Battle Report: Imperial Guard vs Sisters of Battle

Army Lists

184th Cadian

I will use the Assault Infantry v1.0 army list

Sisters of Battle

HQ

Saint Celestine

ELITE

5 repentia, mistress
5 repentia, mistress

TROOP

10 SoB, superior, multimelta, melta bombs
immolator, H.flamer, dozer
10 SoB, superior, multimelta, melta bombs
Immolator, H.flamer, dozer

FAST

4 dominion, superior, 2 meltagun
MM immolator w/dozer
4 dominion, superior, 2 flamer, comb-melta
MM immolator w/dozer

HEAVY

exorcist w/ hunter-killer missile
Penitent Engine x 2
Penitent Engine

1500 points

Mission and Deployment

Mission: Capture and Control
Deployment: Spearhead
Sisters rolled to go first.

The battle

Disclaimer: sorry for the bad quality pictures. The next time i'll take them at an higher resolution. Promise. Also, the names are being worked on, don't worry :)

Deployment

Sisters of Battle deployed centrally, except for the only 2 troop choices, camping on the right side of the board to protect the home objective. This setup is telling me that he's planning to simply shift me from my home objective, while he's keeping his well defended.
Two Immolators carrying dominion sisters scouted forward, while the other 2 shielded the Repentias

To counter this plan, i decided to deploy asymmetrically, shifting the most of my force directly in front of his objective. The main plan is to wait for Al Raheem to show up on the same flank, taking in a pinch maneuver his frontal units and then run for his objective. I don't know if i can hold my objective (even 40 stubborn guards won't last forever, and the ones without commissar aren't even worth talking about) so i'll just trade guardsmen for time. Real Guard style! Only a small presence is left on the opposing side, to get some side shot or anyway force the enemy to dedicate some firepower, thus lowering the pressure to the main gun line.

Turn 1 - Sisters of Battle

It has been one month from our last battle with enemy forces. The Colonel hasn't been able to regain contact with Sector command and even the Imperial Navy ships in orbit are ignoring us! The morale of the troops is spiraling down, and the commissariat has already executed a considerable number of guardsmen. If nothing will change soon, I suppose that the 184th will be destroyed from within itself.
The Colonel even promoted me, for my "outstanding skills and remarkable achievements" of last battle. The truth behind this is that even high ranking officers will suffer casualties, and a replacement was needed.
At least we have plenty of supplies and ammunition, and we will fight for our lives and for the emperor, as we always do every day. We've spent this month exploring the planet surface and preparing extensive plans for the defense of our quadrant. Every firing lane, every natural obstacle has been noted down and will be taken advantage of when the enemies of the Emperor will try to storm again our lines. Let they come, the Emperor will protect us and will award us the victory!

Attendant: "Sorry to bother you, Major, but the Colonel has called an emergency meeting in his quarters"
Major: "Finally, the time has come, right?"

Colonel: "Our Astropath council has detected several incoming vessels jumping out warp travel last week. Our long range radars have confirmed at least 3 transport ships have landed south our positions. We don't know who they are, but for sure they're hostile. This time we know the terrain and we must use this knowledge at our best advantage. Major, you'll take command of the combined forces of the 4th heavy, 17th assault and 24th light platoons. Design a trap for our enemies and be sure to cut off their retreat. The Captain here will follow you and will lead directly the flanking maneuver. Move now! we haven't much time before enemy arrival."

60 miles south 184th HQ

Guardsman: "Major, our scouts have reported an enemy mechanized column marching towards our positions. They'll be here in about six hours"
Major: "Thanks, guardsman. Captain, mobilize your platoon and begin the flanking maneuver at once. There is no time to lose: your assault must cut off the enemy retreat routes, to prevent any reinforcement to reach the battlefield, otherwise we must fall back to the main HQ. We cannot afford that! Move!"
Captain: "Yes sir. We'll need 8 hours to be in position to strike properly"
M: "This is unacceptable! You'll be there in six hours, or you'll talk with the commissars! The main line can't withstand two hours of combat against the whole expeditionary force of our opponents. You'd be there on time, captain"
The Captain saluted and ran to his platoon, starting the key maneuver asked by the major. He was well aware of the importance of his mission: if he failed, the whole battle would be lost, and most probably, the whole regiment.
The Major began to deploy the firing lines, digging trenches and preparing traps. Every lasrifle shot will be necessary to slow down the enemy advance. A weak presence is deployed on the hills on the left, to reach for side shots and force the enemy to not shoot everything at the main corps.

