HGR Journal Entry No. 020 - Black Saturday 40k Action!

Date : April 7, 2007
Venue : Midnight's residence
Attendees : Midnight, Balian, Kyuzo with special appearance of Salubri later in the evening
Games of Choice : Warhammer 40k
Highlights:

Sorry guys, writing a storyline's taking longer than I thought so here's a summary first of what's happened. :)

Game 1 - Balian (Dark Angels with Daemonhunter Allies) vs. Kyuzo (Emperor's Children)
2000pts Cleanse Alpha (say, even the mission is themed with the Holy Week. lolz.)
Kyuzo wins with scoring units claiming three quarters against Balian's one.

Met up with Salubri later that evening for coffee at, where else, Starbucks. Even on a Black Saturday folks, the place did not disappoint. We even got to sit on a couch too!!! hehehe...

Terrain building update. Salubri able to make 4 building ruin pieces from foamboard. Cool!

Will try to post a storyline report before Meanderer can post theirs before 2008. Pramis! +P
------

It was morning, the husks of buildings casting weird shadows on the outskirts of what used to be a bustling city just a few weeks back. Never really cared to remember the name of this settlement, only the fleeting memory of its wanton destruction. And hopefully, before the day is over, that memory is about to be refreshed anew.

From our vantage point here at the city outskirts, activity can already be seen. The tell-tale contrails of Imperium transports tracing skywards. Dark figures moving furtively from structure to structure. The pattern of their movements is more deliberate and organized when they made planetfall, compared to that of the clumsier Imperial Guard. These are Space Marines, and judging by their colors, these must be a contingent of the Sons of El Johnson, though I sense a strange presence among them. Whoever they are, my instructions to my children were clear; they must be driven off this sector so as not to interfere with our plans.

Without further prompting, my children set forth on their mission. Brother Halus and his squad of havocs took the high ground, ready to choose their targets at will with missle and autocannon fire, while Brothers Furiax and Xarnon brought their respective havocs to the frontline. Brothers Ixius and Grax kept their noise marines slightly behind should the need for support fire arises.

It did not take long before our Enemy presented themselves to us. These are more heavily armed compared to the usual expeditionary force the Imperium would send. Then, did I realize the true nature of the strange presence that I've felt...

Daemonhosts! The Loyalist's feeble attempt at controlling the unstable power of the Warp and give it human form, though far from it. Some mad if not desperate being is leading this army, if he intends to harness the very substance of our existence against us. They shall pay dearly for this folly.

Brothers Furiax and Xarnon pressed forward, almost immediately you could hear the booming bass notes of blastmasters, combined with excellent shooting from Brother Halus, neutralizing the Dark Angels' jump troops from making any counterattack to our advance, at least for the time being.

This did not bode well for the defenders of the False Emperor, for their troubles were compounded when the daemonhosts turned on them as well, momentarily throwing them into disarray as they desperately try to regain their control over them. My children sensed that it is time they press their advantage.

Like a harbinger of death astride an iron steed. Brother Eidolon zooms into the fray, sent on engaging the nearest squad of marines even if it meant taking on two the daemonvessels at the vanguard, with Brother Zerus and his bikers closely behind in the hopes of flanking their fortification before they have a chance to return fire. Only the Daemonhosts were close enough to engage Brother Eidolon's advance, while the rest of the Enemy try to regroup. It is here where Brother Eidolon springs his trap.

Brother Eidolon, aided by the Dark Prince, summoned a coven of daemonettes to aid him, while Brother Zerus continued their blinding advance to the Unforgiven's now exposed flank. The daemonettes made short work of the daemonhosts, and quickly ran to the Dark Angels' firing line. The Dark Angels have yet to neutralize the first wave of daemons when Brother Zerus unleashed a second wave which was enough to break their resolve. Many space marines fell, dropping their guard to these pale svelte, exotic daemon women and their deadly charms. The Sons of the Lion fell back, albeit too easily, as if they have accomplished something important to them despite their great loss. Somehow, I do not think we have seen the last of them.



Journal of Brother Eleazar
Librarian, Dark Angels Fifth Company
Entry 040707

We are veterans of the Battle of the Sularian Gate. We serve the Emperor and hunt the Fallen.

To these vows we set out to the aid of Inquisitor Lord Quiroga, having picked-up a distress call sent out by one of his telepaths. We almost never trouble ourselves with the affairs of the inquisition, but Quiroga had information that is both valuable to us and sends a chill to our spine at the same time... in Quiroga we have someone outside the inner circle knowing about The Fallen...

Upon planetfall at Salvador I, we immediately located Quiroga, in battle with what I estimated to be half a company of the Emperor's Children. Supported only by his retinue, I say we just arrived in time to save him from utter doom. Upon deployment, we immediately felt something disturbing... something that caused us to hesitate... I am fearing blasphemy when I think that it could have been fear we felt... and we were quickly overwhelmed...

In the heat of battle Quiroga pointed out two of The Fallen among the traitors' ranks. We abandoned any thought of being victorius and just hunted the two Fallen at all cost. Upon accomplishing that, we withdrew, now with Quiroga and his knowledge.

