Fluff – HOUSE OF GECKO

The Reclamation of Installation 2905/19GammaZulu

July 4, 2019July 3, 2019 Posted in Battle ReportLeave a comment

It has been a while since the last report – the Geckos have been busy wargaming and hobbying! Today Matty is sharing with us his battle report from a facedown between the rotting horde of Death Guard and the heroic Deathwatch!

Graemond (Black Templars) Charges heroically at a Plague Drone

The air was thick with the smell of the warp, almost so thick one could taste it. There was no sound aside from the wail of the wind, like a banshee it howled; almost as if the air itself was dying from the plague. Beatriz knew the enemy would not be far away, and the objective seemed close. Kill Teams Graemond and Darius readied Frag Cannons, checked suit ventilation systems and boarded the Blackstar. They were the recon team, sent in to scout the area; Auspex scans had identified a small rigging platform, with fuel reserves and thermal output still showing as active.

As soon as the corvus entered the area of operation (AO) the pilots screen howled in warning as the auspex screen lit up with a horde of contacts. “Initiate Assault Drop and secure the LZ” voxed Beatriz. The machine spirit within the blackstar surged as the pilot urged it onwards, perhaps feeling the thrill of an oncoming battle. The Kill Teams were silent, they were already prepared for war, nothing left to do now but pray the combat would be substantial. The Watch Captain dropped the teams into the middle of the semi ruined installation in a daring flyby maneuver and then proceeded to engage the enemy, a sweeping gun run with autocannons booming and bolters shaking as they emptied their drum magazines. From his position, he could see the putrid and diseased forms, the shambling undead huddled around a foul monstrosity that once was a machine. However the auspex relayed a more sinister force behind this, “Master, immediate forces are small, Graemond and Darius will dispatch easily, however the Emperor demands more of us this day, sizable enemy contact will be in the installation within minutes”.

Kill Team Graemond Pours bolter shells into the Horde

The Disciples of Nurgle were if nothing, resilient. Graemond and Darius unleashed volley after volley of bolter shots with air superiority thinning the herd, but wounds that would put down mortal men, even Astartes, simply slowed the horde down. They needed to hold out until reinforcements could arrive. Then they would show these traitors what the price of straying from the Emperor’s light would be. The Shambling mass had no end, the more they killed, the more strode over their pus ridden, decaying corpses towards them. Giant demon machines that spewed filth and fired explosive rounds were detected entering the AO.

“We, We are here soldiers. The might of the Emperor. Stand firm”, the sombre voice of vetern Warrior and elite Librarian M’Batu could be heard over the vox channels. And arrive he did, along with him a sizable chunk of the deathwatch forces. M’batu appeared on a rooftop, alone, unaided and began firing his bolt pistol down into the hordes, drawing their attention away from the kill teams. The undead saw an easy kill, a single marine, no matter how skilled, that was a dead marine. “Come Forth and face judgement, be put down in the holy light of the Emperor’s wrath!” his battle cry revealed his trap. The hum in the air rose to a fever pitch and then with a flash, Mbatu was surrounded by Kill Team Thracymachus, their bolters raised and spewing death. The horde was thinned, the battle cried loud.

However, the Plague Father also sent reinforcements the poxwalkers used their own dead as steps. Clawing and moaning, they rose the building until they surrounded the Warriors, forcing them to fight off clammy hands ridden with disease, the slime beginning to corrode the ceramite of their armour.

It was late in the day, the bodies of Nurgle coating the installation in a green ooze, the smell rancid, even the super human organs of the Astartes were now no match for the infection seeping into reality. The Deathwatch held, but it was costing them dearly, and Papa Nurgle had not yet thrown his most powerful tool into the fray. With lightning bolts of green and joyous singing from the plague warriors, the warp spewed two warriors forth. Typhus, lord of contagion and bringer of despair. And Putrificus, Demon Prince of Nurgle, 749th favoured of the grandfather. The strike was co ordinated, Putrificus struck for the throat, seeking the head of the Watch Master, whilst Typhus rallied the horde and sought to dismantle the front line. Neither were prepared for the wrath to come.

