50 Power Casual Team Tournament
This weekend past, I participated in a Team Tournament at AFK games. Each player got a 50 power list, and was paired with a random player versus two other players. Secondaries could only be chosen from the Grand Tournament book, and could not be chosen from codexes.
Here's my list:
- Patrol
- Librarian, Force Sword, Plasma Pistol, The Tome of Vel'cona, Flaming Blast, Fire Shield, Drakeskin, Warlord, Lord of Fire
- Tactical Squad x5, Chainsword, Combi-Plasma, Multi-melta
- Aggressors x3, Flamestorm Gauntlets
- Ironclad Dreadnought, Chainfist, Meltagun, Hurricane Bolter, Ironclad Launchers, 2x Hunter Killer Missile
- Bike Squad x3, Power Fist, 2x Meltagun, Attack Bike, Multi-melta
- Eradicator Squad x3, Melta Rifles
Winning earned you an additional ticket, but just playing and showing up on time earned so many more that most people were on equal footing. Tickets could be spent on raffles for door prizes.
Game 1 - The Scouring
Bozeman (Salamanders) and David (Dark Angels) vs. Andrew S. (Sons of Bile) and Chris (Nihilakh Necrons)
Chris and I had one of the worst first turns I've ever had. Rolls were terrible. After that we did not really recover, but the battle was extremely bloody. Due to time limits, we only made it to turn 3. Had the game gone on longer we may have had a chance due to extreme losses on the other side. The stars were the Nihilakh Necrons, who scored LOADS of points because all of their units have Objective Secured!
Game 2 - Scorched Earth
Bozeman (Salamanders) and Andrew M. (Sororitas - Sacred Rose) vs. Andrew (Space Wolves) and David (Dark Angels)
Aggressive first turn moves allowed me and Andrew to set the pace of the battle. Deep Strike attacks from Saint Celestine and Ephrael Stern take vital objectives and cause chaos. Except for a near invincible Space Wolves Dreadnought, most enemies go down for a win.
Game 3 - Sweep and Clear
Bozeman (Salamanders) and Andrew S. (Sons of Bile) vs. Jesse (Legio Metallica Mechanicus AND Thousand Sons)
Jesse was the Ringer for this tournament, and brought SIX different lists and rolled randomly each time. Due to an imbalance of players, Jesse took TWO of his lists against us!
Andrew's teleporting Terminators brought some needed pressure, cutting off Ahriman's push to the right side of the board. We took a lot of extremely mobile fire from Mechanicus walkers that can advance and shoot. However, by the end, we managed to wear down Jesse's armies and score a great deal of points.
Results:
I won 5 tickets for showing up on time, with printed lists, and not needing anything from an AFK employee. Two wins one loss gave me 5 more. I used these to win a really nice paintbrush and a pot of Black Templar contrast paint.
It was a really great time! I bought everyone drinks and my feet were in incredible pain!
Next: some updates for Assault Marines and more Primaris units, plus hopefully Orks?
New Host, hackers defeated, and Suppressors complete!
I've been absent for a while, party due to personal issues, but also partly due to filthy hackers! Fourstrands was locked. Not for ransom, but for some sort of information hosting against my will. It probably wasn't porn, and if it was, the bastards didn't offer to share it.
Regardless, thanks to the tireless efforts of Lexington, who understands the ways of the lightning boxes, Fourstrands is back under Dreamhost!
And none too soon! I have a squad of Space Marine Suppressors to add to my collection!
You'll notice that I haven't used any of those dreadful new flying stands. I instead used a pin vise to drill into the thigh areas of the models, and used an old fashioned flying base stand.
I began painting these with Lexington when I went to visit, and finished them up at a paint night at AFK games.
Next: a revamp of an Assault Squad! Plus, various repairs to the site.
Minneapolis Showdown! Bozeman vs. Lexington Massive Three Part Battle Report!
WOW, I am back home after a long vacation visiting my old buddy Lexington, his lovely wife, and their amazing cats in the lovely Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
While there, we dined at some of the finest restaurants, saw sights including Minnehaha Falls, and I even cooked them a nutritious Ribeye meal with a custom pan sauce.
Of course, there was also 40K.
