Battle Report - Belial’s Gambit
Last night I made a trip up to Gamer’s Arsenal in Sparta, Tennessee for a game against the owner. We played 3,000 points each, which escalated to around 3,300 each when he wanted to play a few more units. I had an extra Crisis Team and a Bastion for terrain, so I went ahead and matched him. You can never have too many models!
Belial watched the auspex in his Land Raider with a practiced eye. The Tau were out there in the edge of the city, but their technology was confusing the Land Raider’s machine spirit. He could not get a count on how many of them were waiting.
Agora had been a costly campaign for the Imperials, and there was no sign it was abating. The Tau were under the authority of a Commander known only as “The Reaper,” an enigmatic figure with an even more enigmatic moniker. He was accompanied by an Aun’ui Tai’go, whose name did not translate into any known phrase. For the last year they had worked to destabilize Agora, and in the last month they abandoned their endeavors as the system fell apart.
They deserved to be punished for the death they had caused to the Imperium, but that wasn’t why Belial was here. At least two Fallen had taken part in the campaign for Agora, and intelligence suggested that The Reaper and his cadre engaged the ancient foe. Belial had to know what they knew about this opponent.
The Tau were busily gathering supplies for the next leg of their journey, but their emplaced defenses suggested that they already knew the Angels of Caliban were coming. There was no point in subtlety now.
“All elements, this is Belial. Advance at good speed. Crush the Tau cadre and bring me The Reaper!”
The Mission
For this game we rolled a random mission from the Eternal War selections, coming up with The Scouring, with Dawn of War deployment.
Army Lists
Both forces used dual Force Organization charts. For ease of reference, they have been combined here.
I did not get an army shot for his forces, and I’m unsure on some of his upgrades. The following represents his army to the best of my knowledge.
HQ
Belial: WARLORD, Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield
Ezekiel: Ezekiel rolled on Pyromancy for his powers; I did not note what powers he rolled
Deathwing Command Squad: Deathwing Company Banner, Apothecary, Deathwing Champion
ELITES
Company Veterans Squad: five additional Veterans; Lascannon, Meltagun, Power Fist, Rhino transport
Deathwing Knights: Perfidious Relic of the Unforgiven
Dreadnought: Twin Lascannon, Missile Launcher
TROOPS
Deathwing Terminator Squad: Cyclone Missile Launcher, Land Raider Crusader transport with Multi-Melta
Deathwing Terminator Squad: Assault Cannon, Chainfist
Tactical Squad: five additional Space Marines, Lascannon, Flamer, Power Fist, Rhino transport
Tactical Squad: five additional Space Marines, Lascannon, Flamer, Power Fist, Rhino transport
Tactical Squad: five additional Space Marines, Plasma Cannon, Plasma Gun, Rhino transport
Tactical Squad: five additional Space Marines, Plasma Cannon
FAST ATTACK
Ravenwing Attack Squadron: three additional Ravenwing Bikers
Ravenwing Attack Squadron
Nephilim Jetfighter
HEAVY SUPPORT
Land Speeder Vengeance: Plasma Storm Battery, Assault Cannon
Whirlwind
Whirlwind
FORTIFICATIONS
Aegis Defense Line: Quad Gun
Imperial Bastion: Comms Relay
HQ
Commander: WARLORD; Command and Control Node, Puretide Engram Neurochip, Multi-Spectrum Sensor Suite, XV8-02 Crisis “Iridium” Battlesuit, Vectored Retro-Thrusters
Commander: Drone Controller, Target Lock, 2x Missile Pods
Ethereal: Homing Beacon
ELITES
XV104 Riptide: Ion Accelerator, Twin Fusion Blaster, Early Warning Override, Velocity Tracker
XV8 Crisis Team: two additional Crisis Shas’ui; each has 2x Fusion Blasters
XV8 Crisis Team: two additional Crisis Shas’ui; each has 2x Missile Pods
TROOPS
Fire Warrior Team: five additional Fire Warriors, Devilfish transport with Twin Smart Missile Systems, Disruption Pods, and Sensor Spines
Fire Warrior Team: five additional Fire Warriors, Devilfish transport with Twin Smart Missile Systems, Disruption Pods, and Sensor Spines
Fire Warrior Team: four additional Fire Warriors, Devilfish transport with Twin Smart Missile Systems, Disruption Pods, and Sensor Spines
Fire Warrior Team: four additional Fire Warriors, Devilfish transport with Twin Smart Missile Systems, Disruption Pods, and Sensor Spines
