Wolflord Havoc (Jon) and I decided way back to run through the campaign in the 5th ed rulebook to familiarise ourselves with the new rules. However, it’s taken ages for us to get round to it and we’ve played a few 5th ed games since then but we thought we’d go for it anyway and produce bat reps for each game.

We decided to start with small forces and increase the points values for each mission as follows:
Mission 1: 500 points, Combat Patrol restrictions
Mission 2: 750 points, Combat patrol restrictions
Mission 3: 1000 points
Mission 4: 1500 points
Mission 5: 2000 points.
We also decided to use the veteran abilities on page 263 which will roll on over into each subsequent mission.

Background
A small number of the Ultramarine’s 2nd company has been directed to Kobon IV, a well developed agri-world near the realm of Ultramar to investigate reports of heretical uprising and Chaos insurgency. The marines have made landfall and sent out servitor crewed drones to survey the area. One such drone was shot down close to the LZ and captain Varinus has detailed a detachment of marines under command of Chaplain Agrippa to retrieve the drone and the information it had collected before it falls into the wrong hands. To this end, scout squad Crassus having already been patrolling the area and have been redirected to the crash site in advance of the marine detachment.

Meanwhile, the leader of the insurgency has dispatched his own force to recover the remains of the imperial intelligence vehicle.

Mission1: The spoils of war (page 253 main rulebook).

Force Selection: Matt
Chaplain (Reclusiarch) Agrippa with bolt pistol, jump pack and frag grenades = 107 points
Scout Squad Crassus: 5 basic scouts = 65 points
Tactical squad Renius: 5 marines with flamer and frag grenades = 86 points
Tactical squad Invictus: 5 marines with heavy bolter = 80 points
Tactical squad Octavian: 5 marines with flamer and frag grenades = 86 points
Landspeeder with Multilmelta and heavy flamer = 75 points
Total = 499 points.

Matt’s notes: I decided to go with a decent amount of flamers, knowing the renegades would not have the armour to stop them and would also be in squads that would fit nicely under a template. The heavy bolter has there to provide some supporting fire and the chaplain was given a jump-pack for mobility. He could be used either as a counter attacking unit or more likely, an aggressive force to pick on soft targets. The speeder weapon combo suited the theme more than a heavy bolter/assault cannon combo would have done.




Force Selection: Jon
Alpha Legion Veteran Squad Xerksus = 214
Aspiring Champion Xerksus with Bolt pistol, Boltgun, Powerfist, Frag and Krak Grenades
Alpha Legionnaire with Autocannon, Boltpistol, CC weapon, Frag and Krak Grenades
Alpha Legionnaire with Plasmagun, Boltpistol, CC weapon, Frag and Krak Grenades
5 Alpha Legionnaires with Boltgun, Boltpistol, CC weapon, Frag and Krak Grenades

Vraxian Renegade Militia Platoon = 61 points
Militia Command Squad comprising Champion with Powerfist and Bolt Pistol
Veteran with Laspistol /CC weapon and Demo Charge
Militiaman with Meltagun
2 Militiamen with Laspistol /CC weapon.
Militia Squad White = 99 points
Veteran with Laspistol /CC weapon and Demo Charge
Militiaman w/Missile Launcher
Militiaman w/Grenade Launcher
7 Militiamen w/Lasrifles
Militia Squad Red = 99 points
Veteran with Laspistol /CC weapon and Demo Charge
Militiaman w/Missile Launcher
Militiaman w/Grenade Launcher
7 Militiamen w/Lasrifles

Jon's Notes: Picking my force from IA:5s Vraxian Renegade list was quite easy – the core would be a Militia Platoon with a command squad and 2 Infantry Squads. Backing them up would be a heavily armed “Iron Warrior” Squad of Alpha Legion Marines. These troops would it was hoped be able to take out a squad of ‘Normal’ Marines and help secure at least one objective for the Militia to capture. The Autocannon would allow me to tackle any light armour on the battlefield. The Sgt would be able to kill any model on the table and the Plasma gun and melta gun would be able to make a mockery of Power armour.

