Game 10 saw the Eldar at home to the
IG in their rematch.
With the current table standings showing
SW P5 W2 D3 L0 Pts 9
Orks P5 W2 D1 L2 Pts 7
Eldar P4 W2 D1 L1 Pts 7
IG P4 W0 D1 L3 Pts 1
a win for the Eldar would see them go top with 1 game to play. Whilst the
IG had no chance of winning a morale boosting finish would be much valued.
As always the other games can be seen here:
G8 -
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/423712.page
G8 -
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/422869.page
G7 -
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/420105.page
G1-6 -
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/410232.page
Game 10 saw the Eldar at home to the
IG in their rematch.
Eldar 1495:
Imperial Guard 1487
Map rolled was number 10, rural.
Annihilation was the mission on Spearhead.
Eldar deployment.
With home advantage the Eldar chose the right hand side of the table and to deploy first.
Evaluating each possible DZ for deployment, it was felt that taking the bottom right hand cornerwas strongest as it would leave very little for the
IG forces in the far corner, both for their tanks and infantry. Whilst they would have a hill for evavation and
LoS, with no cover it was a risky setup.
Both Guardian squads were setup centrally supported by the Farseer and War Walkers. On the left flank were deployed a Wave Serpent with Fire Dragons and the two Wraithlords.
The Avatar and Dire Avengers along with the second
WS deployed on the right flank.
The idea was to catch the
IG in a pincer movement (a sort of horns of the bull manouvure)
whilst presenting equally credible threats on each flank.
The Farseer would bolster and support the middle, ready to move forward in support if needed.
IG deployment.
With a good elevated position but no terrain on it the
IG were forced to improvise. As a result they set up both their heavy wepons teams on the hill behind their Leman Russes. Since the Eldar had little or no AV14 busting weaponary they would be safe for a turn or two. The two platoon squads deployed in what little cover there was among the aegis defense lines, with both
Mls ready to fire.
On the left flank, the Chimera containing the
CS/Priest and Commissar deployed.
On the opposite flank the Melta Vets and Psyker squad were deployed, attempting to counter the probable
WS dash.
The Griffon took up position behind a tree for some cover.
Both Sentinels chose to outflank.
Eldar turn 1.
Turn one saw both Wraithlords and one Guardian squad head for the forest to the left but with very poor
DT tests they didnt get very far and shuffled forward a bit.
On the right flank the first
WS went flat out taking up position behind the Chaos temple for cover.
The Avatar and
DAs ran into the temple ruins too.
On the other flank the second
WS boosted behind a tree for cover near the forest (off camera).
The Farseer cast guide on the
WWs and fortune on the fiorst Guardian squad.
Both Warwalkers and Guardian
MLs opened up on the platoon squad in the aegis cover and killed 3 from one squad and 2 from another.
Both Wraithlords then fired on the Chimera beside the hedge but failed to do any damage.
With everything else having run, Eldar turn 1 concluded.
IG turn 1.
Both Leman Russes moved 6” forward to allow the
HWTs LoS to the battlefield. The Chimera on the left flank pulled back slightly fearing a
FD insertion next turn.
The Psyker squad moved further into the forest to get better
LoS.
Everything else held its ground.
The Griffon opened up first on the Farseer squad but scattered off despite its reroll.
The two
MLs in the platoon squads, Leman Russes and Psykers then opened up on the first Guardian squad but with some truely unreal rolling (4, 6 cover saves amongst them!) and Fortune, only 4 were killed and they passed their test.
Under orders the lascannon
HWT fired on the
WS near the forest scoring two weapon destroyed results and shaking it.
The
ML HWT then fired on the one behind the temple but failed to damage it.
Eldar turn 2.
Movement saw the central Guardians and
WWs hold position. On the right flank the
WS held its ground, judging to be just outside of a
FD drop against the Chimera. The Avatar and
DAs however moved up further towards the
IG lines.
On the left flank the Wraithlords and second Guardiand squad made it into the forest whilst the
WS again held its ground.
Shooting saw the
WWs/Guardians again thin out the platoon squads, reducing one to 4 who passed their break test.
The second Guardians and
WLs then opened up on the Psyker unit, killing 4 and forcing them to retreat.
One
WS fired on the Chimera opposite it but failed to damage, the second fired on the
HWT on the hill but was out of range.
IG turn 2.
Turn two saw the first Sentinel arrive and it arrived on the
IG left flank. With a slim chance of popping the
WS there and fearful of a
FD retaliation and a wasted
KP, it chose to deploy on the hill with the
HWTs.
