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2014/12/30 17:28:54
Subject: The Anphelion Project - Final game up (and campaign conclusion)
Having picked up IA4: The Anphelion Project Version2, and having nearly finished my Nids, I thought it was a good time to fight the campaign and see how well it worked and ultimately who would win.
I have spoilered the pics due to image size.
A short Lexi synopsis of the book can be found here, warning spoilers within:
Spoiler:
The Anphelion Project was a classified operation based out of Beta Anphelion IV conducted by the Inquisition's Ordo Xenos to investigate the Tyranid threat.
Collecting samples from various captured and deceased Tyranids, the Inquisition hoped to find some weakness in the creatures that could potentially save humanity from the Tyranid menace. However in 850.M41 all contact from the research facility of Beta Anphelion ceased, leading to an investigative team of Red Scorpions, Adeptus Mechanicus, and Imperial Guards led by Inquisitor Solomon Lok to arrive on the planet.[1]
Overview
The Red Scorpions terminators swept the three labs and the command facility. Magos Biologis Arthon and his team analysed the records and discovered what the facility's purpose truly was. It was built to find a way to counteract the rapid-evolution tendencies of Tyranid creatures. Huge areas spreading out from the labs were cut off from the outside.
These were where the Tyranids had been kept. But for reasons unknown, the fence had failed. The Tyranids had escaped, overrunning the three hundred man garrison. When the terminators swept the lab complexes, they encountered genestealers. Now there could be no question. The Tyranids were here.[1]
The first order of business was to reactivate the containment fences. The Elysians had the task of escorting a technical servitor to repair the generatorum. As the servitor and its guard reached the generatorum, the Tyranids attacked. The Elysians held off the Tyranids as the servitor repaired the generatorum. Back at the command facility Lok found in detail what had happened. The Tyranids had been small specimens. They had shown aggression at first. When the samples in one area had started to evolve wings, the area was purged. Then the Tyranids in another section vanished. A failure in the containment fence in the third section loosed the Tyranids upon the moon. The creatures had hid in the jungles and swamps until they reached sufficient numbers to overwhelm the labs' garrison of three hundred.[1]
Meanwhile the Cadians at one of the lab complexes were attacked and overwhelmed, with them Biologis Arthon. At the command complex the Elysians were attacked from below by
Raveners and a Trygon and a force of Elysians and Cadians were attacked by Harridans. The Red Scorpion terminators attempted to return to the command complex but floating spore sacks caused them to crash-land. The rest of the chapter's forces, in defiance of Lok's orders, set out to rescue the terminators. They arrived to the clash and roars of battle; the terminators were surrounded. The relief column made a successful rescue and returned to base. They arrived in time to aid the garrison who had again come under attack. After the fight, the Red Scorpions received orders to evacuate themselves, and only themselves. The transport requisitioned for the mission refused all of Lok's requests, stranding Lok and the small force of survivors on the moon as the Tyranids closed in. In the last battle, Lok succeeded in taking down an Hierophant Bio-titan, only
to see two more stride out of the ammonia fog. Lok was killed along with the Beta Anphelion rescue team, and the Imperium has since lost all contact with the world.[1]
In the book there are 4 phases to the campaign. In each phase a series of missions are fought, with each mission giving rewards or bonuses to the final mission in each phase.
FW wrote the campaign so that the ending dosent necessarily follow the story in the book so its possible
Spoiler:
to save Lok and evacuate.
I began with Phase 1, Mission 1. Im telling this story mainly through picture narrative so dont expect any tactical nuances Enjoy.
Mission: Search and Destroy.
Search and Destroy is played on a Zone Mortalis board. I subbed in Space Hulk tiles plus some extra scenery to recreate it.
Objectives:/b]
Slay the Warlord, First Blood, Killpoints for every unit killed or broken at the end of the game.
[b]Game lenght: 6 turns
Tyranid Psychic powers: Broodlord: The Horror, Dominion.
Red Scorpion Psychic powers: Libby: Prescience, Scriers Gaze, Perfect timing.
Tyranid Warlord trait: Tyranid Prime - Master of Defense - counterattack.
Red Scorpion Warlord trait: Librarian - Inspiring Presence - all units can use Warlord LD.
Tyranid Warrior Brood [Venom Cannon
····Tyranid Warrior [Adrenal Glands , Devourer, Flesh Hooks Rending Claws
········Rules: Shadow in the Warp, Synapse Creature, Very Bulky
····Tyranid Warrior [Adrenal Glands , Devourer, Flesh Hooks , Rending Claws
········Rules: Shadow in the Warp, Synapse Creature, Very Bulky
····Tyranid Warrior [Adrenal Glands , Devourer, Flesh Hooks , Rending Claws
Mission special rules: All units on a space hulk tile receive a 6+ cover save due to the darkness and low visibility in the complex.
Tyranid units would start the game as blip counters. Marines could uncover them by moving into LoS. Alternatively the Nid player could reveal them at any time.
Doors were locked and either had to be destroyed by the Marines if Tyranids were in the vicinity or opened in the movement phase.
Deployment: The Red Scorpions could deploy outside the complex 12" onto the first board tile.
The Tyranids could deploy anywhere within the complex.
The Red Scorpions chose to setup first and let the Tyranids go first.
Initial setup, the facedown paper represent the Tyranids blips/units. The Red Scorpions deploy 12" onto the field.
Spoiler:
++Begin visual log++
Mission time: 16.00 hours - sidereal standard Terran time.
Visiblity dropping, dusk approaches.
Pre drop deployment.
Zero Xenos contact to date.
++++
Spoiler:
[spoiler]Initial thermal imaging from the Red Scorpions Battle Barge showed no Xenos activity with only minor heat blooms from underground thermal vents.
Servitor Skull probes were deployed pre Drop to scan the interior of the complex around the Medicae bay and corridors. No Xenos activity detected.
All is eerily quiet in the Anphelion complex as the Red Scorpions Thunderhawk descended.
The Red Scorpions make planetfall and deploy immediately into the outer grounds of the complex.
Visual ground scans show dusk approaching fast with no Xenos activity. Primary access door to the facility is sighted at 16.15 hours.
Servitor skull probe Kappa sights movement at secondary access door. Xenos designation: Alpha Prime. Threat Priority: Extreme. Visual contact is lost at 16.20 hours.
