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Las Vegas Ironman
1750 pts, 4 games one day
Feb 7th, 2009

Hey all,

Off to Vegas to check out the local gaming scene and have some good games there. I'm bringing my Mechanized Guard which I've been playing since the end of 4th and sorta struggling in 5th so far. It's still pretty fun to play and it's always entertaining to see how many tanks I can fit on a display board.

Command Squad w/ Jr. Officer, Company Standard and Lascannon
Chimera w/ Multilaser, Heavy Bolter and Heavy Stubber

Command Squad w/ Jr. Officer and Lascannon
Chimera w/ Multilaser, Heavy Bolter and Heavy Stubber
Infantry Squad w/ Lascannon and Meltagun
Chimera w/ Multilaser, Heavy Bolter and Heavy Stubber
Infantry Squad w/ Lascannon and Meltagun
Chimera w/ Multilaser, Heavy Bolter and Heavy Stubber

Armoured Fist Squad w/ Lascannon and Meltagun
Chimera w/ Multilaser, Heavy Bolter and Heavy Stubber

Inquisitor w/ 2 Meltagun Warriors and 2 Mystics
Rhino w/ Searchlight

Hellhound
Hellhound

Leman Russ Demolisher w/ Heavy Bolter and Dozer Blade
Leman Russ Demolisher w/ Heavy Bolter and Dozer Blade
Leman Russ Demolisher w/ Heavy Bolter and Dozer Blade


Base of fire with the 5 Chimeras, while the Demolishers and Hellhounds advance to contest objectives is the general plan. The lascannons are usually mounted to avoid Lash and random small arms weaponry while saving board space. I think the biggest problem I've had with the list is trying to figure out how to deploy appropriately in different scenarios without completely blocking LOS everywhere I go.

Round 1 - vs John playing IG
Mission: Modified Scouting Engagement (Kill Points)

Schaeffer, Kage and the whole shebang of Last Chancers armed with Meltas, Flamers, sharp sticks and their teeth.
Command Squad w/ Lascannon

1 x 10 Ratling Squad
3 x 10 Grenadiers w/ Melta and Plasma

3 Sentinels w/ Heavy Flamers

2x Demolishers
1x Exterminator




Drop troops Ahoy! Thanks to the Inquisitor though, they won't actually be dropping in this game. The scenario calls for a minimum of 2 Troops (up to 4) deployed w/ everything else coming from reserve. John sticks both Grenadier squads behind hills, Outflanks everything that can and brings the tanks on later. I deploy 4 empty Chimeras in the corner as a firebase and everything else in reserve. Starting off the tournament slowed, I actually take the first turn (WHY?!?!?).

Fast forward a few turns as nothing happens turn 1, I draw nearly all my reserves in turn 2 and John starts his Outflank rolls here.

After turn 2, this is my deployment. Ignore John's Guard to the left as he's just preparing his own deployment.



Turn 2: John

A couple of Last Chancer detachments (including Kage) show up on my left flank and kill a Chimera. The outflanking dice are not too good to John though, and the remainder of the Chancers and the Sentinels show up on the completely empty right side. Armour rolls on in his corner but only bounce a few lascannon rounds off Russ armour. Ratlings and the command squad appear on his opposite corner and start setting themselves up.



Turn 3: Me

I blow away one of the left detachments, but the other one has good cover behind my dead Chimera and only loses a few guys. My armour advances to center board, trying to get the Hellhounds close enough to start wreaking havoc on John's infantry. The right side I assume isn't really going to happen here and I pretty much manuever away from the right-side outflankers. <sigh> AAR pictures show that again, I'm on crack as it'd probably be pretty easy to flood all the armour right and overwhelm the side. Nothing too exciting on the shooting phase.



