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Shadow of the Hive Mind Campaign GRAND FINALE (part 1) – 16000 points apoc, all painted
After rather a long break (try getting four guys together for not one, but two apoc games…) ,welcome to game 12 in our Tyranid vs. Imperial campaign. The earlier games in the series (and other campaigns) can be found here:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Gordy2000%27s_Battle_Reports

Thanks as always to Thor 665 for putting the article together.

Last game, Inquisitor Iniquitous had a narrow escape from an Imperial outpost just as it was overrun by the swarm. Now, on the way to the main Imperial LZ, he is due to be delivered into the hands of Captain Gordus – a reunion he is not looking forward to.

Meanwhile, the Imperial forces muster their strength at the LZ, forming a defensive line to bring the Xenos to a decisive battle.
And in the jungle, the swarm gathers itself for the final blow…

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Iniquitous staggered out of the Valkyrie, propelled by the none-too gentle push from Sergeant Argo of the Sons of Gord. The LZ was a tumult of activity – tanks ground forward whilst swarms of guardsmen set up aegis lines and defensive positions. Heavy armour rumbled up to prepared positions and swivelled their guns towards the distant jungle. He squinted into the clouds of dust kicked up by the frantic preparations, coughing as the grit stung his throat. Amidst the teeming guards he could see the hulking forms of Astartes in the deep red of the Sons.
A huge hand grabbed his collar and dragged him forwards.
“keep moving” snarled Argo “The Captain has already arrived after the little jaunt you sent him on”

Iniquitous groaned inwardly. How the Captain had survived the Storm Eagle crash deep in Tyranid infested jungle he didn’t know, but clearly his involvement in it was now known. Didn’t his men cover up the comms log. He sighed again – if you wanted something done right, make sure you kill everyone involved.

Up ahead he spied an enormous figure in terminator armour climbing atop a Landraider. The noise of the LZ dwindled to silence as the warrior turned to address the crowds of guardsmen and astartes now gathering. Iniquitous felt his heart freeze as he saw the face of the figure.

“Men of the Imperium” boomed the voice of Captain Gordus “Guardsmen, brothers. Today we bring the swarm to battle” he took two steps forward, his armoured boots clanging on the tanks hull.

“Here we will make our stand. Here we will break them” The Captain pointed behind him to the steaming jungle.

“the Xenos want to steal this world” Gordus drew his gleaming relic blade and held it to the sky.

“Let them try!”

A roar rose up from the assembled troops and they surged forwards into the defensive lines, lasguns and bolters aiming out into the jungle. You had to hand it to him thought Iniquitous - he could deliver a speech.

Sergeant Argos finally released him as a Cadian command squad approached them. “Here” he growled “this is the prisoner we advised you of. Keep him secure until the battle is over. The Captain wants a word with him”

Iniquitous drew himself up and straightened his tunic. “Now see here, I am a representative of the Emperor’s Holy…”
“Shut up” Argo cut him off, lifting him off his feet and bringing him up to his snarling face. “you are a prisoner and a traitor and will be treated as such. One false move and I will shoot you myself” looking into the sergeants grizzled features and glaring eyes, Iniquitous decided not to answer.
The Sergeant released him and stalked off to join his brothers. Iniquitous turned to his new captors. He noted the Commissar regarding him with thinly disguised contempt. It could be worse he supposed. Might as well make the most of it.
“So” said Iniquitous “Who’s making the recaff then?”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Note – this game was played using the previous versions of both the apoc rules and the Tyranid Codex

An Antipodean Command tank scans for targets


Heavy armour guards the centre of the line


The Imperial right flank


And the left


The swarm breaks cover on the left…


My, that’s a big bug…


Monsterpocalypse!


More gargantuan creatures approach the centre


The Swarm Lord marshals its troops on the left


Let battle commence!


Imperial Guard maxim – you can never have too many guns


The swarm surges forward


All along the front, the Xenos advance




Imperial gunfire begins to land amongst the swarm


The command tank one-shots a Tervigon with a Beast Hunter Shell


Even the biggest bugs are not immune to the devastating firepower arrayed against them


Few of the monsters escape unscathed




Pour it on men!


The Infernus and Salamander Dred move up


Guardsmen secure a strategic objective


Burn baby burn!


Aim for the weak points!
What if it doesn’t have any?


Too close for comfort…


The Tyranid wave breaks across the right flank


Guardsmen battle Gaunts


The will of the Hive Mind incarnate


It’s all happening on the left flank


Imperial reserves await the call


In a crucial moment for the battle, the Hierodule fails to charge the Baneblade, leaving it exposed to return fire


The Harpy breaches the defence lines, sowing carnage


The Swarm overruns an objective


The Hellhound maintains its perfect record of being destroyed by a monstrous creature in every game


The second Hierodule smashes into the Imperial lines


The Salamander Dred and a winged Hive Tyrant begin a slap fight that will last the rest of the battle


Om nom nom – the Hierodule consumes the first squad of Guardsmen. Shortly thereafter its last wound is taken by a Guard meltagun (I know, right?)


Gordus and the First Company veterans deploy into the heart of the swarm

Into the fires of battle!


