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4K Necron vs Tau cityfight http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=84&t=27636 |
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Author: | Andrew_NZ [ Fri Jun 13, 2014 11:07 pm ] |
Post subject: | 4K Necron vs Tau cityfight |
Pre-Battle Research and Planning Shas’el Sav’lynu [lit. Steadfast in the Future] scratched his head as he walked away from the Virtual Reality station in the Sept’retha [here the Colonial Library]. Long VR-sessions always gave him a headache. The discovery of a Necron Tomb complex on the planet had come as a horrible surprise to the colony. Initial combat reports indicating they were a totally different kind of threat. Ethereal Or'sha'is [lit. Powerful Wind/Storm] was certainly wise to have suggested looking beyond just the immediate Shas’retha [Fire Caste military academy] records. Having again encountered the Human military’s mantra that “Amateurs argue Tactics while Professionals discuss logistics” in his VR research, Sav’lynu was glad that Aun’o Or'sha'is had also brought with him the four new Kass’l [Troop Dropper(?) or Orca] of the 5th Orbital Transport Squadron. They were certainly going to make it easier to deploy the battle worn Crisis Suits of the Colonial Defense Force. But with a new foe threatening the Tau, tactics were also going to be important. Research on the TacComs historical archive had certainly offered tactical advice in plenty, but surprisingly few records of actual combat. Certainly an almost complete dearth of after action combat reports from Tau encounters with the Necron. An almost ominous silence. Sav’lynu mentally reviewed his options:
although not a commonly used tactic against adversaries previously encountered on the Colony World. (2) Keep formations in close supporting positions but ensure that they are not intermingled. (3) There appear to be few barrage weapons in the Necron arsenal so it might be possible to deploy units in more closely interlinked positions. Although the C’tan Deceiver and some other large war engines could produce devastating barrages. (4) Deploy scout screens to protect formed positions. The legendary performance of the Sept Pathfinders would likely have ensured this happened anyway. Although with the threat of teleporting pyramid portals those screens may well get pulled in tighter than usual. (5) Destroying portal carrying enemy units seemed obvious but trying to ensure that the weight of fire was either sufficiently overwhelming to take out all of a formation or light enough to ensure that they did not re-position [if broken] would be a challenge. Hitting formations with Portals that had already been used might finesse this. (6) Try to maximize AT fire in preference to relying on heavy Titan Killing weapons. Well that would be easy, the colony world was still woefully short of the sophisticated TK weaponry. (7) As much as possible keep heavy weapons in reserve for use against infantry targets. The Living Metal armour on Necron vehicles seems to be immune to MW fire. (8) Destroy any Necron infantry formations that get trapped on the battlefield. The Kor’vattra [Air Caste/Fleet] Tiger Shark squadron with their Kor’vesa [Air Helpers or Tau Drones] would be the ideal force to be tasked with that job. Deploying XV88 Broadside Suits from Orcas might also fit the bill. (9) Keep focused on the objectives of the engagement. The tendency of broken Necron forces to ‘phase out’ (leaving the battlefield) means that denying the enemy victory conditions and counting the survivors would be a path to victory. Maintain a strong patient presence on the battlefield would suit his leaning towards the Kauyon [patient hunter] Tau mantra. Winning the logistics battle might just see those Orcas of the 5th OTS landing on objectives late in the battle. (10) Aiming to break the main enemy force [BTS formation] later in the engagement [turn 3 or 4] might just secure a victory. (11) Spreading tactical objectives was recommended by several commentators because Necron’s on the battlefield (as opposed to teleporting elements) are slow. Keeping the enemy at arms length with scouts and outmaneuvering them to grab objectives certainly seemed possible. (12) The inherently more capable battlefield strategic mobility of his Tau forces [strategy rating 3 cf 2 for Necrons] should allow more flexible placement of his own stealth troops and some more immediate action to combat developing Necron threats. Mulling the list over Shas’el Sav’lynu had a few thoughts of his own as well. Recent tactical exercises with a second concealed ring of scouts may well force teleporting Necrons to attack away from their otherwise preferred target. [‘Defensive Teleporting’ by stealth suit formations placing them behind a portal formation within their 10 cm scout ZOC]. The newly configured Stealth Suits [re-roll and failed Blast Markers when Teleporting in] certainly improved that option. Carefully selected coordinated fire missions should ensure that Pylons and the other smaller Necron War Engines get silenced in a timely manner. Organising to also get other engines get placed under close observation at the same time should get the most out of his Pathfinders. [Markerlight one target, pop-corn it with indirect guided missile fire, and cover other engines with a scouting ZOC]. A wry smile stole over Sav’lynu’s face as he remembered