Operation Downfall Battle Report 5: Maelstrom of War

  "An alliance lasts exactly as long as it is advantageous to both parties. In war, survival is everything and I do whatever it takes."

-General Titus Ghoulv, Commander of the Iron Battalion 

Background:

Operation Downfall was the Loyalist codename for an attempt to establish a secure landing zone on Xhorik Prime using a planetary drop force from Xhorik Secundus with an attempt to rendezvous with the remnants of the White Scars garrison on the capital planet of the system. 

Battle 5 - 1: Night Drop

Battle 5 - 1: The Battle for Alteron Bridge

Battle 5 - 3: War Train Raid

Battle 5 - 4: The Last Bastion

At this point, the Loyalists have the upper hand with two wins, a loss and a draw. They also have the momentum after their most convincing win yet.

After taking heavy casualties and seeing the Traitor Legions distracted by the Loyalist marines, the Chem Dogs decide to do some pillaging to resupply.

Scenario: Maelstrom of War

Victory Points are earned at the end of each player turn for meeting the criteria listed on the mission cards. Each player has three mission cards to start the battle and when one is achieved, it is turned in and replaced. At the end of each player turn, the player can voluntarily discard one card and replace it with one from the deck. VPs can be earned by holding specific objectives, destroying certain types of units in certain ways, or achieving other miscellaneous feats. 

Belligerents:

Death Guard: Pete

Rite of War:  The Reaping

Commander: Praetor Wolfgang - 

2000 points

Traitor Militia: Bill

General Titus Ghoulv’s Iron Battalion:

“The Marauders of Meddeon VII”

“The Pirates of the Northern Fringe”

“The Chem Hounds”

Provenances of War: Alchem Jackers, Industrial Stronghold, Warrior Elite

Commander: General Titus Ghoulv - Robber Baron

2300 points

Loyalist Militia: Phil

Xhorik 87th Drop Troopers, 3rd Company:

"The Firebirds"

Provenances of War: Warrior Elite, Legacy of the Great Crusade

Commander: Captain Skander Xhaer - Marcher Lord

2300 points

Battle:

Some key moments and themes from the battle:

The Contemptor was dominant, almost single-handedly destroying the Chem Dogs' right flank.

There is something wrong with the rules when this giant tank is so utterly bested by this walker.

The OGRE Mech Suits faced off against Wolfgang and the Deathshroud.

The Sentinels were one of the few effective units the militia had.

The OGREs attempted to Hold the Line, but failed morale, then failed again when charged and fled. Should have used Overwatch!.

The Chem Dogs and Xhorik 87th face off over Objective 1. The grenadiers would wreck the Leman Russ in melee with krak grenades.

The Chem Dogs "Ogryn" mercenaries attempted to engage the Death Guard Contemptor but were shot up going in and then easily defeated by the dreadnought. 

The Deathshroud are brought down by concentrated fire from most of the Xhorik forces, but Praetor Wolfgang survives.

The Praetor charges and single-handedly destroys a grenadier squad with a discipline master.

The Xhorik fliers arrive, but the Arvus is shot down before it can deliver its transported unit to the objective. 

The Chem Dogs make a push for Objective 1, finally getting some VPs in the last few turns.

The Death Guard infantry finally move in and easily wipe out the Chem Dogs grenadiers.

Captain Xhaer survives the fray. 

Final Victory Points: 

Death Guard: 7

Xhorik 87th FIrebirds: 7

Traitor Milita Chem Hounds: 4

Draw!

Post-Game:

This battle made clear just how inferior the militia rules are compared to the Legions. Even with 15% more points for the militia armies, the Death Guard easily controlled the game. The Xhork militia managed to keep up in VPs due to swarming the board with Line units and getting lucky enough to draw some objectives on their side of the board. The two militia sides also threw most of their best stuff against the Legion and only skirmished with each other by comparison. The tanks of the Traitor militia really struggled to do any damage against the Death Guard due to the massive de-buffs on the militia ordnance weapons. 

