Lady Jenna vs. Lady D'ysperax in "HOWLING BANSHEE HORDE" (1500)

[BigToof]

Lady Jenna vs. Lady D'ysperax in "HOWLING BANSHEE HORDE" (1500)
----------------------------------
Hi All,

So, I walk in, looking for a game and what comes for me, but the oh, so infamous Lady D player looking for a game.  I'm also interested especially since there's been so much on-line interest in a potential SW vs DE rematch.

Oddly enough, though, the list doesn't resemble the previous one I fought and is sans Wraithknight, but it...  it...

What.  Is.  THIS? 

.

..

...

I blame all of you.  (J/K)
I can't beleive this list.  I have a bit of change with a Drop Pod (that will hopefully not fail me the first time I decide to use it), versus...

A Seer Council and a LOT of Howling Banshees?

Howling Banshees.  Possibly the (only?) bad unit in the Eldar Codex.  And there's ten of them.  Which is not a LOT per se, but you know...

More than the ZERO you see in most people's lists.

And it has Lady D just to make my life more unreasonable.

So...  Yeah...  Let's see how this goes.

Best,
-BT

P.S.  Comments/Critiques greatly appreciated!
It may be a bit until this goes up fully, so place your bets! 

Do I scrape anything out of this mess or is it a true thrashing?


--------------
The Lists
--------------

The Imperial Alliance 1500 pts: 79 Infantry, 2 Vehicles, 1 Fort; 13-16 VPs
Space Wolves
-Rune Priest Harald "Mad Harry" Runesmith w/ Runic Armor
-Lone Wolf "Heartless" w/Chainfist, Stormshield
-Wolf Guardx4 in Terminator Armor, Power Axes, Combi-Plasmasx2
-Grey Huntersx10 w/Plasmagunsx2
-Grey Huntersx10 w/Plasmagunsx2
-Grey Huntersx7 w/Flamer in Drop Pod
-Long Fangsx5 w/Missile Launchersx4
Lady Jenna's Marauders
-Lady Jenna Mordheim (Primaris Psyker w/Force Staff)
-Cpt. Alyssa Jax, Stormtroopersx5 w/Meltagunsx2
-Lt. Jack Hawkins, Platoon Command Squad w/Flamersx4
-Infantry Platoon w/Lascannon, Sgt. w/Power Axe
-Infantry Platoon w/Lascannon, Sgt. w/Power Axe
-Infantry Platoon w/Lascannon, Sgt. w/Power Axe
-"The Boxbreaker" Leman Russ Exterminator w/HB Sposons
Ageis Defense Line w/Quadgun

Eldar/Dark Eldar (1500): 40 Infantry, 4 Vehicles; 13 VPs
Farseer Talissa w/Jetbike
Seer Councilx7, Jetbikes
Spiritseer Illandara
Howling Bansheesx10
Dire Avengersx5 in Wave Serpent w/Holofield, Scatter Laser
Dire Avengersx5 in Wave Serpent w/Holofield, Scatter Laser
Lady D'ysperax (Archon w/Shadow Field, Huskblade, PGL, Soul Trap)
Warriorsx5 w/Blaster in Venom w/SCx2
Warriorsx5 w/Blaster in Venom w/SCx2

----------------------------------

-------------------------------------
Chapter Seven: Best Friends Forever
-------------------------------------

Farseer Talissa of the Craftworld Iyanden was displeased.  It had been weeks since their last engagement.  The Imperial Guard and their Space Marine escorts were finally corralled and on the verge of eradication.  However, her other two co-commanders seemed to show no interest in delivering the final blow.  The Dark Eldar Archon, Lady D'ysperax was infuriatingly nonchalant regarding the entire matter, and showed a complete lack of proper procedure.  Talissa could swear that she seemed to enjoy irritating her by delaying this entire escapade.  The actions of the other leader, however, was something that she could not let stand.

She put out a hand to open the locks to the bathing area, but frowned when she noticed it was locked.  The rumors were right indeed.  With a deft move, Talissa whipped her Wychblade to her hand and sliced open the lock with an elegant, almost offhand gesture.  There was a small gasp, as the sole occupant of a rather opulent looking bath full of scented bubbles and foam turned to look at her.  Talissa frowned at her sister, the Spiritseer Illandara.

"Illandara.  I take it that you know we are marching on the Mon'Keigh as we speak?"

Illandara looked flushed and almost too distracted for words.  Talissa stifled a growl.  How long had she been relaxing here?

"Illandara, I do not understand what has happened to you.  Perhaps it is the influence of that... Archon.  You will not listen to my words perhaps, but I will say them in any case.  She is dangerous.  If you allow yourself to be affected by her, your life will be the one put in precarious balance."

Talissa looked sternly at Illandara, and noticed that at least she was biting her lip, no doubt to acknowledge some kind of shame.

"Very well.  I will leave you to get dressed.  We will make a decisive blow today, Illandara, with or without you."

Illandara waited for a few moments after Talissa's footsteps drew out of range before putting a hand under the bath foam.  There was a rustle, and a stunningly gorgeous Dark Eldar slowly rose to the surface with a grin.

"What's the matter, little one," said Lady D'ysperax, "Was I not pleasing you?"

Illandara swallowed.  It wasn't her idea to begin with, but the Lady was certainly very... experienced with things that she could only dream of.  It was only luck that Talissa had come in when she did.  Part of her was glad, but the other ached for more.

Lady D'ysperax looked down the hall.

"Hmm...  I thought I heard something.  I take it that we're being pushed to end our little dance with the Mon'Keigh?"

Illandara nodded, finally allowing herself to relax, "Yes...  Yes, Talissa said that..."

"Oh, I'm sure she says lots of things," Lady D'ysperax said with a chuckle, "Now it's just up to us to figure out if we should listen to them.  Now, I've been working on a little surprise."

Illandara swallowed.  The last "surprise" involved sending all of the Mon'Keigh running screaming away, trampling their fallen in a way that she could only imagine in nightmares.  Still, not knowing would be worse.

"What...  What kind of surprise?"

Lady D'ysperax's cheshire grin grew into place as she drew closer, "Oh, little one, it's a very, very good trick.  The Mon'Keigh will absolutely love it.  It'll be a performance they won't ever forget..."