It is clear that Quiroga knows of our secret crusade. In my opinion, my lord Ezekiel, it is to our best interest to keep him with us... to be able to hunt The Fallen down and figure out just exactly who this Quiroga is and how he knows what he knows. I sense something sinister, but what exactly I still have no clue.

For the Emperor

HGR Journal Entry No. 019 - Rabid Dogs and Barbed Wires

[Start Transmission: Grand Master Belial, Deathwing Company]

In answer to a call put thru by the Research Station on Arx. The Battle Barge, Defiance dropped out of warp space within the sector. As soon as we reached orbit, I sent out a Ravenwing scouting party to investigate. En route to Caliban, we earlier recieved word that traitor marines have been spotted in the area. Within hours the scouting party stumbled on a contingent of these traitors and our suspicions were confirmed.

It was unfortunate that they had scouts of their own and Sgt. Seth's Ravenwing were discovered. The enemy entrenched itself in an area with old walls... no doubt a ruin of the past wars when the vile Abaddon tried to enter Imperial Space thru this Sector, bypassing the Cadian Gate. Still, thru the use of their training they were able to secure good positions and advance into the enemy lines. Seizing this opportunity I ordered our battle hardened brethren to make ready to teleport as soon as the Ravenwing party gave their signal.

Sgt. Seth chose to break his unit up into combat squads and approach from both flanks of the enemy entrenchment. The signal came and the reserved Deathwing terminators, dropped one after another on the enemy's right flank. As the battle progressed I realized that it would be to our advantage should I throw the full weight of our Deathwing forces on a single flank. The theory proved correct as he tried to support his endangered right flank with their leaders and some fast moving bikers. However this was not enough to stop the righteous fury of the Deathwing. We finished them off with a final melee that saw the death of their leaders as well. I ordered Sgt. Seth to lead a team of ravenwing bikers to hunt down the stragglers. None must escape.

It is worth mentioning that after the battle we surveyed the dead bodies of the traitors. They closely resembled a mix between wolves and man. I recall that their fighting style closely mirrors that of the barbarians from Fenris. But these... abominations can not truly be of their kin... not even the Wolves would don armor worn by the chaos traitors. This... I find strange...

[End Transmission]


SAGA OF GUNNAR FIREAXE
Youngest Wolf Lord, Space Wolves 13th Company
Entry 033107 - by Rune Priest Hjarrand

We were roused by the scent of smoke and the roar of engines. In this isolated world we now call Kievan Rus, it can only mean one thing... confrontation.

Lord Gunnar mustered the Storm Claws and, along with Wolf Priest Thorolf, set out to take the fight to the potential enemy. I stayed long enough to set-up the firing line for the Long Fangs, and then moved forward with the Slayers to lend support to Gunnar and his Claws, with our fenrisian wolves running point. I have, time and again, advised the young wolf against using speed and cunning exclusively in every battle. Evidently, Gunnar still has a lot to learn, and I hope for the warband's own good he does.

We covered a lot of ground in our advance, but the main force of the enemy appeared in the flank where we did not expect them to be. In hindsight, even if we covered that flank, we would not have been able to break through their lines... or even stop their advance. Our fast reaction was not enough, and our Long Fangs could not give the full might of their firepower to bear given their initial deployment. It was like water hitting stone.

Speed, cunning and the strength of our Lord Gunnar and the Storm Claws have given us a number of victories, but this time our strength was not enough to cleave through the enemy's battle lines. We were forced to withdraw and redraw our battle line... maybe for another day...

We still don't know the purpose of the enemy we faced... what they were doing in Kievan Rus... they have the markings of the Sons of the Lion, but their armour's colour were far different the last time we saw them... and that was before we went in the Eye.

There was a time when we knew who our enemies were. That time is long gone. We are alone...

-------------------------------------------------------

Intercept Code: Catachan IG.
Transmission: Gonza V to Battleship Righteous Vengeance
Verification: 90.45.01 (confirmed)

Start Transmission: 10.32
Abort Refuelling - We have made contact with a local from the settlement on Therex XI and cannot secure the landing zone designated *Touchdown*.

We are confronted by fortifications being built on the outskirts of Therex. The surrounding swamplands are cleared about 500 m from the first bunkers. The village itself looks like it went through several years of conflict. The native we recovered - Uwe Neiner told us the attackers came only a week before - enslaving the villagers and then forcing those into labor. I cannot pretend to understand the workings behind the minds of such a cruel horde. The silver armour with yellow and black trimmings mark them out to be the cursed Iron Warriors once, the Emperium's finest siegemasters. Now they are here, led by a ten foot daemon whose armour seemed to have fused with his flesh.

End Transmission

Start Transmission: 14.32
We have moved our vantage position as the Iron Warriors started to scan the perimeter. My fear is that they've detected our transmission but the level of alert indicated the Iron Warriors were interested in something more.

The awful detonation of large demolisher shells marked the first locations where the Iron Warriors suspected their attackers to be seeking cover. Then we saw them break cover - they looked like Space Marines but their armour was mixed with Chaos markings. Their attack was at once fierce - seeking to overwhelm the Iron Warriors through their speed. These attackers were easily able to get through the defences and engage the well-entreched Iron Warrior defenders.

