Battle is Joined (Phalona Reach Campaign)

 

The Sky lit up with defence batteries, planetary cannons fired at unknown targets past the clouds high in the sky. Smaller batteries sent tracer fire at the incoming craft of the Ultramarines, drop pods streaked down to the planet like shooting stars and following them Thunderhawk's slowed and flared to a landing disgorging grim faced angels of death. The defenders of Phalona Reach manned their positions. They knew the Imperium wouldn't let their cry for freedom stand, but they were a brave people and would stand for their planet.

The first battle of my vague attempt at a planetary campaign began on Monday night. using my own homemade missions. the first one we rolled was a nice simple Take and Hold. 

Take and hold

- 1 Home objective each 3 in No mans land. 

- 5 VPs for holding an objective. 

- 10 VP for holding your opponents home objective.

- 3 VP for killing a Character

- 2 VP for killing a unit

For this game we had 2000pts, so a relatively large first battle.  the battle started with a withering round of fire from the Ultramarines, the war glaive I had brought brand shiny new for the campaign was brought down to one wound and the Ultramarines advanced. The Guard moved to secure objectives on their turn and hit the space marines hard with return fire. 

Sly Marbo (Though for the purposes of this campaign he will be called Dutch as sly Marbo would not appear on technically a traitor planet) hunted down Vindicare assassin who was taking pot shots at the Phalona forces. Grimly holding onto objectives the Phalona defenders were treated to a swift and sudden deep strike. Jump pack equipped veterans coming down from the sky's and terminators appearing in a shimmer of light. The terminators charged a Rogal dawn and brutally attacked it with their chain fists, eventually destroying it. The Rogal Dorn blasted an already weakened land raider destroying it, unfortunately it had already disgorged its lethal cargo. Marneaus  was personally leading the unit that came out of the land raider. These guys charged my Sentinel's destroying one and forcing the other to fallback where it was eventually brought down by gunfire. A chimera sat burning while Kasrkin desperately tried to secure an objective.  It didn't end well and they all died defending their objective. Gaunts ghosts (Phalona Bravo Six zero for the purposes of the campaign) held their objective all game even though there was only one member of the unit left at the end. The middle objective was captured by Marneaus and his bodyguards. The infantry squad sent to stop them fell victim to a horrendous hail of bolter fire. 

Dutch knew the assassin was out there. He could smell him, sweat dripped down Dutch's face as he scoured his surroundings. He had secluded himself in a large ruins as that's where the shot had come from.  A large Ultramarine tank had prowled past his position and once it had stopped he could hear the clamour of fighting but he remained undetected. While monitoring the tank he almost failed to notice the Vindicare assassin silently drop down from the floor above in the ruins they were both hiding in. The Vindicare assassin leapt at Dutch slashing him with a knife. The wound stung deep but Dutch pulled out his blade and kicked out catching the assassin unawares making them stumble. Dutch then thew his knife impaling the assassin against the wall "Stick around" Dutch snorted

The battle ended so close the Phalona forces managed to hold onto enough objectives to take the victory by just 3 VPs

Phalona Reach VP total for Victory: 1000

Phalona Reach Defence Forces: 32

Ultramarines :29

Phalona Reach

 

Phalona Reach is a large planet on the edges of Imperium space. Surrounded by a an asteroid belt providing a plentiful supply of minerals meaning the planets population are quite well off compared to the average Imperium citizen and the planet it self is protected somewhat from the horrors of the galaxy. Recently elected to rule the planet is a man called Xavier Snarpe . A man with extreme views and charisma. He gives speeches about throwing the shackles of the imperium and most of the worlds populace are starting to agree with him. In an audacious move he stopped the Imperial tithes from Reach, using the minerals to pour into their own defences and military forces.

"For to long the imperium has ignored us. They take and take and what do we get? What does Phalona get from the imperium? I'll tell you........nothing!!!! The Emperor would never abandon us but the High lords of Terra? They would in a heart beat if they had hearts. Take and take is all they do, well now we are free and the minerals of this planet are all ours as is rightfully so. We are not blind to the threats we face human and xenos so must be ready and stand together! Our military will increase, our space defences will need bolstering and we most of all need you Phalona. Your selves, your sons and daughters to produce, manufacture and defend our sacred planet! Are you with me Phalona!!!!" - Governor Snarpe

The planets Arbites force was overwhelmed by a surprisingly well organised and larger than suspected PDF force and Phalona's time as an independent planet started. Years went by until an adminstratum drone found that tithes from Phalona has stopped and the slow gears of the imperium started to move. It was noted that an Ultramarines battle barge was in a nearby sector and would be rerouted to remind the planet of their duty to the emperor. 

In his palace Xavier Snarpe received word of the arriving battle barge from various inter system ships captains. He gathered his command staff . He knew this would happen he knew the angels of death would arrive at some point the imperium is slow not stupid.  He stood and headed to the command room

"So it begins"

The Bug is back. Fetch the primer!