Infra red scans show secondary lifeform at primary access door, designation unknow at this point.
The Red Scorpions advance to within entrance range of the primary door. Standard advancement pattern, Squad Alpha lead with close combat kit. Squad Beta provide covering fire support.
End of turn 1 with some Tyranid blips revealed and the Red Scorpions having advanced further towards the door hatches.
Internal pict feeds captured at 16.35 hours show Xenos infiltration and movement at tertiary access door close to the forward defense arrays.
Xenos designation: Broodlord / Genestealers. Threat Priority: Extreme.
Secondary pict feeds also capture Xenos movement before going offline due to unknown power failure.
Squad Alpha breach the primary access door at 16.40 hours. Scans indicate movement in adjacent corridors. Alert level raised to Gamma 1.
End of turn 2. The Red Scorpions have breached the complex as the Tyranids lie in wait.
Confirmed visual contact made at 16.50 hours. Multiple threats - extreme level.
All Red Scorpions adopt primary close quarter protocols and prepare to engage the enemy.
Weapons free! Weapons free!
Beta squad having been engaged by the Alpha Prime and secondary Xenos threats open fire on overwatch scything down multiple Xenos forms bolstered by Librarian Gideon. Multiple other contacts detected from right flank.
Alpha squad is immediately engaged by Genestealers and Tyranid Warriors. Close combat errupts across the Red Scorpion ranks as the Tyranid forces smash headlong into the Terminator wall.
16.55 hours. Combat is joined across all fronts. The Alpha Prime seeks out and engages the Red Scorpions command group with vicious certainty.
End of turn 3. All Tyranid blips have been revealed and no quarter is asked or given by either side.
17.00 hours sidereal standard Terran time. Theta squad flank around a wrecked Chimera to engage secondary Genestealer brood who attempt close combat immediately.
Long range orbital thermal scans capture Squad Thetas flame units engaging multiple Xenos threats.
Squad Alpha and Beta despite taking several losses hold the initial Tyranid attack at bay. Multiple threats neutralised and Alpha Prime engaged in combat.
17.10 hours. Orbital scans show all Red Scorpion units engaged with Tyranid forces. Secondary threats are detected moving into an assualt position.
17.15 hours. A secondary wave of Tyranid Broods smash headlong into the Red Scorpions. Xenos Designations: Lictor, Hormagaunt, Genestealer. Threat levels: Medium to Extreme.
17.20 hours. Pict feeds from external security cameras capture a Broodlord decimating Squad Beta. Librarian Gideon is felled circa 17.22 hours. Sergeant Elias fights on alone surrounded.
17.21 hours. Squad Alpha's lines are hit by the secondary Tyranid wave. Several bio readings go negative. However they hold in the face of overwhelming odds.
Squad Theta again engage Tyranid forces with flame units, long range scans capture the devastating heat blooms circa 17.25 hours
Squad Alphas bio readings go negative. Vox communications cease and no further contact is confirmed. Sergeant Elias continues to fight savagely.
End of turn 4. Only Sergeant Elias and Theta Squad remain alive. The Tyranid swarm has expended its reserves but the Red Scorpions are vastly outnumbered.
Withdrawal orders are voxed by Elias to Theta Squad who sternly inform him they are enroute to his postion. Elias can only smile grimly.
At 17.30 hours Theta Squad contact Elias' position and engage multiple Tyranid threats. Brother Apone fells the Alpha Prime and for a brief moment Xenos attacks drop off.
Bio readouts for Sgt. Elias go negative at 17.31 hours. Theta squad vox evacuation protocols to the Red Scorpions Battle Barge in orbit.
Multiple Gunships are dispatched.
Squad Theta begin a fighting withdrawal to extraction point Omega under severe Tyranid engagements. Bio signs for all Squad memebrs begin to flicker onboard Red Scorpions
Battle Barge.
Brother Ra's bio signs go negative at 17.45 hours. Final bio scans for Red Scorpion Strike Force are negative.
Long range Thermal readouts for the Anphelion Complex at 17.50 hours sidereal Terran standard time.
Orbital bombardment of outer complex and surrounding grounds commences at 17.55 hours.
++May the Emperor embrace those that have fallen++
Final game turn. With no Red Scorpions left on the board the Tyranids win.
.
The score ends 6-5 with the Scorpions having achieved First Blood, Slay the Warlord and killing 3 broods.
The Tyranids achieved Slay the Warlord and killed 3 units, the Librarian and Techpriest.
This message was edited 7 times. Last update was at 2015/03/10 19:08:50
Dman137 wrote:
goobs is all you guys will ever be
By 1-irt: Still as long as Hissy keeps showing up this is one of the most entertaining threads ever.
most impessive report - love the pics and the thermals etc
I AM A MARINE PLAYER
"Unimaginably ancient xenos artefact somewhere on the planet, hive fleet poised above our heads, hidden 'stealer broods making an early start....and now a bloody Chaos cult crawling out of the woodwork just in case we were bored. Welcome to my world, Ciaphas."
Inquisitor Amberley Vail, Ordo Xenos
"I will admit that some Primachs like Russ or Horus could have a chance against an unarmed 12 year old novice but, a full Battle Sister??!! One to one? In close combat? Perhaps three Primarchs fighting together... but just one Primarch?" da001
Very cool, I have always loved this book in the IA series. Would love to game with that resin complex they made all those years ago.
Sihamoni takes great pride in the league he helped create, as was conveyed in his recent advertising campaign for the CMFL that stated his midgets will "... take on anything; man, beast, or machine."
Ouze wrote:
Is that a haiku?
order from forge world
the mail has taken forever
this resin is warped
Mission two of the Anphelion Campaign sees Special Detachment D99 led my Major Durra attempt to hold back a Tyranid SkySwarm from one of the Southern research complexes.
After the disasterous first game the Imperium forces needed to get some points on the board and defend the complex at all costs.
This game was a standard Killpoint game set on a 6x4 board. I tried to capture the feral, isolated terrain of Anphelion Beta.
Game points were 1500.
The Tyranids in this mission had two options for deployment: either via burrowing assaults Trygon style or via Deepstrike with jump units. I selected a winged army for them for thematics and selected a balanced D99 force to fight them.
4 turns were selected for this game.
Mission: Search and Destroy.