The Space Marine (if he was still loyal to the Emperor) leader drove his bike straight into a wall of Iron Warriors taking on all comers. He eventually bested even the 10 foot tall monster before being felled by a demolisher shell that fell a meter from his bike. With their leader gone and most of their number dead or injuired, the remaining attackers slipped back into the swamps. Even now I can still hear their awful howling...

Priority request for evacuation Lt. Duncan. Catachan 23rd.

End Transmission

HGR Journal Entry No. 018 - 240 (minutes)

Meanderer's Sons of Light Vs SigismundV2's Black Templars
2,000 pts. - Seek and Destroy - Gamma

Wait for it!
Sons of light prepare to protect the right flank.



Tug of War
Sons of light chaplain tells his men to "Hold the line".
Sigismund's Templar chaplain says "Stay with me!".



Good old fashioned flaming!
The Meanderer prepares to cook some power armored marines.



Bold and Daring!
The Meanderer teleports his Grey knights into battle.
Sigismund decides to ignore it. :D

The Waiting Game
Kyuzo and Salubri thinking the same thing. "We should be playing poker!"

Salubri's Ultramarines Vs Balian's Angels of Salvation (vanilla rules)
2,000 pts. - Take and Hold - Gamma

After 240 minutes of pure tear jerking, blood spattering and mind boggling action (in a table top gaming sense) between SigismundV2 and the Meanderer, we were finally able to stretch our warhammer muscles. Balian and I proceeded to show our friends that it IS possible to finish a game in 2 hours or less. O:D

Salubri's Account

The terrain promised a bloody battle as both our armies relied on heavy assault and little fire support. The clumping of the buildings in and around the center of the table also made sure that both sides would have to go down and dirty to grab the center. With this in mind I placed my devastators, whirlwind and sniper scouts at the right side of the table where they will be away from the fighting but with a good view of Balian's fire support units. Next I placed the chaplain assisted assault squad and vindicator near the center and behind the cluster of buildings where they could move unharassed by the enemy guns, should I needed to cross and take the fight to him. The librarian and bikes went to the left of my formation where they can do a flanking maneuver when the fighting at the center starts.

When the fighting began the plans went out the window. As soon as balian saw my bikes maneuvering to crash on his right, he started moving his army to the center and away from the bikes. It was fortunate that this caused him to bunch up in the center of the table, giving my ahem... sniper vindicator and the whirlwind plenty of targets. We were caught by surprise when a squad of incinerator armed grey knights dropped in front of one of the buildings and in one round of shooting took out a tac squad and *accidentaly hit the land speeder behind it. Two potent psykers battled for supremacy over the warp with Balian's man proving the stronger in a test of will. Both psykers did very little damage though and the game was eventually decided with a mass melee that ensued around the 3rd turn and lasted into the 4th turn. With the Chaplain and his assault squad commiting themselves to a melee with 3 (or 4) squads I had to break the original plan of getting the bikes to his side and rear and rush to the center to aid the beleaguered troops. The librarian makes it just in time to even the odds and left behind his bike squad to finish off the calidus assasin.

Balian takes the objective at the end of the 4th turn as I didn't have enough forces to secure or contest. The assault squad was chopped to bits and the librarian down to one wound. The Angels of Salvation though, now has a new opening for the post of "Epistolary". :D

Result: Salubri wins by victory point count!
Time : 1 hour and 30 minutes

:P

Just Happy it's over
After 4 hours of waiting. Salubri and Balian got to play! :D



Huddling in the corner
Ultramarines deploy behind buildings and and stay out of sight



The bloody business!
Ultramarine assault squad with chaplain charges into the frey in a bid for the objective.



Barn Brawl!
Angels of Salvation Characters rush to defend the objective.

Q: Spartans what's your profession!?!

A: Dogs {awoo! awoo! awoo!}

So who can play this weekend? I'm free saturday and so is the Meanderer I think. Midnight will your place be available? those of you who are playing kindly post here or just give confirmation on the chatbox.

Reawakening the Fleet

Here's my contribution to HGR. It's mirrored from my KB but it felt cohesive to the literary stream here.

Since Necrons don't keep records like normal humans do, I decided to take an external point-of-view for it. I will follow the progress of a radical faction Inquisitor. He encountered the awakening of a Necron tomb fleet and has made repeated engagements against it. What follows are his accounts of said and future engagements.

Announcemento Desu!

After briefly destroying the blog while I was feeling like Sylar ("let's see how it works!"), I managed to get it back up again. hehe...

I redesigned it with a 1024 x 768 resolution so as yet, I have no idea what it looks like on other resolutions. Maybe the header will look crazy. This time around, ahem... unlike yesterday I checked it on both Internet explorer and Firefox. Looks fine to me.

