After the devastating loss for the Dark Angels in the last report, the Rout have encountered a new foe on Mausolia Angelis…
Mausolia Angelis, fiefdom of the First Legio Astartes. The Vlka Gungnir stand triumphant on the field of battle, the Dark Angels relic seized. Defensive positions are taken up as atmospheric storms render any communication other than short range VOX impossible. The First Jarl orders Jarl Sigurd Fraegr and his Great Company to scout the rest of the planet and search for further Sons of the Lion.
Sigurd leads ‘NIDHOGG’, translated into low Gothic ‘the dreaded strikers’, making up the scout and fast attack packs of the Vlka Gungnir. Famous for striking without warning deep behind enemy lines causing chaos and destruction.
What the First Jarl and the Vlka Gungnir do not know is that a transmission from an interrogator chaplain, giving his last known coordinates was intercepted by the strikeforce ‘Tears of Sanguinuis’. The Blood Angels have set up an armoured column, with assault troops in reserve at the end of an abandoned Dark Angel checkpoint… The Wolves and Blood Angels draw unwittingly close…
Appalling atmospheric conditions make anything other than intra pack communication impossible, Jarl Sigurd sends the veteran long fangs to take up firing positions. Infiltrator packs Hati and Skoll advance through the 1st Legions fortifications, hellblasters following providing fire support. The Vlka Gungnir sense something ahead, growls accompanying their advance. Scout packs on foot and bike range ahead of the main force as eliminator pack Volsung take the high ground.
Bolter fire rakes the air, the Vlka Gungnir seeping their foe through the gloom. Wolves drop, threads cut by unknown assailants. Jarl Sigurd orders the scouts further forward and streaks of lascannons lay down covering fire.
The roar of a predator smashes through the gloom, fire raining upon the Rout not from the foul Dark Angels but angels clad in blood red, the sons of Sanguinius! Howling jetpacks signal the arrival of the dreaded Death Company, blasting wolves with bolt before charging headlong into combat. They slay wolf scout pack Uvaer before charging into the mighty form of Haakon Draugar. The redemptor dreadnoughts shell impervious to any attack’s, the ancient warrior backs away keeping the savage urge to rip the enemy to shreds in check.
+++ Open fire brothers +++
His distraction allows Pack Hati to rip through the bewildered Death Company, the howl of wolves on the trail of jet packs as suppressor and inceptor packs join the fray, their firepower blasting the Death Company into the jaws of Morkai.
Reeling from the onslaught the Captain of the Tears of Sanguinus orders a general advance, the massive shape of a leviathan and redemptor dreadnought stomps past the dug in Intercessor squads. The earth shakes as they open fire, packs slain in an instant.
Long fang pack Ulfred take aim at the massive shapes approaching, first reducing the Baal predator to molten slag they then blast the redemptor into oblivion. The other packs surround Lemartes and the sanguinary priest as Haakon Draugar obliterates them in a hail of fire.
The Vlka Gungnir open fire with everything trying to stop the relentless advance of the leviathan to no avail, packs slain under a hail of fire. Finally the steady aim of the long fangs strips some of its armour as the blood angel captain orders a fighting withdrawal.
Haakon Draugar fires Into the retreating Blood Angels. The Rout stand masters of the field!
And Alan’s wolves have bested yet another defending space marine force – how much longer will this miscommunication continue? Find out in the final round, where Blood Angel and their Dark brothers come together to attempt to quell the Hunt!
Last month Alan and Eliot had a chance to fire up a classic rivalry on the table top – the Angels of Caliban vs the Wolves!
Orbital Search
Mausolia Angelis, fiefdom of the First Legio Astartes. Now held by the Dark Angels Chapter, vital fortress monastery guarding supply routes from forge worlds oathed to Caliban.
Strike fleet Morkai, led by the First Jarl, Bjorn, called the Fell-Handed. Leading the Vlka Gungnir, awoken to judge the primaris by Jarl Grimnar himself. Thrown from the warp requiring repairs, Mausolia Angelis, offers no replies to hails.
Scanners locate a powerful energy source, as the First Jarl orders planet fall to investigate, the Dark Angels issue dire warnings, the planet is oathed to the Sons of the Lion and is no place for the dogs of Russ.
Meanwhile on the Mausolia Angelis…
5 days. 5 more days and the Chapter Master makes leave for The Rock once again.
Interrogator-Chaplain Izkeil has been almost 2 weeks chasing rumors of Fallen activies on Mausio Angelica, and nothing. Nothing but a few weak minded Cult leaders to ‘converse’ with. The secrets held here are safe, for now.
