"Appropriate quote."

Edwin Voskamp's WH40K Battlereport 8: Space Marines vs. Eldar (2000 points)

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Introduction

The Captain looked out at his Compay: "After the horrific loss when we last clashed with the Warhost from Ulthwé, we have been fighting for a while now, we again meet in the same place. We have gotten some more information on this warhost: their Battleseer is called Eldrad Ulthran, the foremost Farseer of Ulthwé, and perhaps the entire Eldar race. Normally, when we face a warhost, it is put together for a specific goal, but this warhost is different: Eldrad led them from their Craftworld and they have been together since, even travelling amongst Craftworlds. It is effectively a standing army, although the Lords have not divulged what meaning they discern in its actions.

He made an energetic, chopping gesture with his hand: "It does not matter, we still have to fight them. This time we are not going to hang back: we are going to march the night through and get upclose and personal with them. HQ has attached another Chief Librarian and Lexicanium, as well as some more Land Speeders. This time we will protect them better: the Apothecary will remain with the Chief Librarian and the Lexicanium will hang back. We will anchor the right side with heavy weaponry, move the Land Speeders separately up through the Forest to rout out their long range fire support, the assault troops will move up through the ruins."

"The Emperor's Will Be Done!"

* * *

House Rules

See my House Rules higher up on this Web page.

The Armies

Space Marines Army

Part of the 'Death Angels Chapter, Fourth Company' (Origin).

1996 points, XX models: 7 characters, 4 squads (20 models) and 14 support vehicles.

Characters/Squads/Support: XXXX:XXXX:XXXX or XX:XX:XX%.

Characters

Captain ??

Chief Librarian ??

Lexicanium ??

Chaplain ??

2 Techmarines

Apothecary ??

Squads

7th Assault Squad, split in two Combat squads ??

9th Devastator Squad, split in two Combat squads ??

Support

Thudd Gun Squadron

Thudd Gun Squadron

Land Speeder Squad, of the 8th Assault Squad ??

Eldar Army

Part of the 'Fire Warhost of Eternal Night' (Craftworld of Ulthwé).

2000 points, 47 models: 8 characters, 9 squads (39 models) and no support vehicles.

Characters/Squads/Support: 941:1059:0 or 47:53:0%.

Characters

Eldrad Ulthran - Farseer or Ulthwé (272)

Dire Avenger Exarch (91)

Dark Reaper Exarch (135)

Howling Banshee Exarch (95)

Swooping Hawk Exarch (114)

Striking Scorpion Exarch (76)

Warp Spider Exarch (158)

Squads

Dire Avenger Squad (88)

Dark Reaper Squad (201)

Dark Reaper Squad (201)

Swooping Hawk Squad (140)

Howling Banshees (135)

Striking Scorpions (130)

Warp Spider Squad (164)

Support

None.

Pre-Battle

Mission Cards were known from Battle 7.

Space Marines

Mission

Engage and Destroy

Strategy Cards

Forced March

Look out sir, Aargh!

Psychic Powers

Smite

Psychic Powers

Carmine Assassin

Teleport

Vortex

Salamander

Plan

The basic plan was to protect the Chief Librarian and deny him his mission, while destroying as much of his squads, as a whole, and characters.

The order of batlle would be:

Destroy the Dark Reapers.

Destroy the Dark Reaper Exarch.

Destroy the Warp Spiders.

Destroy the Warp Spider Exarch.

Assorted secondary objectives are:

Deny his Howling Banshees the Charge.

Kill squads completely, for victory points.

This time I had the first setup and a Forced March to extend my setup to 18". The basic idea was to anchor the right with heavy weapons, put the Land Speeders on the left to kill the Dark Reapers, and put the rest in the middle to shoot anything that moved, and charge at suriviving remnants.

I had been on the receiving end of the Devastator Heavy Weapon Combat Squad on top of the hill, so that was a given.

I have knocked off too many Land Speeders to expose those, so they were going up the left, 18" into the forest. I would set them up within 6", move them up to the edge of the forest and attack the Dark Reapers, ready to split them if Chris separated his Dark Reaper squads in his setup.

The Thudd guns I'd use in direct fire mode, even in Overwatch, since his assault troops are too fast to hit, and the Dark Reapers too hard to kill.

The Devastator Combat Squad with the Captain went as far to the front as possible, as well as the two Assault squads.

