Skirmish Battle Report - Solo vs Krennic

 

Welcome to another Star Wars Legion battle report this time using the Skirmish rules.

With a recent COVID-19 lockdown in Brisbane which meant my kids were at home and the Easter holidays near, I challenged them all to put some lists together to get ready for a league we'd run over the holiday period.

My eldest son and I played first. He's a bit of a fan of Death Troopers and immediately got to work putting together a force of them:

495/500

6 Activations

Director Orson Krennic (Aggressive Tactics, Strict Orders)

Boba Fett

2x Stormtroopers

Scout Troopers (Strike Team) (DLT-19x Sniper)

Imperial Death Troopers (DLT-19D Trooper, Hunter, E-11D)

Ambush•, Voracious Ambition•, Push••, Deploy the Garrison••, Assault•••, Annihilation Looms•••, Standing Orders••••

I normally spend all my time running Empire so I'd figured I'd better start using some of the other painted models in the games room and put together a force with Han Solo at the helm:

495/500

7 Activations

Han Solo (Duck and Cover)

Chewbacca (Tenacity)

Rebel Troopers

Mark II Medium Blaster Trooper

Rebel Veterans (CM-O93 Trooper)

Rebel Commandos (Strike Team) (Proton Charge Saboteur)

Tauntaun Riders (Tenacity)

Ambush•, Sorry About the Mess•, Push••, Reckless Diversion••, Covering Fire•••, Change of Plans•••, Standing Orders••••

I won the initiative roll off and we ended up with the following cards:

Deployment:

Objective marker just underneath the archway

Turn 1 - Standing Orders vs Standing Orders

Most units push forward slightly with the Dawn condition card meaning not too many shots got off this turn. However the Stormtroopers push up and take a Standby action preventing me from using my Tauntaun the way I intended (to eliminate the Snipers on the flank).

I pushed my Commandos up and dropped a mine to hurt some Imperial folk right before Boba swooped in and deleted them. Mental note to wait patiently with them next time....

In response Han pushes forward and puts a wound onto Boba and the Death Troopers seeing Han out in the open blast into him. I'm lucky though and through Duck & Cover, Uncanny Luck and Guardian, Han is untouched and Chewie takes a single wound. The Walking Carpet then unleashes with his Bowcaster dropping 3 of the Death Troopers. The Tauns move closer to the Death Troopers to finish them off however all the rounds bounce off their armour.

Turn 2 - Sorry About the Mess vs Voracious Ambition.

The Rebel Veterans aim and take shot attempting to wipe out the remaining Death Troopers but it is not meant to be. The Death Troopers put more wounds onto the Wookie triggering the Charge keyword. I don't waste anytime and throw Chewie into Boba Fett before he can escape managing 2 more wounds.

It is the Tauns who eventually score the kill after a charge but not before Boba Fett puts another 2 wounds back onto Chewbacca. The Medium Blaster moves to look over the objective and takes a standby action which would later trigger from Stormtrooper movement, producing only a suppression token.

Han pushes forward and kills the Sniper team and dropping a pair of Stormtroopers.

Krennic pushes forward to contest any victory points from the objective meaning no score this round.

Turn 3 - Reckless Diversion vs Annihilation Looms

Han takes an order token whilst the Rebel Veterans take one chaining an order onto the Blaster. With the Blaster being in a position and visible to most of the units it would force them to attack it if able.

Han goes first kills the final pair of Stormtroopers removing an activation and then Gunslinging another pair of casualties from the remaining Stormtrooper unit. I then move him towards the objective. At this stage my son is only left with Krennic, two Stormtroopers and two Death Troopers. He makes his choice to concede after we talk about the game in detail in terms of what he could have done to play better.

Result - Rebel Victory

Conclusion

It was a welcome change to play the Rebels for me and I did enjoy the list. It had the fast hitting elements of the Tauntaun Riders and enough black dice to do some damage at distance. I really did enjoy Han's pistol and consistent firepower although if Chewbacca isn't around to use Guardian I'm not sure he'll survive late game. I really need to use my Commandos move wisely and I didn't even use Scout 2 which may have had an impact.

My son rushed Boba Fett in rather than sit back with him and deal consistent damage over time. I think he got a bit fixated on the objective and rather than being patient he swarmed it to prevent me gaining victory points. We discussed him using his Sniper team to better effect alongside with Boba Fett and each turn they'd be really putting the hurt on a unit consistently.

I'll put the next game up between my son's in the future.

Thanks for reading.