After all, I stored my living necessities in a backpack and devoted 100% of my main luggage to an army designed for hassle free airplane travel! In a custom foam tray setup, I managed not to freak out the TSA with my oddly shaped metal objects, and brought the Azure Flames to the Twin Cities for Lexington's first games of 9th edition!
To make the army easy to transport, I created the list according to the old 7th edition "Highlander" style, meaning no spam; each codex entry can only be used once. Additionally, I made a 1000, 1500, and 2000 point list, but limited myself so that all models in the 1000 list were in the 1500 list with only additions; no changes to the actual minis. The same goes for the 2000, so the final 2000 list has all models needed for all three lists.
Lexington brought me down to the GameZEnter (formerly Fantasy Flight) and we got three amazing games in! Let's get to it!
Game 1: Ascension (1000 points)
Bozeman - Azure Flames (Salamanders)
- Battalion
- Captain Khalil of the 7th Company on Bike, Forge Master, Miraculous Constitution, Drake Smiter, Storm Shield, Exemplar of the Promethean Creed, Warlord
- Sangamon, Chief Librarian, Jump Pack, Force Axe, Bolt Pistol, The Tome of Vel'Cona, Flaming Blast, Fire Shield, Burning Hands, Drakeskin
- Assault Intercessors x5, Thunder Hammer
- Intercessors x5, Thunder Hammer, Grenade Launcher
- Tactical Squad x5, Chainsword, Combi-Grav, Muilt-Melta
- Bike Squad x3, Power Fist, 2x Meltagun
- Devastator Squad x5, 2x Lascannon, Missile Launcher, Heavy Bolter, Armourium Cherub
- Thunderfire Cannon
Lexington - Zagdakka's Warband (Evil Sunz Orks)
- Battalion
- Warboss, Da Killa Klaw, Kombi-Rokkit Launcha, Da Biggest Boss
- Weirdboy, Da Jump, Visions in Da Smoke
- Ork Shoota Boys x29, Nob, Killsaw
- Gretchin x10
- Gretchin x10
- Burna-Bomma
- Trukk
- Tankbusta Boys x6, 2x Bomb Squigs
- Megatrakk Scrapjet, Corkscrew
Setup
Turn 1 - Orks
The Scrapjet charges forward and does some damage to the Bike Squad. Burna Bomma flies up close and drops some damage on the Intercessors and Assualt Intercessors. Boys and Warboss advance and shoot.
Turn 1 - Azure Flames
Bikes fall back and the Devastators scrap the Scrapjet. Lucky Multi-Melta shot vapes the Burna-Bomma, causing a huge explosion that deals mortal wounds to many units! Khalil charges the Warboss and crushes him with THREE MASSIVE natural 6s to wound, dealing 18 total damage! Thunderfire Cannon and other shooting wipes the Tankbustas.
Turn 2 - Orks
Trukk charges the bikes as Grots move up to gain an objective. Boys continue to fight Khalil
Turn 2 - Azure Flames
Bike falls back again, and split fire from the Devs hurt the Trukk and Grots. Khalil and the Assualt Intercessors wipe the Boys. Thunderfire damages the grots in the backfield.
Turn 3 - Orks
Weirdboy, Trukk, and Grots retreat behind the building to try to use their superior score to wait out the game.
Turn 3 - Azure Flames
Devs move and pop Trukk. Khalil and the Bikes wipe the Grots and Weirdboy. Tabled.
Discussion
That was over faster then I thought! I was seriously worried about a massive turn 1 charge, and Da Jump with Tankbustas. However, Lexington had few options. We realized after the game that the Warboss could have fought with a Stratagem. Oh well! That's how you learn.
