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Sunday I went to Justicar Alarics gaff with my Chaos Space Marines. Kris has been thinking about doing a Guard army and likes the look off them, so he used my Guard this game in favour of his Blood Angels to test the water. I gave him some tips and tactics pre-game and during game so he can get a better feel for them.

Iron Warriors "Siegebreakers" - 2,000 points


HQ

1 x Daemon Prince wings, mark of tzeentch & warptime

1 x Daemon Prince wings, mark of tzeentch & warptime

1 x Greater Daemon

Elite

5 x Chosen w/ Rhino 3 x flamers

5 x Chosen w/ Rhino 3 x flamers

5 x Chosen w/ Rhino 2 x meltaguns

Troops

10 x Chaos Space Marines w/ Rhino 2 x meltaguns & IOCG - champion

10 x Chaos Space Marines w/ Rhino 2 x meltaguns & IOCG - champion

10 x Chaos Space Marines w/ Rhino 2 x plasma guns & IOCG - champion

Heavy Support

2 x Obliterators

2 x Obliterators

Chaos Vindicator

Total: 2,000


Imperial Guard "Steel Lions" - 2,000 points


HQ

Company Command Squad w/ Chimera 4 x plasma guns & carapace armour

Company Command Squad w/ Chimera 4 x plasma guns & carapace armour

Troops

Veterans 3 x meltaguns

Veterans 3 x meltaguns

Veterans w/ Chimera 3 x meltaguns

Veterans w/ Chimera 3 x plasma guns

Veterans w/ Chimera 3 x plasma guns

Fast Attack

Valkyrie multiple missile pods & heavy bolters

Valkyrie multiple missile pods & heavy bolters

Hellhound multi melta & smoke launchers

Heavy Support

Leman Russ Demolisher heavy flamer

Leman Russ Demolisher heavy flamer

Leman Russ Executioner heavy flamer

Total: 2,000


Game: Annilation & Pitched Battle

Deployment

I lost the roll off and Kris chose to go second after a short discussion on the benefits of Kris going first (alpha strike with melta Veterans) or him going second and drawing my closer as I need to get into range.

I deployed mostly along the table edge putting a unit of Obliterators on foot then supported with several Rhinos of melta Marines, plasma Marines and flamer Chosen along with a Daemon Prince. In between that part of my force was a ruin, which after I deployed the other Rhinos including melta Marines and Chosen flamers along with the Vindicator, slightly along from them was the Obliterators high up in a ruin for some long range lascannon shots.

Kris deployed putting all his armour except the two Valkyries mostly on my left flank, meaning I'd have to sweep around and get his force or use the available guns I have to destroy the two Valkyries and squads inside and then sweep around as the other half of my force flanks forward.




*Tactical Notes

First turn I'll plough forward and pop smoke on everything at the front while I use the tanks which popped smoke to hide other Rhinos, yo yo yo Rhino train choo choo! I'll use the Obliterators to long range shot some armour, but on the left flank I haven't got much choice as it's all armour 14 in front of the weaker Chimeras!

Turn 1

I move my armour forward on the left and centre flank popping smoke on the plasma CSM Rhino using it to give cover to other Rhinos and a Daemon Prince on the left flank, though bummer a melta CSM Rhino gets grounded in terrain. Centre flank ploughs forward popping smoke on the Vindicator and flamer Chosen Rhino which shield more Rhinos and the other Prince behind.

Shooting I wreck a Valkyire, Obliterators on the left flank run but not far.

Kris' turn he rearranges his armour but nothing drastic keeping the range far between us. He plans on keeping his melta Veterans which got busted out the Valkyrie in terrain, but I suggest bringing them forward as will die either way and get those meltas into range and do some damage. The other Valkyrie turbo boosts over dropping a payout of melta Veterans aiming at the side armour which is in view.

Shooting Kris manages to pop the plasma CSM Rhino killing the Champion in the unit while the Vindicator gets shot at both melta Veteran squads but thanks to cover saves and misses it's only weapon destroyed, which is good for me in a way as not giving up a kill point but good and bad for Kris because no kill point but no big blast.

Kill points are Iron Warriors 1: Imperial Guard 1.





