Build Me a Pyramid!

AJ and Joe read the rules.

Games are hard to come by these days. I had long promised to visit AJ in rural Minnesota. I finally kept that promise and Joe joined us for their first tastes of 9th edition madness.

Nurgle's blessings still dominate the land, so it looks like no D-Company big game this year. (I miss all you guys). So this was kinda our 3 person version of a big game weekend. We played 2 games at AJ's house. A smaller affair on Friday, (it took me about 7 hours to drive from Milwaukee). If I remember correctly, the first game was 50 power for Joe and I each vs. 100 power of AJ's Necrons. I don't remember a ton of details but I know the Necrons crushed the Death Guard and Night Lords. It wasn't pretty.

Still, drinks were drunk and laughs were had, Both guys expressed how they liked the improvements that 9th edition has brought to the game. Along with a new edition, AJ was also using his Necrons for the first time since they received a codex update. I think it's safe to say, Necrons are pretty tough now. AJ has always been a very strong player and the overall buffs and changes to the Necrons only helped as he crushed us on game one. Both guys really liked the terrain rules and blast weapon rules. Plus we used secondary objectives! Which made me very happy as they add to the flavor of a game just as I had expected.

Raptors sneak in behind the Necron Lord.

Havocs cover a pox walker advance.

The two forces are about to clash!

Game 2 on Saturday was much more ambitious. 400 power level Necrons vs. 200 power level Death Guard and 200 power level Night Lords. This (sadly) was expected to be the largest game any of us would play in any time soon. We called it a mini Big Game. And a nice way to close out 2020, which for most of us was not a banner year of gaming. Chaos took the first turn and started out strong taking the fight to the Necrons.

The Necron force in game 2.

The flow of the game (and the victory points) went back and forth with each side having good early turns of shooting. I must say the Necrons are now very tough. It seemed to me, most of their weapons have some sort of -ap. Even the basic troops! The C'tan are properly buffed with a rule that they can only lose 3 wounds per phase. Making them much harder to remove from the table. And GW seems to have hit on a good system for reanimation protocols.

Well, hello there.

Barin the undying, dies to scarabs.

Excuse my lack of details in this post. This took place in early December and the fog of war, plus time passed has removed many of the details of the games from my brain. That said, we all had a blast rolling dice and talking nerd. The second game went 4 turns I believe. We had to call it at about 3:30 AM. With no clear winner.

Win or lose doesn't matter these days. It's about having fun with friends. I had a great weekend of gaming. Bonus, I mentioned I had been waiting months for a callidus assassin model for my knight. AJ had one! Score. The only bummer was getting a speeding ticket heading to Minnesota for going 11 over on the highway. Come On Man! I really hope 2021 brings more chances to game as 9th edition is shaping up to be much better then 8th IMHO. Plus, it's been too long since I played a game of Heresy.

Until next time, happy new year and Ave Dominus Nox.

First 9th game and stuff

Cobra!

 I was able to play my first game of 9th edition. Jake had me over to test out the new edition. Chaos vs Chaos is always a fun game. I must say, my initial take on 9th is that it is better then 8th.

I really like the improved rules for terrain. I simply went to a page in the rule book and each type was there with it's "keywords" below. Keywords being sub rules of each category of terrain type. So, players agree on which type each piece is before the game and the rules are set. Some rules make a unit subtract 2in of movement, others make a unit harder to hit. This really gives back some complexity to the game as what you are standing on or in, matters.

The other thing I really liked, but Jake could not find in his online version of the rules, are the secondary objective system. So we didn't use them. I really like the concept though. 3 sub objectives that you choose from based on your army, what it does well and what your opponent brings. There are several to choose from and they can add a lot of points if chosen well. Another decision from the game player that can determine the outcome of the game. I'm all in favor of player decisions impacting the end result of the game. I'm in favor of bringing some complexity back to the rule system.

On the hobby front my 20 cultists are finished. I enjoy the heads that I purchased from https://www.reptilian-overlords.com/product-category/heads/. Sadly, they don't appear on their page anymore so they may have been limited. As a child of the 80's, the Cobra heads are cool. I don't leave home without a cheap unit of cultists, you can always use a cheap troop.

