Xilos Campaign - Scenario 6 - A Greater Conflict 750 points

Well I certainly hope everyone has enjoyed their time spent on Xilos.  It won’t be long until we’re fleeing the collapsing planet and clambering on board whatever vessel is available to help us escape, but before the mad panic…  I mean “considered retreat” we have one last scenario to wade ourselves through.  Or prevent others from wading through to safety if you’re a cold hearted, mean spirited, bad tempered, human hating, lip smacking, thirst quenching Ghar. 

So as this scenario has every faction we have a whole bunch of army lists to consider for every faction.

There is the option to play this scenario with 1,000 or 750 point lists.  I’m going to aim for 750 points for now, I may revisit in future and make supplemental 1,000 point lists though.

Force Selector

Faction	Points	Tactical (t)	Support (s)	Strategic (g)	Auxiliary (a)
Algoryn	375	1*-4	0-1	0	0-1
Concord	375	1*-4	0-1	0	0-1
Isorians	750	4-6	0-2	0	0-1
Merc Boromites	750	4-8	0-4	0	0-1
Merc Freeborn	750	4-7	0-3	0	0-1
Ghar Empire	750	2-4	0-1	0	0-1
Ghar Rebels	750	4-12	0-3	0	0-1

The Concord and Algoryn are going to be using the Combined Forces rule on pages 66 & 67 of the Xilos book.  Due to the low points values available we will presume that they only have to take a single tactical choice as noted in the Combine Forces section.

Scenario

Essentially there is a big 12x6 battlefield.  On one side are two antagonistic Ghar forces, the other is a big giant wave of destruction as the planet implodes.  Between them are the other factions all trying to fight past the Ghar, while carrying their relics before the ground beneath their feet beings to crumble. Or trying to capture the relics from the other factions as they dash past them and into the Ghar. 

Essentially we’ll be wanting our non-Ghar forces to contain some infantry units to carry relics and our Ghar forces to be well armoured to hammer the other Ghar force before the miserable abominations try and spoil the fun.

Also, because they play such a crucial role in much of the back story, we’ll want to try and get as many of the named characters in as possible.

Selecting the armies

As there are so many lists to do, we’ll just put the list together for each of the factions without pulling the unit details apart too much.

Concord & Algoryn Alliance
(t) Tar Es Janar (105), 4x Troopers (+60) = 185
(t) AI Assault Squad (120) = 120
(s) Support Team (38) = 38
(a) Medic Team (30) = 30
Algoryn Subtotal = 373
(t) Commander in Chief Josen (134), 2x Troopers (+44) = 178
(t) Strike Squad (112), Lance (+3) = 115
(s) C3D1 LS Drone (59) = 59
(a) Targeter Probes (20) = 20
(o) Well Prepared (5) = 5
Concord Subtotal = 377
Total = 750 points & 8 order dice.

Because Tar Es Janar and Josen are both substituting for Limited Choices we’ll need to ensure there are enough units to permit their inclusion. 

Isorians

(t) Done Commander Xantu (61), Spotter (+10), Nano Probe Net (+30), 2x LS Drones (+158) = 259
(t) Phase Squad (112), 3x Troops (60), Lance (+3), Spotter (+10) = 185
(t) Tsan Ra Phase Squad (93), Spotter (+10) Slingnet (+5) = 108
(t) Pulse Bike Squad (136), Spotter (+10), Compactor Drone with Plasma Cannon (+25) = 171
(a) Targeter Probes (20) = 20
(o) Well Prepared (5) = 5
Total = 748 points & 6 order dice (the Nano Probe Net adds an order dice).

The increased squad members in the Phase Squad ought to permit them to run the gauntlet across the table, supported by the Tsan Ra who can hopefully punch a hole through most things for them. 

Mercenary Boromites

(t) Arran Gestalin (120), 2xGun Drones (+28), 2x Shield Drones (+20), HL Boster (+20) = 188
(t) Gang Fighters (97), Lectro Lash (+5) = 102
(t) Work Gang (98), Heavy Tractor Mauls (+0), Borer Drone (+15), Reflex Armour (+10) = 123
(t) Work Gang (98), Mass Compactors (+0), 2x Vorpal Charges (+20) = 118
(s) Rock Rider Squad (97), Lectro Lances (+12) = 109
(s) Support Team (36) = 36
(s) Support Team (36) = 36
(s) Support Team (36), X-Launcher (+0) = 36
Total = 748 points & 8 order dice.

Long range fire power from a couple of Mag LS backed up by X-Launcher along with some close combat muscle to wrestle relics from passers by.  The Rock Riders provide a little extra mobility on a large battlefield.

