Battle for Forai Gate: Turn 4, Conclusion

Defenders Turn 4

Movement

With time almost up, our options were stretched thin. The Eldar Jetbikers sped away from the enemy in the hopes that they would be able to use their Strategic Redeployment asset to rush at the last moment. For this, we would need the game to move very fast. Our movement phase was limited to that which would allow us to destroy the enemy special characters in one massive blast of doom. The Tigershark finally advanced onto the table, and just in time to grab Razgob in its sights.

Shooting

Our shots consisted of any and all AP 2 and 1 weapons, as well as Destroyer strength shots firing on Razgob. In a combination play from the Pylon and Tigershark, Razgob was wiped off the table. The remainder of the Tau weaponry focused itself upon the Carnifexes, taking down one of those assaulting Forai Gate.

Assault

The Seer Council engaged Varlak, managing to take another wound off of the heretic, but was unable to finish him. The combat remained locked, as both sides awaited the result.

Attackers Turn 4

Movement

In a bid to make Strategic Redeployment work, the Eldar had left another tunnel abandoned, and the enemy poured into the city next to the Power Node. Time ticked down to a close, and with 5 minutes remaining, the Power Node being contested, Forai Gate held by neither side and the Outpost taken by the Orks, both sides agreed to let the battle be decided by the lives of the special characters.

Shooting

Da (the) Vulcha, being the only thing in range of either of our special characters, elected to attempt to destroy the Valkyrie in which Commander Braxton was in. Firing both Destroyer bombs at its target, the scatter dice decided that Braxton would live to fight again. Both bombs completely missed the target.

Assault

The Seer Council made up its points value in an instant as it caused 11 wounds upon the heretic Varlak. Failing his last armour save, Varlak was slain in battle.

Conclusion

As the final turn ended, the Defending Forces had slain Warboss Razgob and Heretic Varlak, while the Attacking Forces had held the Outpost. Both Commander Braxton and Inquisitor Fortez survived the battle. The Power Node was contested by both sides. Forai Gate was held by neither Force.

Final Score: Defenders 2, Attackers 1

Battle for Forai Gate: Turn 3

This is the turn where the Tau proved just how deadly they could be.

Defenders Turn 3

Movement

First of all, the Necron Destroyer Lord returned to life, passing his "We'll Be Back!" roll. The Monolith appeared in the City Square, imposing its hulk upon the Terminators. The Seer Counsil moved towards the other unit deeper in the city. The Pylon appeared at the city gates.

The last Gun Drone squadron Deep Striked in to counter the newly arrived Orks. When the Tigershark flew in, a Long Range Ack-Ack Strategic Asset forced it to disenguage. Kroot units outflanked on both sides, attempting to buy more time for us before the Orks reached the walls again. In a sneaky bid, the Necron Lord used Veil of Darkness to jump in with the Gun Drones and attack the Ork front lines, leaving onf the the tunnels undefended.

Shooting

Of course, one side of the field was rendered moot when in all its glory, the Exuchor destroyed the Ork units on the right side of the table. ...It also hit the Kroot. Both units went to ground to attempt to lessen the damage. The Broadsides unleashed their weapons on the Stompa and managed to breach its last structure point, destroying it. Shadowsun and the Stealth Teams used their deadly Fusion Blasters to destroy the Battlewagon and the Dreadnaught on the left side. The Fire Warriors turned around on the wall to see the Terminators right below them, and after teaming up with the Monolith, destroyed the entire squad. The Seer Council used their Destructors to annihalate the other team.

The Gun Drones and Necrons attempt to deal a fatal blow to Razgob, but their shots cannot breach his mega armour.

Assault

Oh sweet blasphemy, the Tau are assaulting. The Kroot on the deep left side of the board engage the Ork Boyz and route them completely, losing only 3 of their numbers.

Farsight charged in and engaged the Gargant, and using the Dawn Blade, pierced its armour and dealt the final blow to it. Wrecked, the Gargant was permanently removed from the board.


Farsight in victory over the massive Ork war machine

The Tau, having personally wrecked 2 Super Heavies, 2 vehicles, 1 Terminator squad and a unit of Boyz, felt pretty good at this point in the battle.

Attackers Turn 3

It is at this point I have realized the Commander Braxton is not on the table. After pondering this question for a minute, I note the Imperial Valkyrie speeding out of the city gate. ...Clever girl....

Movement

AHHHH the enemy comes pouring through the undefended tunnel! Orks, Tyranids and...IS THAT HERATIC VARLAK?! Carnifexes begin to Mythic Assault around the city, but due to extraordinary luck, one unit mishaps and kills itself. The Hive Tyrant mishaps as well and is returned to reserves. With both sides out of reserves save for the Orks, the battle has reached the climax.

Shooting

SURPRISE! Poor Varlak gets AMBUSHed as he enters the city, and all of his unit is destroyed. The strategic assets of the Eldar are continuing to be useful.

