Raphaelus
(6/30/02 10:21:24 pm)

Blood Angels Force 2

*HQ*

Librarian
Stormbolter
ForceAx
Psychic Hood
Terminator Armour 155pts

DeathCompany
Chaplain w/ crozius & rosarius
Rhino 180pts 335pts
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*Troops*

10 Tactical Marines Tac1
Vet Sarge w/ powerweapon
MissileLauncher
Flamer 196pts
+Rhino 65

6 Tactical Marines Tac2
Vet Sarge w/ powerweapon
Heavy Bolter 125pts

5 Tactical Marines Tac3
Vet Sarge w/power weapon
Flamer 101pts
Razorback 85pts 186pts
PMstbolter

9 Scouts
3 Sniper rifles
1 Autocannon 152pts 729pts
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

*Fast Attack*

Attack Bike
Multimelta
smoke 68pts

LandSpeeder Tornado
Multimelta
Heavy Flamer 90pts 158pts
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

*Heavy Support*
Dreadnought
Multimelta Stormbolter
smoke 118

Predator
Autocannon
Lascannons sponsons
PMStormbolter
smoke 138pts 258pts
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Total: 1485

#######################################
Chaos force as observed by Codicier Librarian Abelus

Iron lord
with combi weapon power weapon and servo arm

Daemon Prince with scary scary sword

6 Khorne bezekers including champion

9 Chaos space marines with close combat weapons, plasma gun + Rhino APC (accompanying Lord)

10 Chaos veterans led by champion with power weapon

5 Chaos bikers led by power weapon carrying champion

6 Havocs with 2xmissile launchers lascannon and champion

3 Obliterators

Predator with twin linked lascannon heavy bolters

1600pts
########################################

Well the second battle for turn two of the Galathon campaign was played yesterday and what a bloody battle it was. The second battle to be fought in the sector was between two fresh forces, my second force interposing itself between the second chaos army and the remnants of my first army in an attempt to drive the chaos marines out of the subsector. Yes you read above points cost correctly. Without going into too much detail, the Chaos army possesses a warp gate in the south of the sector & until a librarian can get to it to close it ... the chaos player gets 100 points to spend per turn on daemonry above and beyond the 1500 point limit.

The terrain was basically a 4foot square table with a 1.5x1.5 one storey ruined appartment block in the centre. a road surrounded the centre like a big roundabout with streets leading off north east west and south in the centres.
>>northern table edge from east to west: a three storey apartment complex over looking pretty much everything with a park with trenchworks dug in front and ruins again on the far west.
>>western table edge from north to south: ruins leading down the table to a command centre at the furthest south.
>>west to east on the southern edge: ruins and an ornamental lake and finally another ruin apartment.
>>east edge south to north: the apartment complex with a parkland between i and the three storey building at the northeast corner.
(make a short map it may help)

Yet AGAIN my rolls for the Death Company left much to be desired resulting in only 6 accompanying the chaplain - no units were touched - my Bloodangels forces for the past three games have been unaffected by the curse. The Iron Warrior general picked the northeast corner for deployment and i rolled for first set down, forcing the chaos player into the far corner of his deployment zone by planting my dreadnought in the centre of the table.

The chaos player deployed:
Havocs in three storey apartment in northeast corner (BIG surprise - the vantage point looked over half the table)
Obliterators in trenches on eastern table edge between the 3 storey building and the park
Predator between the Obliterators and the park
IronWarrior squad Rhino (with Lord) in front of the 3 storey apartment
Dreadnought in front of the rhino
Khorne bezerkers Veterans and Daemon Prince in park on northern table edge
Chaos Bikers behind Predator on eastern edge.

The Blood Angels deployed:
Dreadnought in centre of table amidst ruins
Tac2 aside dreadnought in defensive positions
Tac1 & Tac2 in transports facing east ready to drive around corner
Attack bikes on street facing east
Landspeeder extreme flankon southern table edge
Predator facing north on street around centre block
DC in transport facing north
Scouts in ruins on western table edge
Librarian alonside Tac1 Rhino

I rolled a six for first turn and so it began....

