Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Transmitted: Cyron I
Received: Astropath Neer
Destination: Inquisitor Lord Kroma
Mission Time: 151860.M41
Telepathic Duct: Terminus Malion
Ref: OrdoXenos, OrdoHereticus
Author: Inquisitor Lord
Thoughts of the Day: Suffer not the Witch to live.



My dear friend Kroma, I bring to you disturbing news of a discovery during my conflicts on Cyron I.

As you may recall, in 012801.M41, the Imperium came into contact with what was thought to be a splintered tendril of the Hive Fleet Behemoth, which actually turned out to be a whole new Hive Fleet know as Naga. A secret war waged between the enigmatic Eldar and Hive Fleet Naga ended 200 years later with the Eldar emerging victorious.

Towards the end of the war, a single Tyranid creature, possessing large psychic potency, single handily destroyed the Malan’tai craftworld. Data collected indicates the Tyranid creature possessed a unique ability of life absorption, similar to that of the Culexus Assassin’s soullessness. The Ordos Xenos has labeled this creature, the "Doom of Malan’tai” and has rated it Alpha Plus.

Now, I have reasons to believe that the Doom of Malan'tai has surfaced on Cyron I. The Order of Faith, a militant Order of Adepta Sororitas, came into contact with the creature during the first days of the Tyranid planetary assault.

I present to you a battle report written by Canoness Dianus, backed by pics, describing what transpired on the fateful day.

.....


In light of the new Tyranid FAQ release, I’ve decided to post this battle report early before community forgets the controversies and obscure rulings surrounding the 5th ed Tyranid codex. This game isn't part of my current series of ConQuest GT SF Ragnarok battle reports. Instead, it's an Intermezzo or short break in between.

Prior to the new FAQ, the Doom of Malan’tai could "Spirit Leech" units inside transports and taking two "Hive Commander" upgrades stacked to allow 2+ to reserve rolls and two troop units to outflank.

In this game, my Sisters of Battle faced off against John's Tyranids. Because I was in a rush, I’ve decided to post my pictures in a slide show format with short captions describing what goes on.

Army List:

Sisters of Battle (Order of Faith):

-Palatine, Bolter, Book of St. Lucius
-5 Celestians Retinue, 2 Meltaguns, Immolator, Smoke
-5 Celestians, 2 Meltaguns, Immolator, Smoke, Search Light
-5 Celestians, 2 Meltaguns, Immolator, Smoke, Search Light
-5 Celestians, 2 Meltaguns, Immolator, Smoke
-5 Dominions, 2 Flamers, 2 Meltaguns, Immolator, Smoke
-5 Dominions, 2 Flamers, 2 Meltaguns, Immolator, Smoke
-5 Dominions, 2 Flamers, 2 Meltaguns, Immolator, Smoke
-10 Battle Sisters, Veteran Sister Superior, Book of St. Lucius, Meltagun, Heavy Flamer, Rhino, Extra Armour, Smoke
-10 Battle Sisters, Veteran Sister Superior, Book of St. Lucius, Meltagun, Heavy Flamer, Rhino, Extra Armour, Smoke
-5 Inquisitorial Storm Troopers, 2 Meltaguns
-Immolator, Extra Armour, Smoke
-Exorcist
-Exorcist

Tyranids:

-Hive Tyrant, 2 Scything Talons, Regeneration, Wings, Hive Commander, Old Adversary, Leech and Psychic Scream - Flyrant
-Hive Tyrant, Heavy Venom Cannon, Hive Commander, Regeneration, Armored Shell, Leech and Psychic Scream, 2 Tyrant Guards; one with Lash Whip
-5 Tyranid Warriors, Venom Cannon, Toxic Sacs – Alpha Warriors
-7 Warriors, Venom Cannon, Adrenal Glands, Toxic Sacs – Beta Warriors
-20 Termagants, Adrenal Glands, Toxic Sacs
-20 Homergaunts, Adrenal Glands, Toxic Sacs
-Doom of Malantai, Mycetic Spore with Venom Cannon
-2 Carnifex, 2 Heavy Venom Cannons

Link to slide-show:

http://picasaweb.google.com/SaiQ918/2000ptsSoBVsNids?feat=flashslideshow#5490285459022201282



Aftermath:




.....

After receiving word from the surviving members of the Order of Faith, I preceded to bombard the site with Melta torpedoes and Psyk-out warheads from orbit. A few months later, after successfully wiping out the Tyranid Fleet using bio-plague, I sent an investigation team down to collect the remains of the Doom of Manlan'tai. To my dismay, the deviant witches beat me to it. No signs or evidence of the Doom of Malan'tai remains, except dead Eldar bodies resembling the victims of the Doom of Malan'tai.

