3-Way Battle: Secure the Orbital Relays

Background:
In the 41st millennium, the Xhorik System is engulfed by war. An ork raiding party known as the Blitzdreg Boyz has attacked Xhorik Prime, in an apparent attempt to acquire the ultra-rare ore known as kleinhaurker, required for the manufacture of the lightest grades of ceramite. Due to the kleinhaurker's criticality to the Imperial military-industrial might, the planetary defense forces (PDF) were bolstered by a small garrison of the Red Brotherhood space marine chapter. As the war ground on and casaulties mounted for both sides, the Imperials called for reinforcements. Luckily the Dauntless-class light cruiser Purifying Flame of the Hydra Legion chapter was in the vicinity and able to come to the aid of their beleaguered brethren. Captain Draco's first objective was to lead a strike force to secure a beachhead in order to establish and fortify his supply lines with orbit. 

Meanwhile, the industrial south of the planet ceased sending their tithe of war machines and men requested by the planetary overlord for the defense of the northern mining regions against the orks. After several weeks of no communications, the PDF and space marines could only assume the south had been attacked and cut off by orks. The reality was far worse. The strain of the war effort combined with all PDF and Adeptus Arbiter forces being called to the front lines left the local populace ripe for the manipulations of Chaos. The kindling was laid and dried and all that remained was to add a spark. 



Scenario: Secure the Orbital Comm Relays

The three forces found themselves converging on the abandoned Imperial outpost at the same time. The orbital comms equipment there was highly valuable and coveted by all sides. 

The traitor militia needed to silence any word of their treachery for as long as possible as they continued to build up forces and use the element of surprise against the surprised planetary defense forces.

The Hydra Legion needed to control one of the rare sites on Xhorik Prime's northern hemisphere where reliable communication with orbiting ships could be continually maintained. 

The Blitzdreg Boyz needed to maintain control of their newly conquered territory and ensure Filgakk could give orders to his widely dispersed forces.

Primary Objective
Each comm relay objective controlled at the end of the game: 3 VP

Secondary Objectives
Slay the Warlord: 1 VP

Army Selection:

The Hydra Legion Planetary Strike Force - Logan

Captain Draco: Power Sword, Storm Shield, Artificer Armor - 140
Dreadnought: twin-linked lascannon, twin-linked autocannon - 130
Terminator Squad: assault cannon, chainfist - 200
Tactical Squad Alpha (7): veteran sergeant, flamer - 99
Tactical Squad Beta (6): missile launcher - 99
Tactical Squad Gamma (6): plasma gun - 113
Razorback: twin-linked lascannon, storm bolter - 80
Devastator Squad (5): two heavy bolters, two lascannons - 130
Land Raider Crusader: multi-melta - 260

Basilisk Wolves (5) - 125

Total: 1376

Traitor Militia - Pete

Force Commander: power sword, plasma pistol, refractor field, Alchem-Jackers, Warrior Elite: 155
Ogryn Squad / Ork mercenaries (5): carapace, power axes - 315
Grenadiers (15): melta gun, flamer - 105
Grenadiers (15): plasma gun, flamer - 105
Militia fire support (10): 3 missile launchers, 2 lascannons - 135
Leman Russ Battle Tank with lascannon - 150
Leman Russ Vanquisher with heavy bolter - 155
Leman Russ Demolisher with heavy bolter - 160

Medicae (3) - 40

Total: 1320

The Blitzdreg Boyz - Phil

Warboss Filgakk Skullsplitta: 'Eavy armor, shoota, power klaw - 99

2 Meks with kustom mega blastas - 30
3 x Meganobz with killsaw and bosspole - 135
19 x Boyz with nob with klaw and boss pole - 154
14 x Boyz with shootas, 1 x rokkit launcha, and nob with boss pole - 118
17 x Grotz with Runtherd with squighound - 61
10 x Kommandos with burna, nob with klaw and boss pole - 145
11 x 'Ard Boyz with nob with klaw and boss pole - 150
Trukk with rokkit launcha - 30
7 x Tankbustas with nob with boss pole - 106
Trukk with rokkit launcha - 30
7 x Warbikes with nob with klaw and boss pole - 148
Warbuggy with twin-linked rokkit launcha - 25
Skorcha Trakk - 35
Killa Kan with rokkit launcha - 50
Total: 1316


Battle:

The battlefield was split into six equal wedges, designated as Zones 1 - 6 in the picture below. Deployment zones would be any three non-adjacent wedges. Once deployment zones were picked, an orbital comms relay objective would be placed equidistant between the deployment zones. The center circle would be no-man's land.

Logan won the roll to select his deployment zone first and he selected Zone 2 for the elevated cover for his Devastator Squad. Pete's traitor militia was next. Now that a zone had been selected, his only options were Zone 4 or Zone 6 and he chose the latter in order to keep the bulk of his infantry out of line of sight of enemy guns early. Phil's orks were left to deploy in Zone 4. The deployment and turn order followed the same sequence.

Battlefield and Deployment

Finishing the Fighting 501st

 After a long hiatus, I picked up the rest of the Stormtroopers and finished the second squad. I painted the six last year and the last three riflemen and the sergeant to finish. 

The sergeant is made by a non-GW company to fit the aesthetics of the now-defunct model range. I found it on eBay and I love that my two sergeants are not identical. I also love that this one is resin so I would not have to cut off another metal head and hip-slung helmet because modifying those old metal models is rough.

This now gives me:
Sergeant with power sword and hotshot laspistol
Sergeant with power sword and plasma pistol
Two troopers with flamers
One trooper with meltagun
One trooper with plasma gun
14 troopers with hotshot lasguns

In all, enough for two full 10-man units of the Fighting 501st to join the Xhorik 87th Drop Troopers in their most critical missions.