World Eaters vs Imperium
Archive Ref:45/783RHO42.
Clearence: Omega Mortis
Author: Redacted
Archive: Damnatio Memoriae
Addendum: Sealed by The Most Holy Ordos of His Inquisition. Cited for deletion.
The following is an abstract of a report collated by Inquisitor [REDACTED] ref. suspected Heretic Astartes activity in the Luminar Sector at the coreward extreme of Segmentum Solar. The Luminar Sector plays host to the Kronus Rapids, a series of warp storms that have remained astrocartographically constant throughout the history of the Imperium but which also exhibit extreme temporal displacement in adjacent space. It is not uncommon for ships to crash out of warp space centuries after they were declared missing or even centuries in advance of the voyage being embarked (cross ref: [REDACTED]) in this region. Such was the notoriety of the Rapids effects that some more foolhardy ship masters tried to harness the time displacement to cut years off their journey times with often tragic results.
At the dawn of M42, as the opening of the Great Rift heralded an unprecedented increase in warp activity, the Kronus Rapids would become the stage for a highly curious and worrying action. Astropathic communication bearing archaic authentication hymnals and unequivicably false time stamps started being recieved throughout the Luminar Sector. Those few with the authorisation to recognise these coded identification rituals gasped in horror and sent urgent calls for aid and it was only due to the unnaturally high number of Inquisitors belonging to the Ordo Chronus stationed throughout the sector to combat the ill effects of the Rapids that the Astropathic messages were recognised at all. The Ordo Chronus specialises in mitigating the ill effects of warp related time travel and were therefore blessed with some of the most complete records outside of the data stacks of Holy Terra itself. In this treasure trove of ancient data lay a precise match for the unique identifiers presented by the obsolete astropathic communiques and that match prompted the pleas for aid. The signals belonged to the 346th expeditionary fleet of the Emperors Great Crusade! A force amounting to no less than 1 battalion of the XII Legion (World Eaters), 2 regiments of Artemezian Voltgiers, 3 grand cruisers and 12 escorts. A formidable assemblage of martial might capable of wreaking terrible slaughter uncomfortably close to the throneworld. That the 346th Expeditionary Fleet had been declared lost almost a decade before the events of Istvaan III or that the content of the Astropathic messages seemed to indicate that this force 10 millennia removed from their own time were still loyal and merely requesting aid from an Imperium that they still served mattered little it seems. Their sires and kins betrayal so long ago marked them for death by those they called on as friends.
Barely 2 weeks after the first astropathic messages had been recieved the Imperiums response arrived in the Luminar Sector. A trio of golden prowed War Galeasses bearing the aquilla and lightning bolt sigil of the Emeperor Himself and heralded by astropathic identification signals bearing the seal of no less personage than the Captain General of the Adeptus Custodes himself. How such a force had managed to make the voyage from Terra at such speed (Luminar lays three months warp travel from Terra) was highly speculated though many pointed to the ancient and highly advanced technologies evident in their magisterial vessels designs and in the Custodes pool of peerless Navigators, the best scions of the Navis Nobilite drafted to serve the throne. The golden trio of War Galeasses made best speed to the planetoid where the astropathic signals originated, the picket of navy frigates that had isolated and observed the 346th expeditionary fleet since its arrival gave way before the new arrivals undeniable authority. The 346th’s once formidable void fleet lay scattered and in ruins in a path leading from the systems manderville point to the 2nd planetoid orbiting the local star. It was clear that beyond the extreme temporal displacement the warp had wreaked terrible damage on the fleets ships and killed most of its human compliment. The World Eaters themselves had descended to the planetoids surface to await the aid of their Imperium though what the Custodes brought was fire and death.
