Dark Eldar Turn One - Planet of Obelix
The spires and gateways glowed crimson as Lelith Hesperax glared down towards the loading stations, watching numerous raiders and venoms make ready for another slave raid. Sails shivered in the web way currents, emblazoned with all number of kabal sigils - the Black Heart, the Slashed Eye, the Poisoned Tongue, they were all there. She turned away, not even bothering to search for any ships declaring ownership to the Kabal of the Obsidium Rose - the kabal she allied with, even if only for the time being. They would not be there. She was in disgrace.
Word of her defeat on Aenna had spread through the city’s numerous satellite realms and pathways like a virus. Whereas before an almost revered hush would follow her as she stalked the corridors, now whispers could be heard in the darkest shadows… She had lost her touch…. She had failed…. Worst of all, she had been defeated by the Orks - savages with not an ounce of grace, or skill, among them… It would not be long before another Succubus took her head as a trophy, and replaced her at the head of the Wych cults…. Lelith had taken the greatest pleasure in taking THAT head as a trophy herself. It had almost amused her to hear the pathetic little wych almost pleading for her life. At least that was what Lelith assumed she was about to plead for. Her blade had abruptly ended that conversation.
“This will not do” she muttered.
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“My Lady Hesperax…” M’Shen entered Lelith’s chamber, head bowed in respect. “Have you heard the report?”
“If it is another report of how many slaves are being returned to us from this raid, I have no desire to hear it. They will die the same as all the others once they reach my arena. It matters not to me how many will die by my blade.”
“No, it is not that my Lady. Reports are coming in that Archon K’riath had found what he has been looking for.”
For the first time since M’Shen had entered her chamber, Lelith looked directly at her. “Is that so. Where exactly?”
“On the planet of Obelix. But there is also strong evidence of loyalist marines garrisoned on the planet”. M’Shen was unable to meet her Lady’s gaze.
“Perfect”. Lelith allowed a rare and fleeting smile to pass her lips. “Prepare the raiders and order a web way portal to open in the atmosphere of Obelix. We will retrieve K’riath’s trinket for him and bring some marines back with us.”
M’Shen finally looked her mistress for a fleeting second before returning her eyes respectfully to the ground. She was not yet one of her Lady’s inner circle, merely required to relay orders and she would do well to remember her place. However, even she could not suppress the trepidation in her voice “But my Lady, Archon K’Riath has been searching for many moon cycles. He wishes to be the one to retrieve it. It would be wise not to cross hi…”
“Then K’Riath should learn to be quicker” Lelith snapped. Her hand was resting on the knife at her hip in a heartbeat, but she stayed her hand. “Do I need to repeat myself?”
“No my Lady, of course not”.
“Good”. Lelith stalked out of her chamber, the crimson half light of the black suns reflecting on the barbs and hooks in her hair, and the polished glow of her armour. “Be quick about it M’Shen. I do not expect to be kept waiting”.
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Deployment - Hammer and Anvil
Mission - The Relic
Warlord Traits
Grand Master - Strategic Genius - Whilst your Warlord is alive, you can re-roll any Reserves rolls (failed or unsuccessful)
Lelith Hesperax - Inspiring Presence - Friendly units within 12” of the Warlord can use his Leadership rather than their own.
Grey Knights Grand Stategy - 2 units may reroll to wound if a 1 is rolled.
Dark Eldar Combat Drugs - Serpentin - All affected units gain +1 Weapon Skill.
Night fighting is not in effect, and the Wood is rolled for on the mysterious terrain chart - it gives a 2+ cover save against grenades.
The Grey Knights roll to go first, the Dark Eldar failing to steal the initiative.
Grey Knights Deployment:
Dark Eldar Deployment:
Grey Knights Turn 1:
Both Dread Knights advance purposefully towards the Dark Eldar, hoping to halt their attack before it began, the Terminators following closely behind whilst remaining behind the cover of the wall.
The Vindicare Assassin takes aim from atop the ruined building his shots fall short of the approaching threat.
Dark Eldar Turn 1:
The Hellions urge their skyboards forward, halting briefly behind the wall, unable to fire at anything. The Venoms carrying the Incubi and Trueborn skirt round the side of the wood aiming their splinter cannons at the Vindicare Assassin eyeing them up from the roof top, planning his next shot. 7 shots find their mark and he falls to the ground earning the Dark Eldar their first Victory Point and leaving behind a mess on the ground.
