078. Kill team skirmish - Sharpes folly or how Sutherland turned traitor...

I don't know where the last four months have gone.  The hobby has still been bubbling away for me, I've finished a few more Orks, and made a start on my Chaos Renegade force (Guard/Marine/Daemons) but I just haven't found the time to blog (though I have been reading blogs).  The real struggle has been getting time to do any hobby with the lads (excluding infrequent hobby chat on our group page).  For one reason or another our paths have not crossed since the last game in February.  Well, I thought to myself after missing another catch up attempt last week, enough was enough.  I took a week off work (I've just come of an acting stint so timing wise it made sense to take a break now anyway), strategically starting on the day the missus was at work and the kidlett was in childcare, and arranged with my buddy Col. Ackland (Ray) to catch up and throw down for some quick fire games.

Renegade Krieg with Nurgle Lord - the professional component of my planned Renegade Guard (these are like the Blood Pact of Gaunts Ghost)

Very WIP Nurgle Daemon Prince

The plan was for a short game of 500 point kill team between my Orks and Rays Praetorian Guard to break in Rays new terrain that he's been working on (go check it out HERE, HERE and HERE), and then some X-Wing.  The kill team game went long (but that's the nature of gaming sometimes - particularly when you spend as much time as us waffling and nattering like a couple of old nannas) so there was no X-Wing, but man oh man was it great to catch up and talk hobby, roll some dice and have a real laugh again.

500 points doesn't sound a lot, but for me, it meant 54 Orks - 40 Boyz split into two mobs of 20, 10 Shooter Boys, and a Warboss with three Nobs as bodyguard.  There was very little kit in the force, mainly some assault weapons on the Boys and one Power Klaw on the Nobs (just in case Ray snuck in a vehicle).  I'd floated the idea before hand of using the new terrain to play out an ambush on a patrol (either of us acting as the patrol) such that it limited our force selections to not include certain things - ie for the Orks I'd suggested I would steer away from any Walkers or fixed guns or really tooled up units; the idea being that a bare bones patrol was caught with their pants down while out scavenging or some such. 

Ray took that one step further on the day, and took his love the tv character Sharpe, and molded a unique scenario for us to run through.  One Major Sutherland of his majesties Praetorian Imperial Guard has decided to defect to the Orks (for reasons unknown) and had passed on a message via the Grot Communication Network that he could be found at the old Windmill near sundown with a bare minimum bodyguard escort and would await pickup. Unfortunately for Sutherland, his message had been intercepted and the combined Macharian Thunderguard Cavalry, aided by Sharpe and his Praetorian Guard were en route to stop the defection, and recover Sutherland at all cost.

Ray had a list of mixed Praetorian foot, and Mounted Macharian Thunderguard (using his home brew Codex Equestrus - a mix of FW and GW rules) including two units of Veterans (the Red and Green Coats), a unit of Ratlings, Sharpe (with the stats of a Lord Commissar) and a unit of Mounted Dragoons (mounted Storm Troopers) and another of Lancers (faux Rough Riders).  Sutherland (another Lord Commissar stats wise) would be under my control, while his bodyguard (seven Veteran Guardsmen) would be under Rays control - though they would act in accordance with the Major and notionally target the Orks, up until the point Sutherlands deceit became public.

Ray had set up the table with the Windmill roughly centred on the left flank and a variety of rock formations and trees heavily packed around the remaining board (roughly a 4 x 4 area).  The board was quartered and we had agreed we could each deploy in up to two of the quarters (we'd each have opposing corners - ie I had NW and SE, Ray had NE and SW).  The deployment zones in each quarter were set at 12 inches deep from any of the edges in each quarter.  I won deployment and split my forces, the unpainted mob of 20 Boys and the Shooters deploying NW in and around the windmill; with the Warboss, Nobs and painted mob of 20 Boys deploying in the SE quarter.  Ray placed his Cavalry into reserve and deployed his Red Coats onto the rock formation in the NE quarter, with his Green Coats around the SW quarter rock formation.  The Ratlings deployed in various advantageous sniper posts around the board (under the Killteam rules each model is its own unit so doesn't need a unit for coherency purposes).