--------------------------------------------------

Lieutenant Jack Hawkins was not in a good mood.  Perhaps it was the lack of rations or decent sleep, or the constant overwhelming uncertainty hanging over the entire affair.  He looked around at his men and saw the same deep-seated concern.  They had run away like cowards from the Eldar.  He shook his head at the shameful memory.  The Marauders had seen worse, and under the leadership of Lady Jenna Mordheim they had yet to flee the field of battle.

He looked over at the meditating form of his captain.

Jenna Mordheim looked a bit disheveled, but Jack thought it was far less than to be expected given their circumstance.  They had managed to find a fairly safe hole that kept the Eldar at bay, but the near invisible harassing Xenos seemed to strike at them day and night.  Worse, their transmissions, both traditional and psyker, were being jammed.  For all the Rogue Trader knew, they were having the time of their lives with the Tau.

Jack snorted at the thought.  He tried to put the blame on the Tau that had initially brought them to this now barren world, but it took little hold.  The blame for the situation lay solely upon him.  As ship's seneschal, he was supposed to watch out for things like this.  To be prepared.  To at least have a plan of action.  But, the Eldar had taken them completely apart like children and now here they were, crouched and beaten like newborns waiting for the Xenos to get bored and end their existence.  It would be suicide to...

A sudden thought entered his mind.  It seemed completly irrational, but any kind of hope, no matter how fleeting seemed viable.

"Scouts, get ready to move out.  The Tau had some kind of power facility.  We need to find it and soon."

He looked over, ready to explain to Lady Jenna, but stopped and shook his head when he saw Jenna's knowing smile in return.  One of the perks of having a mind-reader as your Captain.  You didn't have to waste words.  And it might be best for the crew to not know how desperate the situation actually was...

-------------------------------------------------------

Pre-Game Thoughts: I'm not really sure what to expect from Lady D lists.  This one has two deathstars, one that I sort of know (the Jetseer council), although I haven't fought it in the new Codex.  The other is Howling Banshees, which probably will be buffed by some things.  I don't know why the girls are walking, but if they are T3 4+ save models will not last that long...

So... shoot the pants off the Seer Council and then clean up the rest.  There will be SOME kind of trick, but I have no idea what it is (as usual).

-------------------------------
Mission: Relic (Really?  REALLY?)
Setup: Hammer and Anvil (uh... ok...), Night Fight: OFF

Warlord:
-Harry: Legendary Fighter
-Talissa: Re-roll all saves (oh. man.)

Psyker Powers:
-Harry: Prescience, 4++ invul
-Jenna: Iron Arm, Warp Speed
-Talissa: Prescience, Fortune, Doom (REALLY?)
-Illandara: Conceal, +1/-1 Armor (AGAIN?)
-Seer Council: +1/-1 Strengthx2, Concealx2, +1/-1 Armor, Fearless/-3 Ld (x2)
-------------------------
Eldar/Dark Eldar go first! (doh!)

[crisis_vyper]

Eldar/Dark Eldar (1500): 40 Infantry, 4 Vehicles; 13 VPs
Farseer Talissa w/Jetbike
Seer Councilx7, Jetbikes
Spiritseer Illandara
Howling Bansheesx10
Dire Avengersx5 in Wave Serpent w/Holofield, Scatter Laser
Dire Avengersx5 in Wave Serpent w/Holofield, Scatter Laser
Lady D'ysperax (Archon w/Shadow Field, Huskblade, PGL, Soul Trap)
Warriorsx5 w/Blaster in Venom w/SCx2
Warriorsx5 w/Blaster in Venom w/SCx2

Warlord:
-Harry: Legendary Fighter
-Talissa: Re-roll all saves (oh. man.)

Psyker Powers:
-Harry: Prescience, 4++ invul
-Jenna: Iron Arm, Warp Speed
-Talissa: Prescience, Fortune, Doom (REALLY?)
-Illandara: Conceal, +1/-1 Armor (AGAIN?)
-Seer Council: +1/-1 Strengthx2, Concealx2, +1/-1 Armor, Fearless/-3 Ld (x2)

Well, personally the Archon with PGL + Howling Banshees would be the way I go about fixing the Banshee's weaknesses.  Though the Spiritseer added in is quite delicious, as the Howling Banshees would have an increased armour save that will make them very durable and solves their 'flimsiness'.

Add that with the multiple threats that are both fast and very shooty, and you cann definitely bring them close to combat without too much hassle.

[Cammerz]

I'm really looking forward to seeing how this one plays out, the Lady D player is clearly very good, no wonder the character became the monster that she was against Vasily, although she seems to have changed somewhat at the moment, perhaps we need to see more interaction between her and Lady Jenna or Lt. Jack.

It's always good to see units that don't normally leave the shelf, I remember in the old Grumgutz days you'd occasionally bring a new unit into play for two or three battles just to see how it'd do; Flash Gitz and Stormboyz come to mind.

With a relic mission I suppose the Drop Pod can come in quite handy, park it between the relic and the foe for handy LoS-blocking and have a unit in power armour secure the objective, ready to carry it away on turn 2.

[Arguleon-veq]

Im not really sure how hes going to keep the banshees alive as he needs fortune on his bike council. The banshees still arent durable enough even with buffs so long as you can get some shooting around the archon.

Its all on his council, if you dont steal or get some 4+'s for your rune priest once he is in your lines then the bike council powered up should really be able to beat your whole army on their own, luckily its Relic so you can always win on secondarys. If you do roll a few 4+'s for the rune priest its game over as without protect/conceal/fortune on them the council are a massive waste of points.

With his good rolls for his powers its good that you have the best psychic defense in the game as when it goes off the council can beat anything but its just not reliable enough, especially against your defense and I see that being his undoing here.

[BigToof]

Eldar/Dark Eldar (1500): 40 Infantry, 4 Vehicles; 13 VPs
Farseer Talissa w/Jetbike
Seer Councilx7, Jetbikes
Spiritseer Illandara
Howling Bansheesx10
Dire Avengersx5 in Wave Serpent w/Holofield, Scatter Laser
Dire Avengersx5 in Wave Serpent w/Holofield, Scatter Laser
Lady D'ysperax (Archon w/Shadow Field, Huskblade, PGL, Soul Trap)
Warriorsx5 w/Blaster in Venom w/SCx2
Warriorsx5 w/Blaster in Venom w/SCx2

Warlord:
-Harry: Legendary Fighter
-Talissa: Re-roll all saves (oh. man.)