Search and Destroy is played on a standard 6x4 board.
Objectives:/b]
Slay the Warlord, First Blood, Killpoints for every unit killed or broken at the end of the game.
Mission special rules: All Tyranid winged units arrive by Deepstrike turn 1.
All D99 units must be placed in the central 12x12 fortified area.
Reserves as normal.
All D99 units have the preferred enemy special rule.
Tyranids go first, no sieze the initiatve.
If Tyranid units scatter to into the D99 deployment zone all D99 units in 12" can snapfire as they arrive.
Deployment: D99 could deploy any or all of their forces in the 12x12 fortified zone. The opted to place everything but the Gunship and one unit a Valkyrie there.
All Tyranids would deepstrike turn 1 except for the standard Mawloc rules.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Inquisitor Lok sat alone in a dimly lit room deep inside the Anphelion central command complex. His Amsac had turned cold, not that he had enjoyed it much anyway.
After the disasterous loss of the Red Scorpions strike team two days latere his mood had grown darker. If the Red Scorpions could not hold back the initial Tyranid advance what hope had the mission overall?
Taking a sip he turned on his data feeds and entered his access codes.
"Begin data feed".
Sunrise. 7.25am Terran time sidereal. Detachment D99 had deployed earlier that night, their Geno enhanced biology shrugging off any semblance of fatigue.
Decimation squads "Charlie" and "The Bluecaps" take position on the fortifcation walls. Advance watch protocols engage.
The "Firebreathers" Sentinel detachment are deployed on the Western edge of the complex. Vid feeds capture their initial deployments at 7.28am sidereal.
Orbital array feeds using lowlight thermoscopic imaging show no Xenos activity: 7.30am sidereal.
A D99 platoon cover the Eastern entrance to the complex. Standard defensive deployment engaged.
D99 deployment.
Tyranid deployment turn 1.
Orbital array feeds identify and track the Tyranid atmospheric drop and initial landings at 7,35am sidereal. Multiple threats are identified. Threat classifications vary but two extreme targets are ID'd.
The southern flank of the complex is engaged by multiple Tyranid threats. Quad gun target protocols are engaged and D99 prepares to go "Weapons free".
The eastern entrance is also assailed by multiple Tyranid threats. Squad "Derg" prepare to engage.
7.40am sidereal. Servo pict captures show the northern automated defence Lascannons go live. Onrushing Tyranid forces are tracked.
The "Bluecaps" prepare to "Weapons free" and target both eastern Tyranid incursions. Their Mk4 Sniper rifles loose.
7.43 sidereal. The first breach of the complex is captured by Servo skull 14. Tyranid organisms attempt to destroy the automated Lascannon arrays. Threat level is identified as "Low".
A Tyranicus Volucre unleashes a devastating torrent of Bio chems over Squad Derg 7.45am sidereal. Their Aegis line proves no defense against the horrific toxins.
Squad Derg is further assailed by Tyranid Gargoyle organisms. Their confirmed casualty rate is 70% 15 minutes after initial engagement.
Servoskull 17 pict captures Dergs battlestandard falling at 7.47am. There are few survivors to raise it.
End of turn 1.
Squad "Dubh" hold their lines on the southern flank as the onrushing Tyranids enter weapons range.
Valkyrie designation "SparrowHawk" enters the combat grid 7.51am sidereal time. Its onboard weapon feeds relay its target priority data to central databanks.
Sergeant "Mac" mans the ADL gun in the face of overwhelming Tyranid targets. It reaps a devastating toll on the Tyranid forces.
Combined fire from D99s entire southern flank decimates the Secondary Tyranid synapse creature. Tyranid attacks drop of for 2.06 minutes.
"SparrowHawk" continues its pursuit of the Tyranicus Volucre as it headlongs straight into the central defense complex.
Turn 2 midway.
Orbital array feeds switch to high intensity scan mode and capture pict feeds at 8.00am standard Terran sidereal.
8.05am sidereal. D99 face another true horror as a Tyranid creature bursts from underneath the complex and close to their ranks.
D99s southern flank collapses into a vicious melee as Tyranid organisms swarm over the aegies defense lines. Close combat protocols are communicated and engaged immediately.
Tyranid organisms overwhelm the automated Lascannon batteries who are simply oveloaded with targets. Their pict feeds go offline at 8.11am sidereal.
Servoskull 19 captures the Tyranicus Volucres headlong charge at 8.12am sidereal.
nd of Tyranid turn 2.
Orbital arrays capture two huge heat blooms at 8.15am sidereal. The first is the Volucres bio torrent targetting the central command bunker. The second could not be identified but post combat analysis suggests Tyranid Spore mine detonations accross the southern flank.
Servoskull 15 pict captures the D99 survivors still fighting after the bio torrent. Ammo log reads at 8.17am show near depletion.
Squad Dergs bio readings go dark at 8.20am sidereal. Squad Dubh continue to hold the southern flank against horrific odds.
Orbital feeds show SparrowHawks final high altitude attack run on the Volucre.
Servoskull 21 capstures a pict feed of Vulture Gunship "Kestrel" entering combat grid at 8.26am sidereal. it immediatley identifies and targets the Primary Tyranid Synapse creature.
8.27am sidereal. Sparrowhawk annhilates the Volucre which careens headlong into the command bunker in a suicidal last charge. The Bluecaps escape the ensuing carnage.
D99s northern, southern and eastern flanks collapse completely despite the Synapse creatures death. Major Durra issues extraction protocols and encodes his personal data feeds for recovery.
Servoskull 23 captures an aerial view of the battle 8.40am sidereal time.
End of turn 2.
Tyranid organisms assault The Firebreathers in a crazed assault. Behaviours post Synapse creature death note a recklessness to their attacks.
Kestrels weapon feeds confirm another Tyranid kill at 8.47am sidereal.
Squad "Bann" grav chute into the battle from Sparrowhawk to engage the remnants of the Tyranid forces who target the water complex southwest of the bunker complex.
The Firebreathers bio reads and machine spirits go dark at 8.50am.
Servo skull 16 captures Major Durra commanding the last of D99s forces from the bunker complex after a titanic hand to hand struggle.
End of turn 3.
Orbital arrays in UV mode capture battlefield feeds at 8.53am.
Kestrels weapon feeds capture its final attack run on the Tyranid forces before it withdraws.