- James

Legion - Army List Review - Vaderbacks

Over the course of the silly season I was lucky enough to have a fair few games with the family members in the house who enjoy legion as much as I do.

Although we're not playing ultra competitive lists at all, the kids sure do like to make every attempt to knock me down when they have a chance. Darth Vader has always been a fan favourite for me and despite being a 'non-meta' choice, this only fuels me to try and have fun with him in lists I try.

This is the list I've been playing around with over the last 6 weeks and it has been a lot of fun.

Darth Vader (175 + 25 = 200)

--Force Barrier (10), Force Push (10), Saber Throw (5)

Although very slow, once Vader picks up momentum he hits like a truck. Combined with Force Push allows him to dictate most of his battles but also allows him to remain in combat which is generally a safe place for him. Force Barrier has quickly become a new favourite of mine mitigating damage onto the Dewbacks and any other targets of opportunity.

Allowing myself not to forget about Force Barrier.

Imperial Officer (45 + 5 = 50)

--Strict Orders (5)

A cheap activation and having Strict Orders allows for greater suppression control. The beauty of this list as well is there isn't any courage 1 values in the force meaning an opponent really needs to work hard to remove actions from units.

2 x Stormtroopers (44 + 39 = 83)

--DLT-19 Stormtrooper (22), Imperial Officer Upgrade (17)

Stock standard Stormtroopers with the range 4 DLT. The Officer upgrade allows for two actions more often.

Snowtroopers (44 + 38 = 82)

--Gideon Hask (38)

Gideon Hask is a wonderful addition to a unit of Snowtroopers. Steady allows for his two red dice to punch through enemy units as well as the additional pip of courage. His coordinate rule is also handy when it comes up (and/or when I remember it...).

Imperial Royal Guards (75 + 6 = 81)

--Tenacity (4), Environmental Gear (2)

Commonly known as Vader's ablative wounds.

Vaders/Dewbacks extra wound pile. These guys are generally soaking wounds but also aren't a slouch when charging into combat. Last game they managed to put 5 wounds into Count Dooku with their pistols at range 2. Good times! 

Scout Troopers (Strike Team) (20 + 28 = 48)

--DLT-19x Sniper (28)

Some much needed long range support. They're also good at capturing an objective late game if the need comes up. Also not a bad choice for Force Barrier in the opening round if something is targeting them.

2 x Dewback Rider (75 + 9 = 84)


--Tenacity (4), Comms Jammer (5)

One of my favourite models/units in the entire game of Legion. I really enjoy running these although my opponents hate them and they generally don't make it to the end of the game. They're certainly blaster magnets for warranted reason. Once they get into combat they can essentially tarpit the unit until they've finished with them provided they're not a force wielder. I'd never used Comms Jammer until this list and the disruption is causes is amazing. Using a turn 2-3 'New Ways to Motivate Them' to ensure they get into combat deep into the enemy lines guarantees some annoying situations for the opponent. I do miss having no ranged armament on them however.

Keeping a heavily suppressed unit close to Vader ensures they won't panic.

They're also great to provide some mobile light cover for Vader if needed but generally I've found opponents will just focus fire to bring them down anyway if they have a shot.

A cheeky play is to displace enemy troops on the same round as Master of Evil is played for maximum amount of suppression and a greater chance of enemy panicked units.

Commands:

Vaders Might (1), Implacable (1), New Ways to Motivate Them (2), Push (2), Assault (3), Master of Evil (3), Standing Orders (4)

Vaders Might - is a great way to move a Dewback from a vulnerable position into a better one outside of the obvious repositioning benefits of enemy units.

Implacable - Always a mid to late game play in order to last/first something with Vader and get double attacks/force barrier/force push onto something. I've often struggled with over committing Vader in my early Legion games and playing it a bit safer allows for better opportunities to use this card.

New Ways to Motivate Them - This is a very potent combination with spurring Dewbacks. They can move just shy of range 3 which is difficult for an opponent to plan around and can easily catch someone off guard. The key is popping it just at the right time to ensure maximum results. Sometimes the better option is to charge the enemy and hope you're attacks don't wipe them out by leaving them safe from return fire. Royal Guard are also a good candidate for this allowing them a bit more flexibility and to trigger Tenacity.

Master of Evil - The go to card once Vader is in the thick of combat. 3 suppression tokens is generally enough to ensure enemy units are only performing one action which can really swing a turn.

