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Hi all thanks for coming by... I'm doing some list design for my friend and new 40k player. He's doing dark angels, I'm trying to write up some lists that are good that he can use as a basis for his collection. We have a working multi-wing army, and now I'm trying to get a battle company army together. Anyway, here's the lists.

Mine (got some ideas from GBF)

company master power weapon
10x tac squad plas/plasC razorback
10x tac squad plas/plasC razorback
2x LST
2x LST
10x dev squad lascannons razorback
10x dev squad lascannons razorback

His

grimaldus
EC with preferred enemy
marshal power weapon
5x termies with assault cannons
5x termies with assault cannons
20ish crusade
20ish crusade
5x initiates with lascannon
5x initiates with lascannon
1x LST

We chose to test with recon (i'm not worried about take and hold with the list) and we rolled 4 objectives. We both played for our shooty units to score, so we took turns placing the objectives in the 4 corners of the table (not forgetting the 12" away rule) We then rolled for deployment type and got "pitched battle". I gave him first turn...

He deployed his two big crusades between two buildings, putting them right in the center of the table. In the buildings to either side, he had his 5 man lascannons upstairs, with a termie unit in each buildings bottom floor to play bodyguard. his speeder was skulking off to his extreme right flank.

After seeing this, it was really easy to deploy, there were a couple buildings for me to interact with kinda. one in my deployment zone, and one about 10" out of my deployment. All of the buildings have pretty sealed up bottom floors, so LOS is really only doable to people on the higher floors, or if you clamber up to the higher floor. So I set the 'wall' up across from grimaldus' unit (not planning to shoot them ever ) and combatted up my dev squads and deployed them with their backs to the table edge. they had a good angle on the other big crusade and their LOS blocked to the termies and lascannons squad across from them. I combatted my tac squads, deployed the plasma cannons near the dev squads with that same angle. I put the sarges and plasma guns behind the rhino wall (mistake #1)

Ok, top of turn 1. His shooting was thankfully pretty underwhelming. he kills one razorback with a '5'. And one with a '6'.

bottom of turn 1. tried to develop my wall with my 2 remaining razorbacks, not sure how convincing it was. I put the army into crusade number 1. Kill 13 marines. Some of my shots were crossing the area terrain footprint of that building towards the table center line. So those shots gave him some key cover saves, which he was hot on all day. The unit zealed 5 inches.

top of 2. More bad shooting from opponent. He blew the gun and immobilized another razorback, and shook the last one 3 times. His EC went from the small doomed unit to join up with the fresh one.

bottom of 2. This is where i lose it. I didn't see it till a turn later, we almost went back in time to this point so I wouldn't make this series of mental mistakes. So I assume my last mobile razorback is going to be destroyed, which convinces me to break my own rhino wall by backing it up, opening a big gap for me to plasma gun the small crusade to death with my 2 combat squadded tacs. (mistake #2) Firstly, I only kill 5 of them, wonderful... Then, rather than shifting my whole army away from the rhino wall, keeping the objective I'm on, and attacking one of the 5 man lascannon units, I decide that I have enough firepower to take out grimaldus' unit. So I shoot into it, he loses 10 models, zeals 8" right into the gap I opened up! (mistake #3)

top of 3. Sure enough, my razorback gets crew stunned, making me tank shocking the big crusade out of the gap impossible, and defeating the wall. I lose half of my scoring units in 2 combats, He shoots into my speeders doesn't do anything, then charges one unit with termies, smashing one up and weapon destroying another one.

bottom of 3. My speeders went from killing big crusades to trying to kill little ones. So I get 3 rends on his 5 man squad, he decides theres nothing for his lascannon to do next turn so he takes cover, then rolls three '3's. Uggh. I run my lascannons away from grimaldus and co. My company master takes off and sets up a charge on the termies that are trying to bully me away from his lascannon squad across from my objective.

Top of 4. Rather than use the rhino wall to safely tuck grimaldus away on the objective, the cocky bastard climbs over my 'wrecked' razorback and is making a play to table me! His shooting switches to trying to kill my plasma cannon tac squads, but isn't able to completely remove any of them.

Bottom 4. if hes gonna leave an objective unclaimed, then I'm going to try my best to take one of his lascannon teams out get the tie and go to VP's (which I'd lose, but i could talk trash about after) So I shoot at and hurt his termies. Company master charges survivors and put em in a hurt locker. speeders try in vain to kill dug in lascannon team.

top of 5. My poor company master gets singled out as the biggest threat to his lascannon. he gets cut to ribbons by the other termies and speeder. (it was a sad day) Grimaldus must have seen his own foolishness at this point. He would never be in charge range of any scoring units this game, especially after some poor difficult terrain rolls. Now, stranded too far from the objective, and too far from any of the hated dark angels, he must contemplate his rash actions.

bottom 5. Everything that can, goes into the cover taking beseiged lascannon squad. total casualties so far, 3. I ahve 6 scoring marines on one objective. there is one unclaimed, and I'm trying to make it 2 unclaimed.

top of 6. Everything that he has goes into my scoring units. Two can play the 'take cover' game! I have scoring models on the objective! What say you Grimaldus?!?

bottom 6. Last ditch attempt at killing 2 marines with my seriously depleted firepower, in an attempt to gain a moral victory. Total number of black templar models killed this turn? 0

Game, templars...


things i learned...