Squad Bann burn the last of the Tyranid corpses after the battle at the water tower. They extract via Sparrowhawk at 9.01.am sidereal.
++End pic feeds++
Lok turned off his video feeds, breathed a inaudible sigh of relief and finished sipping his Amsac.
End of game turn 4.
With no Tyranid units left on the battlefield D99 won, leveling the campaign at one game each.
Thanks for reading as always.
This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at 2015/01/31 15:14:11
Dman137 wrote:
goobs is all you guys will ever be
By 1-irt: Still as long as Hissy keeps showing up this is one of the most entertaining threads ever.
Preview of Game 3 below. Should have it fully up later this week.
Spoiler:
It cannot fall Commander Culln.
It shall not Inquisitor Lok.
You will forgive me but after the disasterous Dropsite mission, it seems the Majors D99s are more suited to fighting these Xenos filth than the Emperors finest.
Curb your vitriol Inquisitor, your pre mission data was nothing short of disgraceful during the Dropsite mission. If you were not already Sanctioned, I would send you out into the jungles with only your laspistol.
With all due respect m'lords, none of this helps our situation. Reports are still incoming of further Xenos probe attacks.
Major Durra is correct but prey tell how can you be sure this base wont fall Commander?
Because Inquisitor, Brother Halar has just made planetfall.....
High orbit scans of Anphelions secondary base show no activity. A secondary augur sweep was requested soon after.
D99 make their first combat patrol of the day.
Red Scorpion Tacticals refuel and resupply before resuming their base patrol route.
Dman137 wrote:
goobs is all you guys will ever be
By 1-irt: Still as long as Hissy keeps showing up this is one of the most entertaining threads ever.
Mission three of the Anphelion Campaign sees Special Detachment D99 led my Major Durra and Commander Culln of the Red Scorpions lead a defense of the main Anphelion complex entrances.
Afer the obliteration of the Tyranid forces in game 2, the series is poised at one game a piece.
This game was an objective game set on a 6x4 board. I tried to capture the feel of the outlying base complex fortified against Tyranid attacks and then some of the more feral features as the Tyranids attacked.
Game points were 1500.
6 turns were selected for this game.
Mission: Assault and Breach.
Assault and Breach is played on a standard 6x4 board.
Objectives:/b]
Slay the Warlord, First Blood, Line Breaker, 2 objectives worth 3 points each.
Mission special rules: The Tyranids are the attacking force and deploy 12" in from the left hand side.
Imperial forces can be placed in the defenders zone.
Reserves as normal.
All D99 units have the preferred enemy special rule.
Tyranids go first and Imperials can try and seize.
There are two objectives - the Bunker entrances worth 3 VPs each. If a bunker is destroyed neither side cna gain VPs.
Deployment: The Tyranids deploy first and take the first turn.
++"Are you confident of our forces and defense arrangements Prefect?"
"Yes Inquisitor, both Bunker complexes have been fortified and Commander Culln assures me we are in good stead"
"I should think so". "Do you trust him Prefect?"
"Sire, he is an Angel of Death, chosen by the very Emperor himself"
"And that makes him infallible?"
"Datafeeds cycling up Inquisitor. Do you wish to engage?"
"Engage. Go to live mode on all feeds. May the Emperor protect them on this day....."++
Spoiler:
12.01pm Standard Terran time sideareal. Xenos Tyranid threat detected West of primary Bunker complex.
Secondary threats detected Southwest of complex. Cycle up automated defenses systems.
This is Sergeant Dutch. Xenos forces. Confirmed sighting. Clear to go weapons free?
++You are clear to engage Sergeant++
This is Sergeant Vasquez. We are zeroing on Xenos forces. Range finders active and scanning.
Inquisitor Lok, Major Durra and I have confirmed Xenos activity. Engagement imminent. Ensure Air Assets are on Station and prepare Brother Halars launchpod.
++Confirmed Commander Culln. May the Emperor Protect.
Xenos forces advancing. 12.05pm sidereal.
End of Tyranid turn 1.
++Have the Xenos split their contingents? Clarify that datafeed Prefect++
++Attempting to now Inqusitor++
++Unclear Inquisitor++
++Switch to Orbital array Alpha 2++
All weapon Batteries go live. Multiple Xenos casualties detected. Threat level now 91%.
Confirmed visual kills. Continue firing patterns and protocols.
++We have drawn first blood Commander?++
Confirmed.
End of turn 1.
Xenos Brood mother gestating. Multiple new contacts detected. Threat level low but numerous.
Threat level Assessment: Very High. Target protocls to Omega mode.
Xenos with outter perimeter. perpare short range engagement protocols.
This Sergeant Dutch. Casualties confirmed from Squad Devo. Three Brothers have fallen today. We remain steadfast to this Xenos filth.
++May the Emperor commend them Sergeant. Continue neutralisation protocol++
10-4.
This is Commander Culln. Massive infiltration detected within Complex Perimeter. Lok, why were they not detected previously? Confirm!
++Checking Commander, we had no thermals as of 11.46am sidereal++
Your data is 20 minutes out of date Lok. By the Emperor secure your data stations and reset.
++Ground Transmissions terminated++
This is Commander Culln. I am assuming Primary Command of all Ground and Air assets on Anpehlion. Your duty is to me now. There will be no further command protocols initiated
from Inquisitor Lok. All forces copy.
++Culln what are yo.....++
End of Tyranid turn 2.
Brother Halar do you copy?
==RECEIVING COMMABDER==
Stauts?
==DROP SITE SECURE. XENOS FORCES SIGHTED AND WITHIN RANGE. YOUR ORDERS?==
Flay them all Brother.
==FOR THE EMPEROR==
Major Farro is inbound. Preparing attack run.
Major Durra, your forces must hold this complex. The Red Scorpions will be needed at complex Beta.
Copy that Commander. We will not fail.
Your duty is noted in our Annals Major.
12.23pm sidereal. Xenos threats taking severe casualties. Threat level now 82%.
==XENOS KILLS CONFIRMED. INITIATING CLOSE COMBAT PROTOCOLS==
End of turn 2.
++Give me an Orbital feed Prefect. Culln be damned++
Going live now sir.
==COMMANDER. XENOS HAVE BREACHED THE BETA BUNKER ENTRANCE==
Can you engage?
