Beachhead Brawl Tournament: Game 3- White Scars vs Tyranids

Game 3 of the Beachhead Brawl would see my White Scars take on Paulie's Tyranids, consisting of a lot of big beasties. 

We were playing ITC mission three with Hammer and Anvil set up. 

My army consisted of:

Battalion Detachment

Captain on Bike- Twin Bolter, Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield, Master of Snares, Wrath of the Heavens

Librarian- Jump Pack, Force Stave, Mantle of the Stormseer, Ride the Winds, Storm-wreathed

5 Intercessors- Bolt Rifles, Bolt Pistols

5 Intercessors- Bolt Rifles, Bolt Pistols
5 Intercessors- Bolt Rifles, Bolt Pistols

Impulsor- 2 Storm Bolters, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Shield Dome
3 Eliminators- Bolt Sniper Rifles, Camo Cloaks
3 Eliminators- Bolt Sniper Rifles, Camo Cloaks

Battalion Detachment

Captain- Jump Pack, Master Crafted Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield, Chapter Master, Imperium's Sword

Lieutenant- Jump Pack, Power Axe, MC Bolter

5 Scouts- Bolters

5 Scouts- Bolters

5 Scouts- Bolt Pistol, Combat Knives
3 Inceptors- Assault Bolters
3 Inceptors- Assault Bolters

Battalion Detachment
Chaplain- Jump Pack, Crozius Arcanum, Bolt Pistol, Litany of Hate, Warlord
Phobos Librarian- Force Sword, Camo Cloak, Shrouding, Mind Raid

5 Infiltrators- Marksman Bolt Carbines, Smoke Grenades
5 Infiltrators- Marksman Bolt Carbines, Smoke Grenades
5 Tactical Marines- Bolters, Lascannon

Thunderfire Cannon- Techmarine Gunner with Flamer, Plasma Cutter, 2 Servo-arms



Paulie's army consisted of:
Battalion Detachment (Tyranids)
Malanthrope
Neurothrope- Catalyst
3 Ripper Swarms
3 Ripper Swarms
3 Ripper Swarms
Tyrannofex- Rupture Cannon, Stinger Salvo, Synaptic Enhancement

Superheavy Auxiliary Detachment
Scythed Heirodule- 2 Massive Scything Talons, Dermic Symbiosis

Spearhead Detachment
Old One Eye
Carnifex- Monstrous Acid Maw, Spore Cysts, 2 Devourers with Brain Leech worms
Carnifex- Monstrous Acid Maw, Spore Cysts, 2 Devourers with Brain Leech worms
Carnifex- Monstrous Acid Maw, Spore Cysts, 2 Devourers with Brain Leech worms
Carnifex- Monstrous Acid Maw, Spore Cysts, 2 Devourers with Brain Leech worms
Carnifex- Monstrous Acid Maw, Spore Cysts, 2 Devourers with Brain Leech worms
Carnifex- Monstrous Acid Maw, Spore Cysts, 2 Devourers with Brain Leech worms
Tyrannofex- Rupture Cannon, Stinger Salvo

Morphic Sinews, Prey-sight

A lot of big Tyranid monsters to get through. My firepower would probably struggle to deal with much of the army, so that meant my combat characters would need to bear the brunt of the damage dealing in the army. Waiting till turn 3 would be useful for me to activate the Assault Doctrine. The board set up was also a big boost, allowing me to deploy quite far back from the advancing beasts.

For secondaries, I chose Recon, Engineers (two Infiltrator units) and Big Game Hunter. Paulie chose Recon, Engineers (two Ripper Swarms) and Butcher's Bill.

We alternated deployment. I put the bulk of my forces in cover in the centre and the left flank. The Thunderfire Cannon, two units of Eliminators, Chapter Master, Lieutenant and Phobos Librarian went to the left, while the Infiltrators and Tactical Squad went in the central ruins, supported by the other characters.
In the building in front of my deployment zone, I put the three Scout units and the second unit of Infiltrators. I spent 3CP to put the Impulsor and two units of Intercessors in Outflank.