Game 2 - Retrieval Mission (1500 points)
Bozeman - Azure Flames (Salamanders)
- Battalion
- Captain Khalil of the 7th Company on Bike, Forge Master, Miraculous Constitution, Drake Smiter, Storm Shield, Exemplar of the Promethean Creed, Warlord
- Sangamon, Chief Librarian, Jump Pack, Force Axe, Bolt Pistol, The Tome of Vel'Cona, Flaming Blast, Fire Shield, Burning Hands, Drakeskin
- Assault Intercessors x5, Thunder Hammer
- Intercessors x6, Thunder Hammer, Grenade Launcher
- Tactical Squad x5, Chainsword, Combi-Grav, Muilt-Melta
- Aggressors x3, Flamestorm Gauntlets
- Ironclad Dreadnought, Ironclad Launchers, 2x Hunter Killer Missile, Chainfist, Meltagun, Hurricane Bolter
- Bike Squad x8, Power Fist, 2x Meltagun, Attack Bike, Multi-Melta
- Devastator Squad x5, 2x Lascannon, Missile Launcher, Heavy Bolter, Armourium Cherub
- Thunderfire Cannon
Lexington - Zagdakka's Warband (Evil Sunz Orks)
- Battalion
- Warboss, Da Killa Klaw, Kombi-Rokkit Launcha, Da Biggest Boss
- Weirdboy, Da Jump, Visions in Da Smoke
- Ork Shoota Boys x29, Nob, Killsaw
- Ork Shoota Boys x29, Nob, Killsaw
- Ork Shoota Boys x29, Nob, Killsaw
- Gretchin x10
- Burna-Bomma
- Trukk
- Tankbusta Boys x6, 2x Bomb Squigs
- Megatrakk Scrapjet, Corkscrew
Setup
Turn 1 - Orks
Da Jump with Tankbustas surprises the Thunderfire Cannon! A lucky save roll reduces the Techmarine to 1 wound, and he barely survives combat! Orks move up to gain objectives. Burna Bomma uses Flying 'Eadbutt and smacks my front lines HARD.
Turn 1 - Azure Flames
I spend all of my CP this turn. Techmarine fires Flamer as a pistol to finish the two remaining Tankbustas, allowing the Thunderfire to blow a huge hole in the boys squad near the Warboss. Additional fire evaporates the rest of the squad. Aggressors, Bikes, and Assault Intercessors take out the boys on the right side of the board.
Turn 2 - Orks
Warboss charges the Ironclad Dreadnought, and reduces it to 2 wounds. The Ironclad squishes him, but the Warboss fights while dying and the Ironclad goes down! Boys charge the bikes. Weirdboy smites the other bikes, and charges the Assualt Intercessors. He misses all attacks and the Intercessors cut him down.
Turn 2 - Azure Flames
Everyone on the left side of the board charges in to rescue the bikes, and the boys are reduced to only a few! Bikes on the right charge Gretchin and eliminate them! Game ceded.
Discussion
So, yeah, if you spend 10 CP in one turn, you can do some real damage. Aggressors spent 3 by themselves and managed to kill about 20 orks. Having the Techmarine spend one to use his flamer as a pistol saved him and the Thunderfire Cannon got to shoot!
Flying 'Eadbutt is the answer to castle formations and hardcore high Invul MSU armies such as Custodes. They do just fine against a Marine gunline as well.
Game 3 - Overrun (2000 points)
Bozeman - Azure Flames (Salamanders)
- Battalion
- Captain Khalil of the 7th Company on Bike, Forge Master, Miraculous Constitution, Drake Smiter, Storm Shield, Exemplar of the Promethean Creed, Warlord
- Sangamon, Chief Librarian, Jump Pack, Force Axe, Bolt Pistol, The Tome of Vel'Cona, Flaming Blast, Fire Shield, Burning Hands, Drakeskin
- Lieutenant, Jump Pack, Power Axe, Combi-Melta
- Assault Intercessors x5, Thunder Hammer
- Intercessors x7, Thunder Hammer, Grenade Launcher
- Tactical Squad x5, Chainsword, Combi-Grav, Muilt-Melta
- Aggressors x3, Flamestorm Gauntlets
- Ironclad Dreadnought, Ironclad Launchers, 2x Hunter Killer Missile, Chainfist, Meltagun, Hurricane Bolter
- Bike Squad x8, Power Fist, 2x Meltagun, Attack Bike, Multi-Melta
- Land Speeder Tornado x3, Heavy Flamer x3, Multi-Melta x3
- Devastator Squad x5, 2x Lascannon, Missile Launcher, Heavy Bolter, Armourium Cherub
- Thunderfire Cannon
- Whirlwind, Castellan Missiles
Lexington - Zagdakka's Warband (Evil Sunz Orks)
- Battalion
- Warboss, Da Killa Klaw, Kombi-Rokkit Launcha, Da Biggest Boss
- Weirdboy, Da Jump, Visions in Da Smoke
- Ork Shoota Boys x29, Nob, Killsaw
- Ork Shoota Boys x29, Nob, Killsaw
- Ork Shoota Boys x29, Nob, Killsaw
- Gretchin x10
- Burna-Bomma
- Trukk
- Tankbusta Boys x6, 2x Bomb Squigs
- Megatrakk Scrapjet, Corkscrew
- Megatrakk Scrapjet, Corkscrew
- Lootas x10
- Deffdred, 4x Dredsaw
- Deffdred, 4x Dredsaw
Setup
Turn 1 - Orks (yes, Lexington went first all three games)
Once again, Flaming 'Eadbutt causes the Burna Bomma to deal major damage to my right flank. Boys squad gets Jumped and tries to assault the Aggressors, but overwatch and Born Protector overwatch from the Land Speeders kills 20 Orks and they fail to charge! Lootas move up to a better position. Other elements advance.
