Tau battle doctrine has always favored speed, tactical flexibility, and patience. The Patient Hunter carefully stalked his prey and chose the right moment to strike, never allowing his prey to achieve the upper hand. The Tau of the Sept Agnius were no exceptions to this overaching tactical dogma, and through hard-earned combat experience, the leaders of the Agnius Sept thought that they were prepared for any eventuality. Victories against both the Tyranids of Hive Fleet Kraken, Orks of WAAAGH! Gruuk, Selanir Eldar and the Marines Mendicant made the Agnius Tau confident that they could handle a great many threats. And indeed they could; under the impressive tactical prowess of Shas’o Shining Spear, the Agnius Tau fought back against the many threats to their Empire all over the eastern fringe. However, the Agnius Tau were used to dealing with known entities; the Tyranids of Hive Fleet Kraken, though relentless, were easy enough to defeat by destroying their synapse beasts and line-breaking Trygons. An Ork WAAAAGH was easily blunted by keeping the hordes at range, while the Marines Mendicant attacked in waves, relying heavily on an initial attack by Assault Marines and Landspeeders, followed by a mechanized attack.
However, the tactics that the Agnius Tau employed were ill-suited towards repelling a fast moving, relentless assault by warriors displaying a mastery of siege tactics. The defensive measures of the Agnius Sept Tau were put to the test as the Chaos Space Marines of Hakanor’s Reavers emerged from the Warp, taking the Tau by surprise. The forces of the Agnius Sept, led by Shining Spear, only had moments to react before the Warp portal opened, and Chaotic vehicles and their fiendish masters spilled onto the material plain. The initial contact was brutal and decisive, and Shining Spear quickly fell back, preparing his troops for a counter-assault in the ruins of Imperial territory. Shining Spear’s cadre had forced the Tylansian 7th MEU Imperial Guard regiment back from this planet, only to be confronted by the denizens of the Warp. Knowing very little of their enemy, the Tau braced themselves as the forces of Chaos advanced…
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Hello everyone! I recently played a 1,850 point game with a friend of mine from school. I brought my Chaos Space Marines, and he brought his Tau. The lists were as follows:
Hakanor’s Reavers Chaos Space Marines
HQ:
Sorcerer (Mark of Slannesh, Lash of Submission, Wings)
Elites:
Chaos Dreadnought (x2
DCCW)
Troops:
Chaos Space Marine Squad:
Plasma Gun
X8 Marines
Autocannon
Chaos Space Marine Squad:
Champion (Power Fist)
X2 Meltaguns
X7 Marines
->Rhino
Khorne Berzerker Squad:
Champion (Power Sword)
X9 Berzerkers
->Rhino
Plague Marine Squad:
X2 Meltaguns
X3 Marines
->Rhino
Fast Attack:
Raptor Squad:
X2 Meltaguns
X3 Raptors
Bike Squad:
X2 Meltaguns
X3 Bikers
Heavy Support:
Vindicator (Possession)
Vindicator (Possession)
Vindicator (Possession)
I fluffed a supposedly “undivided” Sorcerer’s use of Lash by saying that he was actually raising a huge wall of flames behind his enemies, driving them in any direction he chose.
And my opponent’s list was something like this (approximate, because I always forget if he brings a Shas’
el or a Shas’o, and I might have goofed on wargear too):
Agnius Sept, Tau 1850
HQ:
Commander Battlesuit (Positional Relay, Twin Linked Missile Pods)
Commander Battlesuit (Plasma Gun,
TL Missile Pods)
-x2 Bodyguard Suits (Plasma Gun,
TL Missile Pods)
-x2 Shield Drones
Elites:
Battlesuit (
TL Fusion Gun)
Battlesuit (
TL Fusion Gun)
Troops:
Fire Warrior Squad:
X9 Fire Warriors
Fire Warrior Squad:
X9 Fire Warriors
Kroot Team:
X12 Kroot
Kroot Team:
X12 Kroot
Fast Attack:
Pathfinder Team:
X8 Pathfinders
->Devilfish
Pathfinder Team:
X8 Pathfinders
->Devilfish
Heavy Support:
Broadside Team:
X3 Broadsides
-x2 Shield Drones
Hammerhead (Ion Cannon)
Hammerhead (Ion Cannon)
-and I’m pretty sure all Tau vehicles had Disruption Pods and Multitrackers.
My opponent was running this list in an attempt to beat another Chaos player in my local metagame, and since we ran similar Chaos lists, I was more than happy to help my friend see if the list works. He figured since we both rely on Rhinos and normal Marines, Ion Cannons were more points efficient than Railguns on the Hammerheads, and the Positional Relay would ensure the deaths of at least two Vindicators by Turn 3.
The battlefield:
We rolled for deployment (Spearhead), Mission Type (Annhilation), and I won the roll to deploy and go first. I deployed as such:
And the Tau deployed:
The Tau failed to seize, and the game was on!