The result being a draw between the Xhorik Drop Troopers and the Traitor Death Guard mean the Loyalist results for the Operation Downfall phase of the campaign stand at 2-1-2. I think the next battle could serve as as suitable finale for the campaign, determining the result of the Loyalist attempt to establish a beachhead on the Traitor-controlled planet of Xhorik Prime. 

 

Militia Cargo-8 Hauler

 I bought this model years ago, thinking it would be a thematic piece, especially for a convoy scenario where a line of Imperial vehicles is trying to break through an enemy attack. I finally decided to paint it up, figuring it could be used as a Cargo-8 Hauler in the new Imperialis Militia list for HH 2nd edition with a more sci-fi military aesthetic to fit the Xhorik drop troopers.  

Hauling cargo

Can take the box off the trailer to haul crates, barrels or other stuff instead

The ID number decal gives the impression that this is just one of tens of thousands of trucks.

I suppose you could say the trailer holds troops as well since the vehicle's capacity is 22.

 

Because it is Warhmmer and everything needs a skull somewhere. 

Death Guard Cataphractii Terminators

 

Death Guard Cataphractii

I've been modeling, painting and playing Horus Heresy Death Guard for about 8 years now and I finally got around to making a cataphractii terminator squad for my legion. I always knew the DG paint scheme would suit these models well, and it doesn't disappoint. 

There isn't a pressing tactical need for this unit in a DG army, as their special rules benefit troops choices moving and firing extra bolter shots and heavy weapons without penalty, with no regard for difficult terrain. And they have great elite terminators already in their Death Shroud with 3 wounds each and extra survivability vs. strength 8 weapons. But these cataphractii models are too cool not to paint up for the DG, and they'll do well against any non-elite units they come up against. 

The squad size is 7 to honor Mortarion's number preference. Just as my DG missile launcher squad and volkite squad are both 7. I enjoy mostly sticking to the flavor of a Legion to give them more character when playing. Otherwise marine v. marine battles can get a little flat and monotonous. And I threw in a very uncommon weapon among our armies - 3 power mauls! They just seem brutal and fitting in a DG army - crushing and smashing in power armour heads left and right. Again, not super helpful v. elites like other terminators, praetors or dreadnoughts, but who cares? They look different, and different is fun!

White Scars Sicaran Arcus Squadron

I bought these during Covid when inventory was limited, during the last edition of Horus Heresy. I thought Sicarans were a good fit for the White Scars because they were designated as Fast in that edition (in second edition, they have a mere 2" more movement than a Predator) and of course because the Sicaran body is such an iconic look for Heresy. I also hoped these could provide my White Scars with some much-needed firepower. 

The exposed treads in the front look so good, even if its not a practical design.

In White Scars fashion, despite an overall similar scheme, each tank has some unique markings.

The White Scars have been fighting a long campaign in the Xhorik System and their equipment is covered in rust and dust. 

The Arcus launchers can fire a variety of missiles. 

Lascannon sponsons give them a more reliable weapon against enemy armor. 

Ready to join the campaign.

White Scars Army Update

Here is where the White Scars stand as of the middle of the Second Arc of the grand campaign. The Brotherhood of the Wind has been defeated. Their leader, Khan Turan Jorma, has been critically injured and entombed into a dreadnought. Normally seen as a curse by the Brotherhood, Khan Jorma was entombed for two reasons: as punishment for his failure and in order that he should have his revenge. The Brotherhood of the Wind was no more. They would henceforth call themselves the Brotherhood of the Broken Blade. They lived now only for vengeance and the death of the Traitors. The survivors were augmented by V Legion recon units that had been spread through the eastern deserts as they trickled back westward to join them. Too depleted for pitched battles, the new Brotherhood fought from the shadows with surprise strikes aimed at sabotage or assassination. Their strategy was to stay on the move, striking and then disappearing before the Traitors could retaliate. However, when cornered, they would fight to the death with a terrible ferocity fueled by shame, vengeance and raw hatred.

