So for the second week on the bounce I made it down to my local club DWARF (Dunfermline Wargaming and Roleplaying Fellowship - for those interested).
This time I was playing Craig and his Tyranids, a first for me in 8th!
The list I used was:
Craig's list
++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (Tyranids) [28 PL, 511pts] ++
Hive Fleet: Kraken
+ Troops [7 PL, 116pts] +
Hormagaunts [3 PL, 50pts]: 10x Hormagaunt [50pts]
Ripper Swarms [2 PL, 33pts]: 3x Ripper Swarm [33pts]
Ripper Swarms [2 PL, 33pts]: 3x Ripper Swarm [33pts]
+ HQ [21 PL, 395pts] +
Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 195pts]: Chameleonic Mutation, Heavy Venom Cannon [25pts], Monstrous Rending Claws, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology, Wings [2 PL, 27pts]
Old One Eye [10 PL, 200pts]: Monstrous Scything Talons
++ Spearhead Detachment +1CP (Tyranids) [40 PL, 846pts] ++
Hive Fleet: Kronos
+ Heavy Support [28 PL, 562pts] +
Biovores [6 PL, 108pts]: 3x Biovore [108pts]
Exocrine [11 PL, 216pts]
Tyrannofex [11 PL, 238pts]: Rupture Cannon [49pts], Stinger Salvo [8pts]
+ HQ [5 PL, 140pts] +
Malanthropes [5 PL, 140pts]: Malanthrope [140pts]
+ Elites [7 PL, 144pts] +
Hive Guard [7 PL, 144pts]
. Hive Guard [48pts]: Impaler Cannon [30pts]
. Hive Guard [48pts]: Impaler Cannon [30pts]
. Hive Guard [48pts]: Impaler Cannon [30pts]
++ Outrider Detachment +1CP (Tyranids) [34 PL, 643pts] ++
Hive Fleet: Jormungandr
+ Heavy Support [12 PL, 230pts] +
Carnifexes [12 PL, 230pts]
. Carnifex [115pts]: Enhanced Senses [10pts], Spore Cysts [10pts], 2x Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms [28pts]
. Carnifex [115pts]: Enhanced Senses [10pts], Spore Cysts [10pts], 2x Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms [28pts]
+ Troops [6 PL, 160pts] +
Termagants [6 PL, 160pts]
. 20x Termagant (Devourer) [160pts]: 20x Devourer [80pts]
+ Fast Attack [12 PL, 183pts] +
Gargoyles [6 PL, 84pts]: 14x Gargoyle [84pts]
Raveners [4 PL, 69pts]
. Ravener [23pts]: 2x Scything Talons
. Ravener [23pts]: 2x Scything Talons
. Ravener [23pts]: 2x Scything Talons
Spore Mines [2 PL, 30pts]: 3x Spore Mine [30pts]
+ HQ [4 PL, 70pts] +
Neurothrope [4 PL, 70pts]
++ Total: [102 PL, 2000pts] ++
The Table & Setup
Dawn of War Deployment
Kill Confirmed - from Chapter Approved.
First turn - Tyranids Win despite +1 to Ultramarines, and the Ultramarines fail to steal
First Turn
With the Nid's going first I knew this would be a pain in the back side of a game, being such a small army, losses were I didn't do anything were not what I wanted!
The Carnifexes advanced on my army as did the Hormagaunts (although only to an objective), while he snuck in (via tunnels!) his three Ravenors & 30 Termaguants.
The first round of shooting resulted in 7 wounds being put on the Spartan from the Tryannofex & Contemptor, and 8 of the 10 scouts being killed - only a double command point kept them in the game!
The gargoyles also advanced into my army to give me something else to think about!
However I did not lose first blood... somehow!
In response I moved my army around a little to ensure everyone was in range of my buffer's and then proceeded to wipe out the Gargoyles, Hormagaunts & Termgaunts, while killing 2 of the Ravenors.
