Batrep - Necrons Vs Alpha Legion Chaos Space Marines - 1750pt

Hello all, not a massively detailed batrep as I generally have a good time in the moment and enjoy the game, but I do take some photos along the way and try to remember the best I can.

It was Capture and Control, 3 objectives with usual secondaries, and scoring at end of game not each turn. We rolled for deployment and got quarters, and it was 1750pts battleforged matched play.

I was playing Necrons (Battalion and Vanguard) vs a new opponent from work, Ben who was playing Alpha Legion Chaos Space Marines (Battalion).

Ben positioned his Rotor Cannon Havocs x2 behind the Promethium Pipeline, CSM squad and two Contemptors with Havoc Launchers and Reaper Assault Cannons with a Chaos Lord. A unit of cultists held the rear objective (in AdMech Building) and a Venomcrawler, Daemon Prince, Sorcerer plus more CSM made up the other flank. Another CSM squad positioned themselves in the backfield crater whilst a unit of 3 plasma Bikers were on the far left flank (top in above pic) and an infiltrated unit of 10 Beserkers were positioned in the cathedral (top right of 1st picture) nearest the Ghost Ark.

The Necrons were positioned quite far up in the face of the CSM, I saw not too many close combat specialists beyond the Venomcrawler and Prince and the Beserkers distraction - so wanted all my guns (max range 24in) to bear, and knowing Alpha Legion made -1 to hit at over 12in, I wanted to close to 12in rapid fire with a +1AP bonus for Mephrit Dynasty.

I positioned 15 Warriors on my backfield objective, 15 warriors up close to centre, 10 Immortals with the Lord in the chequered ruins, Destroyer Lord and 4 Destroyers (1 Heavy) by the Ghost Ark, the Triarch Stalker had Heavy Gauss Cannons so was happy to sit in a crater -  the Contemptors and Venomcrawler were the only real vehicles and I could see all three. The other two squads of Destroyers (one with a Heavy Destroyer) took the midfield and my left flank, mobility was not an issue. I also had 2x5 bases of Scarabs to tarpit.

I actually had 1st Turn and Ben failed to seize so it was destroy as much heavy firepower turn one and then speed bump with Scarabs and Warriors. The CSM bikers will be an issue turn 2 and the distraction Beserkers would have to be dealt turn 1 with with guns - plan was to move up to fire everything at short range to double my shots, improve AP and get around the -1 to hit. Ben chose to Go To Ground!

Turn 1 for the Necrons was quite devastating, the Triarch Stalker and 1 Heavy Destroyer managed 5 and 6 wounds on one Contemptor blowing him up to cause 3 mortal wounds on the nearby havocs, Contemptor and 1 on the Lord. That was a great opening salvo! I used Veil of Darkness to move the Immortals and Lord to the far left Gravatic Magnavent Platform and poured fire down into the remaining two Havocs of the wounded squad, killing them with Gauss even with -1 to hit and Gone to Ground and Cover.

On the other flank, the Destroyers and Scarabs moved up to face the lurking Beserkers, hidden in the church ruins but Gauss Cannons care not for close-combat fury and 5 were cut down and then charged by the Scarabs to prevent them charging the Destroyers.

In the Chaos turn, one squad of Destroyers were deleted by massed Havoc fire and buffed up, twice shooting Contemptor fire - ouch that combo really hurts. Elsewhere, large dents were made to the Warrior Squad in the centre, taking down 13 Warriors but at the start of turn 2, eight got back up! The Venomcrawler and Daemon Prince failing to wipe out the squad.

The Chaos Lord charged the Destroyers on the flank by the Beserkers, but a lucky Heavy Gauss Cannon overwatch to the face saw him fall without throwing a punch! The nearby Beserkers chewed through the Scarabs.

At the start of Turn 2 it was 1 VP each for First Strike.

The Destroyer Lord and the squad of Destroyers shot and then charged the remaining few Beserkers.

In the centre the other scarabs slowed down the Venomcrawler and the big guns targeted the Daemon Prince Warlord, taking him down. But being Alpha Legion, the Warlord changed and now the Sorcerer was the Warlord.

