Showing posts with label North West Open. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North West Open. Show all posts

Friday 18 August 2017

2000pts battle report - Tyranids v Dark Angels - Game 5 - North West Open

The North West Open Tournament @ Wargames is an ITC format competition using the following rules pack: ITC 8th ed Combined Arms Missions. Each mission was rolled for randomly before the game and we were then all told which one to play.

Game 5 low down:
  • Scenario 4 - The Scouring [check the rules pack linked above for all the details]
  • Search & Destroy deployment
  • 1 Eternal War Objective and 2 Maelstrom
Moving down the tables I was on table 26 with only one pair below me and my partner Colin Mill's Dark Angels. However, it turned out the two other players were 'no shows' and as such I'd managed to reach the bottom table - we were indeed fighting for the Wooden Spoon! The added bonus for me was seeing how Dark Angels fare in 8th. Colin had a vehicle heavy list [all lists are here], Razorbacks, couple of Predators, two Dreadnoughts and two Las Cannon Devastators with Azrael to buff his nearby units behind that ruin in the top left.


I got first turn and rolled hold objective 1 and 2 for Maelstrom which meant I could swap them for hold 3 objectives. It's a bigger gamble but the rewards were 3 VPs instead on a max of 2. It was doable as all three objectives were within [Death] spittingdistance of my DZ. I mean it was a competitive decision, I felt I had a 65-75% chance of success given the bodies on the board but failure would push me into Wooden Spoon territory. I couldn't ignore the chance, to do so would spurned the gift, so I went for it.


Flyrant and Carnifex moved on one of the Razorbacks, but no First Blood in this game! The Flyrant was spectacularly inneffective against the tank. He really needs a Melee weapon if I'm going to play him like this. I think further insult was added by possibly being killed by Colin in his following turn, he doesn't appear in any further pictures.


I thinned out the Devastators in the Ruins opposite my DZ but the 2 remaining wouldn't break.


The returned fire by killing the Tervigon. Support from the Predators were surprisingly effective, their Auto Cannon was particularly brutal, propmpting me to consider moving my own one further up my 2017/18 Hobby Season To Do List. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to pull me off my objectives and I gained 3 VPs in my turn.


Colin had inadvertanly positioned his units in such a way as to make my Trygon tunnel really difficult to place. I coudl certainly put them down, just nowhere to take benefit of their deployment, with trees and choke points all around. However, I'd drawn objective 1 and 2 again so a second chanc eto convert that to 3 objectives. The odds were prety even in success now. Without the Tervigon the Trygon and Genestealers could soak up the fire while everything else secured the three objectives.


The Carnifex attempted what the Flyrant had failed to do and were equally unable to complete the task. The fact their Thresher Scyth tails is only S4 the reason for their inability to wound the tank.


And therefore paid the price as the Razorback fell back leaving them exposed.


And one Carnifex went down.


The Trygon Prime was also felled but my line stayed true and I was able to secure another 3 VPs in my turn.


I drew hold objective 2 and kill a unit. I'm not entirely sure what went down in this turn 3 [our final turn, believe it or not]. I know I ultimately scored both Maelstrom objectives. I think the Razorback got destroyed, I couldn't quite get the last Devastator in the ruins and my remaining Genestealers tried to assault the two Razorbacks in the woods, not sure how many survived but the end of the game I'd won 8 VPs for Maelstrom [thanks to the three objective gambles], we tied the Eternal War mission on 4 VPs each and I got Linebreaker for my Carnifex while Colin Scored Big Game Hunter and Slay the Warlord - final score 13-6 to me - a win!


Because of the win I was out of the Wooden Spoon competition and I was convinced Colin had been successful but he actually lost out on that 'accolade' by one VP. I suppose it's no surprise to discover that Colin's experience was limited, this may well have been his first five games of 8th if I recall but his sportsmanship was awesome and such a genuinely friendly bloke, his kilt was also particularly special :)


There we have it, five games, one win, about right and Martin [owner of Wargames] did say, with no disrespect, that I'd found my place. The third floor was by far the most relaxed, even Aceface said it got progressively tense the higher up the tables [the lower down the building]. Every game was a treat, every player was a true gentleman of the hobby and as you know I did come away with Best Army and £50 to spend which will cover the Tyranid Codex and perhaps go towards an Exocrine if they ever return.