With Kill Team Darius being besieged by a demonic Plague Burst Crawler, along with the Horder of Poxwalkers, the Deathwatch surged with new confidence, inspired the Watch Captain, whose battle howl could be heard even among the roar of engines, and the banging of boltguns. He charged the Crawler, wielding his thunder hammer with precision swings. Then, his greatest challenge, Typhus.

All the while, Purtificus was busy with Watch Master Beatriz. The stoic leader showed no emotion through his death mask. His eyes simply stared the foul beast back, his spear coming into guard position, with no fuss or glory, no warriors to witness the deed, He charged the creature. The Guardian Spear wielded with the grace of centuries of service, limbs moving in a ballet of cuts and thrusts. Trusting in his ancient ceramite to protect against the cursed and diseased talons that struck out to wound him, and they tried. But the 749th favoured of Nurgle would not be favoured this day, Beatriz struck truly and sent the demon back to the warp.

The Man Reaper cut the reality of fabric as it was, but the Light of the Emperor gave the old wolf Captain courage, and the pair duelled. The thunder hammer cracking as it surged with power striking the warp cursed terminator plate that Typhus wore. Again and again the pair fought, when finally and heroically, the captain struck home, a concussive strike with the Thunder hammer threw Typhus back 15 feet and knocked him on his back, looking up and seeing the wolf charge toward him, the 2nd favoured of Nurgle called the warp, and slunk away, letting the warp feed him and regain his strength. But it was enough, just.

The raging battle had seen the medivac of a number of soldiers, the few still fighting, Graemond of the Templars, Kill Team Tzuka were making headway. And the retreat of the General and the ‘slaying’ of the Demon Prince was enough. Beatriz rallied the remaining forces and sought to put down the reaming plague marines. Crucially however, they controlled enough of the facility to warrant the damned and diseased to withdraw, as traitorous and plagued as they were, tactically lacking they were not. If only for a moment on the besieged planet, The Deathwatch had won a narrow victory.

Excellent report Matty – A close victory for the Emperors servants today!

Fun and Fluff 101

May 15, 2019May 15, 2019 Posted in FluffLeave a comment

Today, Joseph is sharing with us his thoughts on what it means to be a ‘Fluffy’ player!

Hey guys, it’s Joseph here (@pertinaxpaints) with an article today on the ins and outs on what I believe what makes an army fun, and also ‘fluffy’.

First things first, it’s important for me to say I think that playing competitive is absolutely brilliant, and that this article mainly applies for pick up games at your FLGS’ and casual play. So without further ado, Let’s get into it:

What is Fluff?

It’s not what you find in your pocket, that’s called lint. Fluff is a sometimes-derogatory word to describe the rich, colourful, grimdark, fascinating histories of our wonderful hobby universes and has little to no bearing on the way the game is played. It is not in anyway crunchy – which is also not what you find in your pocket; that’s called crumbs.

Why be fluffy?

This is a question I think everyone knows the answer to already, but it’s still worth talking about. Being fluffy is the reason most people get into the hobby in the first place, either through being enchanted by the cool looking models in a shop window, by reading some captivating lore in a rulebook, or perhaps a black library jaunt. (Horus Heresy books will kill your heart, soul, and your wallet. They’re amazing…)

Fluff can also equal fun. At the end of the day, if you love your army, it means you’ll be playing them as they’re intended to feel. Now whether that’s guard gun-lines pouring out a solid wall of lasgun fire, or hordes of Orks blazing across the battlefield on trukks and bikes, fluffy play creates a sense of spectacle and awakens your imagination.

Another thing to recognise is that 40k, AoS and The Hobbit™ are all dice games. When you play a dice game at a competitive level, essentially you are trying to find ways to mitigate reliance on luck alone. So in ‘fluffy’ play, allowing luck to play a more important role in the game can spice things up. There are powerful stratagems and cool effects that only happen on a 1 in 6 chance, sometimes allowing lady luck to take the wheel can create incredible moments. Obviously both you and your opponent will have to be on equal footing with this reliance on luck, otherwise games could be one sided. But think of stray shots wounding huge monsters, a Land Raider dying a ridiculous death to overwatch, or a single model hanging on for longer than it should. All of these things are made hilarious because they’re unlikely.