First Blood

Sergeant: "Here they come! Get ready!"
The enemy war engines roars filled the valley with their incredible noises. Troop transport and walkers ride forward, launching smoke grenades to cover their advance.
Hidden by the smoke, enemy artillery opened fire on the hilltop. The missiles raining on the men exploded everywhere. Luckily the trenches absorbed much of the incoming fire, but two guardsmen of the firing line were caught by shrapnels, which teared them apart.
Guardsman: "Damn! these were antitank missiles! We aren't prepared for this! Our positions on the hilltop can't hold! Fall back! FALL BACK!"
When the dust cleared, half of the firing positions on top of the hill have been abandoned.
Lieutenant: "Traitor! You'll be executed by the commissar if you don't come back at once!"

At the end of the turn, the table looked like this:

The Repentia sisters embarked in their transports, and the whole armoured column advanced towards my gun line. The Exorcist immobilized itself in the woods where it was deployed: it was still able to fire, and targeted a PCS on the hill, killing 2 guardsmen and making the survivors flee (not pictured).

Turn 1 - Imperial Guard

M: "Heavy weapons, open fire!"
Every weapon on the line opened fire at once, greeting the incoming enemies with a deadly wall of lead and lasers.
M: "They must not reach our lines! Destroy that Immolator!"
Autocannon personnel aimed at the cloud of smoke in front of them, but the noise of the roaring engine didn't stalled, and kept roaring forward
M: "Damn it, fire at these coordinates, anticipate its movement!
With the coordinates inserted in the heavy weapons targeting cogitators, multiple hails of antitank shells find the desired target. Their success is marked with a loud explosion, which shook the trees nearby the firing positions.
Sergeant: "What the hell is that...?"
Descending from the clouds, an angel-like appearance landed in the middle of the valley, screaming preaches to the emperor and urging the sisters to battle!
M: "Fear not my brave! There is nothing that the hammer of the emperor can't smash. Everybody, shoot that thing at once! NOTHING WILL GET THROUGH!"
Following the lead of their sergeants, all the gunline opened fire against the closing in, angel-like threat just appeared in the valley.
Guardsman: "Our weapons are ineffective! She is shrugging off our lasers!"
Most of the incoming fire failed to reach the target, halted by an invisible energy field

At the end of the turn, the table looked like this:

The gunline opened fire against the nearby Immolator, missing it altogether. A second attempt from the Autocannons will achieve the result, blowing up the advancing transport. Who could fired at Saint Celestine, but only 1 wound went through her saves, and who couldn't fired at other mech targets, but no damage are reported. A couple of AC rounds reached one of the defending squads of battle sisters, downing one.

Turn 2 - Sisters of Battle

M: "Don't stop! Keep firing! They must not reach our lines!"
Lasguns keep firing relentlessly versus the incoming foes, but they cannot halt the enemy armor advancing the field.
The enemy engines keep closing in the distance between them and the firing line, the artillery keep pounding the fortified hills, destroying the imperial firing positions.
Lieutenant: "Watch out! They're targeting us! Hit th..."
A serie of quick explosion fell around the last firing position manned by the Lieutenant and his command squad, leaving only dust and human pieces all around. A single guard is left alive, screaming at the top of his lungs for fear and anger.
Down in the valley, the enemy is now close to the trenches, and several flaming spurts fall inside the imperial trenches, burning the hapless guards inside without any retaliation.

With a super-human jump, the angel-like entity launches an assault to the screaming, burning guardsmen. Useless is the sergeants' call for bayonets on the line, because no human can hope to overcome the incredible close combat ability of the angel itself. Only the commissar stands up, urging his men forward.

At the end of the turn, the table looked like this:

The Dominion sisters, armed with flamers, which have been forcefully disembarked from their transport, advanced towards the firing line, and burned a fair chunk of it. Saint Celestine managed to reach the same guardsmen, assaulting them. Nobody could hit her (sarges hitting on 5+), except the commissar (hit on 4+) which scores a PW wound. A lot of guardsmen are put down by the angel, but The morale test is passed!

Turn 2 - Imperial Guard

M: "Damn it, they're already here! Our lines can't hold much longer! Where is the Captain? He should be here now! He's late!"
Astropath: "My lord, don't be afraid. I sense his presence nearby. He's closing in from that creek, the plan is unfolding perfectly"
M: "You'd better be right, because i don't call it "perfect" to lose a quarter of the first line against flamers. It's an horrible way to die..."