The Veil of Darkness warp-jumped Immortals and Lord ploughed fire into the rear of the Chaos lines, but failed to take down the Contemptor. In return the Contemptor buffed again with stratagems and psychic shennanigans tore through the Immortals taking down 9 of 10... but I spent a CP to auto pass morale and 5 stood back up at the start of Turn 3. Once again, failing to wipe the re-animation squads was Chaos' undoing.

At the start of Turn 3 it was still 1VP each. Objectives only counted at the end of the game, and the Daemon Prince wasn't the 'real' Warlord.

Turn 3 Necrons tore into the Venom Crawler with massed gauss fire and the Triach Stalker Heavy Gauss Cannons, wiping out the beast.

The ongoing combat with the Beserkers and the re-animating Destroyers saw the Destroyers pull down the final Beserkers and some shots from Ghost Ark tore down a Plasma Biker. In return the Plasma Bikers and nearby remaining Havocs destroyed the Ghost Ark, massed low damage weaponry getting past the Quantum Shielding.

The Lord and re-animated Immortals got in a better position to snipe the remaining Chaos Lord in the rear of the Alpha lines but failed to take him down. The Contemptor did fire at the nearby Warriors but without CP's left, no buffed double shots seriously hampered the damage output and poor rolls and cover saves meant little damage was done.

At the start of Turn 4, the Necrons were in a commanding position, in the centre taking the central objective and massing for rapid fire gauss at the improved -2AP would end the nearby Chaos Space Marines, the Destroyers backed these Warriors up.

On the flank, the now free Destroyer Lord and Destroyers eyed up the remaining two Plasma Bikes and the heavy guns of Heavy Destroyers and Triach Stalker eyed up the remaining Contemptor whilst the Immortals and Lord closed in on the rear objective held by the Cultists... and with the quick measuring up of his chances, the Alpha Legion knew they would not be able to re-take the centre, stop Linebreaker or dent enough of the re-animating robots so fled the field.

A turn 4 victory for the Necrons - it was getting late, so we didn't play it out. Chaos skulked back to the shadows and the Tomb was arisen!

A great game for both of us, new opponents, new forces for both of us and despite me warning Ben to concentrate fire and wipe re-animating squads, that is ultimately what undid the Chaos - 8 Warriors and 5 Immortals coming back was just dirty! And constantly as Beserkers tore down Destroyers, they popped back up. There was also the unfortunate overwatch casualty of the Chaos Lord and the scenario allowed me to set up and close the Chaos lines to overcome the -1 to hit outside of 12in, and also benefit from +1AP within Rapid Fire range. The best result was we both had a good time.

Cheers, Siph.

Relictors Space Marine Jump Captain w/ Teeth of Terra

Hello All, thanks for dropping in. I was reading the Codex the other day and watching some WintersSEO on YouTube and the subject of cheap HQ and Teeth of Terra came up - I was looking for a cheap HQ to head up a detachment, and Winters had made a Jump Captain with the Space Marine Relic 'Teeth of Terra' and the Warlord Trait “The Imperium’s Sword” which is a re-rollable charge and relic Chainsword - oh my, I needed one.

Never fear, by new found foray into Primaris Relictors continues however my to-do pile of 'old-Marines' is still huge and will continue to be chipped away at!

This Captain was made from Assault Squad base, Vanguard Veterans everything else and the shield
from the Limited Edition Forge World MKIII Boarding Marine with Thunderhammer. Game wise he
swaps his Master-crafted Boltgun for the Chainsword Relic, and drops the basic Chainsword for a Storm Shield.

I tried painting the exhaust vents for the Jump Pack, usually these are just drybrushed Leadblecher, but I did similar with the plasma on the Techpriest Manipulus and I like the effect here so much I am
tempted to go back and update my 20 Assault Marines, it's just Sotek Green with a brighter dot of Temple Guard Blue and a line highlight of Temple Guard Blue, simple but effective.

The big gold Pauldron reminds me of 2000AD Judge Dread, but ideal for a Captain, and the relic Chainsword 'Teeth of Terra' was a suitable blinged up Chainsword from the Vanguard Veterans sprues. The base from the newer Assault Squad gives a little more height.

