drones. The crisis team got into the second floor of the center building and dropped half the immortals. None got back up and their return fire killed two drones and wounded a suit (I took a chance on a 2+ save)

 

Next turn I got the commander to join the other suits and the resulting fire wiped the immortals and took out two warriors.

 

 

At that point the necron player gave up since she didn't see it possible to assault the center building without major loses.

 

I agreed at that point, mentioning that if the warriors had moved the prior turn that it might not of. But that was her first game with the crons so live and learn.

Edited August 14, 2020 by Focslain

[Guest Triszin]

Could we get some more pics of the commander?

[Focslain]

Could we get some more pics of the commander?

 

I got two more, not as good though. I need to make a light box one of these days. If there is a specific angle your looking for just ask and I'll see about grabbing it later.

 

[MithrilForge]

Heya, Nice read and mini bat rep 

 

lets hope your Necron friend is a little more aggressive next time so you get a closer game 

 

Cheers, Mithril

[Alcyon]

Subbed, would love to see how Tau do in a Crusade. Thinking of building my own force in the new year for a local campaign.

[Focslain]

Subbed, would love to see how Tau do in a Crusade. Thinking of building my own force in the new year for a local campaign.

 

Thanks, figure I make a minor update.

 

The campaign is on hold until our fourth gets his army done, at least 500+ pts done. His a slow (but really good) painter, so might be a while before we officially start.

 

The necron player was rethinking her starting list and went with a cryptek and a Canoptek Reanimator to get a better WBB roll, those supported by a unit of warriors and a unit of tesla immortals.

 

We did a test game over the weekend, Assassination with her as the defender. I couldn't kill the bots fast enough. My commander and a suit survived till turn six and that was under three turns of CC.

 

Seems she also took my prior advance to heart since she set up as close to me as possible and closed the gap quickly.

 

I'm thinking of bringing in the VF-1 squad (BC/MPx2) for her since she doesn't have much in AP, just lots of shots. The added firepower might help.

----------

On the modeling front I did complete a second XV9 and got a design for the VF-11 suit. As stated its a tougher version of the VF-1s, replacing a MP with a SG.

 

The gun-drones still need work, I have an idea, just need to work on it more.

 

Also been working on some fluff pieces and it's starting to go full Mac7. If I can focus this could be interesting. Just have to remember that singing during combat is ok, piloting the mech via a guitar is crossing the line.

[Alcyon]

 

Just have to remember that singing during combat is ok, piloting the mech via a guitar is crossing the line.

 

 

 

Just curious - why a Cadre Fireblade with no Fire Warriors? I understand you can't run two Commanders if you aren't using Farsight Enclaves, but wouldn't be an Ethereal on Hover Drone granting a 6+ FNP be a better pick?

[The_Chaplain]

 

 

 

Just have to remember that singing during combat is ok, piloting the mech via a guitar is crossing the line.

 

 

Just curious - why a Cadre Fireblade with no Fire Warriors? I understand you can't run two Commanders if you aren't using Farsight Enclaves, but wouldn't be an Ethereal on Hover Drone granting a 6+ FNP be a better pick?

Cadre fireblades are a reliable markerlight source.

[Focslain]

 

 

Just have to remember that singing during combat is ok, piloting the mech via a guitar is crossing the line.

 

Just curious - why a Cadre Fireblade with no Fire Warriors? I understand you can't run two Commanders if you aren't using Farsight Enclaves, but wouldn't be an Ethereal on Hover Drone granting a 6+ FNP be a better pick?

Cadre fireblades are a reliable markerlight source.

 

 

The_Chaplain is on the money.

 

Also when this army was originally designed/built in 8th edition I used them in a Supreme Command Detachment. They gave their shield drones to the riptide in said detachment and stood guard over the stormsurge. Taken as a Bork'an sept all the main weapons got a range boost and if placed close to the stormsurge they got character protection from shooting and getting overwatched from a stormsurge was not ideal.

 

In 9th they'll act more like marksmen. Still have to figure out what to do with the stormsurge, but I built them and I'm going to use them.