FAST ATTACK
Drone Squadron: eight Marker Drones
Pathfinder Team: four additional Pathfinders
Pathfinder Team: four additional Pathfinders
Piranhas: two additional Piranhas, Fusion Blasters
Sun Shark Bomber: Twin Missile Pods
HEAVY SUPPORT
XV88 Broadside Team: two additional Broadside Shas’ui, 6x Missile Drone; each has Twin High-Yield Missile Pods, Twin Smart Missile Systems, and Target Locks
Hammerhead Gunship: Railgun with Submunitions, Twin Smart Missile Systems, Disruption Pods, Sensor Spines; Longstrike
Hammerhead Gunship: Railgun with Submunitions, Twin Smart Missile Systems, Disruption Pods, Sensor Spines, Blacksun Filter
Sky Ray Missile Defense Gunship: Twin Smart Missile Systems, Disruption Pods, Sensor Spines
Pre-game
Belial provided The Hunt as his Warlord Trait, while my Tau Commander rolled Through Boldness, Victory. Against all that Space Marine armor, I decided not to take advantage of this. There would be no Night Fighting on Turn One.
Although it was not revealed until the beginning of the first turn, I will put the point totals for each objective after its location. The first objective went in the Shrine of the Aquila (4), and the second was in the black ruin at the far end of the table (3). The third was in the central opening between trenches (3). The remaining three objectives were deployed across the opposite side, with one in the nearest ruins (2), another in the forest (1), and a third in the furthest ruins (2).
The Tau Empire chose deployment zones and picked the right side of the table. The Dark Angels won the roll to go first and started deploying. (As a side note, for whatever reason my pictures turned out very blurry for this game. I wish I had clearer shots, as my opponent has almost all of his models painted!)
The majority of the Dark Angels force went into the center of the board, with Belial joining the Deathwing Terminators in their Land Raider Crusader. A Whirlwind deployed in each ruin, with the Assault Marines on the right flank. Here they were joined by the entire complement of Ravenwing Bikers. The Land Speeder Vengeance also deployed to the same flank. The Deathwing Knights, Command Squad, and Terminator Squad all deployed in Deep Strike Reserve, waiting to arrive from Deathwing Assault.
Since I would be going second, the Tau Empire deployed in a conservative formation. The Crisis Team with Fusion Blasters waited in Deep Strike Reserve, and the Flyer would come in from Reserves as well. The four Fire Warrior Teams deployed behind the Shrine of the Aquila, while one Pathfinder Team and the Missile Pod Crisis Team deployed on the first floor. The Commander with Missile Pods deployed on the ground floor with the Marker Drones. The Broadside nest deployed in the center with my Warlord Commander, around the Quad Gun and behind the Aegis. The second team of Pathfinders occupied the Bastion, with the Riptide taking cover behind it. Longstrike led the armored elements in their deployment on the right flank.
The Ravenwing sped up the flank on their Scout moves, to get in better position to bring in the Deathwing reserve. The Tau Empire failed to Seize the Initiative.
Belial linked his visor to that of the Ravenwing. The biker veterans moved seamlessly into position, positioning themselves to bring reinforcements to the nearby trench system. The Rhinos and the Land Raider churned mud as they roared forward as well.
“The enemy is responding to our presence,” came the Deathwing Sergeant.
Belial nodded. Before he could speak, however, a massive shadow loomed out from behind the last functional bastion. It leapt nimbly into position despite its size, lowering a monstrous cannon toward the Dark Angels.
“All forces be advised, Riptide presence confirmed,” Belial growled. “Watch your spacing and move to suppress it. In the name of the Lion!”
Turn One
The Deathwing Command Squad came in safely in the ruins near the Shrine of the Aquila, using the Ravenwing’s Teleport Homers to gain a forward position. The other squads went for a more aggressive maneuver, coming into position in the central trench system to threaten the Tau center. Both squads scattered away several inches, leaving the center uncontested. The Assault Marines quickly jumped forward and took cover behind the central bunker, ready to launch their charge next turn.