To that end, I feel like there are a few definable things that can make an army fluffy:

· Aesthetic: How does the army look? Does it deviate from the background and how? Or maybe it follows the provided iconography and hierarchy to the letter, or is a creation of its own.

· Play style: How does the army list/style relate to their background? Is the list a classic that you’d normally see? Or maybe it’s an interesting new play style.

· Weakness: Most armies have a weakness of some sort. Some have loads, but either way, a good player will be able to cover their army’s weaknesses most of the time, or they’ll plug in another faction/ally that will cover it. Providing an opponent with a clear way to defeat you is fun (albeit risky), but there’s got to be a clear way to defeat them too…

Case example: Orks

Walk up to any Warhammer player and ask them if they’re a fan of Orks. Most will say either that they’re fun, or perhaps they love them. Some might scream “waaaaaagh” signalling their adoration, and a small percentage may be indifferent. So why the love for Orks? Well in my opinion there are a few things that add into their likeability, ranging from their very distinct aesthetic all the way up to their interesting rule mechanics.

Aesthetic:Ork models can’t be confused with any other in the entire range (to be fair I argue that all GW mini’s have their own unique style), their vehicles are eclectic and characterful, their infantry are distinct whilst showing clearly the hierarchy of the army (Nobz are bigger than boyz, Warbosses bigger than Nobz) and also they’re a converters dream: with the concept of looting you can turn anything into an Ork something or other!

· Playstyle: Ork rules are random, whilst there are some tasty things in the codex at the moment (mob rule, da jump etc), Ork armies have an inconsistency that makes them fun to play. Ramshackle on trukks, reducing damage to 1, or the fact that burna bombers explode on a 4+ and do 3 mortal wounds to everything within 6, or the weird ways to wound stuff that arise from Tellyport blastas or the Shokk attack gun.

· Weakness: When the Orks die, they die fast. With the average save of the codex being a 5+ tshirt save, very many bodies are needed to give them a serious competitive edge. Low leadership and a relatively glass cannon nature of the army means high skill is required to weild them well. However, one thing that makes the Ork codex stand out is that there are many ways to build ‘good’ Ork armies. Dread Waaagh anyone?

Now these same things I love, other people could hate, I know for a fact many people dislike playing as Orks because of their unreliability and high model count, but hey, if everyone loved the same thing the world would be a boring place.

How can I be fluffy?

So how does one go about building a fun and fluffy list? Well there are a few things to bear in mind:

· Unless it fits the theme of the army, bringing a lot of the same model/unit can be pretty boring to play against (unless it’s a troops choice) I feel like GW has addressed this with the rule of 3, but it’s always useful to bear in mind.

· Be a Rules As Intended (RAI) person, yes there are a few weird loopholes in some rules, but try not to base an army around exploiting it. Think: “If my opponent doesn’t let me exploit this, would my tactics fall apart?”

· One thing that we saw a lot of in older competitive play was making up weird fluff to explain odd army lists: 9 Tau commanders would never really go into war all together, and you can make up fluff to explain why, but if you’re working backwards and trying to link your army to the fluff, instead of basing its conception in the fluff, you’re going a little off course in my opinion.

· Try not to take a lot of ridiculous auto-include units. These kinds of units I’m talking about are things like Hive Tyrants, pre-FAQ Dark Reapers, Daemon Princes. These units do a lot of work, so setting up to find your opponent has brought multiples of them is quite demoralising, as it means you’re going to be shooting and interacting with the same stuff all game.

