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Orks vs Guard, 1 of 3, 1500pts, pic heavy

INTRODUCTION
While attending Warhammer World for the 'Eavy Metal Painting Masterclass, endtransmission and I took the opportunity to make use of the tables and scenery to continue our respective army's struggle against each other. This is battle one of three...

"Da Dark Angelz iz not alwayz da suttle instroomunt ta beez delikatly swung likez da grotz dagga. Sumtimez itz cun beez likenz ta da mighty hamma' wot krumps azunda dat wot standz in me wayz. Da 'umies standz in da wayz ov da rawr materials wot Skarag needz ta build me wepons ov mass destruktion for killin' da Green Beakies. Weez shall 'it 'em 'ard an' 'it 'em fast - deyz won't knowz wot's 'it 'em - get 'em ladz! " - Morgrim "Da Lion" Grimork ov da Dark Angelz, shortly before entering The Fydae System - again...

FORCES

Arakasi's Da Dark Angelz (Orks)
[HQ] Morgrim "Da Lion" Grimork (Da Warboss): Mega Armour (Power Klaw, Twin Linked Shoota, Stikkbombs), Cybork Body (110pts)
[HQ] Skarag Mekslag (Da Big Mek): Burna, Kustom Force Field, Mek's Tools (105pts)
[EL] Da Deffwingz - 5 Meganobz in a Trukk: Big Shoota, Boarding Plank, Red Paint Job, Reinforced Ram (250pts)
[EL] Snikrot's Kommandoz - 13 Kommandoz, 2 Burnas, Boss Snikrot (245pts)
[TR] Grimskab Badwort (Da Painboy): 'Urty Syringe, Dok's Tools, Cybork Body and Da Inna Circul (5 Nobz): 2 Power Klaws, Big Choppa, 2 Choppas, 4 Sluggas, Twin Linked Shoota, 5 'Eavy Armour, Bosspole, Cybork Bodies in a Trukk: Big Shoota, Boarding Plank, Red Paint Job, Reinforced Ram (320pts)
[TR] Da Warboss' Taktikal Boyz - 10 Shootas including Big Shoota and Nob: Power Klaw, Slugga, Bosspole in a Trukk: Big Shoota, Boarding Plank, Red Paint Job, Reinforced Ram (155pts)
[TR] Skarag's Taktikal Boyz - 11 Shootas including Rokkit Launcha and Nob: Power Klaw, Slugga, Bosspole in a Trukk: Big Shoota, Boarding Plank, Red Paint Job, Reinforced Ram (166pts)
[FA] Rav'nwing I - Deffkopta with Twin Linked Rocket Launchas and Buzzsaw (70pts)
[FA] Rav'nwing II - Deffkopta with Twin Linked Rocket Launchas and Buzzsaw (70pts)
TOTAL: 1491pts

endtransmission's Malfian IVth (Imperial Guard)
[HQ] Company Command Squad - Company Commander with Refractor Field, Laspistol and Close Combat Weapon, Officer of the Fleet, 4 Guardsmen with Meltaguns (120pts)
[EL] Psyker Battle Squad - Overseer, 9 Psykers in a Chimera: Heavy Bolter and Multi-Laser (165pts)
[EL] Ratling Squad - 3 Ratlings with Sniper Rifles (30pts)
[TR] Infantry Platoon
* Platoon Command Squad - Platoon Commander with Power Weapon, Commissar with Power Weapon, 4 Guardsmen with Lasguns (85pts)
* Infantry Squad - Sergeant with 2 Power Weapons, 9 Guardsmen with Lasguns (70pts)
* Infantry Squad - Sergeant with 2 Power Weapons, 9 Guardsmen with Lasguns (70pts)
* Heavy Weapons Squad - 3 Autocannons (75pts)
[TR] Infantry Platoon
* Platoon Command Squad - Platoon Commander with Power Weapon, Commissar with Power Weapon, 4 Guardsmen with Lasguns (85pts)
* Infantry Squad - Sergeant with Close Combat Weapon, Power Weapon, 9 Guardsmen with Lasguns (60pts)
* Infantry Squad - Sergeant with Close Combat Weapon, Power Weapon, 9 Guardsmen with Lasguns (60pts)
* Heavy Weapons Squad - 3 Autocannons (75pts)
[TR] Veteran Squad - Veteran Sergeant with Laspsitol and Close Combat Weapon, 6 Shotguns, 3 Meltaguns in a Chimera: Heavy Bolter and Multi-Laser (155pts)
[TR] Veteran Squad - Veteran Sergeant with Laspsitol and Close Combat Weapon, 6 Shotguns, 3 Meltaguns in a Chimera: Heavy Bolter and Multi-Laser (155pts)
[FA] Vendetta - Triple Twin-Linked Lascannons (130pts)
[HS] Leman Russ Demolisher (165pts)
TOTAL: 1500pts

