After many moons of not gaming 40K (in any edition!), we finally played a proper 2nd edition game. No modifications (except how we handle flamed units). No PA Activations, etc...just classic 2nd edition by the book.
We took two 500 point forces and played cooperatively against a 1,000 Tyranids list. Running my Eldar I opted for two small squads of Pirates, led by heroes...and a unit of Eldar scouts. The Dark Angels, led by a Techmarine, ran two battle squads in rhinos.
We added a narrative mission focus, in case this turns into a campaign:
- An Imperial world had ceased communicating with the nearest system.
- A nearby Dark Angels frigate was dispatched to investigate.
- Upon arriving in system, the Dark Angels frigate experienced long-distance communication issues.
- The Dark Angels frigate was hailed by an unknown Xenos ship.
- This Xenos ship turned out to be an Eldar Pirate vessel.
- While prepared to destroy the Xenos vessel, the Dark Angels first accepted a hail from the self-proclaimed captain of the vessel.
- The Eldar Pirate Captain informed the Dark Angels that the Tyranids Xenos had overwhelmed the planet. The Pirate Captain and his ship were monitoring the Tyranid fleet as it was nearing the Eldar Craftworld of Yderis.
- The Dark Angels acknowledged this possibility when their long-range communications failed, an issue consistent with evidence of the Tyranids hive fleets.
- Within hours of translating in system, the Dark Angels came under attack from the Tyranid hive fleet.
- A small combined party of Eldar Pirates and Dark Angels made for the surface of the planet, hoping to fire off a distress signal from the planet's communications satellites - perhaps the only communications strong enough to break the cloud of the Tyranids' fleet.
Our goal: At the start of each turn, if we possessed models inside the communications command building, we could roll a single D3. If we acquired nine points, the message was sent successfully.
The odd alliance between Eldar Pirates and Dark Angels Space Marines attempts to hold the line.
The Dark Angels valiantly hold their line against the wave of Tyranid creatures.
The Space Marines fall as they engage the merciless Tyranids.
Using the other Pirate squad and the Space Marines as distractions, the last Pirate squad tries to reach the command station.
As the Tyranids swarm forward, one of the rhinos crashes into their lines, running down several creatures.
With their armour and skill, the Dark Angels plow directly into the Tyranid lines, firing boltguns and flamers out of the hatches of the rhino - hoping to buy enough time for the signal to be sent.
Unaccustomed to open warfare, particularly on the ground, the Eldar Pirates move up cautiously.
A squad of Eldar Scouts who had deployed inside the command structure are attacked by Hormagaunts within two turns - dying quickly.
One of the Pirate Squads and its hero engage the Termagants, hoping to buy more time.
With few weapons capable of harming the Carnifex, the rhino drivers resort to ramming - with little success.
Gargoyles spit acid all over the tactical marines - however, with 'Insane Bravery', they interrupt, gunning down several and driving them off.
In the end...we were victorious, but only just. Our survivors included two damaged Rhinos (both of which had been sliced up by the Carnifex but luckily survived), one Techmarine and the Pirate Captain. At the last moment they managed to fire off the message and leapt into the top hatch of a Rhino which was driving by.
Every other model was slain by a Tyranid, and we had a LOT of bugs left on the table. We were suddenly reminded how vicious Tyranids were in 2nd edition. We'll probably do more games in this series and continue our co-op struggle against Tyranids.
