23/24 epic league - Steel Legions vs Blood Axes

 This time it two totally different armies that meet. The slow and lumbering Steel Legions against the agile and aggressive Blood Axes.

+++ Steel Legion TP2018 1975p +++

Mechanised Infantry Company 1                      400

Imperial Guard Commander, 12xImperial Guard Infantry, 7xChimera, Commissar                                   

Mechanised Infantry Company 2                     500

Imperial Guard Commander, 12xImperial Guard Infantry, 7xChimera, 3xHellhound, Commissar                       

Rough Rider Platoon                              150

6xRough Riders, Commissar                                       

Artillery Battery                                250

3xBasilisk, Commissar                                       

Sentinel Squadron                                100

4xSentinel                                      

Warhound Titan                                   275

Warhound Titan                                  

2x Thunderbolt Squadron                             300

2xThunderbolt Fighter-Bomber      

+++ Blood Axe Morkrump’s Korpss Ork Army 1990p +++

Warband                                          340
2xNobz, 6xBoyz, 2xGrotz, 4xBattlewagon, Warlord                                         

Stormboyz Warhorde                               150
6xStormboyz                                     

Kommandos Squad A                                 275
6xKommandos, Big Kopta

Kommandos Squad B                                 275
6xKommandos, Big Kopta

Kommandos Squad C                                 275
6xKommandos, Big Kopta                                    

Blitz Brigade                                    225
4xDeth Kopta, 2xSkorcha, Warbuggy                                        

Big Blitz Brigade                                250
2xFlakwagon, 6xLobbawagon                                    

Bommer                                           200  

The orks got to choose edge and taking one with somewhat uneven cover and giving one with cover only in the corners to the Steel Legion. The orks place their blitz objective on the left flank and the Steel Legion on their right flank mirroring the orks. The orks chose to spread out their objectives while the Steel Legion focus their close to the ork blitz and in the open.

Due to the relative open center of the battlefield the orks only dare to set up squad A as scouts. The rest of the kommandos was put in the ruins on their left together with the Stormboyz. This left the wagons and the warband in the relative open on the right side. 
The Steel Legion countered with 1st company to the left and 2nd to the right and putting the Basilisks in some ruins not expecting to move them.

+++ TURN 1 +++
=========================================================
The Steel Legions wins the initiative and order the Basilisks to Sustain Fire with all they have on squad B killing 2 kommandos.

The orks also starts with a bombardment and let the Bommer fell its bombs over 1st company killing two units of infantry and destroying a Hellhound.

Facing the choice between the potential massive AA from the Bommer or no flakk on the ork left flank the 1st Thunderbolt squadron prefer the left flank. Ground attacking B squad killing another kommando.

The B squad realize that their position is untenable and marshal and enter the kopta and fly off taking their risks in the transport.

The 2nd company double forward to take control of the strategically central bridge. However in the maneuver they take overwatch fire from A squad and is badly hit loosing one unit of infantry and two chimeras. They return fire from the bridge but fail to hit the orks in the ruins.

C squad double to protect the bridge foundation taking some irritating overwatch fire from the Sentinels, it cause no damage but annoys the orks that shoot back and destroy one Sentinel.

The Rough riders marsh forward taking a strategic position in the center in cover of the park.

The orks smell blood and have the kopta blitz double forward taking position in front of C squad killing two more infantry units in 2nd company.

The first company is still disorganized from the previous bombing and is forced to hold and regroup.

The Lobbawagons double into range of 2nd company and fire at them, despite the massive barrage only one Chimera is destroyed.

The Warhound spotted them as an exemplary target and advance within range destroying one of the Lobbawagons as well as a Flak wagon with its mighty plasma cannon.

The Stormboyz squabble among themself and is forced to hold and regroup by bashing some heads together.

The 2nd Thunderbolt squadron tries to follow up the Warhound attack on the Lobbawagons but one of the planes are hit by a stray flak from the remaining flak wagon and the other miss its targets completely.

Waiting for how the battle has unfolded the warlord order his warband to double on the right flank, fire at the Sentinels and breaking them,

End: All air get extra BM for exiting on wrong edges. The Orks roll three 1s and no formation rallies . The Steel Legion counters with two 6s. Every formation rallies.

+++ TURN 2 +++
================================================================== 

The orks wins the initiative and have A squad advance and dismount on the bridge and fire at 2nd company. Killing just one units of infantry.
B squad retain and engage the 2nd company. Initially it looks grim for the orks with two kommandos lost and two damages on the kopta versus only two infantry units killed. But the massive support fire set up by the Blood Axes manage to kill four more units of infantry including the commissar, that succumb to a shoota bolt, and destroy two chimeras. Resulting in that the entire 2nd company is chopped down by raging orks as they try to retreat. However the B squad is also broken due to their massive losses.

The concentration of orks become a prime target for the Basilisk that deliver a sustained fire upon them killing two units of orks and one of the Skorchas.

The Bommer try to clear the center by bombing the Rough Riders and the Warhound, Killing five units of the Rough Rider routing the lone survivor but does not manage to do any damage on the sturdy Warhound.

