Beasts of Shadow War

I spent most of this week dashing around getting various bits ready for posting. So, seeing as one of my regular sparring partners was off work, we arranged a game night at mine for a change and with the recent release of Shadow War, we thought it would be rude not to give it a go.

We decided the best way to run this was to play a short campaign to get a feel for the rules and to give the progression part of Shadow War it's spotlight. We would play three games through the evening where the winner over-all would have the most promethium caches at the end. For those not familiar with the rewards of the game, you gain 1 cache for losing or drawing a game, D3 caches for winning and some missions offer bonus caches. Just to make things trickier, players can also spend their hard earned caches between games for extra equipment or hiring out specialists.

With the ground work laid out, the dice in hand and the mead-a-flowing, it was time to crack some skulls.

THE KILL TEAMS

First up, the Red Blade Kommandos. Fresh out of the wars on Elohi 7, Kaptain Gortankk returns to dish out pain and violence to all. Supported by a new squad of boyz, the Kaptain seeks to continue his bloody work against the veteran scouts of the Space Wolves.

Well trained and even better equipped, the scouts from the Space Wolves Chapter take the term elite and really show it off. Led by Bjern Redclaw, the Wolves are looking to score a foot hold in Ork held territory.

GAME 1

First mission was a straight up brawl. The Orks deployed on the hill, whilst the Scouts took cover amongst the  ruined warehouses.

The first few turns were nothing exciting as both Kill Teams advanced through Ork shanty town. Gortankk and one of the boyz took the left flank whilst the rest of the squad advanced on the right. The orks had the advantage of numbers in this game, it was up to the Scouts superior weapons and training to tip the balance. Bjern, sensing movement, took half his team with him to intercept the Ork Kaptain.

Whist the two leaders played a nasty game of cat-and-mouse (neither quite sure of their role) The bullets started flying on the other side of the battle field. The Scout plasma gunner had spotted a gang of Orks on the advance and opened fire. Though it managed to pin down an Ork Yoof, his impetuous action would prove dangerous.

With the Scouts' position revealed, the Orks sprinted full pelt towards the ruins. In true fashion, the Ork with the biggest gun held back from the charge and decided on a different tactic. Screaming a battle-cry that only a hulking, six-foot tall, green monster could put forth, The Ork heavy gunner unleashed and salvo of high caliber rounds into the street.

When the smoke finally cleared, the Scouts well and truly had their heads down, one had suffered a round to the chest, downed, but not out... not yet. Another fighter was not so lucky, an Ork boy had taken a stray shot to the back of the head. Though not a fatal blow for an Ork, it had taken him out of the mission. No doubt the gunner would suffer a beating at the hands of his squad mates after this was over.

As the sound of gunfire echoed through the shanty town Gortankk continued the hunt for a decent fight amongst the machine shops. His prayers were answered as bullets and plasma bolts began streaking in his direction. The Ork boy was first to drop, Gortankk took a plasma round to the shoulder, but thinking little of it. Glaring up the stairs in front of him Gortankk met his opposite number: Scout Sergeant Bjern Reclaw for the first time.

The following fire fight was short lived. Before Gortankk could react, Scouts took the initiative and opened fire again. Gortankk was pinned down and out numbered. The Ork boy he'd brought with him as a meat-shield was lying in the street. Gortankk looked around the corner he was sheltering behind just as a Scout kicked the downed Ork in the head. The Ork had been reaching for the pin on a grenade when the Scout had spotted the intent. This was looking ugly.

Things were not looking so great for the Scouts at the ware house ruins. The Orks had made good of the distraction provided by their over enthusiastic gunner. Two of the Scouts were down and the Orks wasted no time finishing the job. Watching from behind a wrecked door frame, the Scout Sniper fired off a few suppression rounds before radioing his Sergeant.

Bjern listened to the transmission from his sniper. Though his team held an advantage by the machine shops, Bjern had spotted the hulking brute retreat down an alley, he was loath to risk the lives of his team hunting the Ork Kaptain. Spitting on the downed Ork as he passed, Bjern gave the order to fall back. The Orks had this day.

POST GAME 1

With Orks taking the victory, it was time to see what became of the casualties.  The one Ork boy survived his brush with friendly fire without too much complaint, but the other Ork was less fortunate. As a final spit-in-the-eye the Scouts had removed the pin from the grenade the Ork had been trying to prime.  The Ork returned to consciousness just in time to spot the act and sling the grenade. It wasn't a quick enough throw however and the Ork Boy lost an arm. He'd be back, but not for the next mission.

The Scout casualties were almost as forgiving. Though both Scouts would survive to fight another day, the Orks had dealt them several broken bones. It would take them time to heal. They would also miss out on the next mission.

After a bit of scrounging both Kill Teams managed to dig up a promethium each and enough funds for some extra kit.

That's all for now, I'll be posting the next two games some-time in the next few days.