I'm thinking of adding the army gallery on the sidebar so those of you with digicams start taking pictures of your figs and send it to me. Piktyuran nyo na rin yung mga sarili ninyo wag nyo lang akong bigyan nang pang friendster na pic! (friendster pic= half naked pics of self, obviously taken after working out. :P ) . Also a write up about yourself and the army might be a good idea. Para naman hindi puros sariling kathang isip ko ang ilagay ko dyan. ehi! At ang write up, wag yung pang friendster! :P


Sylar este... Ryan
p.s. Wala pa yung battle report ni lesther! lolz
9 more moths to 2008. lolz

Town Cryer Cries Again!!!

Just a few words from yours truly.

First I'd like to inform everyone that Balian and Salubri will most likely (to be confirmed) go to galleria this weekend to go on a marathon WFB session. If you have a WFB army, might as well make a 2k list (proxies are fine as long as they don't look like pepsi bottles :P ).

Second, I'd also like to advise that if you wish to post a picture please do not use photobucket as your host. Photobucket can be very slow and in the interest of making our blog load as quickly as possible I'd suggest finding an alternative host for it that you've proven to be quite fast. Me personally I prefer using www.imageshack.us

Yun lang po.

Hmm... those aren't a few words. Okay. I lieeed. mwahahaha!

p.s: Kung pwede sa inyo Midnight mas okay yun! :D

Ripped from Bolter and Chainsword

HQ

• Grandmaster – Azarael
Wargear Krak & Frag grenades, bolt pistol, Protector (artificer armour), Lion Helm (provides invulnerable save for Azarael and any unit he joins), Sword of Secrets(MC Power weapon +2S) and Lions Wrath (MC Combi plasma).


• Belial – Master of the Deathwing
- Wargear Terminator armour, storm bolter and Sword of Silence
- May change weapons to lightning claws or Thunder hammer/Storm shield for free.
- If Belial is included in an army one Terminator squad may be upgraded to a Deathwing command squad (Deathwing standard bearer and Apothecary).


• Sammael – Master of the Ravenwing
- Wargear Power Armour, Frag & Krak Grenades, Bolt Pistol, Iron Halo, Raven Sword, Adamantine Mantle, Jetbike (armed with TL-Storm Bolters & under slung Plasma Cannon)
- May switch to his Land Speeder in which case he now counts as a vehicle and wargear becomes ceremonial (having no in-game use). Shield of night now provides AV14 front and sides.
- If Sammael is included in a army one attack squadron may be upgraded to a Ravenwing command squad (Ravenwing standard bearer and Apothecary).

• Company Master (Master of the 3rd, 4th and 5th companies)
- May take a five man command squad but doesn’t have to join them.

• Ezekiel – Grandmaster of the Librarians
- Wargear Frag & Krak grenades, Secrets Shield (Artificer Armour), Deliver (MC Bolt Pistol), Traitor’s Bane (MC Force Weapon), Book of Salvation (all DA units within 12” are Fearless), and Psychic Hood, comes with both DA Psyker powers plus Mindworm.


• Dark Angels Librarian
- Pretty much the same as codex Space Marines except has two unique powers – Hellfire (Template str2D6-2 APD6) and Force Barrier (once per turn LD test ignore damage (not effective against psycannons/C’tan etc)).

• Dark Angels Chaplain
- Pretty much the same as codex Space Marines, may be upgraded to Interrogator Chaplains
- May take Terminator armour, bikes or Jump Packs.

• Dark Angels Command squads (max 5 models) are a HQ choice but do not take up a HQ slot you can take one for IC but they do not automatically form a retinue and may separate.

Elites


• Deathwing Terminator squad
- Squad Size is five models (no more/no less).
- All members of the Deathwing are fearless
- Only one heavy weapon per squad (One assault cannon, one Cyclone launcher or one heavy flamer).
- Squad can include a mixture of standard and close combat terminators.
- Uses special rule ‘Deathwing Assault’ up to 50% of terminator squads may deepstrike in the first turn without having to roll for deepstrike.
- Terminators are cheaper than the old Dark Angel codex but more expensive than Codex Space Marine Terminators
- Terminator standard equipment includes teleport homers.




• Company Veterans squad
- Base of five models and up to an additional five (although a max. squad of ten is needed to use the rule ‘combat squads’).
- Can take a mixture of weaponry (combi-weapons, storm bolters, special and heavy weapons).


• Techmarines
- Counts as elites but does not use an Elite slot in the FoC.
- One Techmarine may be taken for each non transport vehicle included in an army.

• Dark Angels Scout Squad
- Base is five marines and veteran sgt.
- May include a further five scouts.
- Armed with Krak, Frag and bolt pistol and one of the following as standard – Bolter, Shotgun or Close Combat weapon.
- Shotgun is now S4 (Manstopper rounds)
- Rest of options similar to scout squads.


Troops

• Tactical squad
- Uses ‘combat squads’ rule
- May take a special weapon if five marines and a special and heavy weapon if ten marines (heavy weapon includes plasma cannon)

• Ravenwing Attack squadron (If Master of the Ravenwing taken).

• Deathwing Terminator Squad (If Master of the Deathwing taken).


Fast Attack

• Assault squad
- Uses ‘combat squads’ rule
- May remove jump packs to count as infantry and can take a Rhino or Drop pod at no additional points cost.


