I decided to return to the basics and load on Wraithguards and Wraithlords in my take all comers list. Maybe not necessarily the soundest tactical option but fluff calls!
I'd like to point here that it was my first time ever that I fought Dark Eldar. I knew from Codex reading (a long time ago) and basic WH 40K knowledge, that I was to face a probably fast and numerous army but fairly fragile.
In fact, in the 4 last years, I mainly fought SM and Necrons with the odd (maybe 1 time each)Tau, Tyranid and IG players. As you see, I'm mainly used to face MEQs and how to deal with them.
I decided to try to take those DE as I'd take Nids. In fact, that lead me to take very strange/stupid initiatives that haunted me right from turn 2...
SILVER GHOSTS TASK FORCE
HQ: 133 PTS
-Farseer: Spirit Stones, Fortune, Doom, Singing Spear - 133 pts
ELITE: 554 PTS
-Wraithguard: X 5, Warlock with S.Spear, Destructor - 213 pts (AKA Spearguard)
+Wave Serpent: Twin Shurican, Shurican upg, S.Stone, V.Engine, S.Engine -155 pts
-Harlies: X 7, Shadowseer, D.Jester, 5 Kisses - 186 pts
TROOP: 698 PTS
-Wraithguard: X 10, Spiritseer, Conceal - 396 pts (AKA Landguard)
-Avengers: X 10, Exarch, Bladestorm - 147 pts
+Wave Serpent: Twin Shurican, Shurican upg, S.Stone, V.Engine, S.Engine -155 pts
HEAVY: 465 PTS
-Wraithlord: Starcannon/Scatter Laser - 140 pts (AKA Starlord)
-Wraithlord: Brightlance/EML - 155 pts (AKA Lancelord)
-Fire Prism: Shurican upg, S.Stone, Holofield - 170 pts
FAST: NONE
TOTAL: 1850 PTS
NAMELESS CABAL (Don't have the Pts for the list, just writing it)
HQ: ...
-Archon: Agoniser, Drugs, Shadowfield, Splinter pistol
+Incubi retinue: X 10
+Raider: Dark Lance upg.
ELITE: ...
-Wych: X 10 with Wych weapons & Drugs
-Warp Beasts: X 5 + Beastmaster
TROOP: ...
-Warriors: X 20, Sybarite, Webway Portal, (wargear?) Splinter Can. X 2, Blaster X 2
-Warriors: X 10, Darklance X 2
-Warriors: X 10, Blasters X 2
-Warriors: X 10, Blasters X 2
HEAVY: ...
-Talos
-Ravager with 3 Disintegrator, Night Shield
FAST: ...
-Jetbikes: X 5, Blaster X 2, Sccubus, Haywire grenades, Webway Portal (+ wargear?)
-Jetbikes: X 5, Blaster X 2, Sccubus, Haywire grenades, Webway Portal (+ wargear?)
-For what I know, there is some squad leaders or upgrades that miss in the list but some units died so fast that they never came into play...
TOTAL: 1850 PTS
BOARD SET-UP & DEPLOYMENT (Perspective is from my side, which is south)
-There was some heavy cover on the table, the main one a huge building in the center (14 '' across, LEV 3), 2 big lump of impassable/LOS blocking terrain in the south right and north left corner (LEV 3), 2 medium sized area buildings center left( LEV 3) and center right (LEV 2), 2 big piles of rubble/low ruined walls (LEV 2, not area) in each deployment zone + some clutter here and there.
-The objective counter was inside the central buillding.
-We took turn deploying with the DE beginning.
DE: He deployed the Ravager and a squad of Bikes behind the LEV 3 Silo north left, 10 Warriors with DLances in cover on the left with LOS to my Lancelord, the 20 Warriors squad in cover midway on his right and the 2nd squad of Bike straight center in the open but well hidden behind the objective building. The remain was kept in reserve via Webway Portals.
ELDAR: I deployed centrally, with my 10 Landguard & Farseer behind the objective building, flanked on their left by the Starlord and the Lancelord a bit further in a pile of rubble. The Harlies hid behind the Lancelord. The 2 Serpent flanked the Landguard to its right with the Prism to their right. As he had nothing that could hurt them (the tanks), I didn't fear to put them in the open.
He got the first turn.
---TURN 1---
DARK ELDAR: -The high pitched sound of eldar skimmer thruster echoed the board as the center Jetbikes got behind the objective building.
-On the north left, their brother squad turboboosted behind the center left building and the Ravager moved 12'' to get LOS to the Lancelord in cover and put a wound on the towering construct.
-On the left and staying in cover, the Warriors scored another wound on the wraithlord with Darklance fire.
-On the right, the 20 Warriors bid their time while playing cards...
IYANDEN: -The Farseer tapped on the warp and casted Fortune on the Lancelord.
-The wounded construct moved forward but stayed in cover and traded shots with the Ravager, stunning it.
-The Harlies followed the Lancelord, the Death Jester shooting his Shrieker Cannon on the Lance Warriors, killing 1 and pinning them!
