The Albigensian Crusade

[Arthanor]

The Iron Hands fell for Iron, but not for Chaos. They are clean to use brother! Looks good if you're into the MkII-III type helmets. (And, as others have mentioned, you are indeed using terminator heads, not PA heads, from the GK set, I'm curious to see how they will look once you paint them).

[Honda]

 

The Iron Hands fell for Iron, but not for Chaos

 

You are right and I knew that, for some reason I saw ironhands and it translated to "iron warriors".

 

Dyslexia - "Putting associations in a blender with the top off"

[Honda]

Witch Wars VI - Assault on Penzakola

It is about this time of season, each solar cycle, that
a particularly heretical Youth Cult emerges from the shadows of the sector's
scholams and descends upon an ancient coastal hive known as Penzakola to engage
in the arcane rituals and savage practices known throughout as, Spring Breakage.

It is uncertain how and where these pagan rituals
originated from, but the Albigensian Crusade responded to pleas of assistance
from the hive's Lord Mayor.

As is customary when dealing with sensitive interactions
between local government forces and idealistic, if heretical civilians, the
Albigensian Crusade engaged with a large armored centric task force, capable of
successfully engaging Class-3K insurrections, up to and including
grinding the transgressors into the soft powdery beach sands found in abundance
in Penzakola.

After observing the heretics consume large quantities of
hallucinogenic and alcoholic substances to steel their resolve, the Templars all
took a knee in prayer and committed to executing any resistance with extreme
prejudice. After all, it is the only way to ensure that a peaceful conclusion
is reached.

A student council member sallied forth from the Ignorance
Out Wandering Around (IOWA) contingent in an action intended to defuse tensions
and lead to productive negotiations.

Master of Sanctity Hesse, separated the student council
member's head from his shoulders and returned it back via servo-skull to the
IOWAns as his opening negotiation position.

Discussions quickly broke down as any attempt to communicate with the Templars

broke upon the stoic countenances of the arrayed Templars.

+++

Soo, Jefe and I found ourselves lining up for the next chapter of WitchWars in our now, sixth episode. We opted for a game of
Apoc at 3000 points, mostly stripped down of randomness so we could just focus on playing.

The Student Union Council (SCAGs) fielded (from memory):

1 x Student Council Agitator (Coteaz), with Phys. Ed majors (servitors) wielding a melta, multi-melta, and a plasma cannon,
transported in a John Deere Chimera.

The Student Activities group fielded two squads of 1 x Animal Husbandry major (Inquisitor), a Teacher's Assistant (Acolyte), and three PETA rescue gorillas
(Jokaero) in Stoner wagons (rhinos).

1 x Mechanical Engineer's Lab Project #37 (Dreadknight).

1 x Finance Majors transport (Land Raider - Standard)

1 x Naughty Nurse Callie, equipped with black spandex, sensory overload wands and a paddle for all those misbehaving fraternity boys.

The Student Union sent over four members of the defensive line (Paladins) as well as their Party bus (LRC).

On the other hand, the quarterback (Draigo) decided to fly in with a couple running backs and two strong side tackles (four more
Paladins) in the University's Corporate Gulfstream IV (Storm Raven).

So a rather interesting blend of over and under achievers.

Oh, and one other thing. You can't have a football team
with nowhere to play, so they brought "The Stadium" (i.e. Baneblade).

Opposing the Student Coalition Against Government Services (SCAGS), the Templar were:

1 Master of Sanctity (Chapter Master), TDA, Storm shield,
Digital, Burning Blade

7 Assault Terminators, 4 x TH/SS, 3 x LC in a Land Raider Crusader

1 Crusader squad, Sword Brethren, Power axe/BP, 8 x Initiates with BP/CS, 1 x Initiate with flamer, in a standard Land Raider

2 x 5 man Las/Plas squads, one in a rhino, one in a TL-LC Razorback

1 x 10 man scout squad, Combat squad'd, 1 x Combi-flamer, Land Speeder Storm w/Cerebus/H. Flamer

2 x Land Speeder Typhoon, HB + ML

1 x Vindicator, Siege shield

2 x Whirlwinds

1 x Land Raider Helios

2 x Land Raider Terminus (WHITE QUEEN, BLACK QUEEN)

There was a lot of LOS blocking terrain on the table, we
rolled Final Assault and I was the attacker, so Jefe set up first. That was
great because the first thing I wanted to do was shut down "The
Stadium".