Chapain Agrippa felt every one of his 324 years as he knelt in the short grass and listened to the fading noise of the Thunderhawk as it head off back down the valley towards the rest of the Ultra Marine Chapters 2nd Company had deployed. Around him also kneeling were the fifteen marines of Force Agrippa awaiting his pre-battle benediction.

Scout unit Crassus had reported in not ten minutes ago that they had discovered a unit of Renegades moving towards the site of the crashed Surveillance probe and were trailing them - Captain Varinus had given Agrippa fifteen Battle Brothers and a single Speeder. It was all the Company could spare.

If they could recover the cogitator device and scanners scattered over the crash site then this might give them the edge in the coming campaign.

With only the whine of the supporting Land Speeder breaking the silence – Agrippa began the Benediction.

“Rejoice my brothers for while your bodies are protected by adamantium and plasteel, your souls are encased with courage and loyalty……..”

=======================================================================================================

The “Iron Warrior” Veteran Champion Xerksus scowled as he heard the receding noise of a low flying craft. It was bad enough that he had been given this onerous task by his ‘Overlord’. He suspected that it was to keep him out of the way and Xerksus feared that his Lord might have discovered his plot to usurp him and take command of the Company. But now it looked like the enemy wanted the same objective and if there was one thing Xerksus did not need at this time, it was to suffer a defeat. That would erase his standing among the other champions making it impossible for him to carry out a Coup against his ‘Lord and Master’. Also to confound the issue, the Militia platoons champion had thought that he had spotted someone trailing them and had circled back with his command squad in an attempt to ambush them.

However on the other hand a victory here would not hurt and with a low menacing growl Xerksus gave out orders for the 2 supporting Militia Squads of his companies supporting ‘5th Columnist Brigade’ to advance.

He would not lose today.

Setup
Terrain was dictated by the mission that said we should have “a wilderness area, using whatever hills, woods and such terrain as you have available”. Paul set the terrain up for us while we were off putting lists together and this is what we came back to:


Three objectives were up for grabs representing the surveillance equipment scattered across the crash site. These were located in the chapel ruin, the swamp area and on the wooded mound/hill.




Deployment
Matt won the roll and deployed Tactical Squad Invictus with its heavy Bolter in the central Woods in his DZ.

Jon then deployed White Squad in the wooded hill on his right flank near to the hill objective and overlooking the swamp objective. Red Squad Deployed into the woods opposite the chapel. The platoon command squad remained in reserve being the 3rd Troop option and unable to deploy (Something that Matt forgot about when he deployed his Scouts!).

Red Squad set up in the woods ready to advance on the chapel.


White Squad set up on the hill overlooking the swamp


pre-infiltrating deployment and battlefield


Infiltrators: Jon won the roll off and deployed his Alpha Legion Veterans (disguised as Iron Warriors) between the 2 Militia Squads. (Note: this was an error as in the mission only ‘Troops’ that could infiltrate ……could infiltrate….the Alpha Legion Veterans are Elites! Ah well, read out all the rules, then play mission...). Matt then deployed his Scouts in Jon’s right hand corner. At this point Jon said that they could not all fit into the corner (they were 17.5” away from Militia Squad White) – but in the spirit of Jervis Johnson Jon decided to “Just Say Yes!”

The Alpha Legion break the rules and sneak on to the board. The scouts appear in the far corner behind the wooded hill.


Let’s get started then...

Turn 1: (Matt)
Chaplain Agrippa moved on and took up position behind the Bocage. The Land Speeder moved up the right flank totally obscured by the Bocage there. Tactical squad Renius moved up and deployed near the wood occupied by Tactical squad Invictus while Tactical squad Octavian moved on and took cover behind the line of trees on Matt’s left flank ready to exploit towards the Swamp Objective. Scout Squad Crassus moved up towards Militia Squad White.