Mercenary Freeborn

(t) Amano Harran (126), 6x Bodyguards (+126), HL Booster (+20), Medi Drone (+20), Batter Drone (+20), Shield Drone (+10), Phase Armour (+7) = 329
(t) Vardanari (124) = 124
(t) Domari (97), Mag gun (+3), Micro-X Launcher (+0) = 100
(t) Domari (97), Mag gun (+3), Micro-X Launcher (+0) = 100
(s) Support Team (34) = 34
(a) LS Drone (59) = 59
Total = 746 points & 6 order dice.

A solid hard hitting core of bodyguards for Amano Harran, with lots of fire absorption to keep him safe.  Long range firepower form the Mag LS and the LS Drone, while using the Domari in support of the two elite units with their Micro-X Launchers.

Ghar Empire

(t) Battle Squad (184), Plasma Amps (+30) = 214
(t) Battle Squad (184), Plasma Amps = 214
(t) Disruptor Cannon (24)
(s) Karg (264), Plasma Amp (+10) = 274
(a) Tectors (20) = 20
Total = 746 points & 6 (+3 Amp) order dice.

Two solid Ghar Battle Squads and Karg can pump out loads of disruption to anything that comes close to them.  Along with a couple of units to absorb the “disruptor dice”. 

Rebel Ghar

(t) Fartok (179), 2x Trooper (+170) = 349
(t) Black Guard (61), Plasma Carbine (+3), Plasma Lance (+6), Micro-X Launcher (+0) = 70
(t) Black Guard (61), Plasma Carbine (+3), Plasma Lance (+6), Micro-X Launcher (+0) = 70
(t) Black Guard (61), Plasma Carbine (+3), Plasma Lance (+6), Micro-X Launcher (+0) = 70
(t) Disruptor Cannon (24) =24
(t) Mag Cannon Team (36) = 36
(s) Rebel Creeper (88), Mag Cannon (+10), Plasma Amp (+10) = 108
(a) Tectors (20) = 20
Total = 747 points & 9 (+2 Amp) order dice.

Lots of smaller Ghar units to drop pins on anything that comes too close (and can ignore a pin themselves with a friendly Tector nearby), but the death dealing comes at ranged from the MoD 2 (Amped to be MoD 3) Creeper with Mag Cannon and the Rebel Leader himself, Fartok.

And there we have our pick of whichever faction we end up taking in the massive scenario 6 battle.

If all these forces were on the table at once a massive 53 order dice (+5 for Amplifiers) would go into the bag for the first turn.  It would probably take up the best part of the day…  Now to find some willing victims players.

And that concludes out time on Xilos. 

As the planet is consumed in a whirling miasma of temporal confusion we’ll sail away on which ever ship will have us and plunge back through the gate to the Antarean Gate System, ready to start on the 1,000 point lists for all factions.

Until next time!

Xilos Campaign - Scenario 5 - Defenders 1000 points

Ghar Empire defending?  Surely not?  What could possibly have the great Ghar Empire on the back foot..? Oh yeah, that accursed, disgraced slave of an outcast Fartok!!

Don’t forget the markers for the jails…

http://store.warlordgames.com/collections/beyond-the-gates-of-antares/products/beyond-the-gates-of-antares-jail-break-cards-pdf

As noted in the previous post for the Rebel list, the Xilos book suggests either 1,000 or 1,250 point forces, I’m going to stick to just 1,000 for now.

As the Ghar Empire is being attacked by Rebels lead by Fartok, seems the obvious choice to take is Karg, that ought to show those arrogant little upstarts a thing or two.

Force Selector

Force size	Points Value	Tactical (t)	Support (s)	Strategic (g)	Auxiliary (a)
Combat Force	1000	3-5	0-2	0-1	0-2

We need a minimum of 3 Tactical Choices.  Knowing that most of the Rebels have inferior (and probably scavenged from those abominations) putting our reliance into good proper well-made Ghar Battle Suits seems the right thing to do. 

Add in a Karg and see where that take us.

Scenario

There are 6 holding pens dotted around the battlefield.  As defenders we must stop the Rebels from opening any more than three of them due to the Victory Points on offer.  Therefore we’ll need units that can sit and hold objectives, is anyone else thinking battle suits?

Selecting the army

Karg is first on the list.  Let’s give him all the upgrades too, he deserves the extra few points, unless we run out of points of course.

Then a few units of battle suited Ghar and perhaps a Bomber squad too.

These are all quite expensive, so lets take a quick peek before we end up having to chop bits out…

(t) Battle Squad (184), Plasma Amps (+30) = 214
(t) Battle Squad (184), Plasma Amps (+30) = 214
(t) Assault Squad (184), Plasma Amps (+30) = 214
(s) Karg (264), Plasma Dump (+5), Plasma Amplifier (+10), Hand Picked Crew (+10) = 289
(s) Bomber Squad (127), Plasma Amps (+20) = 147
Total = 1,078 points & 6 (+5 Amp) order dice.