There was only one little problem. Jefe stole the
initiative and there I was laid out in all the Emperor's glory. Not good. ..

+++

<REF. DATBLOCK M9GI20-C7-001 HESSE: Note to self, hallucinogenics do not assist target acquisition>

After the Engineering project launched itself out of
cover towards the center of the Peace Keeping forces, the Stadium and Finance
majors swept around the Peace Keeper right flank and open fired. Like many
student initiatives, there was a lot of initial excitement and plenty of flash
and bang, but very little in the way of concrete results.

After the dust settled, the Peace Keepers looked around
and noticed two significant observations. The Engineering project was standing
out in the middle of nowhere (failed assault) and that although a tad banged
up, WHITE QUEEN was only moderately shaken (Snapshots, 2 HP left), everything
else was intact.

<Note: This would continue a trend observed throughout
our game, i.e. an inability to hit anything, though it would be the Witches
that ended up excelling in this department till the end of the game, taking home
the MVP award for shooting non-excellence.>

Recognizing the danger of unlicensed and unauthorized
released into the wild, the Peace Keepers focused a majority of their attention
on the stilted monstrosity and ensured that follow on Peace Keeping operations
would not be interrupted by unsanctioned student activities.

In addition, the
Student Union party wagon's operations were severely degraded, forcing the
defensive line to get out and walk to where most of the other students were
loitering.

Summary: The Templars were able to take out the
Dreadknight (First Blood) and the LRC, causing the independent squad of
Paladins to move and take a central building. After great trepidation on my
part with regards to the Baneblade and LR shooting, we both were unimpressed
and very surprised. I should add that Jefe was also disappointed, but in that
he was alone.

<REF. DATBLOCK M9GI20-C7-002 HESSE: When their infantry is strong, break them with chariots>

The SCAG Forces strengthened their positions, bringing
the quarterback to maintain pressure where the Engineering project had fallen.
The Stadium and Finance continued their forward progress. PETA projects,
unleashed by their minders, began an undisciplined, un-permitted and therefore illegal
pyrotechnics display. Thankfully, the Condominium Ministorum servitors were
able to keep their enthusiasm somewhat constrained, thus limiting any potential
damage. The Stadium and Finance departments echoed with an equally ill disciplined
pyrotechnics display, causing the aggregated students to alternately cheer and then take
shelter.

The Peace Keeping forces primarily looked at their wrist
mounted chronometers and wondered if they had, unintentionally arrived too
early to the scheduled riots.

Becoming increasingly frustrated with the hooliganism of
the SCAG coalition, the Peace Keepers set their weapons power settings to
"EXTREME" and began to educate the masses. The first targets that
were selected were the various forms of transportation marshaled by the
students. Peace Keepers train vigorously to perfect their methodologies and in
this case, chose to implement the proven "F3E" Pacification plan
(Find-Fix-Fire-Exterminate).

Very quickly, the soothing sounds of screaming students
and secondary explosions could be heard across the campus grounds as the
rioters began to move in one direction and then next in a futile attempt to
escape the overwhelming firepower directed their way.

How not to hide

The Nurse is not happy...

Draigo Jedi mind-tricks the Vindicator, thus destroying a Templar Land Raider

Summary: By the completion of Turn 3, both sides had
brought in all their reserves. The Templars continue to pick off vehicles,
though somewhat amusingly, after firing on the Baneblade for three turns, a
total of three hull points were lost. I was really starting to wonder if the
Terminus were going to be a worthwhile investment at this point. Then again,
AR14 is a tough nut to crack when it comes to Super Heavies.

Of concern to the Templar player was the fact that the
witches were accumulating VPs (we agreed to take count after each turn) and at
the end of three turns the GK had a commanding 9-3 lead.

<REF. DATBLOCK M9GI20-C7-003 HESSE: Shock and awe can only be attained after the shock arrives>

The continued consumption of hallucinogens and alcohol
among the rioters continues to have adverse effects upon the shooting of the
SCAGS, despite the reports that many manning the firing stations professed an
increased ability to detect "sparkles". Unfortunately for the SCAGs, the accurate
fires from the Peace Keeping forces had caused the majority of the party to
break and seek slightly a slightly more tranquil location. With the loss of the
Stadium, as well as every other party wagon, it looked like a long walk back to
the scholam campuses for the bedraggled rioters.

