Battle Report - The Baron’s Revenge
This game featured the Dark Eldar’s return after their last defeat, and they were out for blood! Or possibly ichor…
Two thousand points again, this time in a mission for the Dicehead Games campaign. The Dark Eldar took on the role of the defenders, fresh from slaughtering the Imperial Guard platoon that was previously assigned to the position. The Tyranids would be launching an assault, in an attempt to break their position open through sheer brute force.
Sathonyx crouched low on his board and squinted into No Man’s Land. His lip curled involuntarily as the spore cloud that preceded the Tyranid assault became visible.
The Dark Eldar lord breathed deeply, his nose suffused with the sweet stench of Mon’keigh blood. They lay slaughtered throughout their trenches and bunkers, and the silence of the position was acting as a lure to the Tyranid swarm.
It had been two weeks since his defeat at the hands of these primitive intergalactic beasts. Today, he would show his strength over their mindless numbers.
The Mission
This mission was part of the narrative for the Dicehead campaign, so the mission was assigned based on the results of the last mega battle. The forces of disorder suffered a significant defeat in that game, and as a result their assault had been thrown back. This game represents a bunker assault, as the forces of disorder try desperately to breach the solidifying Imperial line.
Deployment was Hammer & Anvil, with the Dark Eldar half set to represent prepared positions along their front line. The Tyranids would be attacking through the ruins of a city that had already seen action in this drawn out conflict.
The defender got to place Minefields, and he also received a bonus of +1 to all Cover Saves in his Deployment Zone, to represent his efforts digging in. In addition, all of his units were able to reroll failed Morale Checks, since they absolutely had to hold their ground.
The attackers received a Preliminary Bombardment, and also received two Orbital Bombardments to use during the course of the game. They also received the first turn automatically, unless the defender was able to Seize the Initiative.
The mission was Purge the Alien. In addition to all the normal rules (including secondary objectives), the attacker receives three points for each unit in the enemy’s deployment zone. Units below half strength and Immobilized vehicles do not count for this purpose. Finally, Warlords are incredibly important at this stage in the campaign, so they are worth three Victory Points each.
On top of all this craziness, Nurgle has spent too much time in the Agora system. As a result, the battlefield suffers from a Corrosive Atmosphere. All Armor Saves passed with a 6 must be re-rolled, and all Armor Penetration rolls of 1 must be re-rolled.
Army Lists
Combat Drugs: Grave Lotus
HQ
Baron Sathonyx
ELITES
4 Kabalite Trueborn: 4 Blasters, Venom transport with 2x Splinter Cannons
4 Kabalite Trueborn: 4 Blasters, Venom transport with 2x Splinter Cannons
TROOPS
10 Kabalite Warriors: Splinter Cannon, Blaster, Raider transport with Dark Lance and Flickerfield
10 Kabalite Warriors: Splinter Cannon, Blaster, Raider transport with Dark Lance and Flickerfield
10 Kabalite Warriors: Splinter Cannon, Blaster, Raider transport with Dark Lance and Flickerfield
10 Kabalite Warriors: Splinter Cannon, Blaster, Raider transport with Dark Lance and Flickerfield
10 Wyches: Hekatrix with Venom Blade, 2x Shard net & Impaler, Raider transport with Dark Lance and Flickerfield
FAST ATTACK
10 Scourges: 4x Splinter Cannon
HEAVY SUPPORT
Ravager: 3x Dark Lances
Ravager: 3x Dark Lances
Ravager: 3x Dark Lances
HQ
Tyranid Prime: Warlord; Lash Whip & Bonesword, Deathspitter
Hive Tyrant: 2x Twin-Linked Devourers, Hive Commander, Wings; Onslaught, The Horror
ELITES
Hive Guard Brood: two additional Hive Guard; Impaler Cannons
Hive Guard Brood: two additional Hive Guard; Impaler Cannons
Venomthrope Brood: one additional Venomthrope
TROOPS
Tervigon: Dominion
Termagant Brood: twenty additional Termagants, 30x Devourers
Hormagaunt Brood: ten additional Hormagaunts
Hormagaunt Brood: nine additional Hormagaunts
FAST ATTACK
Hive Crone
Harpy: Twin Heavy Venom Cannons
HEAVY SUPPORT
Trygon Prime: Miasma Cannon
Pre-game
The Tyranid Prime rolled Digestive Denial for his Warlord Trait, reducing the Cover Save on the trench system by 1. Baron Sathonyx rolled Inspiring Presence.