Kull the conqueror

Lastly, my latest finished model. Kull Sorbo, Exalted champion of the Nightlords. Vigo is gaining more minions as he extends his power in 40K land.

On the 30K front, my quest to build an all 30K model army for a future Adepticon continues. I'm taking a break from 40K models for a while and on to 30K Nightlords in MKIV armor. I've finished a 6 man tac support squad with plasma guns and currently working on 3 sergeant models. Then on to 21 basic troops. That would allow me 3 vet. squads or a single 20 man unit to go with the 3 terror squads. Well over 4000pts. of 30K Nightlords.

I also modeled 5 more carrying missile launchers taking my total to 7. A nice heavy weapons team if needed. I'm waiting on Horus Heresy book 9. It's currently out of stock. I really like the Nightlord rules I've read about on the internets. Until next time.

Ave Dominus Nox.

I Ain't Got Time To Bleed

New firepower!

Well, well, it's been some time since I posted. It's hard to get a game with Covid so I haven't played many games this year. Let's be honest, 2020 has not been a good year for gaming.

I keep up on things by watching Tabletop Tactics but have yet to play a game of 9th edition. I did manage one game a while ago, Death Guard and Night Lords vs. Crimson Fists and Imperial Fists. News flash, we lost to the very powerful marine armies. It wasn't a wipe out but Chaos struggles against the power of primaris marines plus doctrines.

Good news is I've found the hobby juices again.

I got this havoc squad painted up. 4 chain cannons plus an aspiring champion with a flamer. I look forward to seeing them in action. As I elude to in the title, I love Predator and love the idea of marines walking around with mini-guns. On the 30K front, I've built and primed a bunch of marines including a missile launcher squad and a 6 man plasma gun team to add some more options for my legion. I also have built a chaos knight, waiting on a callidus assassin who (for fluff purposes) will be crucified on the top of the knight. Hopefully, I keep plugging along, but I find my interest in the hobby coincides with actually playing games!

I hope all my readers are doing well and staying safe and healthy.

Ave Dominus Nox.

Excuse Me, Do You Have a Moment to Talk About Konrad Curze?

Night Lords Dark Apostle

Since I have some free time all of a sudden, I've gotten some new models finished. First a Dark Apostle. He walks around spouting the verse of our father Konrad Curze. Since Night Lords don't really follow any of the gods, I imagine he reads from the book the Primarch penned during his later days.

My game plan is to have him follow a unit around giving the -1 to hit. Add that to the In Midnight Clad strat. And you suddenly have a unit who is -2 to hit. Not too shabby!

The second model I've finished lately is a new Chaos Lord with a jump pack. There are a few strats in the Psychic Awakening that are specifically for Night Lords jump units.

3D6 for a charge? Yes please.

Using the Haarken Worldclaimer model (Why wasn't he a Night Lord to begin with?) I'm thinking instead of creating a new character, Vigo the Carpathian sometimes wants to move around a bit more then his terminator armor allows. Looking forward to trying these guys out on the table!

Ave Dominus Nox.

Time of the Heresy: Into the depths

"Let them go, said Curze sadly. Now is not the time for us to kill our brothers."

"The phrasing you employed suggested to me that you have foreseen bloodshed. Is that the case?
Will there come such a time?" persisted Sevatar.

"I can tell you how you die, if you wish.' said Curze softly, a corpse-choked battlefield from whence all the glory has fled. 'Do you want to know? It is far, far from here, in the endless dark."

"No said Sevatar firmly. 'I do not want to know'

"Then never ask me questions like that again. said Curze 'Your question and mine are different , but you will like the answer to neither much."

Curze to Sevatar after an altercation with the Raven Guard, pre heresy.

Night Lords enter the lower levels.

Lord Baltar resumed command of the 8th's forces that would venture into the depths of Base 716. He split his forces into two groups. One would enter on the south, the other from the west. A foolish legion, like the 4th, would press a direct attack, not caring how any warriors they lost to accomplish the goal.

