First game and I'm drawn against Hendrik from Germany. We've met at previous Blog Wars [
where I played against his friend Tobias] and Double Trouble [
where I faced his brother Kai-Uwe]. This was such a nice pairing as I'd really appreciated Hendrik's support of the event and travelling all the way. Of course given recent GW news we entered into some good natured banter about who was the loyalist Dark Angels and who were obviously more loyalist ;) He had a slight advantage bringing Azrael, he is their Chapter Master afterall, but I pointed out he could just as easily have been Cyper or an Alpha Legion guy in disguise. He did also bring a Deredeo dreadnought with Missile Launcher, a Land Raider Helios, two Razorbacks with tactical Squads, Azreal and Command Squad retinue in a pod and a Nephilim Jetfigther. So my air superiority was well and truly lost!
The low down:
- One of the Maelstrom missions - 3 cards per turn
- Vanguard Strike
- Warlord Trait - Warlord and 3 Units get Infiltrate
- Liam got a Maelstrom Warlord Trait that allowed him to discard even the numbered objectives
- I set up second and failed to seize the initiative
- No night fighting.
The best thing about this game was that Hendrik, from the off, was not treating it like a competition. PeteB had said a number of times it should be like a Tuesday night round at your mates and this what it was. I think Hendrik realised his force was a little unconventional and I was inexperienced with the Dark Angels [which probably means they were too young for them to be Heretics ;) So he was giving me advice about deployment and tactics. With my extra infiltrating units I deployed quite far forwards.
Hendrik's line was centred on the Helios with the Deredeo holding the 'high' ground and flanked by Razorbacks.
His drop pod arrived to secure objective 4 [I think]
With Azrael and his honour gouard inside.
Although my Ravenwing were the most dangerous threat Azrael targetted the Tactical Squad. I lost either 2 or 3 and the broke and ran towards the perceived safety of my Bastion.
The Bikes would be next on Azrael's list to hunt, but in the mean time had to jink to avoid shots from other quarters.
On the other flank the Razorback advanced, disgorging troops btu they failed to get through the bolstered defences of the science station. Hendrik scored the maximum 2 VPs for the turn on objectives.
My turn and the Ravenwing skirted round the rock outcrop, they focussed on the Tactical squad, just five guys and so close to the board it could be an easy kill. Unfortunately Jink makes my shooting go awry and the unit survives.
My automatic drop pod turned up, sending Brother Cask forth to melta the Helios. Again Hendrik advised me on where to drop the pod, providing an obstruction to the Helios's shooting/movement.
My Land Speeder Typhoons, Basiton, Devastators and regrouped Tactical squad shot at Azrael and his guard.
As the dust settled only Azrael and one marine was left standing.
Having killed the attached Librarian I take Witch Hunter and Overwhelming Firepower for 2 VPs, [First Blood too for that matter].
Hephilim arrives but cannot kill Cask. I think it took a Hull Point from my Quad Gun.
Azrael wreaks vengeance - Dark Vengeance on the Ravenwing.
Slaying them all!
My turn 2 and the Dark Talon zooms on. Out of the firing arc of the Deredeo's cannons I boldly refuse to Jink from it's missiles and survive.
In return fire up the Rift Cannon and BOOM!
Vortex! Sadly I only do 1 damage to the Dread.
I end the turn on another 2 VPs
The Nephilim enters into a dogfight with the Dark Talon, I think I was forced to Jink this time. Even so I think I was shaken.
One fo the Razorback's picks up it's squad and advances onto the landing pad.
My turn 2 and the second pod arrives, disgorging troops to try and secure Obj 2.
The shakend Dark Talon continued on it's merry way, just staying on the board.
Typhoons redployed to target the Razorback on my right flank but could not destroy it. The Scouts had broken in the previous turn but regrouped without any target to shoot at.
1 VP for Obj 2.
Nephilim goes for the Scouts, but they're just too hidden to fall, which cannot be said about the Dereadnought's pod. Not sure when Brother Cask fell but looks like he will need to be interred again if we caan recover his remains.
Tactical squad charge what remains in the bunker and my Techmarine charges the Deredeo. Hendrik's force is reduced to one and my Techmarine is stomped by the Deredeo. Thinking about it should I have got my 2+ save? Is a dreadnought only AP2 when it has a Dreadnought Close Combat weapon? Anyway, as my Warlord fell I did suddenly think didn't I have something else with a 2+ save? And my eyes dropped to see the Deathwing Command Squad I'd not rolled to bring on all game! You have to laugh - Hendrik and I did...
I do however make 2 VPs for Behind Enemy Lines and the scouts holding Obj3
Next turn and this is the only picture I took - scoring a VP, either for the Nephilim or a Razorback, not sure which. I know the Terminators did come on, perhaps they shot the Razorback in the back?
This was the final score, although with First Blood and Linebreaker I should have been on 10 and Hendrik should have +1 for Slay the Warlord.
There wasn't much left of my army. My notorious Bastion had survived a game, booking the trend but a lot had died and yet somehow I'd won - good cards I guess. It was the super-relaxed attitude from Hendrik that made the game for me though, I almost felt he'd been robbed of the victory, he definitely did not deserve to lose.
That also means, I believe this is the first time I've ever won game 1
of a tournament! Anyway, what matter is it was a good game and we
invited Hendrik to the local curry house that night rather than leave
him on his own. Birthday Bash really did it's job well!