Writing a purposely weak list, or one that includes units that people would deem not amazing is all part of the fluffy game in some ways, you just have to make sure your opponent is playing by the same rules. One thing to bear in mind though is that some armies are weaker than others and if you’re playing an army that struggles to put out good units en masse you’ll probably not need to write a weak list per se – just don’t build towards the single strong build the army has. If you’re playing with a top tier army like Aeldari, that’s when you need to engage brain and think of more fun and gimmicky ways to play other than Wave serpent spam, Guardian bombs, more than 1 flier etc…

Overall hopefully this article has given you guys some ideas in how you can build fun and fluffy armies, but obviously these are just my opinions. Heck, 12 eldar fliers in one list can be right up fluffy street! It’s your money after all, if you want 12 aircraft roaming the board go for it!

Hopefully in the next article I’ll be able to elaborate on how to make names and background for your dudes™. Until next time!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Joseph! Looking forward to learning how to name my boys!

Spotlight: Shadowspear meets the Vlka Gungir

April 23, 2019April 22, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

Caught up in the wave of recent Primaris releases, Alan has added some of the new Vanguard units to his Rout…

Seeing the Shadowspear release was a real thrill, GW are knocking it out of the park at the moment with amazing sculpts and seem to have upped their game in relation to social media.

I managed to pick up two boxes of Shadowspear for the Rout and have utilised the infiltrators, eliminators, suppressors, wolf guard battle leader, wolf lord and rune priest. The sculpts are amazing, really detailed models although somewhat limited with the monopose and repeats within the packs. Mine will be painted as part of my Space Wolf Primaris army, the Vlka Gungnir or in low Gothic ‘the Wolf Spear’ and part of the NÍDHÖGG Great Company.

Led by Wolf Lord Sigurd Fraegr, known throughout the Rout as the ‘NÍDHÖGG’, in low Gothic translated as “dreaded striker.” Feared for his ability to strike without notice or warning causing chaos and destruction amongst the enemy. His Great Company is utilised when a finer touch is needed. They are the spear tip, striking at high value assets, enemy commanders, logistical lines before the rest of the Rout arrive.

Wolf Lord Sigurd Fraegr was created using the primaris captain in phobus armour, a head swap with a KF studios skull helm and a space wolf belt. A forge world cataphractii chain axe was swapped in for the pointing figure, as every space wolf needs an axe!

My favourite model in Shadowspear is the librarian in phobus armour, or in the case of the Vlka Gungnir he is Torrvald Tostig the Rune priest! I found on eBay the most amazingly painted head with tribal tattoos on a deathwatch veteran body, managed to win the auction and have been looking for a suitable body worthy of the head – and here it finally is! The rest of the model was ‘wolfed up’ with an icon and neck charm from the space wolf primaris upgrade set.

The primaris lieutenant was turned into a wolf guard battle leader. The head was again swapped out for a Kf studios skull helmet and an axe from the space wolf upgrade sprue swapped in. I then attempted a first – green stuff-ing a pelt. For a first attempt I’m quite pleased and will try and utilise these through my army.

The infiltrator pack is a lovely kit. It does have a few duplicates, however the models were simple to kit-bash. Heads swapped out with space wolf upgrade sprue from the Grey Hunter kit as well as wolf tail charms and belts used. The pack leader was given a Forge World grey slayer head and axe to separate him out. It’s a gamble arming him with an axe – which at the moment will be his close combat weapon – but hopefully as with the Intercessors, the pack leaders will be able to take a power weapon when the multipose separate kits come out.

The eliminators are stunning sculpts and fit nicely into the space wolf fluff wise, veteran scouts. ‘Pack Volsung’ Grizzled veterans of centuries of war in the Allfathers name. Ulrik Volsung directing his pack brothers to deal death from. Using knowledge and experience gleaned throughout the Sea of Stars, their steady aim and rate of fire assists the young pups on the battlefield.’ To fit them in with my existing army, Forge World grey slayer heads were used along with wolf tails and icons.

The suppressors I left until last, horror stories abound of the stands with not only these but also primaris inceptor set. I resolved then to ditch the stands and mount them on the base, hopefully I will have no problems with modelling for advantage! Again a Forge World grey slayer head was used to denote the pack leader. The right pauldron will be marked with blood claw markings of yellow and red, in my fluff they are brash recruits with an interest in big guns!

