BatRep 002-08-10-1999: Tyranids vs. Orks, Bunker Assault

Unnacceptable fungal genehost detected, entrenched positions. Eliminate all resistance.

Andy and Brian (the Hive Collective): Andy is a big fan of the "weird stuff" in the Tyranid Hive Fleet, while Brian, being a veteran of many bug wars, spells success G-E-N-E-S-T-E-A-L-E-R-S. As usual, Brian assumed control of the Hive Tyrant and the core workforce of 'Stealers and Hormagaunts. Andy was left with the Carnifex, Biovore, Gargoyles, Termagants, Zoanthrope, and the Tyranid Warriors, and given the simple task of taking out the bunker. The plan? The usual: Eat eat eat eat eat eat....

Unit	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld	Save	Notes	Points
Hive Tyrant	6	3	6	6	4	5	4	10	5+	Venom Cannon, Flesh Hooks	106
Tyranid Warriors (3)	5	3	5	4	2	5	2	10	5+	2 w/ Boneswords, 1 w/ Venom Cannon; all w/ Flesh Hooks	119
Tyranid Warriors (3)	5	3	5	4	2	5	2	10	5+	2 w/ Boneswords, 1 w/ Venom Cannon; all w/ Flesh Hooks	119
Termagants (8)	3	3	3	3	1	4	1	5	6+	Fleshborers	56
Genestealers (9)	6	0	4	4	1	6	2	10	6+	Teeth and Claws!	198
Genestealers (9)	6	0	4	4	1	6	2	10	6+	Teeth and Claws!	198
Genestealers (9)	6	0	4	4	1	6	2	10	6+	Teeth and Claws!	198
Hormagaunts (12)	4	3	3	3	1	4	1	5	6+	More claws than needed...	72
Gargoyles (6)	3	3	3	3	1	4	1	10	6+	Fleshborers.	60
Carnifex	4	3	10	6	4	2	3	10	5+	Claws, Bioplasma.	105
Zoanthrope	3	3	4	4	2	4	2	10	2+	Claws, Warp Blast, Flesh Hooks	41
Biovore	3	3	3	4	2	1	1	10	-	Spore Mines	50

Scott and Ben (ded 'ard Ork boyz): Scott's ever-growing disdain for his oft-maligned Warband is offset only by Ben's boundless enthusiasm. Working from the premise that Orks are fun even when they're getting their asses handed to them, Ben dropped Scott's most mobile forces and prepared an army list that relished the idea of standing still or-- better yet!-- getting stuck in and going 'ed-ta-'ed with the bugs.

Scott: "Of the opposing armies the Orks could be facing, I would have to say that the Tyranids are my favorite choice. Even though I had few heavy weapons on any of the squads I knew I had less than 48" inches of Tyranid movement before They mulched most of my orky troops dug in at the bunkers. I had to get rid of as many genestealers as possible before they reached the bunker walls. If the genestealers' numbers could be lowered enough so the orc's above average close combat ability could deal with the remaining stragglers (by greatly outnumbering them) our army would be in great shape."

Unit	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld	Save	Notes	Points
da Warboss	5	2	5	4	3	4	4	10	2+	Mega armor, big horns, kustom Shootadakka	99
... an iz Nobz (3)	4	2	4	4	2	3	3	7	2+	Mega armor. 2 w/kustom blasta, 1 w/ Shootadakka	163
... an da Mekboyz (2)	4	2	3	4	1	2	2	7	4+	Mekboy Field, Eavy Armor, Mek's Tools	84
... an da Mad Doc(1)	4	2	3	4	1	2	2	7	4+	Big Shoota, Eavy Armor, Doc's Toolz, 3 Grot disOrderlies	31
... an 3 Grot disOrderlies	2	2	2	2	1	2	1	5	-		-
... an iz ride.										Wartrukk w/ Big Shoota, Armor Plates, and red paint job	41
Goff Skarboyz (20)	4	2	4	4	1	2	2	7	6+	Slugga/Choppa; 3 w/ Big Shoota	244
Nob	4	2	4	4	2	3	3	7	4+	Big shoota, Eavy Armor, big Horns, Choppa	37
Kommandos (10)	4	2	3	4	1	2	2	7	-	Slugga and Choppa, Frag stikkbombz	110
Nob	4	2	4	4	2	3	3	7	4+	Big shoota, Eavy Armor, big Horns, Choppa	39
Tankbustas (10)	4	2	3	4	1	2	2	7	6+	Slugga, ccw, Frag and Tankbusta Stikkbombz; 2 w/ Rokkits	154
da Grot Mob (30)	2	2	2	2	1	2	2	5	-	Slugga, ccw, Frag and Tankbusta Stikkbombz; 2 w/ Rokkits	90
Runtherd	4	2	4	4	1	3	2	7	4+	Eavy Armor, Grabba Stik, Slugga	23
Lootas (5)	4	2	3	4	1	2	2	7	6+	4 Heavy Bolters	110
Lobba	2	2	2	2	1	2	2	5	-	2 Grot krew	30
Mekboy	4	2	3	4	1	2	2	7	6+	Burna, Mek Tools, 3 Grot Oilers	39

Ork Deployment: The Orks could only deploy HQ and Troops units. Once we put our bunker down (between the two sandbagged areas) we spread the Grots out front and strung them out to cover both sandbag pits. The Bad Moon tankbustas we put in the bunker-- half of them on top, and half of them (including the rokkits) on the bottom. Finally, we put the Warboss Trukk over on our left side, figuring the Tyranids would deploy right down the center for the shortest approach. With the trukk on one flank, we should be able to just roll them right up.

Tyranid Deployment: Tyranid force composition doesn't allow for a whole lot of strategizin' when it comes to deployment. Ranged weapons are scarce, which means you've got to get to hand to hand, which means you've got to deploy where you can get to grips with the enemy as quickly as possible. Brian kept his 'stealers bunched up tight behind the trees, with the hormagaunt screen out in front. Andy dropped the Carnifex right in front of the Warboss. He put his Biovore out behind the trees, of course, and spread his Tyranid Warriors out a bit for maximum node efficiency-- and, consequently, minimum shooting efficiency, much to Brian's dismay. See that center group? Notice how that stand of trees is right in their line of fire?

Preliminary Bombardment: By the rules of the scenario, the Tyranids began their preliminary bombardment. Fortunately, most of the warband was off the table and not eligible as targets. Spore mines came screaming down from the sky and one landed right on top of the bunker, killing two of the Bad Moons in a puff of genetic flak.