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Metallicarule aka John came around my house for a game of 40k on Friday. He is running Space Wolves for a second time and a slightly different list. I am using Necrons, second time for me also and a slightly different list. No pictures I am afriad as the Wolves were proxied with my Blood Angels and some Dark Eldar stuff and some Necrons proxied with Dark Eldar. Need more models!

Necrons - 2,000 points

HQ

Overlord w/ Catacomb Command Barge - warscythe

Royal Court - 3 x Crypteks w/ - harbinger of destruction & solar pulse

Elite

Triarch Stalker
Triarch Stalker

Troops

9 x Necron Warriors w/ Ghost Ark
9 x Necron Warriors w/ Ghost Ark
9 x Necron Warriors w/ Ghost Ark
10 x Necron Immortals - tesla carbines

Fast Attack

8 x Canoptek Scarabs
8 x Canoptek Scarabs

Heavy Support

Annihilation Barge
Annihilation Barge
2 x Canoptek Spyders - fabricator claw array

Space Wolves - 2,000 points

Rune Priest - chooser of the slain, living lightning & jaws of the world wolf
Njal the Stormcaller

Elite

5 x Wolf Scouts - melta bombs
5 x Wolf Scouts - melta bombs

Troops

5 x Grey Hunters w/ Razorback - meltagun - Razorback w/ twin-linked lascannon
5 x Grey Hunters w/ Razorback - meltagun - Razorback w/ twin-linked lascannon

5 x Grey Hunters w/ Razorback - meltagun - Razorback w/ twin-linked lascannon

5 x Grey Hunters w/ Razorback - flamer - Razorback w/ twin-linked lascannon
5 x Grey Hunters w/ Razorback - flamer - Razorback w/ twin-linked lascannon
5 x Grey Hunters w/ Razorback - flamer - Razorback w/ twin-linked lascannon


Fast Attack

Land Speeder - typhoon missile launcher
Land Speeder - typhoon missile launcher

Heavy Support

5 x Long Fangs - 4 x missile launchers
5 x Long Fangs - 4 x missile launchers
5 x Long Fangs - 4 x missile launchers

Game: Spearhead + Annihilation

Deployment

I won the roll off and decided to go first, reason is I wanted to pick the deployment area as some sections of the board wouldn't help John with his deployment. I picked the bottom left corner, which had two large ruins in it to give me cover. This left John with the top right who only had a decent size ruin to deploy Long Fangs and another ruin (which could hold a single unit) but a large ruin in front of this ruin would block LOS.

In between the two ruins I deployed one Ghost Ark length ways on to give cover to the two Scarab units and Spyders behind, another Ark deployed supporting. In the ruin by my board edge I riskly deployed a Annihilation Barge and the Immortals while next to the ruin on the board edge was the two Stalkers, the other Anni Barge and the other Ark.

John deployed two units of Long Fangs with Priest and Njal attached to each of them in the larger ruin in his deployment zone while another unit of Fangs deployed in the smaller ruin, which the Fangs had their LOS blocked by the large shrine ruin. In between these two ruins the Razorbacks deployed in a 2x3 formation with the meltas at the front. Speeders were deployed at the side of the ruin where the double Long Fangs had deployed.

* Tactical Notes

First turn I will move the Overlord's Barge flat out and hide it behind the shrine ruin. I will move up both Anni Barges and the Stalkers to support, again they will hide behind the ruin. The Arks will move up and use the lances to cause some minor damage. Then I will cast solar pulse on the Wolves first turn.

My targets are the Razorbacks as these stand greater chance of doing damage to my vehicles and I could lose the shielding. Melta units inside these will be then shot to pieces. I'll then work on the Fangs after.

Turn 1

Overlord's Barge moves over 12" and lands behind the shrine, the two Anni Barges follow as do the Stalkers. The two Arks together move up, one keeping the side on to give the Scarabs and Spyders cover while the other Ark moves up to support the formation of armour hiding behind the shrine ruin. Spyders spawn some Scarabs, though one Spyder takes a wound.

Shooting, I blast a Razorback carrying melta and immobilise it while a Speeder takes a weapon destroyed result. That's it.

John's turn, before he starts I declare I am using my solar pulse, so everything goes bright and night fighting or 'blind' fighting is now in affect. Razorbacks start to move out, but the immobilised one has caused a traffic jam.