The Chimera on that flank pulled back further from the
WS threat.
Shooting saw the Sentinel and
ML HWT fire on the
WS behind the temple and immobilse it.
The platoon
MLs and Russes again fired on the Guardian squad killing a further 4, leaving only 2 and the Warlock alive. However they passed their test again.
The lascannon weapon team targetted the
WS on the other flank but with very poor rolling did no damage.
The Griffon fired on the second Guardian squad but scattered off.
Eldar turn 3.
With no weapons left and turns ticking by the
WS near the forest boosted forward right infront of the Chimera, hoping to weather a turn of fire and deploy the
FDs next turn.
In hindsight it could have possibly tank shocked too.
The Avatar and
DAs moved up to the hedgerow close to the
IG platoon squads ready to Bladestorm this turn.
Both Wraithlords shuffled forward some more as did the
WW, moving for cover to the Chaos ruins. No other movemnt took place.
With a really devastating display of firepower the
DAs and
WWs fired on the two platoon squads in the aegis line, wiping out one and reducing the other to one man, who fled unceremoniously, just avoiding the edge of the board.
Both
WLs then fired on the lascannon
HWT on the hill but only caused one wound, followed up by the Guardians who targetted the Sentinel managing to shake it.
IG turn 3.
The lone platoon squad guard continued to fall back with a real slice of luck rolled snake eyes for his fallback roll and remained and on the table, allowing the
CS to order him to get back in the fight which he did.
The Psyker squad moved further back behind the Griffon for cover and out of
LoS to rpevent any other
Kps being conceded.
On the left flank the Chimera moved forward 12” and popped smoke, aiming to get o the immobile
WS and destroy it and its cargo who were now somewhat stranded.
The
HWT on the hill then fired on the
WS nfacing off against the Chimera and immobilised it. Any pen of a 3+ would now see it destroyed as it had no weapons and was immobile. With typical brashness the dice Gods intervened however and the Melta Vets rolled a double one to hit it.
The
PCS, Russes,
ML HWTs and Griffon then fiored on the Das/Avatar whowere now uncofortably close to the
IG lines.
2 battlecannons, 2 multimeltas, 3
MLs, 2 grenades, a plasma gun and a Griffon morter later and 5 still remained.
IG had that sinking feeling again.
Current
Kps at the end of turn 3 were Eldar 1 –
IG 0
Eldar turn 4.
The
FDs immediately bailed out of the still surviving
WS ready to toast the nearby Chimera.
Both
WLs moved up 6” to close on the
IG lines some more.
The Avatar moved toward the Chimera to try and intercept it or change direction next turn and go after the Leman Russes. The
DAs having no ability to shoot this turn (bladestorm) moved for the
PCS for an attempted charge.
The shooting phase saw the Wraithlords fire on the lone platoon squad member, taking both to kill him but earning another
KP.
The
FDs then completly slagged the Chimera, killing 3 Vets in the process who passed their pinning test but failed their break test and ran.
However, with another massive slice of luck they only ran 3” and just managed to stay on the table.
The
WS on the other flank failed to damage the approaching Chimera.
Both Guardian Squads fired on the Sentinel immobilisng/shaking it whilst the
WWs fired on the lascannon
HWT again but with some poor rolling didnt cause any wounds.
In assault the
DAs failed to reach the
PCS in combat.
IG turn 4.
Things at this point were looking a bit grim, several
Kps down and the Eldar very close to the lines.
However a good turn could even the
Kps significantly.
The second Sentinel arrived, again getting the left hand flank and deploying on the hill too.
The
PCS moved to charge the Dire Avangers should shooting fail them again this time.
With the Avatar so clsoe to the
IG lines the Chimera containing the command squad, Commissar and Priest diverted from the immobile Chimera to tackle him, relying on the
HWTs to take out the Wave Serpent at the ruins.
Shooting saw the lascanoon
HWT finally obliterate the
WS, whilst the Vets shot and then got ready to charge the dismounted
FDs.
Under another torrent of firepower the Dire Avengers were reduced to the Exarch (and forgetting the Avatar fearless buff) he ran 12”. However with the
PCS yet to fire two Grenades finally killed him.
The Sentinels and
ML HWT then fired on the Avatar along with one Leman Russ but failed to cause a single wound.
Combat saw the Vets finish off the
FD and consolidate 2” backwards away from the approaching Wraithlords.