The Necron Warriors get a face full of Kill Cannon from the returned Battlewagon, killing nearly the entire unit. Da Vulcha drops its bombs and rockets again, killing one of my Fire Warrior units and damaging the Scorpion. Carnifexes attack our forces within and outside the gate, and one of my Crisis Teams are down. The Kroot become swarmed my Orks and are wiped out entirely.

In the depths of the city, the Orks and Tyranids fire upon the Eldar Jetbikes, dealing tremendous damage.

Assault

Snickrot assaults the lost of the Kroot, killing them. Is it me, or does it seem like we are the only ones doing the assaulting? It should really be the other way.

With time in our game day almost up, the next turn will be the decider in the battle. Currently Our forces have control over the Power Node and Forai Gate, whist the Ork mob has control of the Outpost. Neither side has killed any of the special characters (Commander Braxton and Inquisitor Fortez, and Warboss Razgob and Heretic Varlak).

Battle for Forai Gate: Turn 2

Defenders Turn 2

The Eldar make use of one of their many strategic assets thanks to the battle formations they selected. With Careful Planning in effect, the entirety of the Eldar forces come onto the battlefield. Because of the special scenario rules, the Eldar all Deep Strike into the battlefield. The Revenant Titan, Aspect Warriors and the deadly Seer Council all position themselves to strike.
My Tau forces activate the Farstrike Battle formation and arrive at Forai Gate as well. The Broadsides take position on top of the gate, while the Crisis teams are mere inches away from the Ork hordes.

Movement

Farsight and Shadosun advance upon the enemy on their respective sides. Everyone else stays put, either because they are guarding a tunnel or they have just arrived on the scene.

Shooting

The Crisis Suits make their points worth up immediately, destroying 2 full units of Boyz with their Flamers. The Fire Dragons open fire on the Gargant, dealing more punishment to the behemoth. The SCorpion fired on the Warhound Titan, and all manner of hell broke loose.

The Reactor on the Titan went nuclear. a devastating 22" blast went out, destroying almost the entire Ork mob. The blast came centimeters short of my own Crisis Suits, but the Eldar lost a Wave Serpent, the Avatar and nearly the Revenent Titan. The Ork Warboss Razgob (an killing objective this game for us) nearly bought it but was saved by his invulnerable save. The Stompa next to him suffered 3 structure points of damage and was otherwise utterly wrecked.

Shadowsun's Stealth contingeant disabled the Ork Battlewagon with the help of the Pathfinders Markerlights. The Broadsides managed to pick off the Chaos Defiler with their Rail Guns.

Assault

Farsight, along with the Deceiver, charged a group of Defkopters, destroying them utterly. The Fire Dragons engaged the Gargant, and with an impressive display of meltabombs, decimated all but one of the Gargant's structure points.

Attackers Turn 2

Movement

With all their equipment either obliterated or disabled, the Orks simply returned to the battlefield this turn. Coming out of the skies was the terrible Ork Vulcha, a heavy bomber with destroyer strength bombs! Also deep striking in were two units of Chaos Terminators and some outflanking Genestealers.

Shooting

The Terminators opened fire and killed the Necron Destroyer Lord who had occupied the Chaos Warp Rift. The Gargant unleashed what weapons it retained on the walls, and Fortez had to duck once again. Neither side was proceeding in objectives so far. The Stompa opened fire with it's Supa Gattla and killed the Necron Deceiver. Farsight's unit was also hit but managed to dodge or deflect most of the bullets.

There would be great vengeance for this.

Da (the) Vulcha dropped its bombs and fired its rockets, damaging the Cobra, destroying a Fire Prism and destroying one of my Hammerhead Rail Guns :'(

Assault

With one structure point left, the Gargant dared not go against the Fire Dragons in combat once more. The Assault Phase was unused.

Farsight was seeing red after this turn, with the Gargant within his sights.

Battle for Forai Gate: Turn 1

The game begins and our Necron ally announces the pressence of a Vortex Grenade. The Chaos Forces not only open up their warp rift, they also create 9 tunnels within the city walls!

Defenders Turn 1

Movement

The Forai Gate opens up to the enemy, revealing our potent tank formation. On the left side, Shadowsun, the Stealth Teams, Fire Warriors and the Pathfinders face a Battlewagon, Chaos Deadnaught and a Defiler. On the right, Farsight and his bodyguards, and also two teams of Gun Drones stare down the massive Gargant alongside Inquisitor Fortez and his Guard. The majority of our forces move out amongst the city to guard the tunnels and the Warp Rift.

Shooting

The Tau Strategic Asset shows it's face as nearly every enemy unit is suddenly hit by a markerlight.

