Saturday, April 27, 2013

Astronomi-con Winnipeg 2013: Battle Reports

This is in continuation of my earlier post on this subject, regarding Astronomi-con Winnipeg 2013. My apologies for the late update. It takes 2-3 hours per game to write up a report (mostly busywork gathering stats, photos, etc.), so this post was a significant undertaking for me.

The heart of the weekend are the 6 games I played over the 2 days. Each game was played on a table with a unique scenario, keyed to the particular terrain on the table, sometimes involving a third party force.

The Eldar list I fielded is as follows: Eldar Swordwind, "The Return of Ancient Days"
  • HQ: Autarch (with Death Spinner; Warlord Trait = The Dust of a Thousand Suns)
  • Troops: 5 Dire Avengers (riding inside the Fire Storm AAA tank)
  • Troops: 8 Dire Avengers, riding in Wave Serpent transport (TL Scatter Lasers)
  • Troops: 8 Dire Avengers, riding in Wave Serpent (TL Scatter Lasers)
  • Elite: 5 Fire Dragons, riding in Wave Serpent (TL Shuriken Cannons)
  • Elite: 5 Fire Dragons, riding in Wave Serpent (Shuriken Cannon + TL Shuriken Cannons)
  • Fast Attack: 4 Warp Spiders, Warp Spider Exarch (Death Spinner x2)
  • Heavy Support: Fire Storm anti-aircraft artillery tank
  • Heavy Support: Warp Hunter artillery tank
  • Heavy Support: Wraithlord (Wraithsword + Bright Lance)
Despite only scoring a 14/20 for comp, the force is a tad underpowered with respect to other 6th edition codices. The Warp Hunter artillery tank (a Forge World item) is very good, and the Fire Storm ( (also from Forge World) gives some anti-air capability against more lightly armoured fliers. However, the force relies on massed S6 for its shooting. This is good against basic infantry and lighter tanks, but suffers against heavy tanks and monstrous creatures with lots of wounds.




GAME 1: THE LOST PATROL

Opponent: Mario's Space Wolves
  • Rune Priest Dargho (Terminator Armour, Jaws of the World Wolf, Living Lightning)
  • Storm Eagle Fafnir (TL MM, TL LC)
  • Wolf Guard Foebane (4 x Terminators, 2 x TH/SS, WC, CML/SS)
  • Grey Hunter Pack Varna (9 Grey Hunters + Wulfen, PGx2, PF, MotW, Drop Pod)
  • Grey Hunter Pack Ruschil (9 Grey Hunters + Wulfen, MGx2, PF, MotW, Drop Pod)
  • Dreadnought Baldur (MM, DCCW, HF, Lucius Drop Pod)
  • Dreadnought Malek (MM, DCCW, HF, Lucius Drop Pod)

Overview: "Your patrol is attempting to disengage from the enemy which is in pursuit. Evade enemy forces and get them back to your lines. Your commander is awaiting their report and your forces are moving in to hold off the enemy!"

Objectives: Both sides are attempting to reunite with their Lost Patrol. Engage the enemy and destroy all hostile forces.

+4 VP If your Lost Patrol is within 6” of your board edge at the end of the game.
+1 VP For each full 250 Unit Points that you score.
+1 VP If your Lost Patrol is within 2” of your Warlord at the end of the game.
+1 VP If none of your opponent’s Denial Units are within 12” of your table edge at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you have a Scoring Unit within 12” of your board edge at the end of the game.
+1 VP If your opponent’s Lost Patrol unit is destroyed at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you have a Denial Unit within 12” of your opponent’s board edge.

Our respective Lost Patrols had to deploy in the enemy's deployment zone; they would get a turn of action before the rest of our forces arrived on the scene. I chose a unit of mounted Dire Avengers as my Lost Patrol. Mario chose a unit of Terminators.

Below, Mario's Terminators are in the foreground; the skimmer with my Lost Patrol may be seen in the Space Wolves deployment zone, by the northern table edge. Mario himself can be seen taking a picture of me taking a picture of him taking a picture of me...