Eldar

Mission

Witch Hunt

Strategy Cards

Brilliant Strategy

Malfunction

Crack Shot

Psychic Powers

Mind War

Doom

Executioner

Battle Fate

Plan

The Battle

Setup

Space Marines played Forced March.

Eldar played Brilliant Strategy and rolled a 4.

Space Marines

One Thudd gun squad went on a low hill in the middle of the deployment zone, the Lexicanium behind them, the other in the far right front corner. The Chief Librarian with the Apothecary (for a Look out sir, Aargh!) behind the big hill. The Devastator Heavy Weapon Combat Squad on top of the big hill. The Devastator Light Weapon Combat Squad was set up in the ruin near the forest, with the Captain. The two assault squads in the ruin beside it. The two Land Speeders went in the forest, 6" apart, the nearest, just over 4" from the edge of the forest towards the ruins.

Eldar

One Dark Reaper Squad with the Exarch went on a low hill behind the forest on the right. The other squad went on a second floor of a ruins in the center of the deployment zone, the Swooping Hawk squad in the ruins as well. The Howling Banshees were to the right of them, the Striking Scorpions spread out in a line before them, the Dire Avengers spread out in a line before them, the Exarchs on the side towards the Devastators. Eldrad was off to their side. The Warp Spiders set up in a ruins in the far left of the Deployment zone.

Space Marines Infiltrated Troops

None.

Eldar Infiltrated Troops

None.

Final Preparations

None.

Movement

Space Marines won the roll to go first (6 vs. 1).

Final Thoughts

Space Marines

The Warp Spiders are set up well. With all the squads in the center, the Devastator squad won't be able to fire at the Dark Reapers in the back. The left Thudd gun will have some targets for direct fire.

All in all it works out well, though he did spread them out more than I would have liked. I definitely have a playable situation.

Eldar

Turn 1

Space Marines

Movement

Land Speeders move left in the forest at Slow Speed., with gunners on Overwatch.

Devastators Lite move forward, with Captain.

Devastators Heavy go on Overwatch.

One Assault Squad Runs forward to cover, the other half goes to Overwatch.

Both Thudd gun batteries go to Overwatch.

Chief Librarian and Apothecary go to Overwatch.

Fire

3 of the Devastators Lite fire at the Dire Avengers: 1 hit, no Wounds.

2 of the Devastators Lite fire at the Dark Reapers in the house (Captain is out of range): 1 hit, 1 wound, 1 dead Dark Reaper: other two Break!

Hand-to-hand

None.

Psychic Phase

3D6 cards: 13.

Space Marines: pass

Eldar: Dooms Captain

Space Marines: pass

Eldar: Mind War Captain (2 Wounds)

Space Marines store 1

Eldar store 1

Eldar

Movement

Striking Scorpions Run for the Forest

Eldrad Runs behind Dire Avengers.

Devastators Heavy take Overwatch fire at Dark Reapers. Lascannon fires and Malfunctions! (Strategy Card): blows up, Wounds, but saves. Missile Launcher misses. Two Heavy Bolters: one hits: 2 SD, 5 hits. 3 failed saves, kills Dire Avenger Exarch and next Dire Avenger.

Thudd guns fire Overwatch at advancing Dire Avengers: one scatters into Howling Banshees and kills 2, they pass the Break test. Other hits Dire Avenger and kills one. Hits the Striking Scorpion Exarch, wounds, but saves.

Swooping Hawks fly ahead 36" and Assault squad takes Overwatch fire: 2 hits, no wounds. They drop 6 grenades on the first Assault squad. One takes 2 Wounds, but saves, next takes one Wound and dies.

Chief Librarian and Apothecary take Overwatch fire: Chief Librarian hits: kills 1 Swooping Hawk.

Warp Spiders Jump full jump ahead in between the Assault squads.

Howling Banshees Run forward.

Fire

Dire Avengers at Devastators Lite: miss completely.

Dark Reapers at Devastator Heavy: 2 Hits, two kills (Sergeant and Missile Launcher). Dark Reaper Exarch hits twice: 3 hits and Jammed, killing one Heavy Bolter.

Warp Spiders at Assault squad: kills Chaplain (Looked out sir, aargh!) and one other. They are Shaken.

The other squad kills one. Exarchs fire and take two shots each (both saves double 6s). They are Shaken.

Swooping Hawks fire at Thudd gun: 3 hits, all fail to Wound.

Swooping Hawk Exarch kills two Servitors.

Hand-to-hand

None.

Psychic Phase

3D6 cards: 12.