1) rhino wall not for beginners

2) rhino wall wants first turn

3) do not open rhino wall

4) you can win a recon with just 20 scoring marines. Just cover a minimum of the objectives and shoot scoring units off of others.

5) when playing rhino wall against 2 big crusades, just block one off, and only shoot at the other one.

6) Don't make any assumptions in a game where dice are involved. (I've learned that enough times now where I shouldn't be learning it anymore )



Thanks for reading. if you have any comments, ridicule for either player or anything constructve to help me get up to speed on rhino wall shooty, fire away. now if i could just get neofright to come in here and write us up some fluff for this batrep.

I didn't think you could take a razorback if the squad was larger than 6 guys?

That restriction has been removed from alot of the 'new' codices.

Ah sorry, mia culpa.

All right, fine... :-p

**************

"My liege, long range communications have received a request for aid." The communications serf swiveled his chair around to face his lord.

"Details?"

"It is an automated transponder originating on Idahi Seven. Lord, it appears to be the Filii Malleus - a Thunderhawk attached to the Ophidium Gulf."

"Distance?"

"Three weeks travel, sir. The navigators, " - the last word was spit as much as spoken - "are still recovering from the storm."

Marshal Geryn leaned forward and stroked his neatly shaved white beard. The serf noticed that his left hand was missing the smallest finger. A moment later a decision had been reached.

"Signal the fleet and set course for Idahi. All possible speed."

***********************

Geryn's flagship, a venerable Battle Barge christened The Suffering Redeemer, entered geosynchronous orbit over Idahi VII.

"Lord, we are being hailed."

"Is it the Filii Malleus?"

"No, it is a Commander Mideus. A Dark Angel."

"Onscreen."

The figure that appeared on the screen was cloaked in robes, as were most of the Dark Angels Geryn had dealt with in the past. Mideus' had stern patrician features with a hawk nose and a single long scar which bisected his face. There were ruined buildings in the background and Mideus' dark green armor had a patina of a lighter grey. Beside him stood another Dark Angel, this one dressed in the lighter armor of a neophyte - though Geryn remembered that some other Chapters gathered all their recruits into squads and sent them lurking ahead of the battle. Scouts he believed they were called.

"Hail, son of the Emperor." Mideus' greeting was formal and Geryn answered in kind.

"Hail, brother. I am Marshal Geryn, son by the blood of Dorn."

"I am Commander Mideus, son by the blood of the Lion." Mideus stared impassively at the screen. Geryn was silent until his patience reached its limit.

"We have received a transponder from one of our Thunderhawks. It is near the very location you stand now. We will be arriving shortly to reclaim it."

"I am afraid that cannot be allowed at this time. There are insurgents in the area, when it has been cleansed I will notify you so that you may recover what remains."

Geryn almost sputtered with rage. "You misunderstand me, Commander. It was not a request, merely a courtesy to a brother."

Mideus made a short motion with his hand and audio cut out. He turned and spoke to the scout at his side. The scout jogged away.

"A welcome will be made for you, Marshal Geryn."

The signal was cut leaving bridge of The Suffering Redeemer in near silence.

"Grimaldus, gather the crusades. We will investigate in force."

************************

This is where the turn by turn battle report would go ;-) Reread the first post to get the flow of it...

************************

Commander Mideus stood on the third floor - now the top floor - of what had once been a great center of commerce. Five giants in black Terminator armor lay bleeding on floor. The Templars had been unprepared for the fury of Mideus' assault and they had paid a heavy cost. There was a bright flash and the stink of ozone as the Suffering Redeemer recalled the fallen Templars to their ship.

The battle was lost, Mideus could see it now more clearly from his vantage point. His right flank had fallen entirely and the mass of Black Templars was nearing his reserve units.

"Commander, it is done as well as could be in the short time I was given." The voice of Scout-Sergeant Hecuba broke in over the combat transmissions on a private, priority frequency. "It is sanitized."

Mideus nodded. He was disappointed that they were unable to recover the Thunderhawk's records, but Hecuba had made the right decision. Hecuba knew as well as Mideus himself the importance of their mission. Neither man knew why, but if the Inner Circle deemed it important to shed the blood of their brothers, than it was worth any sacrifice.

"All units, fall back. Give the Templars their wreckage, it will aid them no more than it did us."

cant you have only one tornado per landspeeder squadron?

Yes, we figured that out after that fact, not that it helped him ;-)

It isn't his usual army.

Yeah i never remember it either.
What would have changed in the list given that?

Thanks neofright! Love me some fluff. And thanks for not making the DA into wimps for tactically withdrawing from your frothing crusades


Mothman, i started screwing around with the list once I found out the bad news. i went from 4 speeders to a whirlwind and a full assault squad. the changes are fundamentally different, I can't really explain the logic yet, or whether or not its better or worse. before i test, i may even find room for a jump chaplain.

I have at least 4 games scheduled this weekend. I'm sure a couple will be with this new list. Maybe then i could figure out if trading 4 speeders for a whirlwind and assault marines helps or hurts the cause

Pics or it didn't happen. :-P

Good report, and good fluff too. Nicely written.