And why - well, this Captain is mobile 12in and 'Fly' and hits like a ton of bricks against most Infantry, no he isn't a 'Smash-Captain' but he is a "Slash Captain" troop and squad killer, watch out castled up Hellblasters, there will be a reckoning - the Storm Shield 3++ ensures he gets across the table in one piece and avoids the Overwatch pain, then a Captain with Warlord Trait has a re-rollable Charge with 4+1 attacks, plus one for charging with Angels of Death Shock Assault rules, three additional for having the relic Chainsword (normally 1 extra for Chainsword), so (4+1+1+3=) 9 attacks on the charge, hitting on 2's, re-rolling 1's for a Captain, Strength 6 (user 4+1+1 for Teeth of Terra Relic and Imperium's Sword Trait), -2AP and 2dmg each. The two damage is the best as that kills Primaris each successful wound. And cheap to boot.

I wouldn't make him the Warlord as he'll be out on his own and will die to the counter-fire once they realise he is so good, I will look forward to unleashing him! Cheers, Siph. (10pts Character)

WIP Redemptor Dreadnought - Deathwatch

Hello All!

Hot on the heels of my first 2 Dreadnoughts for my Deathwatch force, is another one to add to their number. This time a Redemptor class dreadnought.

The model has been built to be striding forward, the kit has a number of options for the build which is great - I am not a huge fan of basic 'mono-pose' models, as you end up with all your models looking 'samey'. I think this is why the Deathwatch appeals to me, as you can convert the models to look like different chapters etc. like I did previously with the first 2 dreadnoughts.

I have built this and based exactly like the other dreads and the Corvus Blackstar with a metallic black over a base of Chaos Black. the left arm was then picked out with silver. A quick note, be very careful with this model if spraying the arms separately - I found I got some paint around the joint, which made it difficult to put the arms back into position.

I've opted for the plasma weapon for this dreadnought, I like the overall look of the weapon, and the stats are good too!

Thanks for looking! Lord Halfpenny.

Relictors Primaris Chaplain (Chaplain #7)

Hello All, so my Relictors are forgiven by Roboute Guilliman and bought into the fold of the Imperium once again and reinforced by Primaris Helix Astartes, but to ensure the purity and the steadfast devotion to the Imperium and not be swayed by insidious Chaos, taint from the Chaotic Relics the Relictors have stored away - Roboute Guilliman deemed it necessary to start with a Chaplain!

Not all my own work, not sure how I came across Black Hand Marines, but I saw in Heretic Deb's Store page that there was a very reasonably priced Primaris Chaplain for sale and with a little tweaking I could make him my own Relictors Chaplain.

The sculpt itself is a marvelous one, probably my favourite Primaris sculpt to date even, so I had to have one and I loved the leather effect Heretic Deb had achieved so with a few alterations to the base, pauldron, icons and a general tidy up on the metallics and underside I had myself a Primaris Chaplain ready to go.

Along with my other Primaris Marines in the works, gone is the glossy black pauldron, replaced with a matt finish Relictors icon and grey border, the Relictors Primaris reinforcements are not indoctrinated into specific Companies, but rather Command is held centrally so the Primaris Marines lack Company specific colours on the shoulder trim, just Relictors grey. When they are attached to a specific Company for actions, they do observe the Command structure as normal, I'm thinking the Primaris Ancient might have a 5th Company Banner as his Astartes Banner.

Chaplains are an excellent addition to the Primaris Space Marine forces, with the Litanies on a 3+ meaning you can tailor your character to boost firepower from the rear with the Recitation of Focus or Catechism of Fire or with a Jump Chaplain for example boost the attacks in the Assault phase with Mantra of Strength, Canticle of Hate, Exhortation of Rage or Litany of Hate.

An excellent start to my Primaris forces, some Intercessors in the pipeline, the two Scythes of the Emperor are now proudly wearing the new regalia of Relictors grey and I've even preserved the formal Red colouring for Sergeant helmets in accordance with the Index Astartes - I intend my Primaris reinforcements to be fairly strictly following the edicts laid down by Roboute Guilliman, I don't want to attract the wrath of the Lord of the Imperium and have ourselves Excommunicate once more! (Not to say a few Relictors character traits and decorations won't find its way onto my Primaris forces as I build and paint, got to inject some flavour in all this vanilla...)

Cheers, Siph (5pts - Character but half as not all my own work)

Lest we Forget...

Just a minute to say Thank-you, God Bless and Rest In Peace. 