My Spartan (at -1 to hit due to the Venomthrope) with 8 Lascannon shots only did 6 wounds - one successful hit and wound that wasnt saved! to it... leaving me in a less than ideal situation of waiting for another turn of shooting while it was at full health!
The Tartaros terminators came in to deal with his Neurothrope - they took two wounds off it at range, but also failed their charge (with a re-roll) burning all of my command points in the opening turn!
Second Turn
The Hive Tyrant arrived via Deep Strike, and thankfully this turn beyond casting psychic powers was unable to do anything else, the Carnfiexes helped finish off the Scouts in the centre of the board, while the Tyrannofex took another 9 wounds off the Spartan, leaving it on its final damage tier.
The Contemptor also died this turn, as two did 3 of the Tartors terminators, the Ravenor charged into the Intercessors, but died without killing any.
At this point I knew I had to kill something of his bug bugs or the game was going to get away from me, this resulted in the Tactical Squad, Intercessor Squad, all three Heroes (Tiggy failed to cast anything, even with a re-roll!), the Repulsor and the Mortis Contemptor firing on the Hive Tyrant.
Between his Inv save and Catalyst (that I had not been able to stop), he took 1 wound. Which basically means that model worth around 200 points survived with virtually no damage against over 1000 points of shooting at it.
The Tartors engaged the Exorince and Neurothrope, but not with any serious thoughts of how to actually win now.
Third Turn
Its at this point we were running out of time, and Craig was running away with the game.... the Spartan, Contemptor, Tiggy, Lieutenant all died from shooting or combat, with both of the Tartaros falling as well, leaving me with an undamaged Repulsor, and a wounded Captain for my turn.
Not a pretty game for the Ultramarines!
Review
So aside from Craigs very decent luck on his rolls, and my (below average - although I think this makes it about average for me now!) there were several areas I could have gone a little better at.
1. The Tartaros terminators... they came in at the wrong point. By Deep Striking where I did, I couldnt threaten the Tyrannofex, which was actually what was putting the hurt on my army.
2. Tiggy could have done with a more useful buff of Psychic powers, with some more offensive ones to cause some damage
3. Tiggy's ability works in the opponents shooting phase, not my own!
4. This Elite and Compact list needs some serious re-thinking for tournaments / games where going first doesnt rely on setting up first (ie the +1 only is good if you roll high!)
5. Tyrannofexs / Exorcines are a beast to shift with a -1 to hit!
6. Catalyst on a 4++ Hive Tyrant, that also has -1 to hit is maybe, just maybe a tiny bit broken (for 195 points as I think it was!)
Thank you to Craig for educating me on the Tyranid lists, I look forward to our rematch (that we may even get this year!)
This time I was playing Craig and his Tyranids, a first for me in 8th!
