Admiral Dimitry Orlov was busy once again in the Command
Center of the Russian Battleship Georgy Pobedonosets II ("St George the
Victorious II" in English). Finally,
he was going back into action against the hated enemy of the Mother Russia!
Sadly, it wasn’t against the Prussians, but the Chinese that
his task force was to sortie against.
The Chinese were attempting to blockade the port of Vladivostok. The good news was that the Chinese hadn’t resolved
their logistics issues and had to return some of the fleet back to their home
ports for repair and replenishment. So the Chinese force he was facing should
be smaller than his own fleet, According to Russian Naval Intelligence.
And we know how accurate Naval Intelligence always is, thought Orlov…
Still, it was good to be back at sea again.
“Admiral! Lookouts have spotted the Chinese Fleet. We’re alerted the rest of the fleet. What are your orders?”
“The same as always. Turn to engage the enemy. Do we have an Order of Battle of the enemy fleet?”
“Sir, lookouts report 2 squadrons of Frigates, a Squadron of Cruisers and a Battle Cruiser.”
“So little? We should be able to blow through that like tissue paper! How do the Chinese expect to keep us away from Vladivostok with such puny forces?”
“Admiral! The flying scouts we sent report they just spotted something coming from the clouds! It appears a Japanese Air Armada has just arrived and are preparing to join formation with the Chinese!”
Laughing to himself, Admiral Orlov realized that “Naval Intelligence” really was an oxymoron.
“Time to earn our keep, gentlemen. Call Battle Stations throughout the fleet and turn to engage the main Chinese Force. If we deal them a blow, hopefully the Empire will leave us in peace.”
So, once more we dusted off the Russian Fleet and away went Orlov to save the day.
First a warning. The Chinese Federation / Empire of the Blazing Sun fleet is technically NOT a “Tournament Legal” fleet. Graham brought a Battle Cruiser for the Chinese, thinking it was a Large Vessel (physically, the model is quite large), not realizing it was only a Medium class. So the Chinese were missing a “Large” Choice. Sadly, the Empire of the Blazing Sun sent an Air Armada as reinforcements, but Graham didn’t have any Small class (which would have let us use it as the “base” force) and didn’t have any non-Capital choices so that the Air Armada technically wasn’t a proper allied detachment. As we didn’t have the models to fix either of these issues, it was either cancel the game or go on. I chose to go on as I didn’t see anything really “over-the-top” in the list. As it was, it was a fun game and list to fight against.
Myself, I had made 4 lists and then made Graham roll to see which list I would use. Just as an added random factor.
Bt the way, it was an 800pt game.
Russian Coalition
(RC) Deployment:
From left to right:
- Squadron of 4 Frigates (one just off-side of the photo) following a Flight of Fighters
- A Squadron of 3 Medium Skyships
- A Squadron of 3 Cruisers – all with Rocket Breakers
- A Battleship with Mimic Generator
- A Flight of Fighters
- A Squadron of 4 Frigates
Deployment of
Chinese Federation (CF) / Empire of the Blazing Sun:
Left to right:
- A Squadron of 4 Chinese Frigates
- A Flight of Chinese Fighters
- 2 Chinese Gunships followed by a Chinese Battle Cruiser (the Commodore’s ship)
- A Flight of Chinese Fighters
- A Japanese War Gyro
- A Squadron of 4 Chinese Frigates and a Squadron of 2 Japanese Scout Gyros
The Chinese fleet rolled a 1: Capture or sink 70% of the
enemy fleet value (560pts).
I rolled a “Destroy the Core” mission. As the Chinese fleet was designated the (naval) core in this battle, I figured I would take the chance and try to complete the mission. It would definitely be a different mission than normal!
Turn 1:
Chinese won the Initiative.
Chinese won the Initiative.
Start of Turn 1
The Japanese Scout Gyros moved first, skirting the left side of the island and turning to get long—range broadside shots at the Russian Frigates on the left. The rocket fire was accurate and sank 1 Frigate! First blood to the Japanese! The Russian Frigates passed their Break Test.
First Blood!
Not wanting to give away too much, the Russians wasted an
activation by moving the Fighters forward on the left. The Chinese Frigates on the left followed the
Japanese Scout Gyros, but didn’t have the range to shoot at anything. The Russian Frigates moved forward on the
left at maximum speed. Firing their
weapons at long range, the missed the Chinese Frigates, but managed to damage
one of the Japanese Scout Gyros.
On the other side of the island, the Chinese Gunships moved
forward but everything in Line-Of-Sight was out of range. The Russian Frigates on the right, stalled for
time and moved forward about 3” – trying to stay out-of-range of the Battle
Cruiser (whenever it would activate later in this turn).
