Ruffling the feathers of the Blood Ravens

The Vilniaus 39th engages the Blood Ravens Chapter for the first time

In my most recent engagement, the Vilniaus 39th encountered the Adeptus Astartes, the Space Marines, for the first time in a while. This time also against Blood Ravens! Playing this out really made me want to go and install Dawn of War on my PC and take it for a spin…

Overall a very fun match. I haven’t played against this faction much - and actually at all in 10th - so wasn’t sure what to expect. Gladius Task Force for sure has a ton of flexibility, for example at one point allowing the Terminators to withdraw from combat and then shoot/charge that turn was very painful!

Still, it resulted in a victory overall for the Astra Militarum. We took significant casualties, but our ability to dish out the pain early on allowed us to control objectives. This is also my second time using the Scout Sentinel and Leman Russ Exterminator combination. While the Sentinel met an early grave, I still saw benefits from this combo in improving shooting and improving armour penetration of other shooting. Next up, I want to explore synergies with indirect fire - something I’m yes to use!

Here’s the usual report from Lt Spade, with the scores at the end…

After Action Report: Clash Against the Blood Ravens Reported by: Lt. Spade, Vilnius 39th Astra Militarum

Summary Info

Date of Engagement: [REDACTED]

Location: War-Torn Wasteland, [REDACTED]

Commanding Officer: Lord Solar

Engaged Enemy: Blood Ravens Chapter of the Space Marines

Forces Deployed

Friendly Forces:

• Lord Solar and Ursula Creed, each leading a platoon of Cadian Shock Troops.

• Death Korps of Krieg Armoured Fist squad in a Chimera.

• Rogal Dorn.

• Leman Russ Exterminator (proxied by a Punisher) and Battle Tank.

• Primaris Psyker, attached to Creed’s platoon.

• Attilan Rough Riders in reserve.

• Scout Sentinel.

• Techpriest Enginseer, maintaining the Rogal Dorn.

Enemy Forces:

• Gabriel Angelos, Chapter Master of the Blood Ravens.

• Terminator, Tactical Marine, and Sternguard Squads.

• Ancient and Dreadnought.

• Land Speeder Storm and Tempest.

• Assault Squad

• Scout Squad with sniper rifles and missile launcher.

Operational Summary

Initial Deployment and Opening Moves

The Vilnius 39th deployed in a line formation, with strategic positioning of Lord Solar’s platoon and armored units. Creed’s platoon was deployed on the left, supported by the Leman Russ Battle Tank, while the right flank saw the Leman Russ Exterminator and Scout Sentinel. The Blood Ravens positioned their forces strategically, with the Dreadnought and Land Speeder Storm on our right and a Predator tank concealed on the left.

The Vilniaus 39th arrayed for battle, with assigned objectives for the different elements to sieze and control.

First Strike and Tactical Maneuvers

Seizing the initiative, the Exterminator and Scout Sentinel destroyed an enemy Land Speeder Storm, taking out several scouts. The Chimera advanced to threaten enemy Tactical Marines while securing a central objective. Creed’s platoon also moved to secure an objective, engaging enemy forces. The Leman Russ Battle Tank fired upon a Tactical Marine squad, inflicting casualties.

The Exterminator and Scout Sentinel spot a Land Speeder Storm flitting between the ruins, and shoot it down in a hail of explosive autocannon rounds.

Creed’s platoon, supported by the Primaris Psyker and LRBT, advance on the left to take an objective. Meanwhile, the Chimera surges forwards to claim the centre.

Enemy Response and Counterattacks

The Blood Ravens responded aggressively. Their Dreadnought attacked our right flank, engaging the Exterminator and Scout Sentinel. Sternguard Veterans, deployed via drop pod, engaged Creed’s platoon, inflicting casualties, which were mitigated by the Primaris Psyker’s psychic shield. Tactical Marines targeted the Chimera, which survived the onslaught unscathed.

On the right, a very angry Dreadnought appeard from behind the ruins and barrelled into our armour. Stand firm!

Creed’s platoon braces for incoming fire as Sternguard arrive in a Drop pod. The Primaris Psyker did good work protecting the men with a psychic barrier.

Strategic Push and Enemy Reinforcements

The Vilnius 39th responded robustly. The Rogal Dorn destroyed the Dreadnought. Creed’s platoon annihilated the Sternguard, with support from the Psyker. The Leman Russ Battle Tank continued its assault on the Tactical Marines, effectively neutralizing the enemy Librarian. Enemy reinforcements, including a Land Speeder Tempest and Terminator Squad, threatened our positions, while the Predator and Scout snipers inflicted damage on our forces.

The Rogal Dorn surges onto the right flank, obliterating the Dreadnought with a single shot from it’s Oppressor cannon!

The LRBT continued covering for the infantry. It’s battle cannon blasted a hole in the tactical squad in the centre, while it’s Lascannon killed an enemy Librarian!

The squad of Death Korps of Krieg dismounted from their advancing Chimera so they could continue holding the centre objective.

Enemy reinforcements! Terminators appear on the right flank, alongside a Tempest. On the left flank arrived an assault squad.

Escalation and Tactical Dominance

As the battle escalated, the Rogal Dorn decimated the Land Speeder Tempest. Our forces effectively engaged multiple enemy units, destroying the Predator and silencing enemy firepower. Despite heavy engagements, including the loss of:

• Creed’s platoon to the Assault Squad

• The Exterminator and the Scout Sentinel to the Terminators

• The Primaris Psyker to sniper fire

• The Chimera to a combination of missile fire and being charged by some Tactical marines.

Our forces maintained control, with reinforcements arriving behind enemy lines, including additional Cadian Shock Troops and Attilan Rough Riders.

The Assault Squad charges and annihilates Creed’s platoon on the left, shortly after the Scout Squad finished off the Primaris Psyker with sniper fire.

The Terminators successfully destroyed the Scout Sentinel, and then the Exterminator, and then killed the majority of the Death Korps of Krieg who were then finished off by sniper fire!

Conclusion and Victory

The final stages saw the Blood Ravens under intense pressure. The newly arrived Cadian Shock Troops destroyed the Land Speeder Tempest. The Rogal Dorn continued to inflict heavy casualties on the Terminators and eliminated a Scout Squad. The Blood Ravens, overwhelmed and outmaneuvered, were forced to retreat, marking a significant victory for the Vilnius 39th.

As the battle comes to a close, 30 additional infantry and a squad of Rough Riders arrive on the scene, right behind enemy lines…

Casualties

• Significant losses in Creed’s platoon.

• Destruction of the Chimera, Scout Sentinel, and Exterminator.

• Losses among the Death Korps of Krieg.

Recommendations

• Enhance infantry tactics to better withstand Space Marine assaults.

• Incorporate more anti-vehicle weaponry in infantry squads.

• Continue refining combined arms tactics to maximize the effectiveness of armored units.

Conclusion

The Vilnius 39th, under the exemplary leadership of Lord Solar and Ursula Creed, demonstrated exceptional bravery and tactical acumen against the formidable Blood Ravens. This engagement serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit and strategic prowess of our forces, a shining example of the Emperor's might.

Lt. Spade

Vilnius 39th Astra Militarum

Overall an enjoyable game, and it felt wicked playing against such an important factor in the beloved Dawn of War franchise. Here’s the scoresheet:

This was my last game of 2023! It’s been a blast. I think I’ll do another post to do a sort of recap of the year, as this has been a year of very intensive gaming for me, as well as some serious hobby progress for the Vilniaus 39th.