In the Shooting Phase, Squad Crassus and tactical squads Renius and Octavian used the Run ability to get closer to their targets / objectives. Only Tactical squad Invictus shot this turn targeting Militia Squad White - but despite their keen eyesight and auto senses were unable to see the Heretics due to a poor Night Fight roll by Matt.

scouts and marines advance


Turn 1: (Jon)
Seeing the danger posed by the Jump Pack Equipped Chaplain and the Tactical Squad (Renius) who would probably take-up positions behind the Chapel next turn (making them very difficult to engage), Militia Squad White Red moved cautiously out from the woods with a view to advancing towards said Chapel; too cautiously as it turned out, as Jon rolled ‘snake-eyes’ for the terrain test. Militia Squad White stayed put and the Militia Platoon HQ Squad came on ‘behind’ Scout Squad Crassus. Squad Xerksus stood still in order to engage the heavy bolter marine squad.
In the shooting phase Militia Squad Red managed to ‘run’ 3 more inches towards the Chapel (Jon cursed them as it would put them to far away from the Ruined Chapel for next turn). The Militia Platoon HQ Squad threw its Satchel Charge (which hit) and shot with Las-pistols and Bolt pistol causing 5 wounds from the Demo Charge and 2 from Las-pistol fire.

the scouts fail to realise their dream of becoming fully fledged marines


One Scout was able to survive and Matt cunningly made sure that it was the model furthest away from the Militia Platoon HQ Squad – making a charge by the HQ Squad impossible. This forced Jon to engage the survivor with Militia Squad White killing him with a Krak Missile. Squad Xerksus were unable to pick out Tactical Squad Invictus (due to a particularly poor NF roll by Jon) and so did not shoot.

Turn 2: (Matt)
Sure enough the Chaplain and Tactical Squad Renius moved up behind the Ruined Chapel. The Land Speeder moved back around to where the Chaplain had been, again hidden from the Missile Launchers of the Militia Squads this turn. Tactical squad Octavian made better use of the cover. In the shooting phase the Heavy bolter and Bolters of Tactical Squad Invictus caused no kills among Militia Squad White – all 4 wounds being saved by the units 4+ Cover save.

Matt’s turn two movement


Turn 2: (Jon)
With the Chaplain and Tactical Squad Renius in position behind the Chapel Militia Squad Red required at least a difficult terrain roll of a 6 to be able to see them. A 6 was duly rolled and the squad moved onto the Chapel. Squad Xerksus moved around the Chapel Ruins in order to gain ‘enfilading’ fire on the Chaplain and squad Renius. The Command Squad moved up behind Militia Squad White who stood still in order to fire their heavy weapon.

The renegades advance on the chapel


In the shooting phase Jon realized that even with the move of 6 Militia Squad Red could not see the Chaplain or squad Renius as they were too low down and his desire to massacre them with another well placed satchel charge had come to naught. Militia Squad White fired its Frag Missile at Renius hitting 4 marines but only wounding 1 of them. Nothing else hit and Matt duly saved the first of every single damned save he was asked to make for that squad during the rest of the game. Squad Xerksus was able to bring a plasma gun 2 bolters and a bolt pistol to bear at the same target – but the only casualty caused was the squads own plasma gunner who suffered a ‘Gets Hot!’ and then failed his save.

Realising the precariousness of their position, Militia Squad Red fixed bayonets and charged into the Chaplain and Tactical squad Renius. This ‘suicidal’ assault coupled with their cry of “For the Emperor” as taught by their brutal Alpha Legion Overseers must have totally stunned Agrippa and his Marines as only 2 of the Ultra Marines managed to land blows felling 2 of the attackers (despite having 4 attacks and needing 3+ to hit Agrippa totally missed). In response the militia (despite hitting 12 times) only managed to cause 2 wounds which the Marines of Renius managed to save. The pre-Battle rites performed by Chaplain Agrippa were obviously working.