I think as a 'make or break' for 8th it's been apparent in my reports and comments that I still have reservations. It's such a change that it's clear I can't continue to play 8th as I have 5th, 6th and 7th. Bottom line Tyranids are competitive and I currently am not. Whether getting better at the game can be achieved without that need to be ruthless that seems to predicate success I don't know.

The ITC format was interesting in the Maelstrom missions only scoring in your subsequent turn - this certainly led to some tactical thought to ensure you would still score your points after your opponents turn. But beyond that I think tactics in general have taken a huge hit. I keep referring to the first turn - regardless of missions it seems you have to decapitate as much of your opponent as you can because they're sure as hell going to do that to you. Once you've blunted their force you have room to deal with whatever tactical missions are on the cards.

I confess I'm not sure how this is different from me always striving for First Blood. but that can be achieved with just one unit, however small and a wrecked Rhino isn't exactly ruining your day. Purge the Alien missions have always been my least favourite missions but it seems like this forms the core introduction to how 8th games pan out. Maybe there's a little more finesse I'm missing because I'll admit my grasp of how to approach games is sorely lacking. But this is still coming to terms with 8th and so long as my mates are still invested and I'm still having fun, which the NWO provided in abundance I'll be there. Next stop - Nevermind the Blog Wars.

Wednesday 16 August 2017

2000pts battle report - Tyranids v Astra Milliwhatsit [TANKS!] - Game 4 - North West Open

The North West Open Tournament @ Wargames is an ITC format competition using the following rules pack: ITC 8th ed Combined Arms Missions. Each mission was rolled for randomly before the game and we were then all told which one to play.

Game 4 low down:
  • Scenario 6 - Secure & Control [check the rules pack linked above for all the details]
  • Spearhead Assault deployment
  • 1 Eternal War objective and 2 Maelstrom objectives
Day two and after three losses I moved down to table 26, but I was so happy as it was Red Planet BASE! It would transpire my opponent was a 'no show' and as there were two missing I was matched against one of my Double Trouble 2 partners and Birthday Bash Veteran Rob Nathan. However Rob was not bringing his White Scars this time, he'd brought TANKS! and bucket loads of them, including a Shadow Sword! With such a destructive weapon on the board I didn;t see much point in putting the Hive Guard in the Bastion. I assumed as it was such a big target it would be knocked down pretty smartish.


So everything huddled behind the hills, if not in cover at least attempting to be out of sight. Unfortunately not out of sight enough as the Bastion was ignored and the Shadowsword put it's shooting into the Tervigon in Rob's first turn.


Luckily it's weapons weren't quite fired up and the Tervigon survived on three wounds.


The rest of his tanks drew their aim at my Carnifex.


Stripping off five wounds...


and then the last three to score First Blood and most likely a Maelstrom point.


My turn and I had to hold Objective 2, just in front of the Bastion and kill a unit. The remaining Carnifex Advanced, supported by the Flyrant. I targeted the nearest Leman Russ think I managed to degrade it to just a few wounds but ultimately couldn't complete my kill a unit Maelstrom mission.


The Tervigon and Termagants also Advanced, with the Brood Mother replenishing any casualties from the first turn of shooting.


But their progress did not go unnoticed and the Tervigon was shot to pieces.


The Carnifex too was judged an immediate threat and reduced to 2 wounds...


and then none like it's sibling. My push forward was being blunted pretty effectively.


With less threats on the board Rob had opportunity to focus on the Bastion, stripping 13 wounds off it!


As my assault diminished I tried to hunker down, retreating my Malanthrope to bolster my defences and score both objective 2 and have 3 units and no enemy units in my DZ. I knew how devastating the Guard shooting could be and having the Bastion, Hive Guard, Rippers, Warriors, Termagants and Malanthrope gave me double the units I needed for a bit of redundancy.


While my push forward added a further distraction when the Genestealers and Trygon arrived in their tunnel. 
But before I sent in the ground troops the Flyrant tried to assault the super heavy but they were waiting for him and the Volcan Cannon overwatched him like an insignificant fly.
The Genestealers failed their charge and the Trygon need a charge of 8" to reach the Shadowsword and I typically rolled a 1 and 2. So I used a command point to re-roll the 1 hoping for a 6


and only went and got it!


