Net Epic Gold Battle Report: Orks v Imperial Guard 7,000 points
Introduction:
Because of the popularity of my Epic Battle Reports - a massive thanks to the hundreds of you who've been reading them! - I thought I'd run another! Once again, I'll be using my Net Epic Evolution rules to run the game. Continuing the experiment I began last battle report, I've decided to allow units on Charge orders to fire: provided they are not engaging enemies in Close Combat, with a -1 penalty on rolls to hit. For anyone not in the know, the Evolution rules are my own variant of the Net Epic rules which, in turn, are a fan version of 2nd Edition Epic/Space Marine rules by Games Workshop.
For those of you who are keen for more, be sure to click on the Labels tab on this blog and then select Epic 40K - there's a 10 battle Orks v Squats campaign in the archives for you to enjoy! The Epic War! rules which I developed to run such a campaign can also be found here!
The video version captures the highlights, but for the full experience, the write up follows below this!
Scenario:
The Orks have attacked a city on the world of Lorimax and the Imperial Guard have been tasked with defending the city from their incursion! Both sides have 7,000 point armies and are aiming to score 60 Victory Points (VPs) to win the battle. Victory Points are won by breaking enemy formations or seizing any of the 8 objectives. Each objective is worth 5 VPs.
Army Lists:
Once again I'm using Net Epic costings which are better balanced than 2nd edition costings.
Orks:
Bad Moon Clan: 600
2 x Gibletgrinda: 200
Skullhamma: 100
Bad Moon Weirdboy Battletower: 200
Battlewagon Squadron: 100
Break Point: 16
Victory Points: 12 VPs
Great Gargant: w/ Augmented Gutbuster (ball round), Battle Cannon Head, Observation Turret, Scorcher Turret, Gatling Cannon, Ripper Fist: 820
Victory Points: 8
Goff Clan: 650
3 x Battlewagon Squadron: 300
Goff Lungbusta Squadron: 100
Goff Gutrippa Squadron: 100
Break Point: 22
Victory Points: 12 VPs
Warboss: 250
Evil Sunz Clan: 600
3xSkullhamma: 300
2 x Braincrusha Squadron: 500
Break Point: 19
Victory Points: 14 VPs
Renegade Mekboyz: 600
Kult of Speed: 400
Copters: 150
Evil Sunz Nobz Warbikes: 200
Evil Sunz Spleenrippa Squadron: 125
Bonecruncha Squadron: 150
Break Point: 18
Victory Points: 10 VPs
Slasha Gargant w/ Augmented Gutbuster (ball round), Slasha Attack Gun + Ripper Fist: 590
Victory Points: 6 VPs
Total: 7,035 points
Imperial Guard:
Hellbore Company: 1000
Heavy Infantry Company: 600
Gorgon Tactical Company: 650
Imperial Bike Company: 350
Rough Rider Company: 600
Predator Company: 600
Vindicator Company: 450
Baneblade Company: 650
Stormhammer Company: 650
Hellhound Squadron: 150
Capitol Imperialis: 450
Leviathan: 350
Warhounds (1 w/ 2 Turbolaser Destructors, 1 w/ 2 Inferno Guns): 500
Total: 7,000 points
Battlefield Overview & Deployment:
To ensure consistency through the report, when the left and right flanks are referred to, these relate to the battlefield as seen from the Ork side of the board as pictured here.
Centre: Again, there are another three objectives up for grabs here, but this time with two on the Ork side and one on the IG.
Right flank: Finally, there are two objective on this flank, one in either side of the battlefield.
The Battle Plan:
Orks: The central aim is to capture and hold the objectives on their own side of the board and to break as many Companies as possible. The Goff Clan and Renegades are tasked with holding the objective on the Right Flank while the Goff Warboss holds the objective in the Justice Department building. The Garments are tasked with holding the other objective. The Kult of Speed will take up a central position, hoping to make attacks of opportunity in Turn 2. The Bad Moons and Evil Sunz will hopefully hold the Left Flank without too much opposition!
