Cycle 3 of the Crusade already! This time, our points limit was increased to 1200. I’d already increased my roster to 1600 or so for added tactical flexibility. Knowing I was to be facing Orks, I anticipated the need for taking on large numbers of lightly armoured - but highly motivated - green skins.
The mission was custom, essentially King of the Hill. With only one objective, I knew from the outset this would be a bit messy, and with significant rewards to whoever controlled the objective when the game ended, we had all to gain and not much to lose… I decided to take Headhunters and Eradicate the Swarm, rewarding me for killing enemy Characters and killing large numbers of enemy models at a time.
As always, here’s the final report from Lieutenant Spade…
After Action Report: The Relic of Arkanis - Clash with Ork Hordes
Reported by: Lt. Spade, Vilnius 39th Astra Militarum
Summary Info
Date of Engagement: [REDACTED]
Location: Arkanis Wastes
Mission Objective: Secure the Relic of Arkanis and prevent Ork forces from claiming it. Additionally, destroy enemy command elements, and destroy as many Orks as possible.
Friendly Forces:
Lt. Spade, leading a platoon of Death Korps of Krieg infantry.
Lt. Pask, commanding a Demolisher Leman Russ, supported by a platoon of two additional Leman Russ tanks and a Rogal Dorn.
Mortar Squad positioned for indirect fire support.
Mordian Iron Guard squad (operated as Catachans), mounted in a Chimera.
Enemy Forces:
Warboss with Nob bodyguard in Trukk.
Painboy with Nob bodyguard in Trukk.
Weirdboy with mob of Boyz.
Mek with mob of Boyz.
Squighog Hunters.
Stormboyz.
Operational Summary
Battle Round 1:Initial Engagement and Tactical Positioning
The Vilniaus 39th deploys in line formation, moving to secure the relic in the centre of the battlefield.
With tactical precision, our formation advanced, spearheaded by Lt. Pask’s armored contingent in the centre. The Chimera-mounted Mordian squad secured the right, while our Mortar squad entrenched in ruins to the left, ready to suppress advancing Orks.
The Chimera advances quickly on the right, looking forward to using its heavy flamers.
Our forward elements detected a Trukk lying in ambush. The Chimera struck decisively, inflicting severe damage with a well-placed Hunter Killer missile and its flamers firing at extreme range. Supporting fire from the nearby Leman Russ Exterminator obliterated the Trukk, forcing Orks into the open. Meanwhile, our tanks engaged Squighog Boyz, dispatching one, recognizing their threat to Imperial armor.
On the left, the Mortars began suppressive fire on an Ork Mek, killing several Boyz.
Mortars, in prime location, provide targeted and accurate supporting fire as the tanks advance.
Ork counter-attacks were immediate and brutal. A Weirdboy led Orks into close-quarters combat on our right by teleporting them directly in our midst, targeting both the Rogal Dorn and Death Korps infantry. Our men held the line despite losses, with the Rogal Dorn crushing several Orks beneath its treads.
Surprise! A Wierdboy successfully teleports a large mob of Boyz without his head exploding.
In the center, another Trukk disgorged Nobz and their Warboss, while the Chimera suffered a Bomb Squig strike and subsequent Shokk Attack Gun hit, immobilizing it. The Mordian squad dismounted, rallying under heavy fire.
The enemy Warboss dismounts on the objective, staring down our tanks.
The enemy pounces on our hapless Chimera, including some Nobz angry about their favourite Trukk being destroyed.
Battle Round 2:Targeted Assault and Ork Attrition
Lt. Pask’s tanks focused fire on the Warboss and his Nobz, decimating the entire bodyguard. The Exterminator’s autocannons shredded the Nobz, with Mortars finishing the Warboss—though to our shock, he somehow staggered back to his feet.
The Orks continue their remorseless advance. Here you can see the lone enemy Warboss still moving to attack the Tank Commander in the centre, alongside the Squidhog Boyz.
The Warboss, now isolated, charged our Tank Commander, who met him with multimeltas, vaporizing the Ork leader. However, Squighog Boyz managed to reach and damage the Commander’s tank, while on the left, Stormboyz descended from above, swarming a Leman Russ.