Turn 1 - Azure Flames
Walls of horrible fire remove the remaining boys and Lootas. Multi-melta and meltagun shots vaporize the Scrapjets. Tankbustas, and two boys squads are damaged by massed fire. Devastators take out Trukk.
Turn 2 - Orks
Tellyporta Deffdreds come in and one charges the Whirlwind! However, it MASSIVELY WHIFFS dealing only 2 damage! In a repeat of last game, the Warboss charges the Ironclad, does minimal damage, is killed, and then fights after dying to kill the Ironclad! Boys remove the Assault Intercessors. Other boys charge the Bikes, killing the wounded Attack Bike.
Turn 2 - Azure Flames
Whirlwind falls back, allowing the Devastators to blast the Deffdred. Khalil charges the other Deffdred, doing 6 damage. Lieutenant and Agressor take out the Weirdboy. Librarian and bikes reduce the boys. Game Ceded.
Discussion
This 2000 point list was created long ago, as I originally used it as my "balanced" list in 8th edition. I wanted to play Lexington last year, but the pandemic stopped that. For 9th, I edited it very slightly, and then took out 500 point blocks to make the other lists.
They worked much better than I hoped. Additionally, foot based Ork lists seem to be a little underpowered. Orks really do rely on Smasha Gunz, lots of Lootas, and other mean long range tricks rather than the good old Green Tide.
That being said, we had a blast! Lexington will hopefully get the hang of 9th, and the upcoming Ork codex will hopefully make Orks top tier WHERE THEY DESERVE TO BE.
Next: more Crusade highlights and Supressors!
Batrep Double Header!
Two more games with the incomparable Thomas!
Bozeman: Azure Flames (Salamanders)
- Battalion
-
- Captain, Combi-Melta, Power Fist, Salamander Mantle, Warlord, Exemplar of the Promethean Creed (-1CP), Forge Master, Miraculous Constitution
- Librarian on Bike, Force Axe, Bolt Pistol, Might of Heroes, Null Zone
- Lieutennant, Combi-Melta, Power Fist
- Tactical Squad x5, Power Fist, Combi-Melta, Meltagun
- Tactical Squad x5, Power Fist, Combi-Melta, Meltagun
- Tactical Squad x5, Chainsword, Storm Bolter, Multi-Melta
- Apothecary
- Company Ancient, Chapter Ancient, Combi-Melta
- Ironclad Dreadnought, Chainfist, Meltagun, Hurricane Bolter, Ironclad Launchers
- Sternguard x10, Power Fist, 10x Combi-Melta
- Bikes x5 and Attack Bike, Power Fist, 2x Meltagun, Multi-Melta
- Devastators x5, 4x Multi-Melta, Armourium Cherub
- Eradicators x3
- Drop Pod
- Drop Pod
- Drop Pod
Thomas: XVI Legion successors (Imperial Fists)
- Battalion
- Indominus Captain, The Spartean, Warlord, The Hand of Dorn, Fleetmaster
- Primaris Chaplain, The Eye of Hypnoth
- Assault Intercessors x5, Plasma Pistol, Power Fist
- Assault Intercessors x5
- Intercessors x5, Power Fist
- Intercessors x5, Power Fist
- Primaris Techmarine
- Primaris Apothecary
- Gladiator Reaper
- Gladiator Valiant
- Contemptor Dreadnought, 2x Twin Heavy Bolters
- Redemptor Dreadnought, Gatling Cannon
- Relic Terminators, Power Sword, 9x Lightning Claw, 2x Reaper Autocannon, 8x Combi-Bolter
Our first game was short, so here are the hightlights:
Setup
On turn 1 I dropped in all Drop Pods. The Terminators were reduced to 4, and several squads were destroyed. The Bikes move up to the right.