The list I used was:
++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (Imperium - Space Marines) [78 PL, 1339pts]
++ ++
+ HQ [16 PL, 287pts] +
Captain [5 PL, 86pts]: Plasma pistol [7pts], Power axe [5pts], The Santic Halo
Chief Librarian Tigurius [7 PL, 130pts]
Lieutenants [4 PL, 71pts]
. Lieutenant [4 PL, 71pts]: Plasma pistol [7pts], Power maul [4pts]
+ Troops [25 PL, 388pts] +
Intercessor Squad [10 PL, 118pts]: Auto Bolt Rifle [6pts] . 5x Intercessor [90pts] . Intercessor Sergeant [22pts]: Power sword [4pts]
Scout Squad [10 PL, 180pts]: 10x Camo cloak [30pts] . Scout Sergeant [15pts]: Combat knife, Sniper rifle [4pts] . 9x Scout w/Sniper Rifle [135pts]: 9x Sniper rifle [36pts]
Tactical Squad [5 PL, 90pts]
. 3x Space Marine [39pts]
. Space Marine Sergeant [13pts]: Boltgun, Chainsword . Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon [38pts]: Missile launcher [25pts]
+ Dedicated Transport [16 PL, 307pts] +
Repulsor [16 PL, 307pts]: 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launchers [8pts], 2x Storm Bolters [4pts], Heavy Onslaught Gatling Cannon [36pts], Ironhail Heavy Stubber [6pts], 2x Krakstrom Grenade Launcher [8pts], Onslaught Gatling Cannon [16pts], Storm bolter [2pts], Twin heavy bolter [17pts]
+ Heavy Support +
Mortis Dreadnought [8 PL, 119pts]
. Two assault cannons [44pts]: 2x Assault cannon [44pts]
+ Elites [21 PL, 357pts] +
Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, 165pts]: Combi-bolter [2pts], Dreadnought combat weapon [40pts], Kheres pattern assault cannon [25pts]
Tartaros Terminator Squad [13 PL, 192pts] . Tartaros Sergeant [32pts]: Combi-bolter [2pts], Power sword [4pts] . 4x Tartaros Terminator w/Power fist [160pts]: 4x Combi-bolter [8pts], 4x Power fist [48pts]
++ Super-Heavy Auxiliary Detachment (Imperium - FW Adeptus Astartes) [23
++ PL, 497pts] ++
+ Lord of War [23 PL, 497pts] +
Relic Spartan Assault Tank [23 PL, 497pts]: Twin heavy bolter [17pts] . Two quad lascannons [160pts]: 2x Quad lascannon [160pts]
++ Total: [109 PL, 1955pts] ++
Craig's list
++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (Tyranids) [28 PL, 511pts] ++
Hive Fleet: Kraken
+ Troops [7 PL, 116pts] +
Hormagaunts [3 PL, 50pts]: 10x Hormagaunt [50pts]
Ripper Swarms [2 PL, 33pts]: 3x Ripper Swarm [33pts]
Ripper Swarms [2 PL, 33pts]: 3x Ripper Swarm [33pts]
+ HQ [21 PL, 395pts] +
Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 195pts]: Chameleonic Mutation, Heavy Venom Cannon [25pts], Monstrous Rending Claws, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology, Wings [2 PL, 27pts]
Old One Eye [10 PL, 200pts]: Monstrous Scything Talons
++ Spearhead Detachment +1CP (Tyranids) [40 PL, 846pts] ++
Hive Fleet: Kronos
+ Heavy Support [28 PL, 562pts] +
Biovores [6 PL, 108pts]: 3x Biovore [108pts]
Exocrine [11 PL, 216pts]
Tyrannofex [11 PL, 238pts]: Rupture Cannon [49pts], Stinger Salvo [8pts]
+ HQ [5 PL, 140pts] +
Malanthropes [5 PL, 140pts]: Malanthrope [140pts]
+ Elites [7 PL, 144pts] +
Hive Guard [7 PL, 144pts]
. Hive Guard [48pts]: Impaler Cannon [30pts]
. Hive Guard [48pts]: Impaler Cannon [30pts]
. Hive Guard [48pts]: Impaler Cannon [30pts]
++ Outrider Detachment +1CP (Tyranids) [34 PL, 643pts] ++
Hive Fleet: Jormungandr
+ Heavy Support [12 PL, 230pts] +
Carnifexes [12 PL, 230pts]
. Carnifex [115pts]: Enhanced Senses [10pts], Spore Cysts [10pts], 2x Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms [28pts]
. Carnifex [115pts]: Enhanced Senses [10pts], Spore Cysts [10pts], 2x Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms [28pts]
+ Troops [6 PL, 160pts] +
Termagants [6 PL, 160pts]
. 20x Termagant (Devourer) [160pts]: 20x Devourer [80pts]
+ Fast Attack [12 PL, 183pts] +
Gargoyles [6 PL, 84pts]: 14x Gargoyle [84pts]
Raveners [4 PL, 69pts]
. Ravener [23pts]: 2x Scything Talons
. Ravener [23pts]: 2x Scything Talons
. Ravener [23pts]: 2x Scything Talons
Spore Mines [2 PL, 30pts]: 3x Spore Mine [30pts]
+ HQ [4 PL, 70pts] +
Neurothrope [4 PL, 70pts]
++ Total: [102 PL, 2000pts] ++
The Table & Setup
Dawn of War Deployment
Kill Confirmed - from Chapter Approved.