Yesterday on Remembrance Sunday and today being Remembrance Day I am acutely aware of the sacrifice made by others in all walks of life, Service men and women; Emergency Services; Civilians and Merchant Navy, so I can forget about it every other day of the year and enjoy 'playing' with my WeeMen. 

Normal hobby blog service will resume tomorrow ;)

Deathwatch - Corvus Blackstar Flyer - WIP

Hello one and all!

This week I've re-started on another project I started ages ago - a Deathwatch Corvus Blackstar.

I really like the look of the model, and feel it is one of the best Space Marine flyers for overall look. I am using the same metallic black base as the recent Dreadtober Deathwatch Dreadnoughts, and then will follow the same recipe to complete it.

The weapons have been picked out with a red basecoat, which will be the colour of choice for all my Deathwatch weapons to contrast against the black.

The Corvus Blackstar flyer will be based on a base from daemonscape these are amazing bases which I plan to use for all the Deathwatch force I am putting together.

Thanks for looking! Cheers, Lord Halfpenny.

Genestealer Cults - Achilles Ridgerunner

Hello All, thanks for dropping by. One of the most anticipated Units from the Genestealer Cults Codex for me was the small light buggy I had glimpsed in the GW YouTube cartoon reveals - the doubters told me it was just a stylised Goliath Truck however I had faith (in the Four Armed Emperor) that it was a yet unseen vehicle. I give you the Achilles Ridgerunner!

I like the small Humvee-esque profile and the big tyres, but it is smaller in scale - the crew compartment must just be a small cockpit inside, it's quite tiny. And for a small fast (14in) unit option this is a great one I think.

I basecoated the chassis Zandri Dust whilst the weapons, grab rails and ladders and tyres were kept separate and sprayed Leadblecher or Chaos Black. Then Agrax weathering and Karak Stone highlights the main bulk was done, details added and the painted on markings for some interest - my Hive Fleet is Kraken, so Reds and Tans is ideal. The Cultist fatigues echoes this combination too.

The Missile Launcher was magnetized at the top of the arm so it can be swapped out with the Mining Laser, I left off the Heavy Mortar as I didn't see the appeal of having a fast buggy camped out in the rear stationary - I'd much rather take my chances and fire on the move with the -1 penalty for firing Heavy Weapons, D3 Mining Laser shots hitting on 5+ still has the potential to upset.

The Ridgerunner also comes with two hull mounted Heavy Stubbers for more shots and I've fitted the turret with a Flare Launcher for effectively a 6+ FNP and the ability to speed up a unit of Cult Bikers an additional 6in Advance.

I 'hand painted' the Cult motif on the bonnet with a few paint streaks. And I added a few slate rocks to the base for variation.

Here you can see the Mining Laser fitted, as a Scout Vehicle you can position this Unit (up to 3) just 9in away from the enemy and if you get first turn, potentially 9x 36in 'Lascannon' shots will upset something!

I will have to get a few more for options, with T5 and 8 Wounds they will die quickly even to Bolter Fire, however they are cheap enough to have a few as harassing units.

Here you can see the Cultist using his Auspex to guide the Mining Laser - you can also play a Survey Auger and the kit comes with a small Radar Dish instead of the Flare Shield giving Ignores Cover, or a Spotter for an additional 6in range. But I like the idea of frustrating the enemy with a 6+ 'FNP' with the Flare Shield.

A great little addition to the growing insidious GSC... Cheers, Siph. (5pts Vehicle)

Relictors in the Indomitus Era - my thoughts and direction

"IN OUR DARKEST HOUR, THEY ARE A BLAZING BEACON OF HOPE, YET ONLY A FOOL WOULD BELIEVE THAT EVEN WARRIORS SUCH AS THESE WILL BE ENOUGH TO ENSURE VICTORY OVER THE MYRIAD FOES THAT ENCIRCLE US. WE MUST FIGHT, AS WE HAVE ALWAYS FOUGHT; WE MUST ACCEPT THE STRENGTH OF THE PRIMARIS SPACE MARINES AND LET IT BECOME OUR OWN; WE MUST SERVE THE EMPEROR TO OUR LAST BREATHS" 

- Marneus Calgar, Ultramarines Chapter Master.

