Howdy – it’s ya friendly local wargamer, Amp. I’ve recently played a wonderful game of Warhammer 40k, so now here I am typing up another frantic attempt at a battle report to capture the plays of the game and hopefully remember most of what happened. Similar to the Trench Crusade Battle Report, this will be a bit ad hoc until I do my homework (not the thesis, the other homework) and read up on how others might structure their Warhammer 40k battle reports.
So - who are the players?
This wouldn’t be a very good battle report if we didn’t know who was fighting (or which side to root for). I thank my opponent and good friend Mina for the game and showing that was given, as well as the permission to write about the experience.
Disclaimer: Grim dark stuff ahead. Some of it grimdork, but mostly war and guns and murder. If you don’t like these things, you needn’t read further. Better tales are elsewhere, so push on soldier!
On the side of the Imperium:
Space Marines | Space Wolves | Wolfspear
Read on if you want the Lore - click here if you want the List
beasts never stood a chance (1995 points)
Space Marines
Space Wolves
Strike Force (2000 points)
Saga of the Beastslayer
CHARACTERS
Arjac Rockfist (105 points)
• 1x Foehammer
Bjorn the Fell-Handed (160 points)
• 1x Heavy flamer
1x Multi-melta
1x Trueclaw
Logan Grimnar (110 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Axe Morkai
1x Storm bolter
1x Tyrnak and Fenrir
Wolf Guard Battle Leader (65 points)
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Thunder hammer
Wolf Guard Battle Leader (85 points)
• 1x Master-crafted power weapon
1x Storm Shield
• Enhancement: Elder’s Guidance
BATTLELINE
Blood Claws (285 points)
• 1x Blood Claw Pack Leader
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 19x Blood Claw
• 19x Astartes chainsword
19x Bolt pistol
Intercessor Squad (80 points)
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Intercessor
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
4x Bolt pistol
4x Bolt rifle
4x Close combat weapon
DEDICATED TRANSPORTS
Impulsor (80 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Shield Dome
OTHER DATASHEETS
Ballistus Dreadnought (150 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Ballistus lascannon
1x Ballistus missile launcher
1x Twin storm bolter
Ballistus Dreadnought (150 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Ballistus lascannon
1x Ballistus missile launcher
1x Twin storm bolter
Scout Squad (70 points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Bolt pistol
3x Boltgun
4x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
Thunderwolf Cavalry (115 points)
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Teeth and Claws
1x Wolf Guard weapon
• 2x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Teeth and Claws
2x Wolf Guard weapon
Thunderwolf Cavalry (115 points)
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Teeth and Claws
1x Wolf Guard weapon
• 2x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Teeth and Claws
2x Wolf Guard weapon
Wolf Guard Headtakers (85 points)
• 3x Wolf Guard Headtaker
• 3x Heavy bolt pistol
3x Master-crafted power weapon
3x Storm Shield
Wolf Guard Terminators (170 points)
• 1x Wolf Guard Terminator Pack Leader
• 1x Relic greataxe
• 4x Wolf Guard Terminator
• 4x Master-crafted power weapon
4x Storm bolter
Wolf Guard Terminators (170 points)
• 1x Wolf Guard Terminator Pack Leader
• 1x Relic greataxe
• 4x Wolf Guard Terminator
• 4x Master-crafted power weapon
4x Storm bolter
Exported with App Version: v1.52.0 (118), Data Version: v771
Given this is their first appearance on the blog, it may help to carve out some space for the Space Marines. Everyone who is anyone playing Warhammer 40k winds up with some variant of what many refer to as the “training wheel” power armor army, but like other Space Marine 2 fans I look past that and admire instead the vast spectrum of lore to pick and choose from (or be inspired by and write your own).
I’ve done a little bit of Column A and a little bit of Column B with my space marines, being somewhat inspired by the audiobook for Dark Imperium by Guy Haley and Wolftime by Gav Thorpe. I knew somewhat from the lore that Old Man Logan Grimnar was not hip to the primaris space marines, and had to be spoon fed the concept by Roboute Guilliman. I leaned into this somewhat by painting all of my primaris marines as Wolfspear, a successor chapter of space wolves. In my “internal lore” they are the primaris marines that Logan took in as a compromise with Guilliman, but treated them no kinder than his own geneseed (in some cases they were treated harsher until earning their keep in the pack).
The Wolfspear work in tandem with the Sons of Russ, combining both old and new ferocious tactics to eradicate the forces of chaos from all corners of the galaxy. A noble cause, and an excellent saga should they live to tell it.
