Battle of Mekheil Five
“What are they doing here?” Dracon Malak asked aloud as the transport vessel arrived in orbit of Mekheil Five. Instead of the base on mon-keigh they had anticipated, they found an Eldar war party.
“Perhaps the mon-keigh had something of some value to our Craftworld kin…” Sybarite Cusa theorized.
“Why they are here doesn’t concern me. It just means our blades will fall on different blood today.”
The Forces
The game was played on a circular table, using 410 point lists and the 40K in 40 minutes rules. I don’t have either roster here, so this is from memory.
Kabal of the Crimson Dawn
HQ
1 Dracon (Ch’nai) w/ Agoniser, Splinter Pistol and Shadowfield
Elites
5 Mandrakes
Troops
11 Warriors w/ 7 Splinter Rifles, 2 Splinter Cannons and 2 Shredders
1 Sybarite (Th’lon) w/ Agoniser, Splinter Pistol
10 Warriors w/ 9 Splinter Rifles and 1 Dark Lance
Eldar Force
Elites
6 Striking Scorpions
4 Warp Spiders
1 Exarch w/ 2 Deathspinners and Powerblades
Troops
6 Guardians
5 Guardians w/ Scatter Laser Grav Platform and Crew
The Board
Our standard workplace battle field with the computer removed and Jeff using a second model tray as a second forest. The phone was treated as a ruined chemical plant…
Deployment
Turn 1 – Eldar
Seeing the Dark Eldar forces arrive forced the Eldar into motion. The units each entrenched themselves, preparing for the pirates to charge into their waiting grasp. The Guardian artillery group fired a salvo from their Scatter Laser, but the shot did little more than antagonize the enemy.
Turn 1 – Dark Eldar
The Dark Eldar reacted to the advance of the Eldar by advancing themselves. The Dracon neared the trees, while the Warrior groups moved in opposite directions to try and seize as much ground as possible.
Turn 2 – Eldar
The Eldar descended on Cusa’s group, the Scorpions advanced and Warp Spiders aimed their weapons. The second Guardian group moved into position to oppose the advancement of the Dark Eldar second company. The Eldar then opened fire. The Guardian group fired on Cusa’s group, killing one Warrior. The Scorpions followed suit and killed three more. Cusa managed to keep his men from breaking, but then the Spiders fired, killing four more and sending the Warrior Company into retreat. The Spider Exarch order his men into a jump to reinforce the western front.
Turn 2 – Dark Eldar
The Dracon made a note to punish Cusa for his foolhardy charge. Despite his men’s lack of courage, he ordered the Splinter Cannon trooper to fire his weapons back at the Aspect Warriors. The rounds struck the Scorpions, killing two and forcing the warriors to fall back. The second Warrior group opened fire on the bunkered Guardians and killed two Guardians, forcing the troops to vacate their position.
Turn 3 – Eldar
The Eldar regrouped after the volley of fire taken by the two squads and resumed a position of defense. The Warp Spiders jumped forward into a position where they could target the Dark Eldar captain. They fired at her, but the monofilament line failed to strike home, the Shadowfield fulfilling its purpose. The Guardian artillery group fired at what remained of Cusa’s forces, but the shot sailed wide.
Turn 3 – Dark Eldar
Cusa’s men escaped from the field of battle, as the Mandrakes appeared behind enemy lines. The second Warrior group still caught a glimpse of the Guardian group lingering near the forest and picked one off with Dark Lance fire. The Mandrakes fired a volley into the Warp Spiders’ ranks, but failed to clip a single soldier. With a total disregard for their own safety, the Mandrakes plunged into melee with the Spiders. The battle was quick and violent. Without losing a single body, the Mandrakes cut down the entire group of Spiders, taking two as slaves, and charged headlong into the next unit, the Scorpions.
Turn 4 – Eldar
Infuriated by the loss of the Spiders, the Scorpions readied themselves for battle. They charged in and cut down two of the crazed beings, but the Mandrakes fought on. The second Guardian group added their numbers to the battle and killed two more, finally breaking the will of the creatures. They pursued the last Mandrake into the woods and cut the foul thing down.
Turn 4 – Dark Eldar
Seeing the Guardians had closed the gap, the Dark Eldar closed the gap. The Warrior group advanced into the narrow path beside the forest while the Dracon lunged in to the woods to engage the Guardians. She cut down leaving a single Guardian in one-to-one combat with Malak.
Turn 5 – Eldar
The solo guardian fought valiantly but was ultimately cut down by the wicked Dracon. The Scorpions charged in to avenge their fallen comrade, but the Scorpions took a loss unanswered as well. The artillery group closed in, in hopes of being given a shot.
Turn 5 – Dark Eldar
The Warriors continued to advance, while the Dracon resumed her fight. She carved a path through the Scorpions killing two of them, but on got in a good shot, cutting through her Shadowfield generator and wounding Malak in the process. The surviving Scorpion began a hasty retreat, as the Dracon consolidated to a safe distance.
Turn 6 – Eldar
The Scorpion continued his retreat as the Guardian squad advanced into firing range. With a salvo of fire, the Dracon was shot dead, not far from cover.
Turn 6 – Dark Eldar
The last Warrior group charged headlong into the woods and plunged into melee with the Guardian squad. The Warriors cut the Guardians down en masse, killing five in the original attack. The Guardians fled in the face of massacre, but were overrun and taken as slaves by their merciless opponent.
Final
The single Scorpion could not hold the corner, so the victory goes to the Dark Kin.
Dark Eldar – 1, Eldar – 0, Contested - 0. Dark Eldar Victory.
Comments
Jay: Right up until turn 3, I thought I was done. My largest group was totally destroyed by concentrated fire before they had done anything. But my Mandrakes went above and beyond the call of duty by totally slaughtering the Warp Spiders, making up almost double their point value. If I hadn’t moved my sniper group up, it would have been a draw in the end, so it was some good foresight on my part that earned me the victory. I commend Jeff on a battle well fought, even if lady luck was on my side.
Jay’s MVP Picks:
Dark Eldar – Mandrakes for wiping the floor with the Spiders in an impressive display.
Runner up = Second Warrior group, for being in the right place at the right time.
Eldar – Striking Scorpions. They were the sole survivors at the end and they did a lot of damage along the way.
Runner up = Warp Spiders, for being a real pain in the ass right up until they were delivered a harsh blow at the end.
Jeff: Arg - it started of really well and went down hill from there. If I had have moved my spiders up an inch more they may have cut the Dracon down. (2 didn't get to fire) I should never have charged her with the scorpions - I should have stayed back and riddled her with the Guardians. I shouldn't have brought the guardians up to charge either - that allowed the sniper group to eradicate me. I made far too many mistakes and paid for it.
Jeff’s MVP Picks:
Eldar – Warp Spiders. They shredded that first group of enemy soldiers.
Runner up = Striking Scorpions, I misused them, I was thinking the mandiblasters could only be used on a charge. Still they cut the Mandrakes to pieces.
Dark Eldar – Mandrakes, I didn't think they were capable of wiping the spiders in one turn. That killed me right there.
Runner up = Dracon - what a pain! I loathe the shadow field. She cuts me to ribbons every time I get into close combat - I have to stop doing that.