Shooting, one Ark explodes, another is wrecked and the other takes double weapon destroyed results and is immobilised - not very good! But then, John says he didn't roll night fighting - we both forgot! So John rolls night fighting for the vehicles he damaged and the vehicles are like Necrons themselves! The two Arks out of action are now fine thanks to John's poor rolls and cannot see them while the one with double weapon destroyed results is now moving again, thew!

Kill points - Necrons: 1 Space Wolves: 0

* Tactical Notes

That was a close one! What turned out to be a very bad turn for me and a awesome turn for John has now disappeared. Looks like this game we will both be forgeting things as we are both running new armies. I think we are both going to have to be very forgiving with each other this game.

So, turn 1 now with night fighting actually been played hasn't turned out so bad. I've popped a Razorback, so that's one lascannon down and I've taken minor damage on a single Ghost Ark.

My plan is to continue blowing up Razorbacks, solider on my loyal 'Crons!

Turn 2

Necrons continue the assault, the Overlord moves almost 24" flat out and flies over a Razorback - fails to hit it with sweeping attacks :( . Anni Barge and the Ghost Ark start to flank around the right side of the shrine with a Stalker to support, while on the left side of the shrine the other Stalker starts to flank around with double Ark support and Scarabs. Spyder spawn two Scarab bases.

Shooting, Triarch Stalker blasts a Razorback and scores weapon destroyed. Other Stalkers blasts a Razorback next to the immobilised one and it goes boom! Space Wolves pass pinning and only one Marine dies from shrapnel. Anni Barges blast out at the exposed squad and kill another one, squad passes morale.

Space Wolves roll for reserves and one Scout unit arrives on the left side of the board away from everything.

The typhoon-less Speeders moves flat out and hides behind a ruin by John's board edge, while the weapon destroyed Razorback breaks formation and moves forward, squad bails out. One of the mobilie Razorbacks at the back of the formation splits and flanks around the ruin the single Long Fangs have setup shop in.

Shooting, meltas, krak missiles and lascannons fire at the Command Barge but John either has bad luck or I pass my cover save and the Overlord lives to fight another day in his Barge. Triarch Stalker gets blasted by the Land Speeder, but the missiles bounce off the armour. Ark on the right side of the shrine gets blasted and takes a weapon destroyed result. Anni Barge flanking around the right side of the shrine gets blasted by the Long Fangs in front and explodes - one Immortal down who fails protocols.

Kill points - Necrons: 2 Space Wolves: 1

* Tactical Notes

The Command Barge has done well this turn in terms of asborbing fire power. It got shot at by the two Long Fang units with the Priests, two meltaguns and two lascannons and it is still standing. Overall damage this turn has been low, a single weapon destroyed result on a Ark, but I have lost a Anni Barge.

Next turn the Overlord will sweep the Razorback at the back and bail out and attack the immobilised Razorback, the Overlord will probably die but hopefully will cause some damage and act as a nice distraction. Scarabs can assault the weapon-less Typhoon as this will 'catapult' them into the fight next turn, the other Scarabs can assault the unit which just bailed out their tank while the Spyders eat the tanks.

Turn 3

Spyders spawn two Scarab bases without problems. One Ark hangs back to deal with the Wolf Scouts while the other one moves up to blast some enemy armour. Scarabs move towards the typhoon-less Speeder while the other unit moves up to the expose Grey Hunters while the Spyder move to their tank. Immortals smash their way through the shrine ready to start blasting while the other Ark lands in the crater of the Anni Barge and is immobilised. Overlord has to move flat out again due to places to land the skimmer, though weapon destroys the last operational Razorback.

Shooting, Triarch Stalker blasts the operational Speeder and it is smoked. The other Stalker blasts the single Razorback flanking around the ruin by the single Fang unit and it explodes, one Grey Hunter down and they pass pinning. Annihilation Barges wrecks immobilised Razorback, squad passes pinning and takes no damage. Immortals can only fire 5 shots due to LOS as half the squad is the other side of the ruin, they blast a Grey Hunter unit who now has three Marines left - they pass morale. Ghost Ark blasts the Grey Hunters out the exploded Razorback flanking around and kills another Marine - they pass morale. Ghost Ark and Warriors inside blast the Wolf Scouts, two remain and they pass morale.

