http://www.cytadela.pl/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=582 said:
After an Arachnid meteor striked Sebarchus VII Sector Defence Command decided to send in MI 9th Recon Platoon strenghtened w/a Grizzlie squad in order to approximate size of the bug force before mankind's finest main force arrives.
It was raining. We were reconing the area destroyed by the Arachnid meteor. When we arrived to the forest edge in a flash of lighting we saw horder of bugs approaching. Grizzlies jumped immediately, firing at the Plasma Bug, while we, urged by the sergeant, jumped towards the rocky area.
Seeing the M4A1 volley failed to bring down the Plasma I fired my missile launcher, blowing the bug apart. Our joyous shouts were cut short by angry sergeant. It was only then we realised the situation - there were tens of bugs swarming below us.
I met Xelos in the shop be KEN, my MI against his bugs, 1.500 pts, list as follows:
Arachnids PL2 Tactics: Defend
Tanker Bug
4 Tunnel Entrance
3 Tunneling Markers
Plasma Bug
Infiltrator Bug
Cave In
10x5 Worker Bugs
MI PL2 Tactics: Probe
NCO M8 Marauder Suit
6x Power Suit Captroopers, 2 Javelin Missile Launchers
5x Power Suit Captroopers, 2 Hel Infantry Flamers
Exosuit Grizzly Lieutenant
3x Grizzly Exosuit w/Twin Firestorm Missile system
I was surprised to find out my enemy went for PL2. Knowing my units won't start as Readied and can easily become a target for Xeloss' Plasma Bug I had chosen Probe tactics. I was relieved winning the initiative roll, knowing I can dish out some serious loses to the enemy having first turn. I set up my force and watched depolying bugs with unease.
MI turn 1:
Along with the Probe rules Grizzlies entered only during turn 1. It was a good move, as they were able to jump in, firing at the Plasma Bug, getting above expectations and seriously wounding the Arachnid. Noticing my chance I send the missile squad jumping on the rocks and finishing off the monster. Rest of the force fired at the Warrior squads.
Arachnid turn 1:
The loses were painfull, but didn't preclude victory. I rushed the Tanker bug forward, unburrowing it within the Sky_Marshal's units. It charged Grizzlies, but failed miserably, managing to kill only one.
First tunelling Workers/Warriors unit unburrowed next to the tanker and rushed into the flamers squad - before MI managed to react they were dead already!
On the other side of the battlefield other bugs tunelled up to remove the threat from the Plasma-killers squad, but being too far they failed to attack. Rest of my units closed in to MI.
MI turn two:
While I was ready to lose a Grizzlie, losing an entire CAP squad hurt a lot. Besides I had to do something quickly about the Tanker, standing right in the centre of my units. Luckily the missile squad, Readied as a reaction to approaching bugs, jumped back, firing at the Tanker. So did Grizzlies, shovering the bug with an avalanche of missiles. Unfortunately Tanker, being so resilent, survived the volleys despite heavy wounds.
Arachnids turn two:
badly wounded Tanker charged the NCO, wounding him, was showered with Reaction fire from flamers and Lieutnant's sixguns, but survived it and spit on both officers, killing them. Smaller bugs rushed towards the Grizzlies, but I was running out of units.
MI turn three:
Since the Tanker killed both my officers, luckily since my squads were positioned tight already diminished command range didn't matter to me. CAPs finished the Tanker with little problems, while Grizzlies massacred the remaining Warriors.
Sky_Marshal:
The game was very pleasant. Despite the game ending on turn 3 a lot has happened in this time. Xeloss is a demanding opponent and one difficult to defeat, and even so it was a victory dearly paid for.
As far as my units go, Grizzlies firepower exceeded all my expectations, and well-equipped CAPs proved yet again they're worth their points. Am not sure about the M8 Ape Marauder Suit and in the next battle I'll probably exchange it with the Chickenhawka.
Xeloss:
Despite battle ending up in my defeat it was fun. Sky_Marshal proved being a good commander. My strategy has been scratched with unbelievable Grizzlie firepower and general MI mobility. Exosuits are a fantastic unit, and I simply must find an answer to them. Maybe next time I'll field Fireflies or Hoppers? I also lacked a Brainbug, whose psychic abilities and extra action would be greatly usefull. Well, I can only hope next time will go better for me.
