Chaos Marines (Chad) v. Loyalist Marines (John G.)
Mission/Deploment: Seize Ground, Pitched Battle

Background:
Its early dawn on the Imperial planet Belis Corona. Deamon Prince Kesh'takai and his forces have been scouring the equatorial continent of Serex for a craft downed in the 2nd Black Crusade of Abaddon. They are looking for a book deemed important by Lord Tzeentch himself, the Tome of Guul. The tome contains the names of deamons banished in the 2nd Crusade by Inquisitor Guul. With all the disruption from the Chaos forces the Commander of the Imperial Guard PDF stationed on Belis sends a transmission out for any near by Astartes who can assist in containing and purging the scourge...

Three weeks have passed and a small detachment from the Crimson Harriers has responded to the distress call. Unbeknown to the Astartes they have set up a ambush on a area selected by the Chaos forces as their next expedition site.

At the Command vehicle of the Harrier force:
"Sir we have intercepted a message sent by the heretics to a unknown craft orbiting the planet."
++Start Transmission++
+Admiral it seems the Emperor's dogs have made planetside finally. They have set up ambush ahead of us thinking to draw us out+
+Please have the Acolytes prepare the Ritual of Summoning we may need a little....extra assistance...+
+Yes, my Lord+
++End Transmission++

Allied Forces:
Crimson Harriers - 1745 @ 67 models

HQ:
Force Commander - 175 (Pedro Kantor stat line)
Librarian - 100 (Gate of Infinity, Vortex of Doom)

Elite:
Terminator Assault Squad (x5+Sergeant) - 240 (Lightning Claw [pair], Thunder Hammer/Storm Shield x5)
Sternguard Veteran Squad (x9+Sergeant+Drop Pod) - 310 (Combi-Flamer x2, Power Weapon)

Troops:
Tactical Squad Alpha (x9+Sergeant+Razorback) - 235 (Flamer, Missle Launcher)
Tactical Squad Gamma (x9+Sergeant+Drop Pod) - 215 (Flamer, Lascannon)
Scout Squad (x9+Sergeant) - 150 (Sniper Rifle x5, Heavy Bolter w/ Hellfire Rounds)

Fast Attack:
Assault Squad (x9+Sergeant+Drop Pod) - 190 (remove Jump Packs)
Scout Bike Squad (x4+Sergeant) - 130 (Grenade Launcher x2)

Chaos Forces:
The Scourge of Kesh'takai - 1749 @ 54 models

HQ:
Deamon Prince Kesh'takai - 185 (Mark of Tzeentch [MoT], Wings, Doombolt, Warptime)

Elites:
Terminators (x7+Sergeant) - 340 (MoT, Icon of Tzeentch, Reaper Autocannon, Combi-Plasma x2, Combi-Flamer, Chainfist)

Troops:
Squad Dimus (x9+Sorceror+Rhino) - 332 (Thousand Sons, Icon of Tzeentch, Doombolt, Extra Armor)
Squad Jik'thol (x9+Sorceror+Rhino) - 332 (Thousand Sons, Icon of Tzeentch, Doombolt, Extra Armor)
Lesser Deamons - 130
Lesser Deamons - 130

Heavy Support:
Obliterator - 75
Obliterator - 75
Defiler - 150 (Close Combat Arm)

Deployment:

Loyalist Turn 1:



Realizing the do not have the advantage of the ambush the Force Commander calls down a secondary Tactical squad, his Veteran
squad and a Chapter Librarian. With the forces of Chaos moving much quicker than expected the Scout squad to the east places
just a glancing wound on a Obliterator while they are moving into position. Not understanding that the heretic forces were not fooled
by the ambush Squad Alpha Secondary and the Scout Bikes continue their advance.

Chaos Turn 1:



To gain a advantage from the confusion set in by the Marines re-deployment, Prince Kesh'takai orders the advance of all his troops
and calls for his heavy support to rain down fire up on his foes. With the release of the crazed deamon possessing the Defiler it
annihilates Squad Alpha Primary in a mass explosion with a direct hit. The Obliterators turn their sight on the unaware Scout Bikes
felling three in a rapid fire charge of plasma. With no cover deploying from their Drop Pod the Veteran squad and Librarian take heavy
casualties from the magically infuse bolter rounds of the Thousand Sons as they advance towards their position. The Scout squad to
the west fares no better as it souls are committed to the service of Tzeentch. With the destruction of almost a third or more of their
ground forces the Astartes continue to fight much to the delight of the Prince.

Loyalist Turn 2:



The Crimson Harriers, known for their stubbornness, continue to try to wrest control of the target area from the Chaos Deamon Prince.
Calling in reinforcements a Assault squad of the Harriers in conjunction with the remaining Scout Bikes kill four heretic Terminators.
Seeing the gruesome results of the botched landing of the Veterans a detatchment of Squad Gamma goes to help their remaining brothers.
With part of their squad on the move the rest of Gamma and the remaining Veterans with the help of the Librarian's magic lay down
cover fire releasing the souls of three Thousand Sons. Seeing the wounded Obliterator distracted, the remaining Scouts try to finish it off
to no avail. The dull witted spirit of the Obliterator almost forgetting about the Scouts turns towards their position. With their spirits synced
both Obliterators summon the energy needed to morph weapons to finish off the pesky wretch...

Chaos Turn 2:



Releasing the full might of the super-heated Plasma Cannons the Obliterators reduce the Scout squad along with the building to
steaming goo. With the Acolytes, on the cruiser "Vengeance", finishing up the ritual of summoning. Kesh'takai calls forth vile Horrors
from the warp to intercept the marines going to help the upstart Librarian. Engaging the marines with tooth and claw they bring
down just one of their numbers while losing two to the teeth of chainswords. Sorcerer Jik'thol seeing the Veterens cut off from aid
laughs as he and his squad finish them off cleansing the warp from the pathetic Librarian and his parlor tricks. Having lost their
traitor brethren to the Assault squad the Terminators turn and engage them with un-holy fire and sword leaving only two to run
cowering to their fallen emperor. With the flank secure and seeing his plans come together the Prince decides to push forward
ordering Squad Dimus to kill the drop troops not finished off by the Defiler while he claims the life the Commander.