Our board - I really do urge you all to follow the links above and check out Rays posts about his terrain - the rock formations in particular are great, playable, terrain pieces with really well done, in scale colouring.

My SE Mob of Boys, Nobs and Warboss with the package (Major Sutherland) in sight in the centre top

Rays Red Coats on the NE rock formation, with Ratling support

Ratlings and Green Coat Veteran Snipers hold the SW rock formation, with eyes on my Boys and Warboss, as well as clear line of sight to Sutherland whose intentions at this stage are unclear

Unbeknownst to the Ork Shootas on the main platform, some Ratlings have taken the high ground at the top of the windmill

My other Boys Mob and the Shootas control the NW quarter.

We agreed how the terrain worked for cover (no area terrain, a general 5+ save if clearly behind rock formations/cover, 6+ for the rails on the windmill) and that we didn't need to roll for difficult/dangerous terrain as that would only slow us down - instead agreeing to use our commonsense and limit movement when appropriate if scampering up the side of the rock formations otherwise to treat it as unimpeded ground.  We agreed no turn 1 charges (as we had deployed in such close proximity we (I) could have been charging first turn), and that when the cavalry arrived, they would be able to charge the turn they arrived as this would represent them sweeping into the melee ti cinematic ally save the day (I'd rue that choice later).

Sutherland and his Guard were placed in the centre of the board.  It was my job to get him off the board, and Rays job to stop me.  If any of Sharpe, Sutherland or my Boss fell on the field, they were to remain and any force could try and capture them and remove them from the board.  With the scenario agreed, the nibbles and drinks primed, we set to - Ray stole the initiative (cos hes a jammy git) and we were off!

The traitorous Major Sutherland approaches the windmill with his guard at dusk, not knowing that the position is now surrounded by Ork and Guard - both out to capture him and bring him back to their respective camps.

Sharpe leads some Green Coats up the left flank looking to get the jump on some unsuspecting Ork Shootas

The orks rush out of the hills, intent on getting the Major at all costs.  The Green Coats on their left flank line up their shots and start dropping Orks with precision fire

The Orks on the SE quarter clamber across the rock formation and towards the Red Coats and  Ratlings taking cover in the rocks.

Over on the SW formation, the Green Coat Snipers and Ratlings are well dug in and have plenty of cover to protect themselves from the oncoming horde.

Up in the NW quarter the Orks clear some Ratlings out of the rocks and push on wards towards the centre, with the Red Coats digging in on the opposing rock formation

In the first turn, the Guard managed to drop eight Orks from the Mob accompanying the Warboss up the centre, as well as take a couple of wounds of the Nobs and Warboss, the Orks in return surprisingly brought down a number of the Green Coats and Ratlings with their return fire, with Sharpe himself taking two wounds, though as agreed there was no charging on the first turn.  Sutherland headed with his guard towards what they anticipated was a confrontation with the Warboss.

The Ratling on the top of the Windmill has a clear view down into the Ork Mob surrounding the Warboss

He lines up and starts dropping Orks with gusto

Sharpe heads out of cover and blasts a Shoota Boy who had come in to range of his Master Crafted Knock Gun

However he soon suffers the same fate of most other Sean Bean characters, and is Gatted of his final wound by a band of Slugga Boys

In the centre, Sutherland makes it clear that he has thrown in with the Orks, shooting down one of his guard and assisting the Orks to finish of the remainder in combat.

Sutherland and the Warbosss come to the realisation that neither can understand the others tongue, which leads to a serious breakdown in communication and later strategy; as one wants nothing more than to escape the board while the fighting is slowing down and before the Cavalry arrives, while the other wants nothing more than to SMASH DA OOMIES!

The Boys in the SE continue to clamber around the rocks and get shot down by the Red Coats

Although the Red Coats (and the poor Ratlings accompanying them) see their numbers slowly but surely thinned in return

The Green Coats on the other (SW) side have total control of their formation by this time, although the Veteran Snipers are making a real hash of hitting anything, being upstaged by the plucky Ratlings who are trading rounds with the Shoota Boys in the windmill

With Sharpe down, and the Major in the hands of the Orks, its not looking good for Ray. The Cavlary chose to stay in reserve in turn two, and my numbers were starting to tell as I was now in range to charge and my shooting was being quite effective.  Things slowly swung Rays way as the Lancers showed up in turn 3, the Dragoons waiting another turn yet.

