NOVA Open (Sunday)

Day 2 of the 40k GT. Since I was 4-0 in day 1, I am seeded in the Top 16 Bracket. All of my opponents will be excellent players.

Round 5: Pitched Battle, Table Quarters, Kill Points, Objectives
Dawson Hindrelet, Space Wolves

Wolf Lord w/Thunderwolf Mount, Runic Armor, Wolf Claw, Stormshield
Wolf Lord w/Thunderwolf Mount, Runic Armor, Frostblade, Stormshield
Wolf Lord w/Thunderwolf Mount, Runic Armor, Thunderhammer, Stormshield
Dreadnought w/Multi-Melta, Heavy Flamer
Drop Pod
Dreadnought w/Multi-Melta, Heavy Flamer
Drop Pod
Dreadnought w/Multi-Melta, Heavy Flamer
Drop Pod
5 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Razorback
5 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Razorback
5 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Razorback
2 Thunderwolf Cavalry w/2 Stormshields, Powerfist
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers

I deployed in my usual off-center formation (refused flank in one corner). Dawson deployed first. I then managed to seize the initiative. He podded in the dreadnoughts who performed awfully and failed to destroy anything with Multi-melta shots. I was able to pound the 5 thunderwolves with Manticore fire before they split up. Since there were no sagas on any of the lords, they were easy decision targets for S10 fire. I "Instant Killed" both Thunderwolf Cavalry (with Manticores) and two of the three wolf lords (Both with Demolisher shots). Lascannon/meltagun/multi-laser fire accounted for the third one. In the interim, I had been opening up into the Long Fangs with Multi-Laser/Heavy Bolter/autocannon fire and whittled them down a bit. I mostly ignored the razorbacks (who chilled in his backfield) until everything else was taken care of.
I won 3 quarters to 1.

Round 6: Dawn of War, Kill Points, Objectives, Table Quarters
Tony Kopach, Space Wolves (When I saw this matchup, I thought "Well, shit")

Njal Stormcaller, Lord of Tempests
6 Wolf Guard w/6 Combi-Meltas, 6 Powerfists (distributed 2 to the scouts, 4 to big Grey Hunter squads)
5 Wolf Scouts w/Meltagun
5 Wolf Scouts w/Meltagun
8 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun, Wolf Standard
Rhino
8 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun, Wolf Standard
Rhino
8 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun, Wolf Standard
Rhino
8 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun, Wolf Standard
Rhino
5 Grey Hunters w/Flamer
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
5 Grey Hunters w/Flamer
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers

I have played Tony a couple times before. Since we are friends and know each other, this game was fun and talkative. Tony won the roll off and deployed Njal+GH Squad+Rhino in the center of the board. I seized the initiative on Tony. I moved everything on and got LoS to Njal's Rhino, 6 Twin-linked lascannons later...it was stunned. the turning point in this game was turn 2 when one of tony's wolf scout squads arrived and multi-charged a Chimera and my Bubblewrap Conscripts. Somehow, the conscripts passed their break test (on a 4) so I would have to spend a significant effort to remove the Wold Scouts.
Whilst that was happening, I just could not kill Rhinos. My first kill point of the game came in turn 4, when I wiped out the Scout Squad. Next turn Tony completed the tabling by Njal Force-Weaponing my Commander...Ouch. The game ended 22-2. I have some idea what I did wrong, I think I need to start ignoring Wolf Scouts when I play. They were definitely the deciding factor.

Round 7: Pitched Battle, Objectives, Kill Points, Table Quarters
Brad "Hulksmash" Townsend, Space Wolves (Loganwing)

Logan Grimnar, The Great Wolf
Lone Wolf w/Terminator Armor, Chainfist, Storm Shield
Lone Wolf w/Terminator Armor, Chainfist, Storm Shield
5 Wolf Scouts w/2 Powerweapons, Meltagun
10 Wolf Guard, equipped as follows
-1 w/Powerweapon
-1 regular
-2 w/Terminator Armor, Wolf Claw
-4 w/Terminator Armor, Combi-Plasma, Wolf Claw
-2 w/Terminator Armor, Cyclone Missile Launcher, Chainfist
5 Wolf Guard, equipped as follows
-4 w/Power Armor, Storm Bolter
-1 w/Cyclone Missile Launcher, Chain Fist
5 Wolf Guard, equipped as follows
-4 w/Power Armor, Storm Bolter
-1 w/Cyclone Missile Launcher, Chain Fist
5 Wolf Guard, equipped as follows
-4 w/Power Armor, Storm Bolter
-1 w/Cyclone Missile Launcher, Chain Fist
5 Wolf Guard, equipped as follows
-3 w/Power Armor, Storm Bolter
-1 w/Power Armor
-1 w/Cyclone Missile Launcher, Chain Fist
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers

So , lots of missiles, 24 shots, I believe. I didn't even try to kill the 10-man Logan Squad. Brad had no problem killing my vehicles, I had lots of trouble killing terminators, I think I only killed one 5-man squad (leaving others with just a terminator.) The Wolf Scouts and Lone Wolves gave me problems. At the end of Brads turn 6, he had 2 objectives and I had one. I moved a Chimera to contest one and gave my officer the "move, move, move!"order to get in contesting range of the other. I knew if the game went to 7, I would lose. This game came down to a single d6 roll. on a 1-3 Brad would lose, on a 4-6 Brad would win.
When the dice fell, we were both super nervous, Brad rolled a 5. and claimed victory.
Great game, even though he had me for the majority of it.

Round 8: Spearhead, Table Quarters, Objectives, Kill Points
Adam Tricola, Dark Eldar "Kabal of the Awesomesauce"

Baron Sathonyx
Haemonculus
7 Incubi
Raider w/Grisly Trophies, Flickerfield
3 Wracks
Venom w/2 Splinter Cannons, Grisly Trophies
5 Kabalite Warriors w/Blaster
Venom w/2 Splinter Cannons, Grisly Trophies
5 Kabalite Warriors w/Blaster
Venom w/2 Splinter Cannons, Grisly Trophies
5 Kabalite Warriors w/Blaster
Venom w/2 Splinter Cannons, Grisly Trophies
18 Hellions w/Helliarch, Agoniser
6 Reavers w/2 Heat Lances
6 Reavers w/2 Heat Lances
6 Reavers w/2 Heat Lances
Ravager w/3 Dark Lances, Flickerfield
Ravager w/3 Dark Lances, Flickerfield
Ravager w/3 Dark Lances, Flickerfield

So, Adam and I deployed opposite each other and he came at me. We both had trouble destroying the others vehicles. Until about turn 3, when I was able to kill a good bit of them plus all the Reavers that were up in my face. The Baron and the Hellion squad came on my left and harassed my 3 Infantry Squad in Chimeras (as well as the conscripts later). Since we both had a lot to move, we only got through Turn 4. Not that either of us were slow, we just had lots to do. At the end, we were tied on all mission objectives but I was over by Victory Points.
For those of you keeping track, Adam was my first opponent whose army was not a Space Marine variant. Bravo Adam!

So, at the end of the tournament, I finished 6-2. Pretty awesome by my account.

-Mike