Only the infiltrators have seen the battlefield as yet, they did a fantastic job of preventing deep striking genestealers! I’m looking forward to getting the rest on the table soon and finding how they work alongside my current forces. ‘Fenrys Hjolda’!

Nice one Alan, looking forward to seeing how the Wolf Spear perform on the table!

New Army Focus: The Imperial Cult

April 19, 2019April 19, 2019 Posted in SpotlightLeave a comment

We have a special article for you all today – George is sharing with us how he begun on his journey to start an Imperial Cult!

When the new Genestealer Cults models were announced I became very conflicted. I had always loved the aesthetic of the GSC, particularly their rugged civilian vehicles, but had always been put off by their fluff. As a loyal son of the Imperium, I wasn’t about to join a dark cult obsessively trying to advance the wellbeing of a distant star god, where success would mean that I was consumed by the mindless beast that I had truly been serving.

Before I think too much about that last sentence and get a visit from the Inquisition, I should get back to my story.

My resolve was greatly tested at the Vigilus open day, when I was able to see the Attilan Jackals first hand. They were exceptional models that looked to have a vast amount of conversion potential. I vowed that, even though I wouldn’t be doing a GSC army, I would buy some Jackals for conversion into Astra Militarum Rough Riders. Problem solved, I thought.

And then this happened:

The Achilles Ridgerunner. Everything I had always loved about the GSC aesthetic in a sleek, fast, menacing vehicle. I knew I had to build and paint at least one of these, but how to fit them into my armies? I toyed with the idea of an Astra Militarum Tauros (an idea I have shelved but definitely not dismissed) but then a stray thought crossed my mind. As I gazed at the Ridgerunner I thought to myself: “That almost looks like a 40k police car.”

And there it was. The solution. I could return to one of my first Warhammer loves and attempt to build an Adeptus Arbites themed GSC army.

After the initial glow wore off (about 4 minutes) I realised that this left me with a number of problems.

Is there a sensible and fluffy reason why the Arbites would be ambushing everyone?
How can I differentiate between ‘GSC’ Arbites and ‘Brood Brothers’ Arbites?
Can I work out how to get all of the units I wanted out of sensible Arbites based conversions?
What about Purestrains?

Fortunately, the happy confluence of the new GSC Magos model and another of my favourite models that I have never found a place for in any of my armies gave me the answer to the first three of those questions.

I have always loved the Wood Elves, and the Wildwood Rangers kit has always sat at the back of my mind (and, I must admit, my cupboard) as a possible basis for kitbashing. But who, in the 41st millennium, would wear ridiculous capes, like intimidating hoods and have a penchant for wielding massive axes?

And there was the answer. The Inquisition. Another of my favourite parts of the 41st Millennium, thanks in great part to the excellent novels of Dan Abnett. I had always wanted to explore the Inquisition further, and they are an excellent vehicle for conversions as each Inquisitor has a wide latitude for idiosyncrasies. I decided that my Inquisitor would have a penchant for cloaks and axes.

The fluff of my army then began to write itself. One of the roles of the Adeptus Arbites is to defend the authority of the Imperium against its own forces if any local governor or Planetary Defence Force should decide to challenge the power of the Emperor. Many Inquisitors have the same role, including the Ordo Hereticus and the less well known Ordo Militum, who are tasked with overseeing the Imperium’s diverse armed forces. Should a planet rebel or begin to fall under enemy control, the Adeptus Arbites and the forces of the Inquisition might well be the last servants of the Emperor to remain loyal and keep fighting against impossible odds. Likewise, an Inquisitor might be willing to adopt unconventional fighting methods, using their own followers and the local knowledge of the Arbites to lay traps and ambushes, fighting an asymmetric war against the invaders.

And that is how the forces of self-declared Grand Inquisitor Deza and Arbitrator Metus, co-ordinator of the Capital District came to be, at least in theory. How the models for each conversion were picked and how they were then constructed and painted is a story for another day (or two, or possibly even three).

And question four? I’ll let you know if I come up with a definitive answer, although I do have a cunning plan involving [REDACTED].