The guard answer by having the first Thunderbolt squadron strafe the big blitz brigade and destroy two of the lobba wagons and break them.

With the Rough Riders out of the way the path is open for the C squad to engage the Warhound in close combat. The orks manage to duck the big machines stomping and strap on some meltabombs on its feet. Toppling it.

The first company double to the center to plug the gap left by the Warhound and the Rough Riders fire at the C squad but the rapid advance took the toll and only one units of Kommandos is killed.

The Stormboyz march across almost the entire field and take position close to the Basilisk in the ruins.

The lone Thunderbolt in the second squadron is forced to stay on the ground, patching up some holes in the hull.

The ork Warband continue to double on their right flank reaching the Steel Legion side and fire at the first company in the back. Killing one units of guardsmen.

The guard send the lone sentinel in the scout squadron to support the Basilisk and fire at the stormboyz without any result.

END: All aircraft manage to exit on their own edge. Both the big and the small blitz brigades rallies. So does also B squad and the vanguard Stormboyz while the Steel Legion fail to rally any unit.

+++ TURN 3 +++
===============================================================

The initiative roll is a draw meaning that the Steel Legion finally get to start.
After a hard choice between two crucial targets they decide to engage the C squad in small arms firing range. Cutting down the Kommandos with concentrated las fire and blowing up the Kopta as it tries to take of with a well aimed rocket. Taking control of the objective in the park.

The orks avenge the loss by letting the Stormboyz loose on the Basilisks. But the armor of the guns prove to be harder than the orks expected and they did not mange to chop through any while two units of boyz are run over. Desperate they try to disengage just to be cut down almost to last unit. One lone unit of Stormboyz zoom back in an uncontrolled spiral.

The Basilisk does not rest but load up immediately and sustain fire at the orks on the bridge again. This time killing two units of kommandos and a small kopta almost breaking both formations.

The battered kopta blitz brigade double and fire at the sentinel. Destroying it and contest the blitz objective.

The 2nd Thunderbolt squadron has still some holes to patch and had to stand down again.

The B squad manage to marshal and spread out to take control over two objectives on the ork side.

Just to be hit by the bombs from 1st Thunderbolt squadron and break.

Forcing the big blitz brigade to double and retake the control of that objective as well as the blitz objective.

With no formation left on the Steel Legion side the Warband can safely double back to take control over the last objective on the orks side.

The warlord call in the Bommer for a final run targeting the first company and mange to drop a bomb straight on the command center of the formation killing four units of infantry including the commander and the commissar as well as three chimeras. The massive loss of commanding officers break the formation and they flee.

END: Blood Axes 2 (DTF & TSNP) Steel Legion 0.

Despite the heroic efforts of the Basilisk that single handily defeated the Stormboyz in close combat and turned numerous of orks to pulp on the bridge the day is lost for the Steel Legion. The loss of the second company to the concentrated attack of the orks followed up by the spread out and speedy consolidation of the orks battleline proved to much and they are forced to fall back to fight another day.
The loss means that the Steel Legion is now out of the top contest while the Blood Axes take the lead.

23/24 epic league - Steel Legion vs Bad Moons

 Second match round 4. This time is it the clash of the mechanized infantry. The imperial guards in the form of the Steel Legion meets the orks in form of the Bad Moons. 

+++ Steel Legion TP2018 1975p +++

Mechanised Infantry Company 1                      400

Imperial Guard Commander, 12xImperial Guard Infantry, 7xChimera, Commissar                                   

Mechanised Infantry Company 2                     500

Imperial Guard Commander, 12xImperial Guard Infantry, 7xChimera, 3xHellhound, Commissar                       

Rough Rider Platoon                              150

6xRough Riders, Commissar                                       

Artillery Battery                                250

3xBasilisk, Commissar                                       

Sentinel Squadron                                100

4xSentinel                                      

Warhound Titan                                   275

Warhound Titan                                  

2x Thunderbolt Squadron                             300

2xThunderbolt Fighter-Bomber      

++ Ghazgkhull Thraka's Warhorde 1995p ++

Ork Warband                                      340

2xNobz, 6xBoyz, 2xGrotz, Battlefortress, Warlord, Skorcha                                         

Big Ork Warband                                  550

4xNobz, 12xBoyz, 4xGrotz, 8xBattlewagon                                   

Blitz Brigade                                    325

Flakwagon, 3xGunwagon, Gunfortress, Oddboy with Zap                                 

Big Blitz Brigade                                300

2xFlakwagon, 6xGunwagon, Oddboy with Zap                                 

Mekboy Stompamob                                 330

3xCrusha Stompa, 3xDreadnought                                   

Fighta Squadron                                  150
3xFighta- Bommer     

The battlefield was set up with the ruins going diagonally across the board.

The Bad Moons got to choose the edge and selected the one with the bridge. They put the blitz on the bridge and put the objectives rather forward knowing that the Steel legion lacking any decent scouts. 