The rest of the Dark Angels force leapt forward and opened fire. The Whirlwinds both landed rounds on one of the Drones in the forest, causing five wounds total. The Drone made ALL FIVE cover saves, and the squad took no damage. Further shooting managed to wound the Quad Gun, the Commander, and caused one casualty on the Drones.
More firepower was directed at the Pathfinders in the Shrine of the Aquila, but the objective they controlled was a Scatterfield, and they took only one casualty.
While the Dark Angels hadn’t inflicted much damage on the Tau Empire, their Bikes and Terminators had occupied forward positions that would force me to deal with them immediately. All four Devilfish advanced and dropped their cargo in Rapid Fire range, prepared to make use of the Ethereal’s Storm of Fire ability. I normally don’t like to make them a target for artillery until it is eliminated, but I had no choice in this instance. The Bikes had to be stopped, and I just had to hope the Broadside Team would take care of the artillery.
The Crisis Team leapt onto the roof of the Shrine and opened fire on the Land Speeder Vengeance, shredding it in a hail of missiles and earning First Blood for the Tau. The Commander with the Marker Drones achieved a Crew Stunned result against the Veterans’ Rhino, and his Marker Drones scored eight hits against the Assault Marines. The Riptide quickly accessed their targeting data and boosted himself to BS9. Giving his Ion Accelerator Ignores Cover, he let the large template fly. Nine of the Assault Marines disappeared in a ball of radioactive fire.
The Broadsides destroyed both Whirlwinds, and their Drones killed one of the Ravenwing Bikes. The Fire Warriors combined their fire to cut down a squad of Bikes. The other Fire Warriors and the Devilfish cut down two Terminators from the Command Squad, including the Apothecary. Longstrike and the other Hammerhead fired on the Land Raider to no effect. After dropping their Drones, the Piranhas reduced the Tactical Squad’s Rhino to slag and Pinning the squad in the process. Their Drones finished the Shooting Phase by cutting down another group of Ravenwing Bikes, leaving just the two survivors.
Each jump unit leaped into a safer position and prepared for the Dark Angels’ response.
Objective Points Controlled: Dark Angels 2, Tau Empire 4
Additional Dark Angels Points: None
Additional Tau Empire Points: First Blood
Turn One Score: Dark Angels 2, Tau Empire 5
Turn Two
The Nephilim Jetfighter failed to arrive from Reserve, and the Dark Angels continued their bloody advance. Each element moved to close the distance, with casualties rapidly putting a stopper on their assault.
The Deathwing Command Squad cut down two Fire Warriors with their Storm Bolters, and the Ravenwing, the Deathwing, and the Land Raider combined their fire to bring down six Fire Warriors from the central squad. The Dreadnought and the Tactical Squads combined their fire to bring down two more Missile Drones from the Broadside squad. Under the covering fire, the Deathwing Knights ran up into the trench that was directly in front of the Tau line.
The two Ravenwing Knights launched an assault into the Fire Warrior survivors to end the turn. The Crisis Team fired in support, joined by the two Fire Warrior squads in the center. When all this fire landed without effect, the Broadsides opened fire as well, and their fire was barely able to bring the Bikes down before they launched their charge. The Space Marines had been unable to do much damage, but their Terminators were in position to launch a devastating charge on Turn Three.
The Fire Warriors on the left flank advanced to get range on the Deathwing Command Squad, the Sun Shark Bomber roaring overhead. The Crisis Team leapt from their Orca and touched down mere yards from the Land Raider Crusader, joined a moment later by the Piranhas as they prioritized the heavy tank. The remaining Fire Warriors in the center moved closer to the Deathwing Knights. The heavily armored warriors were right on top of the line, and next turn would see them in close combat with the Broadsides.
The Riptide fired on Ezekiel and his Tactical Squad, slaying nine of the Space Marines in ionic fire. The Pathfinders in the Bastion designated the Land Raider, and the Crisis Team destroyed it with two Penetrating Hits and two Glancing Hits. The Fire Warriors on the left were able to finish off the Deathwing Command Squad and the lone survivor from the Assault Marine Squad. The Crisis Team with Missile Pods wrecked the second Tactical Squad Rhino, and the Commander with the Marker Drones destroyed the Veterans’ Rhino, Stunning them again in the process.