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Mario ran his Terminators north towards the large ruin in the eastern half of the table. Not wanting to run into the Termies, I moved the Eldar skimmer flat out towards the river. Mario then deep struck a pair of Dreadnoughts in drop pods near the Eldar Lost Patrol. One drop pod basically fell through the roof of the ruin to land on the first floor. Fortunately for the Eldar, their combined fire failed to destroy the Wave Sepent.

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The bulk of the Eldar forces then arrvied from reserve, thanks to the Autarch's +1 to reserve rolls. Included in this lot was a unit of Warp Spiders who landed just northeast of the eastern ruin. The combined fiirepower of all those units managed to wipe out the Termninators.

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The Eldar Lost Patrol moved Flat Out behind the Wraithlord and a wall of skimmers. The Space Wolf plane then showed up, immobilizing the Eldar Warp Hunter artillery tank.

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Two squads of Grey Hunters deep struck in their pods, deviating onto the western part of the table.

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As the game progressed, the Eldar Lost Patrol managed to ensconce itself into the southeastern table corner, deep in the Eldar deployment zone. Other tanks maneuvered to shield it, skimming with impunity through the scattered ruins, thanks to the Autarch's trait "The Dust of a Thousand Worlds". In the centre, the Wraithlord and some Fire Dragons advanced to act as a speed bump to the Marine forces closing in. Long range Eldar tank fire caused some casualties among the Grey Hunters.

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One of the Space Wolf Dreadnoughts went head to head with the Wraithlord, knocking the latter out of action. The Fire Dragons managed to blow the Dreadnought up, losing all but one of their number in the process. The survivor failed his Leadership test, and can be seen below fleeing past the ruined Warithlord.

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In the end, the Space Wolves were unable to get the Eldar Lost Patrol in their sights again.

Result: Eldar 8 VPs - Space Wolves 4 VPs


GAME 2: ERR SUPPLY

Opponent: Mike's Dark Eldar, the "School of Pain"
  • Asdrubael Vect (Warlord Trait = Lucky)
  • 10 x Kabalite Trueborn
  • 5 x Kabalite Warriors (Blaster), riding in Venom (Flickerfield)
  • 10 x Kabalite Warriors (Blaster, Splinter Cannon), riding in Raider (Splinter Racks, Flickerfield)
  • 20 x Kabalite Warriors (2 x Dark Lance)
  • 20 Kabalite Warriors (Blasters, 2 x Splinter Cannons)
  • Ravager
  • Razorwing Jetfighter
  • Aegis Defense Line (Icarus Lascannon)

Overview: "After months of brutal combat, victory is still far from decided. Food, fuel and ammunition have run dangerously low. Many battle-torn armies have been forced to withdraw, unable to continue the fight. As dawn rises , aircraft engines can be heard. Supply pallets can be seen drifting from the skies by parachutes. Capturing these pallets might be the difference between life and death in the coming days..."

Objectives: Both sides are awaiting the drop of supply pallets and are attempting to secure them and keep them from their opponent.

+3 VP For each Supply Pallet that you control.
+1 VP If you are the first player to move a Scoring Unit into base contact with a supply pallet.
+2 VP If you have a denial unit within 3” of every Supply Pallet at the end of the game.
+1 VP If your Warlord is within 3” of a Supply Pallet at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you have a denial unit in your opponent’s Deployment Zone at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you have units in at least three table quarters at the end of the game.

We had to fight a complete game turn before the three Supply Pallets dropped onto the table, so both sides were in the dark as to where their axis of attack should be.

Mike's army was interesting; not the usual Venom spam that I see. Each unit was unique in some way. He also built a picket fence type of Defense line for his Dark Eldar.

Asdrubael Vect set up with 40 Kabalite Warriors inside the Defense Line to the north. The Raider deployed to the northwest, and the Ravager set up to the northeast. The Eldar set up in two groups of vehicles, supported by the Warp Hunter in the southwest table quarter; this was an error, since the Warp Hunter was barely in range of the large group of Warriors behind the Defense Line.