Librarian Gesthemanius shuddered at the cold chill that enveloped him, that had nothing to do with the icy wind sending snow flurries down the abandoned streets. The ruins to the north silent and foreboding bore a prescence and as he focused his optics striding through the tangel undergrowth of the once pristine parkland huge bat like wings snapped the branches of trees like twigs. A bestial roar echoed the streets an grating laughter could be heard from the buildings. Here was the disturbance noted by the librarium sensors. Devilry! Gesthemanius had nothing to fear - the oracle had advised him that his death would come mortal means - but he feared for his battle brothers. Movement! a bright lance of energy slashed from the apartment block to the northeast smasing the should guard of Brother Antonius the dreadnought causing him to stagger backwards.
"Enemy sighted and i am moving to the attack" he informed HQ. It had begun...

Turn1
As one the entire bloodangel force moved forwards. Charged with the finding and banishing of the Daemon Prince Nagashu the terrible sense of purpose gripped the men of the second company. The dreadnought moved into a position where it could sight the enemy predator, my own predator rounded the corner to the north and faced the enemys own dreadnought with the deathcompany rhino in hot pursuit. the scouts chased after the deathcompany searching through the rubble looking for a place to set up the autocannon. Tac2 moved north into the first floor of the ruined centre of hab units overlooking the top of the predator as it rounded the corner trying to pick out the forms of the chaos marines veterans in the north park. as the razorback and rhino of tac1 and tac3 rounded the southeast corner of the centre block and the troops dismounted into the street, tac1 running into the east park and tac3 into the centre block, the landspeeder weaced between the buildings along the southside, ending up behind the east park preparing to threaten the chaos predator. the attack bike moved into position and the gunner sighted along the multimelta, picking out the lumbering form of the chaos dreadnought through the holes in the walls of the centre block.. with a hissing boom it fired, missing the running form of the terminator librarian and missing the dreadnought as well. the predator fired its lascannon hitting the ravening metal beast but the millenia old armour saved the dreadnought and it gave a howl of fury at its foe. the blood angel dreadnought picked out the chaos predator through the ruins but its shot went wide setting some trees in the park alight.as the khorne bezerkers ran through the woods the veterans showed themselves, their dull iron armour melting into the shadows barely noticed by the marines as the huge form of the daemon prince emerged from the woods brandishing its mighty sword... with a flash the lascannon of the havocs sang, hitting the predator and slashing through a track, immobilising it. the chaos predator fired its twin linked lascannons, the resultant blast of energy knocking the marine dreadnought sprawling immobilising it for the next turn and masking the sound of the chaos bikers as they rode through the east park to engage the tactical marines. the leader of the group misjudged and the explosion as he drove his bike into an overhanging tree was echoed by the destruction of the landspeeder as the boltguns of the bikes barked and cut down the marine skimmer. gunning their engines the chaos bikers charged the marines of tac1 but warned by the destruction of the landspeeder the blood angels were prepared and stood their ground bravely cutting down all but one of the marines. the lone biker struggled to get his bike from out of the mud and raising his bolt pistol kept the marines at arms length, refusing to fall back in the face of ten vengeful blood angel marines. the chaos dreadnought failed to assault anyone, its autocannon smoking as it fired again and again at the attack bike as it sped off into the distance

