Dusting Down My Ultramarines

It's not often I get the chance to have a game in store, but last night I made an exception. A new player was around with a pile of Orks, and it gave me the chance to dust down my case and field some Ultramarines against him.

The game was a small tussle at around the 600 point mark - opponent was fielding the Orks from Assault on Black Reach - 20 Boyz (upgraded to 'Ard Boyz), 5 Nobs, Warboss and 3 Deffkoptas, plus an added in squad of Stormboyz. Against him, I decided to keep things simple by fielding essentially Black Reach myself, with just a few extra points for an extra heavy weapon thrown in.

Turn one begain with the Boyz heading down my right flank - I knew I had some time there - there was terrain in the way. More pressing concerns were the Stormboyz and Deffkoptaz heading my way in the centre. On the left, the Nobs and Warboss were also making steady progress. My Termies lept straight into action, stepping forward and throwing up a hail of Stormbolter shots at the Stormboyz. I lucked out - the Stormboyz were wiped clean out. I didn't have so much luck shooting at the Deffkoptas though and the Ard Boyz saves started to be made with alarming frequency - something that would continue for a while.

But still, the Deffkoptas weren't having much luck against my Dreadnought, and by turn three it had smashed them up. The decisive phase of the match revolved around two close combats. On the left flank, the Termies took on the Nobz and Warboss. For once Terminator armour didn't stand up to the task, but enough of the Green Skins were down to render them obsolete. Meanwhile the Boyz charge on my Captain didn't manage to take him down and in the ensuing mess, the Dreadnought and a some marines joined the melee.

When the Boyz had enough and ran, it was left for the Dreadnought to cut them down. And that was pretty much game. The Nobz and Warboss put up a brave fight, but by the time they were surrounded, it was all over. As always, good fun had by all.

Ultramarines vs Guard

Thursday 22nd January - BSTS Hammered

What could their company have done to offend? To send down a force of Space Marines upon them - whatever it was it must have been serious. No time to think though. Defend the positions and fight for their lives - it was all they could do.

Their right was defended by a mighty Sentinel and Heavy Weapons Teams, but facing them was what looked to be a massive Land Raider Crusader. In the centre, the trusty Leman Russ and Chimera were ready to give as good as they got, but a squad of Ultramarines was lining up some particularly nasty looking big guns against them. The left flank was where the rank and file were positioned, but with the Tactical Squads heading their way, they'd need some support, or they would be crushed into the ground.

As the bullets started to fly though, perhaps ... just maybe ... it looked like the Emperor was smiling upon them. A lucky shot from an Autocannon rendered the fire power of the Crusader useless. Then the Leman Russ demolished the Devestator Squad before they'd even had a chance to line their targets up.

The Ultramarines quickly realised that their only way to victory would be to get forward and engage the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. With much of their fire power gone, and their Sniper Rifle'd scouts proving ineffective, the order was given to charge head-long forward and hope to reach the enemy before they all gave up their lives. Through the woods though, they could glimpse long rows of Lasguns pointed their way.

Meanwhile back in the guard ranks, the sight of the Chapter Master himself heading towards them, made them quiver. Could they take him before he came amongst them, wreaking death all around? On the right, the Sentinel had failed to stop the progress of the Crusader, and still with boltguns aplenty it had torn the Heavy Weapons Teams apart. Nothing for it but to stand and shoot. One by one, the Ultramarines fell to volleys of Lasgun shots, before they could reach the Guard lines. In desperation, the Crusader was trying to ram the Chimera and make its way towards the Russ, but nothing was working for them. When the Chapter Master himself fell wounded to his knees, the day was won.

This would be a famous day for this lowly guard platoon - one that would be sung about for ages to come.