Deployments: Major Offensive, Battle Lines, Advanced Positions, Hemmed In
Objectives: Sabotage the Moisture Vaporators, Key Positions, Intercept the Transmissions, Recover the Supplies
Conditions: Minefield, Limited Visibility, Hostile Environment, Supply Drop

Thanks for reading and I hope you'll give it a try at some stage.

James

Review: Davinci Paintbrushes

I can't remember the last time I shelled out hard earned cash for decent brushes. Normally, I'd buy the cheaper option and replace it a few times per year rather than fork out extra dollars for a 'quality' brush.

This time, I did a bit of research and asked some questions from my regular supplier and decided to invest some money into a set of Davinci maestro brushes. At $20+ per brush, I was certainly expecting the quality to be leaps and bounds ahead of the cheap nasty stuff I normally get. I even invested in some brush soap which is a product I've never used before in order to increase the life of my newly acquired brushes.

I wasn't even sure I wanted to post a review on these but the more I used them it gave me more insight into the quality of the brush (at least my batch) and I had to share. I purchased 3 brushes in the following sizes - 1, 0 and a 000.

Overall it hasn't been a positive experience. Within the first week of using the size 1 brush, the bristles were already beginning to split despite religiously using the brush soap after each painting session. Maybe I just got the bad batch perhaps? I was willing to let that one go. However much to my disappointment last night whilst using the size 000, I noticed the same thing happening. A rogue bristle was sticking out at an odd angle.

So the general rant of this post and recommendation is to stay away from Davinci brushes.

Legion Battle Report - Andor vs Vader

Welcome to another battle report between my eldest son and I. He was running and Imperial army and I was finally trying my hand at the Rebel forces led by Cassian Andor.

I was running the following list:

Cassian Andor (Hunter, Offensive Push, Recon Intel, A280-CFE Sniper Config)
Cassian Andor(Loadout) (Endurance, Overwatch, Environmental Gear, A280-CFE Pistol Config)
K-2SO (Jyns SE-14 Blaster)
Rebel Troopers
Rebel Troopers
Rebel Troopers
Rebel Troopers
Rebel Commandos (Strike Team) (DH-447 Sniper)
Rebel Commandos (Strike Team) (DH-447 Sniper)
Rebel Pathfinders (Pao, Duck and Cover, A-300 Long Range Config)
Tauntaun Riders (Endurance)
AT-RT (AT-RT Laser Cannon)
AT-RT (AT-RT Laser Cannon)

Commands:
Crack Shot (1), Ambush (1), Push (2), Last Stand (2), Volunteer Mission (3), Covering Fire (3), Standing Orders (4)

Deployments: The Long March, Roll Out, Advanced Positions, Major Offensive
Objectives: Recover the Supplies, Sabotage the Moisture Vaporators, Intercept the Transmissions, Breakthrough
Conditions: Clear Conditions, Supply Drop, Fortified Positions, Minefield

I just wanted a list capable of dishing out the hurt at long range and then being able to clean up as the enemy got in closer. This was the starting point of that vision.

My son Landon, was running the following Empire list and it was the first time running Vader.

Darth Vader (Force Choke, Force Push, Force Reflexes)
Shoretroopers (T-21B Trooper, Shoretrooper)
Shoretroopers (T-21B Trooper, Shoretrooper)
DF-90 Mortar Trooper
DF-90 Mortar Trooper
Stormtroopers (DLT-19 Stormtrooper, FX-9 Medical Droid)
Stormtroopers (DLT-19 Stormtrooper, FX-9 Medical Droid)
Scout Troopers (Strike Team) (DLT-19x Sniper)
Scout Troopers (Sonic Charge Saboteur)

Commands:
Implacable (1), Ambush (1), Fear and Dead Men (2), New Ways to Motivate Them (2), Coordinated Fire (3), Master of Evil (3), Standing Orders (4)

Deployments: Battle Lines, Advanced Positions, Danger Close, Major Offensive
Objectives: Intercept the Transmissions, Breakthrough, Sabotage the Moisture Vaporators, Key Positions
Conditions: Limited Visibility, Clear Conditions, Fortified Positions, Supply Drop

We played the following:

Battle Lines

Supply Drop

Intercept the Transmissions

Deployment

During deployment I had a vision to have Andor get into a position to shoot length ways and cover at least 2 out of the 3 transmission objectives. I started putting troops on the Eastern flank which drew out opposing Stormtroopers. With the activation advantage stacked in my favour I then placed the remaining troopers and Tauntauns in a central position drawing out the Shoretroopers. From here I infiltrated Cassian Andor (giving command to Pathfinders) and positioned the remaining units to take out the Mortar and Scouts before sweeping towards the East.

