Blood Ravens 8th Company vs. Tau - 1000 points [slideshow] using 6th Edition!

[SabrX]

The Blood Ravens 8th Company lead by commander Ezreal makes planet fall on the planet Zanzibar. Located along the eastern fringe, Zanzibar was a feral world, known for its dry climate and harsh desserts. The natives of Zanzibar were mostly tribesmen, who worshipped the Emperor and his angels of death. There was also an unusual number of psykers within Zanzibar’s population. Both this and the planet’s harsh conditions made it an ideal recruiting world for the Blood Ravens Chapter.

Upon landing, commander Ezreal setup base near a large sandstone rock formation in the planet’s southern hemisphere. For centuries, this rock formation served as a ritual site. Every six decades, when the Blood Ravens visit, natives of Zanzibar sent men who possess warrior traits qualities to partake in the Trials of Blood. The Trials of Blood consist of tests where the Blood Ravens measured each recruit’s combat skills and latent psyker abilities. Anyone who passed was inducted into the scouts training program.

However this year, none of the Zanzibar’s candidates arrived at the rock formation. After two days of waiting, commander Ezreal dispatch scouts across the planet’s surface. The next day, scouts in the eastern dessert made an alarming discovery. There they discovered a Tau encampment and much of the planet’s population sporting Tau garments, blue makeup, and single braid haircuts. While the Blood Ravens were gone, the Tau had landed and converted Zanzibar’s population to the greater good.
Furious, commander Ezreal launch an assault to purge the xenos taint. Having detected the oncoming invasion force, the Tau mobilizes their forces to defend their new colony.

.....

Hey folks! Summers here and 6th edition just got released. I got my first game in playing my Blood Ravens against Tau. It was a long game. My opponent and I check and re-check the new rules, clearing up any confusions.

Army Lists

Blood Ravens 8th Company (codex Blood Angels)
-Librarian, Jump Pack, Shield of Sanguinius, Unlesh Rage
-Sanguinary Priest, Jump Pack
-10 Assault Marines, Power Fist, 2 Meltaguns
-10 Assault Marines, Power Fist, 2 Meltaguns
-10 Assault Marines, Power Fist, 2 Flamers
-5 Assault Marines, 1 Flamer

Tau
-Etheral
-Shas'O, Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod and Multi-tracker
-3 Crisis Suits, Plasma Rifle, Missile Pod, Multi-trackers, Team Leader, 2 Gun Drones
-6 Stealth Suits, 2 Fusion Blasters.
-12 Fire Warriors, Team Leader, Photon Grenade
-12 Fire Warriors, Team Leader, Photon Grenade
-8 Pathfinders, Devilfish

Link to slideshow

https://picasaweb.google.com/1010045...17778586999154

Result: Victory for the Blood Ravens!

Afterthoughts

Wow that was an intense game. In the beginning it looked like I would win by a land slide. But I killed the Ethereal and it went down hill from there. Preferred Enemy, markerlights, and rapid fire Pulse Rifles and Plasma Rifles started mowing down my infantry. I still can't believe my Assault Marines lost assault against Tau. Thankfully they regrouped and made a comeback.

In hindsight I shouldn't have killed the Ethereal. Preferred enemy on everything is powerful. The Tau certainly got a huge buff under 6th edition. Overwatch is decent counter to Assault, especially when combined with preferred enemy.

Assault Marines also hot buffed. I killed quite a few models using Hammer of Wrath. FNP down graded from 4+ to 5+ was a big blow. However, FNP now works against just about anything except instant death. I now feel less worried about Daemon of Chaos or any unit with mass power weapons.

I really like the new 6th edition rules. It's fun and a lot of it makes sense. There's more realism than there was in 5th ed. Sure removing closest models for casualties sucks, but that's what it's like in real life.

.....

“For the Emperor!” yells Ezreal. He activates his Jump Pack and slams into a Tau Ethereal. The force knocks the xeno leader to the ground. Ezreal reverses his grip on his sword and slams it into the Etheral's blue chest, slaying the xenos.

“The day is won,” bellows Ezreal as he hoist his sword into the air.

A sudden hush fell across the battlefield, as all Tau turn and stares in horror at their slain leader.

“Noble Ethereal, we have lost you!” Scream a Fire Warrior. “Evil Gue’la, they shall pay for slaying honorable Aun’Tor!” Cries a Pathfinder.

The Tau forces falls into disarray. Some flee, but most are consumed by rage and fight on. Soon the Tau’s volume of fire doubles, cutting down swathe of Assault Marines into pieces. Commander Ezreal orders his forces forward, but the weight of fire is overwhelming.

At the end of the day, the Blood Ravens emerge victorious, but at a terrible price.

[Dhoom]

Great bat rep! I really like the slide show style you use for your reports, keep them coming. Only problem is that I play blood ravens and tau, so didn't know who to root for

[Col. Dash]

Nice presentation, but the tau had poor deployment and accordingly didnt take good advantage of their range. No terrain at all on that board.