Here follows a detailed account of the action that followed:
Mission: Scorched Earth
Points: 2000
Deployment: Search & Destroy
++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium – Adeptus Custodes) ++
+ HQ +
Shield-Captain: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield
Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike: Hurricane Bolter
+ Troops +
Custodian Guard Squad
. Custodian: Guardian Spear
. Custodian: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield
. Custodian: Guardian Spear
Custodian Guard Squad
. Custodian: Guardian Spear
. Custodian: Guardian Spear
. Custodian: Guardian Spear
. Custodian: Guardian Spear
Custodian Guard Squad
. Custodian: Guardian Spear
. Custodian: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield
. Custodian: Guardian Spear
+ Elites +
Allarus Custodians
. Allarus Custodian: Castellan Axe
. Allarus Custodian: Castellan Axe
. Allarus Custodian: Castellan Axe
. Allarus Custodian: Castellan Axe
+ Fast Attack +
Pallas Grav-Attack (Beta): Twin Arachnus Blaze Cannon
Pallas Grav-Attack (Beta): Twin Arachnus Blaze Cannon
Vertus Praetors
. Vertus Praetor: Hurricane Bolter
. Vertus Praetor: Salvo Launcher
. Vertus Praetor: Hurricane Bolter
++ Super-Heavy Auxiliary Detachment (Imperium – Space Marines) ++
+ Lord of War +
Roboute Guilliman: Warlord
++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) ++
Legion: World Eaters
+ HQ +
Chaos Lord: Bolt pistol, Combi-plasma, Mark of Khorne
Chaos Lord in Terminator Armour: 3. Unholy Fortitude, Combi-bolter, Mark of Khorne, Power sword, The Murder Sword, Warlord
+ Troops +
Khorne Berzerkers
. Berzerker Champion: Plasma pistol, Power sword
. 3x Chainaxe and bolt pistol: 3x Chainaxe
. Chainaxe and plasma pistol: Chainaxe, Plasma pistol
Khorne Berzerkers: Icon of Wrath
. Berzerker Champion: Chainsword, Power fist
. 4x Chainsword and Chainaxe: 4x Chainaxe
Khorne Berzerkers
. Berzerker Champion: Plasma pistol, Power fist
. 3x Chainaxe and bolt pistol: 3x Chainaxe
. Chainaxe and plasma pistol: Chainaxe, Plasma pistol
+ Heavy Support +
Chaos Predator: Mark of Khorne, Predator autocannon
. Two lascannons: 2x Lascannon
+ Dedicated Transport +
Chaos Rhino: Combi-bolter, Combi-bolter, Mark of Khorne
Chaos Rhino: Combi-bolter, Combi-bolter, Mark of Khorne
Chaos Rhino: Combi-bolter, Combi-bolter, Mark of Khorne
Chaos Vindicator Laser Destroyer: Storm bolter
Hellforged Rapier Battery
. Hellforged Rapier and crew: 2x Chaos Space Marine Crew, Quad heavy bolter
. Hellforged Rapier and crew: 2x Chaos Space Marine Crew, Quad heavy bolter
. Hellforged Rapier and crew: 2x Chaos Space Marine Crew, Quad heavy bolter
++ Vanguard Detachment +1CP (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) ++
Legion: World Eaters
+ HQ +
Chaos Lord in Terminator Armour: Combi-bolter, Mark of Khorne, Power sword
+ Elites +
Chaos Terminators: Mark of Khorne
. Chaos Terminator Champion: Combi-bolter, Power sword
. Terminator: Combi-bolter, Power fist
. Terminator: Combi-bolter, Power fist
. Terminator: Combi-bolter, Power fist
. Terminator: Combi-bolter, Power fist
Chaos Terminators: Mark of Khorne
. Chaos Terminator Champion: Combi-bolter, Power sword
. Terminator: Combi-bolter, Power fist
. Terminator: Combi-bolter, Power fist
. Terminator: Combi-bolter, Power fist
. Terminator: Combi-bolter, Power fist
Hellforged Sicaran: Heavy bolter, Khorne
. Lascannons: 2x Lascannon
Veteran lancers who have seen battle on more than 100 worlds and personal guardians of the Emperor of Mankind himself, a squadron of Vertus Praetors punch onto the field ahead of the Custodes force. They begin probing their surroundings for the slightest taint of Chaos; their prey.
“Seek honour in your actions today, Custodians, and you shall know no fear!” The Primark of Ultramarines bellows words of encouragement to his farther’s guardians. For the first time in SN history, Robute Guilliman will feature in one of our battle reports. We are excited to see how this ancient and profoundly skilled warrior performs against the children of his traitorous brother, Angron.