The Indomitus Crusade and the Ultima Founding were things I thought that had passed the Relictors by, Excommunicate Traitorious and hunted to near oblivion by the Grey Knights and Inquisition, robbed of their home world Torva Minoris, my Relictors have been secretly campaigning for the Emperor in the fringes and shadows, hunting for relics, fighting Chaos with Chaos artifacts - my Relictors 5th Company is at full strength and the 4th is slowly growing. The Relictors fluff background updated to the Indomitus Crusade era can be read HERE.

Then I saw the above Chaplain in White Dwarf... had WD forgotten its own fluff, or had the Cicatrix Maledictum allowed Roboute Guilliman and Archmagos Belasarius Cawl cast aside small infractions and invite back the loyal misguided Brothers wherever they can be found fighting the good fight?

The loyal Relictors are falsely accused as Excommunicate Traitorious, just for dabbling in Chaos, fighting Chaos with Chaos, using the relics and artifacts they find to battle the foul Chaos forces. Would Roboute Guilliman risk reinforcing the Relictors with new Marines if he had doubts on their loyalty?

(not quite a Relictor Primaris, but close)

The seed of hope flourished inside, I had the chance to paint up some Intercessors in a grey scheme (above) which I really enjoyed but I had committed to painting Primaris Forces as Scythes of the Emperor, I painted two - just two... (a familiar tale, like my now sold off T'au)

But my heart is with the Relictors... and I can paint Relictors grey armour quite fast... well, 10yrs fast...

So, I sent an email to GW asking for clarification, I even emailed Graham McNeill the co-writer of the Index Astartes on the Relictors when they were introduced in WD281 who is now independent of GW and living Stateside... alas nothing back from Graham but I did get a response and chat with Dan at White Dwarf who wrote - "In answer to your question, I have checked with the Warhammer 40,000 team and, at present, there hasn't been any new background written about the Relictors. Essentially that means their future hangs in the balance. They may be forgiven and given access to Primaris Marines, they may not be. The Chaplain painted by Paul was just a fun painting project for him – it isn't based in any background."

So I wrote back - "Dan, thank you for the reply, and the clarification. I guess this is quite neat in itself as it leaves me free to interpret it how I want, the Galaxy is a big place after all... I’ve kinda assumed with the galaxy wide Indomitus Crusade and RG’s rather straight forward thinking he will forgive the Sins and see the Penitent Crusade as sufficient penance, bring back all loyal forces to the Banner of the Imperium and dispatch some Greyshields to the Relictors location for indoctrination under stipulation of more rigorous scrutiny by Chaplains to ensure the purity of minds and souls (albeit turn a blind eye to Relictors specific ‘dark’ practice of using chaos to fight Chaos..."

And Dan wrote back - "I mean, that's definitely the best course of action – it's your hobby after all, so go for it. I'm currently building Primaris Death Company for my Blood Angels. They can't have them, but that's not stopping me! Cool models first, rules later. ;) Dan" (Hmmm... so rules for Primaris Death Company later eh? ;) haha) But he is right, it's my hobby, do as I please.

And I saw this poster, Primaris Relictors 4th Company colours confirmed?... albeit just a cut and paste of existing known Chapters to sell Primaris to existing collectors! But, I think I have come to a decision, to some maybe a cop out - but they are my WeeMen and I want to grow my Relictors force beyond the now superseded 'old-marines'... no new kits, no new non-Primaris stuff, barely a mention and a few pictures in the SM Codex that wasn't Primaris - even the Characters are becoming Primaris (yeah lets risk the mightiest heroes of the Imperium first in a process that might kill them, not test and perfect the process on basic Marine stock first...) The fluff might be a bit meh, but it is what it is.

Another turn of the handle and I think 'old-marines' will be removed from the Codex, the announcement of the Index Rules forever is a thinly veiled disguise on shelving 'old-Marines' but without pi$$ing off the current collectors, and a drive by GW to move us to Primaris - why not, they are a company who want to sell the new merchandise, new miniature kits. I just lament the whole Primaris shoe-horned fluff, its a bit meh... and the shift to tacticool away from GrimDark, but I understand the delicate path GW had to tread not to p%$$ off the entire Space Marine majority of its customers by introducing tru-scale marines - that is effectively what Primaris are.

