The powers of the warp are in the ascendant with the recent release of Codex: Chaos Space Marines – and Abaddon the Despoiler’s dread campaign to split the galaxy has even reached Warhammer+. This week’s edition of Battle Report is the first in a two-part Narrative Play extravaganza. Presenter Simon Grant is here to talk us through the first instalment.
Simon: We set the narrative for our games amid the epic Siege of Dharrovar,* in which the Imperium hits back against a Traitor Knight world ruled by the Tyrant King Kaligius. Dharrovar sits at a key location in the Nachmund Gauntlet – one of the few safe passages through the Cicatrix Maledictum and into Imperium Nihilus – so control of the planet is essential for both the Chaos and Imperial forces.
Today’s episode takes place in a subterranean Adeptus Mechanicus compound, where the Imperial Knight Iron Duty, a mighty Knight Castellan belonging to House Terryn, lies under repair. The Chaos forces on Dharrovar risked much to lay Iron Duty low, but should it return to the front line the Imperium will have a significant advantage in the battles to come.
Using a custom mission based around Iron Duty’s Throne Mechanicum (including a custom terrain piece made by our talented painting team), Nick’s dastardly forces of Chaos are seeking to corrupt the Knight, while my Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii hold them at arm’s length.
Nick Bayton – usually a loyalist – leads an elite force of Black Legion Chaos Space Marines, pressing an attack led by the dread Lord Discordant Villix the Balefiend, with the essence of Ul’o’cca the Black bound to his impaler chainglaive. Based on our practice games, I can assure you that Villix the Balefiend is an absolute menace!
Meanwhile, my Martian Skitarii are seeking to fend off the insidious Chaos attack at all costs. With a pair of Daemon Engines and two units of Chosen on Team Chaos, I’ll be looking to augment my firepower as much as possible with the brutal Wrath of Mars Stratagem.
For this mission, we’re fighting over three objective markers – the Throne Mechanicum itself and two power sources linked to it – which we’ll gain victory points for holding at the end of our respective turns. There are additional victory points on offer, however, at the end of the battle – for Nick if he controls the Throne Mechanicum objective, and for me if I manage to destroy Villix the Balefiend before he can take control of the Knight.
The winner of game one earns the right to bring the Knight to the second game as a bonus on top of the rest of their army. Considering we’re talking about a building-sized machine lined with massive guns, it’s fair to say that’s quite the advantage!
Good luck with the battle Simon! You can find out who claims this powerful war machine right now over at Warhammer TV. And that’s not all coming to Warhammer+ today. While armies clash beneath the surface, the skilled artisans of Citadel Colour Masterclass are on duty to show you how to paint horns, claws, and teeth like a pro. Unfortunately, the Necromunda Outlanders supplement will not be coming to the Warhammer Vault at this time. We apologise for the inconvenience.
If you haven’t signed up to Warhammer+ yet, there’s never been a better time to pull the trigger. Anyone who takes out an annual subscription before the end of July will get their choice of free Year 1 miniature as early as August – so subscribe today and reap the benefits right away!
* A conflict detailed in War Zone Nachmund: Rift War.