Thomas fought back, charging my Captain with his in a deadly duel! An amazing overwatch roll deletes the rest of the Terminators.
Bikes assault the Gladiator on the right, and Librarian uses Null Zone to turn off the enemy's Storm Shield. After that the fight was much more one sided. The left flank collapses.
Game was ceded. I don't think I'll take this list ever again unless fighting Knights which it was designed to do. It's either a turn 1 win by vaping half the enemy, or it would be useless if fighting hordes or a well screened opponent.
Next game!
Bozeman: Azure Flames (Salamanders)
- Spearhead (-3CP)
- Techmarine on Bike, Drake Smiter, Conversion Beamer, Master of the Forge, Warlord, Forge Master
- Techmarine, Servo Harness
- Servitors, 2x Heavy Bolter
- Land Speeder Tornado x3, 3x Heavy Bolter, 3x Assault Cannon
- Land Raider, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter
- Land Raider Crusader, Hunter Killer Missile, Multi-Melta
- Land Raider Redeemer, Hunter Killer Missile, Multi-Melta
- Predator Annihilator, Lascannon Sponsons
- Predator Annihilator, Lascannon Sponsons
- Vindicator, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter
- Razorback, Twin Lascannon, Hunter Killer Missile
Note: Thomas' list was the same as in the game above.
Mission - Sweep and Clear
Setup:
Turn 1 - XVI Legion
Stratagems and withering fire kill both Predators and reduce the Vindicator to 5 wounds.
Turn 1 - Azure Flames
Vindicator whiffs despite buffs from Techmarine. Redeemer moves out and does some damage to a lot of the Intercessors. Land Raiders pop out to grab an objective and do some damage to one of the Gladiators. Both Dreadnoughts are removed.
Turn 2 - XVI Legion
Concentrated fire finishes off the Land Raider Redeemer. Terminators advance to the center objective. Two of the Land Raiders are blasted by the Gladiator.
Turn 2 - Azure Flames
Land Raider moves to the left to grab an objective. Terminators are cut in half. Lascannons from the Razorback finish off one of the Gladiators.
Turn 3 - XVI Legion
Terminators charge the Crusader, but largely bounce off. Intercessors blast the last Land Speeder.
Turn 3 - Azure Flames
Without the Terminators for cover, all fire blasts the Captain, vaporising him. The Crusader kills two Terminators with close range fire.
Turn 4 - XVI Legion
Chaplain and Gladiator charge the Vindicator.
Turn 4 - Azure Flames
Shooting from the Land Raider harms the Terminators, and the Master of the Forge charges in, wiping the rest with his hammer.
Turn 5 - XVI Legion
Fight with the Vindicator continues.
Turn 5 - Azure Flames
Vindicator falls back using a strategem, and doesn't roll a 1. The Techmarine, Apothecary, and Gladiator are removed. Turn not pictured.
Final Score:
Azure Flames - 84
XVI Legion - 78
This game was a bloodbath! Thomas had only one squad left and I had significantly fewer tanks. I thought this list was a dud, just a joke with an all-tank theme. However it has such toughness and firepower that it can be really fantastic. The Servitors never even disembarked!
Next: More Games and hopefully some Infiltrators.
Belated Pre-New Year Batrep
After a stunning battle, I lost my camera under a pile of bills, preventing me from sharing it, or the works I've done recently. But the wayward camera has been found.
Sadly, being so late, I forget the major details of the battle, so this is going to be a "broad strokes" kind of batrep.