• Ravenwing Attack Squadron
- Base of three bikes (may add another three to a maximum of six.
- All Ravenwing bikes are fearless.
- All Ravenwing bikes (including attack bikes) come with teleport homers and Scout USR as standard
- Two bikes may take a special weapon (flamer, melta or plasma at a points cost).
- Attack bike can be added as standard
- If squadron consists of maximum bikes (six) then a land speeder Tornado may be added.
- Squadron is deployed at the same time but may be separated into four scoring units (2x3 bikes, 1 x attack bike and 1 x land speeder Tornado).

• Ravenwing Support Squadron
- Base is one land speeder.
- May include up to four more land speeders, one may be a Tornado and one more a Typhoon.

Heavy Support

• Devastators
- May use ‘combat’ squads rule allowing squad to be split into 2x5 marines; this allows you to split out heavy weapons into two units.

Vehicle information


• Vehicles come with searchlights and smoke launchers as standard equipment.

• Drop pods and Predator annihilators (w/lascannon sponsons) more expensive all other vehicles remain at the same price or are cheaper.

• Whirlwinds have an option for incendiary missiles that remove cover saves.

• Dreadnoughts may take a Plasmacannon or Twin-linked Autocannon.

General Information

• All Dark Angels power armoured squads come with krak, frag and bolt pistols as standard
• All Dark Angels squads are led by veteran sergeants.

• Standards of Fortitude, Devastation and Retribution now come under a single classification of ‘sacred standard’ and require a interrogator chaplain in the army to use.

• No veteran skills available to Dark Angels.

• Codex follows the same format as the recently released Eldar codex.

• ‘Combat squads’ used for many selections, base is five models and then may be given another five models for a maximum of 10. When deployed unit may be split into two separate scoring units.

• Jink Save for the Ravenwing is gone.

• Stubborn and Intractable are gone.

• Rules for Cypher are not included in the codex

• No Mortis Dreadnought in the codex.

Miniature Information

• Several new HQ models including two new captains (already seen) along with remakes of named characters.

• Dark Angels upgrade sprue (similar to the Black Templars one but of better quality), icons for vehicle upgrades (no separate door sets). Including Deathwing parts and robed bodies.

• New Ravenwing sprue (including parts for the MotRW landspeeder)

• New Land Speeder sprue including parts for Tornado and Typhoon.

• Armydeal (Dark Angels) and Battleforce (Ravenwing) will be available

• New model for Cypher.

• Cypher is getting a new model. The new model of Cypher is confirmed, due for a late release. The model is in a pose crossed between the Emperor's champion and the LOTR Witch King. I hope you get what I mean. He is looking slightly downwards, and is armed with a very nice sword and some pistol I didn't recognise. (source Destris)

From Warseer...

Plastic Dev Sprues?!

Devastator Sprue 1


Devastator Sprue 2

Aaarrrggghhh!!! =((

HGR Journal Entry No. 016 - Revisting Galleria...

February 10, 2007...

Venue: Neutral Grounds Galleria
Attendees: Balian, Salubri, Kyuzo, Sigismund with special appearance of Justin, Mike Monroe and Adrian

A sudden gathering of the Regulars over at Neutral Grounds Galleria. First Regulars gathering in NG for the year 2007!

Game 1: Balian's 13th Company vs. Salubri's Deathwing
Scenario: 2000pts Seek and Destroy Level: Gamma

Salubri's Perspective:

I came lugging my compact Deathwing and half expecting Balian to bring his famed Steel Falcons only to realize he brought 13th Company instead. Battle strategy out the window! Shooting would not be so much a factor as the terrain was urban and the resulting randomization caused them to bunch up(not to mention all the cyclone launchers missed for 5 turns!!! ). The battle would later be decided in the assault phase.

Come deployment I spread the 3 units of tactical terminators( 1 assault cannon and 1 cyclone on each copy pasted thrice. :D ) on my deployment zone and held 3 units including the Grand Master in reserve. I figured it would prevent him from using his numbers against my tiny force and hopefully delay him long enough for the arrival of the 3 reserves via teleport homer. Balian, benefiting from playing too much Total War decided to strike at my left flank. Good tactic as the unit he commited were bikes and could easily move in and out while the rest of the termies from the battle line will be unable to catch up. His plans were interupted by the sudden arrival of two teleporting squads including the Grand Master. This caused him to engage in a protracted melee as the free terminator units had a field day in shooting the rest of his walking troops that were then trying to cross the table to where the assault was happening.

When the dust settled, only the Rune Priest and two stragglers from the bike squads were left. Both the Grand Master and the Wolf Lord sold their lives dearly for their respective chapters! Last minute moves weren't enough to cause a victory run as my teleporting Assault Terminators ended up deviating to my deployment zone. Kudos to Emcee for being "Rusty". ;)

Kyuzo's Account:

As expected between these two, having known each other's strategies after months of playing against each other, the exchanges were equally exciting and bloody game-wise. Arrived to see the last turn of this game with Balian's bikers doing dangerous risks in getting into the Deathwing lines by crashing through cover to get into close combat.

