Another month and time for our next Star Wars Legion game. One of my buddies had been working hard to finish his Wookie units and the other had been working hard on his Phase I clone troopers. So, this would be the first time these would get on the table. I set up the game and we got together to put these new painted troops to the test against a new Separatist force….
Since I had painted up some new terrain for my space port terrain set up, I decided to set that up. The terrain was very restrictive (which would prove to be an issue later) and have limited lines of sight and fire (which would also prove to be an issue later). I set up the shield generator in the center of the board, but offset to one side. This was a mistake, as it should have been more centered, so one side could not use it as a clear advantage (lesson learned, maybe…). I then put out ships and stuff to give plenty of cover.
The 800 point Republic force was put together using my buddies three new units of Clone Troopers and my other buddies three new units of Wookies. These were supported by a Wookie commander and Clone Commander Cody. To fill out the force, I gave them one of my AT-RTs to use.
For the CIS, I had put together the force the night before. I wanted to use my recently painted Snail Tanks, so it included both of those. The core units included three units of B1s, with two units of B2s (each lead by a Tactical droid). The force was lead by Super Tactical Droid Kraken (only because I grabbed the wrong card and did not realize it until very late into the game).
One of my buddies picked the environment, objectives and deployment. We skip the normal rules for doing this, to save time. However, we will probably start using the selection rules going foreword, now that everyone is a little more comfortable with the main rules. In any case, he selected the clear card, set up in the long corners and the hostage mission.
We pulled out the hostages and started the setup. It was at this point that I realized the mistake with the central terrain, as one side could shield and support their hostage, while the other was cut off. Also, the restrictive terrain made it clear the two lanes where the tanks would need to set up and move. Well, you do not get to always pick your battlefield! So, we went for it to see how it would work out!
The CIS set up they hostage first using the B2s as the guards. The position was bad, but it was hoped that the tougher B2s might be able to make it out. The republic used one of their Wookie troops. These would be tough to deal with in combat, plus they had recon, so would get a free move.
The forces went back and forth. The republic spread out their units along the left side of their deployment. The CIS put one tank on each end of their deployment and concentrated the infantry in the center.
The first few turns we basically both forces trying to get their hostages onto their side of the table, while the other side was trying to eliminate the guards with fire. The Wookies took a lot of fire, but with the cover and shields, they were able to get to their deployment area mostly intact.
The B2s were funneled, so could not go towards their own troops, so tried to escape to their left. They almost made it behind cover, but were finally eliminated just short. This left the unprotected hostage on their flank, but some distance away from the CIS troops.
The fighting then started to shift, with both sides trying to get to the unprotected hostage. There was a bit of cat and mouse in the center, with the CIS trying to clear clones and Wookies with fire, but not get too close to get wiped out in close combat. The tanks provide most of the fire support in this task. The Republic in turn, tried to use the central cover to get their units into close combat and eliminate the CIS troops.
The CIS efforts to get to the hostage each were shot up before they could get in range. The managed to get a couple of B2s behind hidden cover to try for a late game grab. The republic was able to work their Wookies forward in this area to snatch the hostage. They were supported by the clones, who provided fire support.
The center continued to be a knife fight, with the CIS being able to eliminate one of the Clone and Wookie units, with the supporting AT-RT going down. The CIS took their hits, but still remained mostly intact. The Snail Tank firepower was the key here.
As we were getting close to the end game, both tanks started to concentrate on helping extract the open hostage and remove any Republic threats to her. Realizing they could not do much against the tanks with their remaining forces, the Republic in turn concentrated on throng to remove all the remaining CIS troopers (this would take away the ability to retrieve the hostage.).
The CIS was able get their tanks in position as a blocking force and dart out their remaining B2s to grab the hostage. The Republic were successful in eliminating the remaining B1s. Playing a one pip, the CIS B2s were able to run their hostage into their deployment area, hiding behind the two Snail Tanks. With that, both sides had their hostage and it would come down to point. We totaled up the points and the Separatists were able squeak out a victory by a hundred points!
Another close run affair! Time to paint up some new troops while the inspiration is still fresh!
- Manteuffel