Post by mardaddy on Apr 29, 2008 12:16:24 GMT -5
Not quite a rehash of “The Never-Ending Battle of the 3+ Saves”
Skull Bearers
HQ1 Master of Sanctity (Jump Pack, Artificer Armor, Powerfist)
TR1 SM sqd of 8 w/Plasmagun & Hvy Bolter
TR2 SM sqd of 8 w/Plasmagun & Hvy Bolter
TR3 SM sqd of 6 w/Plasmagun & Lascannon
EL1 Assault Marine sqd of 7 w/VetSgt, Meltabomb, Powerfist & Plasma Pistol
FA1 3x Assault Bikes w/Hvy Bolters
FA2 Assault Marine sqd of 7 w/VetSgt Powerfist & Plasma Pistol
FA3 Assault Marine sqd of 7 w/VetSgt Powerfist & Plasma Pistol
HV1 Dev sqd of 8 w/4xMissile Launchers
HV2 Dev sqd of 8 w/4xMissile Launchers
HV3 Dev sqd of 8 w/4xHeavy Bolters
(Skull Bearers do have the trait that allows an Assault Marine sqd as an Elite Choice)
Grey Knights
HQ1 GrandMaster, Holocaust & 4x GK Terminators (Deep Strike)
TR1 Inq. Stormies, VetSgt w/Powerfist & Teleport Homer, w/Targeters
TR2 Inq. Stormies, VetSgt w/Lightning Claws & Teleport Homer, w/Targeters
TR3 Inq. Stormies, VetSgt w/Powersword & Teleport Homer, w/Targeters
FA1 GK sqd of 5 w/2x Incinerators (Deep Strike)
FA2 GK sqd of 5 w/2x Incinerators (Deep Strike)
FA3 GK sqd of 5 w/2x Incinerators (Deep Strike)
HV1 GK Dreadnought (Assault Cannon & ML, Teleport Homer)
HV2 Orbital Bombardment
HV3 Purgation Sqd of 5 (4xIncinerators) in a Landraider Crusader
My “opponent of choice,” Chris, fields a Dark Eldar, Tyranid, or IG army as the mood suits him only had his WHFB stuff with him this time, hoping I would have brought my Dwarves, but I only brought my 40k stuff this time. I usually bring both when I go, but was in a hurry to get out the door. He only has one army, while I can conceivably field four (DH GK’s, SM’s, DH w/IG allies, IG.)
I already had an all-infantry SM list I planned on playing, and Chris decided to go DH GK. He crammed his list fairly quickly. He has played against my SM’s quite a few times, but did not know my list, and we decided to roll randomly for mission; it ended up Recon/Alpha (get your forces into the other guys deployment zone, no Special Rules.)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Master of Sanctity Chaplain Ulau gazed over what he knew to be the upcoming battlefield. The Aquila was there, a wreck, no doubt about it. The pilot dead and gone, his cargo disappeared to boot. The valley the crash was in contained the ruins of a small building, ancient brick and plaster to the right flank, overgrown with local botany, and some small rises here and there. Readings from various sensors showed the Grey Knights had arrived, and it looked like they were here to purge. Chaplain Ulau set his jaw, his forces already deployed, orders already given, and control of the squads released to the individual Sergeants. It is up the Emperor now…
The Skull Bearers had landed, reconnaissance in force, dispatched to locate the missing Aquila, and secure the landing zone for a follow-on force of Grey Knights that were being sent to recover some cargo it had been carrying. Chaplain Ulau had been assigned the mission, but was extremely suspicious from the beginning…
A detachment of Ordo Malleus has already been near the Skull Bearer’s home system on some task for over a year, and had even joined the Skull Bearers as allies on a few battles, they played a key part assisting the Skull Bearers part in the Medusa Campaign. But when this order came down, and the Skull Bearers dispatched, communications between Chapter Master Doric Travaar and Inquisitor Kerrigas’ mission halted. No replies back from the Grey Knights deployment except the signal bounce ensuring connection. When you are dealing with an Inquisitor, this can only be bad…
But the Emperor Protects, and Chaplain Ulau had a job to do. He never bothered wondering what the cargo was the Aquila actually had – with Grey Knights involved, it had to be something either holy to the Inquisition or Daemonic and meant to be destroyed. The Ordo Malleus will care not that it was gone when the Skull Bearers arrived, they will see only the need to cleanse to protect from heretical knowledge. The Grey Knight motto says it all, “Innocence Proves Nothing.”