Eldar plays Executioner (2 cards) Nullified.

Space Marines plays Salamander on the Swooping Hawks: Nullify failed, but background Nullify works.

Eldar uses Psychic Duel and takes Smite from the Lexicanium.

Space Marines play Carmine Assassin on Swooping Hawk Exarch: kills him.

Eldar play Mind War on Captain: Nullified.

Space Marines store 1 card,

Eldar store 1 card.

Rallying

Dark Reapers Rally.

Victory points

Space Marines (5)

0: 50% Dire Avenger Squad

2: Swooping Hawk Exarch

1: Dire Avenger Exarch

1: Mission: Swooping Hawk Exarch

1: Mission: Dire Avenger Exarch

Eldar (1)

1: 50% Devastator Heavy Squad

0: 2 Servitors

Questions

Can Psychic Duel card be Nullified?

Do Swooping Hawks have to Target nearest squad when dropping grenades?

Do Swooping Hawks all have to drop grenades on the same squad?

Turn 2

Space Marines

Movement

Left Land Speeder comes out of the forest behind the Dark Reapers.

Right Land Speeder comes out of the forest attacking Eldrad, and the Dark Reapers behind him.

Both Thudd gun Squads go to Overwatch fire.

Heavy Devastator Squad goes to Overwatch.

The Light Devastator Squad spreads out.

The rear Shaken Assault combat squad steps back a bit to get decent firing lines.

Apothecary moves up before the Chief Librarian.

Tech Marines of right Thudd gun squad move up to get clear lines of fire at the Swooping Hawks.

Tech Marine with left Thudd gun squad moves left, Lexicanium moves right.

Fire

Left Land Speeder fires Heavy Flamer at Dark Reapers: hits Exarch and all: 2 Dark Reapers killed, they make their Break test.

Left Land Speeder fires Multi-Melta at Dark Reaper Exarch: hits and wounds: dead.

Right Land Speeder fires Multi-Melta at Eldrad/Dark Reapers: hits, flies into it itself, destroys Heavy Flamer: Eldrad survives it.

Right Land Speeder fires Heavy Flamer at Eldrad/Dark Reapers: misses Eldrad, hits one Dark Reaper, wounds and kills him. Other Dark Reaper makes Break test.

Lite Devastator squad Rapid Fires (3) at Dire Avengers: 4 hits, 3 wounds, 1 dead.

Lite Devastator squad (2) at Striking Scorpions: 2 hits, 1 wound, saved.

Captain at Dark Reapers: hits, does not wound.

Left Assault Squad Hand Flamer kills one Warp Spider, sets one one Fire.

Left Assault Squad Rapid Fires (2), killing one Warp Spider.

Right Assault Squad one Rapid Fire, two regular fire at Warp Spiders,

Chaplain Rapid Fires at Warp Spiders: 5 hits, 1 wounds, saved.

Left Tech Marine throws Frag Grenade at Swooping Hawks: kills one.

Lexicanium misses Swooping Hawk.

Chief Librarian Rapid Fires at Swooping Hawks and right two Tech Marine at Swooping Hawks (1 on Rapid Fire), Rapid Firing one is (just) out of range: two hits, two wounds, one saves. Swooping Hawks do not break.

Hand-to-hand

None.

Psychic Phase

3D6 cards: 14.

Space Marines plays Carmine Assassin on Swooping Hawk: kills one.

Eldar plays Mind War on Captain: Daemonic Attack: Eldrad goes off to visit Slaanesh. Banshees Break.

Space Marines play Salamander to Warp Spider Exarch. Nullified.

Space Marines Nullify Doom on Captain.

Rallying

Rear Assault squad Rallies.

Eldar

Warp Spider survives burning flames, but runs back.

Movement

Striking Scorpions charge Lite Devastator Squad.

Left Thudd gun squad takes Overwatch fire at the lone Swooping Hawk: hits, Wounds and kills, the other shots curl back, but stop short of the Thudd guns

Warp Spider Exarch jumps (10") into rear ruins with rear Assault squad.

Warp Spider Jumps on the hill to attack the Apothecary and Chief Librarian.

Heavy Bolter takes Overwatch fire at Dark Reaper: misses (1).

Right Thudd gun squad takes Overwatch fire at the lone Warp Spiders: his, killing Warp Spider and walking the remainder up the hill and a miss: hits both members of the Devastator Heavy squads: wounds both, saves both.