Nice one George! Looking forward to seeing what you do with your culty boys – George will be sharing with us the next stage in his journey very soon!

The Siege of Draco Minus – Part 1: The Imperium Defenders

April 2, 2019April 2, 2019 Posted in CampaignLeave a comment

Today, Matt, Alan and Joe are sharing with us two of the armies taking part in Matts upcoming Migale Dominus System campaign – Alan’s Space wolves and Joesphs White Scars. Each player has written a short bit of background on their armies!

In the coming months, a war that rages on a planet known as Draco Minus will reach a crescendo. Its warriors fighting hard through Hab Blocks, Agri Forges, and vital Mechanicum facilities. The world is a pipeline to the rest of the system, responsible for the production of sustenance and the filtration of clean water for the human populations on Komodius and Tiliqua. However that all now hangs in the balance. The forces of the Mechanicum from Forgeworld Ferromort, aided by the might of the Astartes chapters: The Vlka Gungnir (A Space wolf successor) and the White Scars. They seek to defend against the might of the Black Legion and the infection that is the Death Guard.

5 House Gecko generals will duel it out using a modified version of the ‘Urban Conquest’ campaign system. Tales of Heroism and courage under fire, stories of destruction and pitiless slaughter are sure to come. Below is an introduction into the forces that fight on Draco Minus. Today we look at the two Astartes chapters. Stay Tuned for more campaign episodes!

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + TRANSMITTED: MIGALE PRIME MECHANICUM COMMAND

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + RECEIVED: [REDACTED]

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + DESTINATION: [REDACTED]

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + DATE: 6 125 012

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + TELEPATHIC DUCT: TERMINUS VIGILUS MIGALE

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + REF: MECH/90840958940324323432/LA

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + AUTHOR: DOMINUS HINOR V FW/Ferrormort

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + SUBJECT: Draco Minus Attack

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + THOUGHT: Vengeance is calculated

The Wolves

They are the Vlka Gungnir, or ‘Wolf Spear’ in High Gothic. Taken as youths from the death world Fenris and held in stasis on Mars for 10 thousand years before being unleashed at the launch of Jarl Gulliman’s Indomitus Crusade. They are oathed with the role of the Rout since the AllFather and Wolf King stalked the stars, to do what others will not, to enact the Allfather’s Sanction. As the Eye spews forth the Allfather’s traitorous sons, the Sanction is never more needed.

‘Jarl Gunvor Gunvorsson’, known as ‘the Headtaker of Scardiburg’ leads the packs of the Vlka Gungnir as Jarl. He answers to none but the Great Wolf of Fenris, the organisation of the Vlka Gungnir is as in the Wolf King’s days, a savage alliance of kings. Clad in Gravis armour and armed with his mighty two handed blade ‘Gram’, death and destruction are all that he leaves in his wake. The Allfather’s Sanction falling on heretic and xenos alike. His implacable advance masking the speed ‘Gram’ is wielded.

‘Packs Hafgufa, Ulfhedner and Torvigsson’ Intercessor Packs. Natives of the death world of Fenris. Brought into the decimated Rout to bring the Allfather’s Sanction across the Sea of Stars. Led by Thorgrim Hafgufa, Fraeger Ulfhedner and Torvig Torvigsson respectively, these Intercessor Packs utilises bolt and blade in fealty to Jarl Gunvor.

Members of Pack **Torvigsson** fighting alongside Rune Priest

‘Uhtred the Broken’ Einjar of Jarl Gunvor, left on the red snow with his thread cut before the iron weavers found and remade him. Guarding the Sector Imperialis on Yorvik VII from the waaaaagh of Boss Big Toof, his pack fought the Orks for a day and a night before stemming the green tide. Left broken, his surviving pack mates dragged him to the Wolf Priests. Remade in iron, he continues to slay in the name of the Allfather, sentenced to a half-life of suffering and pain interned in a mighty leviathan dreadnought. A chassis of ancient providence, the leviathan pattern dreadnought was created in limited numbers in the latter days of the Great Crusade, developed in secret on Terra, away from the pervasive oculars of the Mechanicum. Its massive frame incorporates hybridised technologies, some dating back into the dim past of humanity. Towering over later Imperial walker patterns, this heavily armoured dreadnought is savagely powerful.