From his right flank, four missiles fired off at a Dreadnought coming into view from behind the ruined building, three hit and the Assault Cannon is blown off the walking battle machine. Through a small copse, a massive Landraider charges forward, with little time to react, the Skull Bearer’s lone lascannon and four more missiles strike the heavily armored tank, no visible effect beyond the silencing of the guns, must have knocked out a targeting relay; the Machine Spirit would awaken to take care of that soon enough. Joining a squad of Assault Marines, Chaplain Ulau led them himself, advancing up the right flank to engage the Dreadnought.
Up the center of the valley and on the left flank, another squad of Assault Marines flew out, the roar of the Assault Bikes turbo boost could be heard echoing at they raced forward to take advantage of cover. As he led the advancing Assault Marine squad, engagement reports poured into the comlink,
“Left flank Storms in the bush, using the Aquila wreckage for cover.”
“Directing fire Dev Bravo at right flank Storms.”
“Take out that Landraider, Dev Alpha.”
“Assault 2, supporting Dev Alpha.”
“Teleporters! Grey Knights right flank supporting Dread.”
Despite the fact his squad would be vulnerable to them, the last report did not even give Chaplain Ulau pause. With Heavy Bolter fire smacking the ruins and the enemy Storm squad being whittled down, he led the attack on the Dreadnought, and while the squad failed with the Krak grenades to do anything to the thick armor, the Meltabomb placed by the Assault VetSgt had critical effect to the venerable machine. But the squad could carry the assault into the Grey Knights before many of their numbers were purged by twin Incinerators.
On the left flank, combined fire of the Assault Bikes and an SM squad chattered, zeroing in on the Storm squad ducking to the cover, when a teleporting shimmer announced the arrival of another Grey Knight squad, and the Grandmaster and his squad. From the heavens an orbital strike impacts near a Skull Bearer squad on the left flank, aural compensators react, power armor prevents overpressure from damaging, but some are thrown by the impact itself…
The Landraider Crusader had made it to the Skull Bearers lines despite multiple Krak missile strikes and absorbing a few Lascannon shots. Stopping only long enough for a small squad to run out the hatch, Incinerators blazing though the Skull Bearers ranks. But they were soon enough set upon by the reserve Assault 2, and vengeance belonged to the Skull Bearers. Seizing an opportunity, the Crusader plowed into Dev 2, crushing them all beneath its tracks, and pivoting to do more damage… Assault 2 jumped, jet packs flaring, intent on the recently arrived Grey Knight squad that was supporting the Grandmaster.
Impacts of three missile into the Gray Knights ranks allowed Chaplain Ulau to take momentary stock. His squad gone, just he and the Sergeant were left, supported by the Dev squad to hold the entire right flank… Not good. Another Orbital Strike descends, this one impacting far beyond any possible damage to either force.
Forcefully and confidently reciting a prayer of courage under odds through the comlink to all, he and the Sgt jumped into the middle of the remaining pair of Grey Knights, their power armor deflecting attacks, and crushed their Aegis-armored foes with powerfists. No time to waste, and seeing another squad of Storms that were in reserve advancing, firing all the way, the pair of heroes took the initiative and charged the squad...
On the left flank, the last two in the Storm squad broke and ran, Assault 2 lost four to Grey Knight Stormbolters before they charged in to assault the offending squad. The Grandmaster advanced through the Aquila wreckage, charged by Assault 3, and the Assault Bike squad. Two Terminators fell, but the prowess of the Grandmaster himself prevailed over the Skull Bearer numbers.