the archived Gue'la [Human] survey report he had found in the Gue'vesa [Lowest Helper, Human members of Tau Society] records. An original archeology survey of a Necron Tomb Complex found on the Fen’dal’ton Continent. Imperial Survey Report 2014.04.25.ANZAC Although he was not a specialist it seemed to Sav’lynu that there was a dominant obsession with groupings of four. Four groups of four sided pyramids hovering in the mid-ground behind four infantry formations. Four open four-armed death-ray “pylon” structures backing the whole assemblage. Looking closer there were four Lords and four clusters of blade weaponed elite troops. Four gun mountings on the hovering war engine. Four four-sided boundary markers on the large tomb complex and a total of four larger centre spires that looked for all the world like Kinetic Barrier projectors from the Exodus War project. Shas’el Sav’lynu stepped into the hanger space that was serving as a temporary workspace for the Tau Kavaal [Strike Group]. A ripple of awareness swept the echoing volume but the Fio [Earth Caste] workers and their Shas [Fire Caste] colleagues stuck resolutely to their tasks. Not for them the Gue'la [Lit. Lowest Beings, i.e. Humans not aligned with the Greater Good] habit of jumping up and waving their hands around, Sha’is’cha Lit. gas movement action]. A lot of work was being done bringing old Broadside Drones out of storage and arming them for battle. Another cluster of activity buzzed around the looming Kass’l [Troop Dropper, Orca] of the Orbital Transport Squadron. They would be lifting with the last Nars’al [Lit. small stone, so less than a kilogramme] on their Shas’ka [Fire Caste Strike] across the planet. |
Author: | caregadras [ Sat Jun 14, 2014 9:39 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4K Necron vs Tau |
Cool, cool novel pre-battle background! Keep it coming! I love when the epic battle become narrative! ...and wonderful necron army |
Author: | Markconz [ Sat Jun 14, 2014 10:19 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4K Necron vs Tau |
All right here's my report, forgive my lack of excellent in character narrative!! I'll leave that to Andrew! http://hordesofthings.blogspot.co.nz/20 ... fight.html |
Author: | caregadras [ Sat Jun 14, 2014 10:30 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4K Necron vs Tau cityfight |
Thanks for the show guys! Liked a lot! |
Author: | Vénérable Zaïus [ Sat Jun 14, 2014 10:40 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4K Necron vs Tau cityfight |
Wow !!! 2 Great armies ! Absolutely well painted and a great table full of wonderful FW sceneries !!! Love it (i'm jealous !) |
Author: | SpeakerToMachines [ Sat Jun 14, 2014 11:41 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4K Necron vs Tau cityfight |
Great report - both the narrative and armies |
Author: | mordoten [ Sun Jun 15, 2014 10:14 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4K Necron vs Tau cityfight |
Great report! Thanks alot! |
Author: | Xenocidal Maniac [ Sun Jun 15, 2014 10:42 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4K Necron vs Tau cityfight |
Wow!! So cool. This is what it's all about. Two great armies on beautiful terrain. Thanks for taking the time to put this together and share. |
Author: | Markconz [ Mon Jun 16, 2014 2:00 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4K Necron vs Tau cityfight |
Cheers guys, as someone on TMP said, it was a bit like "Dropship 40K" with all the airlifts etc happening in a city! |
Author: | Hulksmash [ Mon Jun 16, 2014 4:00 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4K Necron vs Tau cityfight |
Great batrep guys! Sidenote: Those aren't the epic drop ships but they look great. Are they simply a random model you found or did you convert them? |
Author: | Markconz [ Mon Jun 16, 2014 5:09 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4K Necron vs Tau cityfight |
Hi Hulk, Andrew made them using some equipment at his work! Pretty clever. |
Author: | Andrew_NZ [ Mon Jun 16, 2014 11:27 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4K Necron vs Tau cityfight |
Hulksmash wrote: Sidenote: Those aren't the epic drop ships but they look great. Are they simply a random model you found or did you convert them? Yeah, the Orca's are "home made" out of, mostly, 6 mm MDF. Used a 60 W laser cutter and at work and loved the whole metaphor. Epic drop ships under laser fire. Re-entry vehicles with fumes and flame flashes streaming off their leading edges in the machine's airflow. Relatively easy, and CHEAP, to mass produce!! Making up plans to cut a Manta at some stage. Of course my August Institution has just purchased a 3-D printer, it is in the room next door printing a test building drawn up by one of the students, . . . . serious distraction. Now back in character. |
Author: | Andrew_NZ [ Mon Jun 16, 2014 11:47 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4K Necron vs Tau cityfight |