The Tyranids deployed in the ruins of the city, clumping in the central ruins and the streets adjacent to it. The Flying Monstrous Creatures deployed behind the Hive Guard and the Venomthropes, and the Hormagaunts deployed in either street. The Trygon Prime went into Deep Strike Reserve, and the Devourer Gaunts would be Outflanking with the Tyranid Prime.
The Dark Eldar deployed all of their vehicles along the back board edge. The only exception was one Raider, which deployed slightly closer, on their left flank behind the Bastion. Baron deployed with the Scourges in the central trench system, on the right hand side. You will notice some Stealth Suits and Demons in the back of the shot; these are stand-ins for the Scourge.
The Dark Eldar attempted to Seize the Initative and failed; the Tyranids would have the first turn.
Turn One
The Flying Monstrous Creatures all shot quickly to the flank, outranging much of the Dark Eldar support firepower. The two squads of Hive Guard rushed the central ruins, followed closely by the Venomthropes to keep them covered. The Tervigon produced ten Termagants but rolled a double. The Hormagaunts shot up either side street and into the open, running to close the gap with their enemy.
The Harpy was the only model in range, but its Venom Cannon missed through the fog of night. The first Orbital Bombardment scattered completely off-target, doing no damage.
The Dark Eldar accelerated toward the Tyranids, eager to put this growing thorn in their side away. The lone Raider on the flank moved forward and fired Snap Shots into the Crone, hoping to get lucky and knock it down for the Ravagers to pick off. They scored one hit with their Blaster and four hits with their Splinter weapons, all of which wounded. The Crone failed all four armor saves and died; First Blood to Baron!
The other units fired on the Hive Guard, who were sheltered by 2+ Cover thanks to the Venomthropes. Despite this cover they wiped out three of the Hive Guard quickly, earning a second Victory Point. So far, the Baron’s revenge was going according to plan.
Kill Points: Dark Eldar 2, Tyranids 0
Additional Dark Eldar Points: First Blood
Additional Tyranid Points: None
Turn One Score: Dark Eldar 3, Tyranids 0
Turn Two
All of the Tyranid reserves arrived. The Trygon Prime tunneled up directly in front of Baron and his Scourges. The Termagants and the Prime arrived from Outflank near the Wych’s Raider. The Flying Monstrous Creatures pressed on into the Dark Eldar positions, moving onto the Landing Pad and the neighboring Bastion.
The surviving Hive Guard moved up with the swarms of Termagants, unloading their Impaler Cannons into the nearest Venom and knocking it from the sky. The Trygon Prime managed to knock the other out with his Bio-Electric Pulse, melting two of the Scourge with his Miasma Cannon in the process. The Harpy managed to knock the weapon from one of the Raiders, and the Hive Tyrant exploded a Ravager with his Devourers. The explosion killed one of the Scourge and one of the Trueborn nearby.
The Termagants fired their ninety shots into the Wyches’ Raider, but managed to inflict only a SINGLE HULL POINT in damage. None of the Tyranids were in range to assault, so the turn fell to the Dark Eldar.
The skimmers all maneuvered to optimum firing positions, with the Ravagers falling back to the landing pad to line up shots on the Hive Tyrant.
Their shooting response was no less destructive than in the first turn. The army did a total of six wounds to the Trygon Prime with Darklight weapons; despite being in Cover, he failed all six saves and was slain. Three of the Warrior squads leveled their weapons on the Termagants and killed twenty seven of them. Several Hormagaunts were felled as well, and the Hive Tyrant lost Wound, but managed to stay aloft. As a result, the Ravagers missed with all their shots in his direction.
The Wyches lost one of their number to Overwatch as they launched an assault against the Prime and his surviving Gaunts. The Shardnets did their work, preventing the Prime from landing any telling blows, and the Gaunts were quickly dispatched, giving the Wyches a pain token and the Dark Eldar another Victory Point.
