juggernaut
Carnifex Juggernaut
Transcripts 1102.006.M41
Subject: Black Tide - Juggernaut
Location: Hiruscant III / Hofir / Valdor Contested Zone
From: Monitoring Station Borealis /:: Eli Croximant, Bio-Adept
To: Lord Diviner Heshant Bartremon, Adeptus Magus Biologicus, Thule Sector
Rating: Magos Biologicus Red


Tyranid Assault on a Tau position on Hofir monitored using the new psi-intercept array.

~~~ I/We/Warriors searching/sniffing for New Food ~~~

~~~ I/We/Warriors Sense approach of Food/Enemy/Tau.  ~~~ Alert! ~~~ Devour and Move on ~~~

The following report is compiled from psicapts and intercepted footage from civilian cameras - neither the Order nor the Guard has any functional cameras remaining in the Valdor sector.

The psicapts do indicate the presence of a new breed of Tyranid, not observed before in the Black Tide. It is suspected that this heralds the arrival of the larger Tyranid lifeforms such as Tyrants and Carnifexes.

Model
Notes
1000
[HQ] Tyranid Warrior Brood
x3
Enhanced Senses, Ext Carapace, Toxin Sacs, Scythings Claws, Deathspitter (x2), Venom Cannon (x1)
118
[Elite] Tyranid Warrior Brood
x3
Enhanced Senses, Ext Carapace, Toxin Sacs, Leaping, Scythings Claws, Rending Talons (x2), Scything Claws (x1) 118
[Troop] Genestealer Brood
x6
Rending Claws, Ext Carapace, Toxin Sacs, Scuttlers
156
[Troop] Hormagaunt Brood
x8
Scything Claws, Adrenal Glands (WS+I), Toxin Sacs
112
[Troop] Termagant Brood
x22
Fleshborer, Scuttler
176
[Troop] Ripper Swarm
x3
Leaping
42
[Fast Attack] Spore Mine Cluster
x3
Deep Strike, Bio-Acid
36
[Fast Attack] Spore Mine Cluster
x2
Deep Strike, Bio-Acid
24
[Heavy Support] Carnifex Juggernaut
Enhanced senses, Bonded Exoskeleton, Regenerate, Reinforce Chitin, Extended Carapace, Barbed Strangler, Scything Talons
211

The wandering group of scouting Tyranids encountered a Tau patrol, and while both forces had more important goals than a fight to the finish, neither was willing to give ground to the other.

Model
Notes
~1000
[HQ] Crisis Commander



[Elite] Crisis Suits
x3


[Troop] Fire Warrior Squad



[Troop] Fire Warrior Squad


[] Stealth Suits
x4


[Heavy Support] Hammerhead / Railgun



railhead
Burning Hammerhead (Railgun variant)
The first turn went surprisingly well for the Tyranid - the Railhead tank blasted a couple of Genestealers, but the rest reached it and tore it out of the sky, sending it plummeting to the ground where it promptly caught fire - no survivors.

Long range missile fire from the Crisis suits quickly brought down the ranged-weapon Warriors. The Tau Commander shot three more genestealers, and killed the last after it charged him.  At the same time, he was mobbed by a swarm of Rippers, who, after several turns of desperate fighting, actually managed to bring him down.

The Hormagaunts lumbered forward, inept at moving in terrain as usual, with the Juggernaut and the other Warrior brood trailing them.  The Termagants swept quickly forward, and reached the Crisis team - who promptly wiped them all out in close combat [Ed: 20 Gaunts dead to a sweeping advance by Tau - weep!].  The Hormagaunt reached their target Firewarriors at the same time, and also managed to lose close combat.  They turned tail, weren't caught but were mostly cut down by Tau fire immediately afterwards - only one Gaunt survived.  It was under Synapse control again, and charged back into the fray.

last monster
Lonely Juggernaut hunting for slow prey

The Rippers, having killed and eaten the Tau commander, moved on to do the same to a squad of Firewarriors - doing little damage, but tying them down in their own deployment zone. The victorious Crisis suits, and a deep-striking team of Stealthsuits, moved forward into the Tyranid deployment zone, cutting down the last Warrior brood on the way with accurate burst fire.  On their way, the Crisis team was peltered by a sudden rain of bio-acid spore mines, which struct with remarkable precision and absolutely no effect except scorching the grass.

On the left wing, the Hormagaunt had bought time for the Juggernaut to move into charge range of the fire warriors, who fell in droves to the enormous talons of the Carnifex.  The Firewarriors wisely fell back, but were caught and slaughtered by the rampaging 'fex.

stealthsuits Crisis suits
Tau battlesuits resting & enjoying Tea & Scones

The last few turns were spent by the 'fex (the only Tyranid unit left) stalking the Firewarriors still cowering behind cover in their own deployment zone; The rest of the surviving Tau were camped out of sight in the Tyranid deployment zone.

~~~ I/Juggernaut Moves On, search/sniff for New Food ~~~


Thought for the Day: Trust not in Chance.


Combat results: Tau Crushing Victory (Recon Omega level).
Tau: 1203 victory points
Tyranids: 637 victory points