Well that awkward.  5 units and still over the limit.  No spare unit to put a “disruptor” dice on either.  How many units had I anticipated the outcasts bringing?  More than 10?  Hmmm…

There are 120 points in Plasma Amps in the above.   

The agonising question for all Ghar players.  To Plasma Amp or not to Plasma Amp?

I think in this scenario, as we’re defending I am going to risk not taking Plasma Amps throughout. 

Karg can also lose his Plasma Dump and Hand Picked crew too.

We’ll add a unit of outcasts which would allow only 14 points left...

(t) Battle Squad (184) = 184
(t) Battle Squad (184) = 184
(t) Assault Squad (184) = 184
(t) Outcasts (43) = 43
(s) Karg (264) = 264
(s) Bomber Squad (127) = 127
Total = 986 points & 7 order dice.

There’s not much in the Ghar list you can get for 14 points.  It is tempting to give the Outcasts plasma grenades in the hopes of letting them create minefields for the poorly armoured rebels to try and get past.  They could hopefully get a mine field or two down around some of the objectives too.

I think that’s sorted it then.

This makes the final list:

(t) Battle Squad (184) = 184
(t) Battle Squad (184) = 184
(t) Assault Squad (184) = 184
(t) Outcasts (43), Plasma Grenades (+12) = 55
(s) Karg (264) = 264
(s) Bomber Squad (127) = 127
Total = 998 points & 7 order dice.

We have 5 units that could potentially just sit on objectives and hopefully mutually support each other.  In fact we know we only have to defend four out of the six objectives, so perhaps 5 reasonably resistant units would work.

The minefield sowing outcasts are an interesting twist.

Just hope the lack of Plasma Amplifiers doesn’t come back and blow up in my face.

Until next time!

Xilos Campaign - Scenario 5 - Attackers 1000 points

I’m so excited by this next scenario, Jail Break.  More Ghar than you could shake a reasonably priced stick at.

First things first though, we’ll need some markers for the jails…

http://store.warlordgames.com/collections/beyond-the-gates-of-antares/products/beyond-the-gates-of-antares-jail-break-cards-pdf

The Xilos book suggests either 1,000 or 1,250 point forces, I’m going to stick to just 1,000 for now.

As this battle is Ghar V Ghar I’m really intent on taking both Karg and Fartok for their respective forces.  This post is looking at the Rebels as the attackers

Force Selector

Force size	Points Value	Tactical (t)	Support (s)	Strategic (g)	Auxiliary (a)
Combat Force	1000	5-15	1-5	0-1	0-2

15 Tactical choices.  15.  A potential total of 23 units in all.  That is perhaps rather a lot.  Even for my filthy collecting habit.

Scenario

There are 6 holding pens dotted around the battlefield.  Our objective is to crack them all open to win the game by being in contact with the holding pen at the end of the turn.  We cannot break open the holding pen if the enemy have a unit also in contact.  Neither flitters nor tectors count for opening or preventing the opening of these holding pens.  There are Victory Points available for each holding pen, so we need to be able to open at least three of them to claim a draw.

Our Rebel force will require the ability to shift Ghar armoured troops off the holding cells and then have a unit race to open the holding cell.  It’s not going to be east.

Selecting the army
Fartok.  Have to take Fartok.  He is after all the leader of the Rebels.  Although he is also a Limited Choice we just have to take him, we’ll give him bodyguard too.

Want a good variety of regular cheap units to build the unit count up to start taking more Limited Choices.

A few Black Guard, a command squad and special weapon teams.  Not going to pick too many of the regular Outcast units because hopefully we’ll spring some of these from the holding pens.

Special choices I aim to have a unit of Creepers and an armoured battle suit squad or two.

I quite like the look of the Attack Crawler too for the strategic choice, but again this is a Limited option.

Think that is 4 limited options so that means finding 12 non-Limited Choices.  Tectors and Fliters drop this down to 10.  Command, 3 Black Guard, 1 Regular Outcast and 5 special weapons ought to do it.

Let’s add all that up and see what we actually get:

(t) Fartok (179), 2x Bodyguard (+170), 2x Plasma Claws (+10) = 359
(t) Rebel Command Squad (73), Maglashes (+6) = 79
(t) Black Guard (61), Plasma Carbine (+3), Plasma Lance (+6), Micro-X Launcher (+0) = 70
(t) Black Guard (61), Plasma Carbine (+3), Plasma Lance (+6), Micro-X Launcher (+0) = 70
(t) Black Guard (61), Plasma Carbine (+3), Plasma Lance (+6), Micro-X Launcher (+0) = 70
(t) Outcast Rebel Squad (49) = 49
(t) Rebel Disruptor Cannon Team (26) = 26
(t) Rebel Disruptor Cannon Team (26) = 26
(t) Rebel Mag Light Support Team (26) = 26
(t) Rebel Mag Cannon Team (36) = 36
(t) Rebel Quad Mag Repeater Team (26) = 26
(s) Battle Squad (184), Plasma Amps (+30) = 214
(s) Creeper (88), Additional Creeper (+88), Mag Cannon (+10), Plasma Amps (+20) = 206
(g) Attack Crawler (186), Mag Cannon (+10), Plasma Amp (+10) = 206
(a) Tectors (20) = 20
(a) Flitters (20) = 20
Total = 1,503 points & 18 (+4 Amp) order dice.