The militia charge across the ruins


Having lost the combat Jon rolled the Militias Leadership (D6+4) and rolled a 2 giving them a Leadership of ‘6’. The leadership test was duly failed, but they were nimble footed enough to escape from the Marines after a poor sweeping advance roll by Matt. However the Militia only fell back 4” – The Marines and Agrippa consolidated 5” around the terrain.

The renegades flee but the marines move round to catch them.



Turn 3: (Matt)
Agrippa left squad Renius and jumped to the far side of the woods on Jon side of the table (in such a fashion as to be safe from fire allowing him to command and react to the battle), while Renius themselves moved further around the Chapel and the fleeing Cultists could hear the menacing “Pop-hiss” of a Flamer being readied. The crew of the Land Speeder decided to join in and moving its full 12” ended up next to the Chapel within heavy Flamer range of the Fleeing Militia.

Marines move in for the kill


In the shooting phase squad Renius brought righteous death in the form of holy Promethium and Bolter to the pathetic heretics of Militia Squad Red wiping them out before the Speeder even managed to fire. The speeder instead targeted the Chaos marines with its Multi Melta but missed.

Can you smell burning?


Squad Invictus opened fire on Squad Xerksus killing the squad’s auto-cannon armed Chaos Marine and a single Bolter equipped Chaos Marine. The “Iron Warriors” Passed their Leadership test with ease.

Turn 3: (Jon)
Seeing victory slipping from his grasp Xerksus led his men towards the Marines of tactical Squad 2 confident that they could wipe them out and then charge the Chaplain or engage the Speeder afterwards. The Militia Command Squad moved up alongside the woods ready to advance towards the marsh Objective in turn 5. Firing their Bolt pistols and one Melta gun (which hit but rolled a 1 to wound) as they charged in Squad Xerksus failed to kill a single Marine – with the loyalist’s again passing every armour save. Just able to see the Land Speeder (a slither of blue visible only but Matt “just said Yes!”), Militia Squad White hit it with a Krak missile and the Marine Skimmer exploded despite its substantial cover, catching and causing wounds against 2 members of Renius – who continued to pass every single armour save.

The Alpha Legion move up and the speeder feels the full force of a krak missile.


In the Assault Phase Squad Xerksus charged into combat with tactical Squad 2 rolling 3 power-fist and 12 normal close combat attacks……and much to Jon’s disgust only killed a single Ultra Marine. Despite this squad Renius caused no wounds in return, failed their leadership test having lost the combat and were then caught in the sweeping advance roll-off and so suffered an additional automatic wound (you will be stunned to learn that the armour save made for said wound was once again successful).

Squad Renius stands firm against the Alpha Legion assault.

Turn 4: (Matt)
Agrippa, furious at the loss of three of his Battle Brothers (Both Speeder Crew and a Tactical Marine) and roaring a litany of hatred, jumped over to assist Tactical squad Renius in securing the Chapel Objective. Tactical squad Octavian broke from cover and made a dash for the Swamp Objective.

Agrippa lends a hand.


Squad Invictus meanwhile aimed their weapons at Militia Squad White and this time, illuminated as they were by the rising sun, the concealment of the wooded hill offered no protection what so ever and 4 of the heretics died – blown apart by Explosive bolter rounds. Jon rolled for their Leadership (again D6 + 4) and this time rolled a 6 giving Squad White a leadership of 10 which was just as well as he then rolled a 9 for his leadership test – passing.

Agrippa roaring his hatred was suddenly taken aback as the nearest Chaos Marine Screamed “Die Chaos scum” at him. The surprised and then infuriated Agrippa focused all his attacks on that single Iron Warrior chopping him to pieces with his Holy Weapon of office (despite 5 attacks – with rerolls – the chaplain only caused a single wound)

Agrippa enters the combat


Xerksus, aware that victory was being torn away from him, ripped the chest and ribcage out of one of the Tactical Marines with his power fist. The remaining marines, Chaos and Loyalists alike, having, hacked, stabbed and shot at each other were unable to cause any further fatal wounds. The combat ended as a draw.