The Command squad then charged the Avatar (unfortunately they and the Chimera were all armed with flame/melta based weapons). In combat he killed two taking no wounds but they held due to the Commissars precsense.
A good comeback that turn and currently the score was now Eldar 3 –
IG 3.
Eldar turn 5.
Both Wraithlords moved forwqard 6, lucky passing their Wraithsight tests. One immediately engaged the Vets, whilst the other moved towards the
IG tanks.
With the second
WS immobile, the Avatar in combat and the firebase performing well, no other movement took place.
Shooting saw a devastating salvo wipe out the lascannon
HWT, whilst both Guardian squads and coudnt do any damage to the Sentinels. The Wraithlord had more luck hwever, destroying the second Chimera.
In combat the Wraithlord killed 3 Vets but they held their ground.
The Avatar killed off the remaining Guardsmen, leaving only the Commander, Priest and Commissar standing but took a wound himself.
IG turn 5.
Kps were slipping away again and some needed to be scored quick to stay in tocuhing distance with the Eldar.
Movement saw the
PCS move back slightly and issue orders. Everything else remained in place.
Shooting saw the Griffon fire on the depleted Guardian squad in the forest and with some unlcky rolls (having gone to ground), they were wiped out.
The
HWT under orders then fired on the immobile
WS, destroying it and earning another valuable
KP.
In combat however the Vets couldnt hold out, losing two and fleeing off the board.
The Avatar/Command squad battle continued with enither able to get the upper hand, the Avatr killing the Commander but the
IG holding.
Eldar final turn.
Both Wraithlords moved 6” hoping to get a charge into the
IG tank line.
In the shooting phase they fired on the Griffon shaking it. Both Guardian squads then fired on the
HWT on the kill but failed to hit it.
The
WWs had poor rolling and could not inflict any damage on the Sentinels despite a torrent of shots.
Both
WL tried to charge the
IG tanks but came up short with a failed charge.
Combat saw the Commisar fall against the Avatar but the Priest held firm.
IG final turn.
IG units held their ground and prepared for a final shooting phase against the Eldar.
With a massive barrage the Leman Russes obliterated the War Walkers with some help from the Sentinels.
The
HWT then fired on the Guardiand squad but failed to hit at all.
The
PCS then charged the Avatar, hoping to kill him with one last charge and save the Priest at the same time, earning a draw.
Despite their efforts the valiant Priest fell and they could not wound the Avatar.
With that the game concluded.
Eldar 9 – IG 6.
Eldar final thoughts.
Quite a cagey sort of game for the first few turns, not a lot happened and
Kps were very low.
However once the Eldar forces committed properly things oicked up and with some good tactics the
IG were always on the back foot.
The bull horns move worked quite well, it presented the
IG with multiple threats on both flanks, they couldnt allow the Avatar to get to their tank line but also couldnt allow the Wraithlords/
FDs to get there either.
With nothing to damage the Leman Russes and the
FDs really not getting where they needed to go, the force weathered the
IG shooting phases well, espeically the
DAs and Guardians who had some great saves.
The
IG seemed to trade
Kps and just couldnt build any sort of a lead and consolidate it, they would kill one unit but lose it the next turn etc.
If the game had have continued it would have been a bit of a rout to be honest.
Back to the top of the table!
IG final thoughts.
Will pay good money for a win at this stage
LOL.
The absolutely insane move that lost the game was charging the Avatar wih the Command unit. Gave away 3
Kps which would ahve earned a draw, failed to earn another one by not going after the
FDs from the destroyed
WS and could even have killed the Avatar via shooting with some luck.
Just needed to stay away from him or at the very least feed him one tank/unit and then obliterate him the next.
Was unlucky in shooting rolls overall, some poor rolling and the usually reliable Griffon didnt do well this game. On the other hand some rolls went in favour.
That Eldar army is quite tough to get points from and whilst it cannot crack ver tough units it has a lot of mid
str firepower which hurts.
So with two games left (Eldar vs
SW and
IG vs Orks) the table looks like this:
Eldar P5 W3 D1 L1 Pts 10
SW P5 W2 D3 L0 Pts 9
Orks P5 W2 D1 L2 Pts 7
IG P5 W0 D1 L4 Pts 1
The Orks cannot finish top but can claim joint second.
If the Eldar avoid defaet against the
SWs they will win the torunament.
The
SWs need to win vs the Eldr to top the table.
IG just need a
win.
Stay tuned.