Eek.  Rather overexcited with all the fresh new Rebel Ghar equipment.  It’s sooo shiny.

Some heavy pruning to be done (although I may have just found my 1,500 Rebel Ghar list).

Logical items to bin first would be the Battle Squad, or Creepers or Attack Crawler.  Perhaps even get rid of two of the three.  As they are all similar points I will keep the slightly more expensive Battle Suit squad.  That’s about 400 points dropped.

Then the Outcast Rebel Squad (there’s plenty more of them in the holding cells), a Black Guard Squad and some of the support weapons, with an eye to keeping the Mag Cannon.

After some chopping:

(t) Fartok (179), 2x Bodyguard (+170), 2x Plasma Claws (+10) = 359
(t) Rebel Command Squad (73), Maglashes (+6) = 79
(t) Black Guard (61), Plasma Carbine (+3), Plasma Lance (+6), Micro-X Launcher (+0) = 70
(t) Black Guard (61), Plasma Carbine (+3), Plasma Lance (+6), Micro-X Launcher (+0) = 70
(t) Rebel Disruptor Cannon Team (26) = 26
(t) Rebel Mag Light Support Team (26) = 26
(t) Rebel Mag Cannon Team (36) = 36
(s) Battle Squad (184), Plasma Amps (+30) = 214
(a) Tectors (20) = 20
(a) Flitters (20) = 20
Total = 920 points & 10 (+2 Amp) order dice.

Gives us 80 points to play with now.

Swapping the battle suits out for the Creepers (or Crawler) would release 8 points and be less Ghar Empire feel and more Rebel Ghar.  Plus they are always MoD 2, yet can Amp up to MoD 3.

Looking at Scourer Cannons, which is probably what the Ghar Empire opponent would have, I think I’d rather have a Res 12 battle suit than a Res 10 Creeper.  But then the Creeper is a Vehicle and could battle through. 

Okay, drop the Battle Suits and take the two Creepers from before. 

We could take a third Mag LS equipped creeper with the 88 remaining points, but want to check all the other options yet.

Put back in the regular Outcast squad and a support weapons and we’re almost done.

Or, at 88 points a unit of Attack Scutters with no upgrades. 

Where are we up to with the number of units…  10 so far.  We have 2 Limited Choices (Fartok and the Creepers) already, and the Scutters would take us to 11 units and 3 Limited Choices, which can’t be done.  Outcasts it is.

I make that 13 points left. 

I will take the Get Up army option, because I’m sure at some point Fartok will probably end up down and he really is key to the mission.  This will hopefully his get out of jail free card…

This makes the final list:

(t) Fartok (179), 2x Bodyguard (+170), 2x Plasma Claws (+10) = 359
(t) Rebel Command Squad (73), Maglashes (+6) = 79
(t) Black Guard (61), Plasma Carbine (+3), Plasma Lance (+6), Micro-X Launcher (+0) = 70
(t) Black Guard (61), Plasma Carbine (+3), Plasma Lance (+6), Micro-X Launcher (+0) = 70
(t) Outcast Rebel Squad (49) = 49
(t) Rebel Disruptor Cannon Team (26) = 26
(t) Rebel Disruptor Cannon Team (26) = 26
(t) Rebel Mag Light Support Team (26) = 26
(t) Rebel Mag Cannon Team (36) = 36
(s) Creeper (88), Additional Creeper (+88), Mag Cannon (+10), Plasma Amps (+20) = 206
(a) Tectors (20) = 20
(a) Flitters (20) = 20
(o) Get Up (10) = 10
Total = 997 points & 13 (+2 Amp) order dice.

Fartok ought to be able to defeat any regular Ghar squad on his own, but not if he starts to get out numbered.  The Creepers can drop a lot of fire into the enemy (especially when MoD 3), keeping a Tector nearby too.  The Black Guard squads will have their advance covered by the multitude of various support teams, again accompanied by their friendly neighbourhood tector.

Well, it’s almost a plan…

Until next time!

Xilos Campaign - Scenario 4 - Defenders 750 points

As a reminder, Warlord have very kindly made tunnel templates for everyone to download and enjoy. They can be found here:

http://store.warlordgames.com/products/beyond-the-gates-of-antares-xilos-tunnels-pdf

As we’ve used the Boromites as attackers already, we’ll take the Ghar as the defenders using the list form the main rule book.