The two Fire Warrior Teams in the center were joined by the Devilfish group and the Gun Drones from the Piranhas as they fired into the Deathwing Knights. One by one they fell, until finally the last Knight’s armor shattered and he collapsed to the ground. The remnants of the army knocked down two Terminators from the squad that came in by Deep Strike. The final shooting of the turn came from the Broadsides, and in a fit of poor dice rolls they wiped out the lead Tactical Squad entirely. The Piranhas moved Flat Out to block the remaining Terminators from any potential charges in the coming turn.
Belial snarled as the xenos speeders roared into position, heavy weapons in their noses swiveling to find targets among his Terminators. With a motion, his Deathwing bodyguard fired a spray into the nearby Crisis Team to drive them back.
The Grand Master took a moment to see which of his units were still in the fight. “All elements, disengage and fall back to the primary rally point.”
*****
“Let them go,” Aun’ui Tai’go said firmly.
Mal’caor Mont’yr nodded respectfully, watching the few Gue’ron’sha survivors as they withdrew through the burning graveyard of their armor. The battlefield was littered with their corpses. The battle had been decisive.
“What did they hope to gain?” Mal’caor wondered.
“It is irrelevant,” Tai’go replied. “What matters is that they were driven back. Our casualties were light, and I imagine they’ve seen the error of their attack.”
“With that said, ensure we have an adequate rearguard while we withdraw.”
Objective Points Controlled: Dark Angels 0, Tau Empire 4
Additional Dark Angels Points: None
Additional Tau Empire Points: First Blood
Turn Two Score: Dark Angels 0, Tau Empire 5
Tau Empire Victory
Post-Game Thoughts
The Dark Angels are really, really fast. They were able to get multiple resilient elements in my face immediately, and it led to some tense shooting to clear myself from charges. I almost think he was too conservative with his Ravenwing elements; had they been positioned more toward the center of the table, they might have been able to bring the Deathwing in close enough to allow a second turn assault. I don’t think my guns would have been sufficient to clear that many models in one go.
I also think my line was positioned poorly; I simply did not have enough Pulse Rifles to repulse the center. Any more pressure, and I would have started falling to assaults. Add that those blasted Terminators just wouldn’t die, and I had a tense moment of wondering how many were making it into melee.
It was fun to break out the Tau Empire for a change of pace; don’t be surprised if some Tau models start getting painted over the coming weeks.
Belial watched the auspex in his Land Raider with a practiced eye. The Tau were out there in the edge of the city, but their technology was confusing the Land Raider’s machine spirit. He could not get a count on how many of them were waiting.
Agora had been a costly campaign for the Imperials, and there was no sign it was abating. The Tau were under the authority of a Commander known only as “The Reaper,” an enigmatic figure with an even more enigmatic moniker. He was accompanied by an Aun’ui Tai’go, whose name did not translate into any known phrase. For the last year they had worked to destabilize Agora, and in the last month they abandoned their endeavors as the system fell apart.
They deserved to be punished for the death they had caused to the Imperium, but that wasn’t why Belial was here. At least two Fallen had taken part in the campaign for Agora, and intelligence suggested that The Reaper and his cadre engaged the ancient foe. Belial had to know what they knew about this opponent.
The Tau were busily gathering supplies for the next leg of their journey, but their emplaced defenses suggested that they already knew the Angels of Caliban were coming. There was no point in subtlety now.
“All elements, this is Belial. Advance at good speed. Crush the Tau cadre and bring me The Reaper!”
Belial’s Gambit
The Mission
For this game we rolled a random mission from the Eternal War selections, coming up with The Scouring, with Dawn of War deployment.
Army Lists
Both forces used dual Force Organization charts. For ease of reference, they have been combined here.
