Warhammer 40k 4th edition: World Eaters vs Witch hunters 1500pts
game
Report & Strory: Jakub Polkowski
The amazing battle mat and all pieces of terrain come from Gamemat.eu
Story
Sister Amelia ran through the barren,
echoing halls of the fortress-monastery of the Order of Our
Martyred Lady, orbiting high above the holy world of Ophelia IV.
Her footsteps reverberated against the cold stone walls adorned
with low reliefs of ancient sisters—long gone, yet their eyes
forever frozen in judgment. Amelia knew she had defied the
commands of her sister-superior and would face penance. Yet, she
would bear the punishment without hesitation. The matter at hand
was too grave to be bound by the rigid chain of command.
She burst into the private sanctum of
Palatine Erika Luminas. The chamber was austere: a humble
mattress, a rack for weapons and armor, and a small altar to Saint
Katherine. The only illumination came from two half-burned
candles, their dim light flickering as if in defiance of the
surrounding shadows. Sister Erika knelt on the floor, her eyes
closed in deep prayer before the statue of Saint Katherine. Amelia
fell to her knees beside her superior.
— My Lady! Forgive my intrusion upon
your sacred devotions, but I bear a matter of the utmost urgency.
It cannot wait.
Sister Erika remained silent, her prayers
undisturbed. Minutes passed. Amelia hesitated, unsure of her next
move, but soon she joined in prayer. As the first sacred verses
passed her lips, a serene calm settled over her. They prayed
together for an hour before Erika opened her eyes.
— Novitiate. This interruption had
best be of grave importance. Otherwise, I will personally see to
it that you join the Sisters Repentia.
Amelia bowed her head low.
— If that is your will, my Lady, I
will embrace it without question. But... it is about Taravis.
— What of Taravis? - Erika's voice
hardened. - Speak, and do not test my patience.
— I saw it, my Lady. In my dreams.
Flames consumed it, ruin upon ruin.
Erika’s eyes narrowed.
— Taravis? That is impossible. It is
home to billions of the Emperor’s faithful and a garrison of the
Astra Militarum. And two hundred of our own Sisters defend the
Shrine of Saint Anastasia Pholitex. Are you certain it was
Taravis? Speak plainly! - Demanded Palatine.
— It was, my Lady. Saint Katherine
herself told me so.
Palatine Erika stood, her gaze locking onto
Amelia's with a piercing intensity that seemed to probe her very
soul.
— Follow me, Novitiate.
As they entered the command center of the
monastery, the wailing of klaxons filled the air, and the lights
shifted to an ominous red. The vox network crackled with reports
from servitors and Sisters manning the augur arrays.
— Report! What is happening? - Erika
demanded.
— My Lady, multiple ships of unknown
origin have breached the warp and entered our space. They are much
closer than the Mandeville Point! - reported Sister Mary.
— Activate defense grid. Code
Crimson. Launch all interceptors and raise the void shields. I
want a full auspex sweep in two minutes, and establish vox contact
with Canoness Commander Elivia of the Unbroken Vow. Now!
The command center buzzed with activity as
Sisters hurried to execute their orders. Erika sat upon the
command throne, her eyes fixed on the incoming reports. In the
background, Amelia watched in silence. After a few minutes, she
quietly stepped towards the exit.
— You are not dismissed, Novitiate.
Remain until I say otherwise. - Erika said without turning.
— Y-yes my Lady. Forgive me.
The chamber was filled with tension. They
sat around an ancient, rectangular table of nalwood. None spoke.
Sister Erika sat beside Canoness Commander Elivia, their command
staff arrayed behind them. At the far end of the table sat Amelia,
uncertain of her place in this assembly.
Across from them, a woman in an ancient
pattern of power armor sat, a finely crafted crossbow affixed to
her belt. Though she appeared young, her eyes betrayed a lifetime
of experience, and Amelia suspected that rejuvenat treatments had
preserved her appearance. Her retinue was no less remarkable — a
diverse band of men and women clad in armor of various origins,
their markings hinting at many different worlds. Even
tech-augmented adepts of the Machine God stood among them. But the
one who seized Amelia's attention was a figure clad in a black
bodyglove and a skull-faced helmet. His restless hands twitching,
one of which ended in scissor-like blades. An Eversor Assassin.
Amelia felt a chill as she recognized him.
— Such a warm welcome. - the woman
said coldly, her voice dripping with condescension.
— I am Tarianna Phallar. She tossed
an Inquisitorial rosette onto the table.
— As an Imperial Inquisitor Militant
of the Ordo Hereticus, I demand full compliance. Denial is
treachery. Am I understood?
Canoness Elivia surged to her feet, her
eyes burning with righteous fury.
— Do you dare question our loyalty to
the God-Emperor?
— Not at all, dear sister. - Tarianna
replied, her tone emotionless. - But let me be perfectly clear—I
am in command now. Are there any objections? No? Good. Let’s
continue then.