The Trygon managed to take it to 9 wounds, or do 9 wounds, not sure, but Rob said it was equal to the most amount of damage it had received in all the games, unfortunately not half as successful as it should have been.


Rob retaliated by destroying the Bastion.


The reveresed out of the combat to shoot the Trygon point blank, then mop up the Genestealers with ease.


We tied for Eternal War objectives, both holding our own and scoring 4 points each but Rob had the Maelstrom mission for 8, First blood and Slay the Warlord for another 2. Final score was 14:4 another loss, but another great game and nice to pair up with Rob again. This is the great thing about the hobby and these tournaments, gettign to see the same faces again and catching up.


As much as I'm enjoying the games, at this stage I'm a little disappointed about how bad I'm playing. I don't honestly think it's the 'nids, they just feel like a tool I don't know how to use. I think I'm actually going to be in with a shout for Wooden Spoon which would be an achievement of some sort but although it might be coming across as 'protesting too much' about not winning the fact is I don't mind losing so long as I gave it my best and right now my best is pretty rubbish. Still, on to the last game.

Monday 14 August 2017

2000pts battle report - Tyranids v Necrons - Game 3 - North West Open

The North West Open Tournament @ Wargames is an ITC format competition using the following rules pack: ITC 8th ed Combined Arms Missions. Each mission was rolled for randomly before the game and we were then all told which one to play.

Game 3 low down:
  • Scenario 1 - Retrieval [check the rules pack linked above for all the details]
  • Dawn of War deployment
  • 1 Eternal War objective and 1 Maelstrom objective
Moving down from table 22 to table 24 I was matched with David Woods and his Necrons. Unfortunately I didn't take too many pictures so it's a bit difficult to work out what went on. Additionaly I think this was David's first ever tournament and third game of 8th edition so we spent a lot of time trying to get things right. I believe I won first turn but importantly you should note I totally messed up deployment. My big mistake was putting the bastion between those two ruins. In particular the two storey building meant none of my Monstrous creatures could be deployed inside as they had to climb up one side and down the other to get out as you can no longer 'pass through walls' by barging through with a difficult terrain test! Insead my Tervigon was forced into the single storey ruin on the left. Anyway, I drew Maelstrom objectives 1 and 2, which was possibly by my Bastion and where I brought the Trygon and Genestealers in, hoping to live to my turn 2. I was sure I killed something in turn 1 but it may have just been weight of fire into the Doomsday Ark to strip away all but 5 of it's wounds, at least it degraded a bit.


In return the Genestealers and Trygon were wiped off the board! This would deny me securing both objectives in my turn. The Flyrant was also wounded enough to reduce it at least one, if not two tiers of damage [they're really not that good, or I'm not using then correctly].


I scored my 1VP and drew Objective one and kill a unit. The Doomsday Ark was my best chance [even though it's Living Metal had repaired one of it's wounds]. The Flyrant swooped forward and I was able to take it down. Additional damage was wrought on the Warriors and Immortals.


But most of them got back up again in their turn leaving me back where I started.


Unbelievably, considering my results, throughout most of the day my dace rolling had been obscenely good. Quite often statistically improbable, which made me wonder just how bad a results I could have had. This I think was a series of saves, FnP and Tenacious Survivor results for my Flyrant leaving him still on the board.


This gave the Flyrant the opportunity to assault one of the Doom Scythes, whose Death Ray was laying down all sorts of hurt with abandon. Unfortunately without any melee weapons I could only take it to 5 wounds left [which it would repair one - Living Metal]. Meanwhile the Carnifex and Malanthrope mad eit into combat but I couldn't kill a unit


Flying off left the Flyrant exposed and ultimately it was plucked from the sky. I think my conga lined Termagants managed to secure me the Eternal War mission and I got Line Breaker by deploying the Rippers in that Ruin in the back of the board where they couldn't be seen [which is why I left them in there overnight!] I ended with 9 points but David got 11 with Line Breaker, Slay the Warlord and Big Game Hunter and the Maelstrom Mission win. Surprisingly my unit with the highest Power Level for Big Game Hunter was not the Flyrant, Trygon or even the two Carnifex but my Genestealers!