Dark Angels Task Force
Dark Angels - 3,300 (approximate)
HQ
Belial: WARLORD, Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield
Ezekiel: Ezekiel rolled on Pyromancy for his powers; I did not note what powers he rolled
Deathwing Command Squad: Deathwing Company Banner, Apothecary, Deathwing Champion
ELITES
Company Veterans Squad: five additional Veterans; Lascannon, Meltagun, Power Fist, Rhino transport
Deathwing Knights: Perfidious Relic of the Unforgiven
Dreadnought: Twin Lascannon, Missile Launcher
TROOPS
Deathwing Terminator Squad: Cyclone Missile Launcher, Land Raider Crusader transport with Multi-Melta
Deathwing Terminator Squad: Assault Cannon, Chainfist
Tactical Squad: five additional Space Marines, Lascannon, Flamer, Power Fist, Rhino transport
Tactical Squad: five additional Space Marines, Lascannon, Flamer, Power Fist, Rhino transport
Tactical Squad: five additional Space Marines, Plasma Cannon, Plasma Gun, Rhino transport
Tactical Squad: five additional Space Marines, Plasma Cannon
FAST ATTACK
Ravenwing Attack Squadron: three additional Ravenwing Bikers
Ravenwing Attack Squadron
Nephilim Jetfighter
HEAVY SUPPORT
Land Speeder Vengeance: Plasma Storm Battery, Assault Cannon
Whirlwind
Whirlwind
Vior’la Tok’rhenna Shi
Tau Empire - 3,300 (approximate)
Aegis Defense Line: Quad Gun
Imperial Bastion: Comms Relay
HQ
Commander: WARLORD; Command and Control Node, Puretide Engram Neurochip, Multi-Spectrum Sensor Suite, XV8-02 Crisis “Iridium” Battlesuit, Vectored Retro-Thrusters
Commander: Drone Controller, Target Lock, 2x Missile Pods
Ethereal: Homing Beacon
ELITES
XV104 Riptide: Ion Accelerator, Twin Fusion Blaster, Early Warning Override, Velocity Tracker
XV8 Crisis Team: two additional Crisis Shas’ui; each has 2x Fusion Blasters
XV8 Crisis Team: two additional Crisis Shas’ui; each has 2x Missile Pods
TROOPS
Fire Warrior Team: five additional Fire Warriors, Devilfish transport with Twin Smart Missile Systems, Disruption Pods, and Sensor Spines
Fire Warrior Team: five additional Fire Warriors, Devilfish transport with Twin Smart Missile Systems, Disruption Pods, and Sensor Spines
Fire Warrior Team: four additional Fire Warriors, Devilfish transport with Twin Smart Missile Systems, Disruption Pods, and Sensor Spines
Fire Warrior Team: four additional Fire Warriors, Devilfish transport with Twin Smart Missile Systems, Disruption Pods, and Sensor Spines
FAST ATTACK
Drone Squadron: eight Marker Drones
Pathfinder Team: four additional Pathfinders
Pathfinder Team: four additional Pathfinders
Piranhas: two additional Piranhas, Fusion Blasters
Sun Shark Bomber: Twin Missile Pods
HEAVY SUPPORT
XV88 Broadside Team: two additional Broadside Shas’ui, 6x Missile Drone; each has Twin High-Yield Missile Pods, Twin Smart Missile Systems, and Target Locks
Hammerhead Gunship: Railgun with Submunitions, Twin Smart Missile Systems, Disruption Pods, Sensor Spines; Longstrike
Hammerhead Gunship: Railgun with Submunitions, Twin Smart Missile Systems, Disruption Pods, Sensor Spines, Blacksun Filter
Sky Ray Missile Defense Gunship: Twin Smart Missile Systems, Disruption Pods, Sensor Spines
Pre-game
Belial provided The Hunt as his Warlord Trait, while my Tau Commander rolled Through Boldness, Victory. Against all that Space Marine armor, I decided not to take advantage of this. There would be no Night Fighting on Turn One.
Although it was not revealed until the beginning of the first turn, I will put the point totals for each objective after its location. The first objective went in the Shrine of the Aquila (4), and the second was in the black ruin at the far end of the table (3). The third was in the central opening between trenches (3). The remaining three objectives were deployed across the opposite side, with one in the nearest ruins (2), another in the forest (1), and a third in the furthest ruins (2).
The Tau Empire chose deployment zones and picked the right side of the table. The Dark Angels won the roll to go first and started deploying. (As a side note, for whatever reason my pictures turned out very blurry for this game. I wish I had clearer shots, as my opponent has almost all of his models painted!)
The majority of the Dark Angels force went into the center of the board, with Belial joining the Deathwing Terminators in their Land Raider Crusader. A Whirlwind deployed in each ruin, with the Assault Marines on the right flank. Here they were joined by the entire complement of Ravenwing Bikers. The Land Speeder Vengeance also deployed to the same flank. The Deathwing Knights, Command Squad, and Terminator Squad all deployed in Deep Strike Reserve, waiting to arrive from Deathwing Assault.