The Tyranids had gained their first foothold, but the damage they were taking seemed unsustainable. Could they hold on long enough?
Kill Points: Dark Eldar 4, Tyranids 3
Additional Dark Eldar Points: First Blood
Additional Tyranid Points: Linebreaker, two units Breached
Turn Two Score: Dark Eldar 5, Tyranids 10
Turn Three
The Hormagaunts nearest to Baron moved up into the trench system with him, ready to launch their attack over the lip. The other squad moved close to the Raider squad that killed the Crone on turn one. The Harpy moved into the Dark Eldar back field, wiping out one of the Trueborn squads with a Vector Strike. The Tyrant flew to get rear armor shots on the Ravagers.
The Hive Guard exploded the Raider nearest to the Hormagaunts, killing two of the Warriors in the explosion. A third was felled by the Tervigon’s Stinger Salvo, but the squad held their ground. The Hive Tyrant exploded a second Ravager, and the Harpy failed to hit.
The Hormagaunts launched their attack against Baron, leaping into the trench with snarling maws and empty stomachs.
Baron kicked his board into life as the first Tyranids leapt into the trench. His Hellglaive flashed to and fro, lopping off limbs and removing heads. As he went he activated a new addition to his Shadowfield, sending out a dazzling flare of light. The Hormagaunts were stunned for just a moment; it was all the warlord needed.
When the Hormagaunts regained their senses, their quarry had escaped.
Baron’s Shadowfield turned aside every single wound in this close combat. Although I lost three Hormaaunts, they rolled a two for their Leadership test and remained in position. The Baron quickly used Hit & Run, moving away toward the surviving Hive Guard.
The other combats went as expected; the Hekatrix declined the Prime’s challenge, and the squad bled my Warlord of one Wound. The Warriors were no so fortunate; the Hormagaunts swiftly overran them and feasted on their flesh.
Baron and his Scourges moved toward the center of the table, while the fleet of skimmer repositioned to attack the Harpy and the Hormagaunts. Poison splinters rained across the battlefield, and the Harpy crashed to the earth, slain by the virulent rounds. A moment later the Hormagaunts in the trenches were felled as well. The Hive Guard were cut down through their 3+ Cover by Baron and his Scourges, unsupported! Apparently the outcast’s blood was up, and he was not planning to show any mercy!
The Wyches did no damage to the Prime, but he was unable to connect with his single attack.
Kill Points: Dark Eldar 7, Tyranids 7
Additional Dark Eldar Points: First Blood
Additional Tyranid Points: Linebreaker, two units Breached
Turn Three Score: Dark Eldar 8, Tyranids 14
Turn Four
The Hive Tyrant went into Glide Mode and turned back to deal with the final Ravager. The Venomthropes, the Tervigon, the spawned Termagants and the Hormagaunts made a desperate move into the cover on the right side of the table, attempting to survive as the Dark Eldar army turned en masse to attack.
The Hive Tyrant shot down the final Ravager as a blazing wreck, and the rest of the Tyranids ran to hug the board edge. The Baron had earned complete board dominance, and my only chance was in skirting to grab his deployment zone at the end.
The Dark Eldar continued their advance, pouring all of their fire into the Hive Tyrant and finally bringing him low. The Baron fired on the Tervigon and tore one wound from its hide, but was unable to do more. The Wyches continued their war with the Prime, unable to remove that final Wound.
The Dark Eldar were on the ascent, but they had to clear the last Tyranids from their deployment zone before it tipped the balance.
Kill Points: Dark Eldar 8, Tyranids 8
Additional Dark Eldar Points: First Blood
Additional Tyranid Points: Linebreaker, one unit Breached
Turn Four Score: Dark Eldar 9, Tyranids 12
Turn Five
The Tyranids continued to move into the enemy’s unprotected flank; the Hormagaunts clambered into the Bastion, while the Venomthropes entered the small bunker. The Tervigon ran to put itself behind the small bunker for a 2+ Cover Save against the inevitable punishment that would be incoming. The small Termagant brood that had been spawned on Turn One moved to shelter behind the Bastion. In the Assault Phase, the Wyches finally cut through the Prime without having taken any damage.