‘Pack Mjölnir’– aggressors tasked with defending or seizing the most important objectives, the Saga of Pack Mjölnir is long and glorious. Trusted with suits of rare and mighty Mark X armour they stride across the battlefield reaping a heavy toll with overwhelming firepower before crushing any survivors with their fists.

‘Huginn’ is the Stormhawk piloted by the Ironpriest, Bjorn Brokk. Seconded to the Ultramarines in an attempt to further the bonds between the Chapters with his trusted Stormfang fighter, he fought valiantly alongside his battle brothers against the tyranids reaping a tally of kills before being dragged from the skies by a hive tyrant. Clambering from his cockpit just as the foul beast landed to finish the job, Brokk slayed the tyrant with a mighty blow of his axe. Returning to the fray in a Stormhawk, the Ironpriest helped the Ultramarines to drive off the xenos scum. Granted the Stormhawk as his, he named it Huginn and returned to the Vlka Gungnir. Fighting for his Jarl, Brokk continues to slay in the name of the Allfather, adding kill marks and victories to the hide of Gungnir. Eyes on the mighty craft driving off the maleficarum of the enemy.

‘The Scargills’ – Hellblaster Pack. ‘Henrik Henriksson’ is the alpha. The name of the pack, a reference to the scars carried by the members earned over the centuries of war amongst the stars. Long fangs armed with heavy plasma incinerators and clad in mark x armour, they are tasked with taking out valuable targets in the enemy’s ranks. Their keen senses honed over centuries of war are they are masters of stealth and cunning to get into position before obliterating enemy command structures in a hail of plasma.

The White Scars

“Tell it to me again?” inquired the Khan.

“Mi-Ga-Le” replied Batu.
“Me-Gaul-Eh” monkeyed the Khan.
Batu shook his head. “You are close enough Khagan,” he said with an easy smile, “but if you wish to impress our new allies, I recommend that you improve upon your high gothic.”

The Khan narrowed his eyes as he looked out if the viewport, “My speech…good enough.” Snorting as he replied high gothic, “the beautiful death of the enemy is a language all will speak however” he continued in Chogorian, “from lowly creature to glorious Khan. And this is what they shall see Batu.” He placed a hand on his mentor’s shoulder, looking at him in a cocksure manner. The old warrior looked down to the deck, his wise eyes studying the silent hell below. The words of the Khan washed over him like a chill tide, he wasn’t ready, not yet.

The Scars lead the charge alongside their battle brothers the Vlka Gungnir.

This primaris-whelp that laid his hand on his shoulder in reassurance had no real experience to back his assertions, and this worried Batu greatly. The Seer looked back at his tutee with a warm expression, moving the hand from his shoulder. “Ruoxuan, you are a beautiful poet, but I fear you have spent too long slumbering, pondering the sharpness of the pen rather than that of the blade.” Ruoxuan let his master move his hand away, his pride wounded. He had proved himself on the Chogorian fields many times since his awakening, slaying countless daemon trying to relive his astranged gene-brothers. He was chosen as Khagan of the second company on the merit of these deeds alone, why must his mentor doubt him? In frustration he looked Batu in the eyes to speak, then paused. The amber iris’s that stared back betrayed a wisdom that made Ruoxuan feel like a child. He snorted again in displeasure at his hubris and said, “I believe you are right, Laoshi.”

Primaris Ancient and 2 Primaris Lt’s stand watch for Scars

Awesome, thanks Alan, Joseph and Matt – looking forward to seeing what happens in this campaign. Stay tuned for more info on their opposition soon!

