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!
Judicar and Indominus Project Complete!
My Judicar is finally complete after some holiday related delays!
I did a head swap with the helmeted Captain head from Indominus, after filling the cross shaped hole with putty. I also added a flame to the left shoulder pad.
I wasn't brave enough to do Dynamic Lighting on Antonius, but because i cared less about the Judicar I gave it a shot and it worked quite well!
Finally, the Indominus Project is complete!
Steely eyed veterans of MSU's Studio 40K circa 2000-2005 will remember these boards!
It took longer than I wanted, but that was mostly because I imposed a strict protocol of Primaris -> Squad touchup and decals -> Firstborn -> Squad touchup and decals, repeat. In the end I've made tons of progress and I'm raring for more!
Speaking of more, here's a touchup to five more Devastator Bolters:
Next: a relatively boring update as I'm making more Hunter Killer missiles and blank hatches for Land Raiders and other sundry tanks. I need more options and what I have doesn't cut it. Plus more decals!
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!
3rd Company Standard Bearer and final Tactical touch up!
This fine gentleman has featured in a lot of my lists:
An Ancient (Standard Bearer) adds versatility to a gunline and a drop pod storm, and with this Bolter-Melta, now I get an extra Melta shot.
In addition the fourth of my four Tactical Squads are updated and have decals!
Next: Zeraf Antonius, Captain of the 4th Company, Scion of Atrus, Master of the Marches, Hero of Tenkath Hive, The Laurel Crowned. Stay Tuned!
Second half of Assault Intercessors and Tactical touch-ups
Five more Assault Intercessors ready to go!
In addition the third of my four Tactical Squads has been retouched and updated with decals.
Next: Third Company Ancient (Standard Bearer) and the last Tactical update!
Surround and Destroy 2000 Azure Flames vs. Black Legion
Had another game of 9th yesterday at AFK Games in Holt! This time Andrew brought the forces of the Warmaster himself!
Bozeman - Azure Flames (Salamanders Space Marines)
- Battallion
- Captain Edgard, Warlord, Forge Master, Miraculous Constitution (Exemplar of the Promethean Creed -1 CP), Power Fist, Combi-Melta, The Salamander Mantle
- Librarian, Bolt Pistol, Force Stave, Might of Heroes, Null Zone
- Tactical Squad x5, Power Fist, Combi-Melta, Meltagun
- Tactical Squad x5, Power Fist, Combi-Melta, Meltagun
- Tactical Squad x5, Power Fist, Combi-Flamer, Flamer
- Tactical Squad x5, Power Fist, Combi-Flamer, Flamer
- Company Champion
- Sternguard Veterans x10, Power Fist, 10x Combi-Melta
- Sternguard Veterans x10, Power Fist, 10x Combi-Grav
- Assault Squad x5, 2x Flamer
- Land Raider Crusader, Multi-Melta
- Razorback, Twin Lascannon
- Rhino
- Rhino
- Rhino
Andrew - Black Legion Chaos Space Marines
- Battallion
- Abbadon the Despoiler, Warlord
- Sorcerer in Terminator Armor, Prescience, Warptime, Angel's Bane
- Dark Apostle
- Dark Disciples x2
- Chaos Space Marines x5
- Chaos Space Marines x5
- Cultists x30
- Berzerkers of Khorne x9, Power Fist, 1x Bolter, 8x Chainsword, 8x Chain Axe
- Chaos Terminators x5, 5x Chainfist
- Obliterators x3, Mark of Slaanesh
- Rhino
- Patrol (-2 CP)
- Lord Discordant, Mark of Khorne, Talisman of Burning Blood
- Chaos Space Marines x5
- Venomcrawler, Mark of Khorne
- Venomcrawler, Mark of Khorne
Mission: Surround and Destroy
Primary Mission: Take and Hold (+5 VP for holding 1, 2, and more than the enemy.)
Setup
Turn 1 - Azure Flames
Rhino with 5 Assault Marines advances to take one of the center objectives. Rhinos each with 2x Tactical Squads move up cautiously. Land Raider moves up and blasts the Lord Discordant with a Multi-Melta and the cultists with all other weapons. The Razorback finishes off the Lord Discordant.
Turn 1 - Black Legion
Berzerkers pile out and charge the Rhino with the Assault Squad. After 2 rounds of combat, the Rhino dies and the Assault Squad piles out, only to be engaged by the Berzerkers. Abbadon and the rest of the left flank move up and do minimal damage to the Land Raider. Two of the Chaos Marine squads perform actions on objectives to gain points.