In assault, Scarabs assault the typhoon-less Speeder and drop it to av2 - they auto pen and it explodes putting a wound on a base. The Spyders assault the Razorback and it explodes, one Grey Hunter gets hit by shrapnel and a base takes a wound. Other Scarabs charge the Grey Hunters, Scarabs take some wounds, but they win combat and the Grey Hunter hangs about on his own.

John's turn, he rolls for reserves and the other Wolf Scouts arrive on the right flank by my Overlord. Ony movement is from two squads which move to get into shooting range of the Overlord and the Wolf Scouts move to assault the Ghost Ark.

Shooting, Long Fangs blast the immobilised Ghost Ark and it is wrecked - squad fails pinning test. Krak missiles and meltaguns blast the Command Barge and it is wrecked - Overlord pass pinning test.

In assault the Wolf Scouts charge the Ghost Ark and get lucky, a melta bomb wrecks it. A squad of Grey Hunters and Wolf Scouts charge the Overlord, Hunters take two wounds from the Overlord and the Wolf Scouts finish it off - Overlord fails to get back up. The single Grey Hunter dies to mass Scarabs.

Kill points - Necrons: 8 Space Wolves: 5

Unfortunately at this point we have to call it a day as we've been yakking for ages and John has to get home. Necrons win with 8 kill points to 5.

Summary

Well, that was a interesting game. Between we need to start remembering stuff! lol. We both forgot I used night fighting, some Space Wolf rules we forgot, like the placement of the choosers. I had to keep asking John if I can spawn Scarabs as I'd always forget. I also forgot about the chained lightning from the Anni Barges as well!

Game wise I am glad turn 1 didn't actually happen. Things were going well until the end. I expect the Overlord to probably die, his skimmer cannot pass every single cover save. I didn't expect the Wolf Scouts to wreck a Ghost Ark though and I didn't expect Long Fangs to wreck the other. Apart from the mistakes and forgeting things I found Necrons really enjoyable to play. It's difficult to say how the game would have ended if we had at least gone to turn 5, the two Wolf Scouts no doubt would have been gunned down by the Warriors in front of them and both Scarab units would have made it into assault against a already battered unit of Grey Hunters and also unit of Long Fangs. I probably could have killed the slimmed down Grey Hunters out of the exploded Razorback which was flanking around with Immortals, Warrior and Anni Barge fire power. I would have hoped that last Razorback would be toast as well by the Stalkers. I guess it's something we will never know.

The Triarch Stalkers were new in this list and I was keeping track of how many points they killed, the twin-linked I didn't get to use because whatever they fired at either died or following shots hit anyway, but it's useful. I totted up that one Stalker destroyed two Razorbacks so that's 150 points, so that one breaks even and the other took out a Razorback and a Typhoon which makes its points back and then some. I'll be keeping the Stalkers a little bit longer.

John played well with his Space Wolves, just unfortunately he used all his good luck first turn! He said he was going to drop Njal as he needs to be mid field to use his powers, plus he's expensive. He mentioned he was going to get another Priest with the points, another Typhoon and add meltaguns onto both Wolf Scout units.

Nice report. keep them coming. Was nice to hear about doing the right thing, instead of WAACs. Sounds like it was a fun game. I too would have liked to read what happened in the next two turns.

It was the right thing to do, I would rather play fair and lose than cheat to win

@Metallicarule: What are you thoughts on taking the TLL vs the Twin Plasma/Lascannon on your razorbacks? In my experience, the TLP/L performs better and survives a touch longer, but I wanted to hear your side.

@ Pretre, I've only used Space Wolves (or any other kind of space marine for that matter) twice so my experience with razorbacks is limited at best :( The first game I had Las/Plas and in the entire game I only managed to hit with 3 lascannon shots so I thought I would try t/l Las for this game and every shot hit on the first dice roll, go figure!

One advantage I would say for Las/Plas is that if your opponant gets a weapon destroyed result at least you are left with a weapon to fire, with the t/l Las once its gone you are left with basically a rhino that can't repair. I also like to try and keep my vehicles moving, I don't want any scarabs/beastmaster units/powerfists etc getting free hits on my mech!