=NEGATIVE EXTREME XENOS THREAT CLOSING WITHIN RANGE==
Flay it too Brother.
12.30pm sidereal. Xenos forces have breached the defense lines. Threat level Extreme.
End of Tyranid turn 3.
Major can you hold the line against that threat?
We will die trying Commander.
Commander. Xenos have breached the Bunker. Sergeant Dillons squad continues to hold. We can hear them at the Bunker walls too.
Hold fast Major. We shall prepare our counter attack.
This is Squad Bravo! We have been engaged by the Beast. Taking heavy casualties. request backup immediately!
==COMMANDER I HAVE BEEN ENGAGED BY A XENOS. THREAT EXTREME. I SHALL NOT BE ABLE TO CLEANSE THE BUNKER COMPLEX==
Hold fast Brother. We are engaged on multiple fronts. I shall direct reinforcements to your position immenently.
==COPY==
Major Durra. Major Durra report.
++Commander! This is Lok. I am receiving visual feeds again. Damn you Commander. Damn you.
Major Durra copy?
++By the Emperor Culln, hes dead. They are all dead!!!
++Data feed terminated++
Major Durra, I commend thy soul to the Emperor.
End of Tyranid turn 4.
All Red Scorpions rendevouz at Bunker complex two. Repeat. Withdraw from Grid Alpa 11. Copy.
Farro on station. I have sighted the Primary Xenos Command node.
Terminate it Farro. With extreme prejudice.
Copy that.
SparrowHawk receiving.
++Inquisitor. No life sign readings from Squad Bravo. All signals negative 12.42 sidereal++
This is Farro. I am taking fire from the Alpha. Attack run was negative. Repeat negative.
Brother Halar. This is Commander Culln. We are enroute to your position. ETA 5 minutes. Do you copy?
==HALAR COPY. STILL ENGAGED WITH XENOS. HOLDING.==
End of Tyranid turn 5.
Brother we have arrived. You have incoming.
End of turn 5.
++Orbital feed Beta Prefect. Bunker complex Status?++
Compromised but holding Sir.
++Xenos threat levels?++
Less than 50%.
Commander this is Rhino "Bullshead". We are preparing to disembarck to take the Bunker complex but have been compromised.
HOLY CRAP MAN! That game 3 was exciting. I was scared at the end the Imperium was going to lose. Love the narrative style you got going, and the visuals. Keep at it.
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That game 3 was exciting. I was scared at the end the Imperium was going to lose. Love the narrative style you got going, and the visuals. Keep at it.
Thanks DM. Definitely the most exciting game in the series. Whilst suitably "forging the narrative" the Nid decision to obliterate the first bunker cost them the game. Had they secured that side, they'd likely have won 6-3!
These are such good battle reports, Really enjoyable to read. Love your work. Looking forward to the next game!
Thanks Fluke!
Preview of game 4 is up. Hopefully get it up this weekend.
Spoiler:
"Brother Halar, do you copy?"
=C C COPY COMMANDER=
"What is your status Brother?"
=SYSTEMS AT 75% EFFIC.....MOBILITY NEGATIVE.....AMMUN==
"Say again Brother, we are losing Comms"
"Brother Halar, do you copy?"
Damaged but unbowed, Brother Halar prepares to face the onslaught.
A Lone Tyrant Queen stalks the Anphelion jungle, searching for her Prey.
Commander Culln briefs Red Scorpions Terminators before their rescure Drop.
Dman137 wrote:
goobs is all you guys will ever be
By 1-irt: Still as long as Hissy keeps showing up this is one of the most entertaining threads ever.
"Feelin' goods, good enough".
2015/02/23 18:20:57
Subject: Re:The Anphelion Project - game 4 preview up
I decided to move away from the missions and narrative in the Anphelion book for the latter stages of this campaign. Many of them relied on the use of FW’s Zone Mortalis which I don’t have and found hard to duplicate. In addition whilst the book has a very cool plot I wanted to mix things up a little.
As a result Mission 4 was selected to be a variation of the scenario where Red Scorpions must rescue their comrades from a downed Thunderhawk. I used an Altar of War mission for this.
Brother Halar has been stranded on Anphelion after the successful defence of its main complex. Damaged but alive he must await rescue as the Tyranids try and overwhelm his position.
This game was a single objective set on a 6x4 board. Terrain-wise I wanted to keep with the remote, feral feel of Anphelion and used many forests and trees with a central convoy wreck where Brother Halar would make his stand.
Game points were 1500. 6 turns were selected for this game.
Mission: Rescue (Based on Altar of War Mission: “Kill em all” (Black Legion).
Rescue is played on a standard 6x4 board. Objectives: If the Tyranids can kill Brother Halar by turn 6 they win. No other objectives apply.
Game length: 6 turns
Mission special rules: Brother Halar is immobile for this game. Because of this tactical inflexibility he was allowed to roll on the SM Warlord traits table and received – Storm of Fire (one unit reroll missed hits once). He can however pivot on the spot.
The Space Marine deployment zone is a 12” circle around Brother Halar. A further 12” is a no go zone for Tyranid deployment. Outside of that 24” diameter the Tyranids can deploy anywhere on the board.
Any space Marine within 6” of Halar gain Fearless and Rage.
Reserves can be used as normal if selected.
Any Tyranid unit completely destroyed or fled from the board can re enter the battle from any table edge using ongoing reserves.
Deployment: Brother Halar is the only objective in this game and was placed centrally on the board.
The Tyranids won the rolloff but decided to let the Imperials go first to see how they deployed.
They then failed to seize the initiative.
Marines went first.
Spoiler:
Imperial Deployment
++Begin Orbital, Servo and Local Asset pict feeds. 14.05pm Standard Terran Sidereal++
Servo Skull A19 captures Red Scorpion Land Speeder and Rhino patrols circa 14.07pm. No Xenos activity is recorded.
Orbital pict feeds two minutes later confirm no Xenos threats.
Asset feeds from D99s “Osprey” and “StormGull” begin secondary attack runs targetting the Primary Xenos synapse creature.
Personal pict feeds capture D99s “Irondogs” grav chute insertion behind Xenos secondary synapse nodes. No losses are incurred and firing pattern “Theta” is immediately initiated. 14.42.06pm Sidereal.
