Golden Horde Triumphant

The Vilniaus 39th are fatally ambushed by the Adeptus Custodes

So this game was interesting. It’s the first time I’ve surrendered (to my knowledge), and certainly surrendering this early (by the end of Turn 2). Regardless, as always it was a great learning experience.

I’ll do a debrief after, but as usual, see below for the battle report prepared by our very own Lt Spade…

After Action Report: Ambush at Dawn's Edge

Reported by: Lt. Spade, Vilnius 39th Astra Militarum

Summary Info

• Date of Engagement: [REDACTED]

• Location: Dawn's Edge, [REDACTED]

• Commanding Officer: Lord Solar

• Engaged Enemy: Adeptus Custodes & Assassins

Forces Deployed

Friendly Forces:

• Lord Solar leading a platoon of Cadian Shock Troops.

• Additional Cadian Shock platoon.

• The indomitable Rogal Dorn.

• A Techpriest Enginseer.

• 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank.

• 1x Leman Russ Exterminator in reserve.

• 1x Scout Sentinel.

• A squad of Rough Riders, held in reserve.

• A squad of Death Korps of Krieg, transported in a Chimera.

Enemy Forces:

• A Blade Champion.

• Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour.

• Trajann Valoris.

• Allarus Custodians.

• Two squads of Custodian Wardens.

• A squad of Witchseekers.

• A Callidus Assassin.

• A Vindicare Assassin.

Operational Summary

Dawn of Ambush and Initial Deployment

The Vilnius 39th, under the stalwart gaze of Lord Solar, deployed judiciously across their zone, with a strategic emphasis on the right flank. Amidst ruins, the formidable Rogal Dorn took position beside the Cadian Shock, while a lone Sentinel prowled the far right.

The heart of our line was formed by Lord Solar's own platoon, flanked by the Leman Russ Battle Tank and the Chimera, harboring Death Korps of Krieg. Our reserves (a Leman Russ Exterminator and Rough Riders) brimmed with potential energy, awaiting the call to glory.

The Vilniaus 39th deploys in tight formation, aware of the deadly Adeptus Custodes in their midst.

Lord Solar’s platoon takes a defensive position atop ruins in the centre.

The other Cadian Shock platoon, supported by the Rogal Dorn and Scout Sentinel, deploys to the right.

Turn 1 - The Custodes take Initiative

The golden warriors wasted no time, their assassins moving with deadly intent. Despite their efforts, the Vindicare's aim faltered, sparing our platoon commander from an early demise. Their advance, though bold, resulted in only minimal losses for our side.

Turn 1 - Vilnius 39th Counterstrike

Our response was swift and fierce. The Scout Sentinel, embodying the spirit of the Vilnius 39th, dispatched the Callidus Assassin with a combination of hunter killer missile and judicious use of it’s armoured legs as lethal weapons, before falling heroically to the enemy Guardians. Our tanks unleashed hell, cutting down the enemy's numbers, while the Chimera boldly seized an objective in the centre.

The Vilniaus 39th advances to claim objectives and unleash hell on the enemy with the tanks.

'“TARGET ACQUIRED!” The Scout Sentinel takes the Callidus Assassin to a single wound with it’s hunter missile, before stomping it into the ground with a tank shock.

Turn 2 - The Custodes Press On

Unrelenting, the Custodes pressed their advantage. Their terminators descended like avenging angels, destroying our entire central platoon with their grenade launchers and isolating Lord Solar. The Rogal Dorn fell to a Blade Champion's might, and our Chimera was overrun, its occupants facing grim odds.

The terminators arrive. Seen here is the last picture of central platoon, before a salvo of grenades destroy every. Single. Guardsman.

Somehow, the Astra Militarum finds itself swarmed by the Adeptus Custodes.

The savings roll for the Rogal Dorn… I believe I needed 4+ here.

The hapless Chimera prepares to meet it’s maker.

Turn 2 - Strategic Withdrawal

Faced with overwhelming odds, the Vilnius 39th executed a tactical retreat. The Leman Russ and remaining Cadian Shock covered the withdrawal, ensuring the survival of our core forces for future engagements.

Final shot of the game. While I still had some bits… with it being late and all I decided to call it.

Casualties

• Heavy losses (99%+) among the central platoon.

• The complete loss of the Chimera and mounted Death Korps of Krieg.

• The Rogal Dorn and its accompanying Techpriest Enginseer were taken out of action.

• The Scout Sentinel valiantly destroyed shortly after dispatching n enemy Assassin..

Recommendations

• Reassess deployment strategies against highly mobile and elite forces.

• Increase emphasis on anti-elite capabilities within our armored units.

• Review and adapt our reconnaissance and counter-assassin tactics.

Conclusion

Despite the day's outcome, the Vilnius 39th's spirit remains unbroken. This engagement has provided valuable insights into combating the Adeptus Custodes and their assassins. We retreat to fight another day, our resolve hardened, and our strategies sharpened by the experience.

Lt. Spade

Vilnius 39th Astra Militarum

Here’s the mission which provides useful context:

In debrief, I think there’s a few key things I did wrong in this game:

• I put too much in reserves. In my games against the Custodes, I’ve learned that to win you need to kill them fast. I do wonder how things may have changed if the Exterminator had been able to help kill more Guardians (and provide the -1AP debuff), as well as perhaps screen out the Terminators from dropping quite so close to my lines. I could have even deployed the Rough Riders at the beginning, as they might not have even attracted much attention - target saturation and all that.

• Army List. I realised (a little to late!) that having two Cadian Shock platoons lie I did is really not optimised for killing Custodes. I like it because it’s fluffy, and it’s my collection, but it’s worth mentioning regardless.

• I moved towards Custodes. I’ve done this a few times, and it’s never gotten well. Custodes in melee are horrible, and I should do all that I can to avoid that. This goes both for the Dorn, and the Chimera, too.

Regardless of the above, there were a few factors out of my control. I rolled terribly on my Dorn’s saving throw, and the Terminators grenade launchers wiping an entire platoon was also certainly unexpected.

An enjoyable game nonetheless, with some narrative for sure! We cannot win every time.