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Vior'la Tau vs NetEA, 3000 points
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Author:  Andrew_NZ [ Sun Sep 06, 2015 4:43 am ]
Post subject:  Vior'la Tau vs NetEA, 3000 points
After a long hiatus the Eldar re-appeared on the surface of the Tau Colony.
The initial encounter saw the wholesale rout of the first blocking force.
Orbital support proved incapable of targeting Revenants through their Holofields.
Reinforcements, a Broadside Group, were shot out of the sky when the Orca transporting them was jumped by a flight of Nightwings.

Tau defence forces were re-organised in keeping with Vior’la principles and deployed for action.


Vior’la Force

Vior’la FW Cadre, 8 Fire Warriors + Ethereal + Cadre Fireblade, 3 Pathfinders, 2 Gun Drones [425, BTS]

Vior’la FW Cadre, 8 Fire Warriors, Skyray [325]
Vior’la FW Cadre, 6 Fire Warriors, 3 Devilfish, Skyray [325]

Broadside Group, 6 Broadside Suits [300]

Pathfinder Group, 4 Pathfinders, 2 Devilfish [200]
Pathfinder Group, 4 Pathfinders, 2 Devilfish [200]

Stealth Group, 6 Stealth Suits + Cadre Fireblade, 2 Gun Drones [275]

Recon Group, 3 Tetra, 2 Piranha [150]
Recon Group, 3 Tetra, 2 Piranha [150]
Recon Group, Tetra, 4 Piranha [150]
Recon Group, Tetra, 4 Piranha [150]

Protector Spacecraft [200]
Fighters, 2 Barracudas [150]

Image


Eldar (Biel Tan) Forces, Estimated from Orbital Recon Sweep

Image

Aspect Warriors, 2 Scorpions, 2 Dire Avengers, 2 Fire Dragons, 2 Dark Reapers + Autarch + Exarch(?)
Guardians, Farseer, 6 Guardians, Heavy Weapons
Guardians, Farseer, 6 Guardians, Heavy Weapons

Revenant Scout Titan Battle Group [BTS]

Sword of Vaul, 4 Falcons, 2 Firestorms
Sword of Vaul, 4 Falcons, 2 Firestorms
Sword of Vaul, 5 Fire Prisms, Firestorm

Engine of Vaul, Storm Serpent, (Wraith Gate)
Eldar Wraith Gate
Wild Riders, 4 Jet Bike, 2 Vipers
Wild Riders, 4 Jet Bike, 2 Vipers
Author:  Andrew_NZ [ Sun Sep 06, 2015 4:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vior'la Tau vs NetEA, 3000 points
Deployment

The gallant Tau defenders deployed several blocking forces garrisoned forward to defend their objectives.
The Broadsides, their air transport having this time delivered them prior to battle, positioned forward on the high ground,
on overwatch [green dice in photo]. The Fire Warrior Cadre with the Ethereal, also on overwatch, deployed in the fields
covering the main lines of communication [forward of the Blitz].
Image

Fire Warriors with Skyray attached and a Recon Group supported the Battlesuits on the front line.
The gun tower positions mark the Tau defend the flag objectives.
Image

Behind the front lines the Tau positioned, from their right, Piranha Group, Pathfinders,
Mechanized Fire Warriors and the Ethereal’s Cadre [already mentioned].
Image

On the far side of the battlefield, away from the main Eldar threat, the Tau deployed
the second Pathfinder Group, Stealth Group and remaining two Recon Groups.
Ready to push forward to threaten the Eldar defensive objectives and cover the exit routes from the Wraithgate.
Image

In the best raider traditions the Eldar deployed through the woods, on their left flank. From the left:
Storm Serpent, Revenants, Guardians and Falcons, Fire Prisms between the woods; Aspect Warriors,
Guardians, Falcons and the Great Gun of Endor (Blitz) in the right wood.
Image

As the dawn rises the Red Hordes – beautifully painted – come out of the trees, the Sun glinting off their Holofields.
Image
Cartographic details: woods, built up areas and small hills are all in reality higher than they appear
on the table. In games terms the areas features block LOS. The ridge line along the close end of the table
was ignored for line of sight purposes.
Author:  Andrew_NZ [ Sun Sep 06, 2015 4:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vior'la Tau vs NetEA, 3000 points
Turn One

The Eldar commander (Tim_nz) concluded that the Broadside Suits occupying the small woods and high ground
on his left flank were dominating too much of the battlefield with their overwatch fire positions.
Perfect targets for Fire Prisms.
Image

And for Revenants, who moved out at the double out, shot and retired back; in a kaleidoscope of fractal emissions.
Image

Next a Storm Serpent moved forward ot lay fire on the Recon Formation in the dead ground behind
the Broadsides previous position. Now broken the Broadsides can be seen sitting in behind them.
Nothing like a triple retain to get you started.
Image

Kor’elan orbital support responded to the threat and the Protector’s pin-point attacks dealt with it.
Image

Falcons and their Fire Storms moved forward to deal with the Recon Group.
“I knew there was a reason why I don’t usually deploy them in woods.”
But here all of them managed to dodge the branches, took out the Tetras
and then dropped down into cover behind the woods.
Image

Indirect fire from the two supporting Piranha formations first knocked out two then another three
of the Swords of Vaul. The broken survivor fled. Coordinated Fire ensured both formations activated
on the one initiative roll. Markerlights targeted the Eldar. Guided Missiles fired indirect on Sustained Fire missions;
turning AT6+ into 4+ shots. The first formation left the target unbroken and still in range for the second round of fire.
Image

Guardians decided they were not ready to move forward. They re-grouped and remained hidden.

