Khepri's Eternal Legion: Colonial 2012 Wrapup: How to not repeat a GT win.

Hands down this was the event I was most excited to attend this year, not just because I wonlast year, but because it was exceptionally well run event. Exceptional location, the best portable tables (Mechanicon), some of the best terrain I have seen in both quantity and quality (Brothers Grim, Mechanicon, and I think Showcase Comics), all in all it was the best event two day GT I did in 2011.

Due to a rumored falling out this year 40k was not run by Grimm group, and the previous location raised the rates resulting in us being the basement of a VFW. Expectations were high and overall Chris Nanry did not disappoint. The location was dark; it was a basement of a VFW but…. There was a bar 10 feet from the 40k area (reasonable prices I heard), catered free lunch on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday was included!

Now for the bad news… I was sick, really sick. Without boring the readers to much I was on antibiotics, took two days off work the week before (I never take sick days) and was not at the top of my game. Excitement to return and the friendly pressure of my local gaming club (didn’t they warn us in school not to fall for peer pressure??) over rode my better judgment and convinced me to attend. This was the first of many mistakes. Read to the finish, I think it will be worth it.

The details:

I took my standard, tried true and maybe a bit dated list (again see here for previous recap)

Total Roster Cost: 1850

1 Kor'sarro Khan, 160 pts (1#, 205 pts)

1 Moondrakkan, 45 pts

7 Space Marine Bike Squad, 195 pts = 7 * 25 (base cost 25) + Meltagun x2 20 (9#, 310 pts)

1 Attack Bike, 50 pts = (base cost 40) + Multi-Melta 10

1 Sergeant, 65 pts = (base cost 40) + Power Fist 25

7 Space Marine Bike Squad, 195 pts = 7 * 25 (base cost 25) + Meltagun x2 20 (9#, 310 pts)

1 Attack Bike, 50 pts = (base cost 40) + Multi-Melta 10

1 Sergeant, 65 pts = (base cost 40) + Power Fist 25

4 Scout Squad, 65 pts = 4 * 13 (base cost 13) + Sergeant 28 (5#, 80 pts)

1 Sergeant, 15 pts = (base cost 10 + Melta Bombs 5)

4 Scout Squad, 65 pts = 4 * 13 (base cost 13) + Sergeant 28 (5#, 80 pts)

1 Sergeant, 15 pts = (base cost 10 + Melta Bombs 5)

1 Dreadnought, 125 pts = (105 + Twin Linked Autocannon 10 + Twin Linked Autocannon 10)

1 Thunderfire Cannon, 100 pts

1 Land Speeder Storm, 50 pts

1 Land Speeder Squadron, 90 pts = (base cost 50) + Typhoon Missile Launcher x1 40

Battle Points Breakdown:

15 Win/ 10 Draw/ 7 Loss. 1 – 3 Bonus points, +5 if you get all the bonus objectives (for a max of 20 points)

Scenario One

Night Fall: Rich Thekron / Sisters of Battle

Deployment: Spearhead

Main Objective: Kill Points

Special Rules – Night fight last for 3 full turns.

Bonus Points +1 Most Expensive Unit Destroyed

+1 If ALL enemy HQ are destroyed

+1 If you scored at least 6 Kill Points

Massacre Condition +5 If ALL above scores are claimed

St Celestine

Uriah Jacobus w/ x7 DCA, Rhino (Dozer blades)

10 Sisters w/ 2 Meltas, Rhino (Combi-Flamer, Dozer blades, Search Light)

10 Sisters w/ 2 Meltas, Rhino (Combi-Flamer, Dozer blades)

5 Dominions w/ 2 Meltas, Immolator (Multi-Melta, Dozer blades, Combi-Melta, Search Light)

Exorcist

Let me start this off by saying Rich is one of the best opponents I have played in years, both as a sportsmen and tactically, and by far the best of the weekend. We had played once before (I am ashamed to admit I had forgotten until he reminded me). He forgave several foolish mistakes on my part and was exceptionally generous. I got first turn, deployed Dreadnoughts, TFC’s and Typhoon on the far left table edge . Reserved one bike squad, outflanked both Storms and Khan’s squad. Rich exploited the Dominions Scout move (which I was unaware of, shame on me) to first turn block my right table side.

Second turn reserves came in almost as badly as possible, Khan did come in, but on the left side (thank goodness!), both scouts on the right side, along the right flank, unsupported due to night fight. I was able to reap a tally however and kill all 3 Dominion Squads. Rich tankshocked both scout squads off the board (rolled back to back 10’s) and killed the storms in short order. I was now down 1 KP and had lost my valuable counter charge force!

The following 5 turns were a very quick back and forth game, in the end I was able to keep Rich’s sisters at bay while I kill enough to get a few points ahead. Deployment and 3 turns of night fight made this a very interesting game. Win 1

Scenario Two

Anti Gravity : Brad Nichols / Dark Angels –Deathwing

Deployment: Spearhead Deployment

Main Objective: 4 Objectives. 2 in each player’s deployment area 12ich from each other

Special Rules: At the top of every turn one person rolls a D6…..2‐5 nothing happens…1 all units gain slow and purposeful on a roll of a 6 all units gain fleet of foot. Units that are slow and purposeful roll 2d6 and take the lowest and units that have fleet roll 2d6 and take the highest unless otherwise stated in your codex.