The Machine Spirit had apparently awakened, as the Crusader finally spit Hurricane bolterfire into the ranks of the Skull Bearers, and prepared to charge for another tank shock. Four more Krak missiles, fired at point blank range bounced off the formidable armor for no effect. Guided by the hand of the Emperor himself, the Skull Bearer’s lone Lascannon gunner finally found the mark and destroyed the huge tank before it could do any more damage.
Chaplain Ulau and the sergeant jumped, set on a course to eventually reach the Grandmaster from across the field, but it was not meant to be. A third Orbital Strike hit, killing three Skull Bearers near the center of the valley.
The last remaining member of the entire Grey Knight Force, wounded and still fighting on, his Nemesis weapon flashing through the ranks of Skull Bearer’s set to oppose him, the Grandmaster refused communication even now. Killing all but one of the Assault Marines on him, he crumpled, and fell mightily as the Powerfist of the VetSgt from Assault 2 penetrated his Aegis Tactical Dreadnought armor and pulled out bone and gore...
Time to get out before more Orbital Strikes take their toll…
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In the comfort of the Sanctuary aboard the Dominus, Master of Sanctity Chaplain Ulau looked to his training and recitations to comfort his troubled mind… Despite it all, thoughts eat at him… The battle results were recorded and reported… What now can the Skull Bearers expect from Inquisitor Kerrigas? Should vengeance be expected? How would Chapter Master Travaar handle this? What happened to the Aquila cargo? And what WAS the cargo? Is the Skull Bearers Chapter and homeworld now at the mercy of the Ordo Malleus?
In the end, Chaplain Ulau decided nothing has changed… all are at the mercy of the hands of the Ordo Malleus and the Emperor anyway…
=========================================
We called it a draw - neither of us had scoring units in the Deployment zone of our opponent at end of game. I could not get a scoring unit there fast enough, so concentrated on just killing all his guys so he could not pull the win
Skull Bearers
HQ1 Master of Sanctity (Jump Pack, Artificer Armor, Powerfist)
TR1 SM sqd of 8 w/Plasmagun & Hvy Bolter
TR2 SM sqd of 8 w/Plasmagun & Hvy Bolter
TR3 SM sqd of 6 w/Plasmagun & Lascannon
EL1 Assault Marine sqd of 7 w/VetSgt, Meltabomb, Powerfist & Plasma Pistol
FA1 3x Assault Bikes w/Hvy Bolters
FA2 Assault Marine sqd of 7 w/VetSgt Powerfist & Plasma Pistol
FA3 Assault Marine sqd of 7 w/VetSgt Powerfist & Plasma Pistol
HV1 Dev sqd of 8 w/4xMissile Launchers
HV2 Dev sqd of 8 w/4xMissile Launchers
HV3 Dev sqd of 8 w/4xHeavy Bolters
(Skull Bearers do have the trait that allows an Assault Marine sqd as an Elite Choice)
Grey Knights
HQ1 GrandMaster, Holocaust & 4x GK Terminators (Deep Strike)
TR1 Inq. Stormies, VetSgt w/Powerfist & Teleport Homer, w/Targeters
TR2 Inq. Stormies, VetSgt w/Lightning Claws & Teleport Homer, w/Targeters
TR3 Inq. Stormies, VetSgt w/Powersword & Teleport Homer, w/Targeters
FA1 GK sqd of 5 w/2x Incinerators (Deep Strike)
FA2 GK sqd of 5 w/2x Incinerators (Deep Strike)
FA3 GK sqd of 5 w/2x Incinerators (Deep Strike)
HV1 GK Dreadnought (Assault Cannon & ML, Teleport Homer)
HV2 Orbital Bombardment
HV3 Purgation Sqd of 5 (4xIncinerators) in a Landraider Crusader
My “opponent of choice,” Chris, fields a Dark Eldar, Tyranid, or IG army as the mood suits him only had his WHFB stuff with him this time, hoping I would have brought my Dwarves, but I only brought my 40k stuff this time. I usually bring both when I go, but was in a hurry to get out the door. He only has one army, while I can conceivably field four (DH GK’s, SM’s, DH w/IG allies, IG.)