The Raiders holding the warriors zooms forward firing it’s Dark Lance at the unit of Terminators, killing one. The warriors on board are out of range so satisfy themselves by screaming curses at the remaining Terminators. The Raider carrying the Succubus and Wyches also picks off another Terminator with its Dark Lance, whilst the Raider carrying the unit of Wyches opens fire at one of the Dread Knights, the dark lance making a nice pinging sound as it ricochets of its armour.
Lelith urges her Raider forward to take aim at the ruined building housing the marines, but the Disintegrator Cannon completely fails to even hit the building.
The Ravagers ease forward keeping out of range of the enemy firepower, but unfortunately also out of range to actually hit anything themselves.
Grey Knights Turn 2:
The Dread Knights continue to advance around the cover of the wall, laughing in the face of the Dark Eldar firepower. The Dread Knight leading the advance fires its Gatling Psilencer at the raider full of wyches that was trying to sneak up the side of the board, scoring 2 glancing hits. The flickerfield saves one only, reducing the transport to 2 hull points.
An almighty thundering noise drowns out the curses being flung at the Grey Knights, as the Storm Raven roars in from reserve and brings its weapons to bear on the raider carrying the Succubus, as it was getting a little two close to the relic. The twin-linked multi melta strikes home, but the hit shimmers across the flickerfield and dissipates into nothing-ness. The twin-linked assault cannons score 1 penetrating hit which the flickerfield saves again. However the field finally fails when the hurricane bolters score 1 penetrating hit, slicing off the dark lance and leaving the raider as nothing more than a glorified bus.
Dark Eldar Turn 2:
The Hellions fly over the wall, relieving them of cover and make a beeline towards the advancing Dread Knights. Both units fire their splinter pods, causing 4 wounds which the Dread Knight brushes away.
The Venoms follow suit, determined to bring down the monsters. The Venom carrying the Incubi manage to cause another 4 wounds which are all saved again, however the Venom transporting the Trueborn manages to case 5 wounds, reducing the giant to only 2 wounds.
The Raiders continue to close the distance on the Terminators. The Raider carrying the Wyches flies around from behind the battles cape, and fires its dark lance at the Terminators. We can only assume the pilot was still weaving around from negotiating the trees as the shot fails to find its mark. The Raider and Warriors follows in hot persuit and manages to score 1 wound with its dark lance. The Terminator shrugs this off with a chuckle. The Warriors aboard open their firepower upon the Terminators - the Blaster misses the squad completely, but the splinter cannon and splinter rifles score 6 wounds, all of which are saved.
The Ravager sporting 3 dark lances takes aim at the Storm Raven, determined to bring it down. Determination, it would appear, doesn’t count for much as all shots miss the flier completely.
Lelith’s Raider opens fire once again at the ruined building wanting to see it come crashing down around the marines ears, but misses again.
Grey Knight Turn 3:
The Storm Raven moves forward pivoting towards the forest, and opening fire on the Ravager with three dark lances. The twin-linked assault cannon misses, but the Storm Raven quickly follows up with the multi-melta scoring 1 glancing hit which the flickerfield fails to save, dropping the Ravager to 2 hull points. The hurricane bolters finish the job, scoring 1 glancing hit that the flickerfield saves, and 1 penetrating shot that pierces through the flickerfield and detonates in the fuel tanks causing the Ravager to explode spectacularly.
The marines hiding out in the ruined building cautiously move round to the side, eager to escape the pot shots Lelith keeps ordering to be taken on the building and line up their bolters to take aim at the Raider carrying the Warriors. They manage to score 3 glancing hits which the flickerfield manages to save 2 of, and 2 penetrating hits - 1 of which is saved. The Raider barely escapes this onslaught with 1 hull point remaining and is shaken.
The Dread Knight, sensing an easy kill, fires its gatling psilencer at the same Raider, but doesn’t hit.
The Terminators, having become monumentally annoyed at being slowly picked off, open fire at the Raider carrying the Succubus and Wyches scoring 1 glancing hit and 2 penetrating hits with their bolters, and 1 glancing hit and 1 penetrating hit with their psycannon. The flickerfield does a somewhat admirable job and manages to save 2 of the shots, but the Raider crashes to the ground having lost all its hull points, and becomes immobilised. The Wyches take this opportunity to pile out of the downed Raider and claim the relic - having decided amongst themselves this was the plan all along.
The Dread Knight returns fire at the group of 4 Hellions, lighting them up with its gatling psilencer causing 6 wounds and all 4 to come crashing from their sky boards.
