The Dark Angels decided to do LARPing as Black Templars to explore some new tactics. The inaccuracy of the models is because they have dark and mysterious reasons to LARP as another Chapter.
The Tyranid bioforms were hungry, and the Hive Fleet was eager to test the rest of its newest lethal creations. The remains of Asteroid Base 74 in the Valour System once again came under assault from flesh meteors containing more voracious life forms intent on getting a foot hold in the system. So far, they had been eluding solid detection in the Asteroid belt, but had suffered greatly in getting established to date.
They deployed two Screamer Killers, one on the East Flank and one in the middle. A Psychophage followed a Dimachaeron along the West Flank. Alarmingly, a new Chapter of Marines had apparently been established here since their very recent intel from their Von Ryan Leapers. Black Templar?! When did they arrive in system? No matter, a punch through operation was needed, so a Neurotyrant was deployed with an escort of Warriors as well.
The “Black Templars” had formed up two full Crusader Squads. One was deployed on the East Flank with the intent of moving behind the primary unit and splitting off objective holding units and performing cleanup operations.
The Primary unit contained “Helbrecht”, “Grimaldus”, “The Emperor’s Champion”, and a Chapter Ancient. To provide emergency fire support, two well disguised Servo Fire Turrets armed with 2 Linked Lastalons was stationed in a building. The goal was to do as the Black Templars would do and carve a path of glory straight through the heart of the enemy.
In a secret deployment, the confused Von Ryan Leapers that had been keeping intel on the Dark Angel’s operations on Asteroid Base 74 deployed right next to the East Flank Crusader Squad, hiding in the walls. To further support them, a full unit of Genestealers with a Tyranid Prime and a Brood Lord Infiltrated to just in front of the East Flank Marines.
The opening volley of the Tyranids was particularly brutal. The Neurotyrant unleashed a devastating shockwave spell that slammed into the primary unit and slowed them down significantly. The Screamer Killers blasted them with bio plasma that further took down several members. The rest of their force advanced up quickly, putting pressure on the Marines on the East Flank.
The primary squad moved up the best they could. A unit of Gaunts were blown away by the flamers, bolters, and shotguns brought to bear on them. A well placed Frag Grenade killed nine of them by itself!
A unit of Gaunts were summoned right by the primary unit. Using the vast tactical experience the Ancient had, he ordered the unit to open fire as the xenos rained down from the sky. None of them reached the ground alive!
Artfully maneuvered, when the East Flank fell back a bit from the Genestealers and the Dimachaeron, they ran into the Von Ryan Leapers in a surprise attack! They were engaged into Melee immediately, and did not gain their momentum they were famously known for in hand to hand fighting. Some deft Bolt Pistol work did help even the odds out a bit right before the slaughter started. The Combat Knives and Chainswords saw another one cut down with acceptable losses on the Marine side, but the fight wore on.
Quickly, the Dimachaeron closed the gap and Jumped the wall. Genestealers poured in through the doorway. Heavily outmatched, the Marines prepared to buy as much time as they could.
As Xenos filth charged in, Sergeant Honky Dory completely forgot how to use his Stormshield and was torn to bits. many marines were cut down, but they held the line. Over the course of two Melee phases, they killed all but one Von Ryan, but when the Dimachaeron joined in the fight ended quickly. One Marine with a Heavy Flamer was left. If he could fall back despite his Ld+1 for being Black Templar, he could kill over a dozen Genestealers easily. Or, fall back and draw them off the table to buy an extra turn. All he had to do was not roll double 1s for his Ld test.
He rolled double ones for his Ld test, and instead opted to shoot one Genestealer to death with this Bolt Pistol before dying.
Helbrecht was in a bad tactical position. They were getting pummeled by heavy artillery and could not close to do what their Chapter does best. He ordered the first of his Orbital Strikes on the two Screamer Killers. They could either take the beating and risk going into an uncontrollable frenzy or close in. They blew away some Neurogaunts as they hunkered in place, but it worked! The Screamer Killers, Neurogaunts, and the Psychophage all attempted to close in to consume them and outrun the blast, but instead only one Screamer Killer made it. As it bounced off the building, the Black Templars easily shredded it. A very disappointed Chapter Ancient wielding a Slow but powerful Nemesis Thunderhammer put his weapon away in disappointment. They did take the breakout opportunity and pushed forwards towards the enemy while calling in another Orbital strike on the doorway to the wall where the Genestealers were going to be bottled in, hoping to make them cower back a turn instead.
The Hive Mind calculated the likely hood of clearing the projected blast zone as the low orbiting strike cruiser fired its next cannon. It decided to push its luck and get the Genestealers in the fight instead of being trapped in a corner for the rest of the battle. With a very timely Adrenal Gland roll, they were able to get to a less uncomfortable distance. The second Screamer Killer fired, taking his fair share of marines despite Grimaldus ordering them to stop dying.
The Templars, continued to get pounded by the Earthshock effect fired some weapons at the Neurotyrant. Their ancient relic weapons failed to harm him, but the normal marines turned their Bolt Pistols sideways and nearly killed it. None of them could fail it seemed. They then charged the second Screamer Killer, annihilating it in one go as well before the Ancient could try his new hammer.
As the Genestealers prepared to join the Dimachaeron in an assault on the building, the second Orbital Strike struck! The unit was only lightly hit, but it still blew the Broodlord clear of the explosion, leaving it fairly injured. Another strike was ordered near Helbrecht’s position to deter the enemy further. They moved towards the building, but diverted instead to chase the Chapter Master himself.
The Dimachaeron was more than capable of finishing the fight, and he tore apart the two marines left to hold Blue Objective. The Ripper Swarms that had been engaging the Fire Servos had been unable to do any real damage, but did keep them occupied long enough to be cut to pieces the next turn.
The Third Orbital Strike landed on and hammered the Warriors as they split off from the Neurotyrant. The Black Templar once again pistoled the Neurotyrant, but The Emperor’s Champion got the finishing blow with this Bolt Pistol. They charged the Psychophage, but had a series of unfortunate events lead to a marine being torn apart, but the very eager Chapter Ancient got to use his super hammer and obliterated it!
The next strike was called as a deterrent shot against the Genestealers rapidly closing in. They would not survive a charge by them, but if the Templars could get the charge they would annihilate the unit before it could strike back.
The game ended before it came to that nail biter, and the Tyranids won 11 to 7!
Take away from this test game showed the Psychophage needs more application. A rework of that datasheet is already prepared for the next battle. The Black Templar characters are very formidable! Per the test, being able to put so much Unique Melee experts in one spot with lots of slightly expendable models thanks to the size of Crusader Squads was powerful, but easily hampered by a slowing effect. The Nemesis Thunderhammer was finally tested as well and performed satisfactorily, as did the Company Ancient. Black Templars gaining +1 Ld and getting to reroll 1s To Wound on the turn they charge is also very satisfying but not broken.
Alternate 40k Rules 