Turn2
Failing to control his emotions the terminator librarian gave a bellow of rage and ran into the park towards the lone biker. tac3 moved back further into the centre block the sergeant spotting the veterans in the north woods and deciding to support the marines of tac2. the driver of the rhino carrying the deathcompany floored the pedal and swerving past the immobilised predator, fired the supercharged engine skidded to a halt by the north park as the deathcompany leapt forth. the heavy bolter of tac2 sighted the warriors of khorne who strode through the hail of white tracers unharmed and the twin linked bolters of the razorback chipped holes from the walls of the havocs strongpoint. the scouts moved forawrd to get a better firing line as they were now masked by the predator. the rhino from tac1 saw the turret of the chaos predator once again target the form of the stunned dreadnought and in horror the driver threw his rhino in front of the enemy predator. firing all weapons the red tanks firepower reduced the ancient psychotic walker to molten slag, the chaos dreadnought destroyed forever. the librarian engaged the last chaos biker, his force ax splitting the warrior from helmet to crotch an continuing on through the bike itself. the marines of tac1 followed behind the librarian as they consolidated northwards into the park. with cries of for the emperor the death company smashed into the veterans. the ancient chaos warriors struck first being in cover but failed to inflict any wounds on the black armoured forms. the deathcompany fought back, their rage more powerful than any power weapon, smashing three of the traitors to the ground. the chaos marines in the rhino sped past the combat, the marines clambering out in front of the immobilised predator. as the iron lord sighted along his combi melta the lascannon from the havocs picked off a scout the obliterators opened fire on the tac3 razorback, immobilising it for a turn and blocking the predator... who turn to face the librarian as he emerged from the woods... the ancient terminator armour resisted the green lance flare of the twinlinked lascannon but was structurely weakened enough that the shots of the heavy bolters punched repeatedly through, killing the psyker. the melta gun of the iron lord reflected harmlessly off of the strong ceramite armour of the marine predator, and with a bellow of disgust he charged into the machine, his servo arm tearing plates from the front of the armour to no effect. the khorne bexerkers gave a howl and charged into the death company, a howl echoed by the daemon prince who charged into the swirling melee, tearing through a deathcompany member. the remainders of the deathcompany destroyed the last of the veteran squad and two bezerkers fell to the chaplain, but all combatants were now fearless individuals, and the combat remained locked in a stalemate...

Turn3
The marine dreadnought strode quickly through the ruins towards the daemon prince turning to fire ineffectually at the chaos predator. the attack bike fired at it also, but the shot was absorbed by the armour plating.. the rhino had moved at the command of brother horatius to allow the predator to be shot at and he moved into the trenchworks, parking in front of the obliterators.. the marine predator fired all weapons at the chaos marines before it but they were too close and ducked below the the lowest angle of the guns. tac1 in the forest struggled to catch up with the rhino, running into the guns of the predator they made only 1' progress in the tangled undergrowth. the scouts and marines of tac2 charged the chaos warriors, but were only able to cause a few casaulties, losing several marines to the lord as he lay about him with his power weapon in indignant fury. the dreadnought charged into the demon prince from behind but with a lightning fast move the demon spun and skewered the dreadnought with its sword and with a crumpled groan the old one slid to the ground. the combat between the bezerkers and the deathcompany continued as before with no losses but with a snarl the chaplain parried the chaos demons sword and struck it with his crozius arcanum, forcing it backwards.. the chaos obliterators opened fire on the attack bike, detonating it in a blast of fire as the predators heavy bolters tore through the marines of tac1 in the woods, felling three of them. the havocs again fired at the predator, causing a sponsons ammunition to explode as a lascannon capacitor was piecedthe chaos warriors accompanying the iron lord cut down the marines of tac2, the veteran sargent falling under the serrated blades of 4 chaos warriors. the last remaining marien struggled to bring his heavy bolter up as they turned to face him with wepoans raised. the scouts fared no better, losing four of their number and breaking off from the combat. The death company cut down more bezerkers as the chaplain again wounded the demon prince, his rosarius flashing again and again as the conversion field cycled against the repeated blows..

Turn4
Tac 3 turned around the south westernmost corner of the centre block, running towards the stricken predator. The scouts having collected themselves and realising they were leaving a fellow marine to the mercy of the iron lord charged back into combat. tac1 moved out of the forest and charged into the obliterators. cries of 'for sanguinus! for the emperor!' echoed throughout the empty streets. as the veteran of tac1 cut down two of the obliterators in close combat their rhino fired its stormbolter into the thin rear armour of the chaos predator, achieving nothing, but giving the driver a very nasty shock... the marine predator opened fire on the havocs but the cover provided by the building made the shots inneffective... with a roar the daemon prince attacked the chaplain again, wounding it but in its eagerness the daemon left itself open as it raised the sword above its head to finish off the cultpriest he was struck by the crozius and with a screech his material form was destroyed... the deathcompany dispatched the last of the bezerkers, the four turning to face the frothing champion. the chaos marines of the iron lords bodyguard pulled apart the last marine of tactical squad two, clubbing him to death with his own heavy bolter, and the last scout was personally dismembered by the chaos lord... the veteran sargent of tac1 destroyed the last obliterator and the marines consolidated into the trenches, seeking cover from the havocs above...