Paulie deployed his forces on his line, the Tyrannofex, Malanthrope and Neurothrope in the centre, with the Carnifexes spread out across the line. He put the three Ripper Swarms in reserve.

Paulie won the roll off for first turn and chose to go first. That suited me fine, it would allow me to sacrifice units to grab the objectives without having to worry about being shot off them or assaulted off them before the end of the turn.

TURN 1- TYRANIDS

The Carnifexes on each flank advanced on the enemy army, while the Scythed Heirodule moved up twice thanks to the Metabolic Overdrive stratagem, thrusting deep into the White Scars lines.

In the psychic phase, Catalyst was cast on a Carnifex.

With all White Scars units out of range or line of sight, there was no shooting or combat.

Paulie scored a point for holding an objective, the bonus point and Recon (1/4) for 3 points.

TURN 1- WHITE SCARS

I had to deal with the Heirodule now before the rest of the army got close. The Chapter Master and Lieutenant moved up on it from the left, while the Scouts, Infiltrators, Captain and Chaplain also moved up to support them. One unit of Scouts advanced onto the objective on the left, while another moved onto the objective on the right.

The Librarian cast Storm-wreathed on the Biker Captain. He then perilled on Smite, but used a re-roll to pass and do a single mortal wound. The Phobos Librarian then managed to do four mortal wounds; three with smite and one with Mind Wipe.

The Lascannon fired at the Scythed Heirodule, doing 2 damage, which I converted to 5 damage with a CP re-roll. The Infiltrators and Scouts managed to do 5 more wounds with their firepower. The Eliminators and Thunderfire Cannon managed another 3 wounds in total to leave it on 6.

The White Scars then assaulted the Heirodule, the Chapter Master finishing off the mighty creature.

At the end of my turn, I scored hold 1, kill 1, hold more, kill more, Recon (1/4) and Big Game Hunter (1/4).

VICTORY POINTS:
Tyranids- 3
White Scars- 6

A good start for the White Scars. I had dealt with the big creature and had scored a decent lead at the end of the first turn. However, the Tyranids were getting close to threat range now.

TURN 2- TYRANIDS
In the second turn, I moved to the Tactical Doctrine and the Chaplain used the Litany of Hate.

The Carnifexes moved up, some of the monsters advancing to get to grips with the enemy.

In the psychic phase, he cast Catalyst on the Tyrannofex. It then opened fire on the Scouts, killing four of the squad.

The second Tyrannofex fired at the Infiltrators and Scouts, killing the last Scout and one Infiltrator. The rest of the Carnifexes fired at the Scouts and Infiltrators, killing all but one of the Infiltrators and one of the Scout squads.

In the charge phase, the Tyrannofex and Carnifex charged the Scouts, killing one each. Paulie had to use the last of his CP to allow the Tyrannofex to fight again to wipe out the squad and stop me from scoring the points for the objective.

At the end of his turn, he scored Hold 1, kill 1, Recon (2/4) and Butcher's Bill (1/4).

TURN 2- WHITE SCARS

The Biker Captain, Chaplain and Lieutenant advanced towards one Carnifex on the right flank, while the Librarian and Chapter Master advanced towards another nearby Carnifex. The last Scout squad moved out to grab an objective.

At the end of the phase, I brought in one unit of Intercessors on the right flank, while a unit of Inceptors landed on the left flank.

In the psychic phase, the Librarian failed to cast Storm-wreathed on the Captain, even with a CP re-roll. The Phobos Librarian then cast a Super Smite, doing five wounds on the Carnifex. He then cast Mind Raid, doing two wounds. The Librarian used Smite to do another mortal wound on the Carnifex.

The White Scars characters then threw Krak grenades at the Carnifex, but failed to do any damage. The Bolters of the nearby Marines managed to finish off one of the Carnifex with their firepower.