Baron led his Scourges toward the final Synapse Creature, while the rest of the army closed on the Bastion. A hail of Darklight shots tore into its armored hide, but nothing could find the space to cause significant damage. The Scourges tore two more wounds from the Tervigon before they barreled into close combat with the monstrosity.
The Dark Eldar declined to challenge, but the Tervigon hissed as it barreled into the Baron. I should point out here that it can no longer challenge; this was an error on my part, but as you’ll see it hurt me more than it helped.
The Baron failed his Fear test, and did not manage any wounds on the Tervigon. In return he was dealt three Wounds that would cause Instant Death. He failed one of these, but because five Scourges were supporting the challenge the reroll saved Baron. Had I not challenged, this would have stopped the rampaging Hellion in his tracks! As it was, it turned out as a drawn combat, and Random Game Length ended the carnage. We carefully tallied points, knowing this one was going to be close.
Kill Points: Dark Eldar 9, Tyranids 8
Additional Dark Eldar Points: First Blood, Slay the Warlord
Additional Tyranid Points: Linebreaker, two units Breached
Turn Five Score: Dark Eldar 13, Tyranids 15
Tyranids Victory
Post-Game Thoughts
Wow. I’m not sure how the Tyranids pulled through in this one. The Baron was out for blood, and he most definitely found it! By the time turn three drew to a close, I knew too much had gone against me. All I could do to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat was a lateral plan that went around his strength and I managed to just squeak by with it.
I’m not naïve enough to think it could have worked, had the game went to Turn Six or Turn Seven. The Dark Eldar were simply too intact and they were still ripping me to shreds. Their firepower was devastating; I never imagined thirty Warriors would wipe out my Devourer Gaunts in one go!
All told, I’m happy with the list and don’t think I will change much for my next game. I’m still not sold on the Trygon Prime, however. For roughly the same points I can put the Carnifex Brood back in, so I may go that route in my next game.
In the mean time, I’ve got to consider how to get around all that blasted Poison!
Two thousand points again, this time in a mission for the Dicehead Games campaign. The Dark Eldar took on the role of the defenders, fresh from slaughtering the Imperial Guard platoon that was previously assigned to the position. The Tyranids would be launching an assault, in an attempt to break their position open through sheer brute force.
Sathonyx crouched low on his board and squinted into No Man’s Land. His lip curled involuntarily as the spore cloud that preceded the Tyranid assault became visible.
The Dark Eldar lord breathed deeply, his nose suffused with the sweet stench of Mon’keigh blood. They lay slaughtered throughout their trenches and bunkers, and the silence of the position was acting as a lure to the Tyranid swarm.
It had been two weeks since his defeat at the hands of these primitive intergalactic beasts. Today, he would show his strength over their mindless numbers.
The Baron’s Revenge
The Mission
This mission was part of the narrative for the Dicehead campaign, so the mission was assigned based on the results of the last mega battle. The forces of disorder suffered a significant defeat in that game, and as a result their assault had been thrown back. This game represents a bunker assault, as the forces of disorder try desperately to breach the solidifying Imperial line.
Deployment was Hammer & Anvil, with the Dark Eldar half set to represent prepared positions along their front line. The Tyranids would be attacking through the ruins of a city that had already seen action in this drawn out conflict.
The smoldering ruins of an Imperial city; the perfect site for
Baron’s ambush.
The defender got to place Minefields, and he also received a bonus of +1 to all Cover Saves in his Deployment Zone, to represent his efforts digging in. In addition, all of his units were able to reroll failed Morale Checks, since they absolutely had to hold their ground.
The attackers received a Preliminary Bombardment, and also received two Orbital Bombardments to use during the course of the game. They also received the first turn automatically, unless the defender was able to Seize the Initiative.
The mission was Purge the Alien. In addition to all the normal rules (including secondary objectives), the attacker receives three points for each unit in the enemy’s deployment zone. Units below half strength and Immobilized vehicles do not count for this purpose. Finally, Warlords are incredibly important at this stage in the campaign, so they are worth three Victory Points each.
On top of all this craziness, Nurgle has spent too much time in the Agora system. As a result, the battlefield suffers from a Corrosive Atmosphere. All Armor Saves passed with a 6 must be re-rolled, and all Armor Penetration rolls of 1 must be re-rolled.
