In this report The Blood Angels and The Dark Angels have a misalignment on the future of one of the Hamelian nuclear plants. In fact, the scheming Dark Angels are adamant that only a complete destruction of the reactors can aid the Imperial cause. Meanwhile, the Blood Angels seem to be of a more pragmatic persuasion: In their minds, the thoughts about how to power anything after winning the war, are also allI 7owed a bit of space in the plans. In the ends both sets of Angels decided to solve the argument by mortal combat.

We played the “Sabotage at the power plant” form the 2023 Cowabunga Global Campaign supplement: Return To Hamelia XI.

Setup and deployment

We created a battlefield that gave the impression of a somewhat overgrown power plant. The Hamelia XI campaign takes place on a world that has been deserted for many years after all, so a bit of shrubbery is to be expected.

In the scenario, two reactors must be placed on the centre line as the objectives. The scenario is quite assymetric, in that one side (the “evil” side – or the misguided side perhaps, in our case) has a device that they want to place on one of the reactors to blow it up. One squad is secretly noted as having the device and basically has to get in contact with one of the reactors and stand around for a turn rigging it. If they succeed they win, otherwise the opponent wins. No VP or other.

Battle

Jonas and I are old arch enemies, so it should come as no surprise that this was a hard fought affair.

We both started out with GW games many moons ago and since 2007 we’ve been through quite a number of systems and miniatures.

Jonas brought his Blood Angels, and I brought my Dracula Sucks t-shirt. So, the match was on. The Blood Angel army was type with marines, had no vehicles bar a land speeder and generally was up to no good.

By far the most troops were deployed at the ground level. The notable exception was two units of Dark Angel scouts. They took to the heights bringing their heavy weaponry into perfect firing positions.

The Blood Angels noticed the alien cactii, but scoffed at them not thinking they passed any danger. (In the campaign rules, alien cactii have a potential spike attack).

The Blood Angels immediately got a jump on… You could say that they jumped to the conclusion that the Dark Angel tactical squad needed a pounding.

Luckily, the Four Brothers (my special characters entry from the #40k2ndAC) were nearby and they quickly despatched some of the Jump Troopers. In hindisght, maybe I did go a bit overboard with those rules. But hey, TURTLEPOWER!

I had of course put the bomb device on the Terminator unit. Their neigh impenetrable armour would ensure they could reach the reactor, was my thinking. Jonas didn’t know this, but I felt that he had a idea that this was the case. At least his Land Speeder quickly found its way to the Terminators. In fact, I would dare that he had planned this even before showing up! That multimelta is brutal!

The Terminators took a heavy hit from the speeder, failing armour saves left and right. I really thought the game was going to be over before it had begun. I mean what can you do – you put all your eggs in one basket here… and then it gets shot to pieces!

My leadership role rolls were better than my saves, so I was presented with the opportunity to return fire. To my great pleasure and amazement the Land speeder pilot was offed. This sent the Land speeder crashing down!

BUT…. To my great misfortune the out of control speeder landed directly on my 5 man tactical squad with sergeant and flamer… killing all of them!!! 😅

The game giveth and the game taketh. After the speeder crash, the Blood Angels were under heavy fire from the alien cactii. Despite being S3 and quite harmless overall, the cactii still took out at least 3 marines! Deadly!

The jump troopers decided that fighting turtles was not in their interest and flew up to face one of the scout squads. Well, except for the one marine that missed the target and went wide over the roof. (In 2nd edition your jump troopers – except Eldar – scatter 1d3 where they land).

The scouts stood their ground and didn’t run off immediately, which was unexpected. Or, at least one of them didn’t – the sole survivor. Chainswords, pistols and jump packs is a hella combo.

Meanwhile, the Terminators were slowly approaching their goal: the reactor. They would have to stand around an entire turn though… which might be difficult.

On the roof, the scouts finally caved to the pressure. A single scout against 4 marines armed to their (painted-on shark) teeth just didn’t work out in the scout’s favour.

While the Terminators were setting up the device, the Four Brothers tried to keep the Blood Angels occupied.

Beneath the tower with the scouts, the Dark Angel tech marine was handling the business. He despatched the line jump trooper and was then in turn assaulted by the Blood Angel Psyker.

Suddenly, when it was least called for, a mighty Carnosaur came running in from the jungle (random monsters are a thing in the campaign), toppling the remaining Dark Angel tacticals. The carnosaur kills most things it touches and moves a full 2d6 in the direction (and through) of the nearest model to it. Deadly!

As the other side of the battlefield, the predator had been hammering the Blood Angels hiding between the rocks. It had not been that successful however, and the Blood Angels did not feel discouraged. A sneakily hid squad wearing campaign camouflage snuck up on the tank…

… and brought their powerfist to bear in the poor vehicle! The explosions ripped through it and the tank curled up like tin foil.

Then the clock ran out and the reactor was blown up causing the Dark Angels to “win”.

Conclusion

It was a great game! The scenario was very asymmetric, but the narrative made it ok. We are playing yet another campaign game soon and I hope to bring out the Blood Skulls for that one.

All in all, I think this was a very fun game with lots of 2nd ed action going on. I always get a little frustrated by Terminator saves, seeing that I feel that I fail them more frequently than normal marine saves… but I know it is just a figment of my imagination.

Good thing is that I have another 20 terminators ready for action now! Muahahaha!