The rules prohibit models with a base size larger than 50mm.  Vehicles are also out of the question, imagine trying to explain to Karg you got a Command Crawler wedged in a hole…

750 points it is then.

Force Selector

Force size	Points Value	Tactical (t)	Support (s)	Strategic (g)	Auxiliary (a)
Combat Force	750	2-4	0-1	0	0-1

A minimum of 2 tactical options, which will be easy to fit, as one of them must be a Battle Squad.

Scenario

We start the scenario by excavating and exploring tunnels on our way to the central point of the table.  Once a player lays a tunnelling piece next to the central line of caverns then the game begins in full.

The Ghar are really at the mercy of the fickle nature of the dice at the pre-game digging.  It is likely the Boromites will break through first and have the initiative, so having a good few units ought to push them back.

Victory is achieved by controlling more of the initial 5 Builder caverns than the opponent (discovered caverns along the way don’t count) which indicates fighting will get up close and rather personal in the enclosed tunnels.  So we’ll be wanting troops that can look after themselves in hand to hand in confined spaces.

Selecting the army

We aren’t permitted to take vehicles, so no Command Crawler.  There is no point in trying to find a way to bring in the Ghar Bomber Squad.  The Attack Scutters could make it, if we picked the Ghar special character Fartok (from the main rule book) but called him something else.  But I don’t think the Attack Scutters would bring much to the battle…  Which kind of makes the Support choice easy.  There isn’t one.

We have the obligatory Battle Squad. 

Further choices seem to be the Assault Squads.  Possibly with units of 5 figures to be really hard hitting and rock solid in defence. 

Tectorists probably help as a cheap Distort Dice holder when required. 

So will start with this:

(t) Battle Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214
(t) Assault Squad (184), 2 Extra suits (+120), Plasma Amp (+50) = 354
(t) Assault Squad (184), 2 Extra suits (+120), Plasma Amp (+50) = 354
(a) Tectorist Scouts (20) = 20
Total = 942 points & 4 (+3 for Plasma Amps) order dice.

That was ambitiously overestimated.  I think the extra suits will have to go.  Let’s try again…
(t) Battle Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214
(t) Assault Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214
(t) Assault Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214
(a) Tectorist Scouts (20) = 20
Total = 662 points & 4 (+3 for Plasma Amps) order dice.

88 points left.  That’s enough for just 1 suit with a Plasma Amp. 
Dropping all the Plasma Amps would only really get us one extra suit on top of this.  So not worth losing the chance of extra order dice.

For 88 points we could take Outcasts with a Disruptor Cannon, and have change for the bus back to the surface.  But I think it is going to get quite messy down there.

An extra suit I think it is then.  Question is, for which unit.  Do we use the Battle Squad as a shield and protect the Assault Squads until we’re able to strike?  Or do we bypass the risk of tripping our own units over and head directly at the enemy with a reinforced Assault Squad.  Trouble is, if we get caught in the middle ground where the Gouger Gun won’t work.

As the assault Suits will end up in hand to hand, it feels prudent to take an extra one of these.

This makes the final list:

(t) Battle Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214
(t) Assault Squad (184), extra suit (+60), Plasma Amp (+40) = 274
(t) Assault Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214
(t) Disruptor Cannon (24) = 24
(a) Tectorist Scouts (20) = 20
Total = 746 points & 5 (+3 for Plasma Amps) order dice.

The Battle Squad ought to be able to provide some sort of covering fire while the Battle Suits do all they can to trample through the tunnels as quickly as possible to secure those all-important Builder caverns.

Until next time!

Xilos Campaign - Scenario 4 - Attackers 750 points

So far on Xilos (and indeed elsewhere around the battlefield of Antares) all battles have taken place above ground.  This Tunnels scenario takes us into the subterranean depths, battling to find a Builder cavern or two. 

Warlord have very kindly made tunnel templates for everyone to download and enjoy. They can be found here:

http://store.warlordgames.com/products/beyond-the-gates-of-antares-xilos-tunnels-pdf

With a bit of careful planning and slight alteration, something like this could be used as a basis for a game on board a space ship or an orbital dock.  Anyway, on with the lists.

I’ll be using the Boromites as attackers, as the Ghar have already burrowed themselves into Xilos already.  The list will be the Boromite Mercenary list form the Xilos book, as fitting the background of the campaign.

The rules prohibit models with a base size larger than 50mm, so no humongous beasts for us to play with.

Force Selector

Force size	Points Value	Tactical (t)	Support (s)	Strategic (g)	Auxiliary (a)
Combat Force	750	4-8	0-4	0	0-1

We’ve got at a lot of tactical units to choose, with the possibility of having half the army as support choices.  Careful picking could see us with 13 units.  However, perhaps the number of units would work against us while underground…

Scenario
We start the scenario by excavating and exploring tunnels on our way to the central point of the table.  Once a player lays a tunnelling piece next to the central line of caverns then the game begins in full.