Bozeman - Azure Flames (Salamanders)
- Battalion
- Zeraf Antonius, Captain of the 4th Company, (Primaris Captain from Indominus) Warlord, Exemplar of the Promethean Creed (-1CP) Anvil of Strength, Iron Resolve, The Burning Blade, Relic Shield
- Chief Librarian Ory-Hara (Primaris Librarian), Chief Librarian, The Tome of Vel'Cona (-1CP), Flaming Blast, Fire Shield, Drakeskin, Fury of Nocturne
- Assault Intercessors x10, Thunder Hammer
- Tactical Squad x5, Combi-Melta, Power Fist, Meltagun
- Tactical Squad x5, Combi-Melta, Power Fist, Meltagun
- Tactical Squad x5, Combi-Flamer, Power Fist, Flamer
- Tactical Squad x5, Combi-Flamer, Power Fist, Flamer
- Bladeguard Ancient
- Bladeguard Veterans x3
- Terminator Assault Squad x5, Lightning Claws
- Assault Squad x10, Jump Packs, 2x Flamer, Power Fist
- Assault Squad x10, Jump Packs, 2x Flamer, Power Fist
- Outrider Squad
- Rhino
- Rhino
Thomas - XVI Legion Successors (counts as Imperial Fists)
- Battalion
- Captain, Combi-Melta, The Fist of Dorn, Warlord
- Phobos Librarian
- Primaris Chaplain
- Intercessors x5, Bolt Rifles, Power Fist
- Intercessors x5, Bolt Rifles, Power Fist
- Incursors x10, mine
- Reivers x5, Grapple hooks
- Reivers x5, Grapple hooks
- Gladiator Valiant
- 10x Cataphractii Terminators, Power Sword, 9x Lightning Claws, 2x Reaper Autocannon, 8x Combi Bolter
- Primaris Apothecary
- Invictor Warsuit, Ironhail Autocannon
- Relic Contemptor Dreadnought, 2x Twin Linked Heavy Bolter
Setup
Turn 1 saw the Azure Flames run forward, taking minor casualties
On Turn 2, Objectives were grabbed and the central building was navigated. An Assualt Squad wipes out one of the Intercessor squads in a crater. They are wiped out in return and some Phobos units arrive in my backfield.
My remaining Terminator charged some Incursors. Sadly, I forgot that they get two extra attacks apiece so they end up dueling the Incursors for several turns! Some units get charges off but others fail. The melee is not kind. The Contemptor Dreadnought shoots a unit out of the building.
Turn 3 saw fights raging around the board
By turn 4, my wave had broken. The Sons of Horus marched forward.
On turn 5 I tried to salvage what I could, but I was tabled!
This list isn't very competitive. It's slow and relies on charge rolls, which are unreliable. I think that a Company Champion to help charges could work, as could some Impulsors or other fast moving weapons to support the melee wave.
Next: CHAMELEON SKINKS! Time for Blood Bowl!
Big Game VI – The Omega War is complete! Farewell 2020!
2020 is over and as a parting gift, Big Game VI - The Omega War is COMPLETE! This behemoth is as long as most Black Library stand alone novels, at 55,013 words, over 46 chapters plus the Introduction and Epilogue.
For contrast, Big Game V - The Battle of Iperin was 50,267 words with 71 chapters. This was because BGV was a post-by-post continuity on the old Big Game V forums maintained by Brian. There were a lot more authors, and a lot less planning making for some short snippets.
It's been a hard year, but it goes out with a bang. Farewell 2020. Farewell Omega Station. Farewell pre-Gathering Storm continuity for the Azure Flames.
It's with this post that I am officially beginning work on Home Fires: an Azure Flames novel, which will detail the fate of the Azure Flames after the Psychic Awakening.
Stay tuned for more updates, including a new Blood Bowl post!
40K 9th Ed Turn Tracker, Firstborn Tank Hatches, and Devastator Decals
Normally, I alternate between Firstborn and Primaris projects, and it's the Firstborn's turn. I had a lot of options, but in a recent game, I found myself not able to take Hunter Killer Missiles on some tanks due to lack of appropriate bits. So, I decided on a very short project:
Now I have more missile-y goodness and a blank hatch for a placeholder. However, this update was a bit light, and luckily I'm supplementing it with a Turn Tracker from littlepri_16 on Ebay. It's 3D printed and awesome!
The dials are separate pieces which I will later magnetize once my order from K&J Magnetics arrives. My only gripe is that this font has a weird upwards serif on the upper left of the capital T, but I can live with it.
