Spring Break Battle Reports Installment 1:

In order:

1,500 points vs. Space Marines: It was a cityfight map, but I got my ass handed to me that game. I basically lost my only tank (a Chimera) in the Marines' first turn, I wasted my only Infantry Platoon to enemy shooting, and my Hardened Veteran squad was completely ineffectual. Also, I must learn to beware of Scout Bikers' cluster mines. Actually, just bikes in general (too damn hard to kill...)

1,500 points vs. Tau: I worked up a new build with some modified Doctrines and more tanks this time, and if it wasn't for all of those Devilfishes loaded with Fire Warriors descending on my objective in the last turn, I would have been able to force a draw that game. Must kill every enemy vehicle when I have the chance. Especially transports.

1,500 points vs. Space Marines (Vassal): Finally, a resounding victory. Despite a Demolisher round scattering wide and only killing one tactical marine, the subsequent battle cannon shot managed to reduce a 10-man tactical squad to the special weapon, the heavy and the sergeant, and also inflicted a couple wounds on the Devastators behind them. The kill points total was 9-5, Guard to Ultramarines, despite losing both of my Russ turrets and a chimera with most of its grenadier cargo. In other words, the SMurfs were slaughtered to a man. Pie plates are good. Assaulting a terminator squad with a command squad because the officer has a power weapon is bad.

So the lesson learned is this: More MBTs like Russes or Demolishers, not more stealthers. Keep the Infantry Platoon and the heavy weapons on the objective, use grenadiers and tanks to contest/take and hold objectives. Outflanking Sentinels works just about every time (and you can generally get your points back if you do it right).

New Vassal Report: Defeat vs. Tau 1,000-points

As can be imagined by the title, I lost again, this time against the Tau.

I was being very careless with this one, which cost me the game (along with some very stupid deployment). Also, Guard aren't all that good at the 1,ooo point level (in my experience).

Revised 08th Corvis List:

Doctrines: Grenadiers, Carapace Armor, Ratlings, Close Order Drill, Sharpshooters (+30)

HQ: 1 Command Platoon (Alpha):
1 Command Squad (Alpha 0): Carapace Armor, Sharpshooters 155
1 SO w/ BP, PW, Surveyor, Macharian Cross
1 HWT w/ Lascannon
1 IG w/ Plasma Gun
1 medic
Troops: 1 Infantry Platoon (Bravo):
1 Command Squad (Bravo 0): All Doctrines 119
1 JO w/ BP, PW, Surveyor, Macharian Cross
2 IGs w/ Shotguns
1 IG w/ Meltagun
1 Medic
2 Infantry Squads (Bravoes 1 & 2): All Doctrines 242
1 Vet Sgt. w/ laspistol, CCW
1 HWT w/ Lascannons
7 IGs
Troops: 1 Armored Fist Squad (Charlie 1): Carapace Armor 201
1 Vet Sgt. w/ laspistol, CCW, meltabombs
1 IG w/ flamer
8 IGs
all models have frag grenades
1 Chimera w/ turret HB, hull HF
Troops: 1 Grenadier Squad (Delta 1): 217
1 Vet Sgt. w/ BP, PW
2 STs w/ Meltaguns
7 STs
1 Chimera w/ turret HB, hull HF
Elites: 1 Ratling Squad (Echo): 66
6 Ratlings
1000 point total: 1000
HQ+: 1 Fire Support Squad w/ Heavy Bolters (Alpha 1): No COD 110
HQ+: 1 Fire Support Squad w/ Autocannons (Alpha 2): No COD 125
HQ+: 1 Antitank Squad w/ missile launchers (Alpha 2): No COD 125
HQ+: 1 Antitank Squad w/ Lascannons (Alpha 3): No COD 140
Heavy Support: 1 Leman Russ Demolisher (Foxtrot) 175
Hull lascannon, sponson Heavy Flamers
Elites: 1 Hardened Veteran Squad (Golf): Carapace Armor 153
1 Vet Sgt w/ bolter, Surveyor, Macharian Cross
1 HWT w/ missile launcher, lasguns
1 vet w/ meltagun
3 vets w/ shotguns
3 vets w/ laspistols, CCWs
Elites+: 2 more Ratlings 22
Fast Attack: 1 Sentinel Squadron (India): 150
3 Catachan Patterns w/ HK missiles
2000 point total: 2000
Heavy Support: 1 Basilisk w/ Indirect Fire Capacity (Kilo) 125
Heavy Support: 1 Leman Russ 165
Hull Lascannon, sponson HF
Fast Attack: 1 Hellhound w/ HK missile (Lima) 125
Fast Attack: 1 Hellhound w/ HK missile (Mike) 125
Troops: 1 Grenadier Squad (Delta 2): 219
1 Vet Sgt. w/ BP, PW, surveyor
2 STs w/ meltaguns
7 STs
1 Chimera with turret HB, hull HF
Troops: 1 Grenadier Squad (Delta 3): 219
1 Vet Sgt. w/ BP, PW, surveyor
2 STs w/ meltaguns
7 STs
1 Chimera w/ turret HB, hull HF
Elites+: 2 more Ratlings 22
3000 point total: 3000

As it turns out, the previous list was slightly illegal due to the fact that I had more Armored Fist squads than infantry platoons (Grrr...) So I had to start taking Grenadiers now (elite shock troops). I may actually consider getting rid of the Fists entirely and replace them with more heavy weapons (or a tank... ^_____^).

First Vassal Victory: 1,500 points vs. Eldar

So, yeah. I played a game against some German guy called Schulz today on Vassal 40K. After several embarrassing minutes of trying to figure out how to set stuff up we ended up playing for objectives.

I won that one by a hair.