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The Raider went down to tank fire, leaving some Warriors alive. A Fire Dragon Wave Serpent was blown up by the Lascannon as the Venom moved onto the table. The Warp Hunter was immobilized by a Dark Lance shot, so it could not move closer to the middle of the table.

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The three Supply Pallets dropped onto the table randomly. One landed behind the Defense line right next to the Kabalite Warrriors, and another landed just in front of the Defense Line. Rats! The last one dropped mid-table to the east. This game would come down to the fight around the central objective.

In the photo below the action heats up. The Ravager was destroyed by the Fire Dragons, the Venom was shot down by tanks, and its crew gunned down by the Warp Spiders. The Dark Eldar flier has just moved onto the board, readying a volley of missiles.

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Eldar tanks and their embarked infantry moved forward strongly. The eastern Supply Pallet was soon taken by some Dire Avengers. The advance in the middle stalled as a Serpent got shot down and the dismounted infantry was subjected to withering fire from the Warriors behind the Defense Line, who were out of range of  barrages from the Warp Hunter.

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At the end of the game, the Dark Eldar had control of two Supply Pallets to the Eldar's one.

Result: Dark Eldar 9 VPs - Eldar 5 VPs


GAME 3: TRUCK STOP

Opponent: Damien's Dark Eldar, the "Star Fang"
  • Archon (Huskblade, Ghostplate Armour, Soul-trap, Shadowfield, Warlord Trait = Divide to Conquer)
  • Haemonculus
  • 5 x Kabalite Trueborn ( 2 x Splinter Cannon), riding in Venom (Splinter Cannon, Flickerfield)
  • 8 x Wracks (2 x Poison Weapn), riding in Raider (Flickerfield)
  • 5 x Kabalite Warriors (Blaster), riding in Venom (Splinter Cannon, Flickerfield)
  • 5 x Kabalite Warriors (Blaster), riding in Venom (Splinter Cannon, Flickerfield)
  • 10 x Kabalite Warriors (Blaster), riding in Raider (Flickerfield)
  • 5 x Scourges (Haywire Blaster, Blaster)
  • 6 x Reaver Jetbikes (2 x Heat Lance)
  • Ravager (Flickerfield)
  • Razorwing Jetighter
Overview: "Corporal Parnell shifted the truck into third as they slowed and reformed to cross the open space ahead of them. The PDF trucks quickly sorted themselves out into a double column and picked up speed across the open ground. Lance, his mechanic, tracked the heavy stubber back and forth. Suddenly he let go a long burst toward the tree line and Parnell was horrified to see attackers leap from hiding on both sides of his convoy. "Convoy! Break! Break! It’s every truck for himself - save yourselves as best you can!" he roared into his microbead as he jammed the truck into 4th gear and stomped the accelerator all the way to the floor…"

Objectives: Each truck is transporting a Cargo Canister. You must disable the trucks and secure the Cargo Canisters while preventing your opponent from doing the same.

+1 VP For each Cargo Canister that you control at the end of the game.
+2 VP If you control more Cargo Canisters than your opponent at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you control 3 or more Cargo Canisters at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you control all 6 Cargo Canisters at the end of the game.
+1 VP If all of the Trucks are wrecked at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you control a Cargo Canister in your deployment zone at the end of the game.
+1 VP If your Warlord is within 2” of a Cargo Canister at the end of the game.
+2 VP If you control at least one Cargo Canister and there are none of your opponents units within 6” of any of the Cargo Canisters that you control at the end of the game.

Below, Damien can be seen sitting beyond the north table edge, contemplating the battle to come. His forces were as fast as or faster than mine, what with the presence of  all the skimmers and jetbikes. I figured that my Eldar would have to use firepower to stop the trucks and destroy some of the Cargo Canisters, in order to deny them to their dark kin.

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The Eldar had first turn, so I elected to place most of my troops on the ground. Even the Dire Avengers would be able to glance the soft skinned vehicles with small arms fire. Their skimmer vehicles would be coming on from reserve.

