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SOLID. I'm on it.

Let me know if you need any BFG, etc. etc.

--Brian


Quick questions:

What about units capable of deep striking, but are NOT Flyers?

And what about my dear friend, Sly Marbo, infiltrator extraordinaire?

Is the 1 HQ a requirement, or is it 0-1 HQ?

Thanks!

I have been sneakily reading this thread all day at work...

Astonishing work! The attention to lore, odd background characters and setting are all really excellent! You've done some really fantastic work, and the various modelling flourishes are outstanding.

But I have to say, my favorite BY FAR are the tau auxilaries! Such an under-explored bit of setting that really fits! I wish there was a box of Tau-aligned alien bounty-hunters like yours! The SW Cantina guys and the bug-and-jetpack-shark(?) duo are absolutely delightful! Subbed!

 Briancj wrote:
SOLID. I'm on it.

Let me know if you need any BFG, etc. etc.

--Brian


Quick questions:

What about units capable of deep striking, but are NOT Flyers?

And what about my dear friend, Sly Marbo, infiltrator extraordinaire?

Is the 1 HQ a requirement, or is it 0-1 HQ?

Well, flyers are the theme. In theory a deepstriking squad could have jumped from one passing over though, so that works. Admech has tech superpowers, so if you can justify them somehow warping in that is totally cool. With the large table and relatively few units the Imperium will want all the mobility they can get though I would expect. Sly could either be an Insurrection fighter who turned up after living on protein cubes for 6 months outside Installation 6B, or we could give him special rules allowing him to leap from a flyer in mid move, land unerringly, and plunge into assault, whichever works better for fluff/fun/model. 0-1 HQ. My scenario writing skills are rusty. : )

I think the game might also get an extra turn or two of game length. Let me think on that.

You wouldn't happen to have any Rogue Trader BFG or fighters among your Imperial collection? I imagine the BFG game involving the New Dawn as a Rogue Trader cruiser attacking the limited forces the Tau have remaining after the Quasimodo took out their flagship . If you have a Minotaurs BFG they would logically be involved.

The way I imagined the scenario development system working, each side would write a bit of fluff from their perspective which would be taken into account in the finalized scenario.

We'll need to figure out some flyer rules. I have some ideas, as always when it comes to rules. Not saying they are *good ideas* necessarily. : ) Worst case though they can be assumed to be hovering at low level in this game and just act as fast skimmers as you suggested.


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 posermcbogus wrote:
I have been sneakily reading this thread all day at work...

Astonishing work! The attention to lore, odd background characters and setting are all really excellent! You've done some really fantastic work, and the various modelling flourishes are outstanding.

But I have to say, my favorite BY FAR are the tau auxilaries! Such an under-explored bit of setting that really fits! I wish there was a box of Tau-aligned alien bounty-hunters like yours! The SW Cantina guys and the bug-and-jetpack-shark(?) duo are absolutely delightful! Subbed!

Thanks! I'm looking forward to unleashing those two psychopaths on the Imperium. Did I mention the bug has a Refractor Field? I agree - GW is missing the boat not exploring that aspect of the Tau more.

Here's the start of Installation 6B:

Well, I've codified my list, and went with the original restrictions, otherwise I'd just dive too far into outflanking shenanigans, etc.

As for Flyers rules, Imperial Armour Volume 1 has you covered!

Note: I am only bringing stuff from the 5th Ed IG codex, so I have no need for the IA rules in my list.

Alas, I have no Space Marine or RT/Civilian vessels anymore, and none of the various fighter-craft minis.

--B.

This is such a great campaign, I really enjoyed reading the fluff at the bottom of page 6. This seems like it's going to be a blast to play, I hope you have a lot of fun playing.

Syro - Thanks! Very much Dakka inspired really.

Brian - Do you have IA vol 1 for the flyer Rules? I bet they are the same as in my Chapter Approved, since they are from the same era.

No need to make lists public in advance I think, though it would be cool to see some pictures/Regimental fluff.

I have the IA flyer rules when needed.

Are they the "zoom on, zoom off" rules?

Here ya go!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1WLoH0NgKt-zUHYpp6dDk_ZYJr6X7xs4z

--Brian

Thanks!

Alright, bit of a modification here -

I don't think I'm going to be able to pull together the Battle Fleet Gothic scenario - I'd need to do more modeling than I think I can get done without stress, which kind of defeats the point of hobby fun. I also think I'd struggle to get the ships figured out and the rules reviewed in time. I'll absolutely do it in the future though, and it would link really well with the space station assault. Also, doing only 40K ground means I don't need two tables, which is a bit easier. Finally, I think having the second game be a more standard 40k game would be healthy. The first scenario will hopefully be great fun, but being rather experimental it might be lopsided or bog down.