What basically happened is that I was getting kicked from all sides by Aspect Warriors, and then I won because I had denied him his objective (made his Guardians run off the board) while I managed to hold my ground with my infantry platoon's command squad when the game ended.

So, another victory for the Corvis 08th!

FIrst Defeat: 1,500 Points Dawn of War

Loss vs. Marines. Must re-examine army list to see flaws (may be my somewhat poor grasp of tactics), correct as necessary.

However, I think the loss was due to four major factors:
1: We were playing Dawn of War. Since I was unable to deploy most of my heavy weapons during setup (DoW deployment rules require all non-Troops/HQ choices that can't Scout to begin the game in reserve), I was unable to rain missile death on his infantry until when they came in on the fifth turn, and I couldn't fire until the sixth. Must remember to assign more heavy weapons squads to Command Platoon.
2: My Demolisher was completely ineffectual (it kept on either scattering away from his troops and/or failing to do any damage).
3: I failed to apply my entire Infantry Platoon against the entrenched Scouts (seemed to think it was a good idea to have them support the Fists and firebase instead). Platoons MUST STAY TOGETHER.
4: I am not used to fighting Marines. Must remember to bring more firepower and apply it correctly.

New Battle Report: 1,500 vs. Tau

This one ended in a draw (1 objective each, 1 unclaimed (but almost mine)

Stupid Vets came in on the wrong table edge, I was unable to bring the Catachan Sentinels of death in, and I need to work on my tactics some more.

Victory (sorta)!

I was victorious in a 2,000-point game vs. Tau earlier today (because my brother wasn't here, I had to play both sides). When playing Tau I tried my best to beat the Guard, which resulted in a narrow Guard victory (2 captured objectives to 0). If my Armored Fist squads had taken only a few more wounds, it would have been a draw at best (out of 4 infantry squads, 2 each of Platoon and Fist, I was reduced to 4 Fists in two squads). The thing that sealed the deal was when my Outflanking Sentinels (Heavy Flamers and Hunter-Killer Missiles) wiped out his two Fire Warrior squads sitting on the objective. I have come to the conclusion that Deep-Striking Gun Drone squadrons are death from above to infantry squads.

I also beat Tau in a 400-point Combat Patrol. Armored Fists seem to be death to Fire Warriors.

Current Record:
Total: 2-0-0
vs. Tau: 2-0-0
Win/Loss Ratio: 2:1
vs. Tau: 2:1

My Current Force:

Corvis 08th Strike Company
Doctrines: Carapace Armor, Special Weapons Squads, Ratlings, Sharpshooters, Heavy Weapons Platoons (+30)

- HQ: 1 Command Platoon (Alpha/Red)
1 Command Squad (Red 0): All Doctrines 124
1 SO w/ BP, PW
1 HWT w/ Autocannon
1 IG w/ vox
1 medic
1 Antitank Squad w/ missile launchers (Red 1): All Doctrines 125
1 Fire Support Squad w/ heavy bolters (Red 2): All Doctrines 110
1 Special Weapons Squad w/ Sniper Rifles (Red 3): All Doctrines 95
- Troops: 1 Infantry Platoon (Bravo/Blue)
1 Command Squad (Blue 0): All Doctrines 106
1 JO w/ BP, PW, surveyor
1 HWT w/ Autocannon
1 IG w/ vox
1 medic
all models have frag grenades
2 Infantry Squads (Blues 1 & 2): All Doctrines 244
1 Vet Sgt. w/ BP, CCW
1 IG w/ meltagun
1 IG w/ vox
7 IGs
all models have frag grenades
- Troops: 1 Armored Fist Squad (Delta/Orange 1): All Doctrines 196
1 Sgt. w/ laspistol, CCW (upgrade to veteran, BP+surveyor)
1 IG w/ meltagun
1 IG w/ vox
7 IGs
All models have frag grenades
1 Chimera w/ turret HB, hull HF
1000 point total: 1000
(Outfit buffer) -12
Heavy Support: 1 Heavy Support Platoon (Echo/Green)
1 Command Squad (Green 0) All Doctrines 99
1 JO w/ BP, PW
1 HWT w/ Autocannon
1 IG w/ vox
1 medic
1 Fire Support Squad w/ Autocannons (Green 1) All Doctrines 125
1 Antitank Squad w/ Lascannons (Green 2) All Doctrines 135
1 Fire Support Squad w/ Autocannons (Green 3) All Doctrines 125
- Heavy Support: 1 Leman Russ Demolisher (Foxtrot) 180
Hull lascannon, sponson heavy flamers, extra armor
- Elites: 1 Hardened Veteran Squad (Golf): Cameleoline 141
1 Vet Sgt. w/ bolter
3 vets w/ meltaguns
1 vet w/ vox, shotgun
2 vets w/ shotgun
3 vets w/ laspistols, CCWs
Fast Attack: 1 Sentinel Squadron (Hotel) 195
3 Cadian Patterns w/ ACCs
2000 point expansion total: 2000
(Outfit buffer): -57

...And So It Begins

20090317:

This is intended as a record of all the battles faced by the 08th Corvis Combined Arms Company from this point forth. After fighting many losing battles, the slate will be wiped clean and new victories will be celebrated, defeats remembered and learned from in my ongoing quest to succeed at playing the Imperial Guard side in Warhammer 40K. The mighty Space Marines (Lex) and crafty Tau (Isamu-chan) will be the first to fall before my forces. I will develop tactics by which I can defeat them and apply my forces to their best uses. I will improvise, adapt and overcome.

Current statistics (win/loss/draw):
Overall: 0/0/0
vs. Tau: 0/0/0
vs. Space Marines: 0/0/0
win/loss ratio: 1:1