I already had an all-infantry SM list I planned on playing, and Chris decided to go DH GK. He crammed his list fairly quickly. He has played against my SM’s quite a few times, but did not know my list, and we decided to roll randomly for mission; it ended up Recon/Alpha (get your forces into the other guys deployment zone, no Special Rules.)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Master of Sanctity Chaplain Ulau gazed over what he knew to be the upcoming battlefield. The Aquila was there, a wreck, no doubt about it. The pilot dead and gone, his cargo disappeared to boot. The valley the crash was in contained the ruins of a small building, ancient brick and plaster to the right flank, overgrown with local botany, and some small rises here and there. Readings from various sensors showed the Grey Knights had arrived, and it looked like they were here to purge. Chaplain Ulau set his jaw, his forces already deployed, orders already given, and control of the squads released to the individual Sergeants. It is up the Emperor now…
The Skull Bearers had landed, reconnaissance in force, dispatched to locate the missing Aquila, and secure the landing zone for a follow-on force of Grey Knights that were being sent to recover some cargo it had been carrying. Chaplain Ulau had been assigned the mission, but was extremely suspicious from the beginning…
A detachment of Ordo Malleus has already been near the Skull Bearer’s home system on some task for over a year, and had even joined the Skull Bearers as allies on a few battles, they played a key part assisting the Skull Bearers part in the Medusa Campaign. But when this order came down, and the Skull Bearers dispatched, communications between Chapter Master Doric Travaar and Inquisitor Kerrigas’ mission halted. No replies back from the Grey Knights deployment except the signal bounce ensuring connection. When you are dealing with an Inquisitor, this can only be bad…
But the Emperor Protects, and Chaplain Ulau had a job to do. He never bothered wondering what the cargo was the Aquila actually had – with Grey Knights involved, it had to be something either holy to the Inquisition or Daemonic and meant to be destroyed. The Ordo Malleus will care not that it was gone when the Skull Bearers arrived, they will see only the need to cleanse to protect from heretical knowledge. The Grey Knight motto says it all, “Innocence Proves Nothing.”
From his right flank, four missiles fired off at a Dreadnought coming into view from behind the ruined building, three hit and the Assault Cannon is blown off the walking battle machine. Through a small copse, a massive Landraider charges forward, with little time to react, the Skull Bearer’s lone lascannon and four more missiles strike the heavily armored tank, no visible effect beyond the silencing of the guns, must have knocked out a targeting relay; the Machine Spirit would awaken to take care of that soon enough. Joining a squad of Assault Marines, Chaplain Ulau led them himself, advancing up the right flank to engage the Dreadnought.
Up the center of the valley and on the left flank, another squad of Assault Marines flew out, the roar of the Assault Bikes turbo boost could be heard echoing at they raced forward to take advantage of cover. As he led the advancing Assault Marine squad, engagement reports poured into the comlink,
“Left flank Storms in the bush, using the Aquila wreckage for cover.”
“Directing fire Dev Bravo at right flank Storms.”
“Take out that Landraider, Dev Alpha.”
“Assault 2, supporting Dev Alpha.”
“Teleporters! Grey Knights right flank supporting Dread.”
Despite the fact his squad would be vulnerable to them, the last report did not even give Chaplain Ulau pause. With Heavy Bolter fire smacking the ruins and the enemy Storm squad being whittled down, he led the attack on the Dreadnought, and while the squad failed with the Krak grenades to do anything to the thick armor, the Meltabomb placed by the Assault VetSgt had critical effect to the venerable machine. But the squad could carry the assault into the Grey Knights before many of their numbers were purged by twin Incinerators.
