Game four of the Beachhead Brawl ITC tournament would see my White Scars take on Alex's Aeldari force in ITC mission 4.
My army consisted of:
Battalion Detachment
Captain on Bike- Twin Bolter, Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield, Master of Snares, Wrath of the Heavens
Librarian- Jump Pack, Force Stave, Mantle of the Stormseer, Ride the Winds, Storm-wreathed
5 Intercessors- Bolt Rifles, Bolt Pistols
5 Intercessors- Bolt Rifles, Bolt Pistols
5 Intercessors- Bolt Rifles, Bolt Pistols
5 Intercessors- Bolt Rifles, Bolt Pistols
Impulsor- 2 Storm Bolters, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Shield Dome
3 Eliminators- Bolt Sniper Rifles, Camo Cloaks
3 Eliminators- Bolt Sniper Rifles, Camo Cloaks
3 Eliminators- Bolt Sniper Rifles, Camo Cloaks
3 Eliminators- Bolt Sniper Rifles, Camo Cloaks
Battalion Detachment
Captain- Jump Pack, Master Crafted Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield, Chapter Master, Imperium's Sword
Lieutenant- Jump Pack, Power Axe, MC Bolter
5 Scouts- Bolters
5 Scouts- Bolters
5 Scouts- Bolt Pistol, Combat Knives
3 Inceptors- Assault Bolters
3 Inceptors- Assault Bolters
Battalion Detachment
Chaplain- Jump Pack, Crozius Arcanum, Bolt Pistol, Litany of Hate, Warlord
Phobos Librarian- Force Sword, Camo Cloak, Shrouding, Mind Raid
3 Inceptors- Assault Bolters
3 Inceptors- Assault Bolters
Battalion Detachment
Chaplain- Jump Pack, Crozius Arcanum, Bolt Pistol, Litany of Hate, Warlord
Phobos Librarian- Force Sword, Camo Cloak, Shrouding, Mind Raid
5 Infiltrators- Marksman Bolt Carbines, Smoke Grenades
5 Infiltrators- Marksman Bolt Carbines, Smoke Grenades
5 Tactical Marines- Bolters, Lascannon
5 Infiltrators- Marksman Bolt Carbines, Smoke Grenades
5 Tactical Marines- Bolters, Lascannon
Thunderfire Cannon- Techmarine Gunner with Flamer, Plasma Cutter, 2 Servo-arms
Alex's army consisted of:
Vanguard Detachment (Harlequins)
Shadowseer- Shuriken Pistol, Dreaming Shadow, Player of Twilight, Twilight Pathways, Warlord
Death Jester- Dreaming Shadow
Death Jester- Silent Shroud
Solitaire- Midnight Sorrow
Spearhead Detachment (Aeldari, Asuryani)
Traits- Expert Crafters, Masterful Shots
Farseer- Witchblade
Yvraine
Hornet- Aeldari Missile Launcher
Hornet- Aeldari Missile Launcher
3 Vibro Cannons
3 Vibro Cannons
3 Vibro Cannons
Warwalker- Aeldari Missile Launcher
Warwalker- Aeldari Missile Launcher
Warwalker- Aeldari Missile Launcher
Spearhead Detachment (Aeldari, Asuryani)
Traits- Expert Crafters, Masterful Shots
Wraithseer- Aeldari Missile Launcher
Wraithseer- Aeldari Missile Launcher
Hornet- Aeldari Missile Launcher
Wraithlord- Aeldari Missile Launcher, 2 Flamers
Wraithlord- Aeldari Missile Launcher, 2 Flamers
Wraithlord- Aeldari Missile Launcher, 2 Flamers
An interesting Eldar list, filled with a lot of firepower, from the Vibro Cannons, Death Jesters, War Walkers and Hornets. The Wraith units would also be tough for my army to take down.
For secondaries, I chose Recon, Engineers (Intercessors and Scouts) and Headhunter. Alex chose Butcher's Bill, Recon and Headhunter.
I deployed a number of my units far forwards, using the central ruins to shield the infiltrating squads, while using the Tactical Squad to screen my Chapter Master and Lieutenant. The Thunderfire Cannon held my back objective, along with the Engineers Intercessors and Scouts. I outflanked the Impulsor and the Inceptors went in reserve.
In reply, Alex put his Vibro Cannons across his deployment zone. The Hornets also spread out, along with the Wraith units, while the characters deployed behind them. He put the War Walkers in reserve.
I chose to take the first turn, and Alex failed to seize the initiative.
TURN 1- WHITE SCARS
The Biker Captain, Librarian and Chaplain advanced on the right flank, the Scouts moving up to support them. In the centre, the Chapter Master and Lieutenant moved up on the central ruins, while the Tactical Squad moved to the other side of the ruins.
