Warhammer 40,000 Battle Report #13 – Dark Angels vs Space Wolves

Welcome to today’s grudge match! The Space Wolves and Dark Angels met up on deployment at Gamer’s Arsenal in Sparta, and in typical fashion they set to clobbering each other to death. We played 2,500 points, with the Deathwing and the Ravenwing bringing battle against Logan Grimnar’s Great Company.

“There is no other course of action open to us?” The Imperial Admiral’s voice was distorted over the vox, but his reluctance to commit was clear.

“None,” replied the Great Wolf. “This world is Imperial, and the Dark Angels have committed to this course of action. There is nothing left now but to put ourselves between them and the civilians they are pursuing.”

“Still no word from their leader?” the Admiral replied.

“Belial holds his silence,” Grimnar growled. “I mean to seek him out and find out why.”

Logan disconnected the link before more arguments could be made, and stormed from the bridge of his battle barge. His Wolf Guard followed him down the corridors to the Drop Pod launch bays.

The Armies

The Unforgiven

Dark Angels – 2,500

HQ

Belial, Grand Master of the Deathwing: WARLORD (The Hunt), Thunder Hammer and Storm    Shield

Deathwing Command Squad: Deathwing Champion, Standard of Devastation

ELITES

Deathwing Knights

TROOPS

Deathwing Terminator Squad: Assault Cannon, Land Raider Crusader transport with Multi-         Melta and Hunter-Killer Missile

Deathwing Terminator Squad: Assault Cannon, Land Raider Crusader transport with Multi-         Melta and Hunter-Killer Missile

FAST ATTACK

Ravenwing Black Knights: 2 additional Black Knights

Ravenwing Black Knights: 2 additional Black Knights

Nephilim Jetfighter: Twin Lascannon, Twin Heavy Bolters

HEAVY SUPPORT
Whirlwind

Vlka Fenryka

Space Wolves – 2,500

Company of the Great Wolf Detachment

LORD OF WAR

Logan Grimnar: WARLORD (Saga of Majesty)

HQ

Ulrik the Slayer

ELITES

Wolf Guard Terminators: 1 additional Wolf Guard Terminator; Pack Leader and one other           Terminator have Thunder Hammers and Storm Shields; 2x Dual Wolf Claws

Dreadnought: Venerable; Great Wolf Claw with Heavy Flamer, Multi-Melta, Drop Pod transport             with Deathwind Missile Launcher

FAST ATTACK

Drop Pod: Deathwind Missile Launcher

Combined Arms Detachment

HQ

Rune Priest: Psyker (Mastery Level 2), Psychic Hood, Runic Staff; Prescience, Foreboding,         Forewarning

TROOPS

Grey Hunters: 5 additional Grey Hunters; 9x Close Combat Weapon, 2x Meltagun, Wolf Guard   Pack Leader has Combi-Melta and Power Fist, Drop Pod transport with Deathwind       Missile Launcher

Grey Hunters: 5 additional Grey Hunters; 9x Close Combat Weapon, 2x Meltagun, Wolf Guard   Pack Leader has Combi-Melta and Power Fist, Drop Pod transport with Deathwind       Missile Launcher

Blood Claws: 4 additional Blood Claws; Flamer, Power Maul, Wolf Guard Pack Leader has Dual            Wolf Claws, Drop Pod transport with Deathwind Missile Launcher

Grey Hunters: 1 additional Grey Hunter; Plasma Gun, Razorback transport with Lascannon and   Twin Plasma Guns

Grey Hunters: 1 additional Grey Hunter; Plasma Gun, Razorback transport with Lascannon and   Twin Plasma Guns

FAST ATTACK

Stormwolf: 2x Twin Multi-Meltas

HEAVY SUPPORT

Long Fangs: 4 additional Long Fangs; 5x Lascannon, Long Fang Ancient is replaced with Wolf   Guard Pack Leader with Terminator Armor, Storm Bolter and Storm Shield

After Action Review

This game was brutal. I lost count of how many models died in the little arena we made from Drop Pods and Land Raiders. When the Land Raiders didn’t go down, I thought for sure I had thrown away my Grey Hunters for no gain. However, they held their own and proved the value of those extra chainswords. The Pack Leaders also earned the points back for their Power Fists, slaying five Terminators between them.

The Drop Pods still feel very valuable, as they let me dictate most of the pace and location of the battle. Logan and his Terminators held their own as well, drawing nearly all of his anti-infantry fire and killing six Terminators over the course of two turns. When the smoke cleared, Logan was standing with one survivor, but they got the job done all the same.

As much as I love the Long Fangs, I just do not think they work with this style of play. They are near and dear to my heart, but I think I will save them to try in a non-Drop Pod list. Perhaps a change of weapons is in order. All I know is that the Grey Hunters seem to eliminate every type of target more efficiently than the Long Fangs.

More battle reports coming soon; thanks for reading!

What was your favorite moment of the game? Any armchair generals in the crowd who can help us play more efficiently? We’d be happy to hear from you in the comments section.