Since I would be going second, the Tau Empire deployed in a conservative formation. The Crisis Team with Fusion Blasters waited in Deep Strike Reserve, and the Flyer would come in from Reserves as well. The four Fire Warrior Teams deployed behind the Shrine of the Aquila, while one Pathfinder Team and the Missile Pod Crisis Team deployed on the first floor. The Commander with Missile Pods deployed on the ground floor with the Marker Drones. The Broadside nest deployed in the center with my Warlord Commander, around the Quad Gun and behind the Aegis. The second team of Pathfinders occupied the Bastion, with the Riptide taking cover behind it. Longstrike led the armored elements in their deployment on the right flank.
The Ravenwing sped up the flank on their Scout moves, to get in better position to bring in the Deathwing reserve. The Tau Empire failed to Seize the Initiative.
Belial linked his visor to that of the Ravenwing. The biker veterans moved seamlessly into position, positioning themselves to bring reinforcements to the nearby trench system. The Rhinos and the Land Raider churned mud as they roared forward as well.
“The enemy is responding to our presence,” came the Deathwing Sergeant.
Belial nodded. Before he could speak, however, a massive shadow loomed out from behind the last functional bastion. It leapt nimbly into position despite its size, lowering a monstrous cannon toward the Dark Angels.
“All forces be advised, Riptide presence confirmed,” Belial growled. “Watch your spacing and move to suppress it. In the name of the Lion!”
Turn One
The Dark Angels begin their advance.
The Deathwing Command Squad came in safely in the ruins near the Shrine of the Aquila, using the Ravenwing’s Teleport Homers to gain a forward position. The other squads went for a more aggressive maneuver, coming into position in the central trench system to threaten the Tau center. Both squads scattered away several inches, leaving the center uncontested. The Assault Marines quickly jumped forward and took cover behind the central bunker, ready to launch their charge next turn.
The rest of the Dark Angels force leapt forward and opened fire. The Whirlwinds both landed rounds on one of the Drones in the forest, causing five wounds total. The Drone made ALL FIVE cover saves, and the squad took no damage. Further shooting managed to wound the Quad Gun, the Commander, and caused one casualty on the Drones.
More firepower was directed at the Pathfinders in the Shrine of the Aquila, but the objective they controlled was a Scatterfield, and they took only one casualty.
While the Dark Angels hadn’t inflicted much damage on the Tau Empire, their Bikes and Terminators had occupied forward positions that would force me to deal with them immediately. All four Devilfish advanced and dropped their cargo in Rapid Fire range, prepared to make use of the Ethereal’s Storm of Fire ability. I normally don’t like to make them a target for artillery until it is eliminated, but I had no choice in this instance. The Bikes had to be stopped, and I just had to hope the Broadside Team would take care of the artillery.
The Crisis Team leapt onto the roof of the Shrine and opened fire on the Land Speeder Vengeance, shredding it in a hail of missiles and earning First Blood for the Tau. The Commander with the Marker Drones achieved a Crew Stunned result against the Veterans’ Rhino, and his Marker Drones scored eight hits against the Assault Marines. The Riptide quickly accessed their targeting data and boosted himself to BS9. Giving his Ion Accelerator Ignores Cover, he let the large template fly. Nine of the Assault Marines disappeared in a ball of radioactive fire.
The Broadsides destroyed both Whirlwinds, and their Drones killed one of the Ravenwing Bikes. The Fire Warriors combined their fire to cut down a squad of Bikes. The other Fire Warriors and the Devilfish cut down two Terminators from the Command Squad, including the Apothecary. Longstrike and the other Hammerhead fired on the Land Raider to no effect. After dropping their Drones, the Piranhas reduced the Tactical Squad’s Rhino to slag and Pinning the squad in the process. Their Drones finished the Shooting Phase by cutting down another group of Ravenwing Bikes, leaving just the two survivors.
Each jump unit leaped into a safer position and prepared for the Dark Angels’ response.
Objective Points Controlled: Dark Angels 2, Tau Empire 4
Additional Dark Angels Points: None
Additional Tau Empire Points: First Blood
Turn One Score: Dark Angels 2, Tau Empire 5
Turn Two
The Dark Angels have taken damage on both flanks, but are still advancing.
The Nephilim Jetfighter failed to arrive from Reserve, and the Dark Angels continued their bloody advance. Each element moved to close the distance, with casualties rapidly putting a stopper on their assault.