The Tactical Squad fired their Lascannon at a Carnifex on the left, doing 6 wounds on it. The Thunderfire Cannon managed to take another Carnifex down to one wound. The Inceptors fired at the Malanthrope, taking four wounds from it.

In the charge phase, the Biker Captain, Lieutenant and Chaplain charged on Carnifex, while the Chapter Master and Librarian charged another.

The Chapter Master managed to take down one of the Carnifex in combat with his Thunder Hammer. The Biker Captain struck at the other Carnifex, only doing two wounds and taking it to two wounds left. The Lieutenant and Librarian were unable to wound the mighty creature.

The Carnifex struck back at the Biker Captain, getting two wounds through his invulnerable save. He then managed to roll a 6 on the 2D3 damage and killed the Captain outright. I used 2CP to fight in death and was able to slay the Carnifex in death.

At the end of my turn, I scored hold 1, kill 1, Engineers (1/4), Recon (2/4) and maxed out Big Game Hunter (4/4). No one scored hold more or kill more.

VICTORY POINTS:
Tyranids- 7
White Scars- 13

TURN 3- TYRANIDS
In turn 3, I moved to the Assault Doctrine.

Three of the Carnifex moved up on the exposed Scouts, while another moved up on the Eliminators. At the end of the phase, the Ripper swarms arrived, two swarms landing on the objective in the Tyranid deployment zone, while the last swarm landed on the enemy deployment zone.

In the psychic phase, Paulie failed to cast Catalyst on the Malanthrope, but managed to Smite the Inceptors, killing one.

The Tyrannofex fired at the Inceptors, killing the squad. The other Tyrannofex fired at the Chaplain, taking two wounds from him. The Carnifex fired at the Infiltrators on the objective, killing the squad. The third Carnifex fired at the Scouts, killing the squad.

At the end of his turn, Paulie scored hold 1, kill 1, Recon (3/4) and Butcher's Bill (2/4).

TURN 3- WHITE SCARS

The Librarian moved up on the Ripper Swarm, while the Chapter Master, Lieutenant and Chaplain moved up on the Tyrannofex. The Tactical Squad moved up on the objective. The Intercessors on the right flank moved up on the Ripper Swarms. At the end of the phase, the Intercessors arrived on the left flank, the Impulsor landed on the right flank, while the Inceptors landed in the middle.

The Librarian and Phobos Librarian cast Smite, killing one Ripper swarm.

The Inceptors opened fire on the Ripper Swarm on the objective, killing two bases. In the White Scars deployment zone, the Tactical Squad fired on the Carnifex on a single wound, killing it. The Lascannon managed to take another 6 wounds from another Carnifex.

The Thunderfire Cannon targeted the Rippers, but failed to do any damage. The Eliminators fired at the wounded Carnifex, taking it down to a single wound.

In the charge phase, the Chapter Master assaulted Old One Eye, while the Chaplain charged the two Carnifex. The Librarian charged the Ripper Swarms, while the Intercessors charged the Ripper Swarms.

The Chapter Master struck down Old One Eye. The Chaplain was able to wound the damaged Carnifex twice, but he made both armour saves. The Intercessors killed the last of the Ripper Swarms, while the Librarian was able to kill one more.

The Carnifex struck at the Chaplain, wounding him once, but he made his invulnerable save. The Rippers were able to put one wound on the Librarian.

At the end of my turn, I scored hold 1, kill 1, hold more, kill more and Recon (3/4).

VICTORY POINTS:
Tyranids- 11
White Scars- 18

The end of turn 3 had seen my force take on a strong lead in the game, was well as taking out a number of the stronger enemy units.

TURN 4- TYRANIDS

The Neurothrope and Ripper swarm both fell back from combat with the White Scars. The Malanthrope moved up on the Inceptors.

The Neurothrope failed to cast Catalyst, but did managed to Smite the Inceptors, causing 5 mortal wounds and killing one.