So, to bring this ramble to a close, yes perhaps to some I've sold out; perhaps I just see the writing on the wall for 'old-marines'; perhaps I'm just embracing the future of my Space Marine aspects of my hobby - but I've gone with my heart, as Dan says "Its your hobby... cool models first, rules later" - as the Relictors battle cry says "Strength of Will, Courage of Will" -  I have the hobby courage to embrace change, my Relictors WILL have reinforcements, I love the Chapter background, I know Primaris are very vanilla but Relictors are genestock of UM and DA and UM are vanilla, I will have to grow it myself lacking official direction... so...

### PRIORITY COMMUNICATION ### SEGMENTUM SOLAR ASTRONOMICAN ###
From: Primarch Roboute Guilliman, Gene-Sire and Father, Lord Commander of the Emperor's Forces, Primarch of the Ultramarines Chapter, High Lord of Ultramar.
To: Void Fleet Relictors Chapter, Successor Chapter of Ultramarines and Dark Angels Chapters, Astartes Praeses Chapter Founding.
ULTIMA ENCRYPTION - WIDE BROADCAST - RELICTORS CHAPTER CIPHER CODE 

Sons, Brothers, hear this broadcast. You are needed - it is our darkest hours, the forces of the heretic, xenos and chaos beset humanity from all sides, the Cicatrix Maledictum has rent the galaxy in two. Now is the time Brothers to return to the fold. Your duty done, your Penitent Crusade comes to an end. I have ordered the Inquisition and Knights of Titan to cease the hunt. My Brother the Lion is lost, I am your remaining gene father - I order you to return to Segmentum Solar for immediate re-arming and Crusade.

Many indiscretions now have to be overlooked, forgiven, even embraced, the Codex Astartes does not fit this fight, I have perhaps taken a path outside my own guidance, my instruction to Belasarius Cawl to embrace technology where it can benefit mankind and not to be afraid of the unknown, tied down by hundreds of years of superstition and false religion - my slumber has taken humanity along a path I did not intend.

Wherever you travel, in your Fleet ships, Sons, Brothers, return to the fight - I have instructed Archmagos Cawl to redirect the nearest Greyshields Primaris Fleet to your last known position near the system of Balor, Nephilim Sector - use them, grow them and push the darkness out of the galaxy so the Light of the Emperor can shine bright once again in Imperium Nihilus.

Sons, we are at endless war. I order all our loyal prodigal Sons to return to the fold. In our Fathers's name The Emperor, beloved by all - Come home.
### END OF TRANSMISSION ###
### CIPHER CODES VERIFIED - SOURCED IMPERIAL PALACE ASTRONOMICAN, HOLY TERRA ###

I hereby give you, Relictor Primaris reinforcements...

(You might recognise this Battle Brother as a Scythe of the Emperor earlier)

Battle Brother and Battle BIG Brother

Cheers, Siph.

Dreadtober 2019 - Lord Halfpenny's Project - Deathwatch Dreadnoughts Complete

Hello one and all,

Another Dreadtober finishes, an event to aim to complete a dreadnought of any variation. This year I opted to complete 2 dreadnoughts with a deathwatch finish. Here are the results and many thanks to Mordian7th who organised the event this year! Cheers mate!

Both dreadnoughts have had resin bases added - these were from http://www.daemonscape.com/ these base are great, with good, crisp details. Definitely will be getting more in the future!

Space Wolves Dreadnought

The Space Wolves dreadnought was built with spare SW parts in my bitz box, added to the venerable dreadnought kit. The model has a metallic black basecoat, which I've added line highlights with Eshin Grey and Thunderhawk Blue. The details have been picked out to pop from the black base. The eyes and the 'Frost Claws' DCCW are a contrasting blue to stand out from all the black. Decals were added from the SW set.

Dark Angels Dreadnought

The Dark Angels Dreadnought was based the same as the SW one, with again details picked out to show him as a fallen (maybe not the best wording there LH!) Dark Angel. The dreadnought just had to be a Dark Angel due to the Plasma Cannon! Again, various decals were added with a Dark Angel gothic feel to complete the model.

Really happy with how these guys have turned out, on to the next batch in the 'to-do-pile'.

Cheers, Lord Halfpenny (10 points - 2 dreadnoughts)