Finally, as with every project, a touchup and decal! This is the last of three Devastator Bolter units:
Next: a special feature! Longtime Fourstrands contributor Thomas is coming over to break my dry streak for some (socially distanced and safe) gaming! Expect battle reports galore and some awesome times!
1000 points Double Header, Azure Flames vs. Knights and AdMech
Misa, a regular at AFK games brought a brand new army: Knights and Admech, and wanted to test them out! I obliged him with two different 1000 point games.
Game 1: Reconnaissance Mission
Primary Objective: Take and Hold (1, 2, and more objectives than enemy = 5VP each @end of command phase, can't score turn 1)
Bozeman - Azure Flames (Salamanders)
- Battalion
- Khalil, Captain of the 7th Company, on Bike, Warlord, Exemplar of the Promethean Creed (-1CP), Forge Master, Miraculous Constitution, Drake Smiter, Storm Shield
- Librarian, Chief Librarian, Force Sword, The Tome of Vel'cona (-1CP), Fire Shield, Burning Hands, Drakeskin, Fury of Nocturne, Plasma Pistol
- Assault Intercessors x5, Thunder Hammer
- Intercessors x5, Thunder Hammer, Astartes Grenade Launcher
- Tactical Squad x5, Storm Bolter, Chainsword, Lascannon
- Bike Squad x3, Power Fist, 2x Meltagun
- Devastators x5, Armorium Cherub, 2x Lascannon, Missile Launcher, Heavy Bolter
- Thunderfire Cannon
Misa - Imperial Knights and Adeptus Mechanicus
- Super-Heavy Detachment (Imperial Knights)
- Knight Crusader, Warlord, First Knight, Rapid Fire Battle Cannon, Avenger Gatling Cannon, 2x Heavy Stubber, Ironstorm Missile Pod
- Knight Armiger, Heavy Stubber
- Knight Armiger, Heavy Stubber
- Patrol (AdMech)
- Techpriest Engineseer
- Skitari Ranger x5
- Skitari Ranger x5
Setup
Before the game begins, Misa used 1CP to put both squads of Skitarii into reserves.
Turn 1 - Knights and AdMech
Knight Crusader moves up and targets multiple squads. The bikes are eliminated. Transhuman Physiology saves the Assault Intercessors, reducing them to 3 instead of wiping them out. The Knight charges, and the Devastators answer back with Born Heroes, using their Armourium Cherub and getting a lucky Lascannon hit which does 6 damage! However, the Knight fails the charge. Armigers move up to take objectives. Turn not pictured.
Turn 1 - Azure Flames
Tactical and Devastator fire removes the Armiger on the right side. Khalil, Assault Intercessors, and Intercessors charge the Knight and manage to do exactly enough damage to destroy it! Librarian performs the first of three psychic ceremonies.
Turn 2 - Knights and AdMech
Surviving Armiger shoots at the Thunderfire, reducing it to one wound. Techpriest retreats to the objective in the crater. Skitarii arrive and snag objectives.
Turn 2 - Azure Flames
Devastators move and use Relentless Determination to remove the remaining Armiger. Librarian performs 2nd psychic ritual, but then suffers a wound to Perils! Tactical Squad and Intercessors blast the Skitarii on the right. The Assault Intercessors charge and kill the Techpriest. The remaining Skitarii flee because of a failed morale test. Tabled.
Discussion: The Knight, hard as it was, should have stayed back. It has enough range to take out the whole tiny 30x44" board. Moving it up put it in prime position for being charged by three Thunder Hammers. The Skitarii in reserve were nice, but they weren't enough. This list needs more bodies to hold objectives and/or lay down some extra fire.
Game 2: Raid
Primary Objective: Domination (2, 3 and more objectives than enemy = 5VP at end of Command Phase)
Bozeman - Azure Flames
- Spearhead Detachment (-3CP)
- Techmarine on Bike (Legends), Master of the Forge, Miraculous Constitution, Drake Smiter, Conversion Beamer
- Land Raider, Storm Bolter
- Land Raider Crusader, Multi-Melta
- Vindicator, Storm Bolter
- Whirlwind, Castellan Launcher
Misa - Imperial Knights and Adeptus Mechanicus (same list, see above)
Setup
Turn 1 - Knights and AdMech
Knight Crusader moves up and reduces the Land Raider Crusader to 5 wounds. Armigers take objectives. Skitarii raise flags on backfield objectives.