*Tactical Notes

Ok Vindicator has lost the main gun which is a bummer but Kris has disabled it and doesn't need to worry about it now. I've also lost a Rhino which puts the kill points even, and those plasma CSM are on foot, however they're meant for support so can stay in the crater, bummer their Champion died in the blast though.

This turn I'll fly the Prince on the centre flank to the melta Veterans out the busted Valkyrie, I'll toast the other Veterans with multiple flamers from the Chosen unit and use the melta Chosen squad on that flank to bust the turbo boosted Valkyrie. On the left flank I'll move units up and hope to be closer into range this turn.

Turn 2

I call for reserves and the Greater Daemon arrives early popping the Champion from the immobilised Rhino in terrain holding the melta CSM, great! :(

Movement Prince on the centre flank flies forward and lands in front of the melta Veterans. Chosen with triple flamers bail out their Rhino and move through terrain to get into the face of the other Veterans as their Rhino moves out and the melta Chosen Rhino moves in to the rear of the turbo boosted Valkyrie. The Vindicator attempts to ram the Valkyrie but it dodges ok. Centre flank the melta CSM in the bogged down Rhino bail out and get double 1 when moving through terrain, this unit just likes 1's huh - so I run them to the ruin wall edge. Daemon Prince on the left flank flies forward landing in the Guards face as a unit of melta CSM plough forward and then bail out their Rhino ready to unleash melta hell on a Demolisher, same flank another Chosen flamer unit moves forward while the plasma CSM stay in cover as the Obliterators advanace.

I cast warptime on the Prince on the centre flank. Shooting melta Chosen fail to destroy the Valkyrie, flamer Chosen have better luck and unleash triple flamers on the Veterans BBQ'ing them all. Obliterators on the left flank fire at a Demolisher and manage to crew stun it while the melta CSM explode the Demolisher in front of them as the plasma CSM blast the Hellhound and manage to wreck it with long range plasma shots.

In assault Prince which cast warptime assaults the Veterans killing half of them and takes no wounds, Princes chops them down in sweeping advance.

Kris positions the operational Valkyrie to blast the plasma CSM in the crater, he either has the choice to move 6" and fire everything move 12" and fire most weapons or turbo boost away - either he moves anything other than turbo boost I'm going to get him so best take some of my Chaos Space Marines down with him. Kris repositions the Executioner and bails out one plasma Veteran unit into terrain along with another with a Command Squad close by in a Chimera. Melta Veterans in the Chimera with the Hellhound and supporting Command Squad get ready to blast the CSM which popped the Demolisher.

Shooting, Kris issues bring it down with the Command Squad on my left flank to both plasma Veteran units who in turn gun down the Daemon Prince. The plasma CSM in the crater are next to feel the pain and get blasted by the Valkyrie along with the Executioner and pretty much every multi laser available, they're left with a few men standing. Melta CSM which popped the Demolisher get blasted by plasma and melta from the CCS and Veterans leaving just the two melta gunners behind.

Kill points are Iron Warriors 5: Imperial Guard 2.




*Tactical Notes

Bummer the Greater Daemon failed to get good assault through cover rolls at the Valkyrie, may have been touch and go if in range altogether TBF. I just hope those two squads which taken a pounding will dust themselves off, if not I'm in trouble.

My plan is to close in on that Executioner or Demolisher and use multi meltas on either with the Obliterators. I'll continue forward and use the Chosen with the flamers to blast the Veterans on foot, if the melta CSM survive with just the two Marines left I'll get them back into the Rhino and get them to blast something from the hatch. The remaining Daemon Prince will sweep around with Rhino support as the Greater Daemon and available units will bust that damn Valkyrie.

Turn 3

I roll for morale on the plasma CSM, they fail, but luckily I have a chaos icon and re-roll and pass. I pass morale for the two melta gunners. I move the Greater Daemon through terrain towards the Valkyrie while the Chosen melta unit moves to get the rear of it as the Daemon Prince and flamer Chosen heads towards the Guard lines as the Vindicator moves away. On the left flank the two melta CSM get back into the Rhino (which is immobilised by something - multi lasers I think) as the flamer Chosen Rhino ploughs forward along with marching Obliterators.