 After my small existential crisis I was so happy with how my Wookie's came out, I decided to paint some more Star Wars Legion stuff. I found out a squad of rebel troopers, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. I took my time though I did realise I had not done my normal sand dip to texture the base. A quick stop in Warhammer while I was in Birmingham and I picked up some mud texture paint.

Again I am well happy with how they came out.

I think they look really good. I am dreading painting the Empire side of things as that is a lot of white paint. Thankfully still got some rebels left to paint. 

New Adventures and a small Existential Crisis

My legend of a friend Alex gave me the Star Wars Legion starter set and many other models. Now I have a new game to fawn over and play. The models went together really easily and I have decent size forces for both the rebellion and the Empire. 

I am aware that a new edition has just been released and that would require lots of new cards and stuff printed out. I am very tempted to just play with the rules and all the nice looking cards in the box for now,  See where we go from there. 

I have built all the infantry now just left is a transport for each faction. Those models will require a bit more concentration. Now onto my existential crisis.

I have recently painted a new model (Don't want to say what it is until its finished) and after i thought I had finished it I sat and looked at it and just wasn't happy. I think I have become a bit to laid back with my speed paints. Rushing through models just so I could get them painted. This has left my last models not t the standard I want. So I have resolved to slow down my painting and take my time. I selected one unit to start and paint. Over 2 painting sessions I got them completed  and here is my first Star wars legion unit.

Wookie Warriors

I am really happy with these guys, I especially love the one Wookie dragging the Storm Trooper, he looks super mean.

I think I did a much better paint job without rushing so I hope you like them?

Phalona Campaign

As anyone that's read my blog for a while will know I prefer the narrative wargame to tournament play styles.  Now I love my 40k games but always wanted a bit of a campaign to them. Now I know GW have crusade rules but I wanted something a touch simpler than that. I read a lot of Goonhammer articles on different types of campaigns. Map campaigns, flow chart campaigns etc . All sound really good but a lot of effort to set up and good for multiple people but I mainly play my one friend ( gotta try and beat my introvertness and play other people) so I just wanted something simple. So this idea came to me!

Have a planet with a high Victory point target. We play games as normal, at the end of the game each player takes there VP total from that game and adds it to their plantery total. First one to reach the target takes the planet!! Simple what do you think?

We can fluff up each battle as we see fit for linking it all to one planet.

Now me and my usual opponent are terrible for remembering how to do 40k missions and secondaries so I made up some missions for us to use. They focus on one aspect and instead of secondaries you get VPs for killing characters and units. Will the missions work?? Who knows till I give them a go. I have 3 types

Skirmishes and raids 1k pts or less

Big battles 1k pts or more

Special Scenarios 

Each section has 3 missions such as Smash and Grab, take and hold and Last stand. This gives us missions to play with what ever force we have on hand or time to plan ahead. Only time to play a quick game let's do a Skirmish. Loads of time then big battle it is. 

Well we shall see how it goes and what works and what doesn't . 

Guard transport

 I got my self another chimera proxy. This one from the station forge range printed by Hammerline minis.

I really like this model my favourite is the guy manning the heavy stubber. 

Safe Haven Gaming

 I think I have mentioned that into to a gaming club but haven't mentioned the name or anything about it. Thought I would wrote a little blog up about it as a kind of thank you to the people running the club. It's run by a lovely couple called Daz and T. (I won't use their full names just incase they don't want all the fame my blog will bring them)

In a little town called Netherton tucked away at the local Conservative club . Every Sunday (12 till 12) Monday (7 till 12) and Tuesday ( 7 till 12) various games are played! 

Thanks to my shift pattern I don't get to go every week but whenever I go I am always made to feel welcome. Which is always a bonus in our hobby. My kids have come with me several times and play with some of the other  members kids or just chill while their dad gets a game in . My oldest has even entered the clubs blood bowl league with his dark elves (who keeps trying to throw the ball like normal elves. Though he has assassin now so is trying to stab as many opposition players as possible) and every opponent has been super nice and supportive with him. 

When ever you walk in there is always a game being played, mostly 40k or magic the gathering but they have regular Dungeons and dragons sessions and most people there are always willing to try a new game that someone has.

 Lots of the people there have lovely painted armies and there is a good mix of competitive players and casual players so a wide range of opinions on games, army lists , rules etc. 

They have an awesome set of terrain to borrow for your game and most people would lend you a model or 2  to tryout. 

That's really all I can say. Everyone is awesome and I'm glad I was introduced to the club!

Even more Lion Warriors!

 Here's more lion warriors!!

My Stern Guard veterans

Company Heroes!

A librarian 

I think that's almost the entire Socratis line from Station Forge . There are a few units that don't fit with my theme so not to worried about them. There are bikes and one tank but I am rapidly running out of storage

Yet more Lion Warriors!