Result: Draw (with Balian having a slight edge in VP about 110 pts. or so)


Game 2: Balian's 13th Company vs. Kyuzo's Emperor's Children
Scenario: Cleanse Level: Alpha

Highlights:

I got to choose this one after winning out on strategy rating. Suddenly realized I might have been a little hasty in choosing Cleanse as a scenario after remembering Balian normally fields two squads of bikes as well as a teleporting rune priest with melta gun toting Space Wolves.

Game got underway with Balian's rune priest teleporting just a couple of inches right next to my leftmost defiler, which predictably blew later in the turn. This cleared the way for his two squads of bikes to get a chance of entering my home quarter. Luckily, my second squad of daemonettes coming in on the third turn was able to stop the bikes' advance and practically took out both squads except for one Lt on bike. My first squad of daemonettes was able to take out the Wolf Lord on bike which was locked in combat with my Lt on bike and was almost able to finish off one of the Long Fang squads if it weren't for a falling back squad of Space Wolves with flamers which targetted my Lt but took out more daemonettes by what I would best call "by strategic accident". Teleporting rune priest and squad took out the second defiler which also took with it some Space Wolves in the explosion as well as the third defiler in the succeeding turn. Mental note to remember to use smoke launchers next time. Remaining units on the table by 6th turn was a full squad of daemonettes taking one quarter, my Daemon Prince left with one wound, and a non-scoring noise marine squad while Balian was left with his Space Wolf Lt on bike.

Result: Win for Kyuzo (One scoring unit holding one quarter to none)

Other Highlights:

Apologies to Sigismund who was able to bring an army but was a little late in arriving so that we can possibly squeeze in one more game. We'll try to make it up to you next time Dude. Would help if you can come a little earlier next time. ;)

Some thoughts of playing WFB as early as March once 40k Gladiator and the 40k 1000pt tourney is done this month. The Dark Elves coming back out after a long hiatus? Abangan!

Mike Monroe also passed by so that I could trade some bitz with him. Too bad he was in a hurry and with no army so that he could've been able to play.

We left Galleria a little earlier than usual since Salubri needed to go home a little earlier than usual. We ended up having takeout pizza and mojos at his house with a small game of heads-up poker using dice as poker chips. Ended the evening with Kyuzo having the chip lead followed by Balian and Salubri.

Till next time.

Le Deadwing

Dark Angels Preview

"With the Dark Angels Codex set to be released very soon, we can give you your first taste of what's new in this book. Some of the changes to the Dark Angels rules include the ability to break units into Combat Squads, the ability to form mixed armies instead of solely Ravenwing or Deathwing, enhanced equipment, and the new Deathwing Assault rule that allows a powerful force of Deathwing Terminators to Deep Strike in the 1st turn. For all the details on these rules, grab your copy of the Codex: Dark Angels."

Isn't that cool? I think that's cool. :D

On another note I'll turn all my unpainted marines into Blood Angels. Heck I'll even sculpt the curly hair on them. :D Heck maybe I'll buy 3 baals too if they ever get to the stores here. lolz

"Now. Who wants a piece of Alexander!?" <- Taunt designed to demoralize the real men in your enemy's army. lolz

Saturday Game Anyone?

So who's free to play this saturday? Di pa sure ang venue. Midnight okay ba sa inyo? If not Galleria na lang pero di pa sure yan. I'll need to call them up first.

Reply na lang dito ang mga pwede. Or kung hindi pa nakakapagupdate nang account yung isa dyan sa tagboard ka na lang sumagot. :P

HGR Journal Entry No. 015 - Starting 2007 With A Big Ordinance Template...

January 28, 2007...

Venue : Midnight's Residence, Somewhere in the concrete jungle of Quezon City
Attendees : Midnight, Kyuzo and Balian with special appearance of Baby Mia and Power Ranger Maki...

Game 1: Midnight's Space Wolves vs. Balian's Steel Falcons
Scenario: 2000pts Seek and Destroy Level: Alpha
Highlights:

Wasn't able to see much of this game since I had to distract Power Ranger Maki into helping me out in taking pictures of Midnight's painted minis and WIP's so that Midnight and Balian can bash each others brains out in relative peace and quiet (pardon the pun). Aggresive play from both sides early on with the Space Wolves initiating a forward charge to Balian's solid firebase. FOTA was also played a key role in some rounds but the determined charge by the Space Wolves kept things to an even standing. Game ended with Balian and Midnight with 5 scoring units each remaining on the battlefield.

Result: Draw (with Balian with a slight edge on VP if counted).

Game 2: Midnight's Space Wolves vs. Kyuzo's Emperor's Children
Scenario: 2000pts Cleanse Level: Omega
Highlights:

Escalation proved difficult to daemon-bomb effectively (Kyuzo's Lt on bike and Daemon Prince can only come in on the 2nd turn at the earliest) except via infiltrating squads or summoning becomes successful later in the 3rd turn.

By third turn Kyuzo did a risky bordering on foolhardy move of turbo-boosting his Lt in the midst of a sea of Space Wolves and heroically survive a torrent of shooting, only to be fully surrounded in close combat (thus, nullifying the opportunity to summon) and subsequently destroyed by a $#!^-load of powerfists (Space Wolves can carry two PF's per squad?!). It proved to be a blessing in disguise as consolidating units ended up in neat clusters for defiler target practice.