-The Landguard got behind the central building, the Starlord flanking them but failed to target the Ravager due to its Nightshield.
-The Spearguard Wave Serpent turboboost forward and Tank Shocked the Jetbikes behind the objective, sending them running, but not far enough and they would have to flee again next turn if the Serpent stayed alive.
-The other Serpent advanced 12'' north, turned and deployed it's Dire Avengers who pointed their Shuricats toward the 20 Warrior squad who stopped playing cards and readied their weapons.
-The Fire Prism followed within 24'' of the Warriors.
-Combined fire from the Bladestorming Avengers and Prism send 14 of the dark kin screaming to Slaanesh. The Warriors held their ground.
---TURN 2---
DARK ELDAR: - On the north left, the stunned Ravager drift uselessly.
-The pinned Warriors keep their heads down, not daring to take a look...
-The central Jetbikes, too close to the Wave Serpent to rally, flee off table.
-On the left, the other Jetbikes move toward the center and deploy the Webgate. Due to Fortune and heavy cover, their Blasters fail to wound the Lancelord.
-On the right side, the 6 surviving Warriors does the same, keeping their positions and hosing the Avengers who loses 5 of their numbers. The Avengers, altough horrified by their losses, hold their ground.
IYANDEN: - The Farseer, tapping power from the warp cast Fortune on the Starlord and Doom the Jetbike squadron. He then fall behind as the Landguard go on their own inside the objective building, preparing to settle the defense.
-The Starlord, bolstered from the Farseer power stride forward inside the building and within 12'' of the objective and open fire on the Ravager but fail to destroy the fell skimmer and only manage to destroy a Disintegrator and stun it.
-On the left, the Lancelord thread north out of cover toward the enemy Jetbikes but choose to fire its weaponry on the drifting Ravager but miss both shots.
-Seeing an opportunity for to perform, the Harlies follow the Lancelord, passing it with fleeting speed and assault the dark kin Jetbikes, wiping them to all.
-The Spearguard' Serpent makes a dashing 12'' move forward and left and disembark it's cargo who quickly obliterate the entire Darklance armed Warriors with Destructor from the Warlock and Wraithcannon fire.
-On the right side, the depleted Avenger squad remount it's Wave Serpent and both the Serpent and the Prism fly 12'' to their right and combine fire with the Spearguard's Serpent to kill a whole 2 Warriors from the 6 surviving near the Webgate.
---TURN 3---
DARK ELDAR: - The totality of the Dark Kin army come forth from the 2 deployed Webway Gates.
-From the left Gate, 2 Warrior squads and the Wyches emerge and suppress the Harlequin threat with Splinter/Blaster fire. The Whych unit decide they do not want to face the Starlord and try to fleet away from the wraith constuct.
-From the center right Webgate, the Talos and Warp Beasts emerge to engage the Spearguard, the Talos reaching them by a pinch and dispatching 2 in CC while the Beasts do nothing and lose 1 of their own. Due to overkill, Pile In factor and interfering Wave Serpent, the Talos find itself outside of Pile In move and consolidate 2''.
-In all its splendour, the Raider race from the Portal toward the Landguard while shooting and destroying the Lancelord. It then disgorge the Archon with his Incubi retinue who slam in the Landguard, destroying 3 to no loss in return.
-On the right, the 4 surviving Warriors try their Blasters VS the Spearguard's Serpent but not to avail.
IYANDEN: - The Farseer begin by casting Fortune on the Starlord and Dooming the Wych squad. He then turn right around the ongoing CC and destroy the Raider with a well throw ed Singing Spear.
-On the left, the Starlord advance toward the Wyches and burn them all with it's Flamers. No, I won't fall into the cliché...
-North left, the Spearguard kill 3 Warpbeasts to no loss in return and outrun them to death. They then consolidate deep in place of the late Lance Warrior squad.
-The Spearguard's Serpent back off 12'' to the right and finally destroy the Ravager with a hail of Shurican fire.
-On the right, the Prism and Avenger's transport move 12''toward center, the Serpent disembarking the Avengers in range of the 4 surviving Warriors out of 20 and fail to kill any.
-The Prism and the Avenger's Serpent then proceed to obliterate 1 of the 2 fresh Warrior squad standing in the open.
-Near the objective, the CC between the Landguard and the Archon/Incubi comes near to a draw when the Archon failed to kill any. The Incubi saved the day by killing 2 VS 1 of their own.
---TURN 4---
DARK ELDAR: -On the left side, the Talos move to reengage the Spearguard and dispatch another 2. They occurred no casualties being outnumbered...
-The surviving Warrior squad back up in cover and manage to take wound from the Starlord with their Blasters.
-On the right, the 4 surviving Warriors move and fleet toward the objectice, but fail to reach the building's cover.
-In the building, the fight rage between the Wraith constructs and the dread lord of the Incubi. Combined effort from the Lord and Incubi destroy 3 WG and overrun the surviving Landguard after 3 failed saves due to the No Retreat rule! The Archon & his retinue then consolidate in the now condemned Farseer...