The Inquisitor gave a subtle nod to one of
her subordinates, who inserted a data-slate into the
holo-interface. The room was bathed in the flickering glow of the
projected map. Systems flashed before their eyes — some marked with
the ominous icon of a skull, others in green. One system was
highlighted in red.
— As you can see, we’ve lost three
systems already. The Imperium is under assault by a major force of
Chaos worshippers. The worlds they leave in their wake are nothing
more than scorched, barren husks — devoid of life. My adepts and
astropaths have discerned their trajectory. Their next target is
clear.
She paused as the red-marked system blinked
ominously on the holo-map.
— The Taravis system, as you all are
no doubt aware. By the authority of our Holy Emperor, I command
you to muster your full strength and join our crusade to defend
this world from the Ruinous Powers. We leave in eight hours. Be
ready by then.
Sister Erika rose from her seat, her
posture rigid, her muscles coiled with barely-contained
anticipation. A grim smile touched her lips.
— We will be ready in four.- she said, and
with that, she turned and strode from the room.
Armies
Witch Hunters
My 1500-point army list for the 4th edition of Warhammer 40k was designed to test various units from the Witch Hunters codex, which offers great flexibility in unit selection.
The army will be led by a Priest (equipped with no special weapons) and a Canoness armed with a holy relic that increases strength by +2, negates enemy armor, and allows her to reroll one missed attack during the combat phase. This formidable leader is protected by a 2+ armor save and a one-time shield against Instant Death. To complement her, I chose an elite Celestian squad with a Simulacrum Imperialis (as they say in High Gothic), armed with storm bolters and led by a champion wielding a power weapon. This elite unit is tightly packed into an Immolator equipped with heavy flamers.
Of course, no army would be complete without the titular Inquisitor from the Ordo Hereticus, armed with a crossbow that inflicts wounds on enemy Psykers on a roll of 2+. Thanks to her presence, an Eversor Assassin could join the fray. I had previously tested the Callidus Assassin in the 4th edition, so this choice represented a significant unknown for me.
The core of the army consists of two units of 10 Sisters of Battle, each equipped with a meltagun and a flamer, commanded by veteran sisters. Both units have Rhino transports to ensure mobility.
In the Heavy Support slot, I selected a single Exorcist and a Retributor squad armed with three heavy bolters. My final choice in this section was a squadron of Penitent Engines, all equipped with chain saws — likely the first time I will see these models on the tabletop.
World Eaters
I set out on my brutal crusade to the distant corners of the galaxy, aiming to devastate every sector in my path. Who could be better suited for such a role than the wrathful sons of Angron from the World Eaters Legion?
This time, I wanted to play with a roster of Chaos Space Marines whose hearts beat fervently for the glory of Khorne, the Blood God. The army list I prepared reflects the characteristic atmosphere of the World Eaters, who revel in bloody close-quarters combat and disdain any complicated tactics or ranged attacks against enemy units.
HQ
Heldon the Crimson Rampage - Chaos
Lord - I couldn’t resist the chance to field a lord riding a large demonic creature, making him a mobile unit with exceptional offensive potential.
Skarargh the Skullbreaker -
Daemon Prince of Khorne - My second choice in this slot is a flying demonic prince designed to wreak havoc among enemy armored units.
Troops
Khorne
Berzerkers in Chaos Rhino - I included two squads of eight marines each, packed into transports to reach the heart of the enemy's position as quickly as possible.
Bloodletters - Of course, I couldn’t leave out those sinister demons lurking in the Warp, waiting for the moment they could materialize in our world.
Heavy Support
Chaos Dreadnought -
I can’t imagine a Chaos Space Marine or Space Marine army without this model. For me, it embodies the essence of the Warhammer universe, and I simply can’t leave home without it.
Fast Attack
Chaos Space Marines Bikers - These are my fastest units, tasked with harassing the enemy flanks.
Pre battle
Scenario:
Seek&Destroy
Deployment:
The Eversor was deployed much closer to the Chaos
forces thanks to his Infiltrate special rule.
Witch Hunters won the roll for the first turn.
Battle
Witch Hunters 1
The Eversor Assassin leapt forward, positioning himself
directly in front of the ancient Dreadnought. On the left flank,
the Rhino advanced, mirrored by the Rhino in the center of the
battle line. The Immolator carrying the Celestian squad maneuvered
through the gap near the pipes, while the Exorcist took up position
beside the Immolator. The Penitent Engines surged ahead, seeking to
intercept the advancing Chaos forces, with the Inquisitor moving
just behind them, maintaining a commanding presence.
The Exorcist unleashed a volley of three missiles at the Chaos Rhino on the right flank. One of the missiles struck near the engine compartment, detonating and wrecking the vehicle. The ensuing explosion engulfed the Berzerkers inside, killing two of the traitor Marines.
The remaining shooting phase was less effective. The Rhino on the left flank failed to cause any damage to the Chaos Bikers, and the Retributor squad was unable to slow the advance of the second Rhino.
The assault phase opened with the Eversor Assassin charging the Dreadnought.