 I think I am exhausting my options with the Socratis from station forge I have most of the ones I need though if they fancied making some scouts that would be very cool.  

This month's offerings are

This guy's gotta be an Ancient

My Apocathery!

This guy can be a Captain I think

A devastator squad

The below three models can be lieutenants or captains I haven't really decided yet. The one issue I have with station forge Socratis is you often get left with dudes with melee weapons and pistols. I'm sure I will find a use for them!

A New Leader Emerges

 The transport landed on the pad, hissing as it settled onto it's three protruding landing feet. It's black paint blasted in places by the ravages of space travel and transferring between atmospheres. The symbol of the Inquisition emblazoned on the side of the craft was untouched though. Almost like the Emperor was watching over it, Colonel Langswood thought as he waited on the landing pad as ordered. He had no idea what was happening but he knew it couldn't be good for him or his regiment with the Inquisition about. 

He adjusted his battle dress and looked to his left . Stood with him was the marshall of the Krieg units that had fallen under his ragtag regiment. The marshall was motionless at attention and his gas mask hid any sign that he was concerned by the Inquisition visit. The crafts engines wined down and a hatch opened releasing a ramp. The clang of ceremite on metal rang out as a figure stepped out and down the ramp. The purple hooded figure wrapped in red power armour swept their bolter from side to side checking for potential threats then the Colonel heard the hooded figure say a curt word and stepped to the side. More clanging now and 9 more figures exited the craft. Bolters held at the ready lined up either side of the transport ramp. Langswood saw now they were Adeptus Sororitas. Langswood had never fought alongside the sisters of battle before but who were they protecting? With it being the Inquisition Langswood knew his life was about to get a lot more dangerous. More power armour noises now as another figure walked out of the transport, he noticed the blonde hair first, then the silver power armour with gold edging. The inquisitor walked straight up to Langswood

Greetings I am inquisitor Liona Desveaux of the Ordo Hereticus. I have heard things about your regiment Colonel Langswood"

Langswood started to sweat, the death marshall as ever stood stoic. Then he caught a glint in the inquisitions eye

"Good things I promise you" she smiled like a viper watching it's prey.

"I have need of your forces" she went on

Langswood saluted

" For the Emperor"

Introducing my Inquisitor and her sisters of battle bodyguards . While I can't really get a new army yet nothing says I can't add different stuff to my 2 armies so an Inquisitor and body guard seems a great fit. 

Thanks again to Dave for printing my Inquisitor ! 

Bolt Action British Forces

 A while back now I picked up some extra bits for my British bolt action force. HE seems to be king at the moment in v3,  so I picked up a 25pdr and a centaur tank to give my force a couple of HE options. 

Can't wait to try V3 and try these guys out as well!

Christmas has been and gone.....

 Well happy new year all! Hope you all had a good holiday season and your piles of potential grew !

This Christmas was an armoured vehicle Christmas for me. Sadly not a real life tank but I got another Rogal Dorn which has already been painted and used in a battle. Turns out 2 Rogal Dorns are a wonderful firebase to attack with!

There she is in all her glory. Why red you ask? Well because I have a lot of green AFVs over my various games so wanted the Dorn to stand out plus with the new codex coming out, we have available Rogal Dorn tanks commanders so an officer has to stand out.  Similar weapon load out to my other Dorn but instead of the Castigator cannon I have added the pulveriser cannon and heavy stubbers instead of melta guns. The main gun is the same as the only other option is double battle cannon which sounds good but in game is terrible compared to the oppressor cannon and auto cannon combo. 

The Lion warriors not to be out done in the heavy armour stakes also got some serious armour. 2 land raiders! Well proxies from Station Forge bought off HammerLine Miniatures. Being 3d printed you get all manner of weapons for them and I honestly tried to magnetise the first one . After 15 minutes of frustration I gave up. I only really wanted 2 of the 3 variants so I built a land raider Redeemer (packing 2 heavy flamers) and a Land Raider (bringing god hammer las cannons to the field). These have been undercoated but not painted yet.

Don't worry the droopy gun was fixed 😂

These will hopefully help me get my terminators and blade guard into melee quickly and relatively safely!

Next up my awesome friend Dave printed me an inquisitor as I have a new idea to add a bit of variety to my Guard army.

She was painted using the slap chop method in sure you have all heard of. I thought I am would attempt it to see if it made a difference. I still have no idea but I have have great under coat so everything is being done by that method for a while.  She has a unit waiting to be painted and all will be revealed. 

Last of all my sessions cousin Adam printed me my very own Steve the Guardsman.  You may never have heard of Steve but what starter as a meme now is born as a miniature. 

The meme is a necrons Flayed one who on killing a guardsmen has taken on that role (they are supposed to be insane!) here's one of the memes

And here is Steve!

He's already to join the ranks of the Imperial Guard!

That's all for now!