With the release of the latest edition of Warhammer 40,000 – and all the many changes that brings – today’s episode of Battle Report on Warhammer+ offers a spirited debate on the nature of faith and worship in the 41st Millennium.
The Adepta Sororitas take on the Chaos Space Marines in a violent game of Combat Patrol, piloted by presenters Ben and Nick, the latter of whom is here to tell us more about this particular difference of opinions.
Warhammer Community: It’s time for another Combat Patrol game on Warhammer+! What is it you guys in the Battle Report team like about this game mode so much?
Nick: Combat Patrol is such a fun, easy way to play Warhammer 40,000! There’s no army building needed, as all the units and even their wargear is decided for you. All you have to do is pick an Enhancement and a Secondary Objective, and away you go. There are loads of missions to be found in the Core Book too, so there’s plenty of replayability. And because of the size, you can get quick games in – we’ve been playing cheeky lunchtime bouts here in the office, and it’s loads of fun.
WarCom: This week’s Battle Report sees two Combat Patrols clashing on an Imperial cathedral world. Tell us more…
Nick: Bingo! This week, we see a Chaos Space Marine warband of the Black Legion descend on a hapless planet, and the noble Battle Sisters of the Adepta Sororitas must see them off. We’re playing a mission called Forward Outpost, where claiming each other’s home objective is hugely advantageous, so it’s a real slug-fest.
WarCom: So it’s a question of just how well the Sisters of Battle can hold out in the face of such ancient aggression…
Nick: That’s exactly what it came down to! To say the Sisters are stoic on the table would be an understatement. But the Adepta Sororitas didn’t just sit back – some of the units in their Penitent Host pack a huge punch. Arco-flagellants, Sisters Repentia, and the dreaded Penitent Engine are all eager to get into the fight. This Combat Patrol is a balanced force with lots of small units, so it really represents how the Adepta Sororitas work on the battlefield in larger games… and the Miracle dice came in very handy!
WarCom: But Chaos Space Marines… come on, now… they have a Helbrute!
Nick: The Dark Zealots Combat Patrol is certainly really powerful. I must admit, when I saw I was facing a Helbrute, it was a real test of my Imperial faith! Toting a huge plasma cannon and an even bigger hammer, that thing is terrifying. And it’s joined by Havocs, too, who are perfect at destroying anything long-range. Both led by the nefarious Dark Apostle Ghalleron the Pious, whose very presence on this planet offended me! Again, it’s a great little force, well-balanced with loads of tactical decisions for Ben to make on the battlefield.
WarCom: Sounds like it was a fun clash to play out!
Nick: I won’t lie – it really was! Ben and I both had mixed luck on the dice, which led to big turnarounds in the game. You always want that in a game of Warhammer – a feeling that you can’t call it until the battle’s truly over. With so few units on the board, every kill mattered, every Command point was a big spend, and any time one of the big attacks missed or hit, it was met with shouts of pain or glee. When both players are really into it, and the tension is high, it makes for a superb game of Warhammer. You’ll see exactly what I mean when you catch the episode!
WarCom: This was a close fight, then? How did it go?
Nick: Ahhh, you know I never give away the ending! You’re right–- it was a close game that could have gone either way, with all our big-hitting units making huge impacts on the game. But naturally, if you want to know how it ended… you’ll have to catch it this week on Warhammer+!
Thanks Nick! You can catch this essential episode of Battle Report on Warhammer+ right now, alongside a new episode of Loremasters explaining the history of Terminator armour. If this sounds like it might be up your alley, subscribe below.