Summary: At the end of the game, the GKs had amassed a
very comfortable lead in VPs 16-10, so a very clear victory for the witches. Of
significant note is that the GK only had three figures left on the table, a
multi-melta servitor, Draigo (two wounds left), and Callie (one wound left). While I

had only lost one neopyhte squad, one tactical squad, a LR, and a razorback.

Callie and Draigo had just amazing rolls for saves, which would be depressing
if it weren' t so funny. At one point, I fired my Vindicator point blank at
Draigo, who Jedi mind-tricked the shell over to my Land raider with one hull
point left and that is how I lost my Land Raider. Callie killed off one
neophyte squad, one tactical squad and literally dodged well over 20 shots.
Unbelievable.

So once again, we had a hilarious game and the powers of
Goodness and Niceness (mechanization) almost triumphed over the forces of
Meaness.

Great game Jefe!

Also, a shout out to NIX and Vazzy for dropping by. We'll
get some two on two games scheduled guys.

Cheers,

Edited March 11, 2014 by Honda

[Grand Master Iapetus]

I have to say, Jim wiped the table with me...and if it wasn't for my "un-killable" units i would have been toast.  Literally my only alternative would have been to run Draigo into a fortification and see how many turns it would have taken him to destroy the fortification with his 37 remaining twin linked lascannons and then plink Draigo.  Based on the way we were both shooting, I think I could have lasted another 7-8 turns hiding in the bunker.  I'll try and sum it up with the following:

 

You want it all but you can't have it

It's in your face but you can't grab it

 

That pretty much sums up every shooting phase...but the truly important question was:

 

 

What is it?

It's it

What is it?...

 

 

[Marshal Mattias]

Sounds like a great game! Always amusing when an army can be nearly wiped to the last man but still end up winning :)

Did you come to a conclusion on your feelings about the Terminus(Termini?)?

[NovemberIX]

Awesome write-up, I wish I coulda stayed longer to watch the antics, and the slackers from west gate park will be ready to join in next time!

[Honda]

 

Did you come to a conclusion on your feelings about the Terminus(Termini?)?

 

Yes I did, and "yes" they are worth it.

 

Although it took three turns to knock it down three HPs, in the next turn or so, they knocked out six HPs and took the Baneblade off the table. This then allowed me to shift fires on holed up infantry units and even in that role they punched out a lot of infantry (especially Paladins, which are really tough).

 

The challenge with trying to take out a super heavy is that, after you hit (I was doing that), you need sixes on the penetration table. No sixes and the Baneblade, she laughs. So that part I was not doing so well on. Then in Turn 4-ish, I started getting sixes on the Penetration chart, which allows you to start rolling for additional hull points and a potential Catastrophic.

 

So the Terminus let's you put out a lot of high strength shots (5), and three of those are twin-linked. With two of those on the table, well, that's a lot of pain to stand in front of.

 

The other, often overlooked unit that performed well were my Whirlwinds. I used my higher strength shots to take out transports and then was able to drop "no cover save" pie plates on the infantry holed up in the plentiful ruins. What I like about WWs, is that you can get mobile indirect fire, which is rather rare in the SM list.

 

The Helios did not perform well this game. For that cost, I could have had multiple Hunters, the challenge though was that I was pretty sure that I would only be facing one Storm Raven. So I took a cost effective (20 point upgrade) LR variant, which I did put its lascannons to good use, so it wasn't a complete waste. Still, I'll be keeping my eye on that one. :)

[Monstra Sumus]

TWO Terminus? Just how much pain did you want to bring?!

[Honda]

 

TWO Terminus? Just how much pain did you want to bring?!

 

All of it.

 

Never leave any pain behind, you'll never know when you really need it. ;)

[Monstra Sumus]

Well having looked at your lovely beasties, I am now going to order myself another 2 razor back lascannon turrets....

 

Excellent report though, looked like a real slug fest. 

[Honda]

+++ ECHO RELAY - COORD:B9N7735.0PLN52U.Y44TR27.00001 +++

+++ ACCESS LEVEL: MAGENTA +++

+++ TRANSCRIPT ARCHIVE DATBLK: MU.RHO.GAMMA.009

Ref.Bit.000.M30.001:"<undecipherable> is a legend, perhaps it is just a <unrecoverable>, dating back to a time before our founding, when our Progenitor still walked the Halls of Terra. There is mention of a great machi<undecipherable>, mighty in deed, favored of <undecipherable>mund, who carried him to glory in his time of need, <unrecoverable> golden chariot.. "

TECH ADDENDUM: It is inconceivable that this artefact, even though locked away in stasis (see Astropathicus reference: B9-XI) could in anyway be the rumored vehicle that transported Sigismund, blessed be his name, on his legendary "Ride to the Wall". A group of forensic Mechanicum anthropologists have been sent to evaluate.

