Greg, Dean, & I had another game of Epic Armageddon last night. This makes about 5 in 6 weeks. A record for sure, and a “Golden Age” of real wargaming here as well. The forces involved in the “Battle of Essex Crossing” would be 4050 points of Ironclaw Space Marines commanded by Greg & I vs an equal force of Squats (Space Dwarfs) from Thurgrim’s Stronghold commanded by Dean.
FORCES:
Space Marine:
Warhound #1 (2 Warhound Titans)…………..500 points
Warhound #2 (2 Warhound Titans)…………..500 points
Scout #1…………………………………………..150 points
Scout #2…………………………………………..150 points
Scout #3…………………………………………..150 points
Terminator #1 + Cmdr…………………………..400 points
Terminator #2…………………………………….350 points
Predator Annihilator #1………………………….275 points
Predator Annihilator #2………………………….275 points
Tactical Marine #1 + Cmdr……………...………350 points
Tactical Marine #2………………………………..300 points
Tactical Marine #3………………………………..300 points
Tactical Marine #4 + Dreadnought……………..350 points
Squat Stronghold:
1 unit of Mega-Cannons ……… 300pts,
1 Cyclops ………… 500pts,
1 unit of Iron Eagle Air Wing………… 200pts
1 Colossus …….. 450pts
2 Bikes units, both upgrade for extra bikes and free upgrade to trikes….. 350pts each
1unit of Mole Mortars, with upgrade….. 300pts
1 unit of Allied Sappers Guild with upgrades of extra Bezerker units and Spartan transports…… 450pts
1 unit of Iron-breakers League with upgrades, extra Warriors, Living Ancestor and Gorgon………760pts
1 unit of Federated Master-craftsmen with upgrade extra………400pts.
Terrain: A deep canal ran about 10cm inside the western flank. Slightly east and parallel to this were 2 roads ( minor then major) with the burnt out remains of Erie City and an all-important bridge across the canal in the centre. Semi-surrounding the city were 3 large forests of Oxol Trees. In the centre area were 6 or more hills with large hills on the eastern flank, a Science Complex, and numerous woods as well.(See Greg’s Blog).
Deployment & Turn 1: The Marine Scouts 1 & 2 deployed on the enemy objectives nearest their side. Squat Gyrocoptors did the same, setting up in Erie City. Then all hell broke loose! Marines had the initiative and their Predator tanks moved up quickly to shoot up the Gyrocopters in Erie City, doing light damage. Squat MegaCannons target Tactical 4 on the diagonally opposite table edge, killing 3 Marines & a Rhino. Seeing the carnage as well as the Cyclops moving their way, Scout #2 retreats from the Research Complex near the east edge, and scurries back into the wood. Squat Thunderers fire for light damage as Tac 2 moves into the city to support the Scouts. Both Mole Mortars & Gorgons failed their activation rolls, but the Gorgons move up as does Tac 4 after it marshals to get rid of some blast markers. The Colossus shoots & misses (Deans die rolls were poor turn 1, but got better!). In return Warhound 2 gets two hits on the Colossus while Predator 2 gets a hit on the Cyclops. Bikes shoot back at the Warhounds for no damage.
Terrain and deployment shots
Turn One
Turn 2: The 2 Terminator units Teleport in north of the city and within strike range of the Warrior Brotherhood in their Spartans (Squats most costly unit) in hopes of getting a VP. Massively outnumbered its obvious this is going to be a near run thing!. The Marines win the initiative & the Cmdr allows both Terminator units to attack. At the end of a long fight, the Terminators break and retreat back into the city. One Terminator unit is wiped out, but the Brotherhood is pretty shaken as well. Lots of ineffective shooting by Bikes, Mole mortars, & Warhounds. Colossus shoots at Warhound 2, dropping 2 shields & getting 2 hits. Tac 1 & 2 move north of the town into the wood, as Predator 1 moves up the road. Berserkers attack Tactical 1, which is supported by Scouts in the city and Predator 1. After a 2 round fight, Tactical 1 wins, but is destroyed in the process. The Cyclops shoots at the Predators on the hill but misses and they shoot back for 1 hit. However, advancing Truks kill 3 Predators. Scouts in the town move up while Scouts in the wood attack the Truks. All Scouts are lost but the Truks are broken & retreat.
Turn Two
Turn 3: Scouts assault the Megacannons, lose, and fall back. Predator 1 shoots at the Megacannon and kills one. Cyclops shoots at Warhound 2. Kills one Warhound and routs the other . OUCH! Tactical 4 attacks the Cyclops and routs it. Warhound 1 shoots at & kills 5 bikes. Scouts move to hold and protect East objective. Warriors in Spartans make one last try at the city, attacking Predator 1 on the road, but are thrown back. The Colossus kills other Warhound of Warhound 2. A large feline alien lifeform appeared giving some Marines temporary cover.
Turn Three
Aftermath: The Squats had killed both Titans of Warhound 2 giving them 1 VP. The Marines held all the objectives on their side of the board for 1 VP. Both had units on the other side and neither had both objectives in enemy territory, much less their baseline. Result: A Draw…and a damn fine game!
A most enjoyable evening, with lots for hard decisions, outrageous fortune, bitter regrets, and lots of laughs. The Squats are a VERY tough opponent for the Marines, and they came within an ace of pulling it off. A fun time indeed.
May the dice roll high
Greg
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