Turn 1 - Push vs Coordinated fire 

Order tokens go on both AT-RT's vs All Shoretrooper units who coordinate onto the Mortar, and a single Stormtrooper unit. 

James - AT-RT activates and moves into range of the Mortar. Inflicts no damage however.

Landon - Shoretrooper activates and moves into range of the Rebel Troopers. Attacks killing two.

James - AT-RT activates doing exactly the same as the first. 

Landon - Western Mortar activates. Fails to rally and takes a dodge token.

James - Random draw Rebel Troopers. Moves into heavy cover and takes a dodge token.  

Landon - Random draw Stormtroopers. Move into heavy cover then DLT-19 takes a shot at the Rebel Troopers for no damage.

James - Random draw K2SO. Performs Calculate Odds then moves towards the Mortar. 

Landon - Random draw Mortar. Performs a move towards heavy cover then performs a standby action. 

James - Random draw Rebel Troopers. Double move away from the objective.

Landon - Random draw for the Scout troopers. Move and plants a Sonic charge next to objective. 

James - Random draw for the Rebel Commandos. Aims then attacks the Scout trooper strike team killing them both. 

Landon - Shoretroopers activate. Move then attack the Rebel Troopers killing the other two that were remaining. 

James - Random draw Pathfinders. Move towards the objective then shoot at the Scout troopers killing two.

Landon - Random draw Stormtroopers. Move into heavy cover then the DLT-19 shoots at the Rebel Troopers for no damage (heavy cover). 

James - Random draw Tauntauns. Double move towards the objective and then uses relentless shooting into the Shoretroopers for no damage.

Rebel Troopers move then shot at the Shoretroopers killing one. Cassian takes an aim then kills two of the Scout troopers. Rebel Commandos performs an aim then shot at the Scout troopers and leaving one left.

Turn 2 - Ambush (1) vs Ambush (1)

Order token onto Tauns for me (won roll for initiative) and Landon places a order token onto Vader. 

James - Tauns activate and move then Scout trooper detonates the sonic charge. This does a single wound to the Tauns and suicides the scout. Tauns then move again triggering relentless attacking the Mortar for no damage. 

Landon - Vader activates and moves taking force reflexes and a dodge action. 

James - AT-RT aims then shoots onto the Mortar for one wound.

Landon - Random draw Shoretroopers fails to rally moves towards objective pulls out targeting range finder then performs an attack on the Rebel Troopers kills three .

James - Random draw Rebel Troopers fails to rally moves towards the objective .

Landon - Random draw Shoretroopers they move towards the objective and then kills the last Rebel Trooper.

James - Random draw Pathfinders move to the objective and shoots at the Mortar for no damage .

Landon - Random draw Mortar aims and shoots the Rebel Troopers for no damage.

James - Random draw AT-RT aims shoots onto the Mortar for two damage killing him finally! 

Landon - Random draw Stormtroopers double move into range of the objective. 

James - Random draw Rebel Troopers hugs the wall and performs a dodge.

 

Landon - Random draw Stormtroopers move over the barricade and then performs a dodge action.

James - Random draw Rebel Commandos. Attack for suppression only onto the Shoretroopers.

Random draw K2SO moves into range with objective and then performs calculate odds onto Cassian.

Random draw Rebel Troopers double move back towards the table edge 

Cassian aims and shoots onto the Shoretroopers. Then uses the supply drop to get precision scopes.  

Rebel Commandos attack onto Shoretroopers for suppression only.

Landon - 2 VP 

James - 1 VP 

Turn 3 - Implacable (1) vs Volunteer Mission (3) 

Order token onto Darth Vader. I place tokens on Cassian and the two Rebel Commandos units. 

Landon - Random draw Mortar double move towards the objective. 

James - Rebel Commandos activate and shoot onto the Shoretroopers doing no damage or suppression. 

Landon - Random draw Stormtroopers move then shoot at the Rebel troopers killing three of them. 

James - Rebel commandos activate aim and then kill one of the Shoretroopers. 

Landon - Random draw Shoretroopers they fail to rally and then move out of line of sight of enemy.

James - Random draw Rebel troopers (RT2). They move to line of sight of the Shoretroopers (S3) dealing only a suppression damage.

Landon - Random draw Shoretroopers they double move away form line of sight and out of the trees. 