Turn 4: (Jon)
Militia Squad White once again stood their ground and targeted the advancing Tactical Squad Octavian while the Militia Command Squad moved forwards using the Run ability to get into striking distance of the Swamp Objective and also hopefully Tactical Squad Octavian.

The command squad move out.


The Missile operator of Militia Squad white once again proved his expertise with the weapon as a marine of Octavian exploded from a direct hit. The rest of the squad’s shooting was ineffective.

In the Close combat around the Chapel Objective Agrippa almost frothing with fury and screaming the litany of revenge hacked another one of the ‘Iron Warriors’ into steaming chunks of plasteel and flesh as Xerksus ripped the head off another Tactical Marine while about him the remaining two Chaos marines and Ultramarines were unable to cause further wounds. Seeing the raving Chaplain hacking his marines to pieces Xerksus realized with a sense of finality that he would have to slay the Black Armoured Battle Priest or die in the attempt – everything would hinge on his success.

It’s a tempting target as the Command squad move into the open


Turn 5: (Matt)
Tactical Squad Octavian advanced through the Swamp at a speed that the Militia Champion did not think possible (Matt Rolled a 6 for their Difficult terrain move) and the Champion’s thoughts of glory turned to fear just before he and his Militia command squad were purged in a storm of holy fire and metal.

Die heretics!


Tactical squad Invictus riddled the hill top with heavy bolter and bolter fire but the Militia Squad White’s luck held as only a single Renegade fell; his head exploded by a single bolt round.

In the continuing combat Xerksus roared a challenge at Agrippa and made an all or nothing swing at the Chaplain who despite his decent into Battle fury managed to roll out of the way of the blow that would have ripped a tank in two.

It’s still going on...


Around them the surviving marines were still unable to gain any advantage and the combat remained a draw (once again the chaplain totally failed to wound and the Chaos Sgt also missed).


Turn 5: (Jon)
Militia Squad White, seeing that the battle was lost, fell back behind the wooded hill and surrounded the Hilltop Objective, determined to follow their orders to the last.

Back at the Chapel, Agrippa’s battle madness abruptly left him, and he suddenly found himself in a trance like state were everything seemed to move at half speed around him. Rolling back to his feet he moved fluidly chopping his Crozius through Xerksus’ Power fist (shattering it) and up into his helmet smashing it from his head in a welter of blood, felling the Chaos Champion. Using his momentum Agrippa followed up into one of the remaining Chaos Marines with a spinning two handed blow which tore the marine in half. Still turning Agrippa brought the weapon up and revelling in the absolute fear that showed in the eyes of the last helmet-less ‘Iron Warrior’ (who was frantically trying in vain to bring his chain-sword up in time to parry the blow), the Chaplain smashed the ancient power weapon down through the Traitors head and out through his chest - ending the whole fight in such a perfect Battle Guard that would have had his long dead Weapons Master back on the island of Heira rapturous with joy.

A die was rolled... and the game went another turn.


Turn 6: (Matt)
Tactical Squad Renius’ remaining two survivors made their way into the ruined chapel giving praise to Roboute Guilliman and the Emperor of Mankind for their success as they did so. Agrippa jumped towards the Hill determined to remove the taint of Chaos from the valley. Tactical squad Invictus advanced on the Swamp Objective. The four Marines of tactical squad Octavian opened fire on the remaining five heretics of militia Squad White who elected to ‘hit the deck’ and no casualties were suffered.

The renegades decide to lie down and take a rest


Turn 6: (Jon)
With the five survivors of Militia Squad White ‘Pinned’ Jon was relieved when the game ended at the end of the turn.

Results

Ultra Marines – The Chapel Objective and the Swamp Objective gained
Losses
1 Speeder Totally Destroyed
6 Battle Brothers KIA (Including both crew from the Speeder)
5 Scouts KIA

Vraxian Renegades – The Hilltop Objective gained
Losses -
Veteran Iron Warrior “Xerksus” KIA
7 “Iron Warriors” KIA
20 Militia KIA (including Platoon Champion) KIA

The Ultra Marines Win.


