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.