I cast warptime on the remaining Prince. Shooting, melta Chosen blast the Valkyrie but only crew shaken it thanks to extra armour. The melta CSM in terrain have a pop but manage to shake it and immobilise it now setting it up for the Greater Daemon. The two melta CSM left fire out the hatch of their Rhino and pop the melta Veteran Chimera - boom! The flamer Chosen bail out their Rhino and blast the plasma Veterans with triple flamers wiping them out. The Obliterators fire multi meltas at the Demolisher but fail to do anything this time around.

In assault the Greater Daemon wrecks the Valkyrie as the Daemon Prince charges the Command Squad and wrecks their Chimera.

In Kris' turn he moves some armour around, not much to reposition better for shooting. I advise him to plasma the crap out of the Obliterators as they will toast something next turn with melta weaponry and start blasting the melta Rhino which is immobilised to get those CSM out and blast them with something else. Kris moves the last melta Veteran unit over towards my Daemon Prince.

Shooting Kris issues orders with the CCS on foot, bring it down to the CCS and the melta Veterans. The other CCS issues first rank fire on the plasma Veterans. The Daemon Prince gets torrented by plasma and melta and fails his armour saves by one too many and dies. The Obliterators eat plasma in the face and die. The plasma CSM finally go down from mass multi laser fire, the flamer Chosen die thanks to plasma from the Command Squad and the melta CSM hiding in the Rhino fail to be busted out, but their Rhino takes a weapon destroyed result.

Kill points are Iron Warriors 9: Imperial Guard 6





* Tactical Notes

Kris has started to catch up with the kill points, he's doing really well considering his first time playing Guard. I've lost my Prince, which is a bummer because I was hoping to pop the CCS Chimera with Obliterators (failed) and then charge with the Prince, luckily I still have my Greater Daemon left. I've also only got two models with meltas in range of Kris' armour, the other unit is hiding in terrain but they won't get close now without getting killed.

I'll bail the two melta CSM models out the Rhino towards the closest armour (probably a Chimera) and just blow it up as they don't last long. I'll close the melta Chosen in from their Rhino and get them to pop the Demolisher or Executioner.

Turn 4

I bail the two melta CSM out the Rhino and they move through dangerous terrain, both ok, towards a Chimera. I move the Greater Daemon towards the CCS while the flamer Chosen on the centre flank edge closer. On the left flank I move the melta Chosen forward but they're out of range of doing any damage this turn.

The melta CSM on foot blast a Chimera but fail to do any damage. That's all the shooting I have.

Kris' turn he moves the CCS on foot and supporting melta Veterans through terrain to spy the Greater Daemon. He moves his armour around a little bit to get better shots.

Shooting Kris issues bring it down to the CCS on foot and supporting melta Veterans, they blast the Greater Daemon back to the warp. The two melta CSM get blasted by heavy flamers and other weapons but still survive. The melta Chosen get their Rhino blasted by Demolisher and Executioner managing to crew stun it and scatter onto the Marines in terrain killing a few.

Kill points are Iron Warriors 9: Imperial Guard 7





* Tactical Notes

Greater Daemon is down but Kris has brought his CCS closer to me, which means the flamer Chosen can mvoe up and blast double flamers out the hatch at the CCS.

I'm going to melta another Chimera with those two melta models and move the Chosen melta squad out the Rhino towards on of the big armoured units.

Turn 5

I move the flamer Chosen Rhino through terrain ok 62 and pivot it around ready to blast the CCS. Melta Chosen bail out the Rhino and move towards the Executioner.

Shooting the Chosen unleash flamers and kill the Command Squad. The Chosen blast the Executioner and pop it. The two surviving melta CSM fail to do anything, again.

In Kris' turn I suggest to use the melta Veterans on foot to blast the exposed Rhino armour and charge the squad, the Chosen will strike first but I've only got 5 of them.

Shooting Kris blasts the two melta CSM with multi laser and heavy flamers from the Chimeras and this time they go down. He blasts the melta Chosen with plasma from the last CCS but fails to kill them, due to the fact many of his plasma guns have over heated killing his own men, lol. Melta Veterans blast Rhino arse and pop it.

Kill points are Iron Warriors 11: Imperial Guard 9

We rolled for turn 6 but it didn't happen ending on a 1. I won by two kill points.

