Apocalypse - 30,000 points - Hold the Line! - Nids vs Imperium

[Great Harlequin]

Some of the 1st Company Veterans organised this game, notably Stormtrooper154 on this forum. Traditional six objectives, and 15,000 points of fully painted miniatures per side. We had a huge audience watching us and it really was a cracking experience. Read on to share!



It was as if the world was bleeding, and out of the wound came spewing forth an enemy so numerous it took many of the defenders not to go mad. A grand cacophony of millions of skittering, scratching claws, pounding feet, and unearthly screams mixed, rising in crescendo all the time, and never faltering. It was said many too close to the frontlines fell stone deaf even before the battle began in earnest.

Lord Tigurius flashed his frosty grey eyes and summoned his powers to lay a temporary blanket over the battlefield to block out the sound. He felt the sound crashing against this invisible shield, but the Ultramarine did not falter, though he winced in shock as a Hive Tyrant, its eyes and expression implacable, looked directly at him, cocking its head in… what? Respect? No, no, of course not, something much more terrifying – recognition.

It knew him…

Suddenly, and without warning, the sky exploded…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...-Tabelshot.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...-Tabelshot.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...-Middleine.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46.../4-Bunkers.jpg

Roughly, all told we had:

Hierophant bio-titan
2 Barbed Hierodules
3 Trygons
32 Monstrous creatures (including 6 winged Tyrants, around 25 Carnifexes!)
An endless swarm (120 Gaunts)
Around 140 Genestealers
24 Warriors
6 Zoanthropes
Biovores
Meiotic spores
5 Lictors
12 Gargoyles

All the Apocalypse formations!

Imperials -

Stormblade
4 Baneblades
4 Basilisks
12 Leman Russ'
An Ultramarine strike force - Tigurius and command squad, Landraider, Whirlwinds, Tyrannic war vets, tactical marines
Loads of guardsmen
Callidus Assassin
10 Terminators
10 man Assault squad led by a Chaplain
3 Tornadoes

[Great Harlequin]

Trillions of Spore Mines fell from the heavens and a thick blanket of flesh and steaming acid blocked the Tyranid forces from the might of the Leman Russ First Tank Company and two Baneblades. Taking the chances where they could, the Imperial forces tried to take out the Carnifexes on the left flank, fearing they might prove tough to remove from the objective in no-man’s land. Battlecannon shells and Lascannons chipped away at their leviathan forms but astonishingly none of them fell, though with a cheer some of the forefront Genestealers were taken out by some admirable fire from the Imperial Guard’s Chimeras.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...llunderway.jpg

Meanwhile, on the right, lasguns ran hot and bolter clips clattered to the ground, making every shot count, aiming for the vital organs of the Gaunts, Stealers, and the Gargoyles who were in danger of sweeping over the bunker system into the backs of the defenders. Two Baneblades and the combined fire of the Basilisks propelled shells so ferociously into the rocky terrain that the sheer cliff faces gave way and crushed many of the Warriors supporting the bunker assault. Finally, Tigurius gave the signal to fire upon the strange Organic force-field he had sensed before the Spore Mines concealed it behind their pulsating bulk. The Imperial players all stood in silence, but then exploded into celebration as a Basilisk shell, aimed true, blew apart the force-field, leaving the Tyranids in the centre a hell of a lot more vulnerable.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...92-Raaargh.jpg

Winged Tyrants screamed overhead, two of them even managing to make it into respective Baneblades. The horde advanced, trying to silence the Baneblades and breach the Bunkers, whilst the Gaunts tried to manoeuvre around the minefield system in front of the bunkers. One Heirodule accounted for annihilating the Baneblade Cannon holding up the centre of the field, and even knocked a structure point off whilst Venom Cannon fire poured into the Leman Russ’s, but their armour and faith sneered at such attempts, leaving little lasting damage to the armoured behemoths.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46.../9-advance.jpg

Panic spread across the forces watching over the Godlike Baneblades as Genestealers, and Winged Hive Tyrants caused multiple crippling hits, as they lashed out and disabled its weaponry, the crew of which attempted to repair lest their fate be sealed. Suddenly, a psychic pulse penetrated the atmosphere, and within seconds the experimental Disruptor Beacon was vaporised by a vast spore mine which exploded in viscous acid that caused the very surface of the earth to bubble and spit. It was then the deep rumbling below the earth began…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...bladesnack.jpg