The Tervigon is pounded into a thin paste by Thunderhammers. Most of the nearby Guants explode in sympathy


Rangers push forwards on the right, gunning down Xenos by the score


The Imperial right gamely advances


Combined Imperial firepower turns the Barbed Hierodule into a smoking red smear


The Tyranid left is looking thin


Imperial airpower screams in, adding more firepower to the carnage




The Swarm Lord drives its forces forward with an implacable will


The final Tyranids on the left stagger on…


Not the face!


So…many…wounds…


The Sons hold the line




The Infernus incinerates a few more bugs whilst its autocannon shoots down the last gargoyles


Cadians, Rangers and Astartes keep up the fire


A Mycetic Spore is spotted incoming – the quad guns blast it (and the Doom of Malantai) to chunks


Shrikes assault a Salamander position, causing carnage


The Swarm Lord and Tyranid warriors assault Gordus. The Warriors are defeated, but the Captain is laid low by the Swarm Lord


Gordus is carried from the field


“Oh dear” sniggers Iniquitous “I hope the Captain isn’t injured too badly….”



Despite the fury of the swarm, the Imperial line holds


With a screech of rage and frustration, the Swarm Lord compels its minions to retreat.


The defences have held and the swarm repelled- Imperial Victory!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Well, that went better for the Imperial side than we had expected. Even with a 5+ cover save for the jungle, the ‘Nids suffered under the weight of Imperial firepower. By the time they made contact in assault, the damage had already been done.

On another note, the Malcador Infernus is just a killer with a Chem cannon - hellstorm template, wounding on a 2+, ignore cover and AP3 – ouch.

Next up - part 2 of the final battle as the swarm launches its final all-out attack on the beleaguered defenders. Gargantuan creatures will stalk, titans will walk…

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gordus Maximus pushed himself up from the table of the field apothecarion. Tubes of nutrients and accelerated healing unguents pulled from his flesh and spattered the floor. The apothecary on duty walked into the room and held up a hand.

“Captain, you’re wounds are serious and need more time to knit. You must remain at rest”

Gordus waved the white-armoured marine away as he swung his legs to the floor. “No brother, I am needed on the lines. The swarm will learn from its mistakes and adapt its tactics. I must be beside my legionnaires and advise the Guard command. The fate of this world rests on the next battle”

Reluctantly, the Apothecary relented. “As you wish Captain, I will send for your armour thralls”

Gordus stood, resting a hand on the table. “Make it so brother. Time is short. “

As the Apothecary made for the door Gordus called out to him. “One more thing – tell Princeps Julius he is clear to make landing”

Simply amazing stuff as always sir! Thanks so much. The quality of you fellas minis and terrain is enough to make any gamer envious!

thanks!

Awesome! The people with the titans weren't there this time?

Very nice! Great report. Great armies!

Awesome! The people with the titans weren't there this time?

Just hang on for part 2 - I guarantee titans and more gargantuan creatures!

Fantastic looking armies and terrain all around. It's a spectacle when like minded folks come together. Thanks for sharing this report (and the next).

Armies and pics look great.

However, this seems like a really boring and unfun game for the bugs. They literally just moved up and got shot at the entire time, died, then repeat.

There were no Mawlocs, no line disruption, just walking into bullets to die. : /

 Iechine wrote:
Armies and pics look great.

However, this seems like a really boring and unfun game for the bugs. They literally just moved up and got shot at the entire time, died, then repeat.

There were no Mawlocs, no line disruption, just walking into bullets to die. : /

+1. This wasn't a game, but the narrative was forged very strong.

Fair comments on the Tyranid tactics in this game. I think they relied on the gargantuan creatures soaking up enough fire to allow the rest of the bugs to get into assault relatively intact.

Suffice to say, they learn from their mistakes and adapt for part 2 (no nice safe firing lines for the Guard next battle)

Always amazing, and I'm super excited for part 2!

Thats pretty epic. I'm surprised to see such a strong campaign scene here in Auckland, I've only really met tournament gamers

I pretty much echo and agree with all the thoughts posted so far (except the Auckland one - no frame of reference )

Beautiful armies and terrain, great pictures, wonderful narrative, a sad feeling for the Nid player footslogging towards a gunline and counting on 5+ saves to help do anything... At least they could have got to the lines and wuss slapped Inquitous or something, seriously, that guy needs a barbed strangler inserted where the sun don't shine.

Good battle, impirial guard set up its fire and kill zones well.

I see I will need to get part 2 up quickly - rest assured, no one will be feeling sorry for the nids next game (much, much closer and bloodier battle), although the outcome may surprise...

Nice Battle Report. I love the Barbed Heirodule... awesome unit. I use one myself.

 Gordy2000 wrote:
I see I will need to get part 2 up quickly - rest assured, no one will be feeling sorry for the nids next game (much, much closer and bloodier battle), although the outcome may surprise...

It's just a natural reaction most people have to an army having to footslog towards a gunline. You see it in Orks v. Most other things a lot too. It's also exacerbated in Apoc missions when the gunlines can start to reach ludicrous levels of power and just sweep up units in handfuls. You end up watching one army taking it on the chin over and over and over and you just naturally start to feel bad for them. Especially if they then don't have much success even when they get there.

I'll also honestly admit, whoever it was that said something about the IG player setting up good firing lanes? Had me go (sorry jhe90 - you're not selling me on the masterful tactical acumen of the IG player in this match )

Love the armies guys, keep it up!