The Steel Legion on the other hand focus their objectives on their left flank where it is rather open on the ork side. They also choose to put most of their units on that flank while the orks favored a more balance setup.

+++ TURN 1 +++

==========================================================

The Steel Legions wins the initiative and does not waste the chance of a good bombardment. The Basilisks shells rain down on the big warband destroying a battlewaggon and killing two units of boyz as well as a unit of nobs and grots.

Knowing the threat of the Basilisks the Fighta bommas tries to take them out but miss most of the shots except one that is saved.

The Thunderbolts tries to intercept the Fighta bommas but instead one of the Thunderbolts is shot down.

The big warband is demoralized by the attack and hold and regroup.

Hidden by the dust from the explosions the Rough Riders quickly marsh ahead and hides behind the crags.

The small warband doubles forward, taking cover in the park and fire at the Sentinels, destroying one while themself loosing one grot to the overwatch fire from the Sentinels.

The second Thunderbolts acknowledge the threat and does a ground attack against them. Killing a unit of orks and damage the battlefortress.

The small blitz brigade double toward the ork right flank. Hide behind the park walls and fire at the Rough Riders. One is consumed by green fire from the Wyrdboy zapp.

In the middle, the Warhound advance and fire at the Small warband. Two plasma shot hit the battlefortress turning it to a smoking hulk.

The orks decide to fortify that flank and has the big blitz double over, firing at the Sentinels. Destroying one and breaking them.

It is just in time because the 2nd company double forward full speed. They dismount and fire at the battered small warband. They just manage to kill another grot but the mass of fire is enough to break the warband.

Not knowing what to do the Stompas decide to remain on Owerwatch.

Forcing the 1st company to advance carefully towards the center while still staying out of range of the stompas guns.

END: The Second Thunderbolts takes some flak on the way out but nothing hits. No unit manage to rally.

+++ Turn 2 +++
============================================================

The orks win the initiative and let the Big Blitz Brigade do an unorky Sustain Fire at the 2nd Company. With meager result only one Chimera and one infantry unit destroyed. 

The Basilisks sustain fire at the other flank on the Big Warband killing a unit of boyz.

The orks keep hammering the 2nd Company this time with bombs from the air. Another Chimera and infantry unit destroyed.

The Steel legions instead keep focus on the Big Warband and call in the second Thunderbolt squadron. But just one unit of grots killed.

The small blitz brigade double back to the ork left flank and fire at the 2nd Company. No damage.

Battered the 2nd company marshal and fire back at the small blitz brigade, manage to damage the Battlefortress.

The Stompas remain on overwatch denying that flank for the Steel Legion.

The Steel Legion send in the remaining Thunderbolt that mange to kill an unit of boyz and grots in the Big Warband.

The Big Warband get the motors running and double up the right flank. Fire at the Rough Riders. Killing three and break them.

In the middle the Warhound sustain fire at the small blitz but still manage to miss.

On the imperial left flank the 1st Company advance and fire at the big warband. But bad luck limit the casualties to a unit of grots. On the other hand the Stompas who finally got a target in range has just as bad luck and do no damage on the company.

End: The Thunderbolts has to exit at the wrong edge. Both warbands rallies as well as the Rough Riders and the 2nd Company.

+++ TURN 3 +++

=================================================================

Orks wins the initiative again. The big warband sneaks by the 1st company and double next to the Basilisks. Destroying two of them and break them and take control of the Blitz.

Orks retain and let the Small blitz double towards the center and some cover and fire in the rear of the 1st company. One units of infantry is killed.

The Warhound advance and fire at the big blitz brigade. One flakk trukk as well as two gunwaggons is reduced to burned out shells.

The Fighta bommas retaliate and swoop down on the Warhound stripping it of shield with their guns before sending on the rockets, damaging it.

Next to them the Thunderbolts bomb the big blitz manage to destroy the wyrdboy tower and break the unit.

The small warband double back into the park. Fire at the Warhound, not manage to damage it but break it.

The first Thunderbolt squadron with just one aircraft in attacks the big warband but miss.

The Steel Legions retain and advance with the 1st company fire at the small blitz but does not manage to do any damage.

The Stompas is force to hold and fire at the 1st Company, destroying a Chimera.

The 2nd Company sustain fire at the small warband in front of them. 4 units of boyz and 1 nob killed and the unit is broken.

The two remaining Rough Riders march back and contest the Steel Legion blitz.

END: 0-0.Both Thunderbolt squadrons takes AA on the way out. One plane is hit but not damage. Warhound, 1st Company and Basilisks rallies. All but the big blitz brigade rallies for the orks. 

+++ TURN 4 +++
=====================================================================

The Steel Legion win the initiative but the 1st company fails to activate. It instead hold in place and fire at the small blitz brigade. Several shots hits but they all bounce of the armor of the tanks.

The Fighta bommas does a last sortie and wipe out the Rough Riders.

On the other side of battle field the second Thunderbolt squadron wipe out the last of the small Warband.

The big warband advance circling the blitz objective and fire at the Warhound. Despite twenty dices rolled only one six is manage just removing a shield.