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| Right Flank Ork Deployment |
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| Centre Ork Deployment |
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| Left Flank Ork Deployment |
Imperial Guard:
On the Left Flank, Imperial Bikes hope to be able to jump enemy Orks and inflict casualties while the Inferno Gun Warhound and Vindicator Company should heap heavy casualties on any Orks who think that buildings are a suitable place for refuge! Backed up the Baneblade Company, the Tactical troops inside the Gorgons should be able to seize and hold the two objectives without issue. A lot of firepower - a Leviathan, Capitol Imperialis, Warhound with Turbo Laser Destructors and a Predator Company - is concentrated through the centre of the battlefield and it is hoped that the IG will dominate here. They should be able to deal with any Gargants that the Orks have at their disposal, but they have a reputation for being able to soak up a lot of firepower, so they'll need to get the fires if they want to take them down quickly! On the Right Flank, the Stormhammer Company, backed up by the Rough Rider Company should also be able to pose the Orks some serious problems! Finally, the IG have a Hellbore at their disposal - it will be looking for the most opportune location to emerge and cause carnage in the midst of Ork ranks!
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| Left Flank IG Deployment |
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| Centre IG Deployment |
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| IG Right Flank Deployment |
Turn 1:
The opening activations are cagey and involve units moving up and taking cover behind buildings, such as the Rough Rider Company...
...Goff Lungbustas...
...the Kult of Speed's Warbuggies, Bonebreakas and Coptas. The Spleenrippas steal an objective in IG territory!
The Imperial Bike Company move behind the cathedral - but the Evil Sunz roar forward in their battlewagons to engage them! As they pour out of their vehicles, they have a glut of targets!
...but they only manage to pick off a measly two bike stands! Mediocre!
Opportunistic Goffs jump Rough Riders! Their assault will be resolved in the Close Combat Phase...
Vindicators surge forward, but although they have a decent roll to hit of 5+ on Charge orders, most of their hits go astray!
Indeed, only one stand of Boyz fall beneath the Vindicators' powerful Thunderer cannon!
He unleashes the psychic barrage with a howl of pain - and all three targets are vaporised! Even the sturdy Vindicator has no save against this ferocious attack!
The first of the Gorgons moves forward. Frustratingly, its Tactical troops can't fully get into position at the edge of the landing pad where they want to be! They fire at the Evil Sunz, but most shots go astray...
Skullhammas tear forward, making use of their boosted engines which allow triple movement on Charge orders! They target enemy Vindicators...
...destroying two!
The last of the Gorgons drop off Tactical troops and the Company HQ. They target the deadly Bad Moons...
...and inflict casualties!
Bad Moons Nobz disembark from their Battlewagons and rush into the cathedral...
One of the quirks of the Net Epic Evolution rules is that First Fire rules provide a +1 on rolls to hit. There is a downside to this however, with units revealed to be on FF orders providing attackers with a +1 on rolls to hit them! The bonus is all that matters at this moment, however, as it means the Nobz hit on rolls of 4+. They target the Bike Company and make an incredible roll...
...with devastating consequences! The bikes are cut down in their droves in the heavy hail of fire!
A Warhound rushes forwards to punish the bold Bad Moons...
...thinning their ranks with the boiling plume from its Inferno Guns!
Goff Nobz move into the building and target Rough Riders!
Their FF bonus helps the carve through the cavalry!
...taking out one of each!
The final Hellhound fires...
...destroying another Battlewagon!
Acutely aware of the heavy firepower about to make its presence known at the far end of the road, Braincrushas take cover behind a building.
...picking off another!
...and almost wipes them out! Only one last stand commands the mob!
Lungbustas advance, but without any targets they are harmless!
The last Stormhammer rolls forward, but can only attack a single stand of Boyz...
Nobz Warbikes move themselves into cover, preparing themselves to pounce next turn!
...before slamming it down upon the other, destroying both!
More Predators join the fray - but have no targets!
The Goff Warboss and his retinue take up positions across several buildings and open fire at the Predators...
...destroying another two!
The ponderous Capital Imperialis crawls forward and the Heavy Company spill out.
They all target the Warboss' retinue!
...but only succeed in killing their standard bearer!
The Great Gargant charges forward. It can only fire its Battle Cannon Head and Ripper Fist at a distant squad of Heavy Troops - but misses!
Predators advance and strip the Great Gargant of three of its Power Fields!
The Baneblade Company strip the Slasha of its Power Fields! An additional shot pings off the Gargant's armour...
Enter the Leviathan! It hits the Slasha with everything it has!
It blows the Slasha head clean off, starting a fire!
The Warhound is the last IG unit to activate. It, too, targets the Slasha with both of its Turbo-Laser Destructors!
It peppers the Slasha with hits - one of which punches through the ammo and starts three fires! An immediate roll on the fire table is made, and a series of massive explosions tears through the Gargant, destroying it!