The Eldar got a couple of skimmers for their first turn reserves. Everyone else advanced north to put  fire onto the trucks. After the rest of the Eldar firing was over, two of the trucks were blown up, taking their Cargo Canisters with them. Two more truckswere immobilized in the middle of the table. The remaining two had scattered off to the west and south. A lone Venom and some jetbikes came on for the Dark Eldar first turn reserves (both were soon destroyed by long range Scatter Laser fire).

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As the remainder of the Dark Eldar vehicles started to show up, they gunned down the Warp Spiders in the centre and put a wound on the Wraithlord. The truck to the west managed to drive itself off the table. The truck to the south just would not be stopped to small arms fire, so I threw some Strength 6 shots at it, and it blew up. :-(

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The Dark Kin moved towards the centre of the board, where the last two remaining Cargo Canisters were located, in the beds of their smashed trucks. The Jetfighter wiped out a small squad of Avengers.

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In response, the Eldar also moved towards the centre. Near the top of the photo below, some Fire Dragons can be seen disembarked from their skimmer; they had just destroyed the Ravager (the crater in front of them). The Venom just to the east of the crater was also shot down.

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As the game continued, the Eldar set up a skimmer wall between their dismounted infantry and the Dark Eldar. The presence of the Autarch and his power "The Dust of a Thousand Worlds" meant that the tanks skimmed unhurt over all the wreckage.

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Despite possessing hand held anti-tank weapons, including Haywire grenades, the Dark Eldar were unable to get past the wall of Swordwind skimmers. It was very frustrating for them to be able to see the objectives but be unable to do anything about seizing them.

Below, a last thrown grenade managed to kill some Dire Avengers; they passed their morale, leaving them in possession of the single Cargo Canister seized by either side during the entire game.

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Result: Eldar 6 VPs - Dark Eldar 0 VPs


GAME 4: LOST IN THE MIST

Opponent: Greg's Salamanders Chapter Space Marines, "Exploratory Force Argos"

  • Master of the Forge (Power Axe), leading 3 x Servitors (2 x Heavy Bolter, Servo Arm; Warlord Trait = Master of Logistics)
  • 10 x Tactical Marines (Meltagun, Multi-Melta, Sgt. with Power Fist), riding in Rhino APC
  • 10 x Tactical Marines (Flamer, Multi-Melta, Sgt. with Melta Bombs and Power Sword), riding in Rhino APC 
  • 10 x Tactical Marines (Flamer, Missile Launcher, Sgt. with Combi-Melta and Power Fist)  
  • Ironclad Dreadnought (DCCW, Meltagun, Seismic |Hammer, Heavy Flamer), in a Drop Pod
  • Dreadnought (2 x TL Autocannon)
  • Contemptor Mortis Pattern Dreadnought (2 x Kheres Assault Cannon, Cycloine Missile Launcher) 
  • Aegis Defence Line (Quad Gun)

Overview: "An Aquila flyer carrying vital supplies has crashed due to dense fog. Lost are six crates containing these supplies. The enemy is also aware and has dispatched their own force to salvage anything of value. All this while the fog lingers and hampers your ability to find your quarry."

Objectives: Both sides are attempting to salvage the six Supply Crates while keeping the enemy at bay.

+1 VP For each Supply Crate that that you hold.
+2 VP If you hold more Supply Crates than your opponent at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you hold at least 3 Supply Crates the end of the game.
+1 VP If you hold all 6 Supply Crates the end of the game.
+1 VP If you have a Scoring Unit within 3” of the crashed Aquila’s cockpit and your opponent has no denial units within 3” of the cockpit at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you are the first player to hold two Supply Crates.
+1 VP If you have a Supply Crate within 12” of your board edge at the end of the game.
+1 VP If your Warlord is holding or within 3” of a Supply Crate that one of your units is holding at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you have denial units in more table quarters than your opponent at the end of the game.

There wasn't a lot of cover on this table. However, because of dense fog, accurate firing was limited to 12". Single Supply Crates were placed in the northwest, northeast and southwest corners, with three more near the north and middle of the table. They could be picked up and moved.

Greg set up some of his forces behind the Defense Line in a strong position to the north. His Warlord crewed the Quad Gun. I deployed the Warp Spiders and some Dire Avengers to the southwest, using the ridge line to screen them from fire. The Warp Spiders seized a Supply Crate right away. In the centre, a dreadnought dropped in its pod, to support the seizing of the central objectives.