Dark Eldar Turn 3:
Having claimed the relic, the unit of Wyches and Succubus flee back towards safety.
The Hellions swoop towards the Dread Knight firing their splinter pods as they go. They manage to score 2 wounds which the Dread Knight easily saves.
The remaining Ravager fires its 3 disintegrator cannons at the unit of Terminators, scoring 5 wounds and killing 4 of them, leaving the Grand Master all on his own.
Both Venoms take aim at the Dread Knight trying to sneak its way into the middle of the field, causing 9 wounds between them. The Dread Knight manages to save 6 leaving it with only 1 wound remaining.
The Raider full of Wyches tries valiantly to remove the final wound from the Draed Knight, but the dark lance misses and the Wyches on board only manage to cause 2 wounds which are easily saved.
Taking matters into her own hands, Lelith orders the Raider she is aboard to fire its dark lance at the frustratingly resilient Dread Knight and takes its last wound, dropping to its knees with a resounding crash that is heard across the battlefield. If you want a job done properly….
The Raider carrying the Warriors fires a snap shot at the Grand Master, making its shot. The Grand Master fails his invun, and unfortunately takes a dark lance to the forehead earning the Dark Eldar their second victory point. The Warriors aboard fire at the marines now visible from the side of the ruined building. The blaster fails to hit, but 8 wounds are caused from the splinter cannon and splinter rifles, slaying 4 marines.
The Hellions swoop in to assault the Dread Knight, 1 coming to an untimely end when a lucky shot from the Dread Knight manages to cave his head in. The remaining Hellions only manage to inflict 1 wound despite their basic attacks and 4 Hammer of Wrath hits. The Dread Knight saves the wound, and in retaliation smites the Hellion with its demon hammer. Sensing the combat is not about to go their way, the Hellions fail their morale test and flee, falling back into the ruined forest that reveals itself to be a carnivorous jungle. 1 Hellion fails its dangerous terrain test, and is promptly eaten by one of the plants.
Grey Knights Turn 4:
The Storm Raven descends into hover mode, turning to target the Succubus and Wyches and fires its missiles. The first missile scatters slightly in the wind but manages to hit the tail end of the unit. The second missile fails to hit the unit at all, but detonates against the back of the Raider carrying Lelith causing 2 penetrating hits and immobilising the vehicle. The 3rd and 4th missiles hit the unit totally wiping it out.
The remaining Dread Knight teleports to behind enemy lines with the other Ravager set firmly within its sights. It fires its gatling psilencer stripping the Ravager of 2 hull points.
The marines all pile out of the building, taking aim at the Raider carrying the Warriors. The combined firepower of their storm bolters cause 2 glancing hits and 1 penetrating hit that detonates, killing one Warrior in the blast. Hoping that the Warriors are disorientated from the exploding transport the marines charge the unit, 2 falling to the ground as the Warriors make a vain attempt to cut them down. 1 further marine dies in the ensuing melee. Furious that they have lost 3 brothers the marines strike down 3 warriors, and cut down the remainder of the squad when they attempt to flee after failing their leadership test.
Dark Eldar Turn 4:
The Hellions continue to flee, falling back even further to safety - the memories of their combat with the Dread Knight still fresh in their minds. They attempt to cut down the remaining marines but all snap shots miss as the Hellions try to flee as quickly as possible.
The Ravager turns to face the Dread Knight, but all hopes of vengeance are dashed when all shots miss.
Lelith and her retinue of Wyches jump from the immobilised Raider and run forward to claim the relic. The Raider they were embarked upon fires its disintegrator cannon at the unit of marines, cutting down 2 where they stand.
The Raider carrying the remaining unit of Wyches flies over to the lonely 2 marines killing one with its dark lance. The Wyches on board fire all their pistols at the remaining marine, finishing off the squad and earning themselves a pain token.
The 2 venoms again take aim at the last Dread Knight. The first Venom stripping it down to one wound, and the second Venom finally relieving it of its last.
Grey Knights Turn 5:
The Storm Raven banks round flying towards the Raider full of Wyches aiming to wipe them out in a fiery explosion. The multi-melta and hurricane bolters score 3 penetrating hits to the fragile shell of the transport, and the flickerfield shimmers into nothingness as the vehicle is wrecked.
Determined to foil Lelith’s plan of escaping with the relic, the Storm Raven unleashes its assault cannon at the unit, cutting down three Wyches.
