Video Battle Report: Space Wolves v. Grey Knights. BAO practice.

It's been a while since we've done a battle report of any kind let alone a video Bat Rep.  This has been due in large part to my lack of a computer that can edit videos since my reliable one crapped out on me.  But we're back and here is the first of 2 battle reports highlighting the Bay Area Open missions for 2012 and my Bjorn Alpha Strike list.  Enjoy and don't be afraid to leave a comment!  Video, lists, and match analysis after the break.

The Lists

Overwatch’s Space Wolves

Bjorn PC

Rune Priest: LL, JotWW

Grey Hunters x3

• 8GH MG, MotW, Banner, WG with PF/Combi-melta, Rhino

2 Dreadnoughts PC/HF

2x Long Fangs 5x ML Las/Plas Razorback

Long Fangs 3x ML 2x PC Las/Plas Razorback

Army Overview/Match Strategy

            This is my Bjorn Alpha Strike SW list.  Normally against GK I would just run Njal, Max Long Fangs, and as many GH squads as the remaining points allow.  However I feel that the Alpha strike shooting Bjorn list is slightly better because I have a better chance of getting first turn and putting your mobility out on turn 1.  Personally this isn’t my favorite SW list I play but it has been super effective and I will need a super effective list to place well at the Bay Area Open.  Strategy?  Shoot all the transports first (especially the Stormravens), destroy, or immobilize them and move in for the mop up operation.  Quick, effective, and easy if the rolls go your way.

Sands’ Grey Knights

Librarian

- Shrouding, Quicksilver, Might of Titan

Castellan Crowe

Purifier Squad: Sol x10

- Psycannons x2
- Incinerators x2

- Halberds x5

- Master-crafted Daemonhammer

Rhino: Sol

Purifier Squad: Luna Support

- Psycannons x2

- Halberds x3

Rhino: Luna

Purifier Squad: Luna Forward Element x5

- Incinerators x2

- Halberds x2

- Master-crafted Daemonhammer

Razorback: Luna

- Twin-linked Assault Cannon

- Psybolt Ammo

- Dozer Blade

Purifier Squad: Himmel x9
- Falchions x4

- Halberds x4

- Master-crafted Daemonhammer

Stormraven Gunship: Nacht

- Psybolt Ammo

- Twin-linked Multi-Melta

- Twin-linked Assault Cannon

Stormraven Gunship: Morgen

- Psybolt Ammo

- Twin-linked Multi-Melta

- Twin-linked Assault Cannon

Army Overview/Match Strategy

            As my first introduction to the Bay Area Open missions, I hadn’t realized how difficult it was to garner a win. Though I was ahead in kill points from the onset of the game, trying to maintain all of the different units than can contest objective and weighing their ability to threat provides for a much more interesting game. My general strategy was to bring down the Dreadnoughts and drop off the kill squad into the meat of Overwatch’s army. The Stormravens would continue to move flat out and eventually serve as contesting units. The two Rhinos and one Razorback would provide a firebase to hold the objectives.

Overwatch’s Grades

Bjorn: B- He got stuck in combat which wasn’t terrible but his re-roll was nullified by a Seize the Initiative by Sand…

Rune Priest: F  His Runic Weapon nullified 1 power all game, and that’s all I rely on him for in a game against GK.

Grey Hunters: B- they lasted a little, got some objectives and did better than normal Marines so slightly above average.

Dreads: C- they were super ineffective this game.

Long Fangs: D I don’t think they could have done any worse if they tried.

Sands Grades:

Librarian A: Did his job, distributing The Shrouding and keeping his unit/transport a difficult target to finish off. Quicksilvered to kill on squad, then proceeded to keep Bjorn in combat for the rest of the game. What more could I ask for?

Castellan Crowe B: He actually killed a unit of Long Fangs and a Rune Priest and had the potential to win me the game. First time he’s ever been so useful.

Purifier Squad: Sol B: They shot and destroyed stuff while soaking up a large amount of firepower.

Purifier Squad: Luna Support N/A: Sat on the C&C objective in the corner all game.

Purifier Squad: Luna Forward Element C: Sat in the Razorback and moved in to solidify a tie.

Razorback: Luna B+: I’m starting to really enjoy these 90-point boxes of twin-linked psycannon gat-down. The potential mobility and overall utility of the Razorback really is true...

Purifier Squad: Himmel C: They killed a squad and proceeded to get stuck in with Bjorn for the rest of the game. Suffered perils twice, though.

Stormraven Gunship: Nacht B: Soaked two turns of Overwatch’s shooty Space Wolves. Good enough for me.

Stormraven Gunship: Morgen B: Delivered Crowe into the heart of the enemy army – all the while taking potshots at enemy Rhinos and Razorbacks.

 Final Thoughts

Sand:

            Like usual, seizing the initiative against Overwatch provides me with the initial flat out move for the Stormravens, allowing me to plant a firm footing into his lines with the Librarian Kill Squad. I made mistakes with the Razorback and forward Rhino unit – I should have been far more aggressive. The Dreadnoughts posed a threat, but I knew that killing or disabling them would be fairly easy (not counting Bjorn). I’ve been testing slightly different list builds, but 1750 seems to be a fairly awkward points number. I’m not entirely sure if I’ll be keeping both of the Stormravens and the Razorback, as the meta seems to be a bit for favorable for some Land Raider shenanigans. Regardless, I’m looking forward to Bay Area Open.

Overwatch:

I had some pretty key strategies flummoxed by bad dice rolls. With out the Alpha strike this list gets hosed pretty quick against a smart opponent like Sand with a fast list. Despite my terrible performance I did eek out a draw so I can’t complain entirely, I just need the Rune Priest to nullify powers against GK and in a game where that fails to happen I am truly sunk. Good game though, it was fun to experience once again just how nigh on indestructible Bjorn can be.