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Some Fire Dragons in their Wave Serpent moved flat out towards the Defense Line, in order to engage the Contemptor Dreadnought. The Warp Spiders moved behind the cover of a tank.

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To the northeast, another Space Marine squad seized a Supply Crate, supported by another Dreadnought.

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The Eldar sent a second squad of Fire Dragons flat out towards them.

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To the northwest, the Wraithlord came on from reserves, seizing another Supply Crate. In the north, the Fire Dragons disembarked and managed to destroy the Contemptor, despite its cover.

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In the centre, a Marine squad, having already seized a canister, went after two more. Marine fire reduced the northern Fire Dragon squad down to a single man.

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Long range Eldar fire whittled down the Salamanders in the centre.

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The other Fire Dragons managed to destroy the third dreadnought (a "crater" represented by the blast marker below). However, in return the Marine squad killed them all and got back inside their APC. Despite being hammered by the Wave Serpent's Shuriken Cannons, the Marines could not be pried out of their ride.

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In the centre, the Autarch and a squad of Dire Avengers took up a position near the crashed Aquila flyer's cockpit. Invoking Khaela Mensha Khaine, they let loose a volley of Shuriken Catapult  fire that luckily gunned down the remainder of the Marine squad holding three Supply Crates! At game end, the Eldar held onto two Supply Crates, and the Marines had one.

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Result: Eldar 7 VPs - Salamanders 3 VPs


GAME 5: DUST OFF

Opponent: Dan's Tyranids, HiveFleet Strombreed

  • The Swarmlord (The Horror, Leech Essence, Psychic Scream, Paroxysm, Bonesabres
  • The Doom of Malan'Tai, deployed via Mycetic Spore
  • Tervigon
  • 10 x Termagants
  • 12 x Termagants
  • Trygon Prime (Toxin Sacs, Scything Talons)
  • Carnifex (Bonded Exoskeleton, TL Devourer), deployed via Mycetic Spore
  • Carnifex (Bonded Exoskeleton, TL Deathspitter), deployed via Mycetic Spore

Overview: "It's bad enough that your force had to punch through the enemy lines to secure this cargo - and then hold it long enough for the Navy to send a transport. But while you were loading it - the idiot pilot wandered off and got captured! Now – after a daring raid under the cover of darkness to get him back, your quiet little stealth operation has gone down the tubes. The enemy is closing in from all sides as your rescue force rushes the pilot back to his plane. Instead of a smooth flight out it's a hot dust off with bullets flying!"

Objectives: The Defender is attempting to fend off the enemy while escorting the Pilot to the Skyshield while the Attacker attempts to cause as much damage, capture the pilot and secure the area in turn.

+1 VP For each full 250 Unit Points of your opponent’s army destroyed.
+3 VP If you are the Defender and have the Pilot on the Skyshield at the end of the game.
+2 VP If you are the Defender and have the Pilot on the Skyshield and none of the Attacker’s denial units on the Skyshield at the end of
the game.
+3 VP If you are the Attacker and hold the Pilot at the end of the game.
+2 VP If you are the Attacker and have a scoring unit on the Skyshield and none of the Defender’s denial units are on the Skyshield at the
end of the game.
+1 VP If your opponent’s unit worth the most Unit Points is destroyed at the end of the game.
+1 VP If your Warlord is within 6” of the Pilot at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you have more units within 6” of the Skyshield at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you have units in more table quarters than your opponent at the end of the game.

Due to the scenario rules, the Eldar were the Defenders. They would have to set up first, in one of two deployment zones in the middle of the table: near the Skyshield landing platform, or to the west by the container and sandbag defenses.The Tyranids would come onto the table randomly, from any of the four table edges!

Below, the Eldar skimmers can be seen set up in a pair of laagers, front armour pointing outwards. The Imperial pilot is riding inside one of the Serpents. The Wraithlord and the Warp Spiders deployed right on the Skyshield.The Eldar hoped they could survive the Tyranid alpha strike with enough power to make a response.