Turn 2 - Azure Flames
One Tactical Squad, the Melta Sternguard, and the Characters pile out of their vehicles and blast the Cultists and the red Venomcrawler, removing all of them. The Librarian attempts to cast Null Zone and Might of Heroes but fails both rolls. Assault Squad falls back, and two Tactical Squads blast the Berzerkers, who die in a flurry of bad rolls.
Turn 2 - Black Legion
Terminators arrive on my board edge, but one of the Grav Sternguard Combat Squads uses Auspex scan, and with another flurry of bad rolls, all 5 Terminators are eliminated! Obliterators arrive in the central building and reduce the Land Raider to 2 wounds. Sorcerer kills the Librarian with Angel's Bane. Abbadon charges the Land Raider, finishing it, then piles into the Razorback. Rhino charges all three squads in the right center, and causes one wound to the Assault Squad before the Tactical Sergeants kill it. Remaining Venomcrawler assaults the Melta Sternguard who totally whiff Overwach. Captain Edgard and the Company Champion Heroically Intervene, but the Venomcrawler kills Edgard and the Champ, and 4 of the Sternguard after fighting twice! Turn not pictured.
Turn 3 - Azure Flames
One Flamer squad on the right side advances, while the Melta Squad and Assault Squad attack the Obliterators, killing one. Razorback falls back from Abbadon, and shooting reduces him to 4 wounds. Flamer squad on the left pops out of the Rhino and advances. Sternguard fall back and Melta fire erases the last Venomcrawler, who explodes!
Turn 3 - Black Legion
Obliterators move down to get farther into enemy territory for points, and blast the Razorback, reducing it to one wound. Once again, Abbadon finishes the job, killing the Razorback and consolidating into the Rhino. Sorcerer in Terminator Armor charges the Melta Sternguard and is vaporized by overwatch! Dark Apostle also charges them, narrowly avoiding Born Protectors Overwatch fire from the smaller Tactical squad, and charging so they cannot Heroically Intervene. Chaos Marine squad on the right objective charges the Flamer squad, but get seriously damaged for the effort.
Turn 4 - Azure Flames
Melta Tacticals on the right kill one Obliterator and reduce the second to one wound. Assault Squad can't hurt it, but a lucky bolt round from the Rhino finishes the poor Obliterator! Fight continues in the upper right, leaving the Aspiring Champion alone against four Azure Flames. Rhino falls back from Abbadon, and the Melta Squad and Grav Squad put the Warmaster down! Melta Sternguard finish the Dark Apostle in combat (power fist whiffs, but regular attacks are rolling amazing!) Flamer squad in the upper left flames one Chaos Marine squad who die thanks to bad rolls, and then charges another squad on the objective! Game Ceded.
Final Score
Azure Flames: 50
Black Legion: 35
Thoughts
This list, which I called Rhino Rush, is AMAZING for 9th! I built it as a thought experiment for 8th, but never wanted to use it. Now I don't want to stop. It's perfect for going out and accomplishing objectives which is all 9th is about!
Andrew played a good game. There was one moment where he forgot to shoot twice with Obliterators, and he probably should have been more conservative when deep striking the Terminators, but other than that, he lost due to bad rolls during key times. Likewise, I didn't really do much to complain about, but had some amazing rolls (including three different D6 damage rolls of 6!) This is a good mission, but I'm hoping to play a different one next week.
Next: the second half of the Assault Intercessors and another Tactical Squad revamped!
Tactical Sergeants and Tactical Squad Retouch and Decals
The last of the Tactical Squad Sergeants are finished!
Additionally, another Tactical Squad has been retouched and given fresh Decals!
Next: Five more Assault Intercessors, a Company Ancient, and then a special surprise!
Azure Flames vs. White Scars 2000 Surround and Destroy
Thanks to the Grand Tournament Pack which has everything you need from the main rulebook and more, I was able to play one of the polished and balanced new missions with Tyler at AFK! Let's Batrep!
