Hex Campaign - The Anphelion System

Imperium (1800) vs Tyranids (1750)

Mission: Capture and Control

Battlefield: Short and Fat



Reports of a Hive Fleet incursion precipitated the despatch of a force of the Emperor's own - the Adeptus Custodes.

Arriving on planet, the Custodes ascertained that the Tyranids had divided their forces with a view to seizing multiple targets of strategic interest. After determining the weakness of their right flank, the Custodes Shield-Captain directed a squad of Alarus Custodians to execute a surgical strike, which they did - neatly eliminating both a Psychic terror and some artillery insectoids that the enemy had hoped would pin the Imperials down.

At the same time, and under the cover of the grav tank support that the Custodes had brought with them, a squadron of Vertus Praetors - led by a second Shield-Captain on a jet-bike - took the fight to enemies main swarm formation. The Praetors decimated the core of the Tyranid's main force, before succumbing to the firepower of their warlord and massed ranks of artillery. The sole surviving - and badly wounded - Shield-Captain was able to execute a strategic withdrawal; the Tyranids had inflicted a grievous blow, but at the price of surrendering the initiative.

This became clear as the Tyranids sought with increasing desperation to advance on and overwhelm the Custodes' positions. Having revealed their locations, the insect's heavy artillery was gradually picked off by withering fire from the grav tank's accelerator and bolt cannons. Significantly outnumbered, the Custodians on the left of the Imperial position hung on grimly, even managing to withstand the belated arrival of a flying monstrosity that combined psychic attack with withering firepower. The Tyranid advance was slowed and then stopped, broken on the rock of golden defiance.

The Anphelion System had been cleansed.

Score:

Imperium 14 - First Blood, Linebreaker, 12 objective points
Tyranids 7 - Linebreaker, 6 objective points

Comments:

A fun tactical contest involving one new army and one revitalised army. The following observations provide a useful tutorial on what was learned:

1) It helps to remember to deploy models early enough to turn the tide of battle - and not to divide one's forces in a fashion that leaves one flank dangerously under-manned.

2) Custodes models are brutally expensive, and even more brutally punishing. They are also extremely durable.

3) No matter how tough, advancing units that are outnumbered 15:1 are likely to end up taking an early bath.

4) Destroying long range dakka is always a good idea.

5) Purple dice are markedly inferior to gold dice.