The remaining Basilisk sustain fire at the big warband and kill a unit of boys.

The small blitz brigade double back to protect the ork blitz objective. 

The lone Thunderbolt in the 1st squadron tries to attack them but is shot down.

The Stompas sustain fire at the 1st company destroying 2 Chimeras. At this point the orks was leading with 2-0 but are now out of activations.

The 2nd company consider if they can dislodge the big warband from the blitz objective but instead decide to march and contest the ork blitz objective.

The Warhound advance and fire at the big warband killing a units of nobz and contest the objective.

END. Still 0-0 and no broken unit rallies. Bad Moons 600 Steel Legion 640. It end up in the slimmest possible victory to the Steel Legion.

The Steel legion managed to get activation advantage early and the the orks struggled to handle that. However they manage to do some good maneuvering in the late game and the Steel Legion made some mistakes that forced it to a super close draw. Beside that it was a very cautious play from both side where both avoided each others large units and no engagement was done by either side. 
The victory brings the Steel Legions to 7 points making it possible for them to enter the top contest if they win another game.

23/24 epic league - Aurora Chapter vs Bad Moons

 Another match for the so far undefeated Aurora chapter. This time against the Bad Moons. The Aurora chapter has been able to crush every foe so far with their impressive first strike. Would the Bad Moons be the exception with their durable  Big Warband and fairly good air coverage?

+++ Aurora chapter (Scions of Iron) 2000p  +++

Heavy Tactical III & IV squads                         325
4xTactical, 2xLand Raider        

Heavy Tactical V& VI squads                        325
4xTactical, 2xLand Raider                                          

Landing Craft                                    350                                  

Terminator                                       475
4xTerminator, 2xLand Raider Crusader                          

Whirlwind                                        275
4xWhirlwind                                     

Thunder CAS                                      250
Thunderhawk Close Air Support           

++ Ghazgkhull Thraka's Warhorde 1995p ++

Ork Warband                                      340

2xNobz, 6xBoyz, 2xGrotz, Battlefortress, Warlord, Skorcha                                         

Big Ork Warband                                  550

4xNobz, 12xBoyz, 4xGrotz, 8xBattlewagon                                   

Blitz Brigade                                    325

Flakwagon, 3xGunwagon, Gunfortress, Oddboy with Zap                                 

Big Blitz Brigade                                300

2xFlakwagon, 6xGunwagon, Oddboy with Zap                                 

Mekboy Stompamob                                 330

3xCrusha Stompa, 3xDreadnought                                   

Fighta Squadron                                  150
3xFighta- Bommer  

Aurora choose to set up on the edge with most cover and placed their objectives in the open. Orks also place their blitz objective in the open expecting an air assault. And the rest in fairly good cover on the Aurora side of the board.

Orks set up in the Stompas forward in the central ruins preferring the dangers of difficult terrain before Aurora laser cannons. The Big Warband (The BTS) was set up in the center with all Flakk guns protecting it. Also not to close to the blitz objective.

 Aurora set up their classic with the Whirlwinds guarding blitz and V & VI squad on the grund. While  III & IV squad and the Terminator is boarded on the Landing craft. 

+++ TURN 1 +++
========================================================

Aurora win initiative.

The Aurora chapter let the CAS to a ground attack against the Small Warband with the Warlord, might been scared by the amount of fire a ground assault against the big would have taken. One unit of orks, one nob the Skorcha and a damage on the Battefortress.

The mandator retain and  air assault with the Landing Craft follows. All the orks including the mighty warlord lost to the small cost of one units of Terminators.

The Big blitz double on the spot and fire at the Terminators. The zapp gun manage to turn one unit to dust.

The V & VI squad double move forward to stay out of range of the Stompas but within range of objective. 

The ork Figtha-Bommas dare not getting close to all the anti air around the Aurora landing spot and instead let their rocket loose at the Whirlwinds. Destroying two of them.

The Whirlwinds close to breaking marshal.

Small blitz on the other flank doubles and manage to zap a marine in V squad.

The Stompa in the center sensing a foe goes wild and double. Trusting their walker ability and move from one ruin to another. Fire at V & VI squad. Not getting a single shot straight.

Big Warband consider a good offensive to be the best defensive and double up the middle of the board fire at V & VI squad. Killing two units of marines. Breaking them.

End: The landing craft and the CAS get one BM each for exiting on the wrong edge and another from coming under AA fire but no damage. All units rallies.

+++ TURN 2 +++
==================================================================

Orks win the initiative.

Big blitz sustain fire as if there was no tomorrow (something it very well could be for them). But even then cause no damage on the terminators.

Over their heads the CAS Thunderhawk swoops down from the skies with cannons blazing it takes some hits from the orks Flakk guns but the armor reflect it. Still only one gunwaggon destroyed.

The Big Warband in the center continue its Waaagh and double to the marine blitz destroying the Whirlwinds on the move.

On the formal ork side of the battlefield the Terminators sustain fire at the Big Blitz brigade. Destroying two gunwaggons and two flakkwaggons breaking them. Leaving no operational ork units on that side of the field.