Army Lists
The Baron’s Outlaws
Dark Eldar - 2,000
Combat Drugs: Grave Lotus
HQ
Baron Sathonyx
ELITES
4 Kabalite Trueborn: 4 Blasters, Venom transport with 2x Splinter Cannons
4 Kabalite Trueborn: 4 Blasters, Venom transport with 2x Splinter Cannons
TROOPS
10 Kabalite Warriors: Splinter Cannon, Blaster, Raider transport with Dark Lance and Flickerfield
10 Kabalite Warriors: Splinter Cannon, Blaster, Raider transport with Dark Lance and Flickerfield
10 Kabalite Warriors: Splinter Cannon, Blaster, Raider transport with Dark Lance and Flickerfield
10 Kabalite Warriors: Splinter Cannon, Blaster, Raider transport with Dark Lance and Flickerfield
10 Wyches: Hekatrix with Venom Blade, 2x Shard net & Impaler, Raider transport with Dark Lance and Flickerfield
FAST ATTACK
10 Scourges: 4x Splinter Cannon
HEAVY SUPPORT
Ravager: 3x Dark Lances
Ravager: 3x Dark Lances
Ravager: 3x Dark Lances
Hive Fleet Nug - Siegebreaker Swarm
Tyranids - 2,000
HQ
Tyranid Prime: Warlord; Lash Whip & Bonesword, Deathspitter
Hive Tyrant: 2x Twin-Linked Devourers, Hive Commander, Wings; Onslaught, The Horror
ELITES
Hive Guard Brood: two additional Hive Guard; Impaler Cannons
Hive Guard Brood: two additional Hive Guard; Impaler Cannons
Venomthrope Brood: one additional Venomthrope
TROOPS
Tervigon: Dominion
Termagant Brood: twenty additional Termagants, 30x Devourers
Hormagaunt Brood: ten additional Hormagaunts
Hormagaunt Brood: nine additional Hormagaunts
FAST ATTACK
Hive Crone
Harpy: Twin Heavy Venom Cannons
HEAVY SUPPORT
Trygon Prime: Miasma Cannon
Pre-game
The Tyranid Prime rolled Digestive Denial for his Warlord Trait, reducing the Cover Save on the trench system by 1. Baron Sathonyx rolled Inspiring Presence.
The Tyranids deployed in the ruins of the city, clumping in the central ruins and the streets adjacent to it. The Flying Monstrous Creatures deployed behind the Hive Guard and the Venomthropes, and the Hormagaunts deployed in either street. The Trygon Prime went into Deep Strike Reserve, and the Devourer Gaunts would be Outflanking with the Tyranid Prime.
(Left: Dark Eldar deployment zone. Right: The Raiders wait to pounce.)
The Dark Eldar deployed all of their vehicles along the back board edge. The only exception was one Raider, which deployed slightly closer, on their left flank behind the Bastion. Baron deployed with the Scourges in the central trench system, on the right hand side. You will notice some Stealth Suits and Demons in the back of the shot; these are stand-ins for the Scourge.
The Dark Eldar attempted to Seize the Initative and failed; the Tyranids would have the first turn.
Turn One
The Flying Monstrous Creatures all shot quickly to the flank, outranging much of the Dark Eldar support firepower. The two squads of Hive Guard rushed the central ruins, followed closely by the Venomthropes to keep them covered. The Tervigon produced ten Termagants but rolled a double. The Hormagaunts shot up either side street and into the open, running to close the gap with their enemy.
The Harpy was the only model in range, but its Venom Cannon missed through the fog of night. The first Orbital Bombardment scattered completely off-target, doing no damage.
The Dark Eldar accelerated toward the Tyranids, eager to put this growing thorn in their side away. The lone Raider on the flank moved forward and fired Snap Shots into the Crone, hoping to get lucky and knock it down for the Ravagers to pick off. They scored one hit with their Blaster and four hits with their Splinter weapons, all of which wounded. The Crone failed all four armor saves and died; First Blood to Baron!
The other units fired on the Hive Guard, who were sheltered by 2+ Cover thanks to the Venomthropes. Despite this cover they wiped out three of the Hive Guard quickly, earning a second Victory Point. So far, the Baron’s revenge was going according to plan.
