Battle report of Squats 1.31 vs. Iron Warriors – 3k

Squats
Berserkers + Rhinos
Berserkers + Rhinos
Warriors + Rhinos
Warriors + Rhinos
Thunderfire Cannons
Thunderfire Cannons
Biker Brotherhood incl 3 Trikes & Supreme Commander
Biker Brotherhood incl 2 Trikes
Gyrocopters
Overlord
Goliath Mega Cannons (2)
Cyclops (BTS)

Iron Warriors (from memory)
Retinue + Rhinos & Supreme Commander
Retinue + Rhinos
Decimator
Decimator
CSM + Rhinos
CSM + Rhinos
Defilers
Dreadnoughts
Ordinatus
Hellblades
Hellblades

Game was set up with centrally placed Blitz objectives and the TnH objectives being in the centre and right flank of the squats. Squats set up in a long line across their table edge trying to minimise any fire from the Ordinatus whist the IW garrisoned the CSM and set up centrally and to their left flank.

First turn was fairly cagey with the Goliaths managing to catch three formations with their first shot, Dreads, Decimator and Retinue. Decimator was broken and BM placed on the other formations. Ordinatus replied stripped two shields from the Cyclops and destroyed two Rhinos carrying three Berserkers breaking the formation.

There was a bit of tit for tat shooting followed by the second Retinue doubling forward to claim some centrally located ruins. A brotherhood doubled forward, supported by a biker formation. Finally a suicide run from the second Berserker formation saw them drive into the ruins to engage the IW retinue. Only one rhino managed to escape the carnage and limp away.

Cyclops doubled forward so that it could get into the game and shot its main gun at a broken CSM to kill one and remove two more from BM.

Turn two (IW won all the Strategy rolls). Bikers were prepped with a BM and the Defilers engaged them, three normal hit and 1 MW from the Defilers whilst they were destroyed in response. Cyclops doubled again through a wood into the IW table half to get a line of sight onto a Decimator and killed it with its main gun. Dreadnoughts doubled to face it in turn 3. The squat right flank and centre continued to batter the IW whilst the Ordinatus broke formations with its shooting.

Turns three and four were both very close with both sides suffering from poor rallying and the general attrition that had warn the sides down. The Cyclops was broken two turns in a row by the dreadnoughts but they were unable to destroy it. The Ordinatus broke formation after formation with its extra BM and disrupt. However I had nothing that could engage it. At the end of turn four I managed to get my two remaining Berserkers within engage range, but before that the only things that I could have used were the Gyrocopters and these were needed to support the remaining formations in the centre of the table. The Overload was broken in turn 2, rallied and then broken again only to rally at the end of turn four.
The game finished in a points draw at the end of turn four. It was a very good game and my thanks to Console Avenging Angel for another tough game.

I found the Goliaths a good formation, but these along with the Thunderfires were frustrating as I am used to trying to have sweeping flanks and in the end they just sat there when I wanted something to push forward to support my advance. I will have to modify my style of play I think to get the best out of these.
Cyclops worked well and put the fear of god into the Decimators and Ordinatus. However, I didn’t use the missiles as I didn’t feel that I had a target for them. I would like to see these change to 90cm AT2+ One-shot weapons so that they can be used to strip shields. The change to CC/FF 3+ certainly means that you can more aggressive with them.

Facing the IW Ordinatus showed that I’m getting too used to playing against armies with little or no artillery as this highlighted that I needed something that could push for the back line early one (Berserkers were going to do this but where shot out of the game in turn 1) One Brotherhood tried, but then failed to rally after breaking in turn 2. Looks like I need to give the tunnellers ago in the future. Still need to give Leviathans and Land Trains ago, but I like all the rare choices I’ve tried so far.

Finally, do we really need to have Trikes as +15pts, this forces me to take 5 to even things out and the MW vs. Light Vehicle is not worth the +15pts each IMO.

Hmmm... What would you propose on the Trikes?

I'm surprised that your rallying went poorly with a 1+ to the formations. That should be the strong suit for the Squats.

As for the stubborn rule, I never covered it but I believe it deserves an FAQ that they should only get another 15cm to move. I'm picturing in my mind warriors dragging their comrades kicking and barking the whole way, wanting to get back into the fray, with no regard for whether or not it is the right thing tactically. "Reform ranks? I'll bloody well reform when I crush their skulls in!"

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author of Syncing Forward and other stories...

It's a dog-eat-dog world, and I've got my Milkbone underwear on.

Ok, we played it as you reverted back to a full double move. This really does restrict rhino mounted troops, gyro copters and of course Overlords.

With the limited move I was rolling for broken formations on 4+ in most cases as was within 30cm of the enemy

On the trike side I just think that they can be a free upgrade.

The Iron Warriors Ordinatus is well worth its points, breaking most small formations like warmachines just by targeting them, although I was playing a very static army list so not much got close to engage or shoot it, I suppose that is why its got void shields. TT rally rolls were terrible rolling allot of 1s, TT mentioned that the Overlord might be better as a support rather than rare but with reduced weapon ranges (like stub battlecannons) I not so sure I faced 4 in a list and their nasty, however they sat back and shoot loads.

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http://brokenuniverse1978.blogspot.co.uk

But in the last game the single Overlord spent most of the game broken. I need to try two Overlords and a colossus/cyclops in a game.