Summary

I've got to say for Kris' first time using Guard and with some of my input he did really well. He kept his armour stationary like I suggested making me come to him to get my meltas in range, once I was in he unleashed the pain. I think Guard play really well for Kris' style of play - hang back and shoot.

My monstrous creatures died pretty rapidly when the game got going, I guess I sent the Prince on the left flank to it's death by flying ahead un-supported - I should have kept that behind a Rhino for cover and then next turn launched a assault.

Other mistakes was target priority, but I guess everything is a pain in the arse with the Guard - I should have blown up tanks and then got the infantry, however the CCS for example only had a single plasma gunner left so going for the heavy armour with multiple plasma blasts I guess was properly the better choice after all.

First time I used the triple Chosen flamers, once de-bused they worked well. Would be nice against the right enemy unit and I can charge after as well.

All in all a good game, I think Guard are definately up Kris' alley.

Great report like always Mercer.

It was kind of strange to see a mobility-oriented guard list just sort of sit there. If he wants to play a static gunline, there are better ways to do that with guard. That said, static gunline is the traditional newbie strategy and can pretty easily get whomped, even when the opponent has some luck issues.

Play a non-annihilation game, and I'm sure he'll quickly see the failings of using this list in the way he used it this game.

In any case, epic game. You just need better lighting in that room

Sigmatron wrote:Great report like always Mercer.

Thanks dude

Ailaros wrote:It was kind of strange to see a mobility-oriented guard list just sort of sit there. If he wants to play a static gunline, there are better ways to do that with guard. That said, static gunline is the traditional newbie strategy and can pretty easily get whomped, even when the opponent has some luck issues.

Play a non-annihilation game, and I'm sure he'll quickly see the failings of using this list in the way he used it this game.

In any case, epic game. You just need better lighting in that room

Strange? Yes is a bit weird, and I agree better ways to do it. Though in kill points Kris' strategy worked well - why move towards my meltas? Obivously in objective games the Guard are mobile and he'd be moving.

Yeah, that's Kris' house, his Hamster is gak lol.

I have to say that I always like the lists you design.

This is probably obvious but i couldn't really tell what was going on in the pictures

I could be mistaken but was there a reason you didn't Outflank with the Chosen?

Do you think the battle would have been different had you used the more common Termicide squads instead? Less kill points and cheaper but less durability as well.

Lastly, the Greater Daemon didn't seem to do a whole lot and he popped out unexpectedly. Is that something you're going to continue to use?

bagtagger wrote:I have to say that I always like the lists you design.

This is probably obvious but i couldn't really tell what was going on in the pictures

Thanks mate. If I can ever help you with your lists give me a shout

Pictures should be sorted, I've got a new camera

minigun762 wrote:I could be mistaken but was there a reason you didn't Outflank with the Chosen?

Do you think the battle would have been different had you used the more common Termicide squads instead? Less kill points and cheaper but less durability as well.

Lastly, the Greater Daemon didn't seem to do a whole lot and he popped out unexpectedly. Is that something you're going to continue to use?

No I didn't. They give more Rhino saturation and the only outlflank I could have done was with the melta.

I've used Terminators before, they're alright, but I like Chosen better for Rhino saturation plus I take Terminators in squads of 5 so the Chosen work out cheaper

No he didn't. It depends when he comes on, usually he appears turn 3 and I'm in range then for carnage, just this time came in early. I've had more good luck that bad luck and it's a cheaper monstrous creature adding more target saturation.

Interesting approach with the Chosen. Can I ask why you don't just take more CSMs or PMs instead?

Also, I'm glad to see another great example of how awesome IoCG is.

Double specials mate Inc transport for about 150 points. Troops with double special 205 points. Chosen are sacrifice units.

mercer wrote:Double specials mate Inc transport for about 150 points. Troops with double special 205 points. Chosen are sacrifice units.

Thats what I assumed but just checking.

I'm being nosy because your list looks alot like what I'm building my 2k list to be with a few exceptions so I like to see how its working against other people and especially against the new IG.

Don't think I've used it against the guard, though this might sound strange but I could run it against my own guard and let you know? Obivously tactics are out the window. Or my mate justicar Alaric wants to do guard and has used mine once.