Izkeil knows that if the word gets out as to what the first company has contained here gets out, the Chapter Master will be the least of his worries.
A flair across the sky draws Izkeils attention, and he tears himself away from the viewport of the fortress. A hail on his vox.
+ Brother-Chaplain, we have visitors. Battle stations ready, possible fallen activity. Take no prisoners +
Izkeil replaced and locked his skull plate onto his helm.
+ No secrets will leave this place Master Azrael+
It began to rain.
Taking up formation the Vlka Gungnir vector into the energy source, an ancient mechanical relic from the Age of Darkness of unknown STC provenience. As the Wolves advance to claim the relic, proximity alerts sound… the Dark Angels have revealed themselves.
+++ Hail the First Legion Astartes +++ The First Jarl orders his Wolf Guard. ‘They fail to answer hails Jarl’. The hails are finally answered as bolt, plasma and lascannon erupt from the Dark Angels lines.
+++ Engage protocols active, slay the enemies of the Allfather+++
The landraider ‘Wrath of Morkai’ surges forward towards the objective, the howls of the blood claws inside accompanying the roar of the engine. Bjorn surges forward, ancient pistons driving the mighty war machine forward, blood claws surging around the Old One, desperate to fight with the living legend who fought with the Allfather and Russ himself. Long Fangs open up with lascannon and missile, covering the advance of the Rout.
The Dark Angels respond with devastating affect, long fangs obliterated as the feared Ravenwing roar forwards. A mighty redemptor and predator supporting the assault directed by the Chapter Master himself.
Pack Hati charge from the ‘Wrath of Morkai’ hurling themselves in a berserk charge at the enemy lines. The wolf guard surge forward in support, power fists crackling in anticipation of the slaughter. A crack of energy as the mighty Arjac Rockfist arrives on the field of battle, a beastial roar as the berserk wulfen charge into the field, Azrael himself the subject of their rage.
Blistering fire overwhelms the DA redemptor dreadnought, the ancient warriors duty has come to an end.
Azrael is mortally wounded in a flurry of blows and the wulfen surge into the predator. The DA infiltrators and intercessors are cut down by chainsword and fist and the relic seems secured.
Energy cracks stun the Wolves as the dread Deathwing arrive in reinforcement. They slay long fangs with ease with ancient power weapons.
Bjorn the Fellhanded charges into the Deathwing as Intercessor pack Torvigsson rush to assist. The Ravenwing are destroyed in furious combat leaving only the Deathshroud and a last tenacious surviving Deathwing Sergeant.
With the unknown Relic claimed by the Rout, the remaining Dark Angels retreat into the darkness.
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!
Wolf Lord Sigurd Fraegr
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.
Torrrvald Tostig
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.
Infiltrator pack.
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.
Pack Volsung
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!
Alan has another of his battle reports for us today, with his Rout facing off against the Tyranid horde! See how he fares…
The Valhalla System, Oathed in fealty to the Allfather, the Wolf King and the Vl legion since the days of the Great Crusade. Vital industrial worlds for the supply of arms and munitions to the Chapter cut off from the light of Holy Terra. Threatened on all sides by the spawn of laughing gods.
A desperate garbled distress signal is received by the light cruiser ‘Morkaii’s Axe’, from the Imperial Governor of Valhalla.
Defenceless, weak, dammed, alone.
The silent null of the approach of the tyrannids. Ragankok nears.
The Sons of Russ appear, the lords of winter and war, the executioners, the fury and savagery of a storm, the vengeance of a galaxy wronged, the Allfathers most loyal sons.
This is the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, there is only war in the Allfather’s Domains!
Dawn of War set up with six objectives placed as per the mission ‘the Scouring’. Units are placed alternatively with the player who placed their last unit first getting the first turn, which ensured the wolves would be going first unless the initiative was ceased.
Long fangs take up position on what turns out to be the superior objective.
Blood claw pack and ferensian wolves screen the centre.
The Vlka Gungnir took defensive positions covering the back field, trying to give the long fangs and hellblasters good fire arcs. Two combat packs of infiltrators are utilised to deny any Deep striking Tyranid charges.
The Vlka Gungnir prepare to face the red tide.
The tyranids set up with a large castle as a right hook with lots of units ready to deep strike held in reserve. With the superior objective held by my long fangs and the inferior objective in the tyranids deployment zone, the wolves expected a hard fight against the lightning quick Hive Fleet Kraken.