ServoSkull C3 captures D99s “Bruisers” grav chute insertion to the north of secondary synapse node. 14.42.09pm Sidereal.
Red Scorpion Terminators make precision teleportation insertion 14.43pm Sidereal.
Xenos threats attempt to break Squad Omega's defensive line.
Multiple secondary Xenos threats are neutralised by D99s Irondogs and Bruisers 14.45pm Sidereal.
14.46pm Sidereal: ServoSkull C3 pict captures Primary synapse creature. Bio readouts go null 24 seconds later. Xenos activity in southern grids drops significantly for 3.25 minutes.
End of Imperial turn 3.
Orbital pict feeds capture Red Scorpion and D99 at 14.50pm Sidereal. Main defensive perimeter to the west holding.
14.52pm. Multiple Xenos contacts hit Red Scorpion defensive perimeter. Defensive protocols switch to close range active.
14.52pm Sidereal. Two more threat level Extremis Xenos “Stonecrushers” engage Red Scorpion Terminators and units.
Southern flank Low to Medium threats now 0.5 subclicks away and closing.
Squad “Bruisers” Bio signs go dark 14.55pm. Secondary sweeps confirm Squad-wide null signals.
Red Scorpion Terminator Bio signs go dark 14.56pm. Thunderhawk extraction protocols are upgraded to “Immediate Alert Alpha”. Red Scorpion defensive alerts go critical.
ServoSkull A9 captures fighting all across Red Scorpions battleline at 15.00pm Sidereal.
Orbital feeds confirm near collapse of battleline. However Red Scorpion ground and D99 air assets are still engaged.
End of Tyranid turn 3.
Gunship Osprey make its final attack run 15.03pm Sidereal before ammunition supplies go negative.
Servoskull B11 captures Commander Culln leading the last of the Red Scorpion defensive perimeter in an attempt to cut off the “Stonecrusher” Xenos.
Squad Omega continues to hold in the face of multiple Xenos groups.
Commander Cullns secondary defensive lines are engaged at 15.09 Sidereal.
Brother Halar is engaged by the southern Xenos swarm at 15.11pm Sidereal. Readouts indicate systems at 91% and holding.
Commander Cullns Bio signs go null at 15.12pm. No secondary signals are received and Alpha Comms channel goes dark.
Brother Halar manouvers to engage low level Xenos threats. System readouts indicate 82% functionality.
End of turn 4.
Brother Halar engages the souther Xenos swarm as his position is over run.
Orbital feeds capture Brother Halar's last stand at 15.45pm standard Terran Sidereal.
Osprey, Stormgull and the Irondogs make extraction from grid gamme 36.
End of game.
With Brother Halars death at the end of turn 5, the Tyranids win the game and tie the series at two games a piece.
Thanks for viewing
Dman137 wrote:
goobs is all you guys will ever be
By 1-irt: Still as long as Hissy keeps showing up this is one of the most entertaining threads ever.
Thanks JP I use software called Picassa, think its part of the google suite of software.
I did try GIMP and whilst it had some very cool features and effects it was quite complicated and hard to get pics into a good format.
Dont have photoshop although would love to in terms of editing in backgrounds like mountains, forests etc.
Picassa though is fast, user friendly and has some decent effects.
Game 5 and the final one should be up this weekend.
Dman137 wrote:
goobs is all you guys will ever be
By 1-irt: Still as long as Hissy keeps showing up this is one of the most entertaining threads ever.
This is the final game of the Anphelion Project campaign. The score currently stands at two games a piece so the winner of this game will win the overall campaign.
The mission details Inquisitor Loks last stand after the devastating loss of the Red Scorpions in game 4.
He now stands with the last of D99s forces on Anphelion attempting to survive the final Tyranid attack on the main complex.
For the terrain I created a fortified complex which D99 would defend with the Tyranids attacking from the jungle outskirts.
Game points were 2000 a side on a 6x4 board.
Mission:
Loks Last Stand. This was kill point game with special rules of StW, Linebreaker and First Blood.
However if the Tyranids could kill Lok within the 6 turns, they would win automatically irrespective of the kill point scores at the end.
Game length: 6 turns.
Hive Tyrant [Hive Commander, Old Adversary, Powers of the Hive Mind, Psyker (Mastery Level 2), Twin-linked Devourer with Brainleech Worms, Wings]
····Rules: Hive Commander, Old Adversary, Psyker, Shadow in the Warp, Synapse Creature
Tervigon [Powers of the Hive Mind, Psyker (Mastery Level 1), Scything Talons, Stinger Salvo]
····Rules: Brood Progenitor, Psyker, Shadow in the Warp, Spawn Termagants, Synapse Creature, Synaptic Backlash
+ Elites +
Lictor Brood
····Lictor [Flesh Hooks, Rending Claws, Scything Talons]
········Rules: Deep Strike, Fear, Fleet, Hit and Run, Infiltrate, Instinctive Behaviour - Lurk, Move Through Cover, Pheromone Trail, Stealth, Very Bulky
Tyranid Shrike Brood
····Tyranid Shrike [Devourer, Scything Talons]
········Rules: Shadow in the Warp, Synapse Creature, Very Bulky
····Tyranid Shrike [Devourer, Scything Talons]
········Rules: Shadow in the Warp, Synapse Creature, Very Bulky
····Tyranid Shrike [Devourer, Scything Talons]
········Rules: Shadow in the Warp, Synapse Creature, Very Bulky
Mission special rules:
Having won two games a piece it was decided to give each side a bonus for this game. Lok and D99 were given an aegis defense line with quad gun which they could deploy in their deployment zone.
To capture the epic feel of the last game, the Tyranids were allowed to select a single LoW choice and choose a second warlord trait.
Apart from the “Loks death” special rule (which would end the game automatically) no other special rules applied.
Deployment:
The Tyranids won the rolloff and decided to let D99 deploy first.
Each side then rolled to go first with the Tyranids winning the roll, seize the initiative would not apply.
++D99 forces. This is Inquisitor Lok. We are alone.
I have requested immediate extraction from this forsaken world but as of 6.50pm Sidereal have no confirmed communication from any Orbital assets.
We may well die here far from the Emperors Light. But know this – His light will embrace us even in death, our sacrifice shall not go unnoticed.
May we purge this world from these Xenos. Or die trying.