Bonus Points +1 Most Expensive Unit Destroyed

+1 If you both control 1 enemy objective

+1 If an enemy doesn’t control YOUR Objectives

Massacre Condition +5 You control ALL objectives

Belial, SoS, (130)

Deathwing Terminator Squad, TH/SS x4, Cyclone Missile Launcher, Narthecium, Company Banner, Chainfist (295)

Deathwing Terminator Squad, TH/SS x4, Chain Fist, Cyclone Missile Launcher (240)

Ravenwing Attack Squad, x5 Meltagun, x1 PF, x1 Attack Bike w/ MM (215)

Landspeeder Typhoon w/ Multi-Melta (75)

Brad is one of two people I seem to play in every event I attend (serious) since my first trip to Mike Clark’s 2010 St. Valentines Day Massacre, call it karma, fate or just happenstance it’s gotten to be an inside joke between the two of us. Also I have said it before; besides being a nice guy he is one of the most tactically proficient generals in the circuit as well, I learn something every time we play. I won’t go into the details, but Brad’s dice lost him the game, I didn’t win it. He scattered every DS, and I was able to kill Belial’s squad turn 3 by only shooting 4 units at it (should not have happened).. Gracious in victory and defeat this was Win 2.

Scenario Three

Black Ops: Andrew Gonyo / Grey Knights

Deployment: 12inch Pitched Battle

Main Objective: D3+2 (5) Objectives set up like in the Seize Ground in the 40k Rulebook.

Special Rules – 1 unit not normally allowed MUST enter the battle field via deep strike and 1 MUST outflank.

Bonus Points +1 Enemy out flanking unit destroyed

+1 Enemy deep striking unit destroyed

Massacre Condition +5 Control 3 or more objectives AND both enemy special units are destroyed.

Coteaz

Grandmaster, Rad & Psychotroke grenades, Incinerator

x 5 DCA,x 4 Crusaders, x2 Arco-Flagellants.

x 5 DCA,x 4 Crusaders, x1 Arco-Flagellants.

x3 Acolytes, Razorback (HB, Psybolt ammo)

x12 Acolytes w/ stormbolters

Stormraven (MM, Lascannon, Searchlight)

Dreadknight (PT, Heavy Incinerator)

Dreadnought (Seriously do you need to ask)

Andrew and I are friends (Still I hope!), I not unwilling to admit I tested the comradeship we shared through my poor performance, illness and mistakes. I apologized in person at the time and do so again here.

I got first turn, chose to outlank the Typhoon and deepstrike a Dreadnought. Reserving everything else (not outflanking) I turned it to him. Only deploying the WA’s, Dreadknights and Dreadnought the game was on. First turn saw a TFC die, second turn started the chaos I caused by attending the Colonial when sick. I rolled a dice without calling what it was for, rolled a 3, and realized what I had done. Starting top to bottom (of my display board) I pointed my Typhoon and apologized for not calling the roll and suggested I restart the dice rolling, I started again and rolled a 4. Critically I missed Andrew’s protest and for the next 30 minutes there was tension and when I ask what was wrong, and it turned into an Abbott and Costello “who's on first” situation, with me asking what was wrong, misunderstanding him and continuing, the only problem was no one was laughing. To make matters worse he accidentally overmoved both Dreadknights (as in impossible to move that far) into melta range of the bike squads that came on that turn and wanted to correct it. Sick and annoyed I was not feeling generous without a takeback of the death of the TFC (saves taken un-needed, but then failed saves from the Dreadnought killed it). Finally I came to my senses, asked him specifically what was wrong, and pulled the Typhoon from the board in the shooting phase before further damage was done. The game was decided around turn 5 when a full 9 man bike squad with Khan assaulted his Grandmaster attached to x1 DCA and x1 Crusader. What No one saw that coming was the failure of me to do a single wound, and Andrew wrecking the squad… The game ended closer than ever, I took my first loss to Andrew in competitive play, and my first loss to Grey Knights. Loss 1

Scenario Four

The Highlander: Evan Jones / Grey Knights

Deployment: Pitched Battle

Main Objective: Kill Points

Special Rules – One non vehicle unit per side gains +1WS +1STR +1A

Bonus Points +1 Most Expensive Unit Destroyed

+1 For Highlander Unit Destroyed

+1 For Highlander Unit Left Alive

Massacre Condition +5 If ALL above requirements are met

Grandmaster w/ Digital weapons, master crafted halberd, Psychotroke grenades, x3 servo skulls

Brotherhood champion, empryian brain mines, psybolt ammo

x5 Paladins, x4 Halberd, x1 Daemonhammer

x10 Purifiers, x4 Psycannons, x5 halberds, x1 daemonhammer

Vindicare Assassin

x10 Grey Knights x2 Psycannons, x7 halberds, psybolt ammo, x1 daemonhammer

x10 Grey Knights x2 Psycannons, psybolt ammo

Stormraven (MM, Lascannon, Searchlight)