Turn one, assets of the vlka gungnir advance, the repulsor slaying a horde of gaunts to claim first blood. Ferensian wolves screen the repulsor as the blood claws sprint into the central ruins.
The Hive Fleet prepare to devour the Vlka Gungnir! Deep striking xenos beasts of all descriptions appear with the flying Hove Tyrant and Trygon popping up as a left hook. Genestealers advance through the centre, and the remaining termagaunt brood supported by a carnifex advancing as a right hook.
Tyranid psychic and shooting turns thinned out a hellblasters pack and the ferisian wolf screen is almost obliterated! The mighty repulsor ‘Wrath of Fenris’ takes some serious punishment, but the Vlka Gungnir stand firm.
Turn two sees the long fangs frag missile the termagaunt brood down to the last few, and the repulsor obliterates the carnifex in a hail of fire. The Vlka Gungnir are feeling confident about holding the left flank and the superior objective with it.
The blood claw pack holding the centre with wolf priest Baldur the Grim fail their charges into the genestealer brood. They prepare to face their wrath and that of the Broodlord next turn. The surviving hellblasters supporting the right flank succumbe to overcharging plasma attempting to slay the trygon.
Tyranid turn two sees the genestealers charge into the bloodclaws.
The hive tyrant sweeps across the battlefield, attempting to down the Storm Hawk ‘Gungnir ‘
Safe from overwatch the Broodlord made a mighty charge into the bloodclaws only for Baldur the Grim to heroically intervene!
The Broodlord strikes first, severely wounding Baldur the Grim – however, the wolves interrupt the combat phase and fight the genestealers with the bloodclaws who in a savage frenzy slew them all!
Turn three for the Wolves saw the blood claws consolidate on the center field objective and rune priest Leif Stormbreaker charging into the Broodlord, smiting the Gould beast before summoning ‘Fury of the Wolf Spirits’ granting six additional attacks with ‘Freki and Geri’. Baldur the Grim is felled before Leif slays the Broodlord in epic combat. The storm hawk Gungnir manages to slay the hive tyrant in a hail of fire ensuring victory for the Vlka Gungnir!
A savage battle sees victory for the Vlka Gungnir, 7-5 on victory points, my opponent shaking hands after seeing his Hive Tyrant, Brood lord and genestealer brood slain. It was a close run match however, and the interruption of combat by the bloodclaws probably swung it for the Vlka Gungnir. I have no doubt they would have been slain to a man by the genestealers if they didn’t fight first.
Alan’s Post Battle Reflection
List wise it was the first time using some units, the repulsor ‘Wrath of Fenris’ was excellent on its debut, slaying a termagaunt brood for first blood and popping a carnifex to blunt the tyranid right hook. I need to utilise its transport capability better as it is a large points sink.
I have struggled with pure primaris lists so have commenced primaris sizing space wolf specific units such as the bloodclaws seen today. This provides cheaper troop choices for list building and helped with getting more bodies on the table. They did an excellent job against the genestealers and claimed the center objective. The Space Wolf chapter tactic allowing +1 to hit when charging or being charged allowed for an awful lot of hits and I would name them the MVP unit.
On the other side of the scale is probably my hellblaster packs, they are expensive points wise and with only one damage unless overcharging didn’t provide the firepower to threaten the tyranid big beasts. I will be working on primaris sized long fang packs in the near future to provide more options in that slot.
Brilliant battle report Alan, that was a close one! Looks like the Wrath of Fenris really put the work in, good floaty tank!
Each month, a bunch of Geckos pledge to complete a certain amount of miniature painting – with varying success rates (its all beautiful though). So we are a bit late, but here are a selection of our completed painting pledges for March.
Matty’s Orlock Gang, ‘The Death Metal Killers’ Karim’s Haarken Worldclaimer George’s Imperial Cult Rough RiderJosh P’s Armigers, House CenaAlan’s Wolf Priest, ‘Baldur the Grim’ Eliot’s Dark Angels Redemptor, ‘Eskeiel the Loyal’ Josh H’s Knights, House Cantata – Allegro, Piccolo, Capriccio, Galliard and Andante Rex (IG @warhipster)
The April pledges are already well underway, let see how the Geckos get on with painting this month.
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!
Planning the Migale Dominus Campaign
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!
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.
Jarl Gunvor Gunvorsson
‘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.
‘Uhtred the Broken’
‘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
The White Scars Battlegroup sent to Draco Minus
“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.”
Primaris Khan Ruoxuan
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!
