Eldar vs. Imperial Guard
Battle Report 1250pts Cyclops Cluster Campaign
Mission 2: Ambush!After ferociously battering aside an Eldar raiding force after making planetfall on planet Moab, Imperial forces pressed forward toward a sector of wilderness where Ordo Xenos intelligence believed the Eldar forces were intent on seizing.
Yet to reach their objective, Imperial forces had to move through an extremely rugged expanse of terrain with but a single navigable passage for the heavy Imperial armor. Repeated fly-overs indicated the area was devoid of any Xenos presence... yet as Imperial forces boldly pressed on through that narrow corridor the Eldar emerged as if from nowhere launching another lightning raid, executing a perfect ambush.
Prepared for such an occurrence the evenly matched forces engaged in vicious combat as the Eldar tried to exert their control over the sector and Imperial forces fought to break through and seize ground.
So hey there guys! Back again with Mission 2: Ambush in our Cyclops Cluster campaign. In this mission we played a modified version of the Ambsuh mission from the Narrative Missions in the rule book. The parameters were simple... the IG needed to have 1/3 of their forces in the Eldar deployment zone by the end of the game. If they did they won the game.
So it was a sort of horseshoe style deployment for the Eldar while the IG deployed in the space in between. Attacker was granted turn 1 after concealed deployment.
So here are the lists!
-Eldar--Alaitoc Patrol-
Farseer- Shroud Shift of Alanssair, Guide, Doom
Spirit Seer- Conceal/Reveal, Protect/Jinx
Rangers x5
Swooping Hawks x5
Dark Reapers x10
Crimson Hunter Exarch
Crimson Hunter Exarch
-Saim Hann Outrider-
Warlock- Conceal/Reveal
Windriders x3- Lasers x3
Windriders x3- Lasers x3
Shining Spears x5
Imperial GuardCompany Commander- Power Maul
Compand Commander- Power Maul
Company Command Squad x3 Plasma
Company Command Squad x3 Melta
Infantry Squad x10
Chimera- Heavy Flamers x2
Infantry Squad x10
Chimera- Heavy Flamers x2
Veterans x10- Plasma x3
Veterans x10- Plasma x3
Veterans x10- Plasma x3
Leman Russ Punisher- Heavy Bolters x2, Lascannon
Leman Russ Executioner- Plasma Cannons x2, Lascannon
Manticore- Heavy Bolter
Turn 1Eldar- So the Eldar launched forth from their concealed position. The Shining Spears hurtled towards the Manticore screened by a squad of Infantry. Supported by a unit of Swooping Hawks only 24" back the unleashed blasting them with a combination of shuriken and las fire wiping out the infantry squad and inflicting two wounds on the Manticore. The Jetbikes re-equiped with their scatter lasers layed into the front rank of Guardsmen screening the two Leman Russ and wiped them out. Meanwhile the Crimson Hunters began their weaving path across the board, hanging back as far as possible while keeping the tanks in their sights, combining fire with the Dark Reapers to eliminate the Leman Russ Punisher. I closed out the turn by using the Saim-Hann stratagem to charge after assault with the Shining Spears and destroyed the Manticore. Wow what a turn! The Crimson Hunters took so much pressure of the Reapers it was amazing. The Shining Spears landing a first turn charge was so nice. I'm loving this combination!
Imperial Guard- The IG finding themselves besieged on all sides quickly re-positioned to deal with the closest threats. Disembarking from their Chimera one squad of Infantry plus a Company Command squad got out on the left handside to deal with the Swooping Hawks which had "Fire and Faded" out of LOS. Poor dice rolls saw the Chimera, the Company Command Squad with Meltas and the Infantry Squad only 4 of the Hawks (leaving the Exarch) and the Warlock who was in the vicinity. The Executioner targeted a unit of Jetbikes but only killed 1! Then everything else focused on the Shining Spears killing only 1! A combination of poor dice rolls, and red hot saves on my part saw the IG stymied to a large degree.
TURN 2Eldar- The Eldar sensed blood in the water and moved in swift and deadly for the kill. The Crimson Hunters teamed up destroyed the Executioner. Then the Shining Spears, Dark Reapers and Swooping Hawk Exarch combined fire and combat power to wipe out 2 Veteran Squads and an Infantry Squad in a ferocious storm of death. This was an absolutely brutal counter attack by the Eldar and effectively ended the game.
Imperial Guard- After the brutality of Eldar turn 2 the surviving IG were able to all load up into their 2 Chimeras and for narrative sake we said fled back the way they came into the wilderness.
Conclusion- After a humiliating defeat by the recently arrived Imperial forces, the Eldar returned the favor, annihilating their opponents and maintaining a hold over the sector of wilderness where the mysterious wraithbone constructs lay hidden. While the mission parameters were not really conducive to a balanced game, it fit the narrative really well and made for a good time. The Shining Spears in particular were given a HUGE leg up in this mission, but it was still impressive nonetheless.
Next time the mission will definitely favor the IG. But beyond that I was still thrilled with the performance of the Crimson Hunters which alongside the Shining Spears served as MVP's.
Throughout the game I just kept thinking about the difference between the Hornets and the Crimson Hunters and it made me really glad I spent the time and money to get them on the tabletop.
While a very one sided game it did feel like we captured the narrative really well, which is good for a campaign.
Despite that I'm still 1 - 2 against my brother in 8th edition. He's utterly smashed me in the other 2 games almost tabling me, so I'm glad I was able to regain a little pride. Anyway hope you guys enjoy. Stay tuned got some fun stuff on the way... including
Partninja's commission! Stay tuned!