First turn - Tyranids Win despite +1 to Ultramarines, and the Ultramarines fail to steal
With the Nid's going first I knew this would be a pain in the back side of a game, being such a small army, losses were I didn't do anything were not what I wanted!
The Carnifexes advanced on my army as did the Hormagaunts (although only to an objective), while he snuck in (via tunnels!) his three Ravenors & 30 Termaguants.
The first round of shooting resulted in 7 wounds being put on the Spartan from the Tryannofex & Contemptor, and 8 of the 10 scouts being killed - only a double command point kept them in the game!
The gargoyles also advanced into my army to give me something else to think about!
However I did not lose first blood... somehow!
In response I moved my army around a little to ensure everyone was in range of my buffer's and then proceeded to wipe out the Gargoyles, Hormagaunts & Termgaunts, while killing 2 of the Ravenors.
My Spartan (at -1 to hit due to the Venomthrope) with 8 Lascannon shots only did 6 wounds - one successful hit and wound that wasnt saved! to it... leaving me in a less than ideal situation of waiting for another turn of shooting while it was at full health!
The Tartaros terminators came in to deal with his Neurothrope - they took two wounds off it at range, but also failed their charge (with a re-roll) burning all of my command points in the opening turn!
Second Turn
The Hive Tyrant arrived via Deep Strike, and thankfully this turn beyond casting psychic powers was unable to do anything else, the Carnfiexes helped finish off the Scouts in the centre of the board, while the Tyrannofex took another 9 wounds off the Spartan, leaving it on its final damage tier.
The Contemptor also died this turn, as two did 3 of the Tartors terminators, the Ravenor charged into the Intercessors, but died without killing any.
At this point I knew I had to kill something of his bug bugs or the game was going to get away from me, this resulted in the Tactical Squad, Intercessor Squad, all three Heroes (Tiggy failed to cast anything, even with a re-roll!), the Repulsor and the Mortis Contemptor firing on the Hive Tyrant.
Between his Inv save and Catalyst (that I had not been able to stop), he took 1 wound. Which basically means that model worth around 200 points survived with virtually no damage against over 1000 points of shooting at it.
The Tartors engaged the Exorince and Neurothrope, but not with any serious thoughts of how to actually win now.
Its at this point we were running out of time, and Craig was running away with the game.... the Spartan, Contemptor, Tiggy, Lieutenant all died from shooting or combat, with both of the Tartaros falling as well, leaving me with an undamaged Repulsor, and a wounded Captain for my turn.
Not a pretty game for the Ultramarines!
Review
So aside from Craigs very decent luck on his rolls, and my (below average - although I think this makes it about average for me now!) there were several areas I could have gone a little better at.
1. The Tartaros terminators... they came in at the wrong point. By Deep Striking where I did, I couldnt threaten the Tyrannofex, which was actually what was putting the hurt on my army.
2. Tiggy could have done with a more useful buff of Psychic powers, with some more offensive ones to cause some damage
3. Tiggy's ability works in the opponents shooting phase, not my own!
4. This Elite and Compact list needs some serious re-thinking for tournaments / games where going first doesnt rely on setting up first (ie the +1 only is good if you roll high!)
5. Tyrannofexs / Exorcines are a beast to shift with a -1 to hit!
6. Catalyst on a 4++ Hive Tyrant, that also has -1 to hit is maybe, just maybe a tiny bit broken (for 195 points as I think it was!)
Thank you to Craig for educating me on the Tyranid lists, I look forward to our rematch (that we may even get this year!)
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