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First turn the Tyranids dropped a pair of Mycetic Spores, landing a Carnifex on the ground next to the landing pad, and the Doom of Malan'Tai right on the Skyshield! The Doom is horrific, automatically causing unsavable wounds to units that fail their Leadership saves.

The skimmers by the Skyshield deployed their infantry and moved off. A skimmer (with the Dire Avengers, the Autarch, and the pilot) moved toward the pad.

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Eldar fire killed a Spore and a Carnifex, but failed to bring down the Doom.

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The Tervigon birthed some Termagants, but pulled a muscle or something (she rolled doubles) and would be unable to birth any more for the rest of the game. Several Termagants gunned down a squad of Avengers, and the Doom laid waste to the Eldar Aspect Warriors on theSkyshield itself. The Warp Hunter was destroyed by Tyranid fire. Another Mycetic Spore deep struck in the centre, whereupon its Carnifex deployed and blew up a skimmer. Meanwhile, a couple of more big bugs came on from the east, and some Gaunts from the north.

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The Wraithlord finally brought down the Doom of Malan'Tai, as the  remaining Fire Dragons wounded the Carnifex.

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Termagants overran the last of the Dragons defending the Skyshield, as the Pilot climbed up to his aircraft.

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The Wraithlord slew the Trygon in close combat, while a few surviving Fire Dragons blew up the Carnifex with melta bombs. The little bugs beneath the Skyshield rushed up to the pad, whereupon they seized the Pilot!

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The Wraithlord and the Autarch raced back up to the Skyshield, destroying the small squad of Termagants there. The final action of the game saw the Autarch and the Wraithlord escort the Imperial Pilot to the cockpit of his aircraft, eager to see this Mon-Keigh leave the planet.

"Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out!"

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Result: Eldar 10 VPs - Tyranids 4 VPs


GAME 6: IRON MAIDEN

Opponent: Ryan's Chaos Space Marines

  • Abaddon the Despoiler
  • 4 x Chaos Terminators (Mark of Khorne, Lightning Claw, Power Fist, 2 x Combi-Melta, Aspring Champion with Power Weapon)
  • 10 x Chaos Space Marines (2x Plasma Gun, Aspiring Champion), riding in Rhino APC (Havoc Launcher)
  • 10 x Chaos Space Marines (2x Plasma Gun, Aspiring Champion), riding in Rhino APC (Havoc Launcher)
  • 5 x Havocs 2 x Autocannons, 2 x Missile Launchers, Aspiring Champion)
  • 3 x Obliterators (Mark of Nurgle)
  • 5 x Plaguebearers of Nurgle
  • 3 x Flamers of Tzeentch
  • 3 x Screamers of Tzeentch

Overview: "This Maiden world has been overrun and the resident Eldar are attempting to lock away its secrets. The Wraithseer has already set protective wards on the constructs and as the forces close in he attempts to escape – lest these dire secrets fall into the hands of the enemy invaders."

Objectives: Both sides are attempting to capture the Wraithseer and hold the wraithbone constructs, all the while fighting off the Wraith guardians and the enemy.

+4 VP If you hold the Wraithseer at the end of the game.
+1 VP For each Wraithbone Construct that you have one denial unit with at least half of its models wholly within
3” of it at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you have units on more Wraithbone Construct bases than your opponent at the end of the game.
+1 VP If all of the Wraithguardians are destroyed at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you your highest point unit is not destroyed at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you are the first player to destroy one of your opponent’s denial units.
+1 VP If your Warlord is holding or within 3” of the Wraithseer that one of your units is holding at the end of the game.
+1 VP If you have a denial unit in your opponent’s deployment zone at the end of the game.

My Eldar forces, in an Eldar themed scenario, on an Eldar terrained table, fighting against Chaos! This was to be an exciting last game.

The Wraithseer was set up in the middle of the table. The Wraithguard bodyguards were placed near the opposite deployment zones.