The Lancers sweep int and set about the Boys who had done for Sharpe

On the other flank the Red Coats continue to thin the number of Boys ever so slowly heading their way

Sutherland and the Warboss head up the centre of the board rather than towards the nearest board edge

The Orks in the NW come around the rock formation and into the open, drifting towards the Red Coats on the NE flank, but mainly milling around waiting for some Cavalry to show up

A pair of Lancers sweep around the bottom edge ready to cut off any escape attempt through the bottom of the board, not realising the Warboss is a numpty and has headed up, deeper into the centre

Although they take some wounds, the Lancers mostly see off the Boys on the Western flank and now split apart looking for other quarry to run down

Sutherland and the Warboss bodyguard it up Secret Service style in the centre of the board while the slow drift of the Northern  Boys continues towards the Red Coats

Turn four saw the arrival of the last cavalry unit, the Dragoons.  It also saw whatever dice gods had cast equal favour so far in the game desert the board, leaving only that fickle prick behind, who I've obviously wound up at some point, as nearly every roll for the next turn and a half went against me or for Ray.

The Dragoons arrive in the NE quarter and start laying about with their Hot Shot firing, thats right no armour save for you plebe, Lasguns (at least I had a 6+ against the standard flash light).  The bodies start piling up after that.

The other three Dragoons come in from the SW and immediately vape the good Major with a Melta Gun blast to the face.  The Warboss isn't quite sure what to do about that, but certainly picking up the charred remains of the traitorous Major and running of the board inst a sound move in his book, instead he decides its best to yell and stomp and try and kill as many Oomies as possible

That doesnt quite work out the way he planned, as the other Lancers swing back into the fight and gun him and his bodyguard of Nobs down - the wounds taken from the Ratlings earlier really cost him here - that and only having a 6+ armour save as Liam was too cheap to find the 4 points elsewhere in the list to give him Eavy Armour,

On the Eastern flank the Orks are finally in range for a charge and stagger through the last hail of Las to get into combat - surely these puny Oomies wont put up a fight they say

I'll even bring some of my other Ork Mates to the party - the Boys from the other flank have finally wandered across the board and joined the party

I'm yelling because I'm happy!

The combined Cavalry make a charge en masse into the remainnig Nobs and Boys in the centre

Easily cleaning that lot up they size up their next target

You've got this unloved and unpainted random Ork Boy - no unpainted mini has ever lost a fight against a painted mini - right....

I was ready to call it here as all the characters were down and I was looking light on for bodies on the board, while Ray was till running around with a majority of his force in tact (even if nearly all the cavalry were running about with but a single wound each).  We agreed to carry on for a final round as it was close to my pick up time and we clearly weren't going to get in another game of 40K or X-Wing by this stage.

The Red Coats were really owning the Orks on the Eastern flank - after wandering the length of the board, both up it, and across it, the remainders of both Boys Mobs were now ready to wade in with the beat stick and salvage something from the disaster that had become the recovery mission

But those plucky Ratling Snipers, and their Green Coat friends down in the SW quarter had something to say about that

Whats that, I do have clear line of sight and range to target on those painted Boys clambering towards my Red Coated mates.  And all you say I need is a couple of sixes...

Oh dear, did you slip and fall Mr Ork.............MWAHAHAHAHA!

The Cavalry pick up the bodies of Sutherland and the Warboss and start dragging them clear, while a Green Coat grabs Sharpe

And then they all merrily run off towards the board edge, dragging all three off to their encampment

The larger part of the Green Coats, and their trusty Ratling companions overwatch the escape from cover of the Rocks and windmill 

While my last three Ork Boys finally see of the bloody Red Coats and holler obscenities at the retreating Cavalry.

The game was an absolute blast.  The terrain was simply brilliant, the scenario a real cracker, the house ruling of terrain and massaging of the Killteam rules worked perfectly, and the outcome, while obviously not in my favour, was well earned by Ray and his chaps.

Now Col. Ackland, revenge will be mine.  And next time I'm bringing the big guns.  We want our Warboss back.  Waaagh da Orks!

Cheers all,

Liam

Edit - You can find Rays take on our engagement HERE.