And on the side of evil
or rather, on the side of c h a n g e
Chaos Knights | Infernal Lance | House Walburga Mutation Lance
Read on if you want the Lore - click here if you want the List
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Chaos Knights
DETACHMENT: Infernal Lance (Malefic Surge)
TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1975pts
+ +
Char1: Knight Abominant + ENHANCEMENT: Fleshmetal Fusion (on Char2: Knight Rampager) & Knight Diabolus (on Char3: Knight Ruinator) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 9 + SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (6×2) + (3×6) – Assassination: 3 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Char1: 1x Knight Abominant (355 pts): Warlord, Balemace, Diabolus heavy stubber, Electroscourge, Volkite combustor
Char2: 1x Knight Rampager (400 pts): Diabolus heavy stubber, Reaper chainsword, Warpstrike claw Enhancement: Fleshmetal Fusion (+35 pts)
Char3: 1x Knight Ruinator (380 pts): Darkflame lance, Fellbore, Terrorpulse missiles Enhancement: Knight Diabolus (+25 pts)
1x War Dog Brigand (140 pts): Armoured feet, Avenger chaincannon, Daemonbreath spear, Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Executioner (130 pts): Armoured feet, 2x War Dog autocannon, Diabolus heavy stubber
1x War Dog Executioner (130 pts): Armoured feet, 2x War Dog autocannon, Diabolus heavy stubber
1x War Dog Karnivore (150 pts): Reaper chaintalon, Slaughterclaw, Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Karnivore (150 pts): Reaper chaintalon, Slaughterclaw, Havoc multi-launcher 1x War Dog Stalker (140 pts): Havoc multi-launcher, Avenger chaincannon, Slaughterclaw
It should be known that my friend and opponent in this battle report – is a huge fan of chaos. Tzneech specifically. Having just recently picked up some Chaos Space Marines myself, I am somewhat of a supporter of the dusty legions (Thousand Sons), demons of change, and now on the table before me today was the mighty demon infested engines of war, the Chaos Knights. So if this battle report sounds like I’m rooting for the bad guy, let’s just say I’m looking forward to my future endeavors stomping around as Iron Warriors.
While I use this stone that is this blog to sharpen the blade that is my writing ability, I feel others represent themselves better than I can put to words. Passing the pen to my partner in crime for this battle report, here’s a quick breakdown on House Walburga Mutation Lance
"A noble knight house - fallen to chaos. How?"
The Old Ways of the Wolves
Vs The Promises of Change Unforeseen
An Exhibition Match Crafted Before the End of 10th Edition
At the time of this writing, we were actively seeing livestreams of games being played with 11th edition rules. The writing was on the wall, 10th was coming to a close and exiting stage right, and 11th edition was sliding into view. To send it off proper, I chose a faction that had served me well in my many trips to various RTT / GT events. My opponent in response chose their antithesis, a Chaos faction with possible ties to their truly hated nemesis, the Thousand Sons.
So - how did it go?
At first great - then not so great.
Click Here For The Scorecard
I’ll be honest – while I’m quick to share a score card, I feel there is a cautionary tale to tell about the numbers only capturing a fraction of the experience. I held a good lead from rounds 1 into 2 and 3, but primary came back to haunt me as my unit numbers started to dwindle. Regardless of how the dice fell, it is important to highlight that when a game requires concerted effort and only truly concluding when round five does, that is a game well and thoroughly played.
To highlight another fun turning point of the game, I’d like to recall from earlier that round 4 is really where it started picking up for the Chaos team. Consequently around the same time this was happening on the score card (the round prior actually) an entire goddamn Chaos Knight Ruinator threw a Haymaker into collectively all of Logan Grimnar and the Gang, completely removing him and his messy Vect aura from the game. From this point on permanently turning the tide.
So, a couple notes to wrap up this wonderful battle report.
What was the narrative?
Good ole good guy fights bad. Zealous ideologies clash with unpredictable ones. While at multiple points in the game it felt knights weren’t quite the big stompy titans they clamor to be (with their klaxon sirens no less), they did eventually come back in the end and successfully route the Space Wolves. The Space Wolves, tail between legs, tactically retreated and forfeit the ground to the hated foe. (Out of character – it also maybe helps to document a few instances of me actually losing these games – shows authenticity!)
Why not 11th edition rules?
They’ve kinda come out in pieces. Screenshots of cards don’t make for a whole experience, and while me and my friends are experimenting with the new terrain layout, we fully expect to not see the full experience until the Armageddon box is well and proper out.
I want to know more about the Space Wolves and Chaos Knights!
Space Wolves will be, sadly, likely shelfed early 11th edition. With the focus of the game becoming more about melee, and me already going all in on Orks, there will likely be less Space Wolves content. However I fully expect the Chaos Knights (and possibly other Chaos Agents of Change) to appear again, and in the meantime while you wait for the next battle report be sure to check out The Insane Wealth of Lore on the factions already well documented on other fan sites.
The End
I hope you’ve enjoyed my first crack at a 40k Battle Report – if not, leave a comment below on how I can improve! Either way, the next one should be loads better. See ya!