 

Thinking on it I might just down grade them to firesight marksmen. Will look into it.

Edited September 11, 2020 by Focslain

[Focslain]

Ok, so the group crusade has been placed on hold for a while. Most likely early 2021.

 

The necron player has some medical leave coming up soon and the guard player got distracted and is starting up a chaos marine project.

 

That leaves me and the nurgle player, which I don't want to face with my tau because he tends to tournament level of play and this army is no where near that level. Only reason I agreed to use Tau in this was to be light on the other two considering my original want was knights.

 

I did finish another XV9 which I'll try and remember to get pictures of, but the VF-11 squad has been shelved for now as I need a break from 40K painting in general. I'm still going to work on the fluff of the group though. I have some nice ideas to make this feel like an anime, but hopefully hold some of the core of 40K.

 

Thank you all for reading and if my local gaming group does get the urge for a campaign I'll have the tau as the front runners.

[Alcyon]

Sorry to hear it but thanks for sharing in the meantime!

[Focslain]

So I’m sort of re-activating this to be the basis of my second crusade force. Something not as expansive as my main admech/knight force and easier on my opponents.

 

So far I’ve only fought one battle versus an admech force of 50PL. It was a while ago so I don’t remember much of it other than the riptide tanked most of the force and the firewarriors did hold and keep an objective.

 

My starting roster was the following:

 

Custom sept - Harden Warheads and Hybridized Weaponary

 

Commander in Enforcer suit - CIB, MP, SG, DC - Through Unity, Devastation trait
 - 2 Drones - SG and Markerlight

 

3 XV8 - all suits have - CIB, MP, SG, Shas’vre has iridium armour
 - 4 Drones - SG x2, Markerlight x2
3 XV8 - all suits have - BC, MP x2, Shas’vre has iridium armour
 - 4 Drones - SG x2, Markerlight x2
XV104 Riptide - HBC, SMS x2, ATS and CDS
 - Shielded Missile drones x2

 

5 Firewarriors - Shas’ui w/ Markerlight

 

Normally I don’t take firewarriors, but I need a Troop for Combat patrol. In Incursion level or higher I’ll be fielding a Vanguard Detachment since most suits are in the Elite slot and this is a suit based army.

 

I’m going to see about setting up a regular game schedule with a friend that is returning to playing 40K after a while. He is doing Imperial guard with a focus on infantry. I’ll have a better list of his forces after today.

 

I did add to my roster and modified a unit after looking through the Greater Good book some more.

 

Reset XV8 unit with CIB and added Cross-stabilizing Jets prototype

 

Added the following units:
Commander in Coldstar - High-Yield burst cannon, missile pod x2, shield generator, Through Boldness, Victory Trait

XV9 - Twin BC, SG, Phased Ion gun
XV9 - Twin BC, SG, Phased Ion gun

4 Drones - SG x2, Markerlight x2

 

Now I only have 12 drones done, the 4 drone team is from the BC/MPx2 team for combat patrol runs. Since drones don’t gain XP seemed the easiest way to get some more support and stay fluffy (to my army). The last of the models I have in the army that can be added is two fireblades/firesight marksman, stormsurge and a bork’en coldstar commander.

 

For combat patrols I’m going to use the following:

 

Commander in Enforcer suit - CIB, MP, SG, DC - Through Unity, Devastation trait
 - 2 Drones - SG and Markerlight
Or
Commander in Coldstar - High-Yield burst cannon, missile pod x2, shield generator, Through Boldness, Victory Trait

 

3 XV8 - all suits have - CIB, MP, SG, Cross-stabilizing Jets prototype, Shas’vre has iridium armour
 - 4 Drones - SG x2, Markerlight x2
XV9 - Twin BC, SG, Phased Ion gun

 

5 Firewarriors - Shas’ui w/ Markerlight

 

4 Drones - SG x2, Markerlight x2

 

My plan for our first battle is to use the coldstar, if I can get him to complete the agenda and grant him a mark of greatness I can get him blooded and then give him the crusade relic of 2+ armour. That is the plan anyway. Otherwise I would mostly choose the enforcer suit for the drone controller for patrol missions.