James - Random draw Tauns. Double moves towards the Shoretroopers and then triggers relentless shooting onto the Shoretroopers. Dealing two damage and a suppression.

Landon - Random draw Stormtroopers they move and shoots at the Rebel trooper and killing the remaining man. 

James - Random draw Pathfinders who double move to gain future line of sight onto Shoretroopers.

Landon - Darth Vader activates by moving out of line of sight of Cassian and uses force reflexes to gain a dodge.

Cassian Andor double moves to overview the Western objective.

K2SO double moves and uses free action to open supply crate which contains Bacta Capsules.

Last AT-RT moves to take position to open fire onto Shoretroopers leaving one remaining.

Turn 4 - Standing Orders (4) vs Covering Fire (3)

Landon puts order token on the Mortar and I put it on last Rebel Trooper unit. 

James - Rebel troopers activate. Aim then shot at the last guy in the Shoretrooper unit killing him. 

Landon - Mortar activates then takes a dodge and fails to hit.

James - Pathfinders activate then grab holo projector from the supply crate then attacks the Shoretroopers killing two. 

Landon - Random draw Stormtroopers. Double move into range with the central objective. 

James - Random draw Rebel commandos. Shoot at the Stormtroopers doing two wounds however the medical droid kicks in shortly after.

Landon - Random draw Shoretroopers aim and shoot at the Tauns dealing two damage. 

James - Random draw K2SO. Double moved into range of objective and uses Bacta Capsules to heal a wound off the Tauns. 

Landon - Random draw Darth Vader who double moved out of Line of Sight of Cassian Andor. 

James - Random draw Cassian Andor. Aimed and shot at the Stormtroopers and killing two. 

Landon - Random draw Stormtroopers. Double move towards the central objective. 

James - Random draw AT-RT moves into combat with the Shoretroopers and killing three of them. 

Random draw AT-RT shooting onto the Stormtroopers which killing two. Random draw Rebel commandos they double moved to get line of sight for last two turns.

Tauns activate and move into the trees attacking the last Stormtrooper killing him.

 

Landon - 3 VP 

James - 2 VP 

Turn 5 - Crack Shot (1) vs Fear and Dead Men (2)

Cassian Andor takes the faceup token and receives aim token. Darth Vader takes a faceup token. 

James - Random draw Tauntauns. Double move around the building and nail the last Mortar trooper.

Landon - Random draw Stormtroopers. Move forwards and take standby.

James - Random draw Commandos. Drop the last Shoretrooper.

Landon - Vader uses Force Reflexes and double moves towards AT-RT.

James - Random draw K2SO. Calculates Odds to Pathfinders and fires onto Stormtroopers exhausting the medical droid.

AT-RT takes an aim and puts another suppression into the Stormtroopers.

Pathfinders aim then shoots the Stormtroopers and kills one Stormtrooper. Commandos double moved through the trees.

Rebel troopers aim then shoot onto the Stormtroopers killing one of them. 

AT-RT reverses then shoots onto the Stormtroopers killing one. 

Cassian aims and shoots at Darth Vader dealing two wounds. 

Turn 6 - Last Stand (2) vs Master of Evil (3) 

  

James - Cassian aims and shoot onto Vader for a single wound. 

Landon - Vader uses force reflexes to gain a dodge and then moves and performs a standby action. 

James - Pathfinders aim and kill the final stormtroopers.

I can't quite kill Vader at this stage but shuffle the Tauns into range of the Western objective securing the victory.

  

Final victory points:

James - 7 VP

Landon - 3 VP

  

Conclusion:

Thanks for reading again. This was my son's first game using Darth Vader and I don't think he was prepared for how super slow he was. I thought he was going to get dumped into the swarm of Shoretroopers but when he was placed on the flank with the Stormtroopers I was confident I'd be able to contain him and keep him out of the game. I'm sure this won't happen ever again with him though! 

I have a real hatred for Rebel Troopers. They simply just fill a corp tax in the Rebel army at the moment and although they do provide a target, they always drop when shot at. Unfortunately investing in weapons or upgrades just seems to play into my opponents hands even more in this regard.

Tauns were amazing, but of course they're supposed to be. On the AT-RT's I originally took them for the range 4 laser however, I think the rotary blaster is the way to go as they can easily move into range and sit at range 3 keeping the weapon threat range active.

Pathfinders didn't do anything amazing for me and I can't help but feel perhaps a unit of Commandos would be better suited. Besides the black dice to shoot with, they low profile rule looks to be a better option in my eyes.

Onwards!