In the psychic phase, the Librarian cast Storm-wreathed on the Biker Captain, using a CP re-roll to cast it on a 10. It was then denied on an 11 from the Yvraine! He then failed to cast Smite. The Phobos Librarian cast Smite, doing 3 mortal wounds, then failed to cast Mind Raid.
The Tactical Squad fired at the Wraithlord, doing 5 damage with the Lascannon (with the aid of a CP re-roll). The Eliminators fired at the Shadowseer, both squads doing a mortal wound on the enemy psyker.
I then used 3CP to fire Tremor Shells twice at the two Wraithlords, doing no damage, but cutting down their movement.
The Scouts managed a 9" charge on the Wraithseers, joined by the Biker Captain, Librarian, Phobos Librarian and Chaplain.
The Captain swung but only managed two wounds with a CP re-roll, one of which got through to leave the Wraithseer on 3 wounds.
Alex paid 2CP to interrupt and struck down the Librarian before he could strike. The Chaplain attacked the wounded Wraithseer, doing one wound, but he made his 5+ invulnerable save. The Phobos Librarian managed another wound, but he made his invulnerable once more. The Scouts attacked, but were unable to do any damage.
The Wraithseer attacked the Phobos Librarian, only doing a single wound, which got past his armour. He promptly rolled a 5 for damage and killed the Phobos Librarian outright.
At the end of my turn, I scored Hold 1 and Recon (1/4) for 2 points. Alex scored 2 points for Headhunter (2/4).
That was a horrendous first turn. It was hard to imagine it going much worse. I had fluffed the first turn turn and failed to kill a single unit. This was not helped by the fact that Alex made three out of four 5+ invulnerable saves on his Wraithseer!
TURN 1- AELDARI
The Wraithlords moved up on the right flank, as the Hornets also moved up to engage on either flank. The Solitaire blitzed towards the White Scars lines.
In the psychic phase, the Aeldari psykers unleashed their might, doing 8 mortal wounds on a variety of units with their powers. They also failed to cast Twilight Pathways and a 3D6 charge power.
In the shooting phase, the Wraithlord targeted the Scouts and Tactical Squads, getting 12 shots with its flamers and killing 2 from each squad. The Shadowseer managed to roll an 11 on his 2D6 to kill two of the Infiltrators with his mortal wounds.
The Aeldari firepower targeted the White Scars, wiping out the Tactical Squad, Infiltrators and one squad of Eliminators.
In the charge phase, the Solitaire assaulted the Biker Captain, while a Wraithlord charged the remaining Scouts.
The Solitaire attacked the Biker Captain, only managing two wounds which failed to get past the Storm Shield. The Wraithlord wiped out the Scouts. The Wraithseer managed to do four wounds on the Biker Captain, but I made all my invulnerable saves once more. The Wraithlord was able to kill three of the Scouts engaged with him.
In reply, the Biker Captain struck at the Wraithseer, getting 5 hits but only two wounds after rolling three 2's! Alex then made both 5+ invulnerable saves once more. The Chaplain was able to do one wound, while the Scouts were unable to harm the Wraithlord.
At the end of his turn, Alex scored hold 1, kill 1, Butcher's Bill (1/4) and kill more.
VICTORY POINTS:
White Scars- 2
Ynnari/Harlequins- 6
A very poor start for the White Scars. I was going to have to have a great second turn to try and pull things back into the game.
TURN 2- WHITE SCARS
In the second turn, I moved to the Tactical Doctrine. The Chaplain passed his roll to use the Litany of Hate.
The Biker Captain and Scouts fell back towards the Vibro Cannons. The Chaplain moved to target an enemy character. The Chapter Master and Lieutenant moved up on a Hornet. A unit of Inceptors landed on the left flank.
The Eliminators fired at the Shadowseer, doing a mortal wound once more. The Chapter Master and Lieutenant both threw Krak Grenades at the Hornet and Alex made both 5+ armour saves. Again. The Inceptors fired at the Death Jester, doing 7 wounds and he took three. The Thunderfire Cannon managed to kill the Wraithseer.
In the charge phase, the Inceptors failed a charged on the Death Jester. The Chaplain and Biker Captain charged the other Death Jester, while the Chapter Master and Lieutenant assaulted the Hornet.
The Biker Captain struck down the Death Jester, while the Chapter Master destroyed the Hornet in combat.
At the end of my turn, I scored hold 1, kill 1, Headhunter (2/4), Engineers (1/4) and Recon (2/4), as well as the bonus point for the objectives.