Turn5
The predator gunners again fired at the chaos marines standing scant feet away from their hull, the shots either missing or pattering harmlessly off of the enemies armour.. the missile launcher from tac1 penetrated the side armour of the chaos predator from a distance of two meters, immobilising it. tac3 moved towards the predator again - not having fired a shot all battle, the objective was to now prevent the destruction of the ancient machine. the deathcompany cut down the last remaining bezerker and consolidated towards the iron lord. the havocs fired at tac1 in the trenches but the marines huddled behind cover as missiles and lascannon blasts went wide. the chaos predator opened fire on the death company but the men had consolidated into the trebches and were also covered. with a final bellow of frustration the iron lord assaulted the chaos preadtor from behind and tearing the rear access hatch from its hinges, charged inside the predator. emerging seconds later the grisly blood smattered traitor laughed as the predator exploded in his wake.

turn6
tac1 opened fire on the havocs, killing three of them, the armoured forms falling from the third storey and splitting open on the stony floor.
tac3 and the deathcompany both advanced towards the iron lord. the deathcompany was .5 of an inch out of charge range! both units opened fire on the chaos marines killing two more and forcing the chaos warriors to take a morale test.. which thanks to the mark of chaos undecided was passed.... the flamer of tac3 washed over the chaos marines setting them alight, but not penetrating the heavy ceramite armour... with a roar, the iron lord charged the marines of tac3 cutting down two as his remaining body guard killed two more with their plasma gun and boltpistol. the remaining veteran sargent threw down his bolt pistol and attacked the chaos lord in fury, knowing he was doomed, but not retreating nonetheless. the chaos predator waskilled two marines from tac1 and the havocs fired at the deathcompany, to no effect....

the deathcompany was the only unit left on the battlefield that was of enough strength to claim a table quarter....

well. all i can say after all of that is that if any of those havocs had felled just a single dc guy, this battle would have been lost. and i would not have begrudged that a single bit. after revovery rolls at the end of the battle i have just over 600 points left in my second army - AFTER recovery rolls. before that, survivors for the bloodangels were the chaplain, three deathcompany a veteran marine from tac3 and 4 marines from tac1. a razorback with no weapons and a rhino. recovery rolls were not kind - this force will be retreating back to the sidelines for refitting i think. the chaos player after recovery rolls has about 800-900 points left in his force, with only his iron lord, two chaos marines, three havocs, a predator and a rhino. on the whole, i was willing to let the game go on points - we had decided before the battle to play a straight cleanse mission again as it was sunday and neither of our heads were very clear - but my opponent disagreed as it was set before the game that it would be a cleanse and so my men who could walk, walked away as victors.. the battle was a complete bloodbath. i cant believe ithe ignoble way my librarian was destroyed in turn two. ive been praising this guy for weeks after the tyranid battle report and what do i do? - plant him closest & within 12" of a predator. LEAD from the rear you fool! basically i was lucky to scrape a win out of that game at all. i was lucky not to be swamped in the north park - the deathcompany was attacked by khorne bezerkers and a daemon prince while in combat with a csm vet squad. and they still won. and ended up winning the game for me. pretty much everything else in the force was badly led or placed, and resulted in most of my army being diced to pieces. i am usually a very cautious player, i try to pick my combats and use my head in assualt and shooting. my opponent told me after the battle he was surprised quite a bit by my style of play - the whole army charging forward in turn one, throwing the death company into solitary combat un supported in turn two and so on and so on.

all i can say is sometimes fortune favours the brave.

my next battle is with my third force. the iron warrior player will be facing a rather unusual (for me) blood angels army which i will post at a later date. if won, the iron warriors will have forced me out of the industrial subsector and that will give him an extra 200 points of reinforcements next turn......

tactical thoughts? all out attacks work well when the attack is all out. unsupported flanking or pincer movements will fail if not pressed home and not supported. if i had the same battle over i would have made more of a move down one flank with the deathcompany and the tac1 squad, using the tac3 squad as support, while keeping the heavy weapons in a support role, together. maybe hull down in the centre block. hmm. must go now deep thoughts to be thunk.

on a more seriosu note... i just realised that a whole third+ of the second company has fallen so far in this campaign.... casualties higher than predicted... may their sacrifice not have been in vain!

'you want me to teleport where??'
the sanguinus comedy hour

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