Black Templars vs Death Guard – Warhammer 40,000 8th Edition Battle Report

Those who fall to Chaos have long memories, and the Death Guard are no exception. Their bitterness has not faded with millennia of crusade in Nurgle’s name, and they stand ready to do harm to any who profess to serve the Emperor they so long ago abandoned. This hatred has led them to the battlefield today at the Maelstrom, where they will throw down with the zealous sons of Dorn. Who will come out on top in this merciless holy war?

The Armies

The Last Crusade

Space Marines – 2,000

Battalion Detachment

Black Templars

HQ

Captain: WARLORD (Rites of War); The Teeth of Terra

The Emperor’s Champion

TROOPS

10 Crusaders: Multi-Melta, Meltagun, Power Sword, Bolters

9 Crusaders: Meltagun, 2 Power Swords, Chainswords and Bolt Pistols

9 Crusaders: Meltagun, 2 Power Swords, Chainswords and Bolt Pistols

ELITES

3 Aggressors: Flamestorm Gauntlets

FAST ATTACK

3 Inceptors: Assault Bolters

10 Assault Marines: 3 Plasma Pistols, Power Sword, Combat Shield

HEAVY SUPPORT

Vindicator

Vindicator

Vindicator

TRANSPORTS

Repulsor: Heavy Onslaught Cannon, Onslaught Cannon, 3 Storm Bolters, Twin Heavy Bolters

Rhino: Storm Bolter

Rhino: Storm Bolter

Rhino: Storm Bolter

Nuntius Cacotheus

Death Guard – 2,000

Battalion Detachment

HQ

Chaos Lord in Terminator Armor: Combi-Bolter, Balesword

Malignant Plaguecaster

TROOPS

7 Plague Marines: 2 Plasma Guns

7 Plague Marines: 2 Plasma Guns

7 Plague Marines: 2 Plague Spewers, Plague Champion has Power Fist

ELITES

5 Blightlord Terminators: 2 Combi-Plasmas/Baleswords, 2 Combi-Plasmas/Bubotic Axes, Blight             Launcher/Balesword

TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino: Combi-Bolter

Chaos Rhino: Combi-Bolter

Chaos Rhino: Combi-Bolter

Outrider Detachment

HQ
Winged Demon Prince of Nurgle: WARLORD (Arch-Contaminator); The Suppurating Plate,       Demonic Axe, Malefic Talons

FAST ATTACK

Fetid Bloat-Drone: 2 Plaguespitters, Plague Probe

Fetid Bloat-Drone: 2 Plaguespitters, Plague Probe

Fetid Bloat-Drone: Heavy Blight Launcher, Plague Probe

Fetid Bloat-Drone: Heavy Blight Launcher, Plague Probe

After Action Review

Ah, a bloodbath for the ages! So many Marines of both stripes died in that central morass of destruction, and I’m sure the dark gods are pleased with the carnage. I’ve never seen so many Death Guard die so quickly, and the Templars were desperate not to be outdone on the front of martyrdom.

The Linebreaker Bombardment was absolutely devastating, and I was afraid it had turned the battle against me early on. I never really thought about the Plague Marines being that big of a target for the shot until multiple squads were on foot, and so I focused all my energies on mitigating the hit against my Bloat-Drones. The consequences were disastrous, as I lost a third of my infantry in a single blast. I was desperate to capture that first turn objective, however, and I didn’t want to expose the Plague Marines to a potential destruction once surrounded in their vehicle. Little did I know that getting out on foot was a complete death sentence.

The Plaguecaster though. That stupid, stupid Plaguecaster! I’m sure it’s a touch of cognitive dissonance, but it seems like every time he touches the table he does something that should be hilariously beyond his reach. I’ll make the joke every time that he’s going to do something absurd, and normally he lives up to the hype! When the Aggressors hopped out I was sure it was going to be a very short and one-sided butt kicking competition, but the combination of a Putrid Detonation and a Counter Offensive made all the difference in the world. Though it cost me four command points, it kept the Plaguecaster in the fight for another turn, and more importantly it completely eliminated the Aggressors for virtually no loss.

I’m still having a blast with Nurgle, and I’m working up a shambling horde of Plaguebearers to feature in a battle report soon. Stay tuned!