Victory Pointless

+++Research Log of Magos Biologis 8N-Burr-0+++

+++Analysis of second combat encounter between Tyranid and Imperial forces on the planet of Oghram.  Based on data and recordings made by Skitarii Ranger D-89 (Deceased)+++

Since the initial encounter the Tyranid swarm has spawned new combat organisms to counter the Imperial reclamation forces, including a new Hive Tyrant to act as a synaptic focal point for this swarm.  The Neurotyrant and Norn Emissary appear to have mutated to meet the threat; auspex scans indicate an increase in the power output of their psychic abilities.

The Tyranid forces came under attack by the Death Korps of Krieg, who were seeking to plant explosive charges to disrupt key assimilation zones in an infested Imperial city.

+++Disposition of Forces+++

Tyranids: Hive Tyrant, Neurotyrant + 3 Zoanthropes, Norn Emissary, Tyrannofex, Horuspex, 2 x 10 Hormagaunts, 10 Gargoyles, 3 Von Ryan’s Leapers, Lictor.

Astra Militarum: Marshal & Psyker + 20 Krieg Infantry, 20 Krieg Infantry, 2 x Heavy Weapon Squad, 5 x Krieg Cavalry, Leman Russ Tank Commander, Rogal Dorn, Valdor.

+++Battle Event Log+++

The Tyranid forces moved forwards cautiously but not cautiously enough, exposing several of their large beasts to tank fire.  The Tyrannofex unwisely entered into a test of firepower with the Valdor but lost out to the legendary war machine.  Meanwhile the Haruspex was brought down by the Rogal Dorn.

The smaller Tyranid creatures had better luck; the Von Ryan’s Leapers and Hormagaunts both quickly striking the heavy weapon teams and managing to follow up into the Valdor and Rogal Dorn.  The mighty guns were not silenced by the press of alien bodies but both were pinned in place for an extended period of time, in the case of the Valdor being trapped out in one corner of the battlefield and unable to draw a bead on any meaningful targets.

Psychic fire from the Zoanthropes and Norn took out the Tank Commander, however its glorious dying fusilade injured the Norn enough that the Dorn was able to dispatch it.

The Krieger infantry pressed forwards, managing to set explosive charges on two key points but were counterattacked by a Lictor and more Hormagaunts.  The squad lead by the Marshal and Psyker won out against the Hormagaunts after suffering heavy casualties while those facing the Lictor were initially stalemated until the Hive Tyrant joined the fray.

Unfortunately at this point Ranger D-89 took a stray lasgun bolt to the face and was killed, leaving her unable to observe the remainder of the battle.

Cogitated simulations of the final moments of the battle prove inconclusive.  The Rogal Dorn seems likely to have been able to retake one point from a late gargoyle onslaught while it’s possible that a cavalry charge - despite losing its first wave to fire from the Zoanthropes - may have been able to capture an undefended point to the East and potentially swung the battle back to the Imperial side.  However, with the possible intervention of the Tyrant or Lictor and the lurking threat of the Shadow in the Warp itself there are too many variables to be able to accurately predict the final result.  The result of this battle is therefore recorded in the annals of the Mechanicum as a stalemate.

(OOC Note: We ran out of time in Turn 4 and declared a draw)

+++Tactical Analysis+++

+ The Hive Mind appears to have underestimated the firepower of superior Imperial tank technology and made an early error in both exposing many of its larger monsters to their fire and spreading its own efforts too thinly to bring them down.

+ Ultimately it adapted its strategy and instead of trying to destroy the larger tanks it instead attempted to bog them down and keep them out of the fight with an infantry assault.  This proved a more effective strategy.

+++Aftermath+++

A short-lived excursion by D-90 revealed that the Tyranid swarm has now mostly regenerated from this battle, with only one group of Hormagaunts showing lasting injury.  Despite their success in tarpitting the Rogal Dorn they were last seen limping towards the reclamation pools.  The Hive Mind shows no sentimentality even to its most faithful servants, it seems.

+++Thought For The Day+++

Weakness is a sin in the eyes of the Emperor and must be expunged.