Two Phallas Grav-Attack vehicles move silently through the ruins. The skilled pilots navigate slowly towards their targets, barely stirring the loose rubble beneath the engines of their timeworn vehicles. Having won the roll-off, Pardo placed the first of the six objective markers and proceeded to deployed the first unit on the field.
Having lost the roll-off, Kevin chose his preferred deployment zone. A great rumbling is heard as the World Eaters approach the battered section of the city. Soon a wall of blue and white metal can be seen by the Custodes encroaching fast on their position. Pieces of ruined building begin crumbling under the vibrations caused by the resonating throb of old engines which signals the arrival of a host of vehicles which thunder onto the field. A Hellforged Sicaran and Vindicator Laser Destroyer make their legion’s presence profoundly known.
Creeping slowly into the battle from the rear, heavy tracks propel the Hellforged Rapier Battery onto the field. Its operators take cover near a ruined building and take aim to cover the ground in their scope of fire.
As always Kevin’s army features a touch of the old-school. We are always impressed here at the studio at his ability to creatively work what should look like an out-dated model into this edition of the game so that they can stand up next to their newer versions. You can see more of his amazing work on his Instagram account: @40knerd.
With a +1 on his dice for finishing his deployment first, Pardo secures first turn; Kevin is unable to seize. Pardo opens the game with his Vertus Praetors which glide forwards into the fray.
The sight of the twisted and bloodthirsty World Eaters is all to familiar to Guilliman, and it is with a stoic, almost somber, determination that he and his companions from the Adeptus Custodes make the march across no-mans-land to face them.
A soft blue hue begins to grow as the Grav-engines of the Pallas Attack vehicles rapidly propel the ominously silent tanks forwards. The vehicle’s armament, a set of Twin Arachnus Cannons, begin charging and spinning rapidly. Bright blue bolts of energy are sent into the nearest Rhino which deal six wounds.
The vanguard of the Custodes force swing their hovering bikes round to an abrupt halt and open into the Rapier Battery. The Salvo Launcher and Hurricane Bolters begin to pepper the self-propelled guns and destroy one of them. The Shield Captain contributes to the fire and sees one of its crew slain. Pardo achieves one Victory Point at the end of this turn.
Kevin begins his movement by moving a Rhino into position on the flank of the rapier battery to provide the slow moving guns with a bit more protection from the rapidly approaching enemy.
In an uncharacteristically controlled way, five Khorne Bezerkers disembark the Rhino and move to seize a nearby objective marker. Joined by a nearby unit, the Bezerkers fire into the Phallas, the Plasma Pistol fire proving crucial, and deal three wounds.
The sound of firing pins mingled with the gently humming of charging Lascannons and the low whistling of the Laser Volley Cannon, signals the demise of the Vertus Praetors. Showering ordnance arrives from all sides and almost catches the vanguard in a cross-fire. Rider is blown from vehicle and sent plummeting to the erupting fiery earth or sent wildly out of control and into a nearby ruin. The noble warriors have perhaps been too brash today, nevertheless, the assuring words of Guilliman aids their souls towards the grace of the Emperor. First Blood to Kevin! wow! Kevin fires nearly everything he as at the unit wiping Pardo’s strongest unit in the opening turn with some very bad rolling for saves on his behalf…..
Although slow to warm and clunky, the Rapiers have yet to loose any of their potency and sent a hail of bullets into the Custodians. The foremost unit, comprised of four men, sees one casualty.
Having made a small opening in the Phallas’ armour with plasma fire, the Bezerkers are unable to resist probing it with their melee weapons. In what sounds more like grunts than actual words, the Champion orders his men into combat. Pardo uses the Unflinching stratagem for 1 Command Point. This sees the Phallas recoil from the charge to line up a more accurate round of overwatch (5+). Nevertheless, no wounds are dealt to the frenzied marines who proceed to prize open the hole and reduce the vehicle to a smoldering hulk.
Pardo (Imperium) – 1 Victory Point
Kevin (World Eaters) – 1 Victory Point & FB
Realising a frontal assault on the World Eaters is a risky strategy for his small and elite army, Pardo changes his game and begins to focus on capturing objectives. Guilliman and the Custodian Guards on his right move to capture a marker whilst pressure is maintained by the Guards on his left who advance towards the World Eaters. The Guards which can be seen in the background of the shot maintain their position on an objective with the remaining Phallas applying pressure on the Chaos flank.