On the left flank, combined fire of the Assault Bikes and an SM squad chattered, zeroing in on the Storm squad ducking to the cover, when a teleporting shimmer announced the arrival of another Grey Knight squad, and the Grandmaster and his squad. From the heavens an orbital strike impacts near a Skull Bearer squad on the left flank, aural compensators react, power armor prevents overpressure from damaging, but some are thrown by the impact itself…
The Landraider Crusader had made it to the Skull Bearers lines despite multiple Krak missile strikes and absorbing a few Lascannon shots. Stopping only long enough for a small squad to run out the hatch, Incinerators blazing though the Skull Bearers ranks. But they were soon enough set upon by the reserve Assault 2, and vengeance belonged to the Skull Bearers. Seizing an opportunity, the Crusader plowed into Dev 2, crushing them all beneath its tracks, and pivoting to do more damage… Assault 2 jumped, jet packs flaring, intent on the recently arrived Grey Knight squad that was supporting the Grandmaster.
Impacts of three missile into the Gray Knights ranks allowed Chaplain Ulau to take momentary stock. His squad gone, just he and the Sergeant were left, supported by the Dev squad to hold the entire right flank… Not good. Another Orbital Strike descends, this one impacting far beyond any possible damage to either force.
Forcefully and confidently reciting a prayer of courage under odds through the comlink to all, he and the Sgt jumped into the middle of the remaining pair of Grey Knights, their power armor deflecting attacks, and crushed their Aegis-armored foes with powerfists. No time to waste, and seeing another squad of Storms that were in reserve advancing, firing all the way, the pair of heroes took the initiative and charged the squad...
On the left flank, the last two in the Storm squad broke and ran, Assault 2 lost four to Grey Knight Stormbolters before they charged in to assault the offending squad. The Grandmaster advanced through the Aquila wreckage, charged by Assault 3, and the Assault Bike squad. Two Terminators fell, but the prowess of the Grandmaster himself prevailed over the Skull Bearer numbers.
The Machine Spirit had apparently awakened, as the Crusader finally spit Hurricane bolterfire into the ranks of the Skull Bearers, and prepared to charge for another tank shock. Four more Krak missiles, fired at point blank range bounced off the formidable armor for no effect. Guided by the hand of the Emperor himself, the Skull Bearer’s lone Lascannon gunner finally found the mark and destroyed the huge tank before it could do any more damage.
Chaplain Ulau and the sergeant jumped, set on a course to eventually reach the Grandmaster from across the field, but it was not meant to be. A third Orbital Strike hit, killing three Skull Bearers near the center of the valley.
The last remaining member of the entire Grey Knight Force, wounded and still fighting on, his Nemesis weapon flashing through the ranks of Skull Bearer’s set to oppose him, the Grandmaster refused communication even now. Killing all but one of the Assault Marines on him, he crumpled, and fell mightily as the Powerfist of the VetSgt from Assault 2 penetrated his Aegis Tactical Dreadnought armor and pulled out bone and gore...
Time to get out before more Orbital Strikes take their toll…
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In the comfort of the Sanctuary aboard the Dominus, Master of Sanctity Chaplain Ulau looked to his training and recitations to comfort his troubled mind… Despite it all, thoughts eat at him… The battle results were recorded and reported… What now can the Skull Bearers expect from Inquisitor Kerrigas? Should vengeance be expected? How would Chapter Master Travaar handle this? What happened to the Aquila cargo? And what WAS the cargo? Is the Skull Bearers Chapter and homeworld now at the mercy of the Ordo Malleus?
In the end, Chaplain Ulau decided nothing has changed… all are at the mercy of the hands of the Ordo Malleus and the Emperor anyway…
=========================================
We called it a draw - neither of us had scoring units in the Deployment zone of our opponent at end of game. I could not get a scoring unit there fast enough, so concentrated on just killing all his guys so he could not pull the win