MISSION: Vanguard (Battle Mission)
DEPLOYMENT: Vanguard (3 Objectives)

PRELUDE
We rolled up a random Battle Missions mission - Vanguard - a Space Marines mission. Orks won the roll off so Guard took the role of "the Enemy". I probably won the roll of for choice of side too - choosing to deny the Guard the large ruin in their deployment zone (it would later house infiltrating Ratlings - doh!)

Two objectives were setup as indicated - one at the centre of the table, one at the centre of the enemy table edge. The Guard (the Enemy) may deploy anywhere in their table half.


Imperial Guard deploy en masse. No reserves.


Left flank.


Right flank.

I placed the final objective 12" to the right of the one in the centre of the table (anywhere in the enemy deployment area more than 12" away from another objective). The Ratlings then infiltrated into the ruin I was trying to deny the Guard...

For this mission, Orks (Space Marines) always take the first turn, and may enter from any point on their long table edge. Also - all Ork (Space Marine) infantry units may capture or contest objectives - not just Troops - ie my Kommandos and Meganobz are scoring

TURN 1

Orks move on in force on the right flank, Kommandos in reserve for Snikrot Ambush shenanigans


Deffkoptas manage to knock a Multi-laser out of action.


Imperial Guard advance cautiously on the right flank.


While the left flank moves in for better range and line of sight.


KFF successfully nullifies the Vendetta's triple lascannons!


Morgrim's Trukk is not so lucky and kareens forward. Casualties are light, but PBS tinkering ensures Morgrim's Boyz head back towards the Ork lines…

ORKS: 0 objectives (0 kill points)
IG: 1 objective (3 kill points)

TURN 2

Morgrim rallies his Boyz under threat of his Hammer and advance once more on foot. The remaining Trukks enter Boarding Plank range of the right Chimera while the Deffkoptas redeploy. Undeterred by the Officer of the Fleet, Snikrot's Kommandos appear behind the Imperial lines.


Morgrim runs his Boyz forward, making up for lost time, while the Kommandos get a bit too burn happy with the Blob squad and Platoon Command.

Taktikal Erra: I targeted the Platoon Command in front, with the aim to cover the Blob behind - except I annihilated the Platoon Command leaving the Kommandos nicely bunched and out in the open. I should have targeted the Blob behind - which should have ended in the same result, except the Kommandos would have been able to charge.


Thok!


The Guard closest to the Orks move away while those further a field move in...


…and line up with the Kommandos in their sights!


The Kommandos go to ground in an attempt to avoid the combined firepower of the Imperium…


…but fail.

ORKS: 1 objective (2 kill points)
IG: 1 objective (2 kill points)

TURN 3

The Orks continue their sweep around the right flank, the Meganobz disembarking to finish off the Blob squad and the Nobz disembarking to deal with the Veterans.



The Deffkoptas move into position to assist.


The Waaagh! is called…


…and Morgrim and the Meganobz run into position whilst a Deffkopta shakes the Vendetta.


The Nobz assault the Veterans…


…the Meganobz assault the Blob squad…


…Morgrim and the Deffkopta assault the PBS Chimera…


…with…


…predictable…


…results


End of Ork carnage.


Undeterred, the Guard continue to move in…


…and pick off both Deffkoptas.


A scattering Demolisher shell clips and explodes the Meganobz Trukk.


In assault, Morgrim finishes what he started. An impressive seven Psykers die in the explosion!

ORKS: 0 objectives (5 kill points)
IG: 1 objective (5 kill points)

TURN 4

Morgrim orders his Boyz back to secure the objective while he moves to deal with the pesky Psykers. The rest of da Boyz roll up the right flank.


Morgrim assaults the remainder of the PBS.


The result was never in doubt!


The remaining Guard move away/circle the Orks.


Morgrim feels… targeted…


Guard shooting as effective as ever!

Taktikal Erra: Morgrim should probably have gone after the Blob Squad - he would have had a higher chance of survival, probably taken more casualties with him, and the Psyker Battle Squad was pretty much nullified with only 2 Psykers remaining...