[Great Harlequin]

Fleshy remains of spore mines covered the ground and the Shadowsword and its company of Leman Russ’s finally got their chance. With time-honoured efficiency, they blew apart a Hive Tyrant and its Guard, and caused a Carnifex to stumble to its knees, as the woods were scoured with boiling plasma and rockets. Yet more Gaunts and Stealers fell to the bunker gun emplacements as reserves came on to secure the objectives behind in case they were breached.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...s/DSC05009.jpg

Literally dropping into hell, the Last Chancers emerged from grav chutes high above the battlefield, selling their lives dearly to wreck havoc with their demolition charges amongst the larger monstrosities. All the while, sending data on the remaining Tyranid forces in their immediate area.

Cheers resounded from one corner of the battlefield as a Hellhound spewed blessed promethium, and turned a dozen Genestealers into hissing matter, as the weight of fire finally took down a Carnifex staggering towards a Leman Russ. Meanwhile, out of the corner of a Barbed Heirodule’s eye, something moved in the forest. Something the Hive Mind hadn’t encountered in a long time… A Callidus Assassin leapt from tree to tree unleashing a Vortex Grenade which scattered just wide of the Titan!

But even before the Tyranid players could recompose themselves then, reality was rent apart with a ripping screech, like metal sheets scrapping against one another. The intense myriad of colours flickered violently, and then suddenly enveloped the Bio-Titan!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...exsurprise.jpg

The Tyranid players could only look on with appalled faces as a 6 was rolled which sealed the fate of the 700 point monstrosity in one foul swoop!

Applause rose from humanity at this sight across the battlefield faltered swiftly as no less than five Carnifexes emerged from giant Mycetic Spores and fired millions of beetles into the bunkers which literally consumed the defenders from the inside out. That ever-present rumbling suddenly stopped. A hush fell upon many of the defenders which were rent apart by a scream as a Trygon with 9 Raveners shot out of the earth and brought their scything talons to bear, spearing through the defenders with a swiftness that contemptuously parried even the Space Marines’ counter-attack.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...gonassault.jpg

The veritable wall of Carnifexes gambolled into the armoured line and smashed tanks out of the way with shocking efficiency, and even a Baneblade was brought to an end by a Winged Tyrant, its internal explosions enveloping yet another Warrior. Elsewhere, in the centre of the battlefield, a large brood of Hormagaunts scuttled onwards having destroyed a Tyrannic War Veterans squad only to be left stranded infront of the Ultramarines’ Land Raider and a rather angry Librarian.

Yet, the worst horror came to the East, towering over the bunkers on giant arachnid legs – spore mines dancing around it, the Heirophant strode onto to the table and immediately two Bunkers fell to its awesome firepower, as they bubbled viscously, until it was as if they and their occupants had been wiped from time itself.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...s/DSC05004.jpg

[Great Harlequin]

Marshalling nearly all their reserves to strike at two of the objectives currently under Tyranid control, the Imperial Guard’s tanks and Rough Riders charged onto the field as Terminators teleported into the heart of the Genestealer horde whilst the glorious sound of Jump Packs sounded as two Assault Marine squads soared overhead, discharging plasma into nearby monstrous creatures.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...ultMarines.jpg

Dozens of Genestealers fell in the initial strike and the Carnifexes began to fall… The Basilisk battery added to the Tyranid woes with some unholy accurate Earthsaker rounds causing a score of casualties. Though one Carnifex took all the Shadowsword, and Leman Russ tank company could throw it and came out, battered, but alive…

The Ultramarines led a daring charge over the wreckage of the Baneblade into a Hive Tyrant and some Raveners, with Tigurius at the lead, his staff bristling with crackling power, inspiring fetes of courage elsewhere as the defenders kept fighting despite two Trygons smashing aside their protection with ease.

Tigurius’ Honour Guard continued to rampage through the Tyranid forces, a maelstrom of blue power armour in the midst of a teeming sea of claws and acid. Relentlessly, the Tyranids began to scour the bunkers of survivors, their sights on the humming objectives beyond, just out of reach.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...onTigurius.jpg

Putting all the remaining of reserves into stopping the surgical strike on the two objectives, Meiotic Spores rained down on the Assault Marines, searing even through their blessed armour whilst even a squad of Terminators was brought down by the endless swarm of Gaunts before they even initiated a charge. The Broodlord dodged a clumsy blow by a Sentinel and cut its power cables, leaving his brood to feast on the poor victim within. Roaring in triumph it took its place on the objective…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...996-Blargh.jpg

And with that, the game ended! An honourary draw we felt was just, as despite the Tyranids contesting one more objective, the Imperials still had forces to commit to the battle which could have turned the tide.

