Game 3 - 3475pts Eldar vs 3000pts Imperial Guard
Apologies for this one - I didn't take many photos, and i've left it a bit too long to report on, so my memory is pretty fuzzy!
Armies
Eldar
Falcon Host
Jetbike Host
Tempest Host
Striking Scorpions
Fire Dragons
Swooping Hawks
Shining Spears
FireStorm AA
Revenant Scout Titans
Pathfinders (Scouts)
Warlock
Avatar
Imperial Guard
ShadowSword Company
StormHammer Company
BaneBlade Company
Leman Russ Company
Capitol Imperialis
Setup
The battlefield consisted of a intact imperial port city, a valley with a forest in the middle and the remains of a ruined city.
The eldar set up fairly evenly across the field, knowing they would have the speed advantage. A Tempest Sqd, scout titan and falcons containing aspect warriors on the extreme of both flanks, and the remaining jetbikes, falcons and warlock in the centre. As there was no flyer threat the firestorm took up position out of sight behind the trees, and as there was no infantry to contend with, the striking scorpions would be pulling guard duty on the objectives within the ruined city.
The Imperial guard focused their deployment in the open, using the elevation of the large hill to their advantage, hoping to pick off any Eldar charging across the open battlefield. Only the Stormhammers were deployed in the space port, being as they are better suited to close quarters combat. Objectives were biased toward the space port and surround, with only 2 in the ruins and another 2 on the hills and open.
This was potentially the last roll of the dice for the Imperial Guard, as they were down to their last remaining units from those that made planetfall.
Turn 1
Now this is where it gets a bit hazy, so use your imagination where possible!
The Stormhammers push into the city and spread their line thin in an attempt to secure two objectives.
They survive a barrage of fire from the Tempests popping up from behind the forest. Jetbikes and Shining spears weave through the streets to position themselves for an attack in the next turn.
The Fire dragons are delivered to the centre of the city and begin to look for vantage points to ambush the Imperial Superheavies.
The Eldar scout titan spots a gap in the buildings and unleashes its pulse lasers on the Storm hammer HQ, destroying it and leaving the remaining tanks in a state of disarray.
Meanwhile, in the ruins, the Avatar strides forward in a burning rage towards the tanks on the hill top.
It is met with a hail of battle cannon shells from the BaneBlades and he is atomised back to its throne room.
In the centre, jetbikes push into the dense forest with a plan to jump the lumbering tanks in the next turn.
Offering few targets, the Imperial Guard manage to destroy several of the Falcon grav tanks, and one of the tempests, whilst holding their lines bracing for the inevitable tidal wave that is coming.
VPs
Eldar 30
IG 12
Turn 2
The Mighty Capitol Imperialis turns its wrath on the city. It obliterates the nimble scout titan and falcon grav tanks, however it seems in vain, as the last storm hammer is destroyed and the Eldar sweep over the objectives.
The Jet bikes spring their trap, with the Vypers jumping behind the ShadowSwords and Capitol Imperialis, tearing into its shields, but causing no lasting damage, but finding a vulnerability in the HQ superheaves' rear armour, causing it to expode. The other bikes swamp the leman russ and despite a gallant effort from the tank crews, they are overwhelmed.
All remaining fire from the imperial guard is focused on the last scout titan, but all shots are deflected, leaving the tanks' ammo dry and the battlefield a sea of shimmering eldar vehicles holding every objective.
VPs
Eldar 67
IG 10
Post Game
It was a bittersweet victory for the Eldar. The match up wasn't very fair as the Imperial player was forced to take all that remained of their forces, and with a lack of flexibility in their army, and facing a larger Eldar force there was only going to be one outcome.
That said, there were moments when the sheer firepower of the armoured brigade, and their 1+ saves were causing the space elves to sweat a little, especially when the titan came crashing down.
We've agreed to conclude this mini-campaign here, and i think there may be some tweaking to the rules to be done to prevent a run-away victory scenario in the future.