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Goff Boyz and Rough Riders clash! With both opponents having +3 CAF, the odds are even!
...and it shows! Both sides lose five stands of their warriors!
End Phase:
Overview: The Orks have seized 5 Objectives, while the Imperial Guard have secured 3.
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| Battlefield Overview |
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| Left Flank |
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| Centre |
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| Right Flank |
Ork Casualties (VPs awarded to IG):
Slasha Gargant (not pictured): 6 VPs
Imperial Guard Casualties (VPs awarded to Orks):
Bike Company: 4 VPs
Vindicator Company: 5 VPs
End of Turn One:
Orks: 34 VPs
Imperial Guard: 21 VPs
Turn Two:
Having failed their Morale Check at the end of Turn One, Vindicators fall back. They are the only unit who failed their Morale Check.
Orks win Initiative and opt to fire their Gibletgrindas at the Warhound. They strip its shields and land a further three hits, but none of the shots can penetrate the Titan's armour!
The Titan's princeps must sense the writing is on the wall for them as it hastily opens fire with the Inferno Guns!
And another four stands of Bad Moons Boyz are boiled to death!
The Great Gargant advances and fires a ball round from the Gutbuster Cannon, hurling it at the Leviathan!
Unfortunately, it scatters which means that it must have flew through nearby buildings! Its Head Cannon and Ripper Fist strip three Void Shields from the Leviathan while the Gatling Cannon destroys another Predator, breaking the Company!
The ball round destroys the first building and embeds itself in the second building!
The Imperial Guard attempt to wipe out most of the Kult of Speed in one fell swoop - as the Hellbore erupts from the ground!
Unfortunately, it misjudges the entrance point and only a Bonebreaka and a single Nobz Bikers stand and a building are lost as the ground crumbles and the Hellbore's grinders rip them apart in the pit! As it spews forth from crater, the entire Tactical Company spill out from the tunneller and indiscriminately engage infantry and vehicles alike in close combat!
Skullhammas activate, with two threading the eye of a needle to target Baneblades and the other targeting the Warhound!
One Baneblade is damaged and the other destroyed!
...while the Warhound's Inferno Gun is damaged!
The damaged Baneblade picks off a few more Power Fields on the Great Gargant.
Goff Boyz fire at nearby Rough Riders...
...and kill enough of them to break the company!
Predators strip a few more Power Fields from the Gargant.
Goff Battlewagons charge Rough Riders and Hellhounds.
The Leviathan rolls forward and peppers the Gargant - two shots bypass the flickering Power Fields but only succeed in punching a few harmless holes in the hull.
Braincrushas try to capitalise, stripping the Leviathan's last Void Shield and getting a shot through! Fortunately for the IG, the armour protecting the bridge even manages to stand up to the powerful Braincrusha cannon!
The Warhound fires its Turbo-Laser Destructors. It strips the Gargant of its last Power Fields...
...and damages the head, killing the Kaptain! It will have to remain on advance orders next turn while a replacement is found!
The second squadron of Braincrushas emerges and target the Leviathan. This is probably their last chance to take it down this turn!
Note: they should have activated with the other ones, but I forgot about them mobbing together in this instance. The different colour schemes were not my friend on this occasion!
But this time all three hit and the bridge is blown apart! The crew abandon the vehicle and the Leviathan is out of the battle!
One shot pierces the ammo and a fire is started. A roll on the fire table reveals that the fire is getting out of control - it can't move any longer! Crucially though, it is still hanging on!
The Baneblade is destroyed!
And the Warhound's head is battered by successive strikes! One of the shots tears through and kills the princeps inside! It teeters momentarily and then crashes to the ground!
Evil Sunz activate and target Imperial bikes on one side of the building and Predators on the other...
Another Predator is destroyed...
The remnants of the bikes engage nearby Evil Sunz Boyz.
Evil Sunz Nobz activate, destroying another of the broken Vindicators...
A Stormhammer targets nearby Goff Boyz...
...and shoot down the hapless IG in their droves!
A Predator fires at the Renegade Mekboyz, but its shots are deflected by the Dragstas!
Bonebreakas charge forward! Guardsmen howl in horror as the deathrollas bear down on them!
Fifteen men die unspeakable deaths, pulped and impaled beneath the spiked Deathrollas before both vehicles engage enemies in close combat!
The Weirdboy pushes his head through his barred cell and waves angrily as the tower advances...