Evan seemed to be suffering Sunday morning as well. I lucked out again, got first turn. I outflanked both bike squads, both storms. Khan’s squad got the upgrade. Evan deployed aggressively on the far side from the TFCs, a bit clustered. He failed to seize and it turned out the far two TFC’s were in range and punished the deployed GK’s. Turn 4 found me accepting a challenge for “personal combat” between Khan and Grandmaster. 3 turns and 6 close combat phases later Khan was still alive and the Grandmaster was his only model left on the board. Win 3

Scenario Five

King of the Hill: Eric Hoerger / Necrons

Deployment: Dawn of War

Main Objective: Get as many models on or around the structure to win

Special Rules – Number of models on or within 5inch of the marker placed in the center of the table.

Vehicles count as 5 models per.

Bonus Points +1 HQ Destroyed

+1 Most Expensive Unit Destroyed

+1 Scored more Kill Points than opponent

Massacre Condition +5 Had twice the amount of models on the hill than opponent and scored more Kill Points.

Overlord, warscythe, Command Barge w/ Tesla Cannon

Overlorrd, warscythe, Command Barge w/ Tesla Cannon

Royal Court x3, HoDest, HoDest w/ Solar Pulse, HoDesp w/ Veil of Darkness & Nightmare Shroud

Royal Court x2, HoDest w/ Solar Pulse, HoDest

x5 Immortals w/ Tesla Carbines

x5 Warriors w/ Gauss Flayers

x6 Wraiths w/ x3 Whip Coils, x1 Particle Caster

x7 Scarabs

Annihilation Barge w/ Tesla Destructor, Tesla Cannon

x3 Tomb Spyders w/ Gloom Prism

Many of us know Eric from the White Scar’s blog, this was our first chance to play competitively outside of a couple practice games at the GW Bunker. I would call Eric a friend, and this is the game that cinched it in my mind that coming to the Colonial was a mistake. We both started tense, I was not feeling well and the pressure was on as we were both in the running for Overall to Top Five.

I got first turn, deployed nothing, but brought everything on turn 1 knowing I was facing 3 turns of night fighting. He had just about every advantage in the mission. I Turbo’ed in a cross pattern along the board edge while he brought up the Command Barges on the right to the 24” line and the Annihilation Barges on the left about 12 inches.

Mistake 1: I should have reserved everything, gone second and stayed reactionary.

Mistake 2: I attempted to assault and then “Hit and Run” the Command Barges, I know better, I know it’s when locked in combat (aka something with a weapon skill) but I over extended foolishly.

Mistake 3: He followed up with an assault with Wraiths and a Overlord, I lost by 2 (for a minute we thought it was by 1) I rolled what I thought was an 8, relieved and then followed up the leadership test with a successful “Hit and Run”. Eric realized the error in combat resolution while I was moving back, thought I rolled a 9 on leadership and a discussion occurred. We finally settled it with a 4+ dice off but in hindsight I should have just trusted Eric.

The mistakes on my side continued, add in a little bit of bad luck and it ended with me conceding for the first time, in competitive play, without finishing the game.

Now after the game ended Eric and I talked, worked through the tense debate and our misunderstandings (as all people should) and in the end actually hugged it out, but I am honestly ashamed it got that far. White Scar’s fans we agreed it would be a good idea to play a couple games in the next couple weeks, with both of our lists exactly the same, to see if a Bike List stands a chance in the current Meta. Mission aside the current incarnation of the Necron Codex seems like a very difficult matchup for a White Scars army. Stay tuned to what we figure out!!!

Lessons learned…

First and foremost hindsight is 20/20… Don’t go to a tournament under the weather… It’s not worth it, especially when “pride” is on the line and you’re actually playing to win a bit more than the pleasure of the games. Everyone has either played hung over (hell I did at the Colonial last year)or knows someone who has, but to be honest this is different

Second play the missions, loosing focus on them, especially when loosing, can cost you points in each game resulting in a lower overall score. In atleast 3 games I could have picked up 1 to 3 points per which would have bumped the scores a bit. In Andrew’s game I could have pushed a draw with Bonus points vs attempting to assault the Grandmaster and ultimately loosing.

Third trust your friends, or regular tournament opponents… If they look tense ask, if they tell you a dice roll was blown trust them.

In conclusion:

I had a great time (sick or not) and again Chris and his team did not disappoint with the Colonial. The missions were a bit (very) wacky and made it nearly impossible in some cases for certain armies or builds to win.

I would like to take the chance to formally apologize to the Colonial Team, my opponents and finally the people around me. I did not bring my A game, or even my C game, and I know I killed some of the excitement others felt. It was selfish of me to try and play and I now know better

Khepri's Eternal Legion

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Monday, April 2, 2012

Colonial 2012 Wrapup: How to not repeat a GT win.

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