The Boromites have a trick up their sleeve in the form of Frag Borers, so we’ll keep an eye on those.

Victory is achieved by controlling more of the initial 5 Builder caverns than the opponent (discovered caverns along the way don’t count) which indicates fighting will get up close and rather personal in the enclosed tunnels.  Not sure what’s worse in a tight space, Ghar secretions or Boromite perspiration…

Selecting the army
Did I mention that my favourite unit is the Boromite Miners with Heavy Tractor Mauls?  They seem ideally suited to fighting underground where their low range won’t hamper them too much, but their startling hand to hand abilities ought to really count when it gets close.

A commander with Follow will also be most useful, as he’ll be close enough to several units at once in the cramped conditions.  But we can only take one command squad in total due to the limitations of the list.  Overseer Squad, Rock Father, Rock Rider Overseer or Arran Gestalin?

The Overseer has Plasma Carbines, normally good for dropping pins on Ghar but only the boss has any significant hand to hand abilities with a hand weapon.  Same applies really to the Rock Father, which is a shame because I rather like the Rock Father.  This leaves the Rock Rider Overseer and Arran Gestalin.  The points values are similar, but I think with the compactness of the tunnels the fewer number of figures would work better.  Plus she has 3 attacks in hand to hand at SV3 so she’s no wimp.  Fortunately the Rock Riders are all mounted on bases of 50mm or smaller, otherwise they wouldn’t fit in the tunnels.

The Gang Fighters with Mag Guns aren’t on the top of my list.  Ghar don’t mind fighting Mag Gun armed troops.  So we may take more Miners with Heavy Tractor Mauls and some units of Workers with Mass Compactors, with their variable SV.  Plus they can all take Vorpal Charges, it’s only underground with nowhere to escape – what’s the worst that could happen?

Lavamites are always fun in hand to hand.  So we’ll take a set of those too.

For Support choices, we will probably want a Frag Borer to help tunnel more effectively. 

No harm in bringing a Mag Light Support and a Mag Cannon too.

The X-Launcher has a tendency to lob its ammo into the air, a rare commodity when fighting underground; we’ll leave that one at home today.

Tempted to take a set of Rock Riders.  Their Rapid Sprint may help bolster a gap.

Rounded off with a shard of Micromite Probes. 

So that’s a lot to be getting on with, how many points though:

(t) Arran Gestalin (120), HL Drone (+20), 2x Shield Drones (+20), Stasis Key (+25) = 185
(t) Work Gang Heavy Tractor Maul (98), Borer Drone (+15), Reflex Armour (+10), Vorpal (+30) = 153
(t) Work Gang Heavy Tractor Maul (98), Borer Drone (+15), Reflex Armour (+10), Vorpal (+30) = 153
(t) Work Gang Mass Compactor (98), Borer Drone (+15), Reflex Armour (+10), Vorpal (+30) = 153
(t) Work Gang Mass Compactor (98), Borer Drone (+15), Reflex Armour (+10), Vorpal (+30) = 153
(t) Lavamites (82) = 82
(s) Support Team (36), Frag Borer (+40) = 76
(s) Support Team (36) = 36
(s) Support Team (36), Mag Cannon (+10) = 46
(s) Rock Riders (97), Lectro Lances (+12) = 109
(a) Micromites (20) = 20
Total = 1,166 points & 11 order dice.

Just a tad over the 750 limit then…  I blame the Boromites for having such cools stuff. 

416 to drop.

Remove 1 unit of Mass Compactors.  And give the other units just one Vorpal Charge each.  That’s 213 gone already.

The Mag Cannon is nice, but its strengths are ranged open combat. 
Tinker with some of the upgrades for the Mass Compactor unit as they don’t need all that kit.

And now wrestling with the idea of dropping another Work Gang, or the Rock Riders or the Frag Borer.

(t) Arran Gestalin (120), HL Drone (+20), 2x Shield Drones (+20), Stasis Key (+25) = 185
(t) Work Gang Heavy Tractor Maul (98), Borer Drone (+15), Reflex Armour (+10), Vorpal (+30) = 133
(t) Work Gang Mass Compactor (98), Vorpal (+10) = 108
(t) Lavamites (82) = 82
(s) Support Team (36), Frag Borer (+40) = 76
(s) Support Team (36) = 36
(s) Rock Riders (97), Lectro Lances (+12) = 109
(a) Micromites (20) = 20
Total = 749 points & 8 order dice.

Hmm…  It’s under the points limit, but I’m not happy with it at first glance.  I’d like a second unit of Heavy Tractor Mauls. 

But perhaps that is too many Lavamite eggs in one basket.