Kill Points: Dark Eldar 2, Tyranids 0
Additional Dark Eldar Points: First Blood
Additional Tyranid Points: None
Turn One Score: Dark Eldar 3, Tyranids 0
Turn Two
(Left: the Termagants arrive near the Wyches. Right: the Trygon Prime emerges before Baron!)
All of the Tyranid reserves arrived. The Trygon Prime tunneled up directly in front of Baron and his Scourges. The Termagants and the Prime arrived from Outflank near the Wych’s Raider. The Flying Monstrous Creatures pressed on into the Dark Eldar positions, moving onto the Landing Pad and the neighboring Bastion.
The surviving Hive Guard moved up with the swarms of Termagants, unloading their Impaler Cannons into the nearest Venom and knocking it from the sky. The Trygon Prime managed to knock the other out with his Bio-Electric Pulse, melting two of the Scourge with his Miasma Cannon in the process. The Harpy managed to knock the weapon from one of the Raiders, and the Hive Tyrant exploded a Ravager with his Devourers. The explosion killed one of the Scourge and one of the Trueborn nearby.
The Termagants fired their ninety shots into the Wyches’ Raider, but managed to inflict only a SINGLE HULL POINT in damage. None of the Tyranids were in range to assault, so the turn fell to the Dark Eldar.
The skimmers all maneuvered to optimum firing positions, with the Ravagers falling back to the landing pad to line up shots on the Hive Tyrant.
Their shooting response was no less destructive than in the first turn. The army did a total of six wounds to the Trygon Prime with Darklight weapons; despite being in Cover, he failed all six saves and was slain. Three of the Warrior squads leveled their weapons on the Termagants and killed twenty seven of them. Several Hormagaunts were felled as well, and the Hive Tyrant lost Wound, but managed to stay aloft. As a result, the Ravagers missed with all their shots in his direction.
The Wyches lost one of their number to Overwatch as they launched an assault against the Prime and his surviving Gaunts. The Shardnets did their work, preventing the Prime from landing any telling blows, and the Gaunts were quickly dispatched, giving the Wyches a pain token and the Dark Eldar another Victory Point.
The Tyranids had gained their first foothold, but the damage they were taking seemed unsustainable. Could they hold on long enough?
Kill Points: Dark Eldar 4, Tyranids 3
Additional Dark Eldar Points: First Blood
Additional Tyranid Points: Linebreaker, two units Breached
Turn Two Score: Dark Eldar 5, Tyranids 10
Turn Three
The Hormagaunts nearest to Baron moved up into the trench system with him, ready to launch their attack over the lip. The other squad moved close to the Raider squad that killed the Crone on turn one. The Harpy moved into the Dark Eldar back field, wiping out one of the Trueborn squads with a Vector Strike. The Tyrant flew to get rear armor shots on the Ravagers.
The Hive Guard exploded the Raider nearest to the Hormagaunts, killing two of the Warriors in the explosion. A third was felled by the Tervigon’s Stinger Salvo, but the squad held their ground. The Hive Tyrant exploded a second Ravager, and the Harpy failed to hit.
The Hormagaunts launched their attack against Baron, leaping into the trench with snarling maws and empty stomachs.
Baron kicked his board into life as the first Tyranids leapt into the trench. His Hellglaive flashed to and fro, lopping off limbs and removing heads. As he went he activated a new addition to his Shadowfield, sending out a dazzling flare of light. The Hormagaunts were stunned for just a moment; it was all the warlord needed.
When the Hormagaunts regained their senses, their quarry had escaped.
Baron’s Shadowfield turned aside every single wound in this close combat. Although I lost three Hormaaunts, they rolled a two for their Leadership test and remained in position. The Baron quickly used Hit & Run, moving away toward the surviving Hive Guard.
The other combats went as expected; the Hekatrix declined the Prime’s challenge, and the squad bled my Warlord of one Wound. The Warriors were no so fortunate; the Hormagaunts swiftly overran them and feasted on their flesh.