So how about this for the second game:

The daring imperial assault force (or one of the other units in the first wave, if the attackers on Installation 6B were wiped out) are making their last stand against a planet's worth of Tau. But with Imperial ships in orbit, help is at hand! Can they hold out?

Imperial:
Two 750 point armies. One of these (presumably Brian's) may include Space Marines, Imperial Guard, or Both. Each should include only infantry and vehicles that could reasonably be dropped or air lifted in.
Each imperial force may include no more than 1 flyer, which is purchased for half points, as it is almost out of fuel. The flyer may move for no more than two turns in hover mode, or one turn in full flight. The rest of the time it is "landed" on the table and may fire only pivoting or turreted weapons, not fixed wing mounts or the like/

Tau:
1500 point standard force org chart.

Diagonal deployment. This is a fight to the finish - the victor is the army that destroys more of the enemy (by VPs). No game length - the battle continues until time is up or one side is wiped out/concedes!

How many games are we trying to play each day?

--B

Well, at least 1. But if time allows 2.

I am not sure if I'll have all my figs painted for Thursday, but there will be SOME paint on every one!

--Brian

 Briancj wrote:
I am not sure if I'll have all my figs painted for Thursday, but there will be SOME paint on every one!

--Brian

Don't worry, you will be in good company with my usual lack of fine attire.

Well, Forge World did all their Taros pictures in black and white for a reason. : ) Keep it fun!

I've assembled the basic topography of the table with cloth, styrofoam, screw guns, plywood, rocks and so on and should have it fully set up tomorrow night, so I'll post some targeting scans from the Inbound Imperial flyers.

Tonight I'm going to see if I can get all the Tau rules sorted, plus do my Army Lists. I want to get everything written down and printed to avoid confusion and having to pour over Dakka posts during a game.

I-Walker is going to bring his Tau Car, to give the defenders of Installation 6B something to ride around in.

I don't know the GW range of Tau vehicles- is that a scratch build? If so, what a terrific job! Very realistic (within the construct of what Tau stuff looks like) and very believable in the game milieu. Me likey!

I *think* it is from Wargames exclusive. It fits up to 4 drones, which is pretty cool.

I'm going to use Codex Tau Empire (2005) for my Tau, with the following new/modified units:

Geu'la Auxiliaries:



Geu’la Team

Recruited from the most promising converts to the Greater Good, including in some cases former prisoners of war, Geu’la teams were the only Auxiliaries other than Kroot included in Hunter Cadre Formations in the early war, and were also often used for Garrison duty and static defense. Although quality was uneven, some fought extremely well for their new masters. Ideally they combined the strengths of the Imperial Guard with the advanced technology and teamwork of the Tau. In practice they were sometimes no more than cannon fodder.

A Geu’la team consists of 5-20 Geu’la and is a Troops Choice.

Geu’la
WS 3, BS 3, S 3, T3, I3, W1, A1, Ld 7
4 Points per model.
Armed with a Lasgun.
All may be given flak armor (5+ save) for one point per model.
All may take Photon grenades for 1 point per model, and/or EMP grenades for 2 points per model.
Any model may replace their lasgun with a laspistol and close combat weapon or shotgun for 1 point per model.
One Geu’la may be upgraded to a Champion of the Greater Good for +5 Points. They have 2 attacks and BS4. The Champion may take a Markerlight for +10 points.
For every 3 Geu’la one may replace their lasgun with a pulse carbine or pulse rifle for +5 points.
The team may take one of the following weapons (2 if the squad numbers at least 15 models). This replaces a model’s lasgun:

Flamer +5 points.
Autocannon or Missile Launcher +15 points. If equipped with an Autocannon or Missile launcher the team may also be given Chamoline (see Codex Imperial Guard) at a cost of 2 points per model.

Desert Kroot



The Kroot on Taros were well adapted to their environment after feeding on imported desert life forms. There being no forests on Taros, they became experts in Sand. Replace the fieldcraft rule with the “Sandcraft” rule: A kroot, hound or Krootox unit that does not move gains a +1 bonus to any cover save they may be entitled to. They may still run in the shooting phase - this represents creeping forward- OR may shoot normally. They may go to ground for another +1 to their cover save. In addition, Kroot have the move through cover special rule.