Autocannon Marine overlooks the battlefield:
Commander Shining Spear surveys his forces:
Reavers, Turn 1:
Burning ash preceded the arrival of the Chaos Space Marines, the cursed armor of the Traitor Astartes burning all in their path. Local fauna fled and vegetation smouldered as the foul Warp energies that coruscated across the accursed Power Armor of the Reavers destroyed all life before the Marines. Wordlessly, the Chaos Space Marines advanced. Commander Shining Spear was instantly perturbed; the enemies he had faced always crossed his killing zone with a battle cry upon their lips, be it the Imperial cry of “For the Emperor”, or the Orkish cry of “WAAAGH!”. Steeling himself for the inevitable, Shining Spear watched carefully as the Chaotic vehicles advanced.
Suddenly, a huge wall of flames arose behind the left most Pathfinder team, pushing the scouts forward into the waiting guns of the traitor Astartes. This foul sorcery made Shining Spear’s blood run cold as the siege tanks opened fire on his troops, stranded in the open by a blazing wall of flames…
Turn 1 saw me attempt to move my first Vindicator through difficult terrain, and roll double 1’s, despite my dozer blade (GAH).
FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUU-
I moved up everything, turbo boosting the bikers, popping smoke on the mobile two Vindicators, and smoke on the Plague Marine Rhino and Undivided Rhino. The Dreadnought rolled a 3 on his Frenzy check.
Shooting saw the Sorcerer Lash the point Pathfinder team forward into the open. The immobilized Vindicator promptly hit them at maximum range, blowing up 6 of 8 Pathfinders. The team subsequently failed morale and ran off the board! (not a promising start for the Tau…)
The Chaos Marine squad with the Autocannon popped off some rounds at the other Pathfinder team, killing one but failing to do anything else. The Pathfinders held.
Kill Points:
Reavers: 1
Agnius Sept: 0
Agnius Sept, Turn 1:
Shining Spear was quick to retaliate. Quickly surveying the situation, Shining Spear ordered his remaining Pathfinders to guide the weapons of his counterpart’s Battlesuit Team, while placing targeting priority on the siege tanks of his foe, having seen what the weapons could do firsthand.
My opponent’s movement phase saw the Suit team jump forward and prepare to destroy the bikers, and the last two Pathfinders run off the board. The Hammerheads and Devilfish did some shuffling about, and the Shooting Phase began.
The Pathfinders fired on the Bikers with Markerlights, scoring 6 hits! This was then used to eliminate their 3+ boost save and increase the Ballistic Skill of the Suit Team, which tore them to pieces with Plasma Guns and Missile Pods.
No more bikers…
The Broadsides fired on the closest Vindicator, managing to score a penetrating hit through the smoke…but unfortunately rolled a 1 on the Damage Chart, which was ignored (even with +1 for AP1) by Possession. The Plague Marine Rhino and the Undivided Rhino were shaken and stunned by the Fire Warriors and Devilfish shooting. Both Ionheads fired on the Undivided Rhino, failing to kill it, but managing to immobilize it.
The Suits jumped back, and prepared for the Chaos advance.
End of Tau turn 1:
Kill Points:
Reavers: 1
Agnius Sept: 1
Reavers, Turn 2:
With a howl of unbridled rage, the crazed warrior inside of the Dreadnought pushed his sarcophagus to its limits, hurtling the huge mechanical beast at the Hammerhead. With a mighty blow, the frenzied machine tore the Hammerhead asunder in a flurry of blows with its flaming sword.
Meanwhile, the Sorcerer dismounted from his transport, ushering the enemy’s Battlesuits forward with another blazing wall of flame. Chaos Space Marines poured forth from their Rhino, gunning down the Kroot in a hail of Bolter fire. Both siege tanks opened fire, and the final Rhino, painted an ominous red, slowly slid towards Tau lines. The Undivided Rhino made its Repair roll! (the first time I’ve ever done that)
And as the Battlesuits advanced, desperately trying to evade the wall of flames behind them, the Chaos Raptors closed the gap, falling upon the stricken suits with their Chainswords. [/i]
The Dreadnought began this turn by rolling a 6 on his Crazed check, resulting in him running full tilt towards the Hammerhead. Meanwhile, the Sorcerer disembarked and flew forward using his wings, hoping to get into Lash of Submission range. The Vindicators shifted up and the Berzerker Rhino followed, popping smoke. The Chaos Space Marines disembarked and marched into cover, getting ready to open up on the Kroot. The Raptors flew up towards the Battlesuits.
Shooting saw the Vindicators open up on the Pathfinders, killing five of them (who subsequently held their ground). The Chaos Space Marines, firing a hail of Bolter shots, completely wiped the Kroot!