ORKS: 1 objective (6 kill points)
IG: 1 objective (7 kill points)

TURN 5

Undeterred, the Orks continue their advance!


The Nobz multi-assault the Company Command, Platoon Command and Blob Squads whilst the Meganobz and Skarag's Boyz double team the Heavy Weapons Squad.


Whilst Gitsplitta's GMS Stormboyz Nob (grounded) instructs his Boyz to secure an objective.


Again, the results of the assaults are predictable. The carnage perpetrated on the Blob Squad causes the two Command Squads to flee. The Meganobz consolidate towards the Demolisher, whilst Skarag and his Boyz settle in on their own objective.


Too close to rampaging Orks, the Imperial command structure continues to retreat.


The rest moves away, except for the Veterans, who move to harass the depleted Boyz mob on the right objective.


Reduced, but still effective, the Imperial firepower sees off the Meganobz and Skarag's Boyz…


…whilst the Veterans achieve similarly against Morgrim's Boyz.


Morgrim's Boyz rally in face of the Veteran's assault, only to be cut down without attrition - the Veterans seizing the right objective from the Orks.


Meanwhile the Nobz finish off the Blob Squad and continue towards the third objective…


…and the Vendetta...

ORKS: 0 objectives (10 kill points)
IG: 1 objective (11 kill points)

TURN 6

Orks continue to retreat…


…and advance - the last Trukk moving to escort the Imperial Command Squads off the battle field.


Never to waste an opportunity, Skarag imparts some burny death on the Veterans as he retreats by. Only one remains, but holds strong defending the objective.


The Nobz assault the Vendetta and finally deny the Imperium this annoying piece of armour, though perhaps too late.


The remaining Guard shuffle around a bit, lining up the Nobz.


The Demolisher lands a direct hit - hitting four of the Nobz - but only manages to wound one!


Reduced further, the Imperial firepower can not shift the Nobz.

ORKS: 1 objective (11 kill points)
IG: 1 objective (11 kill points)

TURN 7

Slowed by the Vendetta wreckage, the Nobz fan out. Meanwhile the Trukk Tank Shocks the remaining Command Squad off the battle field.


An impressive shot from across the battle field - the Trukk guns down the last Veteran!


Meanwhile a final hurrah from the Guard finally sees the Nobz sent packing!

VICTORY: DRAW

ORKS: 0 objectives (12 kill points)
IG: 0 objectives (12 kill points)

AFTERMATH
What carnage! At the end of seven gruelling turns the Imperial Guard consisted of the Heavy Weapons Squad of 3, the Leman Russ Demolisher, a Chimera and the unmolested 3 Ratlings - or from 102 models down to 8! The Orks fared worse - down to a single Trukk - or from 54 models down to 1! And yet it was a total draw - equal (0) objectives and equal (12) kill points.

Da Dark Angelz (Orks)
The plan was to execute a "refused flank" - hitting one half of the Guard force hard with the entirety of mine while reducing returned firepower due to range and line of sight, and then roll up the board with superior combat ability.

What failed was two key elements of the Guard force - the Vendetta and Demolisher - were pretty much unaffected by this. Additionally, they were never in an easy position to take out early. These two continued to cause grief to my small elite force for most of the battle - most of the battle too long!

I may have been better off attacking the left flank rather than the right - this would have allowed me to shut down the Demolisher much earlier and, if it didn't "flee", the Vendetta as well - for little increase in early firepower arrayed against me.

Of course - tactical erras (as mentioned in the report) didn't help either…

All in all though, it was a tough, gruelling game - anyone's at any moment - the best kind!

Report Card:
Morgrim "Da Lion" Grimork (Da Warboss): Eradicated the Psyker Battle Squadron Chimera and contents with extreme prejudice! Probably should have targeted the Blob Squad instead. Still, effective given he lost his ride in the first turn.B
Skarag Mekslag (Da Big Mek): KFF working overtime as usual. Opportunistic thinning of the second Veteran Squad on his retreat probably saved the Orks a loss. A
Da Deffwingz (5 Meganobz) in a Trukk: Participated in Whack-a-Chimera. Ploughed through the remains of a Blob Squad and a Heavy Weapons Squad (with assistance), but were undone by targeting from the Demolisher and Vendetta. B
Snikrot's Kommandoz: Taktikal Erra meant they were left exposed and suffered a turn of concentrated fire to be reduced to a fine green mist - but were still able to remove a Platoon Command Squad and thin out the Blob Squad behind. C
Grimskab Badwort (Da Painboy) and Da Inna Circul (5 Nobz) in a Trukk: Participated in Whack-a-Chimera. Killed Veterans, Blob Squad and Vendetta. Sent the Company Command Squad and a Platoon Command Squad packing while their Trukk ensured they continued so - as well as finishing Skarag's good work to ward off a loss. Almost survived the battle! Ork MVP. A+
Da Warboss' Taktikal Boyz in a Trukk: Underwhelming. Soaked wounds aimed at Morgrim. Failed to hold an objective or even retaliate. D
Skarag's Taktikal Boyz in a Trukk: Participated in Whack-a-Chimera. Finished a Heavy Weapons Squad (with assistance). Failed to hold an objective. C
Rav'nwing I: Destroyed a Multi-Laser. C
Rav'nwing II: Shook the Vendetta. C