You are totally right that las/plas is a tad more survivable but ideally it needs to be on a fast tank (Damn you cursed Blood Angels lol) so it can make use of firing both on the move. I think if you are running Blood Angels Las/Plas is the way to go, if you're running any other razorback I'd be inclined to take t/l Las for the re-roll safety net

JonnyB wrote:Nice report. keep them coming. Was nice to hear about doing the right thing, instead of WAACs. Sounds like it was a fun game. I too would have liked to read what happened in the next two turns.

Thanks man. I can only say what I think I may have earned, some were easy kill points and no doubt, of course it depends how the Space Wolves would have reacted and damage they would do in return.

Metallicarule wrote:It was the right thing to do, I would rather play fair and lose than cheat to win

Legend. It was a I scratch your back and you scratch my back type of game wasn't it?

Metallicarule wrote: but ideally it needs to be on a fast tank (Damn you cursed Blood Angels lol)

Meh hehehe

Metallicarule wrote:You are totally right that las/plas is a tad more survivable but ideally it needs to be on a fast tank (Damn you cursed Blood Angels lol) so it can make use of firing both on the move. I think if you are running Blood Angels Las/Plas is the way to go, if you're running any other razorback I'd be inclined to take t/l Las for the re-roll safety net

True. I run razorspam wolves and have swapped all of mine to plas. I have a tendency to use the plasma a lot. Statistically against light armor, I can do better than with the lascannon (TL and double-tap) and I play pretty aggressive with them. They are also a godsend against Terminator armor armies, the triple tap within 12 really makes them cry.

I was running split TLP, TLL with TLL on my LF Razors and keeping them back, but I ended up really missing the extra gun a lot of the time. Either way, keep up the games and tell us how your wolves work out for you.

Still not losing eh Mercer?

Nice report, always a good read.

pretre wrote:

Metallicarule wrote:You are totally right that las/plas is a tad more survivable but ideally it needs to be on a fast tank (Damn you cursed Blood Angels lol) so it can make use of firing both on the move. I think if you are running Blood Angels Las/Plas is the way to go, if you're running any other razorback I'd be inclined to take t/l Las for the re-roll safety net

True. I run razorspam wolves and have swapped all of mine to plas. I have a tendency to use the plasma a lot. Statistically against light armor, I can do better than with the lascannon (TL and double-tap) and I play pretty aggressive with them. They are also a godsend against Terminator armor armies, the triple tap within 12 really makes them cry.

I was running split TLP, TLL with TLL on my LF Razors and keeping them back, but I ended up really missing the extra gun a lot of the time. Either way, keep up the games and tell us how your wolves work out for you.

To join in the discussion, I run las/plas on my Angels, though I feel this is more suited to Angels thanks to fast tanks. Like you, I have found they can maul power armour and terminator units and wreck monstrous creatures. The only benefit for Angels is they can move 6" and blast said units while Wolves have to stay static to fire both guns, which means you get auto hit in assault next turn.

As much as I hate to say it, a single weapon is better on Wolves because you will get more use, even though the plasma gives you that little extra life. I guess it is swings and round abouts.

skycapt44 wrote:Still not losing eh Mercer?

Nice report, always a good read.

I am going strong mate. Thanks about the report.

mercer wrote:I guess it is swings and round abouts.

Heheh I love idioms.

I'll give you guys a pass on the TLL then.

Kinda wish ya'll got passed T3 :(

Good rep tho! Interesting 'Cron list there

Zid wrote:Kinda wish ya'll got passed T3 :(

Good rep tho! Interesting 'Cron list there

Next time we are going to gaffa tape our mouths shut so that we finish a game instead of flapping our gums lol

Another fine report, Mercer!

Zid wrote:Kinda wish ya'll got passed T3 :(

Good rep tho! Interesting 'Cron list there

Me too. It's Metallicarule, he won't shutup talking can't get a word in.

OIF Knight wrote:Another fine report, Mercer!

Thanks dude!

Nice report! I will say that I think the Wolves would have done better had the list actually been optimized to run Njal (IE Grey Hunter swarm rather than Razorspam) because he really needs to be protected all game, then dive forward in the last couple of turns once Chain Lightning starts coming up. With no Rhinos in the list though he cannot really do anything useful, and ending the game short did cut out some potential damage if he had a means of getting upfield.