Charge! The enemy carries out a slightly more primitive - but still somewhat effective - cavalry charge.
Stormboyz arrive from the cloud, intent on chopping things with their choppas.
Meanwhile, Death Korps infantry battled the remaining Ork mob. The Rogal Dorn unleashed point-blank fire, eradicating the Weirdboy. Despite suffering severe losses, the Death Korps maintained morale, expelling the last attackers.
The Death Korps of Krieg stoically fix bayonets, attriting the Ork Boyz.
Battle Round 3:Clearing the Left and Securing the Objective
With our forces rallying around the relic, Lt. Pask’s Battle Cannon dispatched the last Ork Trukk. In the centre, a Demolisher cannon wiped out Nobz that had just finished off the Mordian Iron Guard, who fought to the last man.
‘WE NEED REINFORCEME-‘ The Mordian Iron Guard fights to the last man.
Our Mortars shifted to the Mek’s position, thinning his remaining mob, though retaliatory Shokk Attack Gun fire obliterated two mortar teams into mysterious energy and red mist. The Stormboyz, though numerous, failed to damage our Leman Russ, which responded by crushing one beneath its tracks.
Battle Rounds 4 & 5:Consolidation and Annihilation
As the engagement waned, our Rogal Dorn dispatched the last Squighog Boyz. The Exterminator finished the Mek in a hail of autocannon rounds, while the Tank Commander supported the left flank, routing the last of the Stormboyz harassing our Leman Russ Battle Tank.
‘Ready, aim, fire!’ The tanks definitely do not overkill the last of the Squighog Boyz.
With no remaining Ork resistance, we secured the relic and departed the field in victory.
Casualties
Death Korps of Krieg: Moderate casualties, sustained during right flank engagement.
Mordian Iron Guard (Catachans): Heavy losses, vehicle disabled.
Mortar Squad: Two teams lost to Shokk Attack Gun fire.
Tanks: Minor to moderate damage, with notable resilience displayed by all armored units.
Recommendations
Enhanced Anti-Ork Tactics: Increase anti-infantry firepower, especially flamers or rapid-fire weapons, to handle mob-heavy Ork forces.
Vehicle Armor Reinforcement: Consider additional plating or reactive armor for light vehicles vulnerable to Shokk Attack Gun and bomb squigs.
Mortar Section Protection: Employ additional protective measures for mortar crews exposed to retaliatory fire.
Conclusion
In securing the Relic of Arkanis, our forces demonstrated superior tactical acumen and tenacity against a savage foe. Despite fierce Ork resistance and significant casualties, Lt. Pask’s tank platoon and disciplined infantry formations upheld the honor of the Vilnius 39th, dealing a severe blow to the greenskin menace. This victory serves as both a testament to our regimental resolve and a safeguard for the Imperium’s relics.
Lt. Spade
Vilnius 39th Astra Militarum
A fun game against a splendid opponent. Despite winning the match 50-10, I learned to respect some of the Ork antics. If I hadn’t gone first, this match would have ended very differently. I was very surprised when the Orks teleported directly in my midst!
In the aftermath, I picked up a few upgrades and of course the Relic of Arkanis!
The Tank Commander now has the Relic of Arkanis, offering him increased toughness and the ability to mysteriously repair battle damage.
The Exterminator Leman Russ, having gained a lot of gunnery experience, is now even more accurate with it’s Finely Balanced autocannons.
The Death Korps of Krieg picked up Only the Swift Survive, making them faster when closing with the enemy to engage in close combat.
I also picked up a battlescar for the Chimera - it’s second in a row. Alongside it’s Mark of Shame from a previous engagement (despite… helping take the enemy home objective? Must be unit politics…)… it now has Deep Scars, meaning Critical Hits now automatically wound - ouch!
I also realised that Rosters on Administratum are public - which makes sense I guess. So you can see the progress of the Vilniaus 39th here —> Administratum Crusade Roster.
As always a fun game. It’s nice to do something that’s much more narrative focussed. I’m now looking forward to the next cycle!
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Thanks again for reading, see you again next time.
Nicely done. Do you find you prefer Crusade to matched play?