A great cloud of dust arises from the left: the unending, rythmical trump of countless boots on the march can be heard even above the engines clattering and explosions blasting in the valley.
The Captain and his outflanking platoon is arrived!
The left flank of the battlefield is now overrun by imperial guardsmen, heading straight for the enemy landing zone, going to cut off enemy supplies!

Every guardsman cheered at the beautiful sight, the morale now high as never before. Firing positions opened against everything in sight, threatening the first line involved in the close combat fight: the foul flamers which costed the life of many guards are now lying in blood.

Gunline Commissar: "Charge on, men! The glory of the emperor is upon us! Put that aberration down, slash it with your bayonets, THE HAMMER OF THE EMPEROR WILL NEVER FAIL!"
Shouting and cursing, the guards fight like a single man, overcoming even the incredible protection of that monster killing their brothers.
The angel fell to the ground, dead.

Sergeant: "Get ready for the second wave! to the firing positions! Move!"

Across the valley, another member of the Commissariat is leading the outflanking troops in a daring assault against the rear guard of the enemy, downing half with the first charge alone:
Outflanking Commissar: "For the Emperor! Glory awaits us behind that hill!"

At the end of the turn, the table looked like this:

Al Raheem platoon showed up in the correct flank, and sets up for a charge towards the enemy objective.
The autocannon blob opened fire against the flamer Dominion squad, downing all of them except their leader.
In close combat, the blob managed to put down Saint Celestine, showing a nice performance from lowly bayonets
I also forgot to run with Al Raheem. Oh well...

Turn 3 - Sisters of Battle

No time for the guards to cheer the incredible feat, that another great spurt of flames fell on the now regrouping first ranks. The cheers now turns to pain screams, where the flames have meet flesh. Trailing the flaming wall, an enemy war machine charged the shocked troops.
Commissar: "Don't fall back men! we will destroy this contraption!"
He charged the enemy walker, but his heroic attack is halted effortlessly by an enormous power fist, hilling him on the spot.
The sight was too much for the few survivors of the line, which disengaged the monster and fell back to secondary firing positions.

The hills on the other flank are now lost, conquered by an enemy fireteam, unloading their weapons to the last heavy weapons entrenched behind the hill. Only one survivor remains, still hiding in the craters.

Outflanking Commissar: "Watch out for the rear, here they come to slow down our glorious advance! Prepare your bayonets!"
A screaming squad of repentia sisters crashed on the rear of the flanking platoon, already engaged with the battle sisters defending the landing zone. Half of the troopers prepared their bayonets and fought hard. Many fell, but the assault has been stopped without too many problems.

Suddendly, the fallen angel in front of the remaining gunline, stood back up on her feet, and opened fire to the nearby Captain command squad, opening fire on the surprised officer
M: "In the Emperor's name... how is that possible?"

The penitent engine flamed the first line of guardsmen, and charged it shortly thereafter: i decided to put a wound on the commissar, to break this turn (and not during mine!) to shoot the walker during my shooting phase. A squad of repentia sisters fell back to the deployment zone, charging my Al Raheem blob. I fail to wound any of them, and I receive acceptable casualties in return. Saint celestine comes back up, and open fire to Al Raheem squad, killing one. My opponent forgot to charge Al, so they're safe.

Turn 3 - Imperial Guard

The Major had already too much things to think about, and the whole battle was looking most dire. The flanking attack is being slowed by the enemy defenders, the first ranks of the line are fleeing, the right flank of the hill has been completely overran. The greatest sacrifice shall be demanded to the 184th to win this fight, cutting off enemy supply lines to secure the Imperial stronghold on the planet. Every rifle shall be necessary.

With a bellowing shout, his voice reached the fleeing men of the 4th assault platoon, urging them to fight back and sell dearly their lifes. Shame on their eyes, they regained the firing position, preparing themselves for the last charge.
Covering their comrades, the gunline opened fire against the dreadful monster which has killed so many. The high energy laser beams hit the target, destroying it. After all, not everything is lost!

The Captain recovered by his surprise, and carried a reckless attack versus the closing in enemy monster. With incredible speed, his men flanked the enemy and put her down again, this time definitely (they hoped): The momentum was kept, and the squad met with the fighting platoon nearby.

The brave men fought with honor and courage, killing all the repentia sister and the first squad of defenders in a single push.
The main objective is now at an arm's reach! Charge on!

I successfully stopped the first rank fleeing from the battle, and i tried to build a makeshift shield for the lascannon blob, which is without a commissar. any charge would have put them on the run.
Al Raheem gunned down Saint Celestine again, and then moved to support again his platoon. I charged the repentias, (this was my mistake, anyway it didn't count much on the outcome) and together with the platoon, the combat is resolved and i consolidate towards the objective.