Daemonettes and DP were effective in dessimating at least 3 squads of troops, two predators and 1 landspeeder between them. Random game length proved a disadvantage to the Emperor's Children as one defiler blew up in last round heroics by remaining SW landspeeder squadron.

Result : Draw (Midnight's Space Wolves with edge in VP 1396 to 1344)

Announcement!

I've transfered our blog to the new Blogger. You may need to sign in to blogger via the main page(blogger.com) and follow the instructions on how to transfer to the new version before you can post anything here. If you're not having problems then disregard this message.

Malabo ba? Sensya na. Wala na naman ako sa sarili. lol

Congrats to Sigis and Ivy!

December 21, 2006


Remember Dude, marriage is not just a word... Its a sentence. ;)

From all the guys, here's wishing you and Ivy all the best!

HGR Journal Entry No. 013 - Lost In The Warp

This entry has been long overdue :)

I cant even remember the games played that day. We deployed, threw dice, extended the tape measure, used a few templates, had lotsa laughs...

In attendance that day :

- Balian, Steel Falcons
- Salubri, Ultramarines
- Kyuzo, Emperor's Children
- Sigismund, Grey Knights
- Lord of Change, in wrestlehammer form
- Adrian...
- Joel, brand new daddy

Poker, anyone?

HGR Journal Entry No. 14 - Where'd No. 13 Go? +P...

December 1, 2006...

Da Players : Midnight, Salubri, Balian, and Kyuzo
Da Venue : Midnight's Residence, somewhere in QC
Da Order of Play : Warhammer 40k and Texas Hold Em Poker


40k Game

Combatants : Midnight's Space Wolves vs. Kyuzo's Emperors Children
Scenario : Take and Hold
Level : Gamma

Highlights:

Kyuzo had to resort to the 3-defiler config to make the list playable since there are not enough havoc models to field and kept the proxies to a minimum. Heard a lot of cries of "foul" and "cheese" from Midnight after realizing majority of Kyuzo's troops are infiltrating, six units carried icons, and the nasty siren minor psychic power on his daemon prince. The defilers proved effective against Midnight's troops and landspeeders. The daemonettes proved most effective in taking out the rest of the troops.

Midnight still proved the craftier of the two being able to use a Wolfguard's consolidate move to get into base contact with what was initially thought of as an untouchable daemon prince (due to siren) reducing him to two wounds, plus his infiltrating scouts that almost took out two defilers using bolt pistols and a meltagun, and a heavy concentration of heavy supports on one flank (Midnight used two Pred Annihilators and one Vindicator) which Kyuzo wasn't able to neutralize. Shrewd strategist! Nice one.

Last turn ended with Kyuzo's DP, daemonettes and one noise marine squad controlling the center with two damaged defilers and one full noise marine squad still standing while Midnight was left with a vindicator, a pred annihilator, and a couple of rhinos.

Result : Emperors Children wins

Poker Games

Played three rounds of Texas HoldEm with special participation of Shana Hiatt in the proceedings. ;) The results:

Round 1 : Kyuzo over Balian, Salubri and Midnight
Round 2 : Midnight over Salubri, Balian and Kyuzo
Round 3 : Balian by chip count over Salubri, Midnight and Kyuzo

Special Thanks and Mentions

To Midnight for providing the venue. Sa uulitin dude! :D
To Shana Hiatt for providing the necessary inspiration for the poker players to survive elimination. :D
To Salubri for bringing the poker set (That thing is heavy!)
To Balian for writing up the battle report for No. 13. +P
To Kyuzo for bringing Shana Hiatt to the get-together. +P
To Ricky for bringing us all together and be missing in action at the same time. +P
To Sigismund and Meanderer who hopefully will be able to join us next time.

HGR Journal Entry No. 012...

First Game
Combatants : Balian's Steel Falcons vs. Kyuzo's Emperors Children
Scenario : Take and Hold Gamma
Highlights :

6'x6' gaming table in da house! Plus, debut of Kyuzo's Emperors Children at 2000pts! Although around 30% of the army are proxied, it was graciously allowed by the Regulars in order to get a feel on how the config works. And with Balian's Steel Falcons across the table, its the proverbial baptism of lascannon fire right there! +P

Deployment was a little non-eventful, except for the fact that all of the Emperor's Children's troops are infiltrating. Balian himself highly recommended this given the config's obvious tactics. Wanted to check its full potential by letting Balian's scouts infiltrate first as a worst case scenario, giving my infiltrators less places to hide.

Started out with the predictable turbo-boost of the Lt on bike in the hopes of the summoned daemonettes to come out closer to the Steel Falcon firing line, only to be shot down the next turn by virtue of multiple lascannon fire. Even the 2+ invul save could not weather the Steel Falcon firepower. Daemonettes proved deadly predicted still able to take down a Calidus assassin as well as a venerable dreadnaught, but sadly ran out of turns to get to the deadlier troops still left on the Steel Falcons' deployment zone. Sonic weaponry rocks, as combined power of blastmasters and sonic blasters were capable of taking out marines with the occassional pinning check! And defilers are cool too, which was best described by Salubri. One or two defilers on the table is cheesy, while THREE defilers is not. ;)

Result : Minor Victory to the Steel Falcons!