Desert Kroot units may have one model per 10 to replace their Kroot Rifle with a Flamer for +5 points.



Sunfish.



A small utility vehicle, the Sunfish was sometimes used in combat situations.

Skimmer. Unarmed. 30 Points.

Armor: Forward 10, Sides: 10, Rear: 10. The Sunfish is a transport with a capacity of 8 and counts as a fast attack choice. Entry points on both sides.

When the Sunfish moves at maximum rate, it adds D6” from its drone boosters.

The Sunfish may replace 2 drone boosters with 2 Gun Drones for +15 points, in which case it does not get the extra D6” move, or replace all 4 boosters with Gun Drones for +30 points, in which case it may not move more than 9” a turn.

That is enough goofy stuff for one set of games - must restrain myself! The way this works is that the other players can over rule the point costs - no argument or discussion - if you think something is too cheap, just bump it up! You could bump something down too, : )

Cameoline isn't in the 5th ed IG codex, but Camo Cloaks (+1 to cover saves) are.

Otherwise, points mostly match up. The autocannon should only be 10 points, not 15.

--B.

In the weeks prior to the assault the first infiltrators made planet fall. A handful of Long range scouts deployed with scanner teams to analyze the Tau communications networks.
Among the teams were a few veterans of the 2nd Taros intervention whom had escaped with Dree, and personal from the 123rd Armored Regiments 4th recon battalion.
These Signum Explicatio teams identified high value targets for the initial assault and met with small groups of loyalists who planned to disrupt Tau forces during the coming imperial liberation.
Locations for forward logistical support of the Insurgency were also included in the intelligence data streamed to the freighter Quasimodo during the initial assault. Of particular note was a speculative mining company The Phyyra Bulette.
Incorporated by surviving cadres of the 5th infantry company 17th Tallarn regiment whom had avoided capture through their use of desert survival skills, the Phyyra Bulette became known as a final destination for many condemned laborers whom were captured during the fall of Taros.
The Phyyra Bulette performed speculative mining in the dangerous Phyyra heights while maintaining a strong core of independent explorative corps who searched out new mineral deposits for exploitation, or defended PB inc. interests from the banditry that was known to take place in the rough and tumble heights.
Positioned to collect much needed heavy weapons, the PB were given the opportunity to arm themselves during the chaos of the first days of the fight.

Many units deployed from the freighter Quasimodo were volunteers. A good portion of the Valkyrie, Vulture and Vendetta where provided by the Imperial Navy's 10019th lift regiment.
Of note were the few Arvus lighters provided by the Freeblade house Georgiou painted in the colors of the Vhane expedition force. Some of the detritus that fell from the Quasimodo contained flights of servo-cherubim, parts of the Heavenly Host, that augmented the auspex sensors of the Imperial Knights joining the assault.
The house Sacristans deployed communications pods on the wing pylons of some of the Arvus allowing real time data to flow to the Georgiou drop keeps as they approached with the main assault force.

Awesome! Love me some Imperial Knights at some point in the campaign. And heavenly host sounds awesome.

The security detachment for the Tau installation 6B works out to 2 troops, 2 Heavy Support, 2 Fast attack. Not quite what I specified at first, but it is quite fluffy.

Been putting the sand to the table - it is getting there!

There are a few things we'll have to finagle with flyers, mostly due to the different editions involved. I'll post that tonight.

One planet, many stories. Here are two of them.

---

/// The Emperor Hears Your Prayers. Accept This In Faith. ///
+++ 6 125.999.M41 +++

Within the darkened chambers, two forms discuss future events, and how to shape them. A Servoskull dutifully records the conversation on a scroll of parchment, which will be filed away by other servants, and lost for at least three decades within the bowels of the vessel.

A robed figure, gaunt and bent from a century or more of existence, maintained by arcane machines and sheer force of will. A Magos. Another robed figure, much younger, a Disciple not yet proven, untested.

Magos: We|I have secured a place for you on the ship provided by the Rogue Trader, the Quasimodo. Several older model Imperial Navy craft have been transferred to her ownership, and of these you may have your choice. Access and launch codes are available upon your dataslate. Have you determined your method of retrieval?

Disciple: Yes, Magos. Some prisoners were transferred from the Altaran penal legion, they will be..shepherded...by an Eviscant Servitor each. A third Servitor will accompany myself to assist in properly utilizing a few Ogryns. These have already been put on board the freighter, as cargo loaders, a job at which they can excel. The Munitorum container containing our weapons and equipment was routed through three stations, and our contact on-board the Quasimodo has confirmed its arrival, location, and accessibility. I have the Electroshroud Pack to assist our task, along with the garb and accoutrements to appear as an Imperial Priest. Once we land on-planet, we will move to secure the target, and transfer it to our control, under the cover of the assault.