Berthal broke from cover, his enhanced organs pumping adrenaline
and combat drugs directly into his bloodstream and brain. His
heart thundered like a heavy bolter on full auto, each beat
driving him forward. Pain lanced through his body, but he ignored
it. Pain was irrelevant. He ran. Twenty steps. Time seemed to
slow. Fifteen steps. The hulking behemoth before him, a
Dreadnought, moved sluggishly now. It began to turn toward him—too
slow. Ten steps. His vision tunneled, focused on the single
objective. Five steps. The massive adamantium power fist swung
toward him. Too slow. So easy to evade.
Three more
steps. He ducked beneath the Dreadnought's swinging arm, his
movements a blur of fluid grace. One step. In a single, practiced
motion, Berthal pulled a melta bomb from his belt, armed it, and
mag-locked it to the Dreadnought’s hull. His other hand grasped
the machine’s surface, and he propelled himself away with the full
power of his altered muscles, launching behind a nearby generator.
The bomb detonated exactly three seconds after contact. The
explosion sent a shockwave through the air, momentarily
overloading Berthal’s hyper-augmented senses. He was paralyzed for
a heartbeat, then rose to his feet once more. His next target came
into view.
Using his preternatural reflexes, he managed to attach a melta bomb directly to the sarcophagus of the ancient war machine. The bomb detonated, triggering a catastrophic meltdown of the Dreadnought's reactor, annihilating the ancient warrior within.
World Eaters turn 1
The Chaos Bikers revved their engines furiously, speeding into position beside the containers. The Khorne Berzerkers, enraged by the destruction of their Rhino, failed their Blood Frenzy test and charged recklessly toward the Rhino on the left flank. Heldon, the Crimson Rampage, spurred his Juggernaut forward, seeking vengeance for the fallen Dreadnought.
The second Rhino repositioned near the central building and deployed its smoke launchers, creating a thick, protective cloud. Meanwhile, the
Daemon Prince of Khorne descended from the skies, landing menacingly beside the tank, ready to wreak havoc next turn.
There was no shooting this turn. No assaults occurred, and the turn concluded.
Witch Hunters 2
The Sisters disembarked from the Rhino on the left flank, while the Rhino in the center reversed, making space for the advancing Immolator, which edged forward slightly. The Exorcist repositioned further back. The Penitent Engines surged toward the center of the battlefield, and the Inquisitor moved closer to the tanks in the middle, preparing for the upcoming assault. Meanwhile, the Eversor Assassin sprinted to engage the Chaos Lord.
One of the Penitent Engines was within range and unleashed a torrent of flames from its heavy flamer at the Chaos Lord. However, the fiery assault failed to breach the ceramite armor of the Chaos Lord.
The Eversor fired his needle pistol, but the shots were equally ineffective.
The Exorcist fired 4 missiles at Heldon, the Crimson Rampage, but despite the barrage, all 4 wounds were saved by his infernal defenses!
On the right flank, the Rhino fired at the advancing Berzerkers, but no wounds were inflicted.
Kaelar the Ravager twisted the handlebar of his bike, veering
sharply just in time. The searing melta beam scorched the air
where he had been a moment before. He cursed inwardly, rage
simmering beneath his skin. The bloodlust clawed at his mind,
threatening to overwhelm him. His claws flexed against the
handlebars, driven by fury beyond his will. His brothers were
near, but their numbers dwindled.
Sarin had already
fallen—a lucky shot from a heavy bolter ignited the fuel tank of
his bike, and ten millennia of carnage ended in an inferno. Rhegan
followed shortly after, caught in a storm of bolter fire. His
ancient power armor shattered under the assault, reactive shells
exploding within his flesh, reducing him to a fine red mist. His
bike, now riderless, crashed headlong into a container, leaving
nothing but wreckage.
Kaelar snarled, gritting his
teeth as the rage deepened, the red mist clouding his vision. The
bloodlust was taking hold, and soon there would be no stopping it.
The Rhino in the center fired its storm bolter at the Bikers, but they dodged the shots with ease. The disembarked Sisters and the Retributor squad unleashed a hail of firepower at the Bikers. However, their high toughness, strong armor, and Feel No Pain left only 2 of the Khorne worshippers dead.
The Eversor Assassin charged into combat with the Chaos Lord mounted on his Juggernaut.
Flames devoured his bodysuit, now searing his flesh beneath. His
skin blistered, his organs began failing one by one under the
toxic overdose of combat drugs coursing through him. Yet, Berthal
still had anger. Anger and pain kept him alive, for now. A
massive, demonic beast charged toward him, ridden by a
ceramite-clad giant wielding a screaming axe the size of a man.
Berthal filled his lungs with burning air and, despite the
agony, forced himself to stand. With a mental command, he injected
the last of his stimulants. The pain vanished, leaving only the
rage. He clung to it like a weapon and charged to meet his next
foe. As they closed the distance, time slowed once more for the
Eversor. His mind, honed to lethal precision, processed every
movement in agonizing clarity.