The Cobra unleashes hell upon the Gargant, attempting to suck it into the warp. Superficial damage is caused, along with a broken weapon. The Fire Dragons rush forward and fire with their melta weapons. A bit more damage is caused, but otherwise, the Gargant is still an imposing pressence. The Gun Drones manage to strike the Orks guarding the Gargant and nearly wipe them out.
On the other side of the walls, Shadowsun and the Stealth teams fire Fusion Blasters at the Battlewagon, but fail to breach it's armour. The Pathfinders use their Markerlights to rain down Seeker Missiles upon it, shaking the crew enough to render it useless next turn. In the middle of the battlefield, the gate defense guns fire at the Warhound Titan, breaking down the void shielding. Both Hammerheads and the Eldar Scorpion open fire and--thanks to markerlight guidance--deal 2 structure points of damage, rendering the titan inopperative. for the following turn.

Assault

The Stealth teams, Farsight and Shadowsun use their jump moves to edge ever closer to the enemy.

Attackers Turn 1

Movement

To say the least, a huge mob advanced closer to the gates, less than a tile (24") away from our defences. The Gargant Tank Shocked the Fire Dragons in front of it, but the Exarch went for Death or Glory and stunned the driver of the Gargant, halting it in it's massive tracks. Deffkopters flew in towards either tower of the gate, preparing to launch a massive assault.

Shooting

The Orks ran further up the field as Razgob stood watching his Waaargh. The Gargant unleashed its potent arsenal upon the Fire Dragons, destroying the unit. Fortez had to duck to avoid the fire on the Right wall sections. Thankfully, Orks have little shooting to do, being Orks. :)

Assault

No Assaults this turn. We sit and wait for our impending doom. Akenseth believes us to be overrun by Orks next turn. I have other plans.

The Orks are right in front of Forai Gate as we begin Turn 2. ...Perfect.

Prepare for APOCALYPSE!

All right, this is the big one! The Tau are fighting for the Imperium with the Eldar and Necrons. There are over 20,000 pts per side and it's going to be nasty evil bad!


The Attackers


...and the Defenders

Oh, what's that giant thing over on the right side of the Attacker's deployment?



Meet the GARGANT, 2200 pts of Ork squishiness. Not gonna lie, this thing is really scary. Perhaps I'll feel better if I look at what my own army is packing?

THE SWORDS OF VIOR'LA BATTLE FORCE



HQ
Commander Farsight
Bodyguard w/Cyclic Ion Blaser, Plasma Rifle, Shield Gen, H/W Multitracker
Bodyguard w/Fragmentation Launcher, Fusion Blaster, Shield Gen, H/W Multitracker
Commander Shadowsun

Elite
Stealth Team (3) (1 Fusion, Marker Drone, 2 Targetting Arrays)
Stealth Team (3) (1 Fusion, Marker Drone, 2 Targetting Arrays)

Troops
Fire Warrior Team (12) w/Shas'ui w/markerlight & multitracker
Fire Warrior Team (12) w/Shas'ui w/markerlight & multitracker
Kroot Carnivore Squad (12) w/2 Hounds OUTFLANKING
Kroot Carnivore Squad (12) OUTFLANKING

Fast Attack
Pirahna Squad (3) w/3 Fusion, Sensor Spines, Targetting Arrays, Flechette Dischargers, 6 Seeker Missiles
Gun Drone Squad (8)
Gun Drone Squad (8)
Gun Drone Squad (8) DEEP STRIKING
Pathfinders (8) & Devilfish (SMS, 2 Seekers, Sensor Spines)

Heavy Support
Hammerhead w/Railgun, SMS, Sensor Spines, Multitracker, Disruption Pod, Flechette Dischargers, 2 seeker missiles
Hammerhead w/Railgun, SMS, Sensor Spines, Multitracker, Disruption Pod, Flechette Dischargers, 2 seeker missiles

Formations
Farstrike Battlesuit Formation - Arriving at Forai Gate on turn 2
Crisis Team x3 (all armed with flamers, and each suit in the unit carrying either a burst cannon, missile pod or plasma rifle)
Broadside Team x1 (Adv Stabilization Systems)

Legendaries
AX-0-1 Tigershark w/6 seeker missiles

My Strategic Asset for this battle is the Remote Drone Network, which allows me to mark of a 48" diameter on the board each turn, getting a free markerlight hit on all units in range. See why I have the missiles now? >:)

Both sides have elected to take jammers via one of the players, so deployment was carried out in erie silence. This battle is about to explode, so stay tuned for the weapons to start flying!

Upcoming Apocalypse Battle: Forai Gate

*gulp* This is the gigantic Apocalypse game we're about to play. Both sides are gearing up for a long day of gaming, and I'm no exception...only I haven't a clue which side I'll be fighting for yet! Confusion ensues as I try to come up with tactics for both sides of this chaotic battle.

Check out the video for an extended take on the pre-battle.



Expect the battle report to arrive later this week due to editting time. Until then, expect me to post some pictures of the army throughout the week.