The Chaos Marines fired their Autocannon at the Devilfish, doing nothing.
The Sorcerer Lashed the Battlesuits close enough for the Raptors, who then assaulted them. Managing to kill both Shield Drones and one Battlesuit on the charge, the Suits struck back and killed one Raptor. My opponent and I usually ignore Drones for the purposes of Combat Resolution, so I lost combat. I passed morale.
Meanwhile, the Dreadnought charged the Hammerhead, with predictable results (blowing it sky high).
Kill Points:
Reavers: 3
Agnius Sept: 1
Agnius Sept, Turn 2:
Sensing an opportunity, Shining Spear ordered his Fire Warriors to disembark from their transport, aiming for the Chaotic Sorcerer. Both skimmers retreated away from the Dreadnought, whose close combat prowess had just been displayed. The intensity of the Chaos incursion was playing havoc with the Tau’s Positional Relay, and the two Mon’ats in waiting could not be contacted. Shining Spear began to worry, hoping the two warriors would show initiative and arrive quickly.
Timing the volleys of fire to deter the incoming Chaotic Marines, Shining Spear smiled as his Broadsides destroyed a siege tank. Remaining fire tore weapons from the Chaos vehicles, and his veteran Battlesuits were holding the Raptors off, buying time for the rest of the cadre.
My opponent shuffled both Hammerheads and Devilfish away from the Dreadnought and did very little movement. Shooting saw the Fire Warriors wipe the Sorcerer, while the Broadsides killed a Vindicator.
Combat against the Battlesuits saw my Raptors fail completely, while the Suits killed a Raptor. I passed morale.
Kill Points:
Reavers: 3
Agnius Sept: 3
Reavers, Turn 3:
The red Rhino turned, opening its hatches to reveal a squad of crimson-armored Marines, wielding a number of close combat weapons. A few even appeared mutated, and it was then that the first battle cry was issued from the Chaos Space Marines.
“BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE! LET THE GALAXY BURN!!” echoed over Shining Spear’s comms as the red warriors pounded across the field, quickly engaging his Kroot. Before Shining Spear could warn his allies, the Kroot were decimated, hacked to bits by these foul Berserkers.
Shining Spear’s attention was suddenly torn as the horrified cries of his Fire Warriors sounded over his comms. The Tau Commander turned in time to watch the Dreadnought fall upon his Fire Warriors, many of them backpedalling and firing in desperation as the giant flaming sword hacked four of his valiant warriors to ribbons. The remaining forces scattered and fled, the Dreadnought’s sarcaphogus laughing maniacally at their backs.
I disembarked my Berserkers and moved them forward, preparing to charge the Kroot. Meanwhile, the Chaos Space Marines advanced across the field towards the Hammerhead and Devilfish, preparing their Krak Grenades. The Plague Marines disembarked and began to shuffle up the field, while the Dreadnought rolled another 6 for his Crazed check, again pounding across the field towards the Fire Warriors.
Berserkers pile out!
Staring down the enemy:
Shooting saw the last Vindicator fire on the Kroot, but the shot scattered, only catching one (who made his cover save). The Autocannon Team popped off some rounds at the Pathfinders, killing one and forcing the survivor to retreat!
The Khorne Berserkers charged the Kroot, killing all of them before they could strike. Meanwhile, the Dreadnought cut down four Fire Warriors, forcing the squad to retreat, while the Chaos Marines blew up the Hammerhead with their Power Fist and Krak Grenades, but only immobilized the Devilfish. I lost one Chaos Marine in the explosions.
Berserkers destroy Kroot:
The Raptors and Battlesuits continued to dance in melee, but didn’t harm each other.
Kill Points:
Reavers: 5
Agnius Sept: 3
Agnius Sept, Turn 3:
Shining Spear knew that his cadre wouldn’t last much longer at this rate. Fortunately, the sound of rocket pods swooping overhead signaled the arrival of a single Battlesuit, bearing a twin linked fusion gun. The Battlesuit immediately went to work, destroying the Rhino that had borne the pestilent Marines into battle. As the flaming pieces of wreck settled to the ground, the lone Shas’el continued to battle despite the loss of his bodyguard; Shining Spear knew that his veteran’s skill couldn’t keep him alive forever.
Turning, Shining Spear directed his personal Fire Warrior retinue to fire on the Berserkers; those Marines had to fall!
Movement saw nothing move, really; my opponent had pretty good shooting positions as it was. The one Fusion Gun Battlesuit deep struck close to my Plague Marine Rhino, intent on killing it with a Meltagun. Shooting saw two Berserkers fall, and the Plague Marine Rhino was destroyed by the Battlesuit. Railguns attempted to destroy the final Vindicator, causing the siege tank to explode furiously.
Lone Battlesuit next to the Rhino:
Assault saw the Battlesuit locked with the Raptors take another wound.