The Ghar can probably only manage three armoured units in their force and we have a combination of units that can work together depending on range and situations.

I would be tempted to drop the Rock Riders (due to their size) and replace with second work Gang with Heavy Tractor Maul and also drop the Mag Light Support to release some points.

So although I don’t have my second Heavy Tractor Maul unit, it is probably for the best.

This makes the final list:

(t) Arran Gestalin (120), HL Drone (+20), 2x Shield Drones (+20), Stasis Key (+25) = 185
(t) Work Gang Heavy Tractor Maul (98), Borer Drone (+15), Reflex Armour (+10), Vorpal (+30) = 133
(t) Work Gang Mass Compactor (98), Vorpal (+10) = 108
(t) Lavamites (82) = 82
(s) Support Team (36), Frag Borer (+40) = 76
(s) Support Team (36) = 36
(s) Rock Riders (97), Lectro Lances (+12) = 109
(a) Micromites (20) = 20
Total = 749 points & 8 order dice.

Using Arran to issue her orders (and with Hero and Init of 8 she has other strengths) and blast away with the Stasis Key allowing the rest of the force to try and force the Ghar into a bottleneck and then hit them with a good few hand to hand units. 

The Micromites may help in a defensive situation, keeping them near the advancing Boromites, should the Ghar close into hand to hand then there could be some +1s to hit for the point blank shooting if positioned well.

It might work, right?  Unless the Ghar come up with something equally sneeky…

Until next time!

Xilos Campaign - Scenario 3 - Exploration

Brace yourselves folks…  **WOOSH**  That’s right, another campaign week speeding by.  Time for another set of lists for me to consider taking down to the surface of Xilos.

An unusual set of lists this time however.  The suggestion in the book states Exploration scenario can be played between 3 and 5 players (well, 2 and 5 players but 3 looks more fun).  As such the Explorers can take forces of 750 points, the explorers being Concord, Algoryn, Mercenary Boromites and Mercenary Freeborn.  The fifth faction being the Ghar with a variable points limit depending on the number of Explorers, essentially the Ghar get half the points available to the total amount of the Explorers.

Force Selector

Faction	Points	Tactical (t)	Support (s)	Strategic (g)	Auxiliary (a)
Algoryn	750	4-7	0-3	0	0-1
Concord	750	4-6	0-2	0	0-1
Merc Boromites	750	4-8	0-4	0	0-1
Merc Freeborn	750	4-7	0-3	0	0-1

Faction	Points	Tactical (t)	Support (s)	Strategic (g)	Auxiliary (a)
Ghar – 750	750	2-4	0-1	0	0-1
Ghar – 1125	1125	3-6	0-3	0-2	0-2
Char – 1500	1500	4-8	0-4	0-3	0-3

Boromites could potentially take the most numerous of units.

A common theme is a minimum of 4 tactical choices for all factions.

The Ghar with 1125 would use the Battle Force as this fits within the point value bracket.

Scenario
This scenario is all about the Explorers trying to capture relics left behind by the ancient Builders.  Infantry and dismounted mounted infantry are able to pick up the relics and move them off a friendly board edge, or failing that just having possession of the relic.  This means fast moving infantry which are able to handle themselves in a fight.

The Explorers get to start the game on the table, so no worrying about being delayed, unless there isn’t room to set up some units. 

The Ghar are out to stop the Explorers from capturing relics and to do what Ghar do best, cause mayhem.  It is the Ghar player that places the relics around the table before the deployment (I feel inclined to place the relics in two distinct groups, both equally distance between two pairs of Explorers, so that the Explorers end up bickering with each other.  Also makes the Ghar’s job a bit easier to concentrate their efforts in a few places rather than try and rule the battlefield) so thinking about where you’ll place them is an important part of the strategy.

Selecting the army

We’ve got lots of lists to get through and we’ve covered the pros and cons of most of the units available for each faction either with these Xilos lists or the original 500 point lists.  So let’s crack on then eh?

Algoryn Force:

Going to try a Transport Drone to take some AI Units and an Assault Squad as quickly as possible to the relics and hopefully pick them up and drop them off in the relative safety of the Transporter.  What was that?  Booing and hissing at such an underhand tactic? 

(t) AI Assault Squad (120) = 120

(t) AI Squad (94), Extra Micro-X (+0), Overload ammo (+15) = 109
(t) AI Squad (97), Extra Micro-X (+0), Overload ammo (+15) = 109
(t) AI Squad (97), Extra Micro-X (+0), Overload ammo (+15) = 109
(s) Support Team (38) = 38
(s) Support Team (38), X-Launcher (+0), Net ammo (+5), Spotter Drone (+10) = 58
(g) AI Defiant Transport Skimmer (164), Batter (+20), 2x Shield Drones (+20) = 204
Total = 747 points & 7 order dice (Defiant Skimmer is MoD 2).