Psyker Powers:
-Harry: Prescience, 4++ invul
-Jenna: Iron Arm, Warp Speed
-Talissa: Prescience, Fortune, Doom (REALLY?)
-Illandara: Conceal, +1/-1 Armor (AGAIN?)
-Seer Council: +1/-1 Strengthx2, Concealx2, +1/-1 Armor, Fearless/-3 Ld (x2)

Well, personally the Archon with PGL + Howling Banshees would be the way I go about fixing the Banshee's weaknesses.  Though the Spiritseer added in is quite delicious, as the Howling Banshees would have an increased armour save that will make them very durable and solves their 'flimsiness'.

Add that with the multiple threats that are both fast and very shooty, and you cann definitely bring them close to combat without too much hassle.

Hi Crisis,
Yes it was an interesting sort of "fix."  Even though it didn't make the Banshees necessarily amazing, it made them into a pretty good Archon delivery system...

I'm really looking forward to seeing how this one plays out, the Lady D player is clearly very good, no wonder the character became the monster that she was against Vasily, although she seems to have changed somewhat at the moment, perhaps we need to see more interaction between her and Lady Jenna or Lt. Jack.

It's always good to see units that don't normally leave the shelf, I remember in the old Grumgutz days you'd occasionally bring a new unit into play for two or three battles just to see how it'd do; Flash Gitz and Stormboyz come to mind.

With a relic mission I suppose the Drop Pod can come in quite handy, park it between the relic and the foe for handy LoS-blocking and have a unit in power armour secure the objective, ready to carry it away on turn 2.

Hi Cammerz,
Thanks for the reply.
It's funny I was thinking the same thing about bringing in odd things here and there.
I am actually thinking about bringing out the Orkz again fairly sooner than later... Have to see what otehrs think as well.

And as for the Drop Pod....  You'll see what shenanigans goes on with the relic...

Im not really sure how hes going to keep the banshees alive as he needs fortune on his bike council. The banshees still arent durable enough even with buffs so long as you can get some shooting around the archon.

Its all on his council, if you dont steal or get some 4+'s for your rune priest once he is in your lines then the bike council powered up should really be able to beat your whole army on their own, luckily its Relic so you can always win on secondarys. If you do roll a few 4+'s for the rune priest its game over as without protect/conceal/fortune on them the council are a massive waste of points.

With his good rolls for his powers its good that you have the best psychic defense in the game as when it goes off the council can beat anything but its just not reliable enough, especially against your defense and I see that being his undoing here.

Oh, you are not kidding about the Council.

They were just so... so...

Ok, I can't spoil anything, but they were nasty!

------------------

Sorry all for the delay.  Real life is cropping up again.
Going to try to get things out soon!

Best,
-BT

[crisis_vyper]

Im not really sure how hes going to keep the banshees alive as he needs fortune on his bike council. The banshees still arent durable enough even with buffs so long as you can get some shooting around the archon.

Its all on his council, if you dont steal or get some 4+'s for your rune priest once he is in your lines then the bike council powered up should really be able to beat your whole army on their own, luckily its Relic so you can always win on secondarys. If you do roll a few 4+'s for the rune priest its game over as without protect/conceal/fortune on them the council are a massive waste of points.

With his good rolls for his powers its good that you have the best psychic defense in the game as when it goes off the council can beat anything but its just not reliable enough, especially against your defense and I see that being his undoing here.

Oh, you are not kidding about the Council.

They were just so... so...

Ok, I can't spoil anything, but they were nasty!

------------------

Sorry all for the delay.  Real life is cropping up again.
Going to try to get things out soon!

Best,
-BT

Gay?

But yeah, if they get that Fortune, they are possibly the nastiest thing that the world had ever seen, especially with the new Runes of Battle Powers. Re-rollable 2+/4++/2+++ saves along with Fearless are just pure nasty.

You are lucky that he is not running 2 Wraithknights and 2-3 Wave Serpents in the mix, or else you will be utterly overwhelmed by all the threats on the table. I know that feeling as I have a friend that runs 2 Farseers, a full Seer Council, 3 Serpents with all the stuff and the minimal Dire Avenger passengers, a small jetbiker squad and two Wraithknights in 1750 pts game. Suffice to say, he is one of the more dominant players in the store that I frequent as of this moment as his army can steamroll a lot of armies. I must thank the DE list for giving us so many poisoned weapons and lances or else I too will be steamrolled.

I will also say that I was guilty of its conception because I poisoned his mind with the idea as well. 

[Warptide]

Just got back on S2 and am surfing heavily (so many ponies 0_o)  Can't wait to catch up on the awesome Bigtoof batreps 

[Chicop76]

I glance at both list and think I see a blower vs some leaves. However I see a few rocks in the leaves and think if the banshees survive than they may kill a unit or two.

This battle reminds me of the last samaurai at the end of the movie.

I can see the banshees getting into the enemy lines, but eventually I see mass fire of death. Poor Archon will eventually fail his +2 invulnerable and the house will be crushed.

[BigToof]

Thank you all for the kind comments!
I'm  having... some issues with getting this one going, but I'll try to get it out soon!

Best,
-BT

[BigToof]

And here's the rest!

Thank you all very much for your patience, and any comments are greatly appreciated!


Setup: Well, as again, I'm the only one to bring an ADL I have to setup first, so I put it in the center of my deployment zone.  I have a feeling that the Eldar will be playing a shooting game, and as long as I keep them off the relic I should be ok.  Ruins go down the mid left side and some scattered terrain goes around the corners and side of the board.  Thankfully, I actually get some decent terrain on my side, although with my ADL, I don't need to really move that much.

The Eldar setup fairly aggressively, with the Banshees with Lady D and the Spiritseer to the right, just a bit out of the central ruins.  Skimmers go near the rear and the Farseer and Council to the right.
Rather surprisingly, the Guardians are deployed and setup near the center opposite the Relic.  Rather odd that.
The tanks are going to cause me trouble if I let them go too out of control, so I pretty much fill up my ADL.