All squads. Weapons free++
++Data logs cycling to secure mode. Begin data feed capture from all available assets for Imperial archives Anp.472.E++
Spoiler:
Outlying Comms relays capture the approach of Tyranid forces 7.02pm standard Terran Sidereal.
Threat levels are assessed with ranges from Low to Ultra Extremis.
D99 sniper squad “The One Eyes”, track Xenos force movements on the outskirts of the main Anphelion complex.
Deployment.
ServoSkull B4, captures the onrushing Tyranid forces 7.07pm Sideareal. D99 forces cycle to termination mode on sight of target designated “Heirodule Alpha”.
ServoSkull C5, pict captures the primary Xenos Command Node at 7.09pm Sidereal.
++This is Inquisitor Lok. Are Orbital ship contacts still negative?
“They are Sir but we do have a relay station coming into longitudinal range”.
Interface with it and begin sub orbital feeds
"Infrared only Sir"++
++”This is Squad Zeta, we are taking fire, repeat taking heavy fire from Xenos forces, we have lost Medic Ash and our Sergeant is dead”.
Can you hold Zeta?
“Negative, repeat, negative, we are in full retreat! Request immediate reinforcements for Quad Gun Delta!”++
++Squad Omega, Zeta are in full retreat. Can you reconnoitre to their last position and man Quad Gun Delta?
“Roger, that Sir, we are moving into position now. Multiple winged Xenos sighted, approaching fast”.
Cycle Quad Gun to enhanced mode and go weapons free Sergeant. Expend any and all remaining ammunition.
“Copy that”++
++This is Lok. Hammer and Anvil. Move your Sentinels forward and target threat Heirodule Alpha. Do you copy?
“Copy that Sir. We are moving to engage now”
Squad One Eye and Squad Bear follow suit.
“Orders received. Sniper teams confirm target”++
7.17pm Sidereal. ServoSkull B4, pict caps Heirodule Alpha’s obliteration under fire from D99s defensive lines. Secondary Command Node Xenos are also confirmed neutralised.
++Switch to Orbital station feeds.
"Isothermic now online Sir"
Engage++
End of turn 1.
Heavy Weapons team Gamma, cycle feeds at 7.19pm Sidereal. Xenos forces continue to approach.
7.21pm Sidereal. Sentinel Squad Hammer pict captures an explosive Xenos infiltration into D99s defensive lines. Proximity alerts are sent army-wide.
7.22pm Sidereal. Perimeter feeds capture a secondary infiltration deep into the main Anphelion complex.
++”This is Squad Bear in Bunker 2. We have Xenos infiltrators close to our lines, Northern flank.
Hold your positions Sergeant, neutralise them with established target priority protocols.
“Copy that Inquisitor. Request reinforcements”
Negative at this time Sergeant++
ServoSkull B4 captures Xenos forces within proximity range of the main complex.
++”This is squad Omega!! Close range fire protocols ineffective. We have been engaged by multiple Xenos threats. Primary Command Node is…..”
Squad Omega, repeat. Omega do you copy?
“……….”
D99, this is Lok, our Sothern flank has collapsed. I cannot raise Zeta or Omega squads. Hold your positions. May the Emperor protect.
End of Tyranid turn 2.
++Switch to Orbital station feeds. All units. We have multiple Xenos forces within the complex and their main units continue to approach from the West. Target all Command Node bioforms. Repeat target all Command Node bioforms.++
++”Inquisitor Lok do you copy?”
Confirm identity immediately. What is your command designation?
“This is Trooper Ratius. I have rallied Squad Zeta, we have retaken a position on the Southern flank. Primary Xenos Node is within sight”.
Hold firm Trooper. Your actions will be commended. Reinforcements are enroute. ETA two minutes.++
++Osprey and StormGull. Status?
"Beginning attack run now. Weapons free"++
++"This is Squad Hammer. Secondary Command Node netralised"++
++"This is Squad Anvil. Tertiary Command Node also neutralised"
Fire protocol orders?++
++All D99 units. Xenos Synapse Nodes confirmed neutralised. We are beginning extraction protocols. Await further orders once rendezvous point is confirmed++
++This is Lok. Drive failure reported in Command Chimera "Tigress". We are proceeding on foot++
End of turn 3.
++"This Ratius from Squad Zeta, we have come under atttack from multiple low level threats"
Hold your Squad firm Soldier!++
ServoSkull C8 captures low level Xenos threats attempting to flee the combat area.
Pict feeds capture enraged Xenos low level threats attempting to breach the Anphelion inner defense cordons at 7.40pm Sidereal.
Secondary low level threats continue to approach despite lack of a Command Node presence.
++"This is Trooper Ratius!! I am surrounded and under attack from Xenos. Squad Zeta is dead. All signs negat....."
The Emperor Commends your soul Trooper++
End of Tyranid turn 3.
Orbital feeds capture the continued Xenos assault on the main complex.
Orbital feeds capture the last of the Xenos forces assaulting Anphelion.
++"Osprey and StorumGull reporting. Multiple High level threats neutralised 7.46pm Sidereal"++
++"Squad Bear reporting. We see no more Command Node targets. Permission to go full auto on remaining Xenos forces?"
Permission granted. Purge them all++
End of turn 3.
Osprey monitors the approach of a stealth Xenos at 7.49pm Sidereal. Termination protocls engage 6 seconds later.
Squad Hammer is engaged by multiple Xenos low level threats 7.50pm Sidereal.
++This is Lok, extraction comprimised. Switch to short-range defensive protocols and engage++
++"This is Squad Bear, we are taking heav....."++
End of Tyranid turn 4.
StormGulls feeds capture its final attack run going weapons free at 7.52pm Sidereal.
Osprey follows 2 minutes later.
Servoskull A4 captures the last of the Xenos forces under attack from D99.
Orbital relays at 7.55pm Sidereal. Contact lost as longitudinal orbit deteriorates.
End of game.
Spoiler:
++This is Lok. All Xenos forces netralised or in retreat. Begin formal extraction procedures. Salvage any light equipment and functional vehicles but leave all specimens planet side. REPEAT: All specimns to be left planetside.++
Servoskull B5 pict captures Squad One Eye extraction from Anphelion 8.03pm Sidereal.
++Secure channel authorisation Lok alpha 547 omega.
Secure link to Inquisitorial station Terra 1.