Concord Force:

The glorious Drop Squads make an appearance.  They’ll be able to bound in and take relics before bounding away again.  A LS Drone for mobile support and a couple of teams of Strike Squads to either move up to reach the Drop Squads, or to form a defensive position for the Drop Squads to fall back to.

(t) Drop Command (141), 2 Extra Troops (+54), Plasma Grenades (+10) = 205

(t) Drop Squad (176), Extra Lance (+5), Spotter (+10), Plasma Grenades (+10) = 201
(t) Strike Squad (112), Plasma Lance (+3), Spotter (+10) = 125
(t) Strike Squad (112), Plasma Lance (+3), Spotter (+10) = 125
(s) Light Support Drone (59), Spotter (+10) = 69
(a) Targeter Probe Shard (20) = 20
(o) Well Prepared (5) = 5
Total = 750 points & 6 order dice.

Mercenary Boromite Force:

The Mercenary list obliges us to take a Command Unit of some type, but we aren’t restricted by the Limited Choice.  A solid group of cheapish foot troops with their specialist weapons to mutually support a rolling ground advance.  Much like a mudslide.

(t) Overseer Squad (105), Tractor Maul (+5), Spotter (+10) = 120

(t) Work Gang (98), Reflex Armour (+10), Mass Compactors (+0) = 108
(t) Work Gang (98), Reflex Armour (+10), Heavy Tractor Mauls (+0) = 108
(t) Gang Fighters (97), Lecto Lash (+5) = 102
(t) Gang Fighters (97), Lecto Lash (+5) = 102
(t) Lavamites (82) = 82
(s) Support Team (36), Spotter (+10) = 46
(s) Support Team (36), X-Launcher (+0), All Ammo (+15), Spotter (+10) = 61
(a) Micromite Shard (20) = 20
Total = 749 points & 9 order dice

Mercenary Freeborn Force:
We’ll take Amano Harran, he has a good eye for relic acquisition.  Bodyguard using the regular command unit figures will keep him safe.  Then taking as many infantry units as possible while keeping an eye on support choices, never know when the Ghar will show up (well, okay, we know they WILL show up form turn 2 onwards).

(t) Amano Harran (126), 3 Bodyguards (+63), Batter Drone (+20), HL Booster (+20) = 229

(t) Vardanari Squad (124), Spotter (+10) = 134
(t) Domari Squad (97), Spotter (+10) = 107
(t) Domari Squad (97), Spotter (+10) = 107
(s) Support Team (34), Spotter (+10) = 44
(s) Support Team (34), X-Launcher (+0), All Ammo (+15), Spotter (+10) = 59
(a) Light Support Drone (59), Spotter (+10) = 69
Total = 749 points & 7 order dice

Ghar 750 Point Force:

Against two separate factions we’re going to struggle. I think the MoD of the Command Crawler may help it race to the majority of the uncontested relics early on, then hopefully sit it out until the suits arrive.  The Outcast squad is there for dropping a distort or upsetting the Explorer faction’s support weapons.

(t) Battle Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214

(t) Assault Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214
(t) Outcast Squad (43), Disruptor Cannon (+24) = 43
(s) Command Crawler (243), Plasma Dump (+5) = 248
(o) Block (5) = 5
Total = 748 points & 4 (+3 for Plasma Amps) order dice.

Ghar 1125 Point Force:

Builds on the previous 750 points, but can take slightly more in this force.  A Bomber Squad should fit nicely, especially if Amped up.

(t) Battle Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214

(t) Assault Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214
(t) Assault Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214
(t) Outcast Squad (43) = 43
(t) Disruptor Cannon = 24
(s) Command Crawler (243), Plasma Dump (+5) = 248
(s) Bomber Squad (127), Plasma Amp (+20) = 147
(a) Tectorist Scouts (20) = 20
Total = 1124 points & 8 (+5 for Plasma Amps) order dice.

Ghar 1500 Point Force:

Can really go to town on this force as we build on the above.  Additional Battle and Bomber Squads to create a very impressive force.  This may even turn out to be my regular 1,500 point force now I’ve seen it.

(t) Battle Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214

(t) Battle Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214
(t) Assault Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214
(t) Assault Squad (184), Plasma Amp (+30) = 214
(t) Outcast Squad (43) = 43
(t) Disruptor Cannon = 24
(s) Karg 12-40-9 (267), Hand Picked Crew (+10) = 277
(s) Bomber Squad (127), Plasma Amp (+20) = 147
(s) Bomber Squad (127), Plasma Amp (+20) = 147
(o) Well Prepared (5) = 5
Total = 1499 points & 9 (+7 for Plasma Amps) order dice.

The relics are a really useful boost for the factions in the next few battles.  Any advantage that can be gained here is well worth it.

Until next time!