The Japanese War Gyro moved around the left of the island at Flight level and fired on the Russian Frigates there, successfully damaging another Frigate. The Russian Skyships charged straight over the island at maximum speed and fired on the scout Gyros, damaging each and causing both to lose an AP due to the Concussive Weapon MAR. The Chinese Fighters moved over the island at ½ speed.
Back to the right of the islands, the Russian Battleship activated. First, the warship passed its Sturginium Boost test, then the Mimic Generator successfully copied the Rocket Breakers from the nearby Cruisers. After moving from behind the island, the Battleship’s broadsides were out of range from all targets. The Chinese Battle Cruiser advanced forward only 6” – maintaining its formation slightly behind the Gunships. The Russian Cruisers advanced from behind the Island, but their combined broadsides failed to damage the Chinese Frigates at long range. The Chinese Frigates behind the sand bar moved to the right and turned to form a Line-Of-Battle, their broadsides targeted the Russian Frigates on the right. However, the long range fire failed to cause any damage.
In the final activations, both the remaining Russian & Chinese fighters moved forward at ½ speed.
There were no repairs in the end phase.
Losses:
RC: 37pts 1 Frigate sunk, 1 Frigate crippled.
CF: 0pts No ships crippled or sunk
Admiral Orlov was steaming mad! Dang those Japanese Gyros! (Editor’s Note: this is a “Family Friendly”
Blog!) Orlov hadn’t counted on that kind
of air support!
Looking back on the battle plot, Orlov realized he would probably lose control on the left. Though the Saransk Skyships were still undamaged and had good fire power, it was doubtful that they would hold their own against both the Scout and the War Gyro. Sadly, the Frigates couldn’t be expected to do any better. It was time for a tough decision.
“Orders for the Saransk Squadron: Ignore the Gyros – sink those Frigates!”
Turn 2:
Chinese won the Initiative again.
Chinese won the Initiative again.
Start of Turn 2
The Japanese Scout Gyros moved first. In a sweeping starboard (right) turn over the island, they presented broadsides to the Russian Skyships and fired, crippling one (Navigation Lock). The Russian Frigates on the left then charged forward, guns, mortars and AA firing. When the smoke cleared, 2 Frigates were sunk and 1 Scout Gyro was crippled! Good Show Frigates!
Russian Frigates lead the way!
The Chinese Frigates on the left advanced, presenting their
broadsides. One Russian Frigate was
sunk, but when the Chinese attempted to board another, the boarders were driven
off, leaving 1 AP on the Russian ship.
Chinese Retaliation!
The Russian Skyships moved next. Ignoring Japanese Gyros, they concentrated all
fire on one Chinese Frigate and boarded the other. Once the Frigate was boarded, the Russians
abandoned the Chinese Frigate – leaving the left of the table free of Chinese! Sadly, the Russians were sure to pay for their
success.
Russian Skyships finish the Chinese Frigates!
The Japanese War Gyro came around the island’s corner, turned
a turret on each undamaged Skyship and fired.
The results were terrible (for the Russians): one Skyship was
Double-Crit (Chaos and Disarray plus Navigation Lock), the other was Critted
(Engine Damage). The Gyro then
successfully boarded and prized the remaining Skyship, prizing it.
The War Gyro Speaks!
On the other side of the table, the Russian Battleship
turned towards the Chinese fleet. Though
the Main turret was in range, it failed to damage a Chinese Frigate.
Back on the left, one of the Chinese Fighter Wings attacked
a Russian Skyship and shot it down for no losses.
The beginning of the end of the Skyships...
Back on the Right, the Russian Frigates moved forward at
maximum speed and successfully sank 2 Chinese Frigates. The survivors failed their Break test!
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
In response, the Chinese Frigates closed and formed Line of
Battle, then fired separately back at the Russians. In spite not being able to link their fire,
they were able to successfully damage 1 Russian Frigate. The Russian Cruisers turned and closed with
the Chinese Fleet.
Back to the left of the table, the last flight of Chinese
Fighters attacked the last Russian Skyship.
With minimal defense, the Skyship suffered a double Crit. Laughing at my misfortune, Graham started to
roll the Crit results. First roll was a
3! “Dang that was close!” Next roll: Double 1! Magazine Explosion! When the dust settled, the Prized Skyship was
blown out of the sky, denying the Chinese double-victory points! A Russian Frigate was also sunk, most of a
Chinese Fighter Wing was decimated and one of the Japanese Scout Gyros suffered
some hull damage.
After Effects of the Magazine Explosion!
Now that both Chinese Fighter Wings were moved, the Russian
Fighters on the left moved at maximum speed towards the Chinese Gunships. The Chinese Gunships moved towards the
Russians and managed to remove the Ablative Armor from 2 of the Cruisers. The Russian Fighters on the right then did a
Hard Shell attack on one of the Chines Gunships, causing a Crit (Fusion Leak).