It was an awesome game, on such a scale as I never thought I’d participate outside of Gamesday. Everyone made it such a great experience, and I only hope they are all up for doing it again – perhaps mixing it up with some Chaos or Eldar next time! Apocalypse is a great addition and I hope this also inspires many other gamers to get out and try something on this scale. It really is a blast!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...fHerbivore.jpg

EDIT: /\ My Hive Tyrant survived!

[Prophaniti]

Crazy fools! That looks awesome.

[hiveminion]

I saw a much briefer report on the AB but I'm glad you wrote a full overview of the battle with some more pics. It sounds like you guys had an awesome time and kudoes to you for playing such a large Apocalypse game with two fully painted armies! An impressive sight indeed. I would think Nids'd struggle against so much armour and ordnance but it seems the Nids did a thoroughly good job kicking some Imperial arse.

[Aurellis]

That looked great!

It's brilliant to see so many Tyranid FW models, I haven't seen any apart from 1 Tyrgon and 1 Scythed Heirodule around these parts. Unlucky moi

[Comrade Wraith]

...........Holy......**** thats one hell of a battle, fully painted army's, apocalypse game, nids, last stand.......what more could you want

You crazy crazy people.

wraith

[Thornz]

Best Apoc. battle report ever ! As a fellow Tyranid player what aspects of the Apoc. Tyranid army shine in this environment ? How do you think the Trygons preformed ? Did you have any worries about having so many points in reserve ?

[Sholto]

That looks like a barrel of fun Thanks for the report!

Sholto

[Malorian]

When I read the nid list I didn't think the imperials had a chance, so I was glad they were able to fight back.

Why did they still have units in reserve? Did you not finish turn three? Or were they just too far away to fight at that point?

[Great Harlequin]

Crazy maybe!

But it ran fairly smoothly and we could have organised it more as well. For the next one there is talk of battlezones to make sure that every player gets to fully participate with their force and has distinct objectives instead of people amalgamating their armies to one aim, to add even more flavour.

Originally Posted by Thornz

Best Apoc. battle report ever ! As a fellow Tyranid player what aspects of the Apoc. Tyranid army shine in this environment ? How do you think the Trygons preformed ? Did you have any worries about having so many points in reserve ?

Tyranids can perform very well in Apocalypse. You start of fairly close to the enemy usually, but it all hinges on whether you can take the punishing fire for the first 2 or so turns. It usually takes longer to deploy Tyranids, and tbh, you need to present as many targets as possible, so staying alive can become harder as you have to forsake the, in my experience, very important 1st turn. But, to compensate for that you get to react to the enemy's reserves.

Trygons were great! Especially the Subterrenean swarm which rampaged through a hell of a lot of stuff. Don't know whether they'll be the same in the new rules (soon to be released IIRC), but their sheer toughness and the fact they can get into incredibly useful positions or behind enemy tanks is very worthwhile.

Plus they look awesome.

hiveminion, how you doing these days? Haven't had time to keep up with your Space Marines recently.

Malorian, I think they were units that couldn't get on the table in a useful position, and as we were fairly sure it was the last turn, there wasn't much point putting them on the table. Don't quote me on that though. Sounds like Imperial mischief to me.

[stormtrooper154]

Brilliant write up there Chris, where are all the pictures though? - all I see is boxes with crosses in.

Anyway here are some more pictures:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...s/DSC04964.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...s/DSC04982.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...s/DSC05003.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...s/DSC05015.jpg

I am looking forward to the next one, it will be either Chaos or Eldar.....

[Art Is Resistance]

Just to pull it a little more together, here is a bit that we wrote during the game - It's from the perspective of Imperial radio Chatter:

The following are a set of Vox communications, which with a bit of poetic license give a general flavour of the days events from the Imperiums viewpoint.