The only ones left taking the fight to the formal landing party is the squadron on fighta bommas destroying one Land raider for the Terminators in a ground attack.

The decimated V & VI squad sustain fire at the nearby Big Warband. Hit one shot but do no damage.

Small Blitz decide to remove that annoyance and double, hiding beneath the bridge and fire at V & VI squad. Killing another units of marines and break them again.

On the formal ork side of the field the III & IV squad tries to retreat back to defend the marines side. They double to take control of one of the objectives  and fire at the Stompas, destroying one of them.

Stompas are forced to hold and fires back at III & IV squad. Destroying one Land Raider.

Landing Craft is forced to stand down due to to many small holes in the hull that needed to be patched before take off.

END: All air units got an extra BM due to exiting on wrong edge. The Big Warband and the Stompas rallies. All Aurora units rallies

+++ TURN 3 +++
==================================================================

Aurora wins the initiative and let the III & IV squads sustain fire at Stompas. But only one shot hit any targets and it is saved. 

Small blitz does almost an U-turn and double back to take Control of the  center objective just outside the ruins and fire at the III & IV squad. One marine is killed but luckily for the marines does the zap gun goes wide.

The Thunderhawk tries to dislodge the Stompas from the objective but the thick armor protects them.

The fighta-bommas are still reluctant to get close to the marine aircrafts and instead does a bombrun against the Terminators destroying one of them and breaking the formation.

The battered V & VI squad. Now just the Landraiders left. Doubles back into the center and fire at the Stompas. The lascannons shots bouncing of their armor.

The hard pressed Stompas fear a failed initiative and decided to double without moving and fire at III & IV squad. Needless to say, miss.

In a desperate move the Landing Craft lands close to the Aurora blitz to contest it. Fire at the Big Warband and destroys a battlewaggon and a unit of grots.

The orks goes into a frenzy and assault the Landing Craft. One ork is gunned down by the point defense bolters, but several breaches is smashed in the hull. It is enough to toss in some heavy explosives and the Landing Craft is out of operation. The orks control the blitz.

END: Aurora 0 - Orks 2 (Blitz & T&H)

The Aurora chapter is broken. The aggressive nature of the orks took them by surprise. Despite an successful initial assault they where left with no more target for their Terminators. Instead the orks overrun the weak rearguard of the Aurora and smashed themselves to a victory. For once also the Stompas came into use. Had they not stubbornly defended the center it would probably been much easier for the marines to follow the orks back to the lines. 

23/24 Epic League - Space Marines vs Blood Axes

 

Some free time during Christmas and finally another game played.
This time it's the two mobile forces of the Space marines and the helicopter carried Blood Axes that face of in a game of maneuver.

+++ Codex Astartes TP2018          2000p +++

Tactical Detachment 1                             325
6xTactical, 3xRhino, Chaplain                                        

Tactical Detachment 2                             350
6xTactical, 3xRhino, Hunter                                          

Devastator Detachment                            250
4xDevastator, 2xRhino                                         

Scout Detachment                                 150
4xScout, 2xRhino                                         

Bike Detachment                                  200
5xBike                                          

Land Speeder Detachment                          200
5xLand Speeder                                  

Predator Detachment                              250
4xPredator Annihilator                          

Whirlwind Detachment                             275
4xWhirlwind 

+++ Blood Axe Morkrump’s Korpss Ork Army 1990p +++

Warband                                          340
2xNobz, 6xBoyz, 2xGrotz, 4xBattlewagon, Warlord                                         

Stormboyz Warhorde                               150
6xStormboyz                                     

Kommandos Squad A                                 275
6xKommandos, Big Kopta

Kommandos Squad B                                 275
6xKommandos, Big Kopta

Kommandos Squad C                                 275
6xKommandos, Big Kopta                                    

Blitz Brigade                                    225
4xDeth Kopta, 2xSkorcha, Warbuggy                                        

Big Blitz Brigade                                250
2xFlakwagon, 6xLobbawagon                                    

Bommer                                           200    

The space marines got to choose the edge. The choose to start so the ruins would make a path with cover from one edge to the other. At the same time they placed most objectives in the open on the right flank figure they would be more persistent in the open than the kommandos. The orks did the same leaving the other flank without objectives. 

The marines put the scouts in the tall building in the center while the orks put one kommando unit in the central big ruin and another in the park. Keeping the last and set it up with the others in the main line not daring to set up any kommandos in the rocks near the objectives on the left flank.

The Space marines meanwhile set up with strong right flank and fast moving units on left. Expecting a hard fight in the open desert. 

+++ Turn 1 +++
===================================================================

The Space marines wins the initiative but let the orks move first.
The orks Bommer dare a bomb run on the attack bikes. Hunter miss the bommer but the bommer does not and destroy 3 bikes. Breaking them.

First tactical detachment double forward to occupy the center, fire at orks in big ruin but miss. They hope to drag out some potential ork targets.

Kommando squad A sustain fire back. Got lucky and kill one marine.

Devastator load up in the rhinos and advance to hide behind a tall building.