The Deathwing Command Squad cut down two Fire Warriors with their Storm Bolters, and the Ravenwing, the Deathwing, and the Land Raider combined their fire to bring down six Fire Warriors from the central squad. The Dreadnought and the Tactical Squads combined their fire to bring down two more Missile Drones from the Broadside squad. Under the covering fire, the Deathwing Knights ran up into the trench that was directly in front of the Tau line.
The two Ravenwing Knights launched an assault into the Fire Warrior survivors to end the turn. The Crisis Team fired in support, joined by the two Fire Warrior squads in the center. When all this fire landed without effect, the Broadsides opened fire as well, and their fire was barely able to bring the Bikes down before they launched their charge. The Space Marines had been unable to do much damage, but their Terminators were in position to launch a devastating charge on Turn Three.
The Crisis Team deploys to neutralize Belial’s transport.
The Fire Warriors on the left flank advanced to get range on the Deathwing Command Squad, the Sun Shark Bomber roaring overhead. The Crisis Team leapt from their Orca and touched down mere yards from the Land Raider Crusader, joined a moment later by the Piranhas as they prioritized the heavy tank. The remaining Fire Warriors in the center moved closer to the Deathwing Knights. The heavily armored warriors were right on top of the line, and next turn would see them in close combat with the Broadsides.
The Riptide fired on Ezekiel and his Tactical Squad, slaying nine of the Space Marines in ionic fire. The Pathfinders in the Bastion designated the Land Raider, and the Crisis Team destroyed it with two Penetrating Hits and two Glancing Hits. The Fire Warriors on the left were able to finish off the Deathwing Command Squad and the lone survivor from the Assault Marine Squad. The Crisis Team with Missile Pods wrecked the second Tactical Squad Rhino, and the Commander with the Marker Drones destroyed the Veterans’ Rhino, Stunning them again in the process.
The two Fire Warrior Teams in the center were joined by the Devilfish group and the Gun Drones from the Piranhas as they fired into the Deathwing Knights. One by one they fell, until finally the last Knight’s armor shattered and he collapsed to the ground. The remnants of the army knocked down two Terminators from the squad that came in by Deep Strike. The final shooting of the turn came from the Broadsides, and in a fit of poor dice rolls they wiped out the lead Tactical Squad entirely. The Piranhas moved Flat Out to block the remaining Terminators from any potential charges in the coming turn.
Belial snarled as the xenos speeders roared into position, heavy weapons in their noses swiveling to find targets among his Terminators. With a motion, his Deathwing bodyguard fired a spray into the nearby Crisis Team to drive them back.
The Grand Master took a moment to see which of his units were still in the fight. “All elements, disengage and fall back to the primary rally point.”
*****
“Let them go,” Aun’ui Tai’go said firmly.
Mal’caor Mont’yr nodded respectfully, watching the few Gue’ron’sha survivors as they withdrew through the burning graveyard of their armor. The battlefield was littered with their corpses. The battle had been decisive.
“What did they hope to gain?” Mal’caor wondered.
“It is irrelevant,” Tai’go replied. “What matters is that they were driven back. Our casualties were light, and I imagine they’ve seen the error of their attack.”
“With that said, ensure we have an adequate rearguard while we withdraw.”
Objective Points Controlled: Dark Angels 0, Tau Empire 4
Additional Dark Angels Points: None
Additional Tau Empire Points: First Blood
Turn Two Score: Dark Angels 0, Tau Empire 5
Tau Empire Victory
The Dark Angels quit the field of battle after a short and one-sided firefight.
Post-Game Thoughts
The Dark Angels are really, really fast. They were able to get multiple resilient elements in my face immediately, and it led to some tense shooting to clear myself from charges. I almost think he was too conservative with his Ravenwing elements; had they been positioned more toward the center of the table, they might have been able to bring the Deathwing in close enough to allow a second turn assault. I don’t think my guns would have been sufficient to clear that many models in one go.
I also think my line was positioned poorly; I simply did not have enough Pulse Rifles to repulse the center. Any more pressure, and I would have started falling to assaults. Add that those blasted Terminators just wouldn’t die, and I had a tense moment of wondering how many were making it into melee.
It was fun to break out the Tau Empire for a change of pace; don’t be surprised if some Tau models start getting painted over the coming weeks.
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