Last week, Alan’s Rout faced the Black Legion – see how he fared in this weeks Battle Report! (Eternal War – Narrow the Search – 1500 points)
Yorkvik VII, recruitment world Oathed in fealty to the Allfather, the Wolf King and the Vlka Gungnir since the days of the Great Crusade. A vital world for the supply of arms, recruits and munitions to the Chapter – and now defiled by the Black Legion!
An Imperial shrine containing priceless relics is desperately coveted by the Warmaster. Baldur the Grim, High Wolf Priest of the Vlka Gungnir rallies the Rout to defend Yorkvik VII.
‘Behold the oath breakers! Reviled in all of Uppland, the Oververse and Underverse! A Warrior who spits on his arm ring is no warrior at all!
The naysayers and doom mongers say this is Ragankok, the End Times.
I laugh in the face of such claims. Are we not the sons of Mother Fenris? As children we hunted far more terrifying creatures for sport and games!
Has the Allfather abandoned us? No! A son has woken, our kinsmen of the 13th Company return and the Wolf King’s hunt nears its end.
I swear this oath, no Black Legion filth will be left alive. The Vlka Gungnir will cleanse this place or feast in the Allfathers halls.
For the Allfather, for the Wolf King, for Fenris!’
The Black Legion horde
Dawn of War Deployment is rolled for and my opponent Karim decides to deploy first with him having the first turn unless I can seize the initiative.
The cultists and chaos marines deploy in the centre of the field ready to advance towards the one objective in the centre of the table. Abaddon along with his Terminator retinue and Obliterator heavy support start in reserve.
Facing the horde I place my three Intercessor packs, Aggressors, leviathan and Hellblasters, with rune and wolf priests as support. I use two CP to send the Wulfen into the reserve with the ‘Cunning of the Wolf’ stratagem. With both armies deployed, I seize the initiative!
Supported by Uhtred the Broken, pack Hafgufa advance through Yorvik VII.
First turn the Rout pushes forward, and letting rip at the chaos marines with the Intercessors and leviathan the squad is thinned out. The hellblasters and other Intercessor packs down a few more of the chaos marine and cultist squads.
The Black Legion advance towards the objective, their superior numbers ensuring they claim the objective and the accompanying victory point.
Turn two saw the Rout further advance and shred the Black Legion ranks before the arrival of the main event… the Warmaster himself, the Lord of the Black Legion, Abaddon the Despoiler!
Arriving with his terminator elite, obliterators and the rabble of cultists using ‘Tide of Traitors’, my rear is sudden under serious threat. The obliterators open fire twice upon Uhtred the Broken – thankfully the mighty leviathan takes only a few wounds, despite the doubled shooting! Leif Stormbreaker the Rune Priest takes a flesh wound from the terminators, and after turn two The Black Legion are leading 0-2.
The Rout are in desperate need of reinforcement, and it arrives in the shape of two packs of Wulfen! I deploy one to the right of the terminators and the second on my left flank to wipe out the chaos spawn and strengthen my centre. The leviathan blitz the terminator squad before charging them!
The wulfen arrive!
The wulfen make short work of the spawn before linking up with Baldur the Grim to take the fight to the Warmaster. With the wulfen on the table, I feel a lot more confident. However gaining enough victory points is going to be a tough act.
Its going to be tricky to overcome the Black Legion point tally with the Rout so thinned out. This is made even more difficult when one sole terminator (assisted by Death to the False Emperor) fells the mighty leviathan!
Enraged by the death of the venerable ancient Uhtred the Broken, Baldur the Grim leads pack Morkai with grim resolve and charges headlong into the Warmaster!
Following this heroic act, Baldur the Grim is slain by the Warmaster before pack Morkai rip him to pieces in their death frenzy!
After an absolute blood bath of a turn and just seven of the Rout left on the table, I shake hands with my opponent and concede – the Black Legion is victorious 1-6 with my solitary point gained from slaying the Warmaster!
As it always is when playing against a fellow Gecko, ‘fun at all costs’ is the motto. My opponent Karim assisted with advice throughout as I feel a noob playing with primaris, and battling anything other than Tyrannids! A cracking game versus a top opponent! Another world claimed for the Warmaster!
This is the Saga of Baldur the Grim, strong of will and mighty of arm. Facing a myth from times of yore, a dread beast from the Era of Primarchs made flesh. Fearless in his duty as the Sanction of the Allfather. The halls of his ancestors and brothers call as he is felled by the Talon that bested the Allfather. Until next winter.
Awesome Battle Report Alan! The Rout have been bested today but the Warmaster is a tricky opponent – can’t wait to see what they are hunting next!
HOUSE OF GECKO 