I suspect the Eldar had a role in luring both the Tyranids and Orks to this planet. I request your expertise on this matter as you are an expert in dealing with all forms of Xenos.

Sincerely,

Inquisitor Lord Antonio

Wow, what a game! It sure is nice to see tyranids beat a mech army in a surprising manner.

Perhaps you should avoid taking dangerous terrain tests on your vehicles? Immobilised results really crippled your assault on the objective.

Excellent battle report. I like your new format. As long as you take a lot of pictures, it flows rather smoothly. I thought you would easily destroy his army. His shooting is horrible. Heavy Venom Cannons suck big time.

Even back then, I thought it was kinda BS that Spirit Leech could affect units in vehicles. Did John discuss it with you before the game? He should have. Too bad now dual hive commanders don't stack. Now I have to re-adjust my tactics...or start using the swarmlord.

Anyways, my nids have become a lot scarier since you last played them. I've become much more experienced with them. Also, with 7-9 hive guards, 3 trygons and 2 dakkarants, I expect to destroy most mech armies that doesn't have dual lash in them.

Thanks a lot guys!

@Zaephyr:

Yeah, failing Dangerous Terrain Test tarpitted my first Battle Sisters. It's bound to happen when I'm fielding this number of vehicles. I try to avoid driving over terrain, but John chose his table quarter well.

@jy2:
I've no doubt facing 9 Hive Guards, 3 Trygons, 2 Dakkarants, and (knowing you) a couple of Tervigons will demolish army. There's noway I can win in kill points.

Against you, I might have to field a couple of Seraphim squads and an equal amount of cheese in the form of 3 Exorcists.

Currently, I'm busy on Thursdays with summer school, but I think can get a few games in August at Games Castle.

Great battle report, mid game I thought you had it but losing that extra Exorcist really hurt (d6 more chances at killing Doom). I was surprised to see it on the table edge at that point in the game and not working its way forward. I usually move mine 6" every turn away from board edges.

I think if it wasnt for some bad luck though you would ahve had this one in spite of the mistakes.

SabrX wrote:
I've no doubt facing 9 Hive Guards, 3 Trygons, 2 Dakkarants, and (knowing you) a couple of Tervigons will demolish army. There's noway I can win in kill points.

Against you, I might have to field a couple of Seraphim squads and an equal amount of cheese in the form of 3 Exorcists.

Honestly, while Immo-spam is good, I feel the traditional sisters army w/3 exorcists and a whole bunch of Divine Guidance sisters may fare better against T6-spam nidzilla list. Then again, I'm no expert.

SabrX wrote:
Currently, I'm busy on Thursdays with summer school, but I think can get a few games in August at Games Castle.

LOL. Currently, I've been kinda busy because my wife doesn't have summer school. Looking forward to facing your army again in the future. Who knows, you may even face my new Blood Angels.

Woot! Go Tyrainds!

Very nicely done with all the pictures. Well worth the read.

Liking the format of the report

Damn, the Doom really turned the game..... Even before the FaQ i never let Spirit Leech affect embarked units; playing it that way is just daft :(

Why did you get out of your transports when the Beta Warriors were eating the dominions? You really should have stayed inside and let them get out of combat rather than giving them a juicy multi assault. I've played some horrible Tyranid armies recently with my SoB, the trick to beating them is to stay in your vehicles unless you are absolutely certain you can wipe out a unit and not get assaulted next turn.

Thanks again guys for comments!

J.Black wrote:Liking the format of the report
Why did you get out of your transports when the Beta Warriors were eating the dominions? You really should have stayed inside and let them get out of combat rather than giving them a juicy multi assault. I've played some horrible Tyranid armies recently with my SoB, the trick to beating them is to stay in your vehicles unless you are absolutely certain you can wipe out a unit and not get assaulted next turn.

A. I underestimated the Beta Warriors.
B. The Beta Warriors weren't within 3" of my objective while my troops were, I thought stalling the Beta Warriors with extra bodies and disallowing the nids to pile in within 3" would help. Sadly my VSS dies, resulting in both my troops getting massacred.

I guess what I should have was embark my IST inside the empty Dominion Immolator and park both the Dominion Immolator and Exorcist ontop of the objective, making it difficult for the Beta Warriors to contest.

Thanks for the report. Some beautiful armies you got there.

Very cool game and great reporting / storytelling skills.

More biomass for the hive mind.