With the opposing forces widely separated, the closest at 60 cm and most over 90 away,
both commanders were struggling to find an advantageous way to break the deadlock.

Another Sword of Vaul formation moved forward. This time two Falcons got caught
on the branches extracting themselves from the branches.
Image

A mechanized Fire Warrior Cadre moved forward to markerlight the Eldar tanks and take up a screening
position. Two gaps in the trees were successfully negotiated by the vehicles moving into the woods.
Image

The Aspect Warriors, reluctant to advance into an exposed position, went onto overwatch.
On the far flank the Stealth Group moved forward to screen the Eldar Wraithgate.
And a Jetbike formation in the webway refused to activate.
Image

Research, after the game, on the use of Portals suggests that we played that incorrectly.
I remembered some discussion on these august boards. But could not remember where,
couldn’t find it in the rules. So we did what we had both previously thought was right.
Jet Bikes failed activation, in webway, so they did a hold-regroup and the portal was considered used.

The rules as I understand it [please correct/confirm] should have meant:
Jetbikes failed to activate.
Normally they therefore have to take a Hold-Move action and make a single move out onto the table,
with a blast marker. The gate has been used.

In the situation in the photo the Stealth Suit’s scout zone of control covers the gate.
Therefore the Jetbikes are moving into a zone of control.
The only action that allows this is an Engage.
They failed activation, cannot move into the ZoC with a Hold-Move action
so remain in the webway, with a blastmarker. The gate has not been used.
They can attempt to rally the blast marker off at the end of the turn.

More generally a zone of control over the gate means only an Engage action can be used to enter the table.
The formation is moving from off-board into a ZoC. If an enemy unit is physically on the gate the assault it into close combat.
[Do you make room for them all to come out? Or only two units fight and the rest come out if they win on the consolidation move?].

Discussion mostly here: Activation of Formations in reserve in Webway/portal?
FAQs for 5.6.3 can be found somewhere here: Tournament Pack FAQs
Some relevant FAQs seem to also be in the Necron Special Rules section !!?


Having carefully conserved activations in the initial fencing with the invaders,
the Tau commander looked forward to positioning troops to increase the pressure
on the Eldar huddled around their initial deployment positions.
A ground attack run on the lone, broken, Falcon looked ideal;
BM at 45 cm range to send them packing.

Alas, . . . it was not to be, . . . THREE 1s for activation, . . . in a row.
While I’m on the delights of an Initiative 2+ Army, . . .

Following the successful Kor’vattra [Tau Fleet] strike on the Storm Serpent,
orbital assets were unable to locate the Eldar Titans sufficiently accurately for a follow on attack.
The lack of Eldar air assets over the battlefield led to a redeployment Kor’oni [Lit. Air Caste, Cover] to other theatres.
Despite the game going to four turns the Barracudas never did made an appearance; four 1s for four turns.

Without a Shas’o directing operations [no supreme re-roll] command devolved to the Ethereal on site.
Deployed with the largest Fire Warrior Cadre [BTS} the Ethereal, despite Vior’la training, did not move
for the first three turns; three 1s for the first three turns.

End of Turn One
Image
Author:  Andrew_NZ [ Sun Sep 06, 2015 4:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vior'la Tau vs NetEA, 3000 points
Turn Two

Tau commenced the turn with Markerlight controlled Guided Missile fire.
Four hits on the Swords of Vaul only knocked out on Falcon.
Eventually accumulated pressure of fire broke the formation.
Image
Image

Again the Revenants act, and disappear.
Image

And a Guardian Warhost moves forward to secure the devastated blast zone.
With support from the lone Falcon and the rather more complete Fire Prism formation.
Image

The Fire Warriors move forward and unleash a firestorm of their own that sees the Guardians reeling.

Jetbikes eventually erupt from the Wraithgate and wipe out the central, broken Tetra screen.
Then consolidate back behind a convenient hill having lost a Viper in the encounter.
Image

The Aspect Warriors advanced to occupy the central woods. The very ones the Ethereal’s formation,
in the distance below, had twice declined to occupy.
Image

A recon group from the far right flank of the Eldar led a coordinated fire mission that
first saw them kill first one unit of Jetbikes, leaving the formation in place under markerlights.
Image
And eventually broken with a second Viper casualty.
Image

The Stealth Group opted to stay in position behind the hill, strung out between
the two take and hold objectives. Between the hill and town in the photo above.

