Blood Ravens vs. Orks - 2000 points [slideshow]

[SabrX]

Along the border between Segmentum Ultima and Segmentum Tempestus lies Varladra, an Imperial mining world. Supply ships flying to and from Varladra became frequently attacked by Ork Raiders. This adherent danger deterred most Imperial citizens and colonists from seeking employment in Varladra’s mines. To fill in the empty gap in Varladra’s work force, the Adeptus Administratum setup a penal colony. The worst of heretics and criminals, deemed too dangerous to be assigned to the Penal Legionnaire, were sent to work in Varladra’s mines for life.

Like other prison worlds, revolts and prison riots were common on Varladra. One such uprising succeeded. Wielding pick axes, drills, and demolition charges, convicts united and quickly overpowered their erstwhile captors. Only the Prison warden and a small handful of Arbites managed to survive. Garrisoned behind thick rockrete walls, the prison warden sends for reinforcements. In response, The Blood Ravens 8th Company answers their calls.

..........

Days later, the Blood Raven Strike Cruiser, “Crimson Spear” transits out of the warp, over the planet Varladra. Under the leadership of Brother-Librarian Ezreal, the Assault Marines of the Blood Ravens 8th Company makes a series of low altitude jump-pack insertions into strategic locations. Wherever they land, whirling chains swords hail of bolt pistols, and explosions from grenades lays waste to any who resists. After week long fighting, the criminals of Varladra surrender, ending in victory for the Blood Ravens.

..........

Much to the Imperium’s dismay, the conflict on Varladra wasn’t over. Clashes between the Space Marines and convicts had attracted the attention of Ork Warboss Doomrida. Hailing from the Evilsunz, the Speed Freak Warboss crashed a stolen drop ship onto Varladra. A host of Deffkoptas, Nobz Bikers, Trukks, and Battle Wagon zooms out of the ramshackle cargo bay, heading straight towards Varladra’s prison ward.

..........

Having detected the Orks long before they made planet fall, Brother-Librarian Ezreal assembles his forces in line breaker assault formation. Sixty Assault Marines, two Librarians, and four Apothecaries from the Blood Ravens 8th Company assembled under the cover of darkness.

An audible whine from three scores of jet-engines fills the air. Librarian Ezreal revs up his Jump Pack. A surge of adrenaline courses through his system in anticipation for the upcoming battle. He touches a stud on the side of his helmet. A command lectern pops up through his view finder, displaying a map of the battlefield.

“Scout-Sergeant Eagle-Eye, status report,” Ezreal orders through a vox channel.

A few seconds later, a small icon appears on Ezreal’s map, marking Scount-Sergeant Eagle-Eyes and his Scouts.

“We have visual on the enemy. The Orks just passed point Bravo. ETA point Alpha thirty seconds.”

A new icon appears on the map, marking the Speed Freaks. Ezreal whistles. The Green Skins were moving faster than he’d anticipated. The Librarian opens his vox channel.

“All commands launch!”

The audible whine of jet engines grows louder, rising into a crescendo. With a mental impulse, Ezreal switches his jump pack to full thrust, launching straight into the air. Sixty four other marines rockets into the air, trailing their commander.

“For the unknown Primarch, and the Emperor!” bellows Ezreal.

..........

A couple of weeks ago, I played my first game using my new Blood Ravens 8th Company army. For those who don’t know, 8th Company is usually a reserve company made up of mostly Assault Marines. Since there isn’t an option in codex Space Marines to make Assault Marine troops, I’m using codex Blood Angels instead.

For a long time, I’ve wanted to play an all Assault Marines army. It’s completely different than what I’m used to playing. My Tau, Eldar, and Sisters of Battle armies all focus heavily on shooting. Whereas my new Blood Ravens army focus heavily on assault.

Army lists

I brought an all Assault Marine army supported by meltaguns, power fists, Librarians, and Sanguinary Priests.

Blood Ravens (using codex Blood Angels):
-Librarian, jump pack, unleash rage, shield of sanguinius - Ezreal
-Librarian, jump pack, blood lance, Shield of Sanguinius
-3 Sanguinary Priests, power weapons, jump packs
-1 Sanguinary Priests, power weapon, jump pack
-10 Assault Marines, power fist, 2 flamers
-10 Assault Marines, power fist, 2 flamers
-10 Assault Marines, power fist, 2 meltaguns
-10 Assault Marines, power fist, 2 meltaguns
-10 Assault Marines, power fist, 2 meltaguns
-10 Assault Marines, power fist, 2 meltaguns

My opponent brought a mechanized Ork list featuring plenty of transports and Nobz Bikers.

Orks (Speed Freaks):
-Warboss, power klaw, attack squig, cybork body, kombi-skorcha
-Big Mek, kustom force field, cybork body
-12 Slugga Boyz, Nob w/ power klaw and boss pole, trukk
-12 Slugga Boyz, Nob w/ power klaw and boss pole, trukk
-12 Slugga Boyz, Nob w/ power klaw and boss pole, trukk
-11 Slugga Boyz, Nob w/ power klaw and boss pole, trukk
-19 Shoota Boyz, Nob w/ power klaw and boss pole
-8 Nobs Bikers, 8 cybork bodies, 2 power klaws, pain boy, 3 big choppas, 1 boss pole, 1 kombi-skorcha, waagh banner
-5 Deff koptas, 3 TL-rokkits, 2 big bomm, 1 buzzsaw
-1 Deffkopta, TL-rokkit, buzzsaw
-1 Deffkopta, TL-rokkit, buzzsaw
-Battle Wagon, deff rolla, armor plates, grot riggers, big shootas

Link to slideshow

https://picasaweb.google.com/1010045...46611759917810

Result: Victory for Blood Ravens!