In a split second, he
shifted direction, leaping into the air, narrowly evading the
beast's horn by mere millimeters. Not even the transhuman reflexes
of the traitorous Space Marine were fast enough to stop him.
Berthal knew the weak points in the heretical armor. Using the
beast’s momentum, he thrust his scissor-like blades beneath the
chin of the giant, slicing through the rubberized joints and
severing the head of the Khorne worshipper in one savage motion.
With its rider dead, the demonic mount lost its grip on
realspace. Its agonized scream echoed briefly before it was
dragged back into the immaterium. The headless corpse of the
heretic crashed to the ground with a thunderous impact.
To Berthal’s surprise, he felt something new stirring beside the
ever-present anger. It was joy. The joy of bloodlust. And he
relished it.
In a vicious exchange, the Assassin inflicted 3 wounds that required 5+ invulnerable saves. The dice were rolled — none succeeded!
After slaying the Chaos Lord, the Eversor Assassin consolidated behind a nearby generator, having single-handedly secured the right flank.
World Eaters turn 2
The turn began with the Biker Champion summoning a unit of Bloodletters. They tore through the warp, materializing at a critical point—directly between the Retributor squad and the Rhino. At the same time, the Daemon Prince of Khorne activated his unholy jump pack, soaring over the battlefield and landing ominously in front of the Immolator.
The Berzerkers inside the Rhino failed their Crazed test once again and immediately disembarked, advancing alongside the large generator in the center of the battlefield.
The second unit of Angron's sons closed in on the Sisters’ squad on the left flank.
The Bloodletters prepared to assault the Rhino while the Bikers positioned themselves to neutralize the Retributor squad.
The Berzerkers unleashed a hail of bolt pistol fire, cutting down 2 Sisters before charging.
The Sisters, knowing the Berzerkers were upon them, prayed for deliverance but were only granted the blessing of Fearless. As the Khorne Berzerkers charged, the butchery began.
With a staggering 12 wounds inflicted and their armor reduced to a 4+ save, the entire squad of Sisters was mercilessly wiped out. Drenched in the blood of the holy maidens, the Berzerkers consolidated 1 inch forward, their bloodlust insatiable.
The Bikers clashed with the Retributor squad.
Kaelar launched himself from his bike with a powerful leap,
landing atop the container in one fluid motion. Below him, a group
of female warriors in power armor caught sight of him, and he
savored the terror in their eyes.
The first died before she
even had time to react—his power claw cleaved through her
midsection, bisecting her at the waist. Her body fell in two
pieces before she could scream. The second warrior raised her
bolter to fire at point-blank range, but Kaelar was faster. His
left arm punched through her chest, leaving a smoking hole where
her heart once beat.
The third managed to get a shot off,
but he ducked beneath the bolt round and retaliated with a savage
swing. His right claw sliced through her legs, sending her
crumpling to the ground in a pool of blood.
The fourth
warrior charged, her chainsword roaring as she brought it down
against his pauldron. The teeth of the blade barely scratched the
ceramite, not even chipping the paint. With a brutal reverse swipe
of his left hand, Kaelar drove the blades of his power claw into
her abdomen and dragged them upwards, tearing her apart. A
fountain of gore erupted, drenching him in blood and viscera.
— Kill! Maim! Burn! — he roared, as the battlefield echoed with
his murderous wrath.
Meanwhile, the Bikers smashed into the Retributor squad. The Champion, wielding a pair of lightning claws, eviscerated 4 Retributors in a flurry of brutal slashes, while the remaining Bikers slaughtered the rest. After the massacre, they consolidated 2 inches closer to the Bloodletters, ready for their next target.
The Bloodletters struck the Rhino in a brutal assault, but only managed to shake the crew, leaving the vehicle operational for the time being.
Daemon Prince of Khorne Assaults the Immolator.
The Daemon Prince unleashed his fury on the Immolator, delivering devastating blows with his massive blade. The Immolator was wrecked, bursting into flames.
In the ensuing chaos, 2 Sisters were not quick enough to escape the burning wreckage. However, thanks to the inspiring leadership of the Canoness, the surviving Sisters passed their pinning test, refusing to falter despite the carnage around them.
Witch Hunters 3
The Rhino on the left flank reversed, retreating from the advancing Berzerkers. Meanwhile, the Exorcist repositioned behind the wreckage of the destroyed Immolator, seeking cover.
The Inquisitor took refuge in the shadow of the tank, staying out of sight from the Chaos forces.
The Celestian squad, disembarking from the ruined Immolator, encircled the mighty Daemon Prince of Khorne. The Penitent Engines marched closer to the winged abomination, preparing for the inevitable clash.
Simultaneously, the Sisters who had disembarked from the Rhino assaulted by Bloodletters raised their bolters, aiming at the daemonic entities swarming around them.
The Eversor Assassin sprinted across the battlefield, closing the distance to join the walkers in the fight.
The battle roared to life as the Celestians and Penitent Engines unleashed their firepower at the Daemon Prince of Khorne. Despite their combined firepower, their efforts were futile — the fell creature remained unscathed, its daemonic aura shrugging off every attack.