Turn 3: John

John seems content to just nibble away at me from range, and a lascannon shot explodes one of my Demolishers. Behold the right side. Could I have taken this? I think I could have. :(

Turn 4: Me

Hellhounds close and incinerate the 2nd Last Chancer unit (w/ Kage) bringing me up to 3 KP to John's 2. My lascannons bounce off John's Russes and a Demolisher hit only comes away with a Shaken.



Turn 4: John

A Grenadier squad moves forward, looking for a melta kill later, while long range fire isn't at all productive. This is really weird, as both Guard armies aren't doing much ranged damage at all, considering that's what Guard is supposed to do!



Turn 5: Me

My Hellhounds rotate to engage the approaching Grenadiers, but one completely misses (!) and the 2nd only burns down 3 (!!). A scattering Demolisher round does much better as it flies over an opposing Demolisher and wrecks another Grenadier squad sheltering behind it.



Turn 5: John

Not believing they're still alive, the forward Grenadier squad opens up on the nearest Russ w/ paired meltaguns only to throw snake-eyes on the shots (!!!). Shaeffer and two detachments of Last Chancers break cover and boldly run forward through open ground, heading for the tanks.



Turn 6: Me

The brave (but blind) meltagunners perish under Inferno cannon fire, while the Last Chancers eat Demolisher rounds, but still keep coming!



Turn 6: John

On the last turn, in a truly heroic manner, one Last Chancer detachment kills a Demolisher with a Meltagun shot, while the other immobilizes the second Demolisher with a Demo Charge and then charges in and kills it with Schaffer's meltabomb. Fluff rules over all!!!

4 to 4 in Kill Points. Draw.


Okay, other then the rather entertaining ending, that was a extraordinarily odd game. 2 firepower based armies with oddles of kill points came out with only 4 kills apiece. As for myself, I was completely off my game and the AAR shows that rather clearly, as there are a LOT of mistakes I'm making. The only thing I can really think of is that Guard players by nature in 5th are very cautious in Kill Point missions and both of us were out of our element. John recovered a lot faster though and took advantage of my lack of effective shooting plans by rushing me with multiple meltagun squads and it paid off for him nicely.

Hopefully I wake up for the next 3 games.

Round 2 vs. Cory playing Chaos Space Marines
Mission: Unplanned Objectives (random obj on Turn 3)

Winged Daemon Prince of Nurgle w/ Warptime
Winged Daemon Prince of Slaanesh w/ Lash of Submission

2x 8 Plague Marines w/ Powerfist and Meltaguns and Rhinos
2x 9 Thousand Sons w/ Bolt of Tzeentch and Rhinos

3x 1 Obliterators



I win first turn and setup in a solid defensive castle w/ the Russes and Hellhounds ready to move forward if needed. Cory sets up in a Rhino screen style. Seize the Initiative doesn't go, and I start off.



Turn 1 - Guard

Chimeras have plenty of targets so no real need to move. Multiple lascannons flare out and immobilize the lead Plague Rhino. Sadly, I double fail a Difficult Terrain check w/ a Demolisher and it grinds to a halt in the forest. The other two advance forward and drop shells on the Obliterators, killing two of them.



Turn 1 - Chaos

Rhinos zoom forward, pop smoke and the Princes fly up behind them. The remaining Obliterator bounces a lascannon off the lead Russ.



Turn 2 - Guard

My armour continues to drive up the right side of the board, inflicting a single wound on the Obliterator w/ heavy bolter fire. The advancing Rhinos soak up a good deal of fire, but a lascannon manages to penetrate and explode the 2nd Plague Rhino. I also manage to immobilize the Inquisitor's Rhino trying to jump a hill.



Turn 2 - Chaos

The two Thousand Sons Rhinos dump their troops out in front of the Chimera line as the dumped Plague Marines move up behind them. Bolts of Tzeenetch Stun a Chimera, but nothing else. The Nurgle Prince splits off and charges the lead Demolisher, Stunning it also.