Brotherhood of the Broken Blade

Khan Turan Jorma reborn

Centurion Champion Subotei flanked by two veterans

Recon Squad Chono, "The Hunters"

Stormseer Qiu Tongmi, Spirit Immortal

Praetor Muqal took on the mantle of command

Outrider Squad Tsujen

Ebon Keshig Contemptor Dreadnought

Sabre Strike Tank Squadron with neutron blasters

Centurion Champion Subotei

Tactical Squad 

Tactical Squad Temgar

Scout Squad ös khonzon, The Vengeance

Recon Squad The Grey Ghosts

Skyhunter Squad Khujaa

Tactical Support Squad Khoer led by Elder Brother Sergeant Gansukh

Xiphon Interceptor Ariunbold

Sicaran Omega Flamespear

White Scars Brotherhood of the Broken Blade

3 HQ

2 Elites

6 Troops

3 Dedicated Transport

5 Fast Attack

1 Heavy Support

3601 points

79 models, 2 walkers, 8 vehicles

Rites of War: Recon Company, Chogorian Brotherhood, Sagyar Mazan

Armies on Parade - Second Arc: The Xhorik System Engulfed (Phase 5 - 8)

The following are profiles of the main fighting forces of the Xhorik Campaign of the Horus Heresy in the middle of that period.

Traitors:

The World Eaters: XII Legion, ++[Company Designation Unknown]++

Commander: Ghrodd the Slaughter Lord (Overall Campaign Commander)

Notables: Chaplain Zungarz

Rites of War Utilized: The Crimson Path

Fighting style(s): Aggressive assaults backed by armor

The Death Guard: XIV Legion, ++[Company Designation Unknown]++

**[Pic-capt corrupted]**

Commander: Praetor Wolfgang

Notables: Sergeant Albrecht

Rites of War Utilized: The Reaping

Fighting style(s): Relentless advance supported by heavy firepower

The Sons of Horus: XVI Legion, 12th Company 

Commander: Praetor Ezman Vyke

Rites of War Utilized: Pride of the Legion

Fighting style(s): Application of concentrated force using elite infantry with supporting fire

The Iron Battalion, The Chem Hounds 

++[Pic-capt corrupted]++

Commander: General Titus Ghoulv, Robber Baron

Provenances of War Utilized: Alchem-Jackers, Industrial Stronghold

Fighting style(s): Wall of heavy armor followed by blocks of heavy infantry

Loyalists:

Blood Angels: IX Legion, ++[Company Designation Unknown]++

Commander: Garo Arteo, Bloody Executioner of the Crimson Gate, Paragon of Unity

Rites of War Utilized: The Day of Sorrows

Fighting style(s): Solid center that holds the line while one or both flanks advance rapidly

White Scars: V Legion, The Brotherhood of the Wind >> Brotherhood of the Broken Blade

Current Commander: Praetor Muqal, Stoic Defender

Former Commanders: Praetor Zalitai Zherdan (deceased), Khan Turan Jorma (entombed in dreadnought)

Notables: Centurion Delegatus Kuyuk (deceased), Sergeant Khaljyk, Consul Champion Subotei, Stormseer Qiu Tongmi

Rites of War Utilized: Chogorian Brotherhood (Brotherhood of the Wind); Legion Recon Company (Brotherhood of the Broken Blade)

Fighting style(s): Rapid strikes and maneuvers (BotW); Ambushes, assassinations and suicide tactics (BotBB)

Xhorik 87th Drop Troops, 3rd Company, The Firebirds

Current Commander: Captain Skander Xhaer, Marcher Lord

Notables: Lieutenant Tarvar

Provenances of War Utilized: Warrior Elite, Legacy of the Great Crusade

Fighting style(s): Combat drops with air support; massed elite infantry with artillery support