A decent turn for me, but I had little left and a lot of Aeldari firepower was still alive.
TURN 2- AELDARI
The Solitaire, a Wraithlord and Hornet moved up on the Chapter Master and Lieutenant. The Aeldari psykers moved into the ruins, while a Wraithseer moved up on the Inceptors. At the end of the phase, the Warwalkers arrived near the White Scars firebase.
In the psychic phase, the Shadowseer cast Shards on Light on the Biker Captain, doing 2 mortal wounds, then failed to cast Smite. The Yvraine managed another 2 mortal wounds on him. The Farseer failed both Executioner and Smite on the Captain. The Yvraine then cast Smite on a 12 and did 6 mortal wounds on the Chaplain, slaying him.
The Vibro Cannons on the left targeted the White Scars, killing the Scouts and Biker Captain. The Vibro Cannons on the right were able to kill the Inceptors. The Wraithlords targeted the Eliminators, killing the squad.
The Warwalkers fired at the Scouts, only managing to kill one. This took the squad out of line of sight of the other Warwalkers.
The Wraithseer fired at the Lieutenant, killing him with his Missiles.
In the charge phase, the Solitaire assaulted the Chapter Master. He struck at the White Scars Warlord, doing 7 wounds, but I made all my invulnerable saves! The Chapter Master attacked back, killing the Solitaire.
Alex used 2CP to fight in death, doing another 8 wounds on the Chapter Master. This time, the flurry of blows was enough to slay him.
At the end of the turn, Alex scored hold 1, kill 1, hold more, kill more, the bonus point, Recon (1/4), Butcher's Bill (2/4) and Headhunter (4/4). I also scored another Headhunter point (3/4).
VICTORY POINTS:
White Scars- 10
Ynnari/Harlequins- 16
At this point, I decided to concede the game. There was little I had left that could take out the Wraithlords with shooting or combat. I was about to lose my Engineers squads and my reserves had been screened out, so I would be unable to score any more Recon points. This was the fourth game of the day, it was about 8 pm and I had been thrashed in 3 out of 4 games. I decided to cut my losses and have an early night, rather than playing out a game that had been decided for the chance of a few extra points.
A win for the Ynnari and Harlequins.
AFTER-BATTLE THOUGHTS
That was an absolutely brutal game that started off bad and only got worse from there!
I knew that things were going pretty bad after my first turn. Some great luck on Alex's part had seen my initial assault bounce off of the Wraithseer and Wraithlord, doing very little damage. He just kept making 5+ saves throughout the entire game.
I did get very lucky with my Storm Shield saves on my characters, but had little else that could stand up to the firepower of the Aeldari army. The Expert Crafters "Chapter Tactic" was very powerful in this game, giving Alex a free to hit and to wound re-roll with almost every unit in his army. This was effective for giving him a big boost to his firepower.
The Hammer and Anvil did not help me too much either. This allowed him to deploy his Vibro Cannons and Hornets pretty far back, stopping my units from being able to charge them and shut them down quickly on the initial turns.
To be honest, I was exhausted going into this game and made a lot of mistakes because of it. This was the fourth game of the day and I just couldn't be bothered with it, after having a pretty rough day in my other games. I seriously considered giving up after my first turn, but after the second, it was pretty clear where the game was going. I didn't really feel like playing on to try and eke out a few more points to add to my miserable total from the day. Odds are that I would be tabled on turn 3 anyway.
So, I had ended day one on one win and three loses. A pretty terrible start to the weekend. I was hoping that things would improve on day 2!
Alex's army consisted of:
Vanguard Detachment (Harlequins)
Shadowseer- Shuriken Pistol, Dreaming Shadow, Player of Twilight, Twilight Pathways, Warlord
Death Jester- Dreaming Shadow
Death Jester- Silent Shroud
Solitaire- Midnight Sorrow
Spearhead Detachment (Aeldari, Asuryani)
Traits- Expert Crafters, Masterful Shots
Farseer- Witchblade
Yvraine
Hornet- Aeldari Missile Launcher
Hornet- Aeldari Missile Launcher
3 Vibro Cannons
3 Vibro Cannons
3 Vibro Cannons
Warwalker- Aeldari Missile Launcher
Warwalker- Aeldari Missile Launcher
Warwalker- Aeldari Missile Launcher
Spearhead Detachment (Aeldari, Asuryani)
Traits- Expert Crafters, Masterful Shots
Wraithseer- Aeldari Missile Launcher
Wraithseer- Aeldari Missile Launcher
Hornet- Aeldari Missile Launcher
Wraithlord- Aeldari Missile Launcher, 2 Flamers
Wraithlord- Aeldari Missile Launcher, 2 Flamers
Wraithlord- Aeldari Missile Launcher, 2 Flamers
An interesting Eldar list, filled with a lot of firepower, from the Vibro Cannons, Death Jesters, War Walkers and Hornets. The Wraith units would also be tough for my army to take down.