Afterthoughts

In the beginning, my opponent played very defensive. It’s surprising to see an Ork player weary of assault. I joked with my opponent, remarking how he should switch over to Guard or Tau. Sure enough, the Orks did little damage in the shooting phase. My opponent realized assault was inevitable, and switched over from defense to offense.

Even in assault, the Orks didn’t fare well. Twice the green skins charge first, benefiting from furious charge. Both times, my Marines proved highly resilient, making most of their armor and feel no pain saves. Most of the casualties came from Nobz and Warboss’s power klaws. My other Assault Marines would then leap behind the Orks and assault them in the rear. Orks would get massacred or flee.

Despite winning and almost tabling the Orks, this game revealed weak points in my list. I lost four out of six independent characters. Also, none of my units have invulnerable saves. Any army that possesses a high concentration of Str8 AP3 large blast or close combat weapons that ignore armor saves poses a huge threat to my army. One alternative to fixing this is including deep striking Assault Terminators with Thunder Hammers and Storm Shields. With a Sanguinary Priest equip with Terminator Armour, they become almost impervious to medium AP anti-infantry shooting. Another alternative is including Honour Guards with Storm Shields. Whatever the solution may be, invulnerable saves is a must for an army that relies heavily on assault.

..........

Ezreal rockets forward, barreling into a group of Orks. The 400 pound librarian slams into them like wrecking ball, throwing the green skins back several hundred feet. Activating his force sword, Ezreal performs coup de grace on one of the fallen xenos before charging at the other two.

A Nob and Slugga Boy quickly recovers and lets out a blood curdling “WAAGGHHH!!” before meeting the Librarian head on. The smaller and lighter Slugga Boy reaches the Librarian first. With his axe raised high, the Slugga Boy swung hard, aiming for Ezreal’s head. At the last second, Ezreal dodges the crude blade and feigns left, catching the Slugga Boy off guard. With a quick thrust, Ezreal pierces thick green skin in the upper abdomen, stabbing into the heart.Right before it died, the Slugga Boy grabs Ezreal’s sword in a tight death grip. Trailing from behind, a Nob swings his massive power klaw forward. Ezreal abandons his force sword and takes a step back just as the massive power klaw slams into dead Slugga Boy. A loud “splat!” sends green ichor flying everywhere, drenching the both Ezreal and the Nob.

The librarian concentrates, channeling dark energy into his right palm. The Nob frees his power klaw and lumbers after Ezreal. Just as the Ork was about to strike, Ezreal unleashes a powerful bolt of psychic energy. Lightning crackles from Ezreal’s finger tips straight into the Nob’s thick skull. The Ork convulses as transferred energy cooks his innards. With a loud groan, the Nob drops before Ezreal’s feet with the stench of charred meat permeating from his prone body.

[SevenSins]

quite the slugfest that, orks do have some problems with dedicated assault units as even on the charge they loose a bunch due to low init.

Priests are easily picked of unfortuately. As for terminators they'll be real slow compared to the rest of your army, even with DS. Honour guard might be better but with multiple storm shields they get expensive fast (on the other hand their "priest" can't be singled out).

[SabrX]

@SevenSins:

Yeah, Terminators are slow. Assault Marines could probably snare enemy power units long enough for the Terminators to DS and assault the following turn. The down side is my the Terminators arriving late from reserves. Shame they don't descent of the angels special rule.

[Grand Master Raziel]

I'm no expert, but I understand Vanguard Vets are actually pretty important to an all-jumpers BA list. Descent of Angels+Heroic Intervention=Win, or at least a way to tie up important targets.

Reading the batrep, I also thought you could use a way to demech units in transports with a little more range than meltaguns in Assault Squads. I'm thinking Storm Ravens would be the way to go for you. They fit your army theme and can fire on 2 seperate targets per turn. Storm Ravens being a Heavy Support choice, you could squeeze some Land Speeders in as well - maybe Typhoons, again for long-distance demeching.

[SabrX]

I'm no expert, but I understand Vanguard Vets are actually pretty important to an all-jumpers BA list. Descent of Angels+Heroic Intervention=Win, or at least a way to tie up important targets.

I'm trying out the non-Descent of Angels approach where all my units starts out on the board rather than deep striking. Eventually, I may play DoA style, in which case I will include Vanguards.

Reading the batrep, I also thought you could use a way to demech units in transports with a little more range than meltaguns in Assault Squads. I'm thinking Storm Ravens would be the way to go for you. They fit your army theme and can fire on 2 seperate targets per turn. Storm Ravens being a Heavy Support choice, you could squeeze some Land Speeders in as well - maybe Typhoons, again for long-distance demeching.

To me, the Storm Raven is a huge point sink. My list is light on vehicles. Any Speeders or medium armored vehicles will quickly get shot from concentration of range anti-mech shooting. If I do decide to include long-distance demeching elements, it will be Predators w/ Autocannon Turret and Sponson Lascannons. They have AV13 front and are easier to obscure behind terrain.