Baron and his Scourges moved toward the center of the table, while the fleet of skimmer repositioned to attack the Harpy and the Hormagaunts. Poison splinters rained across the battlefield, and the Harpy crashed to the earth, slain by the virulent rounds. A moment later the Hormagaunts in the trenches were felled as well. The Hive Guard were cut down through their 3+ Cover by Baron and his Scourges, unsupported! Apparently the outcast’s blood was up, and he was not planning to show any mercy!
The Wyches did no damage to the Prime, but he was unable to connect with his single attack.
Kill Points: Dark Eldar 7, Tyranids 7
Additional Dark Eldar Points: First Blood
Additional Tyranid Points: Linebreaker, two units Breached
Turn Three Score: Dark Eldar 8, Tyranids 14
Turn Four
The Hive Tyrant went into Glide Mode and turned back to deal with the final Ravager. The Venomthropes, the Tervigon, the spawned Termagants and the Hormagaunts made a desperate move into the cover on the right side of the table, attempting to survive as the Dark Eldar army turned en masse to attack.
The Hive Tyrant shot down the final Ravager as a blazing wreck, and the rest of the Tyranids ran to hug the board edge. The Baron had earned complete board dominance, and my only chance was in skirting to grab his deployment zone at the end.
The Dark Eldar continued their advance, pouring all of their fire into the Hive Tyrant and finally bringing him low. The Baron fired on the Tervigon and tore one wound from its hide, but was unable to do more. The Wyches continued their war with the Prime, unable to remove that final Wound.
The Dark Eldar were on the ascent, but they had to clear the last Tyranids from their deployment zone before it tipped the balance.
Kill Points: Dark Eldar 8, Tyranids 8
Additional Dark Eldar Points: First Blood
Additional Tyranid Points: Linebreaker, one unit Breached
Turn Four Score: Dark Eldar 9, Tyranids 12
Turn Five
The Tyranids are bleeding to death;can they hold on through to the end?
The Tyranids continued to move into the enemy’s unprotected flank; the Hormagaunts clambered into the Bastion, while the Venomthropes entered the small bunker. The Tervigon ran to put itself behind the small bunker for a 2+ Cover Save against the inevitable punishment that would be incoming. The small Termagant brood that had been spawned on Turn One moved to shelter behind the Bastion. In the Assault Phase, the Wyches finally cut through the Prime without having taken any damage.
Baron led his Scourges toward the final Synapse Creature, while the rest of the army closed on the Bastion. A hail of Darklight shots tore into its armored hide, but nothing could find the space to cause significant damage. The Scourges tore two more wounds from the Tervigon before they barreled into close combat with the monstrosity.
The Baron and his proxied cronies bring
the fight to the Tervigon.
The Dark Eldar declined to challenge, but the Tervigon hissed as it barreled into the Baron. I should point out here that it can no longer challenge; this was an error on my part, but as you’ll see it hurt me more than it helped.
The Baron failed his Fear test, and did not manage any wounds on the Tervigon. In return he was dealt three Wounds that would cause Instant Death. He failed one of these, but because five Scourges were supporting the challenge the reroll saved Baron. Had I not challenged, this would have stopped the rampaging Hellion in his tracks! As it was, it turned out as a drawn combat, and Random Game Length ended the carnage. We carefully tallied points, knowing this one was going to be close.
Kill Points: Dark Eldar 9, Tyranids 8
Additional Dark Eldar Points: First Blood, Slay the Warlord
Additional Tyranid Points: Linebreaker, two units Breached
Turn Five Score: Dark Eldar 13, Tyranids 15
Tyranids Victory
Post-Game Thoughts
Wow. I’m not sure how the Tyranids pulled through in this one. The Baron was out for blood, and he most definitely found it! By the time turn three drew to a close, I knew too much had gone against me. All I could do to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat was a lateral plan that went around his strength and I managed to just squeak by with it.
I’m not naïve enough to think it could have worked, had the game went to Turn Six or Turn Seven. The Dark Eldar were simply too intact and they were still ripping me to shreds. Their firepower was devastating; I never imagined thirty Warriors would wipe out my Devourer Gaunts in one go!
All told, I’m happy with the list and don’t think I will change much for my next game. I’m still not sold on the Trygon Prime, however. For roughly the same points I can put the Carnifex Brood back in, so I may go that route in my next game.
In the mean time, I’ve got to consider how to get around all that blasted Poison!
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