For secondaries, I chose Recon, Engineers (Intercessors and Scouts) and Headhunter. Alex chose Butcher's Bill, Recon and Headhunter.
I deployed a number of my units far forwards, using the central ruins to shield the infiltrating squads, while using the Tactical Squad to screen my Chapter Master and Lieutenant. The Thunderfire Cannon held my back objective, along with the Engineers Intercessors and Scouts. I outflanked the Impulsor and the Inceptors went in reserve.
In reply, Alex put his Vibro Cannons across his deployment zone. The Hornets also spread out, along with the Wraith units, while the characters deployed behind them. He put the War Walkers in reserve.
I chose to take the first turn, and Alex failed to seize the initiative.
TURN 1- WHITE SCARS
The Biker Captain, Librarian and Chaplain advanced on the right flank, the Scouts moving up to support them. In the centre, the Chapter Master and Lieutenant moved up on the central ruins, while the Tactical Squad moved to the other side of the ruins.
In the psychic phase, the Librarian cast Storm-wreathed on the Biker Captain, using a CP re-roll to cast it on a 10. It was then denied on an 11 from the Yvraine! He then failed to cast Smite. The Phobos Librarian cast Smite, doing 3 mortal wounds, then failed to cast Mind Raid.
The Tactical Squad fired at the Wraithlord, doing 5 damage with the Lascannon (with the aid of a CP re-roll). The Eliminators fired at the Shadowseer, both squads doing a mortal wound on the enemy psyker.
I then used 3CP to fire Tremor Shells twice at the two Wraithlords, doing no damage, but cutting down their movement.
The Scouts managed a 9" charge on the Wraithseers, joined by the Biker Captain, Librarian, Phobos Librarian and Chaplain.
The Captain swung but only managed two wounds with a CP re-roll, one of which got through to leave the Wraithseer on 3 wounds.
Alex paid 2CP to interrupt and struck down the Librarian before he could strike. The Chaplain attacked the wounded Wraithseer, doing one wound, but he made his 5+ invulnerable save. The Phobos Librarian managed another wound, but he made his invulnerable once more. The Scouts attacked, but were unable to do any damage.
The Wraithseer attacked the Phobos Librarian, only doing a single wound, which got past his armour. He promptly rolled a 5 for damage and killed the Phobos Librarian outright.
At the end of my turn, I scored Hold 1 and Recon (1/4) for 2 points. Alex scored 2 points for Headhunter (2/4).
That was a horrendous first turn. It was hard to imagine it going much worse. I had fluffed the first turn turn and failed to kill a single unit. This was not helped by the fact that Alex made three out of four 5+ invulnerable saves on his Wraithseer!
TURN 1- AELDARI
The Wraithlords moved up on the right flank, as the Hornets also moved up to engage on either flank. The Solitaire blitzed towards the White Scars lines.
In the psychic phase, the Aeldari psykers unleashed their might, doing 8 mortal wounds on a variety of units with their powers. They also failed to cast Twilight Pathways and a 3D6 charge power.
In the shooting phase, the Wraithlord targeted the Scouts and Tactical Squads, getting 12 shots with its flamers and killing 2 from each squad. The Shadowseer managed to roll an 11 on his 2D6 to kill two of the Infiltrators with his mortal wounds.
The Aeldari firepower targeted the White Scars, wiping out the Tactical Squad, Infiltrators and one squad of Eliminators.
In the charge phase, the Solitaire assaulted the Biker Captain, while a Wraithlord charged the remaining Scouts.
The Solitaire attacked the Biker Captain, only managing two wounds which failed to get past the Storm Shield. The Wraithlord wiped out the Scouts. The Wraithseer managed to do four wounds on the Biker Captain, but I made all my invulnerable saves once more. The Wraithlord was able to kill three of the Scouts engaged with him.
In reply, the Biker Captain struck at the Wraithseer, getting 5 hits but only two wounds after rolling three 2's! Alex then made both 5+ invulnerable saves once more. The Chaplain was able to do one wound, while the Scouts were unable to harm the Wraithlord.
At the end of his turn, Alex scored hold 1, kill 1, Butcher's Bill (1/4) and kill more.
VICTORY POINTS:
White Scars- 2
Ynnari/Harlequins- 6
A very poor start for the White Scars. I was going to have to have a great second turn to try and pull things back into the game.