Striking Scorpion: two charge two Devastator Lites outside the building, one charges two in the building, Exarch charges remaining one in the building.

Howling Banshees Run into cover.

Fire

Left Dark Reaper fires at nearest Land Speeder: misses.

Right Dark Reaper fires at nearest Land Speeder: hits, (3) 1-3 it is out of control for the turn.

Dire Avenger fires at Land Speeder: misses (1).

Warp Spider Exarch fires twices at rear Assault squad: kills one, remainder makes Break test.

Striking Scorpion fires at Land Speeder: misses (1).

Hand-to-hand

Striking Scorpion versus Lite Devastator: Mandiblaster hits, no wounds. First, 9 hits, 5 wounds, 4 lethal wounds.

Striking Scorpion versus Lite Devastator: Mandiblaster hits, no wounds. 4 hits, 1 wound, he's dead.

Striking Scorpion Exarch versus Lite Devastator: Mandiblaster hits, no wounds. 6 hits, 4 wounds, all lethally.

Striking Scorpion versus two Lite Devastators: Mandiblaster hits, wounds one, kills him. Equal (9 vs. 9), 1 Wound, kills him.

Psychic Phase

2D6 cards: 8.

Space Marines play Ultimate Force Carmine Assassin on Warp Spider Exarch: he's dead.

Chief Librarian Teleports 11" laterally.

Space Marines store 1 card.

Rallying

Howling Banshees Rally.

Victory points

Space Marines (23)

2: Swooping Hawk Squad

2: 50% Dark Reaper Squad

2: 50% Dark Reaper Squad

1: 50% Warp Spider Squad

0: 50% Dire Avenger Squad

3: Eldrad

2: Warp Spider Exarch

2: Dark Reaper Exarch

2: Swooping Hawk Exarch

1: Dire Avenger Exarch

1: Mission: Swooping Hawk Squad

1: Mission: Eldrad

1: Mission: Swooping Hawk Exarch

1: Mission: Warp Spider Exarch

1: Mission: Dark Reaper pider Exarch

1: Mission: Dire Avenger Exarch

Eldar (4)

1: 50% Devastator Heavy Squad

1: 50% Assault Squad

2: Lite Devastator Squad

0: 2 Servitors

Post Mortem

Space Marines

Well, for me, there's good news and bad news: I can do it with Space Marines too, but unfortunately my Eldar don't fight better with (some of) their base coat painted on. Overall, it was a massacre.

All in all a job well done: the Thudd guns performed admirably in direct fire, both in the Fire segment, as well as in Overwatch. I got lucky, tough, with Chris rolling abhorrently on some really important rolls: Eldrad took a high dive into the Warp on a 1 in 6, the Swooping Hawk and Warp Spider Exarchs both goth their clock cleaned by a Carmine Assassin: a 1 in 3 for each. Then I could be less harsh and go with Napoleon (paraphrased): lucky people are those people who give luck a chance.

The plan worked well: the Land Speeders rolled over the Dark Reapers, even though they fired badly: two multi-meltas and two heavy flamers killed the Dark Reaper Exarch and three Dark Reapers. Even worse. I flew one of the Land Speeders in its own Multi-melta template, but I was lucky and just burned off the heavy flamer. The Close Combat troops fared worse, getting bombarded well by the Swooping Hawks and shot up by the Warp Spiders.

Again I want to argue that setting up first is a boon: especially with the 18" extended deployment zone the Forced March Strategy Card gave me, I was able to get the Land Speeders and Heavy Weapons up close. The hand-to-hand squads up front setup was an added bonus, allowing them to get into the ruins' hard cover without running too much. They were not as effective as I had hoped, due to Chris' timely bombing run with the Swooping Hawks and excellent interdictive use of the Warp Spiders. Otherwise the Assault squads could have jumped into the Warp Spiders and Dark Reapers. On the other hand misjudging the distance to the Striking Scorpions was a costly mistake (the cost of a complete 'light' Devastator combat squad). I though they Scorpions could not reach the squad on a charge; they could, they did, and they killed them all. Scorpions are devastating against anything but hardcore, optimized close combat troops. The Striking Scorpion Exarch is a walking buzz saw.

All in all a battle that, with the mirror battle (see Battle Report 7) gives an excellent source of material to analyze.

The Doom on the Captain, followed by a Mind War gave me an extremely scare moment. The Chief Librarian's Powers were deadly: Carmine Assassin is a killer, literally.

Eldar