Hyper aggression met discipline in a display of shocking violence. A thin blue line of Primaris Intercessors poured measured volleys into the living tide of razor-edged claws and chitin that surged towards them.
Hellblaster squads let rip with the fury of caged stars as their plasma weaponry felled the larger synapse creatures whose power shackled the lesser beasts to the great devourers indomitable will. In the storm wracked skies above the main battle lines Inceptors dueled with gargoyles and their hideous Harridan brood mothers in a confused dogfight to the sound of alien screeches and the rapid scattoo of assault bolters.
Repulsor tanks swept forward between the Intercessors when the horde pressed in close, their frag launchers and the grav-wash from their passing helping push back the endless swarm just as the Tyranids seemed poised to get to grips with the Ultramarines time and again. Primaris lieutenants shouted orders and redirected squads attention to the most pressing targets as they presented themselves in a display of tactical acumen that would make their primarch proud.
The hive mind did not remain passive as the scions of the Ultramarines plied their deadly craft. It continued to feed weapon beasts into the slaughter in the knowledge that it had the biomass to produce a billion more if need be. It studied, analized, adapted and learned from its foe. With an alien disregard for casualty figures, morale or logistical constraints it herded the required bioforms into a wedge backed by synapse beasts of greater stature and hurled them at the centre of the Primaris’ lines determined to consume their superior biomass.
The change in the Tyranid tactics heralded the arrival of Captain Antiochus and a brace of Redemptorist dreadnoughts. He had anticipated and had been awaiting this turn of events and strode forth flanked by the immense forms of his dreadnought entombed brethren to counter the hive minds latest gambit. The decisive moment was upon them.
Mission: Scorched Earth
Points: 1500
Deployment: Spearhead Assault
++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium – Space Marines) ++
**Chapter Selection**: Ultramarines
+ HQ +
Captain in Gravis Armor: Boltstorm gauntlet, Master-crafted power sword, The Santic Halo
. Warlord: Adept of the Codex
Primaris Lieutenants
. Primaris Lieutenant: Master-crafted auto bolt rifle
+ Troops +
Intercessor Squad: Auxiliary Grenade Launcher, Bolt rifle, 4x Intercessor, Intercessor Sergeant
Intercessor Squad: Auxiliary Grenade Launcher, Bolt rifle, 4x Intercessor, Intercessor Sergeant
Intercessor Squad: Auxiliary Grenade Launcher, Bolt rifle, 4x Intercessor, Intercessor Sergeant
+ Elites +
Redemptor Dreadnought: 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launchers, Icarus Rocket Pod, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon
+ Fast Attack +
Inceptor Squad: Assault bolter, 2x Inceptor, Inceptor Sergeant
+ Heavy Support +
Hellblaster Squad: Plasma incinerator
. 4x Hellblaster
. Hellblaster Sergeant: Bolt pistol
Hellblaster Squad: Plasma incinerator
. 4x Hellblaster
. Hellblaster Sergeant: Bolt pistol
+ Dedicated Transport +
Repulsor: 2x Storm Bolters, Auto Launchers, Icarus Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, 2x Krakstrom Grenade Launcher, Las-talon, Onslaught Gatling Cannon, Twin lascannon
++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Tyranids) ++
+ HQ +
Hive Tyrant: 2x Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms
Malanthropes: Malanthrope, The Norn Crown, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Insidious Threat
+ Troops +
Ripper Swarms: 4x Ripper Swarm
Ripper Swarms: 4x Ripper Swarm
Termagants
. 30x Termagant (Devourer): 30x Devourer
+ Elites +
Hive Guard
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
Lictor: Flesh Hooks, Rending Claws
Lictor: Flesh Hooks, Rending Claws
+ Fast Attack +
Raveners
. Ravener: Rending Claws, Scything Talons
. Ravener: Rending Claws, Scything Talons
. Ravener: Rending Claws, Scything Talons
. Ravener: Rending Claws, Scything Talons
. Ravener: Rending Claws, Scything Talons
. Ravener: Rending Claws, Scything Talons
+ Heavy Support +
Biovores: 3x Biovore
Toxicrene
Trygon: 3x Massive Scything Talons, Toxinspike
Citizens of the Imperium, tune your vox receivers, for today the emperors finest take on Hive Fleet Jormungandr in a brave effort to defend your safety. Roboute Guilliman’s resilient Primaris Space Marines strike deep into the Ultima Segmentum in an effort to finally extinguish this Xenos threat…
This week’s report brings two fantastic players to the studio from over the border. Chema’s tunneling Tyranids, who benefit from cover unless they advance, charge or have the fly key word, take on Antonio’s Primaris Ultramarines, who add one to their leadership and can fire after falling back on a minus one. Before we commit this board to a sea of blue miniatures, let us take look at this phenomenal toxic battlefield the SN Team have set up for this clash. Acid geysers, mangled rock and twisted vegetation, this table sets up the perfect atmosphere for a world torn and infected by the Tyranid plague in the far reaches of Imperial Space.
The already scorched earth begins to rip and tear as Chema begins his deployment phase. His Hive Tyrant and Toxicrene burst through the earth taking the centre field. They are flanked by his warlord; the ominously hovering Malenthrope rises from the gaping hole in the earth posing a deeply insidious treat to the Ultramarines.
Chema moves on to deploy his Hive Guard defensively on his left flank. He shields them from enemy fire behind a rock formation, should the Space Marines take first turn, but keeps them in position to counter any movements on the exposed flank. The rest of Chemas army remains within the Jormungandr tunnel network, he uses the Enemy from Below stratagem to keep the Termagants in reserve.
In a flash of blue, the noble Primaris Marines begin emerging on the battlefield, Guilliman’s finest and bravest soldiers stand unwavering against the Xenos horror before them. Antonio also take’s centre field, countering Chema. He deploys an Intercessor Squad, flanked by the reliable Repulsor transport and sturdy Redemptor Dreadnought.
Antonio then deploys another unit of Intercessors and the Hellblaster Squad behind a rock formation opposite the Tyranid deployment zone, giving him better board control.
Who will win out? Let’s do this! Check out all the action in the full battle report back at SN Battle reports site!
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About the Author: Steven Pardo
