Surprise Apocalypse

I went out yesterday looking for a pick up game at http://www.yourhobbyplace.com/, and walked in just in time to deploy with Team Evil for an Apocalypse Game! The store was running a custom scenario with a strike force of Imperial Fists, Black Templar, and Grey Knights trying to reach an area surrounded by Tyranids, Traitor Guard, Necrons, and Daemons. Team Evil was substantially outnumbered, but was allowed to recycle a portion of its fallen units every turn...

With the deployment clock ticking, I put half my Daemons on the tabletop per the scenario's rules. The Seekers and Great Unclean One took up position in the Center with the Necrons, while the Bloodcrushers and Fiends took the left flank with the Tyranids.

Above is the left flank where my Daemons spent most of their time fighting. The Imperial Fists alone brought 6 Land Raiders to the party. I spent most of my time fighting in the ruins on the top left, which housed 2 Dreadnoughts, a Command Squad, and full Assault and Devastator squads.

The Imperial Right flank. The Dreadknights were delayed by infiltrating Genestealers and Flayed Ones, but there are alot of Grey Knight Terminators and Templar Assault squads in there. Not pictured are the 3 Storm Ravens held in reserve for a late game objective grab. 

The center of the Imperial Fists formation. The sheer size of the armored column worked against Team Good, effectively bottlenecking them. Then again, Land Raiders aren't just transports...

Team Evil won the roll to go first. The Fiends got a decent fleet roll and went straight for the Assault Squad waiting to move out. Half the squad went down before they got a chance to swing, but the remaining 5 hung on and starting slowly grinding down the pack.

Panning out on Turn 1, the Scarabs assault one of the lead Land Raiders and wreck it, while Traitor Guard wreck another. Hormagaunts charge one of the Terminator squads, kill a few, and break. The Hive Tyrant and Bloodcrushers close in behind the Fiends.

The Bloodcrushers, thinned considerably by Imperial Fist fire, about to finish off the Assault Squad. The Dreads declined to save them, instead firing into the advancing Hive Tyrant last turn in a futile attempt to bring it down.

A broader view of Evil Turn 2. In the top right, a C'tan, the Great Unclean One, and the Seekers prepare to pile into the demeched Terminators. Daemon reinforcements piled in around the Icon. 

Good turn 2. On the right, the Black Templar and Imperial Fists roll out, tank shocking through the remnants of the first wave. In my little corner, the Vindicator pivots to start shelling the clustered Daemons, while the Command Squad and Razorback pivot and disembark to stop any potential assaults . In the background, a Scythed Hierodule begins its rampage through the Imperial Fists' rear.

On the last turn. The Imperium ended up short of the objective, with most of their armor wrecked midfield and their occupants bogged down in assault. In the center the Great Unclean One and a C'tan square off against Assault Terminators and the remnants of a Black Templar Assault Squad.

In retrospect the scenario could have used some tweaking. It was definitely winnable for the Imperium, but the time limit (4 hours) made it extremely unlikely. The objectives also forced them to move directly towards our guns and assault range.

Nevertheless, it was alot of fun and allowed me to meet some new gamers. Looking forward to dropping in next weekend.