Battle Report: Defence of Hive City H/90319

March 15, 2019March 15, 2019 Posted in Battle ReportLeave a comment

Today, Matt brings us a Battle Report on the recent defence of Hive City by the Imperium forces stationed there…

The cold wind sweeps across the battlements. Cpt. Ajax Norbreth of the Tempestus Scions looks out over the dreary world as rain lashed his armour. Down to his left, ranks of Imperial Guard soldiers of the Aluesian 110th Infantry stand ready in defensive positions, on his right, more ranks of weathered soldiers. Behind them were the Leman Russ tanks, like hungry predators they wait. The low grumble of engines can be heard across the ramparts. Across his vox, “Ajax, where are the seething mass?” a low voice grumbled, coming from the Command Tank ‘Aluesian Fury’. “No Idea Ironhead, usually the beasts are on time” he jested back at the senior commander. Without giving time for reply from the General came the reply that would signify the end to any joy or happiness. The feral screams and roars sounded like a hurricane approaching, and then suddenly the ground breaks open and in pours the Xenos filth. Thousands of tyranids, swarming, massing, writhing to get to their next meal. In that split second it was almost calm, and then the thunder of guns destroyed the afternoon.

Hive Fleet Kraken crashes against the Imperials like a wave into the rocks of a cove. There is no end to them, but the city needs time to evacuate key personnel. So the Imperial defence has to hold. It would have been a lot more difficult had Inquisitor Lok not sent a call to requisition the specialist Emperor’s Chosen warriors of the Deathwatch. This reinforcement increased the chances of victory… in a minuscule increment. Nonetheless, Kraken will be repelled. Like an immovable object the Imperium will hold. Must hold.

Deathwatch Veterans engages with vicious Genestealers. They fight to take the attention away from the guardsmen.

As the Battle wears on, the feral beasts of Hive Kraken pushes into Imperial lines. Sustained bombardment from hive guard tyranid beasts destroys a mighty Deathwatch Corvus. The immediate assault is swift and brutal. But now within effective weapons range, and close enough for Astartes to utilise their hulking aggression and fighting prowess, the Imperium gets to swing its mighty hammer. A valiant squad of deathwatch Veterans, led by a Black Templar begin a suicidal March into Xenos lines. Librarian M’Batu from the Salamanders chapter follows to provide much needed psychic power, known by all Aleusians for the deeds performed only weeks earlier against the foul forces of the Arch Enemy.

Librarian M’Batu gives support to the heroic Deathwatch Veterans charging into the mouth of destruction

One of the foul beasts swoops and dives into imperials lines, plucking soldiers from the ramparts.

The advance continues, it never ends. It’s almost monotonous, the constant thud of guns and the screech of alien death. But shaking from the battle, an enormous beast, identified via short range auspex scans, known as ‘Old One Eye’ comes screeching across the battlefield. The Deathwatch know no fear and stand firm in the face of an enormous tide. Their stormbolters and chainswords barking and growling as they tear aliens piece from piece.

‘Old One Eye’ crashes through the battlefield. The Veterans hold firm, relishing the challenge that is to come.

As afternoon slinks away and night takes hold. The battlefield is illuminated by fire and flash. It is clear now that the situation is increasingly perilous. The never ending wave of monstrous creatures and horde of mindless creatures shows no hope. But the Emperor’s champions need no hope. They relish the horde. A glorious death in combat awaits. For the Emperor they continue to slay and fight. Their fury unending – the death toll mounts.

Two armoured sentinels dash forward in an attempt to flame out the beasts. The Swarmlord roars and shreds them in half, leaving a mess of metal and dead guardsmen

Ratling Raus sneaks through the enemy advance and manages to launch 6 satchel charges at the beast, wounding it severely. This actions saved many lives… but alas, was not enough

The guns of the Imperium roared continuously. The thud of armour silences the skies. Shrieks and roars of alien beasts competed for their moment… and overpowered the forces of Man. In the dying stages of battle, tanks, guns, even satchel charges thrown from brave ratlings was not enough. The Hive consumes all. It leaves nothing in its wake. It just digests and then moves to the next source of biomass. The Imperium is lost in this battle. But the war, the war rages on. The Deathwatch and the Aluesians will have their chance for glory soon enough.