In short order Jack goes in the back, mostly out of LoS thanks to Boxy, followed by the blob, with Jenna and Harry, and the two walking Grey Hunters and the Long Fangs.  Erik mans the Quadgun.  Jax and the Pod goes in reserves.

I fail to seize and the game begins!



Picture Caption: Well, this doesn't seem THAT bad.

-------------------------------------------------

------------------
Interlude
------------------

Lieutenant Jack Hawkins swore as the jury-rigged device sparked again.  The Tau technology was far different than Imperial, but it seemed to be doing what they were hoping for: A distress beacon.

Powerful and probably unstable given the way it was throbbing with barely contained energy, it seemed more wires and tubing than anything else.  The Techpriests were howling up a storm over it, and only that Jack promised them that they could personally destroy it after their rescue was the only thing that was keeping the entire thing in check.

Jack squinted up at the sky, and then shook his head.  Was he actually hoping that he could see the Rogue Trader from planetside in the middle of the day?  The Eldar had been keeping them well silenced, both technologically and psychically, which gave him some comfort that his vessel was still in one piece.  He peered around the horizon again.  The Eldar were fast and prone to ambushes.  His men were weary and on their last legs.  It was not a good combination for keeping them alive.  But, he had to ask himself for the umpteenth time, why were the Eldar doing this?  Certainly they had enough martial force to annihilate them utterly and without remorse?  What were they waiting for?

---------------------

"Where is the remainder of the Warhost?" growled Farseer Talissa to her sister, Spiritseer Illandara.  Illandara looked around.  Only a handful of scattered warriors, both Eldar and Dark Eldar were present.  Certainly enough for another raid against the Mon'Keigh, but Talissa had ordered a full assault.  Something was amiss.

"When I find out who..." began the Farseer, but was then suddenly cutoff as a shimmering Webway Portal opened, dispensing a sizable troupe of white-armored Eldar, wearing the masks of the Howling Banshees.

Talissa frown deepened.  What was going on now?

"Farseer," nodded the lead Aspect Warrioress, "Where is the Exarch?"

"Exarch?  What are you..."

"Oh, dear me.  Was that the wrong word?"

Both Eldar turned to the lounging form of Lady D'ysperax, Archon of the Wicked Talon.  The Archon turned her head upwards with a well-practiced empty gaze on her face, biting her lip as if in deep thought.

"I do say that perhaps I've gotten a bit confused with all of your Craftworld terminology."

Talissa growled and then turned as she heard murmurs from the Banshees.  The Howling Banshees were not supposed to be here.  As assault forces, they were in their own league, but this was not the moment for crashing headfirst into battle.  No, this was to be a long-range extermination.  Still, she had to choose her words carefully, least the Aspect Warriors grow offended.  The daughters of Morai-Heg were not ones that you wanted to count amongst your enemies.

"I apologize, dear Sisters for your..."

"Talissa."

The Farseer whipped her head back at the warning and narrowed her eyes at what she saw.  The Mon-Keigh had spotted them and were barging out of their crude buildings.  Very well, even with the interference by the Dark Ones, Iyanden would prevail this day.

--------------------------------------------


Turn 1: Eldar
---------------
"Illandara, stay with the Banshees.  Keep that... thing out of my way."

Illandara was about to respond to her sister, but the Farseer was already streaking away with the Council, jetbikes becoming almost pin-points in the distance.  The Spiritseer felt her insides churn with the slight.  Wasn't she technically in charge?  When had the entire engagement fallen out of her hands?  But, like always, Talissa had thrown her to the wayside and was going to claim all of the glory for herself.  Typical, really.  Why should she have assumed...

"Soul chit for your thoughts, my darling?"

Looking up, Illandara was pleasantly surprised to see Lady D'ysperax by her side, looking up with a sultry smile.  Illandra didn't know why the Craftworlders were so demeaning to the Dark Eldar.  They were from the same stock after all.  And Lady D'ysperax had done nothing but help them.  And it didn't hurt that she was very good at... relaxing her built-up tension.  Yes, she couldn't really ask for more.

"My... apologies for my sister's words, Lady D'ysperax.  She... often hurts those that she doesn't mean to."

"Mmmm," responded the Archon, who walked around the Howling Banshees like a Khymerae stalking its prey.  "Pity really, I was hoping to see some of the fabled Howling Banshees in action."

The Banshee that had spoken before looked up at her, "The Farseer has given us orders.  We are..."

"To stay with the Spiritseer.  Absolutely.  And I would never put you against such a... fascinating order.  Why, I only wonder what she told the other Eldar?"

There was another whispering amongst the Banshees, until the lead Eldar again spoke, "Which other Aspect Warriors do you speak of?"

Lady D'ysperax tapped her lips with a finger and said, "Oh, you know I'm not good with names, little ones...  They were green... with little guns on their helmets.  Rather odd place if you..."

"Striking Scorpions," spat the Banshee, "They are here?"

Illandara raised an eyebrow as well.  She hadn't seen any of the Scorpions, but it was... possible that she had missed them.

Lady D'ysperax shrugged, "I suppose.  Perhaps that's why they were ordered in instead of you.  After all, they really are the superior choice.  I mean, you lot don't even have grenades."

The Banshee growled and stood up, pointing at Lady D'ysperax, "Your device.  We've seen it before.  It can fire grenades, can it not?"

The Lady looked at her Phantasm Grenade Launcher, "Oh, this old thing?  Well, I suppose in a pinch it can, but I..."

The Banshee nodded to her fellow Warriors and then all turned as one to Illandara.

"Spiritseer.  We cannot allow this affront to our honour.  Grant us this opportunity to show the might of Khaine and spill the blood of our enemies."

Illandara swallowed.  It wasn't really a request.  She narrowed her eyes in thought and looked across at the open field now filling with gunfire and explosions.  It seemed so far away...

A soft arm went over her shoulder and she turned to see Lady D'ysperax smiling widely at her, "Don't worry little one, it'll be fine.  This looks like fun.  Just let me take charge.  You won't regret it."

----------------------------------------

As they are clearly far away from the Harry, pretty much all of the Eldar powers go up, turning the Council into a 2+ re-rollable death star that boosts over to my right flank.  That's... bad.
The Banshee star gets shrouded and runs into a ruin for 2+ cover save.  Wow, they're... really fast.
The tanks move a bit, but the BIG surprise, is that the Jetbikes move up 12" and grab the relic!
I raise an eyebrow at that, as now they're quite within shooting range of my entire army, but I guess there's a tactic?