**Reconnaissance Squad 431, sector 1 reporting in over**
**Xenos sighted bearing South South East from co-ordinates 4137/3914 over**
**ETA on main position 2 hours, abandoning position over**

**I AM CHAPLAIN CASSIUS OF THE ULTRAMARINES, IN THE NAME OF THE EMPORER YOU WILL DO YOUR DUTY IT IS YOUR HONOUR AND PRIVILIGE TO DIE IN HIS DIVINE SERVICE**

(Author: Like DEATH Space Marines always talk in Capital letters).

**Mechanised Command reporting in over**
**Armour mobilised sectors 7,9 and 12 over**
**Disruption Field activated over**
**Infantry support deployed over**

**Enginseer Command reporting in over**
**Baneblades mobilised over**

**Ogryns here we is ready**
**….Doh! er, umm over**

**Reconnaissance Squad 431 FOP3 reporting in, they’re here, the Xenos are here! There’s thousands of them!! Sector 2 Co-ordinates 4210/3245 over**
**They’re on us, we’re being overru……………………..** (Transmission ends)

**Reconnaissance Squad 188 FOP2 reporting in. More Xenos in Sector 4 there are too many to count!! We’re pulling back over**

**Commissar Masinberg here you will hold, any man who takes one step back will be shot. You will serve the Emperor now prepare to fight and win in his name over**

**Strategic Command 4 reporting in preparing Artillery Barrage in 5,4…hold, hold there’s some kind of bio-field blocking our sensors we are unable to track targets over**
**Awaiting visual confirmation over**

**Reconnaissance Squad 188 FOP2 reporting in over**
**The Xenos have deployed some kind of blind barrage over**
**We can’t see a thing, we’re relocating to secondary position over**

**Strategic Command 4 here, 4315 your co-ordinates are 4210/3245 through 4240/3315 over**
**0015 fire on co-ordinates 4241/3220 through 4260/3300 over**
**3104 fire on co-ordinates 4261/3415 through 4290/3505 over**

**Forward spotter reporting Incoming fire in 4,3,2,1..contact**
**……………FOP2 confirming shots are off target, repeat off target bear 2 degrees left and decrease elevation by 1 degree over**

**FOP3 here reporting minimal enemy casualties, we’ve barely scratched them, they’re coming in fast!! Will relocate over.. let’s get out of here!! Cease transmission you Idio…** (Transmission ends).

**Bunker 3 here, Xenos are approaching the minefield over**

**Bunker Command here, hold your fire until they come through the mines then let them have it over**

**Spotter 29 here, they’ve hit the minefields, there are swarms of them…Yehaaa we’re blowing them apart there’s smoke and bits of bug everywhere over**
**..wait they’re still coming, there’s that many bodies they’re running straight over the top of them over**

**Bunker Command here, Bunkers 3 through 5 let them have it give them everything you’ve got**

**Bunker 3 here, we’re mowing them down like grass but they’re still coming, request Heavy fire Support before we’re overrun over**

**Strategic Command, this is Bunker Command requesting Fire Support on co-ordinates 4012/3621 over**

**Bunker Command, this is Strategic Command 4 request acknowledged, Support barrage approved ETA 7 minutes over**

**Bunker Command here, brace yourself boys, heavy support incoming in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…** (Transmission interrupted by colossal explosions)

**Bunker 3 here, the enemy are hit, repeat hit..and again and again, we’re slaughtering them over**
**…what the hell is that? ..**

**Bunker 3, Bunker Command here please explain what have you seen? Over**


**Bunker 3 here, that’s the biggest damn xenos I’ve ever seen, it’s Titan sized! It’s got some form of Bio cannon (long pause)…..We’re hit, we’re hit the Bunker is breached heavy casualties over**

**I AM BROTHER DETRIUS WE WILL HOLD BUNKER 3, HELLFIRE ROUND AWAY. KRAK GREANADES READY, FOR THE EMPORER!!** (small arms fire, grenade explosions, then Transmission ends)

**Bunker 4 here, we’re breached I repeat breached they’re swarming all over us request immediate support over**

**Bunker 6 here, we’re breached and under attack, the Xenos are on us! Aaaaaghhhh…** (Transmission ends)

**THIS IS COMMANDER AEDONITES. ULTRAMARINES TO ME BROTHERS PREPARE TO COUNTER-ASSAULT OVER**

**Spotter 217 here, the Space Marines are here, wow look at them go! Those guys in the Landraider are kicking serious butt over**

(Authors note: There were a lot of points here with Chaplain Cassius and Chief Librarian Tigirus accompanied by Master Aedonite with his powerfist and a 7 strong Command Squad with Terminator Honours, Chapter Banner and 4 more Powerfists. The initial charge took out a Hive Tyrant for the loss of 3 Marines and they consolidated into the wreck of a Baneblade. Once in cover these guys were assaulted by winged warriors and a Hive Tyrant, butchering them without breaking sweat or taking anymore casualties, consolidating again into more Warriors that were overrunning a breached Bunker. Hey it was the only time I was really involved in the game so I’m milking it to death OK!)