TURN 2- WHITE SCARS
In the second turn, I moved to the Tactical Doctrine. The Chaplain passed his roll to use the Litany of Hate.
The Biker Captain and Scouts fell back towards the Vibro Cannons. The Chaplain moved to target an enemy character. The Chapter Master and Lieutenant moved up on a Hornet. A unit of Inceptors landed on the left flank.
The Eliminators fired at the Shadowseer, doing a mortal wound once more. The Chapter Master and Lieutenant both threw Krak Grenades at the Hornet and Alex made both 5+ armour saves. Again. The Inceptors fired at the Death Jester, doing 7 wounds and he took three. The Thunderfire Cannon managed to kill the Wraithseer.
In the charge phase, the Inceptors failed a charged on the Death Jester. The Chaplain and Biker Captain charged the other Death Jester, while the Chapter Master and Lieutenant assaulted the Hornet.
The Biker Captain struck down the Death Jester, while the Chapter Master destroyed the Hornet in combat.
At the end of my turn, I scored hold 1, kill 1, Headhunter (2/4), Engineers (1/4) and Recon (2/4), as well as the bonus point for the objectives.
A decent turn for me, but I had little left and a lot of Aeldari firepower was still alive.
TURN 2- AELDARI
The Solitaire, a Wraithlord and Hornet moved up on the Chapter Master and Lieutenant. The Aeldari psykers moved into the ruins, while a Wraithseer moved up on the Inceptors. At the end of the phase, the Warwalkers arrived near the White Scars firebase.
In the psychic phase, the Shadowseer cast Shards on Light on the Biker Captain, doing 2 mortal wounds, then failed to cast Smite. The Yvraine managed another 2 mortal wounds on him. The Farseer failed both Executioner and Smite on the Captain. The Yvraine then cast Smite on a 12 and did 6 mortal wounds on the Chaplain, slaying him.
The Vibro Cannons on the left targeted the White Scars, killing the Scouts and Biker Captain. The Vibro Cannons on the right were able to kill the Inceptors. The Wraithlords targeted the Eliminators, killing the squad.
The Warwalkers fired at the Scouts, only managing to kill one. This took the squad out of line of sight of the other Warwalkers.
The Wraithseer fired at the Lieutenant, killing him with his Missiles.
In the charge phase, the Solitaire assaulted the Chapter Master. He struck at the White Scars Warlord, doing 7 wounds, but I made all my invulnerable saves! The Chapter Master attacked back, killing the Solitaire.
Alex used 2CP to fight in death, doing another 8 wounds on the Chapter Master. This time, the flurry of blows was enough to slay him.
At the end of the turn, Alex scored hold 1, kill 1, hold more, kill more, the bonus point, Recon (1/4), Butcher's Bill (2/4) and Headhunter (4/4). I also scored another Headhunter point (3/4).
VICTORY POINTS:
White Scars- 10
Ynnari/Harlequins- 16
At this point, I decided to concede the game. There was little I had left that could take out the Wraithlords with shooting or combat. I was about to lose my Engineers squads and my reserves had been screened out, so I would be unable to score any more Recon points. This was the fourth game of the day, it was about 8 pm and I had been thrashed in 3 out of 4 games. I decided to cut my losses and have an early night, rather than playing out a game that had been decided for the chance of a few extra points.
A win for the Ynnari and Harlequins.
AFTER-BATTLE THOUGHTS
That was an absolutely brutal game that started off bad and only got worse from there!
I knew that things were going pretty bad after my first turn. Some great luck on Alex's part had seen my initial assault bounce off of the Wraithseer and Wraithlord, doing very little damage. He just kept making 5+ saves throughout the entire game.
I did get very lucky with my Storm Shield saves on my characters, but had little else that could stand up to the firepower of the Aeldari army. The Expert Crafters "Chapter Tactic" was very powerful in this game, giving Alex a free to hit and to wound re-roll with almost every unit in his army. This was effective for giving him a big boost to his firepower.
The Hammer and Anvil did not help me too much either. This allowed him to deploy his Vibro Cannons and Hornets pretty far back, stopping my units from being able to charge them and shut them down quickly on the initial turns.
To be honest, I was exhausted going into this game and made a lot of mistakes because of it. This was the fourth game of the day and I just couldn't be bothered with it, after having a pretty rough day in my other games. I seriously considered giving up after my first turn, but after the second, it was pretty clear where the game was going. I didn't really feel like playing on to try and eke out a few more points to add to my miserable total from the day. Odds are that I would be tabled on turn 3 anyway.
So, I had ended day one on one win and three loses. A pretty terrible start to the weekend. I was hoping that things would improve on day 2!