After battle reports
Matt
Well that went pretty well! Forgetting that Jon might have other stuff to bring on (in truth I hadn’t paid much attention to what he had chosen so didn’t even think about it) cost the scouts big time. Still, the chapter doesn’t want people who can’t detect they are being followed so it’s all for the best. More recruits are ready to take their place.

Close combat has always been a weak-point of mine. It’s not because I can’t set-up a good one or defend against one... I just can’t roll good dice during one! I proved that again during the protracted combat between the Alpha Legion marines and squad Renius and Agrippa. Thankfully, my usual luck with armour saves held up and Jon was equally bad at killing things.

I think the renegades might have a tough time against the 3+ saves and fire power I can kick out but this is actually the first game they have lost since we started playing 5th ed so you never know.

I decided to nominate both Agrippa and squad Renius for veteran abilities (having won I could pick two squads). Having been a bit lame in combat I decided they should both roll on the Melee table. Agrippa rolled Fearless... not much good for a Chaplain so I got to choose as it was a duplicate of something he already had. Lots’ of tasty skills but to really make sure he could actually hit things in the coming games, I went with Preferred Enemy (Alpha Legion) to give him rerolls in every round of combat and not just the first! Squad Renius rolled Furious Charge.

Jon
Okay that could have gone better. Actually Matt could have failed oh perhaps one or two armour saves. As it was he didn’t fail a single one! This ultimately cost me the game. Aspiring Champion Xerksus was pretty poor – his missed more than he hit in close combat and even managed a couple of ‘1’s to wound when he did. Still the game had some great moments – Squad red charging out of the Chapel and into Squad Renius and Chaplain Agrippa. The Marines must have been totally shocked to have been charged as they only scored 2 hits (which wounded and I didn’t save). I then scored 12 Hits and triumphantly rolled to wound. But the dice gods deserted me and only 2 wounds were scored which Matt promptly saved. The Dice Giveth and they Taketh away. Damn them.

Still this is the first game that the Militia has lost since using the 5th edition rule set. We have started creating some background for an Imperial Hero ‘Chaplain-Reclusiarch Agrippa - The Scourge of Kobon IV’ and I look forward to our next meeting. He won’t be so lucky next time.

I nominated Squad White for a roll on the Veteran Table as they were my only survivors (!) and to be fair had achieved the most of any of my units (they killed some marines and shot down a speeder as well as capturing an objective). As the ‘Missile launcher’ operator was quite deadly I decided to roll on the ‘Gunnery’ table and got ‘Tank Hunters’.

Cool Battle Report old chap!
A*

Was reading it as you were posting, which was kinda fun (? weirdo)

Because of the high quality of this report, I will expect all future BR's to be of the same standard or better

AdrianG wrote:Cool Battle Report old chap!
A*

Thanks

AdrianG wrote:Was reading it as you were posting, which was kinda fun (? weirdo)

I wondered if that might happen. I was hoping I'd get it all in before someone posted and broke up the flow!

AdrianG wrote:Because of the high quality of this report, I will expect all future BR's to be of the same standard or better

From me or in general!?

Both I think Mr MjG

*round of applause*

excellent batrep guys!! cant wait for the next one!

cheers!

~ Tim

Inspiring..as in it promotes the idea that me and ljundhammer might have to play copy cats

Thank you Gentlemen Thank you.

KMB if you are going to do this be advised it takes twice as long to play the game and you must ensure that you remember to take pictures and notes almost at every phase of every player turn.

We were quite fortunate in that we managed to get enough pictures

You then can filter out what you need and dont need etc.

That was awesome, but I feel a pang of sympathy for the effort you'll be putting in to do the larger games

Fantastic guys, sterling work, and ys the big games are gonna need even greater effort for youguys. We all look forward to seeing them and wish you both the best of luck...

"Jervis Johnson spirit and just said yes" classic

Splendid stuff. Looking forward to the rest of the campaign.