As the dust clears and the Shield Captain sees the battered and bloodied corpses of his comrades he begins to shake with anger. It is only through sheer force of discipline and training that he is able to keep himself from charging full force at the traitors before him. Heeding the commands of Guilliman, he moves across the field to secure an objective.
A breach in the overcast sky sees rays of pure golden light bathe the ground beneath them. As the beams grow more intense five radiant figures begin to materialise within them. Eventually the fading light reveals four Allarus Custodians accompanied by a Shield Captain. Taking aim at the Chaos Predator with their Ballistus Grenade Launchers, four wounds are removed.
With a gesture at the Khorne Bezerkers with the Emperor’s Sword, Guilliman gives the order to open fire against them. Heavy rounds fall over the Bezerker’ position but fail to inflict any meaningful damage; a singe Bezerker is slain.
From a flanking position the Phallas Attack vehicle fires on the Bezerkers and kills a further two.
The Allarus Custodians dig the base of their Castellan Axes into the earth and use them to almost launch themselves at the Predator. Several large leaps further sees them crash into combat with the tank. Although the Shield Captain failed to make the distance the Custodians still in range to benefit from his Inspirational Fighter ability. Raising their axes above their heads, the veteran warriors plunge their axes into the Predator’s armour. This ruptures vital power and fuel lines turning the vehicle into a powerless wreck.
In a precarious position close to the enemy lines, Pardo takes the decision to raze this objective which his Phallas. This earns him 3 Victory points which scores him six overall for the round bringing him back into the game.
A squad of Khorne Bezerkers disembark from a nearby Rhino and face down the Allarus Custodians. Kevin’s aim is to alleviate some pressure from his flank so that he can continue to bombard Pardo’s center. He understands that it will be difficult for him to catch up on victory points so aims to table him!.
A second squad of Bezerkers disembark their Rhino and move towards the remaining Phallas; their hope for the same success their brothers saw the turn previously. The Rhino moves up behind them to provide support.
A clap of discharging energy signals the arrival of the Terminators from Teleportarium chambers. Their arrival is much more violent that that of the Allarus Custodians and sees the ground shudder under the heavy impact of their boots. This squad arrives over an objective accompanied by a Chaos Lord.
A second unit arrives on the field in a position flanking Guilliman and the Custodian Guards.
The shooting phase is begun by the Hellforged Sicaran. It is a rather slow start as the Twin Accelerator Autocannon pivots to take aim against the Allarus Custodians on the flank. Once locked into position, the barrage begins. Colossal bullets slam into the terminator armour causing it to buckle and breach in areas. Soon two Lascannon beams tear into it bringing two Custodians to their deaths.
Using the Veterans of the Long War stratagem for one command point, the Khorne Bezerkers open against the Phallas with their Bolt and Plasma pistols. This time only one wound is dealt.
Onto the combat phase and Kevin opens with this unit of Khorne Bezerkers. Again Veterans of the Long War is used for the combat as the frenzied bezerkers hack and slash at the radiant targets before them. One Custodian is slain by a calculated chain axe blow to his head. The sole remaining warrior counterattacks and kills one Bezerker. As he falls the Bezerker Champion howls “Blood for the Blood God!” signaling the second wave of attacks which bring down the final Custodian. For the second time in this battle a Shield Captain has watched his warriors die before him.
On the other side of the field the Khorne Bezerkers engage the Phallas. They are joined by the surviving members of the squad which destroyed the previous vehicle. Their joint efforts sees the vehicle brought down.
Pardo spends two Command Points to interrupt the order of combat. He attacks with his Custodaian Guard unit who had been flanked and charged by the Terminator Squad. However, he only succeeds in dealing one wound, despite a command re-roll on Kevin’s part the wound is still dealt. With a poor roll only one wound is dealt to the Terminator, leaving Kevin with a full unit to strike back with. Pardo uses a command re-roll but again fails to deal more than one wound on the D3 damage of the Guardian Spear. The Terminators attack back with their heavy Power Fists and crush two Custodians.
Kevin razes an objective with his Terminators earining him a total of 4 Victory points for this round.