Shooting then has the Venoms target and take out the Quadgun.  I... didn't know that poison could work on an artillery piece, but I guess why not?  The Wave Serpents shoot up the Grey Hunters on my right and knock them down below half, as my rolls aren't too hot and my opponent rolls a LOT of dice. 

But then, the Jetbikes move back 6" with the relic!  I was more than a bit surprised at that, but apparently, there's nothing in the rules that says they can't...  Interesting!



Picture Caption: Well, I learned something new. 


Turn 1: IG/Wolves
----------------
"Mad Harry" chuckled to himself as he watched the Eldar come piecemeal over the horizon.  Either this was a grand distraction, or even the Eldar were starting to run on fumes.  There was a somewhat familiar odor, and he looked down to see the horde of Guadsmen around him.  Apparently something as simple as a dozen or so Xenos on Jetbikes was enough to weaken the bladders of the troops.  He should say something inspiring.

"Men of the err... girly sounding Rogue Trader.  There is nothing to fear!  They are but Xenos flittering around like annoying gnats.  We shall hold strong and..."

There was a swear and a burst of flame next to him as the Quadgun manned by Erik "Heartless" Redclaw fell to pieces, corroded by some kind of Xenos weapon.  The Lone Wolf frowned and readied his weapons.

Harry scratched his chin.  Rather good range those Eldar had at that.

"Heh, well, at least we won't have to worry about dragging that gun back.  And it's not like they're shooting plasma or something like that.  No, no just little shards filled with poison or what-not.  Much less to..."

"Pardon me, Master Runesmith," said Lady Jenna, perhaps realizing that some of the men were turning white.  "I appreciate your kind words, and we know that as long as we stand together, we will fight strongest for the Imperium."

She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to subtly smoothen the frazzled emotions of the men.  But, they were wound far too tightly.  She needed somehow to distract...  Wincing internally, something came to mind.

"Would...  Would it be a bother if I enhance myself?  My... clothing may not be the best for wear afterwards."

With her words, Jenna noticed a sudden spark amongst all the males within hearing distance.  Trying not to blush, she summoned her powers to the forefront.  Indeed, even the simplest of actions could turn the tides of war.

-----------------------------------------

Now... Uh... wow, target saturation.

First things first, I get to try my new pod!  It lands uh... not really where I wanted it, and is more in the rear and the right than I had planned.  Apparently my navigators are using the Kerbal Space Program...
Still, it's close enough to be within rapid fire of those Jetbikes and melta range of one of the Venoms

I do a bit of mental math and realize a few things:

1.  The Council is almost impossible to hurt.
2.  The Council is actually made of limp-wristed Eldar who have one attack each.
3.  Grey Hunters suck up random non-AP3 or better damage and have this habit of not-usually-running-away until things are actually important.
4.  Uh...
5.  PROFIT!

That said, I move very little, but manage to skooch the hurt Grey Hunters over for a possible assault on the Council and spread the Grey Hunters to potentially recieve/mitigate the assault from the Banshees.

Then, on to shooting!  I need a bit of help with the Council, so I FRF/SRF into them using the blob.  I do a decent number of wounds, but 2+ re-rollable is just nasty, and no wounds go through!
Right... time to try and tie them up.  I use the hurt Grey Hunters to pistol fire into them, as they get ready for an assault.  The Grey Hunters on the left fire into the Banshees but I only down a few.

The Drop Pod Marines give out a surprising amount of double-tap into the Jetbikes taking them down and.  Oh, that means it's First Blood to the Imperium!
Boxy turns to the right, but even the Lemun Russ can't put out enough dakka to put a dent in the Council!
I decide not to add insult to injury and just fire the Long Fangs into a Venom, just immobilizing it (meh...)

I assault in with the Grey Hunters and thankfully I lose a few to Overwatch, but stay stuck in.



Picture Caption: First Blood!


Turn 2: Eldar
----------------
"Talissa's in trouble!"

Lady D'ypserax smiled as she watched Illandara point frantically at the melee further down the field.  Amazing how a little thing like lack of intelligence could affect a battle.  Then again, if the Farseer knew the capabilities of a Rune Priest, she might not have dived so headlong into the fray...

"Oh, indeed Darling.  Now, I suppose we had better rescue her.  I only hope we are in time..."
--------------------

The Eldar get off most of their powers, but thankfully Harry does a decent job to keep things from becoming too OP.  Most importantly, the Council does NOT get Fortune!

I was hoping that might make the Banshees a bit more tentative, but apparently the angry, angry ladies have decided that they don't want to wait until later they want stabbing things NOW.  As such, they move up, still about 8 or so inches away, so maybe a charge next turn?
The tanks move around a bit, and I get a sneaking suspicion that my Drop Pod Marines are not long for this world...

Indeed, in shooting, the Tanks and their passengers wipe out the Marines (aww...) and put a decent beating on the last non-engaged Grey Hunters.
The Banshees then assault, and my overwatch is heavily mitigated by cover/Conceal, and the girls roll hella well and get stuck in.  Lady D'ysperax challenges.  I run the numbers and decide to accept with my Wolf Guard who is slaughtered HORRIBLY.  The Banshees do some damage and I try to do some damage back.  The Hunters stay stuck in, which is... kind of good and bad.

The Council and the Grey Hunters slap each other a bit, but not much goes down.  Still, I'm getting a bit short on Grey Hunters...



Picture Caption: Things are kind of... getting bad now.


Turn 2: IG/Wolves
------------------
Farseer Talissa swung furiously at the Grey Hunter in front of her.  The Marine was well armored, but eventually her Wychblade would find a weak point.  And the Marines had no hope of possibly getting through their armor.  Indeed, it was all a matter of time if...

"Marauders!  Charge!"

With a mighty roar, Lady Jenna's Marauders leaped into the fray.  Although meager in both arms and armor, the veritable sea of humanity crashed amongst the Eldar.  Although the Eldar had manipulated the rules of Fate and the possibilities within, one can only stack the deck so much before holes start popping up.  And nothing made trouble as much as a truckload of Guardsmen.