Turn 1 - Azure Flames
Land Raider Crusader whiffs its Multi-Melta against the Armiger, but it hits EVERY SINGLE ONE of its Bolter and Assault Cannon hits, doing 7 wounds! This is, ultimately, futile as the Vindicator does 12 wounds all by itself. Land Raider injures the other Armiger, and kills a few Skitarii.
Turn 2 - Knights and AdMech
Knight Crusader removes the Land Raider Crusader, and the Armiger whiffs, but a lucky shot from a Skitarii does one wound to the Land Raider!
Turn 2 - Azure Flames
Land Raider removes the remaining Armiger and one more of the Skitarii.
Turn 3 - Knights and AdMech
Awful shooting this turn does absolutely nothing to the Land Raider.
Turn 3 - Azure Flames
Fire from the remaining tanks damages the Knight, but it stays in its first tier. Whirlwind and Land Raider kill the Skitarii squad on the crater.
Turn 4 - Knights and AdMech
Knight damages the Land Raider down to 3 wounds and then charges to finish the job! Skitarii shoot one wound off the Vindicator.
Turn 4 - Azure Flames
Techmarine charges the Techpriest, but poor rolls leave the priest alive! Knight stomps on the Techmarine, but poor damage rolls leave him with 1 wound.
Turn 5 - Knights and AdMech
Skitarii charge the Vindicator! Knight kills the Techmarine. Turn not pictured.
Turn 5 - Azure Flames
Vindicator falls back from combat and Whirlwind damages the Skitarii squad.
Final Score
Azure Flames: 44
Knights and AdMech: 23
Discussion: For two turns I was able to hold 3 objectives while the enemy held 2, which got me a total of 30 VPs during the course of the game. I also managed to kill more enemy units than they killed of mine and spread out to four board quarters for more VPs. In the end, Misa's list had the same problems it had last game: It needed to rack up more VPs with more bodies. This list also had a distinct lack of anti-tank which is why the Land Raiders lasted so long. Some Melta would have annihilated me pretty easily.
Next: The last part of my Indominus project: the Judicar!
Razorback Assault Cannon Turrets and Devastator Bolter Touchups
For a while, I've had to cannibalize the twin linked Assault Cannon from my Land Raiders when using that option on a Razorback.
No more.
With these Forge World beauties, I can now take another extremely viable weapon option as a support!
For touch ups, I decided to keep it simple. I chose five Devastator bolter marines painted recently, so they shouldn't need too many touch ups, right?
HA HA. NOPE.
It is amazing how these models that I painted for 7th edition (to better fill out a Demi Company) has so many mistakes, mould lines, and missed details. One was even overprimed and a little stay-puft-y. But they are in much better condition.
That's not to say great. These are the Assault on Black Reach snap-fit marines. They are actually kind of awful sculpts. The collar on the back of the head is too high and blends into the head. There are a lot of 3D modelling errors such as cables on the arm/shoulder junction that look distorted. The poses leave a bit to be desired.
But they're good enough for Tabletop Standard!
Next: The Judicar, last of the models in my Indominus Project, and another five Devastator Bolters!
Zeraf Antonius as an Imdominus Primaris Captain (also Assault Squad decals)
Zeraf Antonius, Captain of the 4th Company of the Azure Flames, Scion of Atrus, Hero of Tenkath Hive, the Laurel Crowned.
Bearing a shield made from the Sarcophagus of his fallen gene-father, Atrus, and wielding a custom made sword (as The Burning Blade). Antonius has crossed the Rubicon Primaris following the events of the Omega War, and the subsequent discovery from the Indominus Crusade. Antonius will be the main character of the upcoming web novella Home Fires: An Azure Flames Story.
Additionally, I updated another squad with decals! These Assault Marines without Jump Packs are a cheap and effective addition to several of my lists.
Gotta love that classic pewter sergeant. This squad was originally painted for my first Golden Rhino tournament. However, due to the unfortunate events of the Omega War, they have joined the Third Company.
Next: Razorback Turrets with Assault Cannons!