Thanks for reading/viewing!

Always a joy to read your Batreps. Thanks for the pictures and descriptions!

--Brian

Great battle report! Really nicely done, and looks like an awesome game.

Thanks for sharing, looking forward to more of them!

Excellent battle report! Your army has a different build than mine and I had my doubts but great game!

Nicely done batrep, as always. Have you considered outgflanking the deffkoptas yet? their AT capability didn't really come into play here, and even when arriving very late due to the master of the fleet, they can still contest objectives with their huge move distance...

Thanks for reading, and commenting, and the compliments don't hurt either (ensures more in the same style - a labour of love...)

@CommissarKhaine: I can't remember if I outflanked the Deffkoptas in game 2 or 3 (yet to start writing those up - and these were played early July from memory - thank goodness for taking lots of pics!) - but I know they outflanked in a more recent game after that... I just don't like outflanking them (hell, I have enough issues putting the Kommandos in Reserve). If I could guarantee they would turn up turn 2 *and on the correct flank* I would, but otherwise I find them *much* more useful for target saturation. Of course, this didn't really come into play until turn 3 this game as they decided to take some first turn opportunity shots against the right Veterans Chimera - and then were forced to redeploy turn 2, but weren't menacing enough to draw fire while they were sporting their turbo boost save... I think if I had attacked up the left flank and turbo boosted them towards the Demolisher and/or Vendetta, they may have served their anti-tank and/or target saturation role much better. The way I play - they rarely survive turn 2 - contesting objectives in turn 5 or later is the *least* of my concerns (and usually an act of desperation!)

Very good fight! I liked the space marine orc's flavor. It is very refreshing. I also really appreciate the descriptions and arrows on the pics. Makes the action come alive very nicely. Btw, where did you guys get those green arrows indicating retreat paths from? Looks very nice, I might want to get some to help me remember where things are going.

I write my battles so I can understand them later - hence why so many arrows, casualty crosses and descriptions! "Green arrows" are in the Warhammer 40K Counter Set.

T'was probably the most enjoyable game yet. I'd like to point. Out that the double power weapons on the platoon sergeants was armybuilder getting in a fit, not me being silly or trying to cheat (if that's even possible!). It put me 20 points under... I could have had two more useless ratlings on the table!

I think my main tactical blunders were all in turn 4 with the placement of the vendetta and the blob squad. There was no need for the vendetta to be that close to the enemy and the blob should have been protecting the pcs and ccs more effectively. I can't for the life of me remember why there were chargeable members of those squads. I can only imagine it was so the ccs could get it's meltas in range to try and reduce the number of irks that could get into combat. Stupid mistake!

Excellent batrep. I love some of your conversions, I think it would be great to see them painted.

@endtransmission: It took me a while to work out the discrepancy in the two infantry platoons - but I don't think there is any (dis)advantage in having two power weapons - apart from the points spend. The Ratlings may have been more effective with 5....

@Gutsagge: Thanks - and me too!

On further discussion with endtransmission - this game may have actually finished at turn 6, but we decided to see if the outcome would change if it had gone to turn 7. Apparently it wouldn't have (well, except for both sides exchanging an objective for a kill point...)

Arakasi wrote:Thanks for reading, and commenting, and the compliments don't hurt either (ensures more in the same style - a labour of love...)