Turn 4 - Sisters of Battle

As soon as the big war engine fell to the ground, two more walkers took its place, throwing more flames to the infantrymen.
The whole first line is now depleted, leaving the heavy lasers open to enemy fire! With the flamers still blazing, the two war engines charged the now undefended gunline.

Exorcist artillery aimed its gun versus the running Mahe's command squad, now in the open behid his platoon. Several antitank missiles blasted nearby the squad, leaving only blood and gore in its wake.

Donovan: "Don't be afraid, men! keep charging! The landing zone shall be ours, in the Emperor's Name!"

The firing line, assaulted by those huge cranking monster, was weaponless and hopeless, after seeing the fate of their comrades from the first rank. The poor men cannot withstand anymore, and fled the battlefield under the cursing from Major Kaufmann

K:"Get back here, you morons! We have a battle to fight and WIN!"

But they won't come back. Kaufmann now was directly facing the huge combat monsters, and he instantly knew that the highest sacrifice will be required to allow the rest of the regiment to win the battle.

The two penitent engines flamed the Lascannon blob, vaporizing the remaining of the first ranks in a single attack. The following assault forced the blob to flee from the table.
The dead repentias' immolator moved back to the home objective, setting up a tank shock for the next turn.

Turn 4 - Imperial guard

M:"So this is it. Bring it on!"
The last remaining guardsmen opened fire against the enemy walkers, now closing in for the last kill. The Major itself directed the last active Lascannon against the machine, hitting and disabling one of them.

The last survivor of the fortifications on the hills, stood back up and grasped his hands on his lasgun. He took a deep breath and he aimed for the nearest Sister of Battle, only 10 meters below him. The laser gun crackled with energy, and the shot hit exactly where he aimed it: behind the head of the sister, which fell without a single groan.
Guardsman: "Duty ends only in death..." - while staring the wrong end of 4 bolters.

Commissar: "These are the last defenders of the landing zone! The glory of the Emperor is upon us! KILL THEM!"
He took command of the 24th platoon after the artillery killed the Captain with its last salvo. He ordered his men forward, to another charge against the remaining enemy guarding the landing zone.
The charge was cruel and fast, and shortly every enemy was down in blood.

Commissar: "Good job, guards! Now we must secure this position! The whole regiment is depending upon us!"

The outflanking blob charged the last sister's troop, winning the combat but failing to sweep them (anyway, they left the board on their legs). The consolidation move placed the meltagunners directly on the Immolator's path, ready to melt it next turn, when it will try a desperate last turn tank shock. The CCS Lascannon managed to down one of the two penitent engines, but the second one is still working. Special mention to the last guardsman on the hill, which really bravely shot and killed one sister of battle with his humble lasgun. His name would have been remembered by the whole 184th, if only I gave him one!

Turn 5 - Sisters of battle

The Major was now facing directly the remaining enemy war engine, knowing that he must give the highest sacrifice to allow his men to achieve the victory in the name of the emperor.
M:"Guardsmen! fix your bayonet and brace for the impact!"
The war engine charged, shooting flames from its hand.
With a single, poderous swing, the enemy wiped the remains of Kaufmann's squad. The other claw slammed against the refactor field, causing it to explode. The major fell to the ground.

The remaining of the enemy forces, now cut off from theirs supply line, tried a last push to regain control of the landing zone: the sister driving the immolator drove straight into the guard formation entrenched behind the hill: an heroic guardsman tried to stop the tank with his meltagun, but failed.

Donovan: "Destroy it! Victory is at hand!"

Sorry, no image for this turn. Anyway, not much happened

The last penitent engine charged the command squad, wiping it.
The Immolator tank shocked the unit behind the hill, and I managed to roll a weapon destroyed result ^^".

Turn 5 - Imperial Guard

Donovan: "The main force will join us soon! THE LINE MUST HOLD!"
Every single gun opened against the Immolator which was roaming into the formation: several hits are on target, and the enemy vehicle is no more.

Roll to end: 2

Victory for the Imperial Guard! 1-0

Post-Battle analysis

1. Every blob needs a commissar. Not that in this game it would have made any difference, but the Major would still be alive if the lascannon blob had a commissar in it. And anyway, I am forced to shield it with the other blob, so i can't do split deployment at the moment.
2. Al Raheem has been the best element of this list. Without it, i would have lost, and at best only drawn. 90% of the credits are for him
3. The autocannon PCSs on the hills have been fairly useless. I'd better put them with the blob, i guess