Stormboyz double. Hide in the big ruin on the Space marine side.

As a response the Space marines landspeeder advance and fire at Stormboyz. Two sixes rolled and two boyz turn to ashes. Breaking them.

But it was a trap. The kopta brigade double and attacks the speeders. Tree speeders crash to the ground and they too are broken.

The whirlwind feels a bit scared and let the rockets loose at the koptas. One buggy and one Skorcha wrecked.

Ork take advantage of the power vacuum on their right flank and double kommando squad C there.

Predators double and hide behind the bridge. Despite not having any targets but preparing for next round.

Kommando squad B in the park stays in the park with a double.

Second tactical detachment also double and hide behind the other bridge pillar. No targets to fire at but it has the objectives in range for the next round.

Big blitz advance (with with a reroll) fire at tac 1 and got the scouts under the template too. Bad rolling and only kill one space marine.

The scouts remain on overwatch.

The warband hold back in the rear waiting for a good target.

End: Bommer get extra BM due to exiting on the wrong edge. All unit but the landspeeders rally

++ TURN 2 +++
==============================================================

The Space marines wins the initiative and let the Predators advance to a nice fire position and let loose a hailstorm of las fire on the big blitz brigade, destroying half of them. The broken tank company scurry back and hide behind the park.

On the other corner of the battlefield does the Kopta brigade double and gets into range of the Whirlwinds. Destroying one.

This force a reaction from the space marines seeing that their blitz are vulnerable. The Devastators advance back and disembark to fire at the koptas but Mork are with the orks and all missiles miss the agile vehicles.

Kommando squad A advanced slightly in the ruin so they all got in range of tactical detachment 1. Killing one marine.

The first detachment sustain fire back. But the ruins protect the orks from the hail of bolter bullets and they take no damage

Kommando squad B advance (with a reroll) to the other side of the park bringing them in range of the predators. The ork big shootas is however not enough to penetrate the tanks armor.

The Scout double back to help protect the blitz objective and fire at the koptas but the rush and the intervening terrain cause them to miss.

The orks decide to do the same and the now decimated Stormboyz double back to the bridge and secure the ork Blitz.

The Space marine bikes marshal and move up the field to support the first detachment.

On the ork flank does the Kommando squad C a swift double and enter the ruin just in front of the Whirlwinds. Destroying them and putting even more pressure on the Space marine blitz objective

Tactical detachment 2 consider falling back but choose offense. Enter the bridge and fire at kommando squad B. Hoping to setting up a supremacy over the objectives in the desert. But the walls and the thick bushes in the park protects the orks from any damage.

The ork Bommer hit the Devestators. Hunter miss again. The ork bombs kills one units of the devastators and a destroys a rhino as well as one of the nearby landspeeders, thereby wiping out the broken formation. 

The ork Warband double and is now in middle of field just opposite detachment 1. Killing one marine and threatening the control of the nearby objective.

End: The Stormboyz and the kopta brigade rally. Big blitz brigade still broken. For the Space marines does the Predators and Tactical detachment 1 rally but not the devastators and the scouts  that need it the most.

+++ TURN 3 +++
====================================================================

The Space Marines win the initiativ again. Fearing an engagement from the Warband they decide to let the Second Tactical Detachment sustain fire, pouring in lead over the orks. Still only killing one ork and a unit of grots.

The Bommer roars again over the field untouched by the Hunter. This time letting the bombs fall over the scouts. To the space marines relief no damage done.

The Space marines continue to try to reduce the Warbands combat effectivity and let the first detachment sustain fire too. Killing another unit of orks.

The ork Kopta brigade try to advance but fail and do a Hold and move forward to control the Space Marine blitz. 

The Scout decide that the Kommando squad C is the most dangerous foe and sustain fire at them killing one unit.

The Kommando squad B have to Hold and fire at the Predators again without any result. 

Devastators advance and fire at the kopta brigade and contest the blitz objective. They hit but it is saved. 

Kommando squad C engage the Devastators. Destroy them all in the first round. Lose one kommando. And no support fire possible

The Space marines try to push home the advance on their right flank and let the Predators advance and spread out between the objectives to control both objectives in the desert. They Fire all their lascannons at warband that by pure luck gets away with only one destroyed battlewaggon.

Kommando squad A leave the central ruin and engage the Predators. First it looks OK for the Space marines but the result of the support fire from kommando squad B seals the Predators fate. And with that the Space marines control of the orks side of the battle field.

The Space marines let their bikes Bikes double back and contest their blitz.

But it has all been in vain. The Warband had never intended to engage the first detachment. It was only a cunning plan by the ork commander to draw the space marine fire into his most robust unit. Instead they double back and take control over the third objective on the orks side of the field..

End:  Space Marines 0 - Blood Axes 2 (DTF & TSNP)

The ork warlord manage to execute a brutally cunning plan and out maneuverable the maneuverable Space Marines. He managed to transfix the big dangerous tactical space marine units in the center while having the more mobile kommando squads wrecking havoc up and down the battlefield constantly forcing the Space Marine player to react instead of act.

