@Tangi- Thanks buddy!
@Everyone- Bat-rep time! To begin with I don't have any photos for this bat-rep. I got to the store and went to photo our deployment when my phone informed me it was out of memory!!! I couldn't believe it, I spent so much time getting models ready for this game and I couldn't even take photos! Anyhow, this was a very important game as I began to tackle my "evolved" meta with a list that was designed for just such an environment. I wish I had the photos to supplement the report, but text will have to do. I took away a lot of insights from this game so I hope you guys enjoy the report nonetheless.
So after much chatting with my buddy Ibushi I finalized my competitive list. After my Corsairs took a beating at the hands of Space Marine Battle Company and those blistering 9 Las-Cannon Razorbacks, the Librarius Formation supporting 2 Devastator Squads with Ignore Cover I realized fully and truly I needed to bring a more competitive army to the store. As mentioned previously everyone is bringing very competitive lists to the store and it was time for me to do the same.
So fully expecting to face battle-company from good buddy Chris, I brought the best army I could with the models at my disposal. So I saddled up to the table, and to my horror Chris informed me he was bringing Skyhammer Annihilation with Grav-Centurions in drop-pods. This is probably the biggest nightmare matchup for my army! I'd been dreading facing this combination ever since it was unveiled. So without further ado I'll present the lists and give you the bat-rep.
THE LISTS
Eldar
Autarch- Fusion Gun, Banshee Mask, Firesabre
Archon- Webway Portal, Power Sword, Shadowfield
Wraithguard x5- D-Scythes
Dire Avengers x8
Wave Serpent
Jetbikes x3- Scatterlasers x3
Jetbikes x3- Scatterlasers x3
Jetbikes x3- Scatterlasers x3
Kabalite Warriors x5
Warp Spiders x8- Exarch
Hornets x3- Pulse Lasers
Nightwing
Wraithknight- Wraithcannons, Scatter Laser x1
Space Marines
Sternguardx5
Razorback: TL Lascannons
Sternguardx5
Razorback: TL Lascannons
Centurions- Grav-Cannons, Grav-Amps, Omniscopes
Drop-Pod
Space Marines x5
Razorback: TL Lascannons
Space Marines x5
Razorback: TL Lascannons
Tech-Priest
Thunderfire Cannon
Skyhammer Annihlation
Librarian: ML 2: Prescience, Perfect Timing, Foreboding
Devastators- Missile Launchers x4/2x Flakk
Drop-Pod
Librarian: ML 2: Prescience, Foreboding, Can't Remember
Devastators - Missile Launchers x4/2x Flakk
Drop-Pod
Assault Squad- Flamers x2
Assault Squad- Flamers x2
Pre-Game Thoughts- Wow I wouldn't have picked a worse match-up. With both the Centurions, Devastators, capable of Drop-Podding in and unloading all turn 1, assisted by the Assault Marines who could assault out of deepstrike, I though I may get tabled by turn 2. Yet little did I realize that I was better prepared for this match-up than I thought, as the virtues of MSU as extolled by Ibushi would come very much into play. Alright no more preamble lets get on with the game!
Deployment
The Marines made a huge battle-line with Sternguard on each flank with Tac Marines in support. Meanwhile the Tech-Marine and his accursed Thunderfire Cannon was situated in a ruin in the middle of his board.
I deployed the Warp Spiders, a unit of Jetbikes and the Wave Serpent on the left flank. The Warriors, another unit of Jetbikes on the right. With a single Jetbike unit in the center... almost everything was out of LOS or had exceptional 4+ cover. I basically tried to separate everything as much as possible but positioning so that the deepstrikers once in, would face almost everything I had left after the dust settled. The Wraithknight, Flyer, Hornets, Wraithguard and HQ's were left in reserves.
Turn 1
Space Marines
So the Space Marines decided to bring the Stormhammer in Turn 2 presumambly in an attempt to expose them to as little fire as possible with the Wraithknight and everyone else in reserves. This meant the Centurions were deepstriking in alone Turn 1. Without a choice target they decided to deploy mid-field in cover and away from the hornets nest of Str 6 I had in my deployment zone. So the Centurions dropped in and waited, while the Thunderfire Cannon and some of the Razorbacks plinked away at my Wave Serpent, and one unit of Jetbikes. I ended up losing only 2 Jetbikes on turn 1, and a hull point on the Serpent! MSU was paying off already.
Eldar
I was very cautious. I spread out the Spiders a bit to avoid the Thundefire Cannon. Moved my Jetbikes only 6 inches or less. I blasted away on side armor on one the Razorbacks. Killing one and dropping another to a single hull point. I then used my Jetbike move to get back out of LOS. Everything else sat tight, bracing for the Hammer fall on turn 2.
Turn 2
Space Marines
This was it... the Skyhammer! So he was very unsure of where to actually deploy everything. Eventually he settled on going after the Spiders, a unit of Jetbikes and the Wave Serpent. Since he deepstruck the Assault Marines one of them scattered onto impassible terrain and went back into on-going reserves. Lucky me! Everything else hit though. One group of Devastators unleashed on the Warp Spiders, but I Flicker Jumped out of LOS. Yet the Assault Marines nearby roasted 4 with double flamers. Meanwhile the other Devastator Squad with Ignores Cover from the Psyker downed the Wave Serpent. Thunderfire Cannon let rip, but scattered wildly and I passed all my saves on the Warp Spiders. Everything else was out of position of my units all hiding out LOS. I can't tell you how anxious I was during this turn but crafty deployment saved me big time. Now it was time for a Deepstrike assault of my own!
Eldar
Rolled for Reserves and EVERYTHING came in. Hornets came in and blew up a Razorback. The Wraithknight came in blew up a Razorback and killed the Thunderfire Cannon. The Nightwing came in and blew up another Razorback. The Jetbikes came out and blew up another Razorback! The Wraithguard came in and killed the Centurions. The Warp Spiders and the other Jetbikes killed the Assault Squad and then everything flitted out LOS once again. Wow... this was one of the most devastating turns I've ever unleashed. I killed every single tank in his army in a single turn! Marines were left scattered across the field with only the Librarians left to support them.
WRAP UP
So unfortunately the rest of the game was a mop up action. By turn 5 he had only 4 models left on the board. I had faced the dreaded Skyhammer and had my way with it. It was a satisfying win, but I did feel bad for my opponent. This is not the play-style I prefer, nor do I like seeing my opponents get crushed when I consider them friends. But the other players in the store are bringing very tough lists and I wanted to bring a list thats fully up to the challenge. Chris complained about the Wraithguard,and while they are beyond brutal, I contended that 2 units of Deepstriking Relentless Devastators, Krak Grenade Assault Marines that can charge after deepstriking, and deepstriking Centurions that are pumping out 24 Ap2 shots is just as brutal as a single unit of Wraithguard even if they are slinging modified D.
The big take away for me is that MSU works, and works very very well. Its also important to have more than one build of your army. This doesnt mean a few unit swaps, but a totally different build. Being able to go from Mech to an MSU/Bike list is huge. I also have a 3rd style of army that is soon to be unveiled in my final Eldar upgrade before moving to another army for awhile.
Anyway big shout out to Ibushi for advising me on constructing my new build, I really appreciate it man! Anyway stay tuned for more updates very soon. A brutal new addition to the collection is soon to be unveiled!