The 8th did not create fools, the Night Lords would quickly learn of the enemy units and their positions. Single out the strays and weak points in the enemy formation and hit them in force! That was the way of the 8th legion.

Iron Warrior army, southern view

The terror squad meets a second Iron Warrior squad.

The plan was set, a terror squad and veteran squad would hit the isolated Iron Warrior unit closest them. The contemptor was instructed to take the main hallway in the middle of the base.

While, Lord Baltar, a second veteran squad, and the Atramentar terminators went straight for Iron Warrior command.

The terror squad cut down their enemy target quickly and efficiently. It was in the Iron Warrior counter attack that even their apothecary couldn't save them. In the center hall the Night Lords twin kheres destroyed the Iron Warrior contemptor and secured the middle hallway. The only battle remaining was the Iron Warriors command and elite terminators...

Iron within, Iron without!

The two go at it for multiple turns.

The Iron Warrior leader was accompanied by several terminators and one of Perturabo's Iron Circle. A daunting task.

A fierce battle erupted as Night Lords veterans were joined by teleporting Atramentar and their lord, Praetor Baltar Garess. Plasma shots quickly struck down Iron Warrior terminators upon their arrival.

Both sides took losses as the two sides exchanged kills. The contemptor fired on the Iron Circle, while the veterans and the Atramentar destroyed the block of terminators. Then a decisive blow was struck as Baltar ultimately bested the Iron Warrior Warsmith in close combat. Victory! This floor of the complex belonged to the Night Lords.

Baltar mused as his men went about their business, looting the dead or the almost dead. He didn't like this, it was too easy. He had always respected the 4th legion, they were very cunning. Most of the legions underestimated them, called the Iron Warriors "ditch diggers". But Baltar underestimated no one. "I wonder if this whole thing was a trap."

Ave Dominus Nox.

Time of the Heresy: Attack on Base 716

"Do you hear their cries? Can you taste their fear, their agony? Know this mortal: we are coming for you!"

— Salvaged Vox transmission from the dead colony of Nux Haven, Travonth VI

Iron Warrior supply base 716

Baltar did not get to his level within the legion by being stupid. The meeting was worth his time, he thought. But it would not be him who would be checking the information. Those duties would fall to his lesser captains. Night Lords were never ones who felt they had to lead from the front. That type of behavior was better left to those fools in the Blood Angels or Space Wolves.

Captain Sark would do nicely, Baltar didn't particularly like him. So if this was some kind of trap or game by the Iron Warriors, no loss. But if the information from the turncoat was good? Sark was competent, he would see the situation to a positive conclusion for the 8th legion.

Captain Sark assembled his force. Iron Warriors were not the easiest of legions to catch unaware. Assaulting one of their bases would require some skill. Sark rolled over the possibilities in his head. Iron Warriors, much like the Alpha legion, relied too much on human infantry. Sark was sure there would be mortal soldiers and tanks. Two rapier teams should do the trick. And a sicaran venator for the tanks. Captain Sark never went anywhere without his consul, the master of signal, and a full squad of twenty marines, plus a terror squad, a vet. squad, and a tac. support would form his base. Last he needed a hammer, what better to smash enemy defenses then a couple contemptors and a leviathan?

Sark, his terror squad, and the leviathan.

Iron Warrior leadership.

The attack would come at night, of course. Night Lords silently moved into position, even the dreadnaughts moved with little sound.

Supply base 716 was lightly defended by Iron Warrior standards. It was garrisoned by a few blocks of Imperial troops with a few tanks. What worried Sark was that also in attendance was a full squad of marines and two contemptors, a tech priest, and praetor. The commander suspected that before his eyes, the base was being alerted to the turncoat and information leaked. It was time. All Iron Warrior communication was blocked as the Night Lords attacked from two different sides.

On the west side Night Lords break in the base.

Two contemptors clash on the east side.

The battle erupted on two flanks. On the west end of the base Iron Warrior guardsmen fell quickly to the master of signal and his 20 marine troop squad.