@CommissarKhaine: I can't remember if I outflanked the Deffkoptas in game 2 or 3 (yet to start writing those up - and these were played early July from memory - thank goodness for taking lots of pics!) - but I know they outflanked in a more recent game after that... I just don't like outflanking them (hell, I have enough issues putting the Kommandos in Reserve). If I could guarantee they would turn up turn 2 *and on the correct flank* I would, but otherwise I find them *much* more useful for target saturation. Of course, this didn't really come into play until turn 3 this game as they decided to take some first turn opportunity shots against the right Veterans Chimera - and then were forced to redeploy turn 2, but weren't menacing enough to draw fire while they were sporting their turbo boost save... I think if I had attacked up the left flank and turbo boosted them towards the Demolisher and/or Vendetta, they may have served their anti-tank and/or target saturation role much better. The way I play - they rarely survive turn 2 - contesting objectives in turn 5 or later is the *least* of my concerns (and usually an act of desperation!)

Statistically, even with a Master of the fleet, one should turn up on turn 2 66% of the time; both 11%. So, one on the right flank on turn 2 = 44%, one on the right flank on turn 3= near 78%. I always use deffkopta to make the flanks more threatneing, bunching up my opponent in the middle. Right where my deffrollas and merghanobz can come for them . Of, course, I have two battlewagons wiht a KFF and three biggues zipping around , making target saturation less of a problem.

With MOF, one should turn up on turn 2 44.4% of the time ; both 11%. So, one or more on the right flank on turn 2 = 39.5%, one or more on the right flank on turn 3 = (as best as I can work out...) 69.1%. I don't find that enough of a deterrent - and as I've said - I 've had worse luck than even that suggests - and it only works if my Trukks are still intact once the Deffkoptas arrive (which is less and less likely as the turns tick over - but also less useful - as I should be in assault...)

Of course, it is a different situation to having more durable Battlewagons and Buggies for more target saturation...

I guess we can agree to disagree until our showdown!

Statistics is a long way off, but: one arriving on turn two with MOTF = 1/3 + 1/3 = 2/3= 66%. One arriving on the right flank two should then be = 66% * 2/3: 44%. My turn 3 was a bit more haphazard, so I'm willing to go with the 68% . Still, 2 chance sout of three of having one arriving T2 is usually enough of a deterrent for my oppponents.

Of course, it is a different situation to having more durable Battlewagons and Buggies for more target saturation...

The basic answer to our disagreement is that we have different goals for the koptas: for you need the target aturation, I want my enemy to nervously watch his flanks, either allowing for a quick strike at his backfield, or for a more bunched up deployment, limiting his LOS. I'm a competitve kind if guy, so I always keep the objectives in mind, of course

So yes, let's agree to disagree till we've slugged it out

The problem with your calculation is that, based on that, having 3 Deffkoptas would make it 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 = 3/3 = 100% chance - which it obviously isn't. But I'll save the statistics lesson for those who ask for it via PM

Grotz vs Sporks! Fight! Fight! Fight!

Brutal carnage every turn. Thats what makes some games of 40k so fun!

Excellent batrep, good terrain, two nice armies, great over view of the battlefield, easy to follow.
Looking forward to the next two parts, stick with the same format, its extremely readable/enjoyable.

A little more text/explanation between pics would be even better though, just to give a feel what players were thinking etc.

@kenshin620: Yup!

@Ratius: Thanks! I try to do most of my reports to this standard - so we should be good there. This one was a bit (okay, a lot!) light on explanation/fluff - the former because I had so many pics (it seems a waste to repeat what is actually in the pic) and it was a while a go (I only have the pics to jog my memory as to intentions), the latter because I wanted to get it finished! (The first in a set is always the hardest...) - I'll make more effort for the next two in the series - and the unconnected one after that!

Love the report Arakasi. What a bloodbath! Good to see my nob in action. OH, and yours is finally on his way to you!

Thanks! Cool - I'll look out for him! Still to align Scottish weather and puppy minding to re-varnish yours before sending - it has been a looong time coming! I think these three battles were his last though - I consider him suitably indoctrinated!

Sounds good my friend!

loved this bat rep, kept me interested throughout and was very well written, good game!

Great game, if I may ask what shoulder pads do those nobz have (seen in Turn 3 Ork Assault)? I'm just starting orks and love the look.
Here it is
http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/9/4/266862-Battle%20Report%2C%20Imperial%20Guard%2C%20Orks.jpg

@Deathbysoup: Thanks!

@mrwhoop: Ah the Meganobz! I'd direct you to my project blog, but even I can't find the relevant bit quickly! The near three are Killa Kan shoulders. The furtherest - I can't quite remember...

Those meganobs are really comical to me now...probably not what a guard player should be thinking

I enjoyed the read Thanks for sharing! Your army rocks.