For a second time, I’ve encountered the Adeptus Custodes and been defeated. A glorious attempt by the Vilniaus 39th, with some good killing, but of course killing doesn’t win you the game if you don’t play the objectives. In this battle, I fatally misinterpreted the rules, meaning I didn’t put nearly enough force to take the main game-winning objective. Oops.
However, I almost won by clever positioning to take the objective on the last turn, by having more Objective Control than my opponent. Alas, a foolish charge by my Chimera gave the enemy the opportunity to pile in and wipe out the Mordians…
Here’s how it looked at the endof the game. If I had controlled the main objective at the end, I would have won a very close victory. Alas…
Read on for the report…
After Action Report - Operation: Golden Drop
Summary Info:
Unit: Lt Spade's Astra Militarum Detachment
Date/Time of Operation: [Classified - Reference Code: 9A3F2]
Location: [Classified - Reference Code: G7H4Y]
Reporting Officer: Lt Spade
Objective: Secure and extract supply drop targets, while attempting to achieve tactical objectives.
Forces Deployed:
Friendly Forces:
Lord Solar Leontus with Cadian Shock Troops and command squad
Rogal Dorn heavy tank - 'The Leviathan'
Leman Russ Battle Tank - Sgt Tread
Scout Sentinel - Sgt Walker
Scout Sentinel - Sgt Chicken
117th Mordian Iron Guard - Sgt Stern (Chimera-mounted)
Chimera - Sgt 'Gun' Slinger
Enemy Forces:
Two squads of Custodes with officers
Silent Sisters detachment
Callidus Assassin
Operational Summary:
Our forces, with their indomitable spirit, strategically spread across the battlefield, zeroing in on dominating the central supply objectives. As we took our positions, the enemy decided to make the first move. Their Callidus Assassin, swift as a shadow, managed to blindside and incapacitate Sgt Walker's Sentinel. Their brazenness sent ripples through our ranks.
The Vilniaus 39th deploys for battle, with the bulk of the force focussing on the WRONG OBJECTIVES.
Sgt Walker, mere moments before being chopped into lots of little tiny pieces by the lurking Callidus assassin.
The Custodes, in their gleaming golden armors, made calculated advances on both our flanks. Despite the impending threat, our brave troops held their ground, undeterred by the initial surprise attack. Meanwhile, Lord Solar displayed his unparalleled battlefield genius. Commanding The Leviathan, he maintained key overwatch positions, ensuring we had vision and control over vital fire lanes.
The Leviathan - the Rogal Dorn - caused significant casaulties to the enemy Custodes as they advanced, killing 3 in a single round of shooting!
Our response came swift and fierce. With strategic movements, we occupied commanding positions, effectively turning the ruins into a fortress.
The infantry occupies the ruins, as the Custodes continue their grim advance towards the centre.
Our Leman Russ, despite being on the far left, showcased its might, raining down devastation upon the enemies, albeit with a slight hiccup as its plasma cannon malfunctioned momentarily.
The enemy, though outnumbered, pressed their advantage. On our right, their Custodes, as if possessed by the spirit of their ancient gods, stormed through the ruins, charging our infantry. Las fire crackled in the air but seemed almost ineffectual against their thick aegis. As blades clashed, it was evident that our men, though brave, were facing foes of unmatched melee prowess.
[Pict of brave Cadian Shock Troopers being ripped into bloody ribbons REDACTED]
Lord Solar, ever the tactician, recognized the danger of being bogged down in close combat. Ordering a tactical retreat, he paved the way for The Leviathan to unleash a barrage of fiery rage. Its fury was indiscriminate, turning both rock and armor to molten slag, annihilating the Custodes' officer and his retinue.
As the dust settled, it became apparent the Custodes squad in the ruins had been utterly annihilated by the devastating firepower of the Rogal Dorn.
Simultaneously, our Mordian Iron Guard made a valiant entry, torching the lurking assassin and engaging the second squad of Custodes. Sgt Chicken's Sentinel, with its plasma cannon hot and chainsword revving, continued its relentless march, dealing with the Silent Sisters with grim efficiency.
The Chimera, shortly after arriving and opening fire on the Assassin with the bulk of it’s weaponry. The Hunter Killer missile fired at the nearby Custodes squad and, as you’d expect, missed.
However, the tides of war are ever-shifting. Just when victory seemed within grasp, we realized that the enemy had pulled a fast one. The most vital of the supplies, the ones we had shed blood and sweat for, had been whisked away by the enemy. Understanding the strategic implications, we made the painful choice to retreat, ensuring the survival of our remaining forces.
Casualties:
One Scout Sentinel (Sgt Walker)
Several Cadian Shock Troopers
Minor damage to Leman Russ Battle Tank
Recommendations:
1. Improved anti-assassin training for Sentinel pilots.
2. Enhanced maintenance and quality checks for plasma weaponry to prevent malfunction.
3. Enhanced urban warfare training for infantry to increase resilience against close combat specialists.
4. Reconnaissance operations to track down any stolen supplies and gather intelligence on enemy movements.
Conclusion:
Operation Golden Drop was a testament to our forces' bravery and tactical acumen. Though we didn't achieve our ultimate objective, our performance against such formidable foes was commendable. We'll regroup, learn, and come back stronger.
Signed,
Lt. Spade, Vilniaus 39th Astra Militarum
What the report doesn’t display is me undoing a perhaps nefarious and, dare I say it, intelligent display of manouvre to get Objective Control through a combination of the Mordians, a Leman Russ, and a Chimera. However, this was all undone by charging the Chimera, giving the Custodes the opportunity to pile into my Mordians and wipe them out…
A lesson learned for the future - never give the Custodes the chance to fight in melee!
A good lesson to always read and play the objectives thoroughly. Perhaps we can make it a best of 5 for this encounter?
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I recently played a crusade battle where deep striking Blightlord Terminators were denied an opportunity to charge into an enemy outrider squad holding an objective. The space marine player used a squad tactic stratagem to reposition his bikes and it was a super effective play. My slow lads were not able to close the distance in time costing me the game. So yeah, positioning is very important.
I really need to get back to painting my miniatures. I'm not allowed to buy any more until my what I already have is painted.
I recently played a crusade battle where deep striking Blightlord Terminators were denied an opportunity to charge into an enemy outrider squad holding an objective. The space marine player used a squad tactic stratagem to reposition his bikes and it was a super effective play. My slow lads were not able to close the distance in time costing me the game. So yeah, positioning is very important.