Kill Points:
Reavers: 5
Agnius Sept: 5
Reavers, Turn 4:
The Tau were running out of space, and the Reavers knew it. Pressing the attack, the Chaos Space Marines of Hakanor’s Reavers pushed forward, falling upon the Broadside team with unholy fury. Meanwhile, Shining Spear’s comms were overwhelmed with cries of “MAIM, KILL, BURN! MAIM, KILL, BURN!” issued by the advancing Berserkers. Though denied their siege tanks, the Reavers were far from harmless, especially as their close combat troops closed the distance.
I moved the Chaos Marine squad up towards the Broadsides, intent on tying up my opponent’s firepower. The Berserkers advanced on the Devilfish, while the Dreadnought rolled a 2 for his Crazed roll. Both Undivided and the Berserker Rhino moved up, making both of their Dangerous Terrain checks.
Shooting saw the Chaos Marines fire Meltaguns and Bolt Pistols at the Broadsides, doing no damage whatsoever. The Plague Marines fired on the lone Battlesuit, killing it instantly with Meltaguns.
Assault saw the Berserkers charge the Devilfish, while the Dreadnought finished the immobilized Devilfish. The Chaos Marines charged the Broadsides, and LOST combat (taking 4 casualties), but powerfisted a single Broadside. Hilarity ensued when a Shield Drone delivered a killing blow to a Chaos Marine!
Assault!:
Frisbee of doom!
The Chaos Marines failed morale, but escaped combat. Meanwhile, the commander and Raptors continued to exchange futile blows. The Berserkers failed to harm the Devilfish.
Zerker Fail:
Chaos Marines run!:
Kill Points:
Reavers: 6
Agnius Sept: 5
Agnius Sept, Turn 4:
The final battlesuit still had yet to arrive, and Shining Spear had seen the melee raging below him firsthand. Though his Broadsides had driven off the Chaos Marines for now, the Dreadnought was still uncomfortably close, and Shining Spear was out of room to maneuver.
The sound of a jet pack warmed Shining Spear’s heart as the final Battlesuit descended from the sky, landing uncomfortably close to the crazed Dreadnought. The Battlesuit warmed its weapons, but the Chaotic energies eminating from the mechanical beast obscured the pilot’s aim, causing his shot to bounce harmlessly off of the ancient warrior.
My opponent moved nothing, preparing instead to shoot my army into oblivion. The Battlesuit scattered towards the Dreadnought, into
2d6 range. The last Pathfinder was still on the board!
Fire Warriors in the building shot at the Berserkers, killing nothing (I made my armor saves). Broadsides fired at the Berserker Rhino, immobilizing it, removing it’s Twin Linked Bolter, and immobilizing it again, thus destroying it. The Battlesuit fired on the Dreadnought…missing, despite the
TL Fusion Gun. (his dice have customarily rolled under-average, but were pretty bad today on the important things).
Combat saw the Raptors finish the valiant Battlesuit commander!
End of Tau turn 4:
Kill Points:
Reavers: 7
Agnius Sept: 6
Reavers, Turn 5:
Knowing that the end was near, the final Chaos Space Marines made their offensive push towards the Tau positions. The Berserkers thundered towards the Tau in the ruins, intent on hacking the Tau into pieces. This land would be claimed for Chaos!
I moved the Raptors up towards the Broadsides, intent on delivering a killing blow. The Berserkers ran up towards the Shas’
el and Fire Warriors, and the Plague Marines advanced towards the lone suit.
Shooting saw the lone Battlesuit make both cover saves against Plague Marine meltaguns, but fall to the Chaos Marines with an Autocannon, and the retreating Chaos Marines with their Meltaguns and Bolters.
The Raptors assaulted the Broadsides, managing to kill them off (so many 1’s for armor saves…the poor Broadsides!), and the Berserkers attacked the Fire Warriors and Battlesuit commander, killing them with their buckets of attacks before they could strike.
Kill Points:
Reavers: 11
Agnius Sept: 6
At this point, my opponent and I agreed to call the game. There was no point in continuing.
VICTORY FOR CHAOS
Honestly, I blame my opponent’s loss on his dice. His list was pretty solid for taking on mine, and his tactics are sound (using Kroot bubble wrap, Pathfinders to bolster his units, etc). He rolled a sad number of ones for nearly everything, and whiffed on every important roll. He's been on a losing streak lately, and was a bit discouraged. I'm going to play him again soon with my loyalist Marines (running a similar list; lots and lots of Rhinos) and hope things go better. I've tried giving him my dice, and he bought new dice for this game. I'm starting to think his luck is just cursed.
Anyway, I always enjoy playing him because we usually have fun regardless of who wins. I'll probably be playing him soon; expect another Battle Report soon!
= 1500
= 1150 
Altansar -7k
Black Legion - 4k