For attention of Our Lord only.
Begin record++
Game result and campaign results:
Spoiler:
The game ends turn 4 with little or no Tyranid forces left to threaten Lok or D99s remaining units.
Score:
Lok and D99 10 – 5 Tyranids
Lok survives to seek retribution and live to fight another day.
The Imperial forces win the overall campaign 3-2!
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2015/03/10 19:18:05
Dman137 wrote:
goobs is all you guys will ever be
By 1-irt: Still as long as Hissy keeps showing up this is one of the most entertaining threads ever.
"Feelin' goods, good enough".
2015/03/11 00:37:56
Subject: Re:The Anphelion Project - Final game up (and campaign conclusion)
I want to congratulate you on your outstanding final entry in your batrep series. Your style is very engaging and the filters and military jargon you use add a really fun dose of realism. I particularly like your use of perspective shots with H.U.D. Type symbols on targets. I like the way you use small snippets of conversation and just pics with motion blur to give the illusion of frenetic pace. I wish I had seen you bat reps before now I would have happily given you feedback.
I'm curious about something though. How do you deal with an opponent that isn't tyranids? When writing a batrep against them we kind of see everything from the perspective of the imperium. If you had another army with a voice, say tau or chaos, would you have had them be a similarly voiceless foe?
there is a constant battle for the heart of 40k on these bat-rep pages. A battle for relevance between the competitive and the narrative way of looking at this game. It is truly glorious to see your narrative batrep executed so well.
Polythemus wrote: there is a constant battle for the heart of 40k on these bat-rep pages. A battle for relevance between the competitive and the narrative way of looking at this game. It is truly glorious to see your narrative batrep executed so well.
Here here!
Great report Ratius, thoroughly enjoyed this series - looking forward to the next one
If in doubt, frag it out...
Fight spam with spam, cheese with cheese, and fluff with a razor sharp sense of the appropriate
Excellent Batrep again Ratius! It looked like a great finale for one of the coolest campaign from FW. And the Imperium won, so double hurray from me
Just out of curiosity, how long does it take between turns to take the pictures? Most of the time, I forget to take some pictures or my opponent does not want to bother with pictures. I think Battle Reports like that is part of the fun of 40K narrative campaigns.
Great job! Hope to see more from you.
Cheers!
Praise the emperor, bless your weapon and pass the ammo!
Armies played:
2015/03/11 18:33:42
Subject: Re:The Anphelion Project - Final game up (and campaign conclusion)
I want to congratulate you on your outstanding final entry in your batrep series. Your style is very engaging and the filters and military jargon you use add a really fun dose of realism. I particularly like your use of perspective shots with H.U.D. Type symbols on targets. I like the way you use small snippets of conversation and just pics with motion blur to give the illusion of frenetic pace. I wish I had seen you bat reps before now I would have happily given you feedback.
I'm curious about something though. How do you deal with an opponent that isn't tyranids? When writing a batrep against them we kind of see everything from the perspective of the imperium. If you had another army with a voice, say tau or chaos, would you have had them be a similarly voiceless foe?
there is a constant battle for the heart of 40k on these bat-rep pages. A battle for relevance between the competitive and the narrative way of looking at this game. It is truly glorious to see your narrative batrep executed so well.
Thanks Poly, thats honestly one of the nicest pieces of feedback I've ever gotten on here, glad you enjoyed it In answer to your question if I was doing another Xenos force I'd probably voice them too - infact my next idea is to do IA8 - Raid on Kastroel Novem (Orks VS Imperium) or IA 11 - Doom of Mymeara (Eldar VS Imperium). Im undecided as to which but leaning towards Orks as I have a nice terrain set to go with them
Interesting viewpoint on the narrative VS competitive batrep style. Wont get into that here though
Great report Ratius, thoroughly enjoyed this series - looking forward to the next one
Thanks a lot Lap!
Excellent Batrep again Ratius! It looked like a great finale for one of the coolest campaign from FW. And the Imperium won, so double hurray from me
Just out of curiosity, how long does it take between turns to take the pictures? Most of the time, I forget to take some pictures or my opponent does not want to bother with pictures. I think Battle Reports like that is part of the fun of 40K narrative campaigns.
Great job! Hope to see more from you.
And thanks too JP. In terms of the photos, since Im going in with the mind set to do narrative, I usually take a bit more time, try and get the angles right, photo certain events which I feel add to it and being honest will even move a model or two to achieve this.
I've done competitive reps in the past and agree, it cna be hard to remember to capture this and that but with narrative its easier to get in the mindset.
You guys any preference for IA8 VS IA 11?
Pros for IA8 would include Ork "humour", a nice terrain set for them, a classic of Orks VS Imperium setup and 2 Stompas ready to be unleashed.
Pros for IA11 would be that eldar are slightly more interesting and enigmatic, the campaign is set on an ice world which fits perfectly with my RoBG and a Revenant itching to fight.
Hmmm!
Dman137 wrote:
goobs is all you guys will ever be
By 1-irt: Still as long as Hissy keeps showing up this is one of the most entertaining threads ever.
"Feelin' goods, good enough".
2015/03/11 21:35:11
Subject: The Anphelion Project - Final game up (and campaign conclusion)
I would say Kastorel Novem. The story is quite cool and the scrapyard planet would make some good terrain option. And special ops Marines, who don't like those?
Praise the emperor, bless your weapon and pass the ammo!
Armies played:
2015/03/12 05:08:14
Subject: Re:The Anphelion Project - Final game up (and campaign conclusion)
Ratius wrote: In answer to your question if I was doing another Xenos force I'd probably voice them too
I actually think your narrative style is stronger done from just one perspective - gives you more scope for details, character building and customizing your report (both in the visual and narrative) to one of the belligerents, rather than confusing it with both. It will also be quicker to write
infact my next idea is to do IA8 - Raid on Kastroel Novem (Orks VS Imperium) or IA 11 - Doom of Mymeara (Eldar VS Imperium). Im undecided as to which but leaning towards Orks as I have a nice terrain set to go with them
Orks, hands down.
If in doubt, frag it out...
Fight spam with spam, cheese with cheese, and fluff with a razor sharp sense of the appropriate
All the Emperor requires of us guardsmen is that we hold the line,and die fighting. Its what we do best. We die standing. 
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