Interlude:
Commander: "Sergeant call the Strike Cruiser and find out where my Terminators are. If we don't get them soon it will be a route"
Sergeant: "Sir, the command link is down. The last response was there is to much turbulence with the warp and they will be delayed."
Commander: "Well continue to hail them with you left hand because we need your right to fight the enemy. Give these coordinates to the Cruiser. Maybe this will buy us a little time"

Loyalist Turn 3:



Finally reaching the Strike Cruiser the Commander initiates a orbital bombardment on the foul sorcerer who killed the Librarian killing two
of the traitors and wrecking the transport that wounded him earlier. Realizing the battles end is close at hand, he rallies the troops.
The unengaged part of Squad Gamma kills another Terminator with a well placed Lascannon shot. Having luck with the Terminators
earlier the Scout bikes swing around trying to take down the Obliterators failing to wound them anymore, but distracting them from
the remaining Scout they were engaged with. Still fighting with Horrors, Squad Gamma Secondary can do nothing to help their failing
battle brothers and continue to fight off the denizens of the warp. With every marine fighting for their life killing blows are few and
far between.

Chaos Turn 3:



With the Veterans and Librarian finished off Squad Jik'thol turn their sights on the remaining dogs in Squad Alpha Secondary. While
watching his marines fall the Commander takes another glancing hit from the Terminators. Coughing up blood he issues a silent
prayer to the Emperor asking forgiveness for his failure, but vowing to take as many traitors as he can with him. The Obliterators
quicker than thought possible turn and unleash another rapid fire burst of plasma killing the last of the Scout Bikes. Having just
killed a Terminator the heavy from Squad Gamma takes cover just in time to avoid a blast from the Defiler and his battle cannon.
His remaining battle brother is not so lucky and is torn apart from the concussion of the nearby shell. Hearing footsteps to his side the
Deamon Prince summons power from his most holy lord Tzeentch leaving nothing but chard remains of the fleeing marines from strikes
of his magical bolts. Laughing at the sight of the running Space Marines he takes flight intent on finishing his job.

Loyalist Turn 4:



With the end coming neigh the Commander and his remaining men give their lives in the service of the Emperor killing one more
Thousand Son Marine and offering prayers for the souls of the fallen.

Chaos Turn 4:



With a smirk on his face, the Prince of the Keeper of Secrets summons forth magical bolts to finish off the Crimson Harrier's Commander.
Ordering his troops to finish off the remaining marines, Kesh'takai hails his Strike Cruiser...

Prolog:
++Start Transmission++
+"Admiral have the witch send word via telepath to Warmaster Abaddon that we will have the tome secure in a few short days"
+"Yes Lord"+
+"Also tell him that after today's event I wish the title Warlord be added to my long list of accomplishments"+
+"As you command your Highness"+
++End Transmission++

After looting the remains of "The Emperors Finest" the Lord Prince and his forces set about the original task, knowing they will be long gone before any more Astartes come to avenge their fallen brethren.

..this is gonna be good...

*F5*

*F5*

..damn

...

*F5*

look forward to reading this tommorow should be good

Nice report Chad.

Yea... I pretty much got smoked in this game. It really was over after round 1. Very poor dice all around so I didn't cause a single wound w/ the exception of the obliterator.

My drop pods also scattered 11 inches and 10 inches taking them well outta position. With the sternguard and libby out of position they were sitting ducks for the 1000 sons squad.

Lastly, I was pretty vanilla. I just didn't have enough fire power to do much of anything.

Good fun.

How was using Vassal to play? It's something I've been interested in but have never gotten around to installing and trying it out.

John, looks like you were in for a tough go from the beginning. Your scouts don't really have any good targets, nor is there much AP2 in your army. Coming up against an army with a large termy squad and 2 oblits means that you were going to have a hard time killing anything on the first turn.

And then you only have the razorback shot, one lascannon and one missile launcher that can hurt his vehicles. You should definitely get that lascannon out of the drop pod. Did it even get a chance to fire?

Wow that was really an amazing battle report. Tough times I know how that goes John. Well better luck next time. It just looked like the dice gods had something against you lol and your luck didnt hold up so good.

Beautiful report.. loved reading every turn of it..

The vassal shots look great..

Although the Sternguard are still AP3 even with their marine-killer rounds.

The 1K sons could stay in the rhino where you would have a hard time hurting them, and the termies and oblits will still get their saves.

I think this is a case where drop pod assault possibly hurt you, it would have been better to try and get Chad to spread out allowing you to drop pod in and isolate elements of his army. Although I understand you had some nasty deviations which never helps. You might need to put something in your sternguard that can take down light vehicles, as it seems like they need a squad of marines in the open to be useful right now.

From one chaos player to another,congrats on the victory! Your list very well, indeed. Death to the false emperor!

I can't wait till Christmas is over.....my Knights are itching to come out of the box......

CJ....I have been itching for a game all along and we need to throw down some. I also need to throw down with Marc as well. I hope to see you guys more in the up coming month. I will be getting out more with my Tau so I look forward to putting you guys under the guns of the Mighty Tau Empire. FOR THE GREATER GOOD!!!!!!!

I agree with JT. We need to get some games going with CJ. He and I tried a few weeks ago and failed miserably.

I know he doesn't do Sundays, but how are Saturdays for everybody? Or friday evenings?