IYANDEN: -Seeing his doom forthcoming, the Farseer cast Fortune on himself but fail his Doom test. In the ensuing fight, he is messily disposed off in an orgy of gore... Follows a spreading consolidation near the objective.
-On the north left, the fight between the Talos and the Spearguard comes to an end when the fell construct kill the Warlock and his last bodyguard while suffering a wound from a solid Witchblade hit. The thing then consolidate in cover toward it's kin construct, the Starlord.
-Nearby, the Starlord, assisted from the Prism who miss completely, move in range to the Warrior unit in cover and burn them to a crispy consistence with Flamer fire, leaving only 3 survivors who held their ground.
-North center, the (late) Spearguard's Serpent try to Tank Shock the 4 Warriors running for the central building, succeeding only to lose it's twin Shurican to Death or Glory stand up. The Blaster carrier is subsequently sucked up by Serpent's thruster intake...yuck!
-The Avengers and the 2 Serpents then combine fire to finally wipe out the final 4 Warrioirs from the original 20.
---TURN 5---
DARK ELDAR: -Having no options, the Lord and his Incubi keep their heads down in cover.
-On the left north, the 3 surviving Warriors standing over their smoking friend's remnants
try to blast the Wraithlord to dust but fail miserably.
-With relentless determination, the Talos engage the Wraithlord in it's own term. The opponents proved matched and both suffered a wound under the blows of the other, both constructs staring the other in the eye for the next round...
IYANDEN: -The damaged serpent maneuver to shoot it's Shurican on the Blaster armed Warriors in the ruin but fail to score a hit.
-The other Serpent try to Tank Shock the Incubi to drive them out of the building but they stand their ground. Ensuing fire from the said Serpent, Prism and Avengers dispose of 2 of the deadly warriors.
-The fight between the Starlord and the Talos end with the demise of the scorpion like machine. The victorious Wraithlord consolidate in cover near the 3 Blaster Warriors.
---TURN 6---
DARK ELDAR: -Up north, the Warriors back off from the towering construct but fail to destroy the Wraithlord. Being in cover is good...
-Near the objective, the Archon decide to try his luck and assault the Serpent hovering over the ruin but is unable to stick his Haywire charge on the skimmer.
IYANDEN: -Moving and surrounding the 7 trapped Incubi and their master, the Fire Prism (within objective), the Dire Avengers (Within objective) and their Wave Serpent brings their guns to bear on the scoring DE command unit and smear 4 of them in the shooting phase, bringing them under scoring strenght.
-North left, with the Archon's squad out of the way to victory, the damaged Serpent and the Starlord (too slowed by terrain to use his Flamers) manage to eliminate 2 of the 3 Warrior in cover but failing to break the lone survivor who scream his defiance over the blackened remant of his companions...
---OVERVIEW---
Within objective, I had my 2 remaining scoring units, namely the Fire Prism and the Avengers. The DE player had none, as I succeeded to reduce his Incubi under scoring in the last game turn.
The VPs were : -IYANDEN: 1867 pts
(Counting objective): -DARK ELDAR: 1083 pts
: -Difference in pts: 784 pts
-SOLID VICTORY for the SILVER GHOSTS!
Ok, I played badly. I've been lucky to pull a victory out of this! I think I did 3 major mistakes in the my turn 2.
--- His Web Portals were deployed! What was I thinking? My only excuse is to plead temporary madness.
I'm so used to too tough to be true MEQs, when I began to shoot his deployed forces and eliminating them, I just didn't believe my eyes. Models dying in droves! What an extraordinary concept
!!!
At that point (2nd turn), I was almost drooling over the easy kill and decided to take him now and then, which I did, and then I lost my best units...
The 3 Errors:
1) -After successfully Tank Shocking his Jetbikes, I should just have baked off and made a wall from my 2 Serpents to protect my Landguard from his Raider & Lord/Incubi.
or
2) -It was turn 2! I had all the time. I should just have backed off with my Landguard behind the central building and out of Raider charge range from the WWP.
3) -What the heck was I thinking, throwing my Harlies at his throat, their subsequent loss forfeiting my sole unit that could deal with the Lord and Incubi.
Stupidity aside, had I put my squads out of his 3 th turn charge would probably have permitted me to destroy him utterly as I completely outshot him and had a somewhat superior mobility at this point of the game.
Bah, whatever. Now that I have more intimate knowledge of the dark kin, I should manage better next time.
After the game, we discussed our respective armies and he came to the conclusion that he lacked a Raider or 2 and would put another agoniser (at last) in his Wych squad. Had it been so, he would have charged (he should have anyway, big error from his part here: that Wraithlord is the MVP of the game, killing the Wyches, the Talos and almost 1 full squads of Warriors by himself
!). He also took part in the Ravagers's destruction!
Overall, a fun game with plenty of action.
Starky -Next: Silver Ghosts VS Armored Company