Air cover, what air cover, . . . ?
Author:  Andrew_NZ [ Sun Sep 06, 2015 4:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vior'la Tau vs NetEA, 3000 points
Turn Three

Another Jetbike formation erupts from the Wraithgate targeting the Stealthsuits.
Perhaps it was wise for them to remain in position? Overwatch maybe, . . . taking a tea break, . . . no.
However the Pathfinder group in the fields and the town were on overwatch and five hits from them,
with sniper and crossfire, killed 5 stands and broke the Jetbikes before the assault began.
Image

The Aspect Warriors came forward to contest the gate on the right flank.
Image

While in the left centre the Revenants and Fire Prisms broke forward to wreck mayhem.
Down to a lone Broadside Suit, the Shas’vre heroically took it forward block further excesses.
Image

Recon Drone imagery gives a good indication of the problems associated
with targeting Eldar Titans with an active holofield.
Image

In an effort to capture the Eldar Orbital defence station [Blitz] the Tau Pathfinders doubled forward.
Broken branches clogged the air intakes of one of the Devilfish leaving the formation strung out and
easy pickings for the remaining Guardian Warhost.
Image
The remnants of the Pathfinder Group pulled back to the central forest,
still unoccupied by the reserve Fire Warrior Cadre.
Image

The Stealth Suits eventually moved into action. The silenced burst cannon spoke and
four Aspect Warrior units sought cover on the reverse slope of the hill.
Image

A moderate number of Tau formations failed to rally and moved forward into blocking positions.
Image

Take and Hold to the Tau, but not enough to win. On to turn four.


Turn Four

The Stealth Suits flowed over the hill to again try and eliminate the Aspect Warriors,
who had rallied in the end phase.
Image

They again retired, broken, to cover the approach to the Gun of Endor [Blitz].
The Dark Reaper Autach and a flanking unit of Dire Avengers.
Image

The Revenants and Fire Prisms continued to wreck havoc on the Tau Right Flank.
The Ethereal finally moved to intervene, at least contesting the Tau Objectives on that flank.
Image

On the opposite flank the Eldar armour moved to contest their Objectives and
the score was back to nil-all. Notice they are carrying two blast markers.
Image

Air support, . . . <static> . . . <static> . . . <static> . . .

Various units rallied (Aspects), many didn’t, . . .
Stategy Dice Rolled, no Turn Five, on to tie-break.

Eldar score 1487.5 points, . . . Tau score 1450 points. 37.5 point win to Eldar.


Many thanks to Tim for contributing last minute photographic support
with his phone. I forgot to check we had a camera in the house.

We discussed various aspects of the game. Think Tim felt he had handled
the Jetbikes rather cavalierly, but ought to have pushed the Revenants forward sooner.
Hopefully he will add some more reflection on the Vior’la Tau.

With a lone surviving Broadside Suit pilot I think I can justify promoting him.
An acting rank of Shas’o [for the re-roll] next time, I think.
We also discussed the need to fly in more Tau reinforcements.
A strengthened Orca Squadron should be flying your way soon.
Author:  Borka [ Sun Sep 06, 2015 6:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vior'la Tau vs NetEA, 3000 points
A very nice report! Always fun to read one with tau, my favorite army to play.
Thanks!
Author:  Markconz [ Sun Sep 06, 2015 6:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vior'la Tau vs NetEA, 3000 points
Great report, will try and get ours up in next day or two. :)
Author:  Blip [ Sun Sep 06, 2015 8:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vior'la Tau vs NetEA, 3000 points
Great report. Particularly enjoyed the "holofields" photo ! :-)
Author:  Tim_nz [ Tue Sep 08, 2015 12:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vior'la Tau vs NetEA, 3000 points
Good report man, this game was good fun, I learnt how sneaky the Tau can be, a few major errors made by the eldar commander early and the lack of respect for the Tau infantry firepower at close range. Great game though, It seems the Tau offer a formidable air assualt option which i don't look forward to seeing (lol), the Eldar AA production lines are in full swing.
Author:  primarch [ Tue Sep 08, 2015 5:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vior'la Tau vs NetEA, 3000 points
Hi!

Awesome report!

Primarch
Author:  Andrew_NZ [ Tue Sep 08, 2015 7:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vior'la Tau vs NetEA, 3000 points
Tim_nz wrote:
It seems the Tau offer a formidable air assualt option which i don't look forward to seeing (lol), the Eldar AA production lines are in full swing.


Precisely why we got the Broadsides down to the battlefield ahead of the encounter.

Now, does a heavy Eldar commitment to AA leave them vulnerable in other areas?
Not really . . . ? Can the Assault Orcas (Arm 4+, Deflector Shield, inv 5+) survive the flak?
Load for an AP fire storm, easy with Tau, or try to secure AT firepower, decidedly challenging.
Or even go for an assault oriented air-landing formation.

Ahh, the joys of the local gaming meta.
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