...and his psychic barrage destroys a Gorgon!
More heavy troops swarm on to the monument, firing at the nearby Coptas and Lungbusta - but miss all!
...while the last squad of Heavy Troops bombard the Gargant - but fail to do anything more than further pockmark its hull!
Coptas (acting on instinctive behaviour) engage the Heavy Troops...
...claiming another two Tactical stands on the landing pad!
The Capitol Imperialis continues to lumber forward - but, due to the mass melee ahead, it is starved of targets!
It does finish off the last of the Lungbustas!
Any unengaged Warbuggies gang up on nearby Tactical Troops!
While a Stormhammer bears down upon a single Goff stand! Talk about overkill!
Predictably, the Boyz die!
A Commissar, his Rhino and a Stormhammer engage the Gutrippas in close combat!
Fearing an attempt by the Rough Riders to steal their objective, the Renegade Mekboyz crowd around it.
The Warboss in the building shoots at his attackers, picking off one of them!
...and enjoy some success!
The Predator HQ fires at three Braincrushas...
...destroying one!
...killing one!
Battlewagons are last to activate, but they fail to destroy any of the remaining Gorgons.
Close Combat Phase:
Bikes fight Evil Sunz Boyz...
...with some success!
...but are wiped out! Worst of all, the Spleenrippa on the objective holds on to it!
Tactical Troops fight Warbuggies, Nobz Warbikes, and Bonebreakas in a mass-melee!
The Orks gleefully tear the Tactical Troops to ribbons!
More Tactical Troops take on the Goff Warboss...
...with similar results! The Tactical Company has been butchered!
Coptas take on Heavy Troops...
...and also do well! Things are falling apart for the IG!
Rough Riders take on a few Goff stragglers and some of the Renegade Mekboyz...
The final action of the turn occurs with the remnants of the Goffs and Rough Riders battling one another...
...and the Hellhounds are broken in the process!
End Phase: A roll is made for the fire burning on the Great Gargant, but it does not destroy it!
Overview:
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| Left Flank |
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| Centre |
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| Right Flank |
Ork Casualties (awarded to IG):
Goff Clan: 12 VPs
Turn Two Total: 12 VPs
+Turn One Total: 6 VPs
+3 Objectives
Imperial Guard Casualties (awarded to Orks):
Leviathan (not pictured): 4 VPs
Warhound Titan: 2 VPs
Baneblade Company: 7 VPs
Predator Company: 6 VPs
Rough Rider Company: 6 VPs
Hellbore Company: 6 VPs
Hellhound Squadron: 2 VPs
Commissar: 1 VP
Turn Two Total: 34 VPs
Turn One Total: 9 VPs
+5 objectives
End of Turn Two:
Orks: 68 VPs
Imperial Guard: 33 VPs
A resounding and raucous victory for the Orks!
Closing Reflections:
Another fun game, even if it was more one-sided than the previous battle! It hadn't really felt that way in the opening stages, especially at the end of Turn One when the Slasha Gargant was destroyed without even having landed any shots! That left the Great Gargant facing down a Leviathan, Warhound, Baneblade Company and some Predators - good odds for the IG, yet the Great Gargant acted like Al Pacino at the end of Scarface, hoovering up incoming fire while yelling "I'll take all your ******* bullets!"
The focus on destroying the Great Gargant allowed the Orks to use the rest of their firepower to concentrate on breaking various IG Companies, while the IG failed to respond in kind, picking off Ork stands here and there, useless really when the Orks have huge Break Points. Defeating Ork armies requires greater focus on this front. Most egregious was the wasting of the Hellbore Tactical Company who should have advanced out of the tunneller to shoot at the Kult of Speed rather than engaging them in close combat! If they had broken those and focussed slightly more on the Bad Moons - who were 2 stands away from breaking - then they'd have gained an additional 22 VPs. That coupled with a little more luck against the Great Gargant would have secured a draw. The Capitol Imperialis and its Heavy Company failed to get involved which was also a major problem for the IG.
The Orks had similar problems with the Renegade Mekboyz who strangely didn't get into the action, but overall the remainder of their forces did their job well!
This battle report, the third in a month, will be the last for a couple of months as I have another trilogy to complete - the writing of the third and final book of my science fiction novels! Once that small matter has been dealt with, more Epic battle reports are guaranteed! Meantime, thanks for reading and for the support I've received from the Epic community for these posts!