The Hard Shell Attack in progress.
As the final activation, the Chinese Battle Cruiser fired 2
salvos on the last undamaged Russian Cruiser, removing the Ablative Armor and
gaining an extra HP damage from the second salvo.
In the End Phase, the Chinese fixed the Navigation Lock on
the Scout Gyro, but failed to repair the Fusion Leak on the Gunship. The derelict Chinese Frigate drifted towards
the board edge, and would be off the table by game’s end. The other Frigate squadron passed their rally
test.
Losses:
RC: 297pts 3 Skyships destroyed, 3 Frigates sunk & 1 crippled
CF: 229pts 5 Frigates sunk & 1 Derelict, 1 Gunship Crippled, 1 Scout Gyro Crippled
RC: 297pts 3 Skyships destroyed, 3 Frigates sunk & 1 crippled
CF: 229pts 5 Frigates sunk & 1 Derelict, 1 Gunship Crippled, 1 Scout Gyro Crippled
“Admiral! The Captain
of the last Frigate on the left of the line reports that the Chinese threat is
neutralized, but we’ve lost all the Skyships and the rest of his squadron. The Japanese Gyros have been damaged but he
can’t hold them back on his own. He’s
requesting instructions.”
“Tell him I, personally, thank him for his services for
Mother Russia. We are unable to give
assistance in time to save him. He is
free to use his own initiative for himself and his crew. All remaining ships: Charge the Chinese Ships
and SINK THEM ALL!”
Turn 3:
Russians won initiative for a change!
Russians won initiative for a change!
Start of Turn 3
In one of those “Use it or lose it!” moments, the last flight of Russian fighters did a Hard Shell Attack on the undamaged Gunship, causing another Crit (Guns Damaged). The Chinese Battle Cruiser moved forward 2” and sank one of the Russian Cruisers with a double-crit. The surviving Cruisers passed their Break Test.
The first Russian Cruiser Sinks.
The Russian Cruisers moved forward maximum speed and sank
one Chinese Gunship with a Crit and successfully boarded the other. As points are not an issue for their
objective, they recalled all their boarding parties – leaving the Chinese
Gunship a derelict!
The Chinese Gunships are neutralized!
The Chinese Frigates turned and ran away, trying to avoid
taking fire and hoped to buy time for their fleet to gain the required 560
points they needed to win. The Russian
Frigates on the right moved forward at maximum speed. Firing at both, they managed to sink 1
Chinese Frigate and cripple the other.
The surviving Frigate passed its Break Test.
On the other side of the battle, the Scout Gyros made a hard
turn (avoiding the table edge) and attacked the last remaining Russian
Frigate. In an insane round of dice
rolling, the Frigate damaged the closest Gyro with its 1 AA gun for no damage
on the Frigate in return! Great job
Frigate! If you survive, you’re crew is
being promoted to a larger ship!
Finally, the Russian Battleship moved forward and managed to
get its Main Turret into range of the Battle Cruiser. When the smoke cleared, the Battle Cruiser
had suffered a Crit (Guns Damaged) but the last Chinese Frigate avoided sinking
by 1 hit from the Battleship’s broadsides.
Meanwhile, the Japanese War Gyro overflew the Russian Frigate on the
left of the battle zone and dropped bombs on the helpless victim, sinking the
last of the Russian Forces on the left.
The last 2 activations were 2 flights of Chinese Fighters that no longer had a target, so they milled around over the island.
In the End Phase, the derelict Chinese Gunship drifted into
the Russian Cruiser, causing another HP damage to the Russian ship.
The Chinese managed to repair the Battle Cruiser.
Losses:
RC: 392pts 3 Skyships destroyed, 4 Frigates sunk & 1 crippled, 1 Cruiser sunk
CF: 425pts 7 Frigates sunk & 1 Crippled, 2 Gunships sunk, 2 Scout Gyros crippled
RC: 392pts 3 Skyships destroyed, 4 Frigates sunk & 1 crippled, 1 Cruiser sunk
CF: 425pts 7 Frigates sunk & 1 Crippled, 2 Gunships sunk, 2 Scout Gyros crippled
Orlov was worried now.
He was almost finished breaking through the Chinese Fleet but the cost was high. While Orlov had no doubt he could sink the
last of the Chinese, the Japanese Gyros had finished off the left flank
and were making their way to the remaining Russians as quickly as they
could. The War Gyro was undamaged and
could quite possibly swing the battle in the Chinese favour.
It was going to be a horse race now!
Turn 4:
The Chinese won Initiative once more.