23/24 epic league - Minervan Tank Legions Vs Blood Axes

 Back to the ruins of Nolus Minorus. This time it's two loser armies that face off, both desperate to get their first win.

++ Minervan Tank Legion 1995p ++

Small Tank Company                               340

6xLeman Russ Conqueror                          

Armoured Regiment Commissar                     

Small Tank Company                               425

5xLeman Russ                                    

Armoured Regiment Commissar                     

Leman Russ Executioner                          

Salamander Command Vehicle                      

Small Tank Company                               330

5xLeman Russ Exterminator                       

Armoured Regiment Commissar                     

Leman Russ Thunderer                            

Small Tank Company                               400

5xLeman Russ Demolisher                         

Armoured Regiment Commissar                     

Leman Russ Executioner                          

Salamander Scout Platoon                         100

3xSalamander Scout                              

Thunderbolt Squadron                             150

2xThunderbolt Fighter-Bomber                    

Marauder Squadron                                250

2xMarauder Bomber              

+++ Blood Axe Morkrump’s Korpss Ork Army 1990p +++

Warband                                          340
2xNobz, 6xBoyz, 2xGrotz, 4xBattlewagon, Warlord                                         

Stormboyz Warhorde                               150
6xStormboyz                                     

Kommandos Squad A                                 275
6xKommandos, Big Kopta

Kommandos Squad B                                 275
6xKommandos, Big Kopta

Kommandos Squad C                                 275
6xKommandos, Big Kopta                                    

Blitz Brigade                                    225
4xDeth Kopta, 2xSkorcha, Warbuggy                                        

Big Blitz Brigade                                250
2xFlakwagon, 6xLobbawagon                                    

Bommer                                           200    

The Blood axes got to choose the edge. They choosed to play with the ruins following the middle of board from the Blood Axe edge to the Minervans. Hoping to have the ruins as cover for all moves along the board. Consequently they put their two objectives in the ruins while the Minervans placed their on their left flank together with most of the tanks hoping to be able to dominate the open space.

The orks took advantage of the rather forward placement of the Minervans objective and hid Kommando Corp A and B in ruins close to them as scouts.            

+++ TURN 1+++
=========================================================

Ork win the initiative. They go first and call in the bommer. It does a bombrun on the Exterminators. Destroying one.

Marauders retaliate bombing the forward kommandos of corp A. Kill 3 and damage the kopta. Almost breaking them. 

Kommando corp C double and hide in tall central building. No targets to fire on.

The Conqueror company advance and fire at corp C. Almost destroying the kopta.

The Stormboys are careful, they double but only move about 10 cm to take position in some ruins.

The Thunderbolts roar down from the skies fire their guns on the exposed corp A. Destroying the kopta and breaking them. The remaining Kommando flee into the ruins in front of them

Lacking targets but airplanes the Kopta blitz double and hide behind the ruins that corps A now is covering in. They have no target to shoot at to the orks great disappointment.

The Leman Russ had some communication problems and fail to activate. They choose to remain in the rather strategic position that they are where they dominate the open field in front of them and regroup.

Kommando Corp B double. Hide in ruin close to the Conqueror company. All shoots miss even thou they had big tanks to shoot at.

The nearby scout salamanders advance and fire at corp B. 1 shot hit but the kommando is saved by the ruins.

The warband double to get into a better position to halt an eventual advance in the ruins but have nothing worth shooting at.

The Minervans Exterminators was badly disorganized after the bommers bomb run and decided to marshall and move up the road to support the Conquerors.

The Big blitz had hold back as long as possible fearing the big guns of the Minervans but do now dare to double up into the middle of the field. Fire at Exterminators and at the same time make sure that the Minervans aircrafts has to pass the flakkwaggons on their way back to the base. Only one Exterminator is hit by the barrage and it is saved by its thick armor. They however get 2 BM due to the sheer size of the barrage

The Demolishers double on the left flank prepare to smoke out the remaining orks in the ruins and protecting an objective

End: The Bommer get a blast marker for exiting on the wrong edge. Both the Maruders and the Thunderbolts survice the flakk from the ork but get a blast marker each as result.

Corp A fail to rally. Crop B succeed. Conqueror company fail but the Exterminators succeed.

+++ TURN 2 +++
==================================================================

Minervans win the initiativen on a draw and choose to start

The Marauders roars in over the battle field and drop a huge load of bombs on corp B to prevent any stupid ideas like engaging Minervan units. By a combination of luck and ruins the orks do not take any damages but get 2 blast markers.

Corp C double. Hide in central ruin on Minervan side with the objective. Fire at the Conqueror company. Miss all. But push them up to the same amount of blast markers as corp B.
The orks are not cowards so that is enough for them to dare an engage

They retain and engage with corp C. Declaring the Salamanders as intermingled. Truly horrible rolling by the orks and the kommandos does not manage to scratch a single tank, but the kopta is lucky and destroys two salamanders with a combination of heavy fire and smashing rotor blades. The support fire from corp C take down two more. Still a narrow victory to the orks by only 2. The Salamanders are destroyed and the Conqueror company flee toward the Minervan lines.