After Action De-Briefing An eerie quiet descended on the briefing room as Shas’el Sav’lynu [lit. Steadfast in the Future] ushered in Aun’o Or'sha'is [lit. Ethereal Powerful Wind/Storm]. Every T’au in the room was embarrassingly aware of the irony that Sav’lynu had left it far into the future of the battle to arrive and take his steadfast place in the line of the battle. Turning to the assembled Caste Ui’t [Leaders/Experts] Sav’lynu gave a wry smile and acknowledged, “Once again I have arrived late to the scene. The steadfast old Kass’l [Troop Dropper(?) or Orca] finally got me home to a future seating.” The gathering erupted in T’au laughter as the complex pun broke the tension in the room. Sav’lynu brought the room back to order and began his review. “The reported ruins proved unexpectedly large with several red and grey city blocks very far from the wrecks intimated in the archeology report. Thankfully the craters in the spaces between the buildings proved sufficiently cavernous to provide protection to our light pathfinder vehicles and the bulkier broadside suits and drones.” Gesturing politely to the Water Caste Negotiator, the Pur’el took over the account. “We intercepted several transmissions over the course of the engagement that appeared to come from the Necron God C’tan. Although translation is proving problematic The Deceiver appears to have been controlling the enemy forces. The sub-text from the transmission burst before the first Necron forces arrived is still proving problematic, “The operation and control of the Necron portals remains Da’noh,” [lit. a mystery not yet unraveled by the Earth caste] the Fio’vre [Earth Caste Overseer] offered in response to a gesture from the Shas’el. “We have however confirmed that the armour on the Monoliths and Obelisks we have recovered from the battlefield are not as tough as previously thought. Initial fire testing with the new penetrator rounds for the Hammerhead Rail Guns on not-Living samples of the armour suggest that they will not however be effective.” “The four newly completed Kass’l [Orca Dropships] of the 5th Orbital Transport Squadron performed flawlessly in support of the Shas’ka [Fire Caste Strike],” from the tall, lightly proportioned Kor’vre [Air Caste Pilot]. “Our more venerable first wave Kass’l is Ko’vash [a Worthy Cause] and currently undergoing a refit of the Sho’aun’or’es [the Heart of the Reactor of the Power Plant. We trust it will secure you a Ko’tol Sav’lynu,” [lit. Worthy Position Steadfast in the Future] the Kor’el concluded to another round of appreciative T’au good humour. Shas’el Sav’lynu brought the meeting back to order with a projection of the battlefield on the central display unit. “The overwatch position adopted by the Fire Warrior Cadre clearly proved its worth when it cut down and broke a full Necron Phalanx before it could complete its engage action. Although the follow-on attack killed may brave warriors the steadying presence of our Aun’o,” another courteous nod towards the Ethereal, “on the battlefield steadied our troops and help the position.” Having Init 1+ troops in Init 2+ transports at the start was perhaps not the best use of the dice options. The only successful uses of Crisis Suits on the Epic UK tournament stats seems to be when combined with Orcas for mobility. Still some work to do on that clearly. Later on in the game I was more careful to use the Crisis Suit Init 1+ to ensure at least one activation succeeded before handing the turn back to the Necrons. Next time I imagine that Init 1+ activations will more frequently be to go onto Overwatch, . . . “Our Pathfinders once again stood forth for The Greater Good. We have learned though, and in another encounter we will move them more promptly from their screening positions and so out of the immediate firing lines. The units, newly equipped with Stealth Suits proved their worth screening and providing marker light targeting for many units. The Sniper Drone formations proved even more tenacious successfully breaking an Aeonic Orb for no loss. Truly they are honoured within The Greater Good.” “In hindsight we should have deployed in the more distant ruins, in cover with more open lines of fire. But we have now learned that the Necron do not necessarily place their main complexes in the large cities. The Necron threat remains, Pur’el [Water Caste Negotiator], what shall we make of this Fu’llasso?” [lit. Cursed Mind Knot, ie political mess, to be unscrambled by the Water caste]. “Several Kroot Kindred have offered their services in join in battle against the Necron menace. With your approval,” and here the Pur’el inclined his head toward the Aun’o, who nodded in reply, “we will bind them in contract and begin the Hunt.” The Kroot negotiating team. Now 10 strong scouting formations should keep the teleporting Necron a little further away, . . . Aun’o Or'sha'is rose to end the meeting. “We have a plan. It only remains for me to acknowledge the efforts of Sav’lynu in leading our Shas'shi Fire Caste Victory; or Victorious Warriors] the first successful Ta’ro’cha [Three Minds – One Purpose, in this case referring to Tau Battlesuit teams] deployment on the colony world. We take pleasure in conveying the command of Aun't'au'retha [Ethereal Council of T'au], “Shas’el Sav’lynu is promoted Shas’o, effective immediately,” Tau’va [For the Greater Good].” |
Author: | Tiny-Tim [ Tue Jun 17, 2014 10:30 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4K Necron vs Tau cityfight |
Thanks for the report, looks like it was a good game.... But where were the Pylons? |
Author: | fredmans [ Tue Jun 17, 2014 11:12 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4K Necron vs Tau cityfight |
Great report. Lovely table and armies. Thanks for taking the time to write it up for us. /Fredmans |
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