Magos: Excellent. This is your final test, Disciple. Do not return if you fail.

===--------===

/// Your Emperor Does Not Have Time To Respond To Your Prayers. Your Duty Is Your Answer. ///
+++ 6 251.999.M41 +++

Captain Alfred "Al" Harrison looked to the skies, watching the last of the Sky Talons and Valkyries lift off toward space. "Well, at least we got most of the men and equipment out."
"Yes, sir. Now what?" asked one of the remaining troopers from the 114th Engineering Division, of the 42nd Ryzan Red Banner Guard.
"Now, we set everything to blow, and get ready for their assault. Send out the teams to the ambush points, wait for my signal to unleash a hellstorm on these xenos scum like they've never seen."
A pair of salutes, and the runner dashed off.

The Captain turned to the liaisons from the Swiftsure, a Cobra-class destroyer seconded to a Rogue Trader. "Do you have everything you need?"
"Yes, we will take our positions, well enough back to provide you cover. The ship is in orbit, lurking within debris from the orbital battles. We will be ready." Two officers and their attendants with spotting and ranging equipment.
"Good. Pound them into the sand. Escape if you can, but do not abandon us on a whim, please."
One of the two officers gave the Captain a grim look. "We live or die with you, Captain. Our rides just left."

One more task. "DiNardo."
A form melded out of shadow, as if unused to the light...or sharing a long-held grudge against it. "Sir."
"Don't throw your life away."
The individual just gives a grunt. Orders never suited them much.
"I do the Emperor's Duty."
And then they were gone.

===--------===

TO BATTLE!

--Brian

Do you want battle reports in the Argo cluster thread? Or start a new one?

Thanks for the excellent fluff! Looking forward to seeing the Mechanicus when they appear.

I'm thinking to keep everything in this thread for the time being, unless there is a reason not to. Second Taros war is a prequel to Argo so it would be weird to pick up in the middle of that thread. Some day I'd like to copy paste everything into one story line.

For flyer rules I propose Chapter Approved - they seem to be identical to IA, but with some additions, for example orbital landing.

The flyer rules refer to "all hits glancing, like a fast moving skimmer", except that in 5th edition, fast moving skimmers have a 4+ Cover save instead. Presumably the glancing hits rules take precedence.

When a flyer is destroyed in mid air, it isn't clear what happens to any passengers. I propose the following table:

1-2 Mid Air Fireball. Sorry guys, all dead.
3-4 We're going down! Rough Landing. The flyer moves 3D6 inches anywhere in its forward arc and lands and is wrecked. Passengers take a strength 3 hit and disembark.
5-6 Engine out. Flyer lands anywhere within 12" and is then immobilized. May fire turreted pivoting weapons only, not wing mounts.

Tau and Flyers:

The Skyray (I only have one) clearly has its marker lights on an AA mount. Presumably, seeker missiles still hit on a 2+, though Marker lights needed to guide them (other than on the sky ray) need a 6.

Tau Installation is progressing, though not quite done yet. Where does the time go?







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The table thus far:




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It is much yellower in life.

Nice use of dramatic topography on the table. I like when the vertical dimension plays a role rather than tables always being flat with a few buildings.

And I’m enjoying the storyline so far as well. Looking forward to the battle reports!

-Rids

Thanks! Me too. I had wanted a much ruggeder, canyon land table, but wasn't quite able to pull it off. Maybe another time!

Hey....DiNardo.... he wouldn't be really good at jumping out and throwing demotion charges would he?

 kestral wrote:
Thanks! Me too. I had wanted a much ruggeder, canyon land table, but wasn't quite able to pull it off. Maybe another time!

Hey....DiNardo.... he wouldn't be really good at jumping out and throwing demotion charges would he?

Nah, they're just a whiny grunt who spends all their time on KP.

Ah, the table is trimmed, the army lists are done, the... ... ....*&%(*&%*&^%!!! Crisis suit ankles!!!!!

Cankles.

The Maelstrom-class Vortex Grenade has been secured in its protective case, and loaded into the transport vehicle.

--Brian

Excellent use of a smoke detector cover- it's perfect for Tau scenery!

Taros by stationlight before the storm, Installation 6B, Phyrea Heights, southern slope.