Pardo (Imperium) – 7 Victory Points
Kevin (World Eaters) – 5 Victory Point & FB
Another series of costly casualties forces Pardo to turn his entire focus on scoring victory points “always play the mission”. He moves up Guilliman to protect the squad of Custodian Guards at the Center, he also maintains the mounted Shield Captain in position over an objective and moves the three strong unit of Guards to take on the flanking unit of Terminators. The Shield Captain at the left of the field moves towards the Khorne Bekerkers to apply pressure on Kevin’s Ordnance.
Reduced to small arms fire, Pardo’s shooting phase does not bear much fruit. The mounted Shield Captain manages to peel off two of the Rapier crew as they are closer, the Custodian Guard finishes a single Terminator and Guilliman blows two Bezerkers away.
The colossal Primark towers over the minions of Chaos, Emperor’s Blade clutched firmly in hand. Guilliman leans in for a strike and in one fell swoop the entire squad is cloven virtually in two.
It is not normal for a Custodian Guard to hesitate. However, after witnessing the annihilation of so many of their brothers the three warriors question the wisdom of this charge. They cautiously engage. Pouncing on the opportunity, the Chaos Lord intervenes in the combat and, with Kevin spending two command points, the Terminators strike first… Yet, the Custodians, quick on their feet, are able to deflect the majority of the comparatively slow Power Fist attacks, only two wounds are suffered by the Shieldbarer. Their counterattack is swift and decisive. Their hot glowing blades cut cleanly through the thick terminator armour, killing every member. Only the Lord remains, the objective has been secured.
The other combat with the terminators goes much less successfully. The Custodian deals a meager one wound to the Terminators and is slain in return.
Unlike his fellow leader, this Shield Captain moves to avenge his fallen men. His charge knocks a Bezerker to the ground. His keen Sentinel Blade, wielded with grace and skill, glides through the remaining Bezerkers who unanimously fall to the ground and the other rises only to be cloven in two by a powerful strike. The squad is wiped and Pardo secures an additional 3 Victory Points.
Kevin moves up this rhino to block Guilliman, the biggest threat on the board.
The Terminators pound across the open ground towards the Custodian Guard. They are joined by a second Terminator Lord who is forced to advance to keep pace.
Accelerator Autocannon shells, Rapier bullets and Laser Destroyer blasts all shower into the Shield Captain. Part of the building above him falls onto his position. As the dust slowly clears the Captain rises. He drives his blade into the earth and dusts the rubble from his pauldrons in taunt. Only three wounds are dealt.
The Chaos Lord lets out a maddened roar and sprints across the field into combat with the Shield Captain. He frantically pounds his opponents face with the butt of his Bolter and deals one wound. Almost to push the Lord off him, the Shield Captain lands a heavy strike with his Storm Shield which deals a single wound as well.
Reaching their targets after a difficult charge, the Terminators make short work of two Guards. The third spins around to engage the attackers but fails to wound. Kevin earns 1 Victory Point this round.
Pardo (Imperium) – 10 Victory Points
Kevin (World Eaters) – 6 Victory Point & FB
Guilliman recoils from the combat with the Bezerkers and turns to face the encroaching Terminators.
The Custodian Guard, emboldened by their victory over the Terminators, drive their blades into the Chaos Lord. They force him to the ground before the Shieldbarer decapitates him.
The Custodian Guard raises his Guardian Spear above his head, closes his eyes for an instant, and strikes down on a Terminator with all his strength. His blade falls further than expected, however, and lodges itself into the ground. Upon opening his eyes, all the Terminators lie dead, smoldering in the flames produced by the Emperor’s Sword. The Guard looks to Guilliman with unrivaled respect. Pardo scores 3 Vicotry Points this turn.
In awe of the Primark’s prowess, the Custodian is unprepared for the volley he is about to receive from the entirety of the World Eaters ordnance.
He is blown backwards onto the hull of a Rhino. Guilliman places his hand on the warriors dying body and commends him into this father’s grace. The Rhino now contests the point.
Despite scoring another point, Kevin does not feel he can secure enough points to catch up with Pardo, nor does he feel that he can table him in one of two turns. He, therefore, graciously concedes. Victory for the Imperium!
Pardo (Imperium) – 13 Victory Points
Kevin (World Eaters) – 7 Victory Point & FB