The Necron list looks pretty decent but I'm still not convinced about the small units in Ghost Arks unless there is also a large unit on foot for them to support. I think replacing the Immortals and one Ghost Ark for a full squad of Warriors on foot would really improve how the list functions, and it should about break even on points. You could even fit a Cryptek with a Seismic Crucible in the unit to help protect them against assault, or a Necron Lord with a Res Orb, Warscythe and Mindshackle Scarabs.

I imagine the Stalkers would work better with an upgraded cannon as it would allow them to fire from greater range, though they did well enough in this list.

Mercer glad to see something other than a true scarab farm list and one that plays to all of the Necrons advantages. I am building an 1850 list but have yet to decide if 10 Warriors in a barge, 15 Warriors walking or 10 Immortals is the way to go. Do you have any incite that you could share?

Aldarionn wrote:Nice report! I will say that I think the Wolves would have done better had the list actually been optimized to run Njal (IE Grey Hunter swarm rather than Razorspam) because he really needs to be protected all game, then dive forward in the last couple of turns once Chain Lightning starts coming up. With no Rhinos in the list though he cannot really do anything useful, and ending the game short did cut out some potential damage if he had a means of getting upfield.

The Necron list looks pretty decent but I'm still not convinced about the small units in Ghost Arks unless there is also a large unit on foot for them to support. I think replacing the Immortals and one Ghost Ark for a full squad of Warriors on foot would really improve how the list functions, and it should about break even on points. You could even fit a Cryptek with a Seismic Crucible in the unit to help protect them against assault, or a Necron Lord with a Res Orb, Warscythe and Mindshackle Scarabs.

I imagine the Stalkers would work better with an upgraded cannon as it would allow them to fire from greater range, though they did well enough in this list.

In John's defense it was his first time running Nigel. We did also discuss at the start of the game how to use Nigel, but John decided to give him a whirl anyway. With Long Fangs though, Nigel probably isn't going to get far.

The units inside the Ghost Arks are not small. They are 9 strong which is fine, there is also Immortals on foot to support them. I see no point in replacing Immortals and a Ghost Ark for a large squad of Warriors, it won't add anything to the army.

I don't feel Necron Lords with a orb are worth the points, I think they would cost about 60 points and give a 16% increase for protocols, doesn't look worth it to me.

Replacing the Stalkers heat ray with a heavy gauss cannon isn't a good idea, not only do I lose the two melta shots but the heavy gauss cannon is also costing me more points. The point of the Stalkers is to be fire magnets and open up transports.

mstersmith3 wrote:Mercer glad to see something other than a true scarab farm list and one that plays to all of the Necrons advantages. I am building an 1850 list but have yet to decide if 10 Warriors in a barge, 15 Warriors walking or 10 Immortals is the way to go. Do you have any incite that you could share?

I tried triple Scarabs before and they was ok, but I want something different. I guess if I had the points I would certainly throw in another Scarab unit and Spyder, but it still wouldn't be a true Scarab-Farm list.

Warriors in a Barge are fine. Run the Barges in pairs and if one gets blown open use the Barge to revive numbers of the Warriors. Together the Barges and Warriors can knock out 40 S4 gauss shots, that's a bit.

I've never used Warriors on foot, always in a transport. I have found Warriors on foot can go down quickly sometimes. Immortals have taken some fire power, and the teslas are cool, but tbh I've only used them twice so I don't have much experience with them. When I get more games in I can give more of my thoughts

Thanks Mercer its pretty much what I thought it would be. Thanks again and a great BatRep read.

No worries man. Let me know you finds as well!

Aldarionn wrote:Nice report! I will say that I think the Wolves would have done better had the list actually been optimized to run Njal (IE Grey Hunter swarm rather than Razorspam) because he really needs to be protected all game, then dive forward in the last couple of turns once Chain Lightning starts coming up. With no Rhinos in the list though he cannot really do anything useful, and ending the game short did cut out some potential damage if he had a means of getting upfield.

I'll admit, it wasn't an optimised list but in my defence its only the second time I've used a marine army of any kind. The reason Njal was in there is because I like to have a special character in my list but unfortunately Njal didn't work with my list :( As you rightly say he needs to be up front for later turns to use his special rules.

I tried priests in rhinos (I'm trying different stuff before I go out and buy it) in my first game and the extra protection they had was nice but they attracted tons of firepower, got immobilised (one repaired though) and it caused a bit of a traffic jam so I think I'll be keeping them with my Long Fangs.