40k League: Baneblade banished
The Vilniaus 39th bests a renegade armoured formation
Another year, another league. Here’s the first game in the regular league being run at the Wargamer club in Vilnius. A fun game against a gracious opponent - we both learned a lot about mirror matchups.
As always, see below for the after action report…
After Action Report: Take and Hold Mission
Reported by: Lt. Spade, Vilnius 39th
Summary Info
Date of Engagement: [REDACTED]
Location: War-torn urban sector, [REDACTED]
Commanding Officer: Ursula Creed, Vilniaus 39th
Engaged Enemy: Unidentified Astra Militarum Renegades
Forces Deployed
Friendly Forces:
Supreme Command: Lord Castellan Ursula Creed
Armoured Division:
2x Rogal Dorn Tank Commanders
2x Leman Russ Exterminators
1x Leman Russ Battle Tanks
Infantry and Mechanised Forces:
10x Cadian Shock Troops
2x squads of 10 Death Korps of Krieg (held in reserve)
2x squads of 10 Catachan Jungle Fighters, mounted in Chimeras
5x Tempestus Scions (held in reserve)
Gaunt’s Ghosts
Artillery Support:
2x Ordnance Field Batteries
Enemy Forces:
Armoured Forces:
2x Leman Russ Tank Commanders
2x Rogal Dorn Battle Tanks
1x Baneblade Super-Heavy Tank
Infantry Forces:
4x squads of 10 Cadian Shock Troops
Reconnaissance and Support Units:
3x squadrons of 1 Scout Sentinel
1x Hellhound
Operational Summary
Turn One: Enemy Initiative – A Bold Advance
Seizing the initiative, the enemy surged forward, eager to claim the objectives in no man's land. Their armoured spearhead, consisting of a Leman Russ Tank Commander and a supporting Rogal Dorn, pushed hard on our right flank, sighting a Chimera in the ruins. A well-placed battle cannon shell struck home, causing moderate damage but failing to disable the transport. Meanwhile, a Hellhound and a pair of Scout Sentinels advanced on our left, with one Sentinel launching a hunter-killer missile that damaged a Leman Russ.
The most ominous movement came from the distant rumbling of the enemy’s Baneblade, still concealed behind ruined structures.
Turn One: Vilnius 39th – Establishing Fire Superiority
Under Ursula Creed’s command, we struck back with precision. Recognising the threat in the centre, our armoured elements coordinated a brutal counteroffensive. The combined firepower of our Leman Russ Exterminators and Rogal Dorn Tank Commanders obliterated the enemy Rogal Dorn advancing up the middle, leaving a smouldering wreck.
On the left flank, our tanks focused their fire on the enemy Sentinels, neutralising both before they could relay further targeting data. Artillery barrages targeted advancing enemy infantry, only inflicting light casualties.
Turn Two: Enemy – The Baneblade Unleashes Hell
The enemy pressed on, seizing objectives in no man's land. Their infantry moved into cover around key strongpoints while a Leman Russ Tank Commander and a Scout Sentinel secured the centre of the battlefield.
Then, with a thunderous crash, the Baneblade smashed through the ruins non our right flank, its massive frame dominating the battlefield. Its enormous arsenal came to life, unleashing devastation upon our forces. A single devastating volley from the super-heavy tank utterly annihilated one of our Rogal Dorn Tank Commanders in a fiery explosion, shaking the battlefield.
Meanwhile, the enemy Hellhound advanced aggressively on the right, spewing flame towards our mechanised infantry but failing to land a decisive hit.
Turn Two: Vilnius 39th – Counterattack and Tactical Infiltration
Realising the moment was pivotal, Ursula Creed issued the order to push forward. In the centre, our Chimera charged onto the objective, dismounting its squad of Catachan Jungle Fighters. With brutal efficiency, the jungle fighters unleashed their flamers and lasguns, wiping out the enemy infantry and securing the ground.
Our tanks focused fire on the remaining enemy Rogal Dorn, which erupted in a cataclysmic explosion, damaging multiple vehicles and causing significant casualties among both sides - including the dismounted infantry on the central objective. Other tanks also successfully engaged a Leman Russ Tank Commander in the centre, which was destroyed.
Our Chimera in the centre attempted to ram an enemy Scout Sentinel in an effort to dislodge it from the objective, but the Sentinel’s chainsword disabled the vehicle, leaving the central objective contested.
Turn Three: Enemy – The Last Push
Despite suffering heavy losses, the enemy refused to relent. The Baneblade, its mighty war engine still intact, let loose another devastating barrage. A Leman Russ was reduced to a burning wreck, while another suffered severe damage.
Meanwhile, the Hellhound attempted to exploit the weakened left flank, but its flame cannon failed to destroy our damaged Leman Russ.
Turn Three: Vilnius 39th – The Emperor’s Wrath
With the battlefield tilting in our favour, we pressed the advantage. Reinforcements arrived in the form of the Tempestus Scions, who descended from Valkyrie transports and immediately engaged enemy infantry near their home objective.
Behind enemy lines, Gaunt’s Ghosts emerged from the shadows, executing pinpoint strikes and disrupting their infantry formations. The Death Korps of Krieg also appeared behind the enemy, advancing methodically, reinforcing the Ghosts’ assault with disciplined lasgun volleys.
On the left, our remaining Rogal Dorn manoeuvred into close range of the Baneblade. At extreme short range, the mighty battle tank unleashed every melta weapon in its arsenal, punching through the Baneblade’s thick armour. A chain reaction ignited within the behemoth, culminating in a catastrophic detonation that sent flames and debris across the battlefield.
With their war engine destroyed, the enemy’s morale collapsed. The Death Korps and Gaunt’s Ghosts continued their brutal purge of enemy infantry, while our armoured division finished off the remaining Hellhound. With no vehicles left and their forces in disarray, the remnants of the enemy forces retreated into the ruins, ceding victory to the Vilnius 39th.
Casualties
Friendly Losses:
1x Rogal Dorn Tank Commander destroyed
2x Leman Russ Battle Tanks destroyed
2x Chimeras disabled in combat
1x Squad of Cadian Shock Troops (lost in the Rogal Dorn explosion)
Minor casualties among Gaunt’s Ghosts and Cadian Shock Troops
Losses deemed: exemplary.
Enemy Losses:
1x Baneblade Super-Heavy Tank
2x Rogal Dorn Battle Tanks
2x Leman Russ Tank Commanders
3x Scout Sentinels
1x Hellhound
Total loss of all enemy armour, and moderate damage to enemy infantry.
Recommendations
Greater Anti-Tank Presence: The Baneblade posed a major threat. Additional melta-based weaponry and heavy artillery assets would be prudent in future encounters.
More Mechanised Infantry Support: Our Chimera assault was effective but left some squads exposed. Improved coordination with armour and increased transport durability would aid future assaults.
Expanded Use of Reserves: The late arrival of the Tempestus Scions and Death Korps was decisive. Further refinements in deep-strike tactics could maximise effectiveness.
Conclusion
Once again, the Vilnius 39th proved that discipline, firepower, and superior tactics overcome even the most daunting enemy war machines. The Baneblade, despite its overwhelming firepower, fell to precision strikes and aggressive counterattacks. This victory secures our hold on the battlefield and serves as yet another testament to the strength of the (loyalist!!) Astra Militarum.
For the Emperor!
Lt. Spade
Vilnius 39th Astra Militarum
So in the end it was a close victory to be honest. We shot the crap out of each other. My opponent did a great job surging forwards at first, and I did a good job counter attacking and being reasonably close at tabling them. Here’s the scorecard:
Looking forward to the next match up, which will be after the upcoming balance dataslate!