The Tyrannofex fired at the Inceptors and Intercessors, killing one Intercessor. The other Tyrannofex fired on the Infiltrators, killing the squad.

In the charge phase, the Malanthrope charged the Inceptors, but failed to do any damage to the squad. The Carnifex then attacked the Chapter Master, doing two wounds, but failing to get past his Storm Shield. The other Carnifex was able to wound the Chaplain, but once more the invulnerable save kept the Tyranids at bay.

The White Scars struck back, the Chapter Master killing the Carnifex attacking him, while the Inceptors did a wound on the Malanthrope.

At the end of his turn, Paulie scored hold 1, kill 1 and Recon (3/4).

TURN 4- WHITE SCARS 

The Intercessors disembarked from the Impulsor, moving into the cover of the ruins. The Impulsor then moved up on the Tryrannofex. The Inceptors fell back from combat, as the Intercessors moved up to support them.
The Chapter Master moved up on the Tyrannofex. The Chaplain fell back from combat with the last Carnifex.

The Librarian cast Smite, killer the Ripper Swarm. The Eliminators fired at the Carnifex, killing it. The Thunderfire Cannon targeted the Tyrannofex, putting two wounds on it.

The Intercessors and Inceptors fired on the Malanthrope, killing it.

In the charge phase, the Impulsor and Chapter Master charged the Tyrannofex, the Chapter Master cutting it down with his Thunder Hammer. In it's Death Throes, the creature put one mortal wound on the Chapter Master and three on the Impulsor.

At the end of my turn, I scored hold 1, kill one, hold more, kill more and Recon (4/4).

VICTORY POINTS:
Tyranids- 14
White Scars- 23

With that, the game was pretty much over. We played on to turn 6, in which time I was able to take out the remaining Tyrannofex and Neurothrope, as well as maxing out my secondary objectives.

The final score was:
VICTORY POINTS:
Tyranids- 15
White Scars- 35

A win for the White Scars.

AFTER-BATTLE THOUGHTS
Pretty much everything that could go right with that game went right for me.

First off, getting hammer and anvil deployment was a big boost for my forces, as it meant I could deploy deep in my deployment zone, forcing the Tyranids to have to go quite far to get to me.

Second, getting the enclosed ruin (or magic box) next to my deployment zone was also a big boost. This allowed me to hide a lot of my infiltrating forces in it, keeping them safe from the Carnifexes firepower and assaults. Using this, I was able to slowly sacrifice units to hold the objectives at the end of the turn to stop Paulie from scoring too many points.

I think Paulie made a few mistakes in this game. I probably would have chosen to go second against my army. I had little firepower that would be a big threat to the big Tyranid monsters. If I got lucky, I might have killed one in the first turn of shooting, but that was highly unlikely. This would have meant he would have a turn to kill my units off the objectives and stop me from scoring hold more in my turn, or evening up the number of objectives.

Another mistake, I think, was moving the Scythed Heirodule so aggressively in the first turn. With a lot of breathing room before the rest of the Carnifexes showed up, I was able to deal with it pretty effectively on my first turn, taking it out before it could really do anything to my army.

Had he kept up pace with the rest of the army, I think I would have struggled to take it out before the Carnifexes assaulted me the following turn and caused a lot of damage. Splitting his forces also made it easier for me to take them on individually. This meant my combat hitters, such as the Chapter Master and Captain were able to deal with the Carnifexes individually without fear of reprisal from the other ones.

Had he pushed all the Carnifex down the centre or on one flank, I would have been much more cautious about taking them on in a great mass. As I said, I didn't have too much firepower to deal with them quickly, so their combat threat would have been much greater.

This was always going to be a tough match up and Paulie was playing a very fun Nids list at a tournament, one that was probably going to struggle against a lot of armies.

So, with game 3 down, I got my first win at the tournament. I was hoping to continue the streak in the final game of the day.