Azure Flames (Bozeman)
- Battalion
- Captain Edgard of the 3rd Company, Warlord, Power Fist, Combi-Melta, The Salamander Mantle, Forge Master, Miraculous Constitution (Exemplar of the Promethean Creed, -1CP)
- Lieutenant, Combi-Melta, Power Fist
- Apothecary
- Chapter Ancient, Relic Banner (-1CP)
- Tactical Squad x5, Power Fist, Combi-Flamer, Flamer
- Tactical Squad x5, Power Fist, Combi-Flamer, Flamer
- Tactical Squad x5, Chainsword, Storm Bolter, Heavy Bolter
- Sternguard x10, Power Fist, 10x Combi-Melta
- Sternguard x10, Power Fist, 10x Combi-Grav
- Devastator Squad x5, Chainsword, 4x Grav-Cannon, Armourium Cherub
- Bikes x3, Power Fist, 2x Flamer
- Attack Bike, Multi-Melta
- Thunderfire Cannon
- Whirlwind, Vengeance Launcher
- Rhino
- Drop Pod
- Drop Pod
- Drop Pod
White Scars (Tyler)
- Battalion
- Indominus Captain, Warlord, The Burning Blade
- Indominus Lieutenant
- Primaris Lieutenant, Power Sword, Bolt Pistol
- Bladeguard Ancient
- Bladeguard x3
- Repulsor
- Redemptor Dreadnought, Macro-Plasma Incinerator, Storm Bolters
- Eradicators x3, Melta Rifles
- Assault Intercessors x5
- Assault Intercessors x5
- Intercessors x5, Auto Bolt Rifles
- Hellblasters x5, Plasma Incinerators
- Hellblasters x5, Plasma Incinerators
- Inceptor x3, Assault Bolters
- Inceptor x3, Assault Bolters
Mission: Surround and Destroy (6 objectives, 2 in each deployment zone and 2 near the middle, long board edges)
Primary Objective: Take and Hold - Score 5 VP for, 1 objective, 2 objectives, and holding more than your opponent (max 15/turn)
Setup (not pictured): I put Bikes, Attack Bike, and Whirlwind to my left, while the Thunderfire, Heavy Bolter squad, and Rhino with 2x Flamer squads were on my right. Tyler put a Repulsor with characters and Bladeguard in the center, as well as the Dreadnought and Eradicators. Hellblasters went in a building to my left, and Intercessors and Assault Intercessors were in another to my right.
All of the rest of my army was packed into three Drop Pods. Tyler held Inceptors and one Assault Intercessor in reserve.
Turn 1 - Azure Flames
Bikes move up and hide behind the crates. Attack Bike wipes two Eradicators in the far building. Drop Pods come down, and wipe out the Repulsor and the Dreadnought, and 2/3 of the Bladeguard. Rhino moves up and spends 1CP to pop smoke. Whirlwind and Thunderfire bust up the Intercessors high in the right hand building.
Turn 1 - White Scars
Captain, Lieutenants, Ancient, and Bladeguard charge. Assault Intercessors fail to charge. Overwatch kills the Bladeguard, and Born Protector Overwatch puts 4 wounds on the Lieutenant with the bolt pistol. The Grav Sternguard wrap around as they heroically intervene, and Edgard also intervenes! Huge fight in the middle kills the wounded Lieutenant, the Melta Sternguard, and puts a few other wounds here and there. Eradicators move up and waste two bikes (bad roll). Inceptors arrive and charge the Techmarine. He weathers their assualt and kills two of them! One consolidates into the Tactical Squad. Two Hellblasters move up.
Turn 2 - Azure Flames
Bike Sergeant charges and kills the two remaining Hellblasters. AMAZING bolt pistol shots and decent Melee kill all White Scars characters in the central scrum. The Techmarine kills two more Inceptors, but he's down to one wound! Flamer units pile out, fire on the Intercessors, and then assault the Assault Intercessors with their Rhino!
Turn 2 - White Scars
Eradicators kill the Bike Sergeant and take an objective. Fight with the Assault Intercessors continues, leaving one alive. The reserved Assault Intercessors arrive and charge the Techmarine, killing him! I spend 2 CP for Rise from the Ashes trying to revive him but to no avail!
Turn 3 - Azure Flames
Various shooting removes some units, game ceded.
Results:
Azure Flames: 28
White Scars: 4
Discussion
I rolled EXCEEDINGLY WELL for this game. I made saves when I needed to and shot very well on turn 1, especially with pistols in close combat. I also had a very nasty Alpha Strike list. However, I may need to modify it, as the Grav Drop no longer has the stratagem that allows Grav Cannons to wipe entire units of Terminators in one go!
Combine that with the Thunderfire Techmarine getting a TWO WOUND BUMP so that he's a real boy now! That saved me on the right flank!
Inceptors are not fantastic against Marines with the Assault Bolters. Plasma would have been more effective, or possibly some more Assault Intercessors to pour on damage. Tyler should also have hidden behind buildings or put out screening units such as Infiltrators to stop Drop Pod shenanigans.
Next: The last of the Tactical Sergeants and some wicked conversions!