Nearby, the Sisters with the heavy flamer managed to incinerate two Bloodletters, but it was a meager victory amidst the greater struggle. The Exorcist fired a barrage at the Rhino accompanying the Khorne Berzerkers, managing only to shake the vehicle's crew.
IIt was now or never for the Witch Hunters. The Celestian squad, bolstered by their Act of Faith, activated their invulnerable saves. With righteous determination, they charged alongside the Penitent Engines into the Daemon Prince of Khorne, intent on bringing down the monstrous champion of the Blood God.
Recognizing the Penitent Engines as the greatest threat, the Daemon attacked them first. With a powerful swing, he severed the arm of one machine and then impaled it on his sword, destroying it. The remaining engines attempted to retaliate, but they rolled two ones for their attacks, failing to inflict any damage!
The Celestian squad, despite their zeal and fervor, found their weapons ineffective against the thick, unholy hide of the Daemon. But in the midst of the fray, the Canoness stepped forward, her soul blazing with faith and conviction. Her master-crafted power sword ignited with holy energy, piercing through the Daemon Prince’s unnatural flesh, inflicting two grievous wounds upon the fell creature!
The battle hung in the balance, the fate of the faithful and the forces of Chaos intertwined in this desperate moment.
World Eaters turn 3
The Khorne Berzerkers on the left flank succumbed to their bloodlust, failing their leadership test and charging headlong towards the Rhino. Meanwhile, the Rhino repositioned away from the Eversor Assassin, seeking safety near the containers.
The Bloodletters, sensing the carnage ahead, closed in on the Sisters’ squad, leaving an opening for the Bikers to join the impending slaughter.
In the center, the Berzerkers charged forward, ready to join the bloodbath.
The Bikers unleashed a barrage of bolter fire, felling just one Sister from the beleaguered squad. The bloodshed was about to escalate further.
The Sisters prayed for divine intervention, but their Act of Faith faltered. The Celestians, however, succeeded, their unwavering faith granting them Invulnerable Saves once again, bracing themselves for the onslaught.
The forces of Khorne launched their assault with terrifying force.
The Bikers and Bloodletters charged into the Sisters squad.
The Khorne Berzerkers into Celestians squad.
The bikers, fueled by their hatred, butchered three Sisters, while the Bloodletters cut down four more, leaving only two survivors clinging to life.
At the heart of the battlefield, the wounded Daemon Prince of Khorne unleashed his wrath upon the Penitent Engines. His daemonic sword cleaved through both of the war machines, and as one fell, it erupted in a fiery explosion, sending shrapnel across a 5-inch radius — but miraculously, no one was harmed by the blast.
The bloodthirsty Berzerkers were next. The Priest was the first to fall, and despite the invulnerable blessings, four Celestians were overwhelmed by the sheer number of wounds inflicted by the madmen.
Amidst the chaos, the Canoness, filled with righteous fury, found a weak spot in the Daemon Prince’s defense. Her master-crafted power sword struck true, inflicting another grievous wound, leaving the fell creature on the brink of destruction.
But the final blow came from an unlikely source. A Celestian, wielding a power sword, launched herself into the air, eyes blazing with hatred. Her strike landed with precision, and with that, the Daemon Prince was banished back to the Warp, its form disintegrating into ash.
Erika was hurled to the ground like a
broken puppet, the shockwave from the Daemon Prince’s banishment
rippling through the battlefield. Everyone nearby was struck by
its force. She struggled to her feet, leaning heavily on her
sword. Her vision blurred, but through the blood-red mist, she saw
Sister Elivia, who had struck the killing blow against the beast.
Elivia stood tall, singing the Hymn of Eternal Duty, her eyes
filled with tears of righteous joy.
— Sister! Look out! - Erika shouted,
but it was far too late.
Elivia's eyes widened in shock as a power
fist punched through her chest, tearing a massive hole in her
torso. Her lifeless body was immediately torn apart by the howling
Berzerkers that swarmed her. Rage and grief surged through Erika’s
soul, fueling her with newfound strength. She began to chant the
Litany of Hate, her voice rising above the din of battle as she
strode toward the charging Chaos warriors.
The first Berzerker swung his chain axe in
a murderous arc, aiming to cleave her in two. Erika sidestepped
the blow with a graceful pirouette, her blade flashing out as she
spun. The Berzerker’s head was severed cleanly from his shoulders,
and a fountain of blood erupted from his corpse. She didn’t pause,
didn’t hesitate—her instincts were all that remained.
Another traitor came at her. An upward
slash that nearly eviscerated her. She dodged, ducking beneath.
The return swing - a one fluid motion, slashed her holy blade
across the traitor’s knee. The Berzerker roared in fury and fell
face-first, unable to balance on one leg. Before he could react,
Erika plunged her sword through his helmet, ending his life.
Now drenched in the blood of her enemies,
Erika yanked her blade from the shattered skull and assumed a
fighting stance.
— In the name of the God-Emperor, you
will all die here! - she shouted.