Talissa was almost knocked off her bike by a dozen ill-timed swings by the smaller men in front of her.  Swearing, she backed up and then heard an enormous voice.

"Farseer of Craftworld Iyanden."

Talissa turned and felt her eyebrows raise at the sight of an enormous Mon'Keigh, taller than even the Space Marines, wielding a metallic club of some kind.  Tattered clothing draped over the creature, and Talissa half-thought it was one of the mutant Ogryn.  Except that those she encountered had never been so eloquent or well-groomed.

"I am Lady Jenna, Captain of the Rogue Trader Anne Bonney.  I ask that you cease all aggression immediately."

Talissa snorted, "Surrender, Mon'Keigh?  I think not.  Let us see how you do against the finest of the Eldar."

-----------------------------

Right so... battle map evaluation time.
1.  Lady D and the Banshees are stuck in and I've lost my Wolf Guards.
2.  The Council is stuck in and is slowly grinding away my Grey Hunters.  They also do not have Fortune for the moment.
3.  The Blob, although mighty looking, will have a snowball's chance in the Warp of surviving unless I do something.

So... I get Prescience up on the Blob and move them over to try and take out the Council.  I also buff up Jenna just in case.
I... don't know how wise this is.
As I start to move my models away, I realize that I didn't roll for Jax.
My opponent agrees to let me roll and the Captain nicely makes her landing in the Eldar backfield, sizing up a Serpent.

Jax double-meltas a Serpent and it goes in a sizable explosion.  The Dire Avengers inside lose almost all of their number, and fail to rally, eventually running off the board.

Boxy and the Long Fangs take care of the Venoms with some very nice shooting.

And now to assaults!
I get the blob in and then I realize that I've forgotten entirely about Erik!
So the Lone Wolf goes into the Lady D fight.

I decide to let the Lady D fight get resolved first.
Erik Challenges Lady D who accepts.
The Banshees murderize the last of the Grey Hunters.
Lady D hits Erik a sizable number of times and almost ALL of her hits wound.
I roll, but not nearly well enough and the big guy goes down.
I think... that's like the third suicidal charge I've done with him.  I think I may need to rethink that next time.

Onto the blob fight!
I challenge with Jenna and the Farseer accepts! (ooo!  GIRL FIGHT!)
The Farseer hits Jenna, but since she has a mess of re-rolls, she gets out fine.
Jenna hits back and with her re-rolls and mighty S8 hits, she flattens the Farseer, who fails a re-rollable 2+ in a fit of horrible rolling (ouch) and I gain Warlord!
The Council loses their gumption and decides to run, but the Blob Catches them!

I'm so pleased with myself I totally forget that Lady D is reforming on my rear...



Picture Caption: Woo-hoo!  Nothing can stop us now!

[BigToof]

Turn 3: Eldar
-----------------
A cheer went up amongst the Guardsmen when the Farseer fell.

Jenna shook her head in disappointment.  Such a waste.  The Eldar was still alive and could be salvaged, but so much pointless death was already done.  It was not as if the Imperium could not understand, but the Eldar often did not choose to explain.  Were they so different that nothing could span the gap between them?

A scream broke her reverie, and then a cacophony of horrible screeches filled the air, inhuman sounds that shook her to her very core.  Perhaps that was why she missed the lone figure walking casually up to her as if on a noon-day stroll.

Lady D'ysperax of the Wicked Talon wiped the Astartes dust off her armor and casually tossed her Huskblade from hand to hand.

"I take it, you're the Captain then?  I thought you would be smaller.  I guess I'm... lucky this way. So what do you say then, Captain?  Do you dance with me or do I have to squander my time with your little people?"

Lady Jenna looked around at her men that were being torn asunder by the fast-moving Eldar.  They would stand little chance against the Eldar leader, but she had to try.

-------------------------

Lady D moves out wide and I suddenly realize that my Long Fangs are in trouble as well.
The Warriors move up to get the Relic!
The other Warriors move over to shoot at the Stormtroopers.
The Wave Serpent also scoots up.

Shooting is kind of scary as the Banshees and Serpent knock out almost all of the Long Fangs.
Assault goes in and my Overwatch doesn't do much.
The Banshees wipe out almost all of the Marines, but do SO much damage to the blob.
Lady D challenges and I accept with Jenna, who is thankfully Eternal Warrior and T6.
Both Ladies fail to annihilate each other.
We lose combat by a ton, but thanks to ATSKNF keeps us from being wiped out.
The Grey Hunters fall back successfully and manage to get away.




Picture Caption: Uh... Yeah... that could stop us DEAD COLD.


Turn 3: SW
----------------
The Warriors of the Wicked Talon were a scattered few that had followed their Arcon in her mad voyage.  It was said amongst the noble houses and Kabals that Lady D'ysperax had lost her mind.  Others that she was never sane to begin with.  But, the Warriors that accompanied her, did so partially out of freverent hope that there was a greater plan, and also that there no better options.

Which was understandable why they were reluctant to put a significant struggle after their Venom had been blown out from under them.

On the other hand, Captain Alyssa Jax was ready and primed for combat.  To Alyssa, it seemed some days were just full of wonderful opportunity.  Whatever switches that Lady Jenna had done to her mind had unlocked untold possibilities.  She remembered that she used to feel reluctance about death.  That there was a twinge of regret about the death or pain of others.

Now?

Well, it was sort of funny really.  Which was why she was laughing when she impaled the Eldar and threw the body to the floor, following up with a series of savage stomps that even drew notice from her fellow Stormtroopers.  But, Alyssa knew the truth.  The truth was that all people were like this on the inside, raw, savage and destructive.  Prone to extremes at a moment's notice.  Usually there was something that held them back.  Like Jack.  Or Jenna.  Holding back a mutual attraction that was almost unhealthy.  Alyssa smirked as she thought about Jack.  Her Ex-Husband.  Her love.  But she did owe Jenna a favor.  She'd let her play with him until she got bored.  Then, perhaps something would have to be done.  But, that would be another time...

-------------------------

The Hunters rally, and I realize that I am MILES from the Relic with my scoring units.
I move Jack and the Hunters up, trying to get somewhere in the vicinity.
Shooting from Boxy wipes out the Warriors and Jax assaults in and takes care of the few Warriors that were shooting at her.
The Jenna/Lady D duel continues, and I'm almost not worried until the Banshees massacre almost all of the Guardsmen, leaving us at a very, VERY minute number of guys.