The orks however failed to estimate the threat of the nearby Exterminators that sustained fire at the battle weary corp C. Wiping them out.

As a retaliation the bommer hit the Exterminators with all it has. Destroying one of them.

The Minervans are on the offence and let the Demolisher company advance and fire at the already broken corp A that try to hide in the ruins. The ruins gives no protection against the Demolishers guns and all kommandos in corp A is killed.

Since the Exterminators did remain in place it meant that they still where in perfect range for the big blitz brigade. They did an unorky sustained fire. Destroying another Exterminator tank and break the company.

On the other side of the battle field the thunderbolts roars down from the sky shooting up the warband. Killing on grot and destroying a battlewaggon.

The stormboyz got bored and double up the battle field. Taking position in a bigger ruin on the Minervans side of the field not far away from the Demolishers.

The Russ company tries to respond to the brave advance but fail to activate. They move forward as their hold action to get a clear line of fire to the kopta blitz brigade.

When every orks advance forward the warboss beats his boyz in the warband to do the opposite and double back to the ork base to defend the blitz objective.

The kopta blitz brigade advance and fire at the Demolisher company claiming crossfire due to the irritating Stormboyz in the Demolishers rear. Still they fail do to any damage on the tanks.

End: Bommer exit on wrong edge. So does the imperial air, instead of risk flakk from the orks. The warband and corp B rallies. So does also the Exterminators and the Demolishers but not the Conquerors. 

+++ TURN 3 +++
===============================================================

Ork wins the initiative. They start with calling in the Bommer and have it bomb the Demolishers. Destroying one and racking up some blastmarkers. 

The Stormboyz does not let the dust cloud settle but charged in on the Demolishers. They however fail to damage any of the well protected tanks and instead lose one group of boys. They get lucky and got away with a draw. The fighting continue and another stormboy goes down but this time it take a Demolisher with it. It seems to be to mush for the Demolisher company and they rout. But get blown up by the pursuing orks. Only the tank with the commissar survive the engagement.

Marauder try to make it possible for the Minervans to retake the objective on their right flank and bomb corp B. But they are to well entrenched in the ruins. However they take 2 blast markers due to the level of confusion the bombing made.

Corp B decide marshal to dig out the orks still alive but buried beneath the rubbles. The orks not digging fire at the broken Conquerors. All miss but the confusion of the fire make one of them run into a sand bank and get stuck.

The Thunderbolts attack the kopta blitz. Some shoots make contact but is miraculous saved by the ork rugged designs.

The warboss continue to force his warband to do the boring work and double to cover both the blitz objective and a nearby objective. This give the boyz to much disappointment and grumbling no targets to shoot at.

The Russ Company advance to protect the ground lost by the Demolisher earlier. They fire at the kopta blitz brigade and destroy a buggy and a skorcha, breaking the formation.

The big blitz brigade double and take control of the third objective on the ork side. On the move they also fire at the Russ company but bounce around to much to make any damage.

The Exterminators march and enter ork side of the battlefield both invalid the They Shall Not Pass and . contest the objective held by corp B. Denying orks the potential victory.

End: Ork 1 (DTF) Minevas 0. Bommer exit on own edge. Marauders on opposite. 1 Thunderbolt shot down by nearby flak. The Stormboyz rallies. So does the Russ and the Exterminator company. The Demolisher and the Conqueror companies however fails.

+++ TURN 4 +++
==============================================================

Both sides are down to bare minimum of surviving formations. But the orks has a bit more troops on the ground and better position. They also win the initiative.

They do start as last turn with the Bommer this time it is the Russ Company that it is target. The salamander command vehicle is destroyed by the ork bombs.

Orks take a big chance and not only retain the initiative. They try to do a sustained fire with the big blitz brigade. It pays of. The far more accurate bombardment from stationary vehicles destroy the Executor and two russes. Breaking the last real threat to the orks. 

The Marauders try to clear the way for the Exterminators and bombs the warband guarding the blitz. They have some really bad rolling and only manage to kill one infantry despite all the bombs. The only silver linning was that it was the warboss that was blown to smithereens.  

The Corp B in the center do a sustain fire  at the Exterminators. But their guns are to puny to hurt the tanks. 

The Thunderbolts do another ground attack at the warband and kill another unit of orks WB. 

On the other side of the field does the Stormboyz double and take control over the Minervans blitz objective. 

The Exterminator try to do a last hail Mary toward the ork blitz but in a anticlimax, they fail to activate. They instead regroup and remain in contest range of the Minervan objective on the right flank.

Also the warband fail to active without its' warboss and decide to regroup.

End: Blood Axes 3 (Blitz, DTF and T&H) Minervans 0

Orks kommandos did die like flies, but in the end did they had more 'flies' than the  Minervans had tanks. The Minervans severely lacked activations in the two last rounds but managed by stubbornness push the match to a fourth round. The Blood Axes ended up with the victory and the Minervans is now the only army without any points scored.