Horus Heresey and Stalingrad 2

Another battle in the books.
Overall, I was impressed by how much closer this one came out. If the Contemptor for the defending Word Bearers does not roll five consecutive failed saves to become destroyed. I actually think the Word Bearers could have pulled it out. Instead, the Ravenguard cruised to victory but with heavy losses. The scenario played much more evenly than in the Bolt Action version. An additional 500 points to the Word Bearers would have balanced the scenario perfectly. I have another lopsided scenario coming in the next couple of weeks, which will be interesting.

Battle Rules

This is another river crossing scenario. This time, the defenders are dug in and prepared for the enemy. However, the enemy has numerical and technological superiority. One thing that Horus Heresey plays much better at than Bolt Action is the addition of flying units.

The Ravenguard are attempting to cross into the city. The Word Bearers are holding. Teams get 1 VP for each unit destroyed and 1 VP for each unit on the Word Bearer side of the river.


Army Lists

Word Bearers1250
Legion Cataphractii Praetor135
Contemptor Talon w/ Graivtron Gun and Melta195
Mhara Gal Dreadnought240
Terminator Cataphractii (6)210
Despoiler Squad100
Despoiler Squad100
Legion Avenger Strike Fighter150
Predator120
Predators are the best tanks. The Strike Fighter punched well above its weight. The despoilers were used to fall back and shoot. The Mhara Gal was useless.
Ravenguard2500
Strike Captain Alvarex Maun/ Command and Drop Pod260
2x Contemptor Dreadnought with Graviton Gun400
Destroyer Assault Squad250
Rapier Battery65
Assault Squad145
Assault Squad145
Tactical Squad100
Dark Furies150
Javelin Squadron x3270
Fire Raptor Gunship315
Basilisk Squadron200
Vindicator Squadron x2245
I was delighted with the Rapier Battery. The Dark Furies did work to remove the dreadnought, but the Fire Raptor didn’t do much. Vindicators shouldn’t have been brought based on their range; I don’t think I even fired with them.

Set-Up

We are on a 4×4 Table with an impassible river directly down the middle. There are heavy woods on the Ravenguard side with some hills. There are hills and some fortifications on the Word Bearer’s side.

Deployment

Not much to report. The Furies, Assault Squads, Destroyer Squads, and Strike Captain are all in deep strike. The flying bases indicate the flying machines. I knock them over too often.

Turn 1

Turn one involved a lot of shooting. I gave the Word Bearers the first turn. I didn’t think there was actually going to be a game. I thought the defenders would get wiped off the table right away. The Strike fighter gets solid hits all game long on the Raven Guard heavy units.

Turn 2

More shooting; a Javelin was destroyed, and a couple wounds to a Contemptor from the Rapier battery. Cover saves doing work here.

Turn 3

The Ravenguard strike. The entire deep strike force hit hard. Many casualties. The despoilers on the bottom left were destroyed, as was the contemptor. The Dark Furies did not miss a hit or a wound, which was ridiculous. Then, the Contempor missed most of the saves. It, of course, took down many furies with it. Enormous casualties on the Ravenguard.

Turn 4

I thought the bearers would pull it off at this point. Multiple Javelins down, the terminators were unkillable. Then, the Rapier destroyed the Mhara Gal, allowing free reign to kill the Predator.

Turn 5

The Raven’s slayed the enemy warlord with the multiple assault squads and the command squad on the Word Bearer side of the river. The Ravenguard took the minor victory at 9 VPs to the Word Bearers 7 VPs. Honestly, if the Rapier does not take down the Mhara Gal. I think the Word Bearers pull this one off. The Mhara Gal would have destroyed another Ravenguard Unit and saved their Praetor, which gives +3 to the Bearers and -3 to the guard. Plus, I think the Predator tank lives.

Below is a glimpse at the next engagement, Stalingrad 3. The table is ready. I need to paint about 30 units.

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