Turn 3 - Guard

We roll for Objectives, and it turns out to be the terrain features farthest back in our zone. I bypass the Nurgle Prince and push for the objective with my tanks, while the Chimeras kill 8 Thousand Sons, leaving the Sorcerer alone. The Inquisitor advances with his retinue, looking to take a few shots at the Nurgle Prince later. Despite being free hits, the Nurgle Prince only rips guns off the Demolisher.



Turn 3 - Chaos

The forward Plague Marine squad mounts up in the Thousand Son Rhino, and both forward Rhinos head backwards toward the Chaos corner (!). Plague Marines from the round 1 immobilized Rhino dismount and head to secure their own quarter. In assault, the Nurgle Prince finally kills the Demolisher and the Slannesh Prince charges and kills a Chimera. Hoping to emulate them, the remaining Sorcerer charges the Guardsmen, kills 3, but is beaten to the ground by lasgun stocks in return.

Turn 4 - Guard

Chimera turrets swivel into position and both Daemon Princes are gunned down in a volley of heavy weapons fire, with the Inquisitorial meltaguns finishing off the Nurgle Prince. The mobile Demolisher continues to advance and drops a round on the Plague Marines running for their quarter, killing 5.



Turn 4 - Chaos

Chaos Rhinos shift into blocking positions, while the full Plague Marine squad disembarks and immobilizes the lead Demolisher with meltagun fire. Their Rhino charges forward in a last-ditch attempt to contest the Guard objective. The Inquisitor and retinue eat a full volley of Interno Bolts and go down.



Turn 5 - Guard

The Guard rocket a Hellhound up onto the Chaos objective, contesting it, while the other Hellhound drives around the immobilized Demolisher. Two Chimeras advance to midfield and the rushing Rhino dies under the objective defenders' fire.



Turn 5 - Chaos

The Thousand Sons and Obliterator move to contain one Hellhound, destroying it, while the small Plague Marine squad can't quite stop the other one. Cory rolls for end of game and we keep on going.



Turn 6 - Guard

I stall out both mid field field Chimeras trying to get to the Chaos quarter, so that's not going to happen. Only hope for the win is the lone Hellhound surrounded by Chaos Marines.



Turn 6 - Chaos

Hellhound dies and it's a draw.


So close, but it's not meant to be. Cory surprised the heck out of me by moving his Rhino troops back to his objective instead of pressing onwards and my rushing vehicles couldn't stand up to close range meltagun fire and powerfists. Of course, the bad terrain rolls immobilizing all sorts of vehicles didn't help any. Nevertheless, I felt a lot better about my play this game then the last. Time for lunch and then the next round.

Game 3 vs. Tiger playing Space Marines
Mission: Hold Terrain Features, Nightfight (ends on random turn)

Captain w/ Command Squad

2x 10 Tactical Marines w/ Rhinos

5x Bikers w/ Attack Bike
2x Landspeeders w/ Heavy Bolters
1x Landspeeder w/ Heavy Bolter

10x Devastators w/ 3 Missile and 1 Lascannon
1x Land Raider Crusader



There are a LOT of terrain features, so I figure that if I can kill off Tiger's 2 tac squads, I should be able to sneak an infantry squad to take one somewhere. I forgot to take a deployment picture, but essentially both armies are deployed long board against each other. I have first turn and go with it.

Turn 1 - Guard

The Inquisitorial Rhino drives forward and illuminates a Tactical Combat squad w/ it's searchlight. The stormbolter doesn't do anything, but Demolisher rounds vaporize the entire combat squad. A Chimera spots another combat squad at 30 inches and guns down another Marine.



Turn 1 - Marines

Bikers turboboost forward along w/ the Land Speeders. Able to see the Rhino, a lascannon bolt immobilizes it, but the remainder of the Marines can't see anything in the darkness.



Turn 2 - Guard

I roll, and the sun comes up! With the Marine advance caught in the open, the Demolishers kill another combat squad, while the Biker squad takes Chimera rounds and loses all but the Attack Bike. Inquisitorial meltaguns only Stun a speeder out of the squadron though. On the left I drive a suicidal Chimera forward to impede the Land Raider's forward progress.