Below, Ryan can be seen sitting behind the northern table edge. From west to east can be seen deployed some Chaos Marines in their Rhino, the Havocs, the Obliterators, and the second Chaos Marine squad. The Eldar deployed the Warp Spiders and the Wraithlord in the centre of their deployment zone, with skimmers spread along the table edge. My plan was to try and seize the Wraithseer early with the Spiders, then fall back behind a skimmer wall.

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The Eldar moved first, and killed some Havocs and Wraithguard (the Wraithseer`s bodyguards were not a factor in the game; both sides` respective firepower was too strong). The Spiders got into close combat with the Wraithseer. However, he proved to be too adept at swordplay; the Spiders were locked in  combat with the Seer until late in the game!

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The Obliterators blew up a Wave Serpent, and some Plaguebearers deployed in the southeast, seizing a Wraith Construct. The Plaguebearers hunkered down in cover; despite taking losses to long-range fire, they still controlled that Construct at game`s end.To the northwest, some Chaos Marines deployed to control another Wraithbone Construct...

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...then a lucky D-Cannon shot wiped them all out in one go.

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Abbaddon and the Terminators deep struck near the close combat involving the Wraithseer.

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To the west, the Screamers and the Flamers came on from reserves and skirmished strongly with the Eldar tanks, losing most of their number to Eldar fire.

Fire Dragons killed all the Terminators, leaving Abbadon wounded but alive. Meanwhile, Avengers and the Wraithlord advanced north, past some more Dragons dug into the wreckage of their blown up Wave Serpent.

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Abbaddon charged into the melee, killing the Warp Spiders and capturing the Wraithseer.

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The Obliterators put fire on the Avengers in the centre, preventing them from seizing a Warith Construct.  In a sacrifice move I charged in the Wraithlord, who bounced off Abbadon. However, the Seer managed to escape.

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Abbaddon managed to roll well for his charge, re-capturing the Wraithseer and ending the game!

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Result: Chaos 9 VPs - Eldar 4 VPs



ASTRONOMI-CON WINNIPEG RESULTS

  • Best Overall: MarioR - Space Wolves
  • Best Sportsman: GregR - Space Marines
  • Best Army: AlexB - Orks
  • Best Appearance: BrockJ - Tyranids
  • Best General: MikeK - Dark Eldar
  • Best Terrain: KevinN - Jungle
  • Best Single Miniature: J.P. - Chaos Sorcerer
  • Best Army List: NeilS - Blood Angels

Below, from L-R:  AlexB, NeilS, MikeK, J.P., GregR, MarioR

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Please see the Astro site for more details. 

I managed third place overall in a strong field. T.O. Mike commented that I was always the bridesmaid, since I placed 2nd for Best Army List, 3rd for Best Single Fig, etc. I also managed a W/L/D tally of 4/2/0; many of the games were decided one way or another on the last throw of the dice, so I am pleased with that outcome.

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Thanks go to my opponents for the 6 fun games we shared. Again, many thanks to Christian, Keith, and Mike for organizing such a fun event!

7 comments:

Alex said...

Just a question: The trucks in the "Truck Stop" scenario - what are they? Scratch builds or a kit?

Curt said...

Great AAR Dave! Looks to have been a well-run event.

DaveV said...

Alex, IIRC the trucks are castings of a scratch built master, made by a fellow in Ontario, specifically for the Astro boys. I obtained 6 resin trucks from Old Crow so I could run the scenario on my own table

Curt, thanks! The Astro TOs organize tournaments every year in Winnipeg, Toronto, Vancouver and Dallas TX. They always seem to run a tight ship.

Unknown said...

The trucks were actually 'extras' made by a fellow named Adam Leyland from Toronto. Haven't seen him in years and his cool armies and models are much missed.

I say 'extras' because they made something like 40 of them for a huge 'floorhammer' game as some kind of themed objective and they offered us some of the extras. They have some GW parts, such as old Ork buggy wheels, chimera hatches etc. but are mostly plasticard master and then cast in resin.

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...
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DaveV said...

Thanks for the correction, Mike.

This is one of my favourite scenarios from Astro. There's a plausible reason for both sides to be committing ground forces, and the unpredictablity of the trucks movement and damage results makes fro a tense game.