 

Life in general has been busy so I’m going to use this to hopefully get more pictures and get back into report writing. Also while waaaaaayy late here is a picture I have of the XV9s. Hopefully I’ll remember to get better/more pictures of this force later today. That is if he doesn’t take the knight option.

 

[Bryan Blaire]

I can’t really comment on the lists/additions/changes for the units, but I’m very interested to read your results.  The custom sept selections seem good though, hope they help out!

 

I am disappointed to hear that the VF-11 squad has been shelved as an idea.  You’ve now given me an idea that at least one of my XV-8 squads will need to have some yellow and black markings on one, and blue on another.  :LOL:

[Focslain]

I can’t really comment on the lists/additions/changes for the units, but I’m very interested to read your results.  The custom sept selections seem good though, hope they help out!

 

I am disappointed to hear that the VF-11 squad has been shelved as an idea.  You’ve now given me an idea that at least one of my XV-8 squads will need to have some yellow and black markings on one, and blue on another.  

 

The VF-11 squad wasn't dropped, just lowered in the project list. I have the parts for the engines, just have to figure out a shield and I have a prototype I'd like to give them. 

So the mission was a lose, mostly due to my own stupidity.

 

Mission was Supply Drop

My Agenda was Bring it Down (or the Crusade version there of)

Opponents was Investigation.

 

Here is what he brought:

Custom Regiment - Jury-rig, Disaplined Shooters

 

Company commander - chainsword/laspistol, Old Grudge, Deathmask

Company commander - bolter/power sword, bellowing voice, laurals of command

 

Special weapons squad - 3x plasmaguns

Special weapons squad - 3x plasmaguns

 

Infantry squad - sgt w/bolter, plasmagun, lasgun x8

Infantry squad - sgt w/bolter, plasmagun, lasgun x8

Infantry squad - sgt w/bolter, plasmagun, lasgun x8

 

Chimera - heavy bolter x2, storm bolter

Chimera - heavy bolter x2, storm bolter

 

So I tried to be 'clever' and ambush one of the chimeras turn one. His had first turn but didn't only managed to kill a drone for his troubles.

The issue that I now see is that my XV8s are the anti-armour unit, not the coldstar and XV9s. So I only did five wounds to the transport and while I at least dropped four guardsmen with the HYBC then another two in melee with the commander he just surrounded the commander and annihilated him.

 

Better option was to turbo-boost behind the his back squad that was on an objective and unload on it, the rest focusing on one of the other infantry squads in the open.

 

It ended up a slog as the only thing keeping me alive was holding him in melee since he isn't too melee focused.

In the end I only managed to drop on infantry squad, one special weapon squad and a chimera (from two rounds of coordinated fire strat from the XV8s).

 

Just a good thing I take shield generators cause that amount of plasma is harsher then I thought. He did lose three to overheats, so there is that.

 

His force marching down the street.

My 'core' force holding back the transports.

 

In his crusade roster he has the following additional units:

Special weapon squad - 3x plasmaguns

2x Infantry squad - sgt w/bolter, plasmagun, lasgun x8

Chimera - heavy bolter x2, storm bolter

Master of Ordnance

1x Ogryn Bodyguard

 

Planned adding is more chimeras, a callidus and vindcare assassins as well as a Banehammer for the center piece.

 

Fluff wise this gets kind of interesting?

 

So his guard is the local police force/pdf lead by a hanging judge.

 

My force is a group of humans turned to the T'au higher quality of life for the average citizen. Much like the T'au water caste they seek to turn thier fellow humans thru words or more specifically song. Only going to violence when defending themselves.

 

So they do these underground/guerilla style concerts and suit up once the 'man' approaches to break up the party and their heads.

Which is so on point of the series that inspired this army, plus is very anime/saturday morning cartoonish that I love it.

 

Might have to revive my drone port/stage idea. Just not with the phone stand and sound system since the idol AR system is not available anymore. I do have miniatures for three idols though so there are my etherals if I so choose.

 

I'm going to try and get our thrusday game to be a regular thing. Will report more later.