In the east, the venator quickly eliminated one tank threat. But the advance across open ground proved difficult for the Night Lords. The rapier batteries proved their worth as did the leviathan, resistance in the east from the Iron Warriors dwindled.

Sark believed that the tech priest had some sort of night vision he passed along to the squad in the base as they proved difficult to kill. Losses on both sides were high, but in the end, the Night lord would not be denied his victory.

The last of the Iron Warriors fight valiantly.

Delegatus Sark Dillinger mused at the scene before him. The base was theirs, at least the surface of it anyway. A door that lead below ground had been discovered by the terror squad on the east side. Sark had ordered the remains of the squad to investigate. That was over an hour ago. It didn't matter, he didn't like that squad anyway. "Lord Baltar, the surface of the base is secured but it has a lower level. I'm afraid I don't have the forces left to properly face unknown enemies." said Sark over the vox.

Ave Dominus Nox

Time of the Heresy: The Meeting

"Because the Wolves kill cleanly, and we do not. They also kill quickly, and we have never done that, either. They fight, they win, and they stalk back to their ships with their tails held high. If they were ever ordered to destroy another Legion, they would do it by hurling warrior against warrior, seeking to grind their enemies down with the admirable delusions of the 'noble savage'.

If we were ever ordered to assault another Legion, we would virus bomb their recruitment worlds; slaughter their serfs and slaves; poison their gene-seed repositories and spend the next dozen decades watching them die slow, humiliating deaths. Night after night, raid after raid, we'd overwhelm stragglers from their fleets and bleach their skulls to hang from our armor, until none remained. But that isn't the quick execution the Emperor needs, is it? The Wolves go for the throat. We go for the eyes. Then the tongue. Then the hands. Then the feet. Then we skin the crippled remains, and offer it up as an example to any still bearing witness. The Wolves were warriors before they became soldiers. We were murderers first, last, and always!" - Sevatar

Baltar decides this meeting is worth his time.

After suffering a defeat at the hands of the Iron Warriors the Night Lords Praetor Baltar needed an edge. He found it in a turn coat Iron Warrior guardsman of some ranking. The human offered information on Iron Warrior troop deployments, medical facilities and armories. It was worth the risk to at least to see where this could go.

Baltar decided to bring the Flaymaster along, his reputation among the legions would make for a good reminder to this Iron Warrior traitor that the 8th legion's time was not to be wasted.

It turns out the Praetor's time was not wasted.

The information was solid, but the meeting would be cut short. The wailing sound of jump packs accompanied the deep vibration of treads. Quickly the three units deployed to keep sentry all reported in on vox, "the 4th legion is here".

Iron Warrior Destroyers enter the fray.

The Iron Warrior attempt to plug this leak was lead by Erasmus Golg, Captain of the 11th Grand Company. A Medusa and Vindicator rained shells down on the Night Lords while Destroyers and Rhinos advanced on the ill fated meeting. Several Night Lords squads reported losses. Never ones who would allow their honor to get in the way of self preservation, Baltar called for his personal Land Raider to pick him up and some air cover to ensure his escape.

Fighting raged all around the area now. Terror Squads met Iron Warrior Terminators while Veteran Tactical squads on both sides opened fire and exchanged chainswords.

A Night Lord Xiphon swooped in and took out the Medusa. It then set it's sights on the Vindicator. While some damage was sustained, the veteran siege crew mustered on.

Hand to hand is the preferred type of killing among the majority of the 8th. Especially when you outnumber your enemy. 

Many of the attacking force fell to the blade or the chainsword. This little intrusion by the 4th was not going to work. Though Baltar will need a new command squad, he, the Flaymaster, and the Iron Warrior traitor escaped into their Land Raider while Erasmus Golg and his own squad of Terminators were hit by a phosphex bomb cluster.

Target spotted.

Golg lives with one wound.

Right now we are playing game to game. Boroth and I will keep this little campaign going. It's just some small scrapes between two Traitor Legions. Boroth reported on game one here http://apostlesofcontagion.blogspot.com The Night Lords tied the score at 1 game each.  And to what effect the Iron Warrior traitor being in lord Baltar's hands remains to be seen....

Ave Dominus Nox.