Mechani-Kon Game Four: No Quarter

Opponent: Byron and his Dark Angels

Belial – Storm Bolter, Sword
Belial's Deathwing Terminator command squad – Apothecary, Assault Cannon, 4 x Storm Bolter, 4 x Power Fist, Power Sword
Deathwing Terminator squad - Banner, 4 x Lightning Claws, Thunder Hammer/Storm Shield, Cyclone Missile Launcher
10 x Tactical Marines – Missile Launcher, Rhino APC w/ Hunter Killer Missile
10 x Assault Marines – Jump Packs, 3 x Plasma Pistol
Land Raider

Scenario: Setup was on a large rocky plateau. The table was divided into four quarters. A player could control a quarter if they had at least one scoring (i.e. Troops) unit in the quarter, and there were no enemy units contesting it.

Major Victory: Player controls 3 or more table quarters
Minor Victory: Player controls or contests 2 table quarters

The Dark Angels set up first, in the northwest quarter. They divided the Tactical Marines into combat squads, putting 5 Marines w/ the Missile Launcher on foot behind a ridge line, and the rest in the Rhino. The Land Raider, holding the Terminator Assault squad, set up at the south edge of the table quarter. The rest was held in reserve.

By the rules of the scenario, the Eldar could NOT achieve a Major Victory – my Swordwind had only two Troops available, the Dire Avenger squads. The Dark Angels now functionally had four Troops, and could potentially control all 4 quarters. Everything on the Eldar side was held in reserve, with the Spiders set to come on from the south board edge, not deep strike.

Turn 1 and top of Turn 2:
The Land Raider moved south into the southwest table quarter. The Rhino moved into the northeast quarter and got stuck climbing a ridge. Belial and his boys teleported behind the Land Raider. The Assault Marines jumped deep into the northwest quarter.

Stuff had to happen right away if the Eldar forces were to have any chance. The Autarch’s Master Strategist skill ensured that the Autarch, Farseer, Fire Dragons, Banshees and one squad of Avengers arrived.

Bottom of Turn 2:
The three Wave Serpents skimmed onto the southwest quarter in a variation of a Capstone formation (thanks, Dweomer!). The Fire Dragons’ boat spun around, dumping the Dragons out the rear near the Land Raider. The Banshee Serpent tucked in behind the Dragon boat, which shielded it from fire. The Avenger boat took up the rear. The Farseer and the Autarch jetted to the right of the Dragon Serpent. Everybody who could let loose at the Land Raider; a couple of the Dragons were even within 6” so they could use their Melta ability. After 10 Fusion Gun shots and a thrown Singing Spear, the Land Raider received exactly ONE “immobilized” result.

Rats!

The jet bikers sped back off the ridge to save their hides.

Turn 3:
The Rhino and the ground Tac squad both shot missiles, which bounced off Serpent hulls. The Land Raider’s side sponson lasers failed to penetrate the Dragon Serpent’s force field.

Belial and his command squad moved south and shot up the Dragons. They then assaulted and wiped them out with Power Weapons and Power Fists. The Assault Terminators assaulted the Dragon Serpent, stunning it. The dead pilot's essence held in its Spirit Stone would allow it to at least move next turn.



The second Avenger squad showed up. The Farseer tried to Doom the Assault Terminators, but she rolled an “11” on 2D6.

Double rats!

The Banshees disembarked and ran up the rise to face Belial and company. Their Serpent and the Dragon’s Serpent moved to the left and right of the Land Raider, both to try and shield the infantry from Missile Launcher fire, and to try and channel the movement of the Jump Assault Marines away from the upcoming scrimmage. The two Avenger boats moved into a delta formation. The Avengers disembarked yet again into a fighting wedge in between their two Serpents; they were shielded from a lot of fire, and enemy assaulters would be limited in how much power could be brought to bear. The Farseer moved to support the Avengers, and the Autarch moved behind the Marines to within charge distance of Belial’s men.

Both Avenger squads and three Wave Serpents poured all their fire into the close combat Terminators. With a double Bladestorm, that was 69 dice of various strength shuriken fire, plus a Krak missile. When the dust cleared, all five of the Terminators had been killed.

The Banshees and the Autarch charged the other Terminator squad, inflicting 36 Power Weapon attacks. All the Terminators but Belial died before the Marines could even swing. A couple of Banshees were killed by his sword, but the combat ended with a wounded Belial locked in combat, outnumbered 9 to 1.



Turn 4:
The combat squad in the immobilized Rhino disembarked and ran off to the northeast. The Eldar would never be able to dig them out with the remaining time left. The Assault Marines jumped to the southeast, laying some plasma fire into the Serpents, to no lasting effect. The Land Raider and missile launcher dude again bounced shots off force fields.

Another saga should be written and sung about Belial’s last stand. (Do Dark Angels even recite such tales?) Belial failed enough saves to die a warrior’s death. Consolidation moves went north.

The Farseer Doomed the Tactical combat squad (finally!). The Banshees then ran towards these missileers. The Dragon Serpent moved 12” east. The Avengers all mounted up and their Serpents moved off at combat speed towards the north and east, respectively. The Banshee Serpent moved north, getting an angle on the jump troops. The two jet bikers then moved generally to the rear of the Land Raider. Concentrated Wave Serpent fire killed six Assault Marines, but their morale held firm.

The Banshees charged home and wiped out the Dark Angels combat squad. They then consolidated against the ridge line.



Turn 5:
The remaining combat squad ran further to the northeast. The Assault Marines jumped into the southeast quarter, shot up the rear armour of the Dragon’s Serpent, and put it on the ground. The Land Raider failed to even glance.

Up to now, the Spiders had been rolling "1" for their reserves. I forgot to bring them on for this final turn, but in the end it wouldn't have made a difference.

As the time wound down, one Avenger Serpent moved into the northwest quarter, controlling it. The other Avenger Serpent moved into the southeast quarter, contesting it. The Farseer and the Autarch remained in the southwest quarter, trying to deal with the Land Raider. After much shooting and assaulting, they only managed to pull off one of the laser cannon sponsons.

At the end of the game, each army controlled one quarter, and contested two others.

Result: Eldar and Dark Angels each claim a Minor Victory

The Eldar also gained two extra battle points, for controlling the Dark Angels’ deployment zone, and for not having any Heavy Support in their own deployment zone. I didn’t have any Heavy Support to begin with, and I asked a judge whether I should get the benefit – I didn’t think I should. They said I should, based on the scenario “Rules as Written.”

Alex and Thurston, the convention organizers, put on a great tournament. Interesting scenarios, nice looking terrain, and everything ran on time. All my opponents played well, and I liked the look of the various MEQs I'd faced - interesting, themed armies.

The full tournament results are posted here:
http://mechani-kon.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=76

Mike, the only other Eldar player, won the Best General award and came in Third Place. Byron, my last opponent, came in Second Place. I was fortunate to score enough on total Appearance, Sportsmanship and Battle Points to win Best Overall.

Cheers,