Three games, three losses but again a really good game and David and I had a lot of fun. I totally screwed up my deployment, which highlighted another problem with the way 8th works now. LoS blocking buildings/ruins are so important nowadays to actually offer some protection for larger creatures/vehicles, but those pictured above serve up a massive nightmare for movement. Granted creatures/vehicles have so many more wounds now that the idea of protecting them further seems greedy but they're still dieing in droves because heavy weapons are more destructive and small arms have chances to damage even when there used to be none.


Anyway, it was a great game and I was ready for day 2, perhaps that wooden spoon could be mine...?

Friday 11 August 2017

2000pts battle report - Tyranids v Blood Angels - Game 2 - North West Open

The North West Open Tournament @ Wargames is an ITC format competition using the following rules pack: ITC 8th ed Combined Arms Missions. Each mission was rolled for randomly before the game and we were then all told which one to play.

Game 2 low down:
  • Scenario 5 - Big Guns Never Tire [check the rules pack linked above for all the details]
  • Front Line assault deployment
  • 2 Eternal war and Maelstrom objectives
Despite the loss I remained on table 22, which was actually rather convenient and I was up against Max's mate Steve Tiencken [the only Welshman in the tournament according to him ;) ]. Max had some Assault Cannon Razorbacks, Baal Predators, a Sicaran Battle Tank, a Fire Raptor :(, Storm Raven, various Tactical Marines and three Assault Cannon Tarantulas holding his centre [in cover] buffed by a Primaris Captain and Lieutenant [re-rolls of some kind for hits and wounds]. I won first turn and surged forward.


Tyrgon also turned up to draw some fire from the Flyrant. My target priority were the Tarantulas for First Blood and because I thought they would be relatively simple to kill while their survival would put out disproportionately high shooting thanks to the buffs around them. I succeeded but then found out First Blood/Strike was not a bonus mission in this scenario! Meanwhile I had to hold onto my two objectives in my deployment until turn 2.


The Genestealers and Trygon did their job too well in Steve's turn suffring 19 Stealer casualties and 7 wounds off the Trygon.


Then the Trygon took even more fire and was killed while the Flyrant was reduced to 8 wounds.


It took a further four wounds and then I think the Tactical squad got some shots on it and my failed saves, Catalyst and Tenacious Survivor failed to stop the remaining damage.


The Flyrant was dead for Slay the Warlord.


The lone Genestealer was then set upon by the Tactical Squad that disembarked from the Razorback.


Teh Marines attacking first on the charge meant he could not survive the five to one odds.


Not sure what I did this turn, clearly the Carnifex barreled forward and charged the Tactical Squad - killing them outrigh. I secured my Maelstrom objectives thankfully and with hold objective 1 and kill a unit I was halfway to scoring another 2 point sin my next turn.


Steve responded by strafing my lines, killing the lead Carnifex.


It also looks like the tervigon was popped.


While the Termagants were whittled in numbers as I aimed to hold objective 1 while still advancing up the board.


I gain my 2 VPs and draw Objective 1 and Kill a Unit again. I move the Devgaunts and Carnifex up and rain fire down on the Tactical squad in the trench - killing them for my next turn VP.


The Storm Raven moves off to the left but targets the Carnifex.


Shooting from the Fire Raptor combines to destroy the Carnifex and subsequently the Termagants.


I gain my 2VPs but draw hold my objective 1 and Steve's objective 1. I bring the Rippers up in the trneches, hoping to sneak that enemy objective 1. All my Bastion, Quad Gun and Hive Guard shooting manages to bring the Storm Raven down [probably using a Command re-roll to do it].


All Steve's shooting went into my Bastion, bringing it down along with one of the Hive Guard in the twisted wreckage.


Steve then killed the remaining Hive Guard and most of the Warriors with the Fire Raptor.


I may be mistaken but I think he subsequently killed everything left on the board - the Rippers, Malanthrope and remaining Warrior leaving me tabled. Not entirely sure but it rings a bell that it went down that way. Ultimately I scored 7 Maelstrom VPs but Steve had been more consistent and took the 8 points for Maelstrom, the 8 Points for Eternal War and potentially the clean sweep of Bonus Points to make it 19:0! Once again defeat and a score line that overlooks what hard won success I did achieve but perhaps reflects more what remained of my army.


Again, no complaints from me. The Flyers were a challenge to contend with [I only managed to deal with one] and those Primaris HQ units were pretty tough but a perfectly decent list and Steve was a great sport and good fun. On to game 3.