Communicae Addendum:

All I want to know is, will it work?

Master of Sanctity, Levi Hesse

[Andhil]

It's....It's beautiful.

 

Which cannon is that? (Ugh, really need to get that Apoc book. )

[Honda]

 

Which cannon is that? (Ugh, really need to get that Apoc book.

 

Not sure what  the cannon is called, I just know that it has a Strength <rhymes with hen> and AP <rhymes with fun> ten inch pie plate that ignores cover. That is what I would call, my brothers, a Battle Barge of awesome sauce.

 

...and it will be painted...uniquely. :)

[Andhil]

 

 

...and it will be painted...uniquely.

PRINCESS PINK ALL THE WAY!

But seriously, looking forward to what you come up with.

I can't help closely watching other people's progress, since I'm waiting for the ETL to get to work on my own stuff. Which is hard. The Land Raider keeps popping up, looking all sad in it's black basecoat.

Edited March 13, 2014 by Andhil

[Honda]

 

But seriously, looking forward to what you come up with.

 

I can't help closely watching other

people's progress, since I'm waiting for the ETL to get to work on my

own stuff. Which is hard. The Land Raider keeps popping up, looking all

sad in it's black basecoat.

 

I feel your pain, I'm doing the same thing, building and waiting.

[Marshal Mattias]

Holy-guacamole Batman, that's a big cannon! I expect to see it featured in your first post-paintfest bat-rep. ;)

[Honda]

Our rallying cry...sometimes Jeff Beck is just too exquisite to be listened to.

Oh, here's some details of my Vanguard squad made up of all chaplains. This will become more evident once painting takes place. Actually, I've been building so much, I hope I've remembered how to paint.

Anyway, here they are in bulk. I wanted to imbue them with a lot of energy, figuring they'd be landing and charging.

I kind of like how the two swords guy turned out. I'll either use him as a plain power weapon or twin lightning claws. The twin swords duelist just seems like a cool concept for us. I also like how his buddy turned out, though it's kind of an odd pose. Seems to work. More "smash mouth".

Some bits from the Vanguard box. I'm looking forward to developing more guys out of this box.

So, I think I have about 2000 or so points built for ETL now, give or take. I'll always be able to throw an extra jet pack chappie or two in there if need be.

Cheers,

[Brother Christopher]

I thought for a moment that you attached a storm shield to a marine's chespiece. Do you also find it difficult to resist the urge to paint those things? I'm also stacking up things to paint and would love to paint some Sternguards. But at the same time, I want to contribute to our success as much as I can, so I'm fighting those desires.

[Honda]

 

Do you also find it difficult to resist the urge to paint those

things? I'm also stacking up things to paint and would love to paint

some Sternguards. But at the same time, I want to contribute to our

success as much as I can, so I'm fighting those desires.

 

Yes, it's killing me.

 

I expect this...urge, to be released through an unbelievably euphoric and zealous painting effort! My paintbrushes are trembling with anticipation.

[Honda]

So after our little giggle in the plasma/grav thread, I've decided to add two "shooter" specialists to the squad.

This guy still needs a little clean up on his helmet

What I've decided I'm going to do with this squad is just form them into a Vanguard (seems less cheesy from a points perspective as far as ETL is concerned), paint them ala Sword Brethren, but with skull type face paint.

They shall formally be known as, "The Deacons".

Cheers,

[Zyth23]

I do know that if the AdMech's ever got their hands on one of these STCs it would open up the entire universe...

XD

What the hell is that? XD

Like it.

[greggles]

You like plasma? I got double plasma for you! Love the poses on the dual pistol guys!

[Honda]

That, Brother Zyth, is the ultimate objective. With that, you are capable of doing anything. :)

[Zyth23]

That, Brother Zyth, is the ultimate objective. With that, you are capable of doing anything.

XD

Awesome.

 

Nice Plasma Dualgunner. Ho that makes me thinking, I'll upload pic of Cypher later today. (I made a conversion when the dataslate came out)

[The_Chaplain]

 

That, Brother Zyth, is the ultimate objective. With that, you are capable of doing anything. :)

would the chaos counter objective be the kragle then? Sorry couldn't resist the Lego movie reference. The dual gunners look cool, I'm sure the deacons will be a smash!