Thursday 20 November 2014

[Battle Report] Hybrid - The Heresiarch's Diaries

The Hod warriors have made a vital discovery: the various laboratories form a network with a special research laboratory at its centre. It is even possible Dirz himself performed experiments within its walls... Invaluable information concerning the Heresiarch's work is surely hidden there.


Griffin - Chris

Venerable Ambrosius
Misericorde
2 Purifiers
1 Executioner

Dirz - Ben

Aberration
Neuromancer
3 Hybrids
2 Pest of Flesh

The Griffin had the initiative, with the Executioner quickly moving to turn off the valve, removing the poisonous gas from the chamber, and so preparing the exit for the team, so long as the valve remains off. Ambrosius and the team took up positions, either on overwatch or ready to dodge the enemy cross bows.

The Dirz forces quickly moved through the laboratory, with the Aberration lurking, waiting, since it stood in the way of the Griffin escape.






The Griffin had the initiative again, and the Executioner and one of the Purifiers quickly made their way towards their objectives, the laboratory notes of Dirz. The remaining Purifier stood ready to defend Ambrosius as both he and Misericorde prepared to lay down gun fire.

The Aberration attacked, charging through doors until it reached the Purifier that stood between it and Ambrosius. Its steel talon sliced through the air but met just the cold stone of the floor [Chris's note - Ben rolled a 9 to hit. If he had hit the knock back would be impeded by Ambrosius and so inflict another 2 wounds, thus killing the Purifier out right... phew!].

The Purifier turned to fight, both driven by is holy conviction, and the Aura of Bliss that Ambrosius had called upon. Merin had blessed the Purifier and his attacks struck home. A Pest of Flesh and Hybrid clone emerged from the gloom, and both were struck with gun fire, and taking the advantage, the Executioner charged into the back of the Aberration, stabbing multiple times and wounding the creature. [Chris - the Executioner has Felon, and gains a hideous +3 on SL checks when making back strikes, perfect when you need to make multiple attacks].







The Aberration attacked the Purifier again, this time injuring him, while ignoring the Executioner to his rear, who continued his attacks. Ambrosius headed forward to give covering fire to the other Purifier who had retrieved the first of the diaries of Dirz. Misericorde saw and opening and strode forward and attacked the Aberration. Her blade, Hauteclaire cut into the beast, crippling it. She then held it high and called upon Merin. Flames erupted from the blade and swept about her, immolating the Aberration and the Hybrid before her, and also injuring the Executioner. A horde of rats now ran through the laboratory, making shooting difficult for the Griffin warriors.

Though perhaps she had acted to hastily. The remaining Hybrids and Neuromancer entered the chamber, surrounding her, and their cruel blades cut into her. Steel clashed and she called upon Merin again, to heal her wounds.






The Purifier had retrieved both diaries now, and was looking to escape the laboratory, but little did he know, the Hybrids had made short work of his compatriot, and were now dealing lethal blows to Misericorde. Very soon both swordsmen were dead, and all that remained were Ambrosius and the Purifier who put up a courageous, but futile, fight for survival.











As far as missions go this one is quite the challenge for the Griffin. A monster can be used which will stand in the way of the exit, and with the need to have both the diaries and the valve turned off, it makes for a few hard choices. Either split the Griffin, and have a fighter go for the diaries, and the rest hold the fort. Or have the entire party move together to get the diaries, and move out as a group, as they block the Dirz from the warrior with the diaries, before making a final move on the valve. Hard, hard, choices, given how well many of the Griffin models work together so long as they remain in range of the leader with Aura e.g. Ambrosius.

What I should have done, is killed the Aberration normally, and held back Misericorde's one use ability for when more of the Hybrids attacked. The only model without Conviction, and so gains no bonus for remaining near Ambrosius, is the Executioner. This was also my fastest model. This model should have been the one getting the diaries.

Also some great event cards drawn in the game. A rat swarm, a card that allowed one extra wound to be dealt to a model on a strike, a head shot, and a booby trapped door that got reversed (it almost took out my Purifier getting the diaries).

Again Hybrid proves to be a far more tightly balance game than appears on first impression.

Oh yeah, it helps not to roll 9s and 10s a lot. Ben was getting terrible rolls at the start. But then he won, so go figure.

No comments:

Post a Comment