The Chinese won Initiative once more.
Start of Turn 4
The Chinese Battle Cruiser made a turn away from the
Russians, heading back the way it had come, and sank 1 Russian Cruiser with a
Crit. The survivor passed its Break
Test.
The Battle Cruiser sinks another Russian!
The Russian Battleship closes on the Battle Cruiser
The Chinese Scout Gyros moved towards the Russians and
managed to inflict another HP of damage on the last Cruiser (2 HP left). The Russian Cruiser moved forward and turned
around the corner of the island, hoping to hide from the War Gyro. As it turned, the Russian Cruiser fired both turret
and broadsides on the Chinese Battle Cruiser, finally sinking the last Chinese
ship. The Russians had completed their
objective!
The Russians complete their Objective!
The Japanese War Gyro moved and turned to provide arcs for
both its turrets onto the Russian Cruiser and sank it with a Double Crit,
avenging their Chinese comrades! But
would it be enough?!?!
The last Russian Cruiser is sunk!
We didn’t bother with the Russian Frigates or the Chinese
fighters as they didn’t have the range or targets.
End of the battle.
Losses:
RC: 532pts 3 Skyships destroyed, 4 Frigates sunk & 1 crippled, 3 Cruiser sunk
Technically – not enough to win, but I’m not going to argue it – The Russians were busted up so badly we both agreed it was a Draw!
RC: 532pts 3 Skyships destroyed, 4 Frigates sunk & 1 crippled, 3 Cruiser sunk
Technically – not enough to win, but I’m not going to argue it – The Russians were busted up so badly we both agreed it was a Draw!
Admiral Orlov breathed a sigh of relief.
He had broken through the blockade. The Chinese had no ships left to enforce it
and the Japanese Gyros needed to return home to refuel. The port was free to be resupplied and reinforced.
Unfortunately, Orlov’s own task force desperately needed replacements if he was going to continue to be effective. All he had left was a squadron of Frigates to escort his Battleship into the docks. With such a small force at his command, Orlov wouldn’t be able to protect the port if the enemy sent another task force before he could get reinforcements.
Hopefully the Tsar would forgive the losses and let him keep
his command…
Wow! Great
Battle! I love a cliff-hanger where the
outcome isn’t decided until the last possible minute! I actually thought Graham would get enough points
to force the draw.
So, what did the Russians do right?
After realizing that I was going to lose the left of the battle, I sacrificed both the Skyships and the Frigates to ensure that those Chinese Frigates were destroyed. Once that was done, the longer they kept the Gyros busy (and away from my main fleet), the better. Speaking of which, if the Magazine Explosion hadn’t occurred when the Chinese Fighters attacked the last Skyship in turn 2, then the Chinese would have had the points required to solidly complete their objective at the end of the battle. Just a bit of Bad Luck - in this case the Magazine Explosion hurt the enemy more than the victim!
On the right, things went pretty much as I had planned: Russians steamed forward to get into range as quickly as possible and overwhelm the enemy at Range Band 2.
Using the 2 Fighter Flights against the Chinese Gunships helped soften them up and reduce the Gunships’ fire power. Having the Hard Shell attack option is a great feature for the Russian Fighters.
While I didn’t expect to lose all my Ablative Armor off the Cruisers in 1 turn, it did keep the Cruisers alive long enough to do the damage they were required to do.
The Battleship was pretty much ignored and though it did do damage during the game, it was only able to bring all 3 turrets to bear in the last turn of the game! Shocking!
The real heroes of the Russian Cause has to be the Frigates on the left. They stalled the Gyros for 3 turns and the last one managed to damage a scout all by itself with 1 initial AA dice. It shook up the Scout Gyros so badly, their gunners missed! Mind you, having a War Gyro drop 8 dice of bombs on you is going to ruin your day…
On the Chinese / Japanese side, the only real issue with the fleet was the force composition. As I noted earlier, it wasn’t tournament legal, but in a friendly game, it was fun! It had good proportions between the smalls, medium and large classes, and a mixed fleet in the Pacific theater against the Russians made perfect sense. He only missed out on a couple of things to make it a tournament legal list and now that he knows what he did wrong, he can fix it!
The Chinese fleet itself seemed to be a good match against the Russians. If there was any weakness, it was that they didn’t have the resilience they needed. Bringing the Battleship instead of the Battle Cruiser would probably have bought him the time he needed to get the Victory Points he needed to win.
As to the Japanese Detachment, the fact they stayed on the far left as long as they did is what cost the Chinese their victory. By the time the Gyros started to make their way to the main Russian fleet, they were outside of RB4. They couldn’t target the Frigates (which also could have gotten them the points needed to get). Another missed opportunity.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable game!
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