The remaining Berzerkers encircled her,
their feral roars echoing in the air. And then, she realized —
they were laughing.
Now, only the Canoness stood amidst the carnage, encircled by the mad butchers of Khorne. The forces of Chaos closed in, their eyes burning with the lust for blood.
Witch Hunters 4
The Witch Hunters were running out of options as their forces dwindled. The Rhino, desperate to escape the encroaching Khorne warriors, sped as far from the enemy as possible. Meanwhile, the Exorcist repositioned behind the pipes, securing its vulnerable rear armor. The Inquisitor, sensing the danger, vaulted over the pipes to gain distance from the advancing heretics. In contrast, the Eversor Assassin sprinted at full speed, eager to rejoin the fray.
With precision, the Exorcist launched another salvo of missiles at the enemy Rhino. The barrage struck true, immobilizing the vehicle and cutting off further movement from the Khorne warband’s transport.
The battlefield was drenched in blood as the Chaos forces pressed their advantage. The Bikers and Bloodletters showed no mercy, hacking apart the last two Sisters in their path. Their lifeless bodies crumpled under the assault, leaving the battlefield in the hands of the bloodthirsty followers of Khorne.
Meanwhile, the Canoness, her faith unwavering, called upon the Emperor’s blessing once more, granting herself an Invulnerable Save. Her master-crafted power sword found its mark, felling a single Berzerker in a swift stroke. Yet the Berzerkers retaliated with unholy fury, wounding her twice in return, each strike pushing her closer to her limits.
World Eaters turn 4
The Chaos Space Marine Bikers, engines howling with fury, turbo-boosted across the battlefield, zeroing in on the Inquisitor. Their speed left a trail of dust and debris as they prepared to strike next turn.
The Bloodletters, still drenched in gore from their previous battle, advanced menacingly towards the Exorcist, their eyes gleaming with daemonic hunger.
The immobilized Rhino's crew frantically tried to restart the engine, but their efforts were in vain as the vehicle remained stuck in place.
The battlefield fell eerily silent as the Chaos forces prepared for their brutal melee assaults.
The blood-soaked Berzerkers slammed into the immobilized Rhino, their bloodlust palpable. Krak grenades detonated around the vehicle, but the ancient armor held. It wasn't until the Champion, his power fist crackling with energy, smashed through the driver's compartment that the Rhino was torn apart. The Sisters inside were slaughtered without mercy, their bodies scattered as the vehicle exploded into a twisted wreckage.
Next, the Bloodletters reached the Exorcist.
Their daemonic claws scraped and slashed at the vehicle’s hull, inflicting three glancing hits. The missile launcher was ripped apart in a spray of metal, and the crew inside were left stunned and unable to respond.
But all eyes turned to the main conflict—the Canoness, standing tall amidst the fallen.
The Canoness, calling upon the Emperor’s grace once more, enacted the Act of Faith and blessed herself with an invulnerable save.
With unmatched zeal, she struck down two Berzerkers, their bodies collapsing into heaps of blood and gore. Yet, in the flurry of chainswords, one vicious strike found a weak point in her armor. The chainsword tore through her, and the last wound was inflicted.
The mighty Canoness, bloodied but unbroken in spirit, fell to the ground.
Witch Hunters 5
With few units left to maneuver, the phase passed swiftly. The Rhino, attempting to escape the wrath of the Khorne Berzerkers, sped further away from the bloodthirsty traitors. Meanwhile, the Eversor Assassin moved with lethal grace toward the Bloodletters, his dark silhouette a blur of death, and the Inquisitor advanced beside him, her gaze fixed upon the daemonic threat.
The Inquisitor raised her ancient crossbow, and with a sharp twang, loosed a bolt directly into one of the daemons. The shot hit its mark, causing one Bloodletter to disintegrate into crimson mist as its form was banished back to the warp.
The Eversor Assassin charged into the fray, his scissor-blades flashing in a whirlwind of attacks.
Despite his flurry of strikes, only one Bloodletter was slain by his deadly precision. The daemons of Khorne, driven by their eternal bloodlust, attempted to retaliate but found the Assassin’s speed impossible to match. His unnatural reflexes kept him unharmed, dodging their vicious strikes.
The Bloodletters, still infused with the rage of their dark god, passed their break tests, their malevolent forms holding their ground. The battle between the Assassin and the daemons was far from over.
World Eaters turn 5
The forces of Chaos continued their relentless assault, as the bloodshed of battle surged ever onward.
On the left flank, the Khorne Berzerkers failed their Crazed test once again, forcing them to move erratically around the containers, bloodlust driving their every step.
The immobilized Rhino remained stationary as the crew struggled, but failed, to repair the damaged engine.
Meanwhile, the Chaos Bikers revved their engines and closed in on the Inquisitor, their sinister forms darting across the battlefield with speed and purpose. At the same time, the Berzerkers in the center closed the gap between themselves and the Exorcist, eager to finish the job.