Dark Eldar Turn 5:
The Hellions finally overcome their cowardice and fly their skyboards over to where Lelith and her Wyches are protecting the relic but realise their splinter pods will do no damage against the Storm Raven.
The Venoms containing the Incubi and Trueborn surround Lelith and her retinue, hoping to provide some cover as their transports are also incapable of downing the plane hovering above.
The Wyches, having piled out of their wrecked transport, go to ground in the vain hope that will protect them long enough to remain in the Grey Knights deployment zone.
The game continues into Turn 6, with no night fighting in place again.
Grey Knights Turn 6:
The Storm Raven turns to aim completely at Lelith, to deny her the relic and hovers in place. The hurricane bolters case 2 wounds which are saved but the multi-melta’s and assault cannon have more luck. Two Wyches dive in front of Lelith to take the hits, failing their saves and dropping to a pile at her feet as Lelith steps over them anxious to avoid a further shot. Luck is not with her as the shot penetrates her barely there armour, killing her where she stands and earning the Grey Knights their first Victory Point. One further Wych crumples to the floor.
Dark Eldar Turn 6:
After taking such a brutal barrage of shots, the remaining Wyches drop the relic and, failing their leadership test, flee back towards the relative safety of the edge - anything to get as far away as possible from the Storm Raven.
The Hellions and Venoms group round the Wyches that have gone to ground, hoping to shield them from danger a little bit longer.
The game continues into Turn 7
Grey Knights Turn 7:
The Storm Raven brings it guns to bear on the Wyches feebly hunkering down next to their wrecked transport, killing 3 with its hurricane bolters and a further 3 with its assault cannons and multi-meltas. The Wyches fail their leadership again, and run towards the carnivorous jungle hoping to escape any further punishment, luckily remaining still within the Grey Knights deployment zone.
Dark Eldar Turn 7:
The Wyches rally and head back to the side of their Raider within the Grey Knights Deployment Zone, and the remainder of of Lelith’s group of Wyches also rally and head back towards the relic, unfortunately falling short despite running that little bit further.
Results:
Dark Eldar - 3 Grey Knights - 1
Dark Eldar Victory!
Man of the Match:
For the Grey Knights I reckon it has to be that damn Storm Raven. It picked off Lelith in the end, earning the Grey Knights their victory point, and whittled down so many of my units. Unfortunately, by the time the last Raider fell there was just nothing strong enough to damage it.
For the Dark Eldar I think it has to be the Raiders. They got the troops where they needed to be to claim the relic, and then recover it when the Succubus and Wyches fell, and gradually picked off the Terminators and Vindicare Assassin (and boy was I glad he died before being able to do anything).
Army Lists - Dark Eldar
Lelith Hesperax, grouped with 9 Wyches (1 with Hydra Gauntlets) mounted on Raider with disintegrator cannon and flicker field - the Raider is destroyed, Lelith and 6 Wyches die
Succubus with Agoniser and Blast pistol grouped with 9 Wyches (1 with Hydra Gauntlets) mounted on Raider with dark lance and flicker field - the Raider is destroyed along with the Succubus and Wyches.
9 Kabalite Warriors (1 with Blaster and 1 with splinter cannon) led by Sybarite with power weapon and splinter pistol mounted on raider Raider with dark lance, splinter racks and flickerfield - the Raider is destroyed, and Sybarite and Warriors die.
9 Wyches (1 with razor flails and 1 with hydra gauntlets) led by Hekatrix with splinter pistol and power weapon mounted on raider with dark lance and flicker field - the Raider is destroyed, and 6 Wyches die.
5 Incubi mounted on Venom with 2 splinter cannons and flickerfield
5 Kabalite Trueborn mounted on Venom with 2 splinter cannons and flickerfield
4 Hellions led by Helliarch with splinter pistol and power weapon - all die
5 Hellions - 3 die
Ravager with 3 x dark lances - destroyed
Ravager with 3 x disintegrator cannons
Grey Knights
Grand Master with warding staff and psybolt ammo - died
6 Terminators with psybolt ammo, scanning, brotherhood banner and 3 x nemesis falchions - died
10 Marines with psybolt ammo, warding staff and 5 x demon hammer - died
2 Dread Knights with 2 x teleporters and 2 x gatling psilencers - both died
Storm Raven with multi melta and twin linked assault cannon, hurricane bolters, psybolt ammo and teleport homer
Vindicare Assassin - died.
Subject: Dark Eldar Vs. Grey Knights 
Tue Oct 09, 2012 9:28 am
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