Turn 2 - Marines

The Land Raider takes a quick detour through the forest while Marine combat squads disembark from their Rhinos and start to engage the Guard armour. The left Hellhound dies under krak grenade impacts, while the left Russ ends up immobilizes under meltagun and grenade attacks. The right side comes with the other Hellhound immobilized and the right Russ loses it's cannon to the Attack Bike.



Turn 3 - Guard

Chimeras on the left advance forward, pounding away at a combat squad, but their armour saves them. Their disembarked infantry puts lascannon rounds into the Raider, but don't injure it. On the right, the Inquisitor squad finishes a speeder with their meltaguns, but can't bring down the other one with grenades.



Turn 3 - Marines

Tiger moves his Rhinos backwards, leaves the Raider right where it is and just blazes away. Guard infantry squads feel the might of the Crusader, take horrific casualties but remain in place. The command squad charges and Stuns/Weapon destroys my Russ.

Turn 4 - Guard

Chimera borne infantry try to meltagun the Raider, but fail badly. The remaining Guardsmen from the Raider's guns run behind a hill to remain there for the rest of the game. At the top of the board, the damaged Chimera parks itself in front of the Devastator weapons, blocking LOS.



Turn 4 - Marines

A combat squad combo charges the right Hellhound and the Inquistorial squad. The Hellhound dies and do most of the retinue, but I pass my check and stay in combat (argh). The Raider continues to beat the heck out of Chimeras and Guardsmen, holding the side by itself. The command squad continues to rip off weapons and tracks from the Russ, and finally kill it in close combat.



Turn 5 - Guard

With one combat squad locked in with the Inquistor, I focus on the other, taking it down to 2 Marines who break and run. On the right, a single Chimera charges forward with its infantry to take another objective.



Turn 5 - Marines

The Marine command squad charges forward, trying to break through the Chimera screen to get to the infantry. Sadly, they're too successful and their meltagun kills it, denying them the charge. The Land Raider continues to pound the Guard infantry, but they hold under the fire. On the right, the remaining combat squad moves to contest another objective.



Turn 6 - Guard

I try but can't quite kill the two combat squads. One Land Speeder goes down, but the other lives to contest.



Turn 6 - Marines

The fleeing Marines regroup and move onto the objective, claiming it. With the command squad and Raider holding it against my advance, Tiger claims one (one lone Marine hidden right behind the Raider), I have 1, but the remaining Land Speeder contests one along with the final combat squad contesting my Armoured Fist squad. Yup, it'd be a draw again.




Woof! I could not kill a single Land Speeder for the life of me, nor a single Tactical Marine who waded through Chimera fire and scored. I knew the Raider would be annoying, but it's biggest benefit was providing a giant LOS block for that Marine to hide behind. I had a really good opening couple of rounds, but Tiger took it all in stride and came back hard.

Game 4 vs. Jed playing Ultramarines
Mission: Hold at All Costs

Captain w/ ThunderHammer, Power Sword, jump pack and artificer armour

Venerable Dreadnought w/ Lascannon and Heavy Flamer
Dreadnought w/ Assault Cannon and Heavy Flamer

2x 10 Las/Plas Tactical squads w/ Heavy Bolter Razorbacks

1x 5 Assault Marines
2 x 1 Land Speeder Tornado w/ Assault Cannons

2 x 1 Predator Annihilators w/ Heavy Bolters



Mission has the Defender splitting their army up and deploying a few units in the center building. The Attacker gets their whole army but split evenly among both short board edges. Defender reserves come in on any long board edge. Whoever has the building at the end wins the game.

Jed wins the roll and makes me the Defender. I set up my Troops into the center w/ a Demolisher to keep them company. Jed fails to seize the initiative and I start off.