Despite the loss, already learned a lot on what adjustments are still needed to be made to the config as well as some post game analysis to the basic tactics. Until the next time these rockers show up again. ;)

Second Game
Combatants : Sigismund's Black Templars vs. Salubri's Ultramarines
Scenario : Recon Gamma (which actually was played at Omega) +P
Highlights :

This would involve a long march for both sides due to a longer table length. Seemed ironic that an all-infantry Ultramarine army was able to cover more ground while the more forward-oriented Black Templar army stayed back. Some silent protests going along the line, "This is Recon! Cross the %&*# table already!" hung heavy in the air as the Black Templar line did not budge. Ultramarine assault squads and bikers successfully reached the black templar enemy lines, which later on proved vital in sealing the win.

Result : Minor Victory for the Ultramarines!

Salubri's Veteran Squad Sergeant


Kyuzo's Slaaneshi Marine


WIPs from Kyuzo Check out the Kroot Marine! :P


Heroes of the Imperium... and extra. ;)


Hmm... that guy looks familiar! :D

HGR Journal Entry No. 011 - Tanks, Drugs, and Mental Trauma

With Balian back in action the Regulars went to Galleria for some weekend gaming. Two games were held;


combatants: kyuzo's dark eldar vs. balian's 13th company

scenario: secure and control alpha

highlights:

balian's 13th company would have a distinct advantage in securing loot counters with his troops as the first wave to take out my transports and bikers to counter attack and retake points at the last turn. plus his pesky long fangs shooting me down from the back.

after deployment, my tactics were pretty much straight forward: 1) concentrate fire support on the left flank as well as commit my archon and one wych squad for close combat there since most of balian's forces are deployed to claim most of the loot counters there. 2) use my raider squads for some drive-by shooting and even close combat. with balian's 13th company, you have to throw all the bodies you can afford. 3) the wolf priest needs to be neautralized otherwise he'll be sitting back with a unit of troops to teleport anywhere on the table. 4) zoom in a bunch of wyches to take out the long fangs on my right flank and work my way to the left in the hopes of providing support to that side as well.

i had first turn. i felt lucky and popped the crucible before balian's long fangs would surely target my archon carrying it. and it worked with the wolf priest rolling an 11 on his leadership check! byebye wolfpriest.

first four turns i would say was in my favor since i was able to tie up his long fangs with combined efforts from my wych squad and one raider squad. the battle on the left flank was an expensive one where both sides suffered heavy casualties, which pretty much left me controlling two counters to balians none. fifth turn was critical where i missed the opportunity of delivering my wyches to that one long fang squad that got away, as well as the untimely demise of my archon who overdosed on combat drugs (triple sixes!!! karma.) while trying to stop the wolf lord on bike.

balian was able to salvage a draw by wiping out my ravager with one meltagun-toting spacewolf (or was it the plasmagun-toting wolf lord i cant remember) as well as sneaking in a unit-scoring long fang squad (mental error on my part not being able to block that squad with my consolidating wyches).

result : draw.

-- by Kyuzo

Combatants: Salubri's Ultramarines VS Sigismund's Armored Company
Mission: Take and Hold
Game Level: Omega

Omega level rules worked to Salubri's advantage as Sigismund deploy's nothing on the first turn. This gave Salubri the chance to get everyone in position to intercept enemy tanks. Wisely avoiding the heavy concentration of guns on Salubri's right flank, Sigismund deploy's his tanks to face Salubri's weaker left flank as they come.

Thanks to the sacrificial veteran unit, barrage artillery was reduced to one basilisk allowing Salubri's fast units to go relatively unharrassed. One assault squad was hit dead center by a demolisher shell right after deepstriking and going off target. Inneffective shooting by the Ultramarines left the assault and bike squads with the heavy burden of taking out enemy tanks. Meltabombs help the Ultramarines in reducing Armored Company tanks to half.

Sigismund makes his last minute dash to the objective and manage to take out Salubri's Vindicator postitioned near it. Last minute heroics weren't enough to secure decisive victories for either side though as the battle ended in a draw.

result: Draw

------0------

Kyuzo came with a camera last saturday and we were able to take some pics of the game and then some... :D

Balian VS Kyuzo, Secure and Control

Salubri VS Sigismund Match, Take and Hold

Donnel and Adrian also came by;

It was off to Quattro after the games where Balian recounted his adventures in the hospital despite being Darth Vader for several days. Now we all know where to go if we get confined. :D

It's a good thing the day ended with no one accidentally swollowing tilapia fish bone. :P

Glad Cup 2006, The Galleria Cell...

Gladiator season approaches. Minimum of 6 players to comprise one cell. Champion per cell advances to the next round to go up against the other champions of other cells. I believe HGR can form one cell if we establish ourselves in Galle for the other players to join in. Your thoughts please.