Picture Caption: Well... things are getting more interesting...


Turn 4: Eldar
------------------
Thankfully, the armor buff from the Spiritseer fails this turn thanks to Harry's interference.
The Wave Serpent moves more to one flank, out of melta range and fires into the Grey Hunters, making them fall back and now totally out of Relic range.
The Banshees slaughter the rest of the Guardsmen and Harry takes a wound!



Picture Caption: We need... something...  Something now!


Turn 4: SW
------------------
Harry chuckled to himself as he pulled a sword out of his side.

"Normally, ladies, I wouldn't mind being surrounded, but this is getting a mite ridiculous."

He laughed, trying not to cough up blood again.  The Howling Banshees danced around him, waiting for an opening.  Harry chanced a glance back at the battle between the lead Eldar woman and Lady Jenna.  Even though Jenna was easily twice the size of the Xenos, it was like swinging at the air.  He smirked a bit as the horde around him began to close in.  It had been a good fight.  He only hoped the All-Father would let him have another.

-------------------

I realize that Jenna and Harry need backup.
I'm far, far out of range of the relic and well... something is better than nothing.
I also move Jax up in case someone wants to get touchy with the Relic.
Taking a deep breath, I assault in with EVERYBODY.
It's.. sort of a mixed bag.
The Banshees tear apart Harry (sob), and I lose a few Guardsmen, but we beat down almost all of the Banshees.
The Ladies continue their murderous dance, and we hold fast, except that the Grey Hunters once AGAIN fall back.



Picture Caption: Am I winning?


Turn 5: Eldar/SW
-----------------
So... yeah, the Wave Serpent moves up and dumps out the Dire Avengers on the Relic (doh!).
They blast into Jax and I lose a few Stormtroopers.
The Spiritseer takes out the last of my Guardsmen, leaving Jack and Jenna to face Lady D.
In a surprising amount of full-on smash-iness, Jack swings and wounds the Seer.
My opponent then tells me that the Seer had lost a wound earlier (to Perils?  I'm not sure, I didn't even notice!) and is removed.
Lady D and Jenna still face off, neither gaining any ground.

On my turn, Boxy and Jax fire at the Dire Avengers, who go to ground, but still fall to mass dakka!




Turn 6: Eldar/SW
-------------
The Wave Serpent moves up and shoots into Jax's squad, removing all but Jax!

But now, Boxy has rear armor shots on the Wave Serpent, glancing it once and immobilizing it!

I then have Jax come in and take it out with a Krak grenade!



Result: Wa-hoo!  So it's a IMPERIAL VIC...  What?  A Tie?

We count up...

Lady D has Warlord and Linebreaker.

I have Warlord, First Blood and Line...  Wait.. I charged with Jax... out of his Deployment Zone.

I...

I...

(INSERT FERAL RAGE SCREAM)

Post-Game Thoughts:
So... yeah, I almost had that one and perhaps that's why it's taken me an age to write this one up.
Hard to face your mates in a game where you got pretty much annihilated and lost due to a Turn 6 brainfart.

Sigh.

In any case, I think the list needs major retuning.
I'm not sure if Boxy can carry his weight for much longer, as he does have a lot of punch with his main gun, but the Heavy Bolters are just too short ranged most of the time and he's so slow.
Jack is also not doing too much and Erik's Quadgun just keeps getting shot out.
Jax also needs more help in the backfield, as the poor girl is getting shot to pieces most days.

As for what DID work, I did like the blob still and Harry and Jenna did good work.  I'm not sure if I want to keep the Pod in it's current condition, as it's useful but really quite suicidal.

Best moment of the game would have to be Jenna and Lady D's epic fight.  Jenna kept getting buffed up to T5/T6 and had good invulnerable save rolling.  Since she was an Eternal Warrior, she was pretty safe from Lady D.  However, I couldn't do beans to the Archon, but still, holding her up was far better than I would have assumed possible!

Any hints on builds would be greatly appreciated!  I'm thinking of a Drop Pod list, but I don't know...  Those have a way of failing badly, but I think I may need something to put the pressure on my opponents.

---------------------------------

Jack grunted as he felt his arm connect against something.  He looked over and nodded with satisfaction as the Eldar with the runed armor fell to the ground.  It was like fighting lightning, but Jack could only hope that he could just outlast them.  And it seemed that they had.

Looking around, there wasn't much left.  The Lemun Russ was the only thing functional, and...

Jack looked around again to make sure.  And that was it.  Nothing was standing except him and the dueling duo.  Part of him wanted to rush in to help Jenna, but he knew he would last milliseconds against that Xenos.  Lady... Something was a dangerous, frightening foe, that had wiped out a squad of Astartes and was now dancing playfully around Jenna.  Somehow, the Captain wasn't even wounded, and Jack tried not to think of the level of Psyker powers that must be in play.  Then, the Archon turned her head and noticed that Jack had stopped.

"Oh, yes, I guess it is time then."

Lady D'ysperax bounced back, and stood several feet away from Jenna, clearly out of striking range.  Jenna and Jack shared a confused look, and then Lady D'ysperax... dropped her Huskblade and pistol to the floor.

"I suppose that's that then."

Jack frowned, looking around.  It had to be an Eldar trick.  They just had to discern what kind.

"What... What do you mean?"

The Archon smiled a familiar cheshire grin.  "Oh, I mean, it's been enough time.  Do contact your ship.  You'll find that we're not stopping you anymore."

Jenna walked back with Jack and then, once safely out of range, she concentrated.

Jack's eyes opened wide as he heard his Captain gasp in shock and then fall sobbing to the floor.

"Captain?  ...  Jenna?  What...  What's wrong?"

Lady D'ysperax clucked her tongue.  "Oh, she's just getting the magnitude of it all.  Do feel free to confirm with your little communicator."

Jack frowned and tapped his commbead, expecting static, but then heard a familiar voice.

"Seneschal?"

That was the Navigator's voice.  He didn't sound normal though.

"Navigator.  Status report.  What is..."

"My... sincerest apologies Seneschal. They...  They were too fast.  Please...  Please help us... There's so much... pain..."

"Who?  Who was too..."