The Bikers unleashed a punishing volley of bolter fire at the Inquisitor. Bolts exploded around her, and though she fought valiantly to avoid the worst of the damage, one shot found its mark. The impact pierced her armor, inflicting a grievous wound, but she remained standing, defiant in the face of the Chaos onslaught. With a roar of engines and fury, the Bikers charged the wounded Inquisitor.
Simultaneously, the Berzerkers crashed into the side of the Exorcist.
The Butchers' Nails loosened their
merciless grip, their hold weakening for a brief moment. He
struggled to recall the last minutes of the battle. The last
memory was of slaughter—cutting down the false Emperor's women in
their gleaming power armor atop the containers. Then the Nails
hit, harder than ever, and everything became a haze of blood and
rage.
Now, he stood over a broken, limbless
figure—the Witch Hunter. She was on the verge of death, her breath
coming in ragged gasps, blood pouring from the stumps where her
arms and legs had been. He turned, scanning the battlefield. His
brothers—his squad—lay dead. Fury ignited within him, and the
Nails sang once more. With deliberate, savage precision, he drove
the blades of his power claws into her chest. Slowly. Deeply. Her
agonized screams echoed across the ruins. The Nails rewarded him,
pleasure surging up his spine, a twisted euphoria in the wake of
her suffering.
— Y-you failed... - she gasped, her
final words barely audible.
He locked eyes with her as the light faded
from them, unsure of her meaning. Then, without care, he tossed
her mutilated corpse aside like waste.
He surveyed the field again. The ground was
littered with the bodies of the loyalist dogs. His gaze
shifted—there was no sign of Heldon or Skarargh. Dead, perhaps, or
lost in the storm of battle. The tension from the Nails began to
rise again, his dual hearts pounding as bloodlust swelled. A
thought struck him: this could be his time. His moment to take
command of the warband.
Then, in the distance, he spotted a single
Rhino fleeing. The Witch Hunter’s last words echoed in his mind.
The Nails roared once more, and rage
swallowed him whole.
The Chaos Champion, wielding his paired lightning claws with brutal efficiency, struck her down before she could even lift her weapon in defense. The Witch Huntress fell, her body torn apart by the savage flurry of blows, her fight ending in an instant beneath the Champion’s relentless assault.
Meanwhile, the Eversor Assassin continued his deadly dance with the Bloodletters. In a blur of movement, he dispatched another of the daemonic entities, avoiding their retaliatory strikes with ease. However, the horrors of the warp held their ground, refusing to break despite their losses. The fight with the daemons would continue for another round.
The Berzerkers with their chainaxes and krak grenades, were battering the war machine. Their ferocity paid off as they managed to immobilize the tank, leaving it as a sitting target for future destruction.
Witch Hunters 6
With their numbers dwindling, the remaining forces of the Witch Hunters fought on, desperate to inflict some form of retribution on their enemies before the inevitable end.
The last operational Rhino revved its engines, determined to strike back. The vehicle maneuvered into position, gaining a clear line of sight to the Berzerkers advancing in the middle of the battlefield. Though damaged and nearly abandoned, the tank’s crew refused to give up.
With a blast of its storm bolter, the Rhino opened fire on the rampaging Khorne Berzerkers. A well-aimed shot struck one of the heretical Astartes, but his ceramite armor, imbued with the unholy blessings of the Blood God, held firm. The shot, while solid, failed to penetrate, leaving the Berzerker unscathed and still hungry for blood.
Meanwhile, the Eversor Assassin, locked in brutal combat with the Bloodletters, found himself struggling against the daemonic tide. His blinding speed and lethal scissor-blades failed to land a killing blow on the horrors this time. The Bloodletters, feeding off the energies of the warp and their bloodlust, retaliated with a fury that even the Assassin’s reflexes could not fully avoid. A daemonic blade slashed through the air, finding its mark. The Assassin, though enhanced and tough, could not avoid taking a wound from the vicious attack.
World Eaters turn 6
With the forces of the Witch Hunters reduced to mere remnants, the Chaos legions moved in to deliver the final blow.
The Chaos Bikers, sensing the Eversor Assassin’s vulnerability, revved their engines and charged straight into him. The assassin, driven by his chemically-altered reflexes, reacted instantly. In a whirlwind of scissor-blades and sheer speed, he managed to slice through two of the charging bikers, sending their bodies crashing to the ground in pools of blood.
But the Biker Champion, a true servant of Khorne, proved his mastery in combat. Unleashing a flurry of six vicious attacks, each strike found its mark, bypassing even the Eversor's enhanced defenses. The lethal precision of the Champion’s blows activated the deadly concoctions within the Assassin’s body. The unstable chemicals, now uncontrolled, reacted violently—triggering an explosive chain reaction. The blast consumed the Assassin in a final act of destruction, killing him and catching a nearby Bloodletter in the explosion.
Meanwhile, the Khorne Berzerkers, with nothing left to stop them, turned their rage toward the immobile Exorcist. The Champion, wielding a massive power fist, easily tore through the tank’s armored hull. With each brutal punch, he ripped apart the war machine, reducing it to a smoldering wreck. The once-glorious vehicle was now nothing but twisted metal and fire.