Turn 1 - Guard

With nowhere to go, I hunker down and volley fire into the right flank, killing a combat squad. Lascannons can't do any lasting damage, so here's to good reserve rolls next turn.



Turn 1 - Marines

Marines advance on both sides, but their weapons are mostly ineffective. The Demolisher does end up Stunned from Predator fire, though.



Turn 2 - Guard

A single Demolisher and Hellhound roll on, but they come on right next to the Assault squad, and a single shot later, the Marine Captain is on his own. One of the Landspeeders fall to lascannon fire from the center.



Turn 2 - Marines

The Ven Dread closes on the Stunned Demolisher and wrecks it easily. Predators start firing into the Chimera line, killing one.



Turn 3 - Guard

A single Hellhound pops out behind the Predators and Shakes one. I continue to reduce the remaining Marine combat squads and a lascannon explodes a Razorback, spilling it's passengers out. I drop an infantry squad out to try to contain the Marine Captain from going after the armour. Their meltagun is bounced by the Halo and obviously the lasguns aren't really going to hurt him too much.



Turn 3 - Marines

The Marine Captain folds, spindles and mutilates the infantry squad and consolidates forward into the sights of another squad. Assault cannon from the Land Speeder kills a Chimera and another one is shaken by the Dreadnought. The Ven Dread trips trying to get over the burning Demolisher and doesn't move much at all.

Turn 4 - Guard

My remaining units arrive from reserve with the Inquisitor aiming for the Marine Captain. 2 meltaguns and a lascannon hit and he stops all 3 (!). Near the top, the command Chimera immobilizes the last Land Speeder, and both Demolishers annihilate a combat squad and the remaining Razorback.



Turn 4 - Marines

The Marine Captain of Indestructibility promptly slaughters the Inquisitorial squad while the Ven Dread gets over the Russ wreckage this time, flamers and murderizes the infantry squad. The regular Dread w/ one remaining Tactical Marine in tow runs towards the center building.



Turn 5 - Guard

I continue to Shake the Predators with Hellhound fire, but the last Tactical Marine runs through dual Demolisher fire unscathed (cue Dawn of War intro).



Turn 5 - Marines

The Captain destroys one Demolisher while both Dreadnoughts clear the building of my remaining squads and Chimeras. The Tactical Marine runs and jogs into the building.



Turn 6 - Guard

With no remaining Troops choices, I can't win the game, but every single available weapon locks onto the lone Marine.

Hellhound - 3 wounds, all saved (W)
Command squad - 2 wounds, all saved (T)
Russ bolter - 2 wounds, all saved (F)
Inquisitor Rhino - 1 wound, and he FINALLY FAILS!

And that's the game. Neither side has any remaining Troops, so it's a draw.




And that's the tournament. I finish with a rather unusual 4 draws, but hey at least I didn't lose any games!

Vern and company put on an excellent tournament, and I really urge anybody who can get to Vegas to attend. Plenty of gaming space and a lot of really fun people to play against.

Next tournament should be the Realm over in Brea, CA on the 21st so hopefully I'll have some better results for you all!

some of the armies on display there

Wow thanks a bunch great read.

Nice reports, and good to see all the guard players. And hey, a tie is allways better than a loss.

OMFG it's Dumbledore!

nice report. Scary old guy startled me and I almost had to stop reading.

What did the flattened pot-pie tins represent? Craters?

Le Grognard wrote:What did the flattened pot-pie tins represent? Craters?

Seems to be. Scroll up and compare the pie tin locations with the lack of razorbacks.

Edit: See Game 4

Thanks guys for the comments.

Le Grognard: Yeah, I carry a stack of them around with me since when the game is going bad for me, I tend to have a lot of exploded vehicles. I keep telling myself that I'll paint them up someday, but so far haven't gotten around to it.

Dangit, I didn't get to see any pot pies when I got to see this army tie live and in person. probably because I didn't kill a single tank. Sigh.