A mirthful sparkle of laughter brought Jack back to the Archon, who was clapping her hands with glee.

"Oh, now he gets it.  Now he does."

Before common sense could kick in, Jack leaped forward, crossing the distance to the Archon in seconds.  With a growl, he knocked her to the ground and started slamming his fists towards her head.  Some kind of black field stopped his punches, and when he could see again, he felt gentle hands holding him back.  He looked up to see the not-so-massive form of Jenna.  Then, he felt his hands.  Or at least, what was left of them.  Wincing, he looked down and saw knuckles sticking bare out of his skin.  It felt like he was punching a slab of ferrocrete.

The Archon spread herself out on the ground and grinned, "Oh, he's so energetic.  I can see why you like him."

Snarling, Jack was about to act, when Jenna spoke, "Why are you doing this?"

Tilting her head to the side, the Archon smiled, "Why?  Why?  Because it's fun, little ones.  So much fun.  But also... think of it like... a test."

Jack frowned.  That didn't sound good.  "A test for what?"

Lady D'ysperax tapped her cheek in over-exaggerated thought, "Why, for my holiday really.  It's my first in such a very, very long time, and I have so much to see.  And so very few vessels qualify.  So... what do you say? Take me and my people on-board as guests, or will things be... unpleasant for us both?"

A rejoinder died in Jack's lips as he felt Jenna's hand on his arm.  The Xenos Witch had them.  A true patriot of the Imperium would gladly choose annihilation over colluding with the Alien, but the Anne Bonney was a different sort of vessel.

"Do we really have a choice?"

Lady D'ysperax smiled, "There's always a choice, little one.  Don't forget that.  And don't worry, I will be a respectful, humble guest.  You won't even know that I'm there.  Trust me."

[Cammerz]

And now Lady D returns to the monster that she was at the height of her power, back in the days of Vasily. Brilliant.

The fluff was amazing and the battle was surprisingly close, no offence but it looked like you were screwed when the blob was annihilated. But I often find that the funnest games are the closest ones and I don't blame you for charging Jax at the Wave Serpent right at the end.

So you're looking to change the army around a bit? Well its always nice to try new things. Perhaps a different varient of Leman Russ is the way to go; the standard Battle Tank gives you the ever-useful Battle Cannon with marine-busting AP, high strength and an exceptional range. Or on the other hand you could sacrifice a bit of range and get the Eradicator with its cover-ignoring Nova Cannon (cover seemed to be a problem for you in this game).
If you want behind-enemy-lines support for Jax, perhaps all you need is another Storm Trooper unit or something with Scout like Penal Legionnaires or Sentinels?

Anyway, looking forward to seeing what changes you implement and how it all goes from there,

Job's a good un!

[BigToof]

And now Lady D returns to the monster that she was at the height of her power, back in the days of Vasily. Brilliant.

The fluff was amazing and the battle was surprisingly close, no offence but it looked like you were screwed when the blob was annihilated. But I often find that the funnest games are the closest ones and I don't blame you for charging Jax at the Wave Serpent right at the end.

So you're looking to change the army around a bit? Well its always nice to try new things. Perhaps a different varient of Leman Russ is the way to go; the standard Battle Tank gives you the ever-useful Battle Cannon with marine-busting AP, high strength and an exceptional range. Or on the other hand you could sacrifice a bit of range and get the Eradicator with its cover-ignoring Nova Cannon (cover seemed to be a problem for you in this game).
If you want behind-enemy-lines support for Jax, perhaps all you need is another Storm Trooper unit or something with Scout like Penal Legionnaires or Sentinels?

Anyway, looking forward to seeing what changes you implement and how it all goes from there,

Job's a good un!

Hi Cammerz!
Thanks for your reply.  I'm glad that the fluff is still on par
As for the game,  I agree that I may be leaning on the blob too hard.
It's decent for what it is (lots of hard to shift T3 bodies), but it's not very mobile and in the end I think I may need to have contingencies.
In fact, that's what I'm trying to find and I almost, ALMOST wonder if the Wolves are at their end.
I keep losing so many of them and the current meta just seems to be out of their reach.
Or am I missing something?
Hmm... more to think on I suppose

Best,
-BT

[Cammerz]

And now Lady D returns to the monster that she was at the height of her power, back in the days of Vasily. Brilliant.

The fluff was amazing and the battle was surprisingly close, no offence but it looked like you were screwed when the blob was annihilated. But I often find that the funnest games are the closest ones and I don't blame you for charging Jax at the Wave Serpent right at the end.

So you're looking to change the army around a bit? Well its always nice to try new things. Perhaps a different varient of Leman Russ is the way to go; the standard Battle Tank gives you the ever-useful Battle Cannon with marine-busting AP, high strength and an exceptional range. Or on the other hand you could sacrifice a bit of range and get the Eradicator with its cover-ignoring Nova Cannon (cover seemed to be a problem for you in this game).
If you want behind-enemy-lines support for Jax, perhaps all you need is another Storm Trooper unit or something with Scout like Penal Legionnaires or Sentinels?

Anyway, looking forward to seeing what changes you implement and how it all goes from there,

Job's a good un!

Hi Cammerz!
Thanks for your reply.  I'm glad that the fluff is still on par
As for the game,  I agree that I may be leaning on the blob too hard.
It's decent for what it is (lots of hard to shift T3 bodies), but it's not very mobile and in the end I think I may need to have contingencies.
In fact, that's what I'm trying to find and I almost, ALMOST wonder if the Wolves are at their end.
I keep losing so many of them and the current meta just seems to be out of their reach.
Or am I missing something?
Hmm... more to think on I suppose

Best,
-BT

Maybe you should look back through your last few IG/SW battles and see how many units made their points back, or just see what each unit did. If something is consistantly underperforming then drop it, but it looks like Harry is some pretty strong psyker defence and Erik often destroys a few powerful things before biting the dust.

[BigToof]

Hmmm...

I did go back and Erik does put in work, but I do worry that the Quadgun is so vulnerable versus Wave Serpents and the like.
Also, I wonder if the ADL is actually hurting me, as I stay back far too much.
Maybe I should put a Rune Priest in the Pod?

Or maybe switch to a Bastion?
That would give a safe place for for Jack and then maybe I won't need Boxy as much...

Hmm...

Best,
-BT