**Spotter 142 here, I don’t know what the hell that was, but there was a bloody great monster stood over there a second ago. Then there was a flash and bang like Space and time had been ripped apart and then no monster, whatever it was I’m glad it’s on our side over**

(Authors note: This is where a calladus assassin successfully hit a Heirodule with a Vortex Grenade and took 6 wounds off it).

**Strategic Command here, right let’s get those Tanks rolling. Armoured columns 3, 7, 9 & 12 Advance over**

**Bunker Command here, there’s heavy fighting here, we’re just about holding out request urgent assistance over**

**Bunker Command Commissar Mesingberg here, you will hold at all costs, we are counter attacking now, your Bunkers must hold until the offensive can sweep round over**

**Bunker Command here, message received and understood over**
**Tank Command 3 here, we’re breaking through we’re blowing them all to hell over**

**Baneblade Hammer of the Xenos reporting, their centre is collapsing, they can’t hold us back over**

**Tank Command 12 here we’re holding them here. We’ve stalled their advance over**

**Tank Command 9 we’re moving in to support Column 12 over**

(Authors note at this point it looked like the Imperial forces were getting the upper hand, unfortunately some of the Tank Commanders got carried away and forgot about the endless swarm rule).

**Spotter 265 here, there’s more of them for everyone we kill another just takes it’s place, here they c………** (Transmission ends)

**Nooooooooooooooooo! In the Emperors name no! they’ve taken out the Hammer of the Xenos, that’s an original! the Enginseers are going to have a fit…er.. sorry over**
**Tank Command 12 here we’re being overrun, they’re deepstriking from everywhere, column 9 withdraw, withdraw it’s a trap over**

** Tank Command 9 here hold the advance, hold the advance, hell what’s that? There’s a flaming great monster just come out of the ground over**
**..there’s another one and another.. they’re all around us.. we can’t get away, we can’t ge……………………** (Transmission ends)

**Strategic Command calling column 7, abort mission, I repeat abort mission over**

**Tank Command 7, message received and understood over**

**Column 7 this is Strategic Command withdraw 3 miles to 3641/5297 and join up with Columns 4 and 13 Over**

**THIS IS COMMANDER AEDONITE TO STRATEGIC COMMAND, WITHDRAW YOUR FORCES, MY BROTHERS AND I WILL COVER THE WITHDRAWAL. BUNKER COMMAND YOU WILL STAND OVER**

(Authors note it was at this point that one of the Bunker Commanders took it upon themselves to break and flee only to get a Boltpistol round through the back of his head. Commissar Blackadder can be a real S**t sometimes)

At this point time had gone against us and after three bitterly fought turns the initiative was clearly with the Tyrranid side by 3 objectives to 2. It seemed unlikely that the Imperial forces would be able to contest any of the other objectives and the Tyrranids were declared the winners…for now!

And a few more pics:

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...ofDSC03944.jpg The Guys who took part!
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...ofDSC03930.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...ofDSC03936.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...ofDSC03937.jpg
I had a great time - can't wait for the next mega game!

[Art Is Resistance]

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[Art Is Resistance]

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[Art Is Resistance]

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...ofDSC03988.jpg
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http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...ofDSC03980.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...ofDSC03976.jpg

[Symbolic]

Awesome pictures. This is exactly what Apocalypse should be.

Here's what i've been wondering about Apocalypse. How the hell do you reach into the center of the table and deal with movement and close combat? I was thinking I would have to kidnap an orangutan from the zoo and teach it to move my models.

[Art Is Resistance]

We thought of many ways!

One Idea was to use a hoist system with Great Harlequin suspended from the ceiling - as he was easily the smallest on the day...!

We managed (just about) to be ok - as you can tell from the picture there's a few of us who a big lads with a long reach - but next time we're going to sort the tables differently to allow for reach....

[SevenSins]

good grief! Bloody awesome folks. Not speechless, but that was a close one