With the Eversor slain, the Exorcist wrecked, and no forces remaining to oppose them, the game was decisively over. Chaos had triumphed on the battlefield, leaving only destruction and blood-soaked ruins in their wake. The forces of the Blood God had claimed their victory, basking in the carnage and slaughter, their hunger for war temporarily sated.
Epilogue
— Turn around! We must
help them! — Amelia shouted from behind the pintle-mounted storm
bolter, her voice barely rising above the roar of the Rhino's
engine.
— Forget it, Novitiate! There's
nothing left to save. They're all dead! — Sister Rosaria barked in
reply, her eyes fixed ahead as she gunned the vehicle through the
war-torn streets.
Amelia knew it was true. She had seen the
carnage with her own eyes. But the truth was like a bitter wound
she couldn’t yet bear.
— We still have our mission to
complete! - Rosaria continued, her voice hard. - We follow orders.
It is more important than the lives of any of us.
Amelia glanced back into the Rhino’s hold.
The sacred relics of Saint Anastasia Pholitex, their holy duty, lay there,
undisturbed, glowing faintly as if waiting to unleash the
Emperor's wrath. A cold determination gripped her soul, steeling
her resolve.
— You are right, Sister. Forgive me.
We must ensure that our Sisters' sacrifice is not in vain.
Rosaria gave a curt nod, her expression
unreadable as she pushed the Rhino's engine to its absolute
limits, the machine rumbling as they sped toward their objective.
— Holy Emperor, guide us, protect us,
deliver us. Saint Katherine, watch over us. Show us the path to
salvation - Rosaria intoned, her voice filled with devotion.
— And bring your wrath upon our
enemies. Let them suffer eternally for the blood they have spilled
this day - Amelia joined in the prayer, her words a vow of
vengeance.
FINAL SCORE
Witch Hunters 829 : 1442 World Eaters - a Solid Victory for World Eaters
Post game
Witch Hunters
One glance at the terrain setup and the army list of my archenemy led me to decide to play it safe, waiting for the Khorne fanatics to come to me. My plan was simple: I needed to soften his forces a bit first to have a chance against the followers of the Blood God. However, I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t try something crazy. My enemy’s deployment was very wide, leaving a lone Dreadnought on one flank. This Dreadnought was the only unit capable of seriously threatening my transports and Exorcists.
That’s why I decided to infiltrate an Eversor Assassin and deliver a melta bomb to him. This maneuver allowed the Assassin to be within 12 inches of the target before the first turn began and charge on the first turn. A suicide mission, you say? But this time, the Eversor blew up the Dreadnought and then managed to hunt down and kill the Chaos Lord. Unfortunately, the rest of my army was not so lucky. The softening of the Chaos forces failed, and the Emperor's servants were forced to rely on deadly hand-to-hand combat.
The Sisters of Battle are a demanding army, and any mistakes—or worse, poor dice rolls—cost dearly.
In the aftermath, I would like to thank the Officio Assassinorum for training such a deadly Eversor! Although I lost, it was great fun playing against Kuba and his nostalgic Oldhammer army. Until next time, and for the Emperor!
World Eaters
Before the battle, I concentrated the World Eaters' forces on one half of the table, leaving the lone Dreadnought on the other flank. Its unpredictable nature had already given me a hard time more than once. Additionally, it served as a decoy, drawing some of the Sisters' heavy support fire, which gave me time to close the gap and get my other troops into charging range. The game plan was simple: I had to reach the enemy units at all costs with as few losses as possible. Once engaged, I would tie them up in close combat, where I dominate.
After the battle, I would like to thank Adam for mustering such an atmospheric army. It gave me the chance to see units I had never faced on the battlefield before. However, reality quickly verified my plans. Losing the Dreadnought and one of the Rhinos before they could even move hurt me greatly and clipped my wings. Despite these quick losses, I gritted my teeth and pressed forward. I decided to concentrate almost all my forces in the center to attack one of the flanks. From there, I planned to move toward the heart of the Sisters' deployment zone. Flanking bikes can be a terrible opponent, especially if the enemy isn't geared for close-quarters exchanges. I was surprised at how effective they were, and they allowed me to summon Daemons exactly where I wanted—within charging range of enemy positions from turn two. To make it even easier, following the favored number of the Chaos God grants a summoning bonus.
Once I managed to tie up my opponent in hand-to-hand combat, I became confident that the Sisters were doomed. I admit that luck smiled upon me, especially with my invulnerable save rolls, particularly for the Daemon Prince, who managed to tie up a large part of the enemy's army in the center of the battlefield. I plan to use a similar tactic against other more stationary armies, such as Tau or Astra Militarum, because it yields surprisingly positive results.
After this battle, I would like to give special recognition to the Chaos Space Marine Bikers, who wreaked havoc among the Sisters with their charges. After such a bloody and brutal raid, they have secured a special place in the Realms of Chaos.
...and remember blood for the Blood God,
skulls for the Skull Throne!