Battle #12

[catalyst2]

It was 1750 points against Dave's Ultramarines tonight. It was that total because the Skulls tournament this weekend uses that number and Dave wanted to practice. It was Dawn of War deployment for Annihilation mission - my two least liked choices. I'm really not sure how to go about Annihilation missions so I've got to work on that more.

I was trying out 4 tactical squads for the first time so that was also interesting to experience. It was pretty even until Dave's Terminators/Land Raider combo tore into my right wing and cut down everything in its path. On the left, I screwed up my sniper squad (first use of that in 10-man squad) with bad positioning meaning that they got shot up badly first turn and then shredded in two turns to CC. Not even one shot fired, damnit! Having 6 combat squads (+2 Razorbacks) on the left wing led to some congestion and very astute maneuvering by Dave meant I could never press home my numerical advantage. In the centre I wasted the 4th tactical squad (which I didn't split) and the two Land Speeders because I prevaricated between the two wings (Dave had nothing in the centre after Turn two) and ended up doing nothing on either wing really.

In the end it was a loss, 7KP to 3.

What I learned today
1) I like the feel of the 4 tactical squads but I am not always going to split them. The 4th tactical squad reminded me of how hefty a full squad can feel.
2) I think my army lists are getting better but my use of them is not that much better - I need to have a clearer plan of what to do and select my targets more in line with that plan
3) I like the melta gun/multi-melta combo for tactical squads, especially when I can put the melta gun with a sergeant with power fist, plasma pistol and melta bombs.
4) not withstanding point #3 above, putting a lascannon into a tactical squad was interesting, being one of the few heavy weapons that did any significant damage tonight.
5) I am not good at using the Infiltration/Outflanking/Scout USR's so I need to work on that more.

As always, thanks for a great game Dave - and also thanks for plenty of advice, also as always.

My W-L-D record is now 7-5-0.