[After Action Report] Being a Chronicle of War between the Dynasties of Nekthyst and Zathanor | Tenth Edition | Only War | Strike Force | Necrons vs. Necrons

 Untold millions of years ago, on the planet that would one day be Gobannium...

Phalanx of the Zathanor Dynasty

+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - Necrons
+ DETACHMENT: Awakened Dynasty
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts

+ C'tan Shard of the Deceiver (265 pts)
+ C'tan Shard of the Nightbringer (305 pts)
+ Orikan the Diviner (80 pts)
+ Overlord (120 pts): voidscythe, resurrection orb, Enhancement: Phasal Subjugator (+35 pts), Warlord
+ Overlord with Translocation Shroud (85 pts)
+ Technomancer (80 pts)

+ 10 Immortals (150 pts): gauss blaster
+ 20 Necron Warriors (200 pts): gauss reaper

+ 5 Deathmarks (60 pts)
+ 6 Skorpekh Destroyers (180 pts): 2 Plasmacytes

+ 1 Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (55 pts): gauss destructor
+ 3 Tomb Blades (75 pts): 3 with shieldvanes, nebuloscope, twin gauss blaster

+ Canoptek Doomstalker (140 pts)
+ Doomsday Ark (200 pts)

 

 Phalanx of the Nekthyst Dynasty

+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - Necrons
+ DETACHMENT: Awakened Dynasty
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts

+ C'tan Shard of the Void Dragon (300 pts)
+ Catacomb Command Barge (150 pts): resurrection orb, gauss cannon, Overlord's blade, Enhancement: Phasal Subjugator (+35 pts)
+ Chronomancer (65 pts)
+ Hexmark Destroyer (75 pts)
+ Overlord with Translocation Shroud (85 pts): Warlord
+ Plasmancer (55 pts)
+ Skorpekh Lord (90 pts)
+ Technomancer (80 pts)

+ 10 Immortals (150 pts): gauss blaster
+ 5 Immortals (70 pts): tesla carbine
+ 20 Necron Warriors (200 pts): gauss reaper

+ 5 Deathmarks (60 pts)
+ 5 Flayed Ones (60 pts)
+ 10 Lychguard (170 pts): hyperphase sword and dispersion shield
+ 3 Skorpekh Destroyers (90 pts): Plasmacyte
+ 3 Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 pts)
+ 3 Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 pts)
+ 3 Tomb Blades (75 pts): shieldvanes, shadowlooms, twin tesla carbines
+ Canoptek Doomstalker (140 pts)

Deployment 

 

Observe the central Warrior cohorts, deployed directly opposite one another along the key line of engagement. Although Zathanor's cohort was spearheaded by a Shard of Aza'gorod, Nekthyst has their Lychguard in support, preparing to translocate through the battery mastaba and engage.

 

Despite best efforts to select an appropriate battlespace, Zathanor's support elements were exposed and had extraordinary fields of fire. Nekthyst command elements were thus concentrated on the right flank, with assassination elements remain in hyperstasis for later insertion. 

 

These images account for the presence of a Shard of Mephet'ran. The illusory "redeployment" offered by this creature has installed Zathanor's Deathmark cohort a superior firing position on the left flank, and aggressively positioned the Shard of Mephet'ran itself to contain the Shard of Mag'ladroth under Nekthyst control.

Early Engagement 

"In any given battle, there is a level of force against which no tactics can succeed." A maxim of the Overlord Xykon, proven entirely accurate by this aggression from Zathanor's Destroyer contingent. Nekthyst Immortal cohorts were entirely exterminated in the opening moments of engagement, despite highly effective snap fire as the Skorpekh line closed.

Zathanor's Immortal cohort was also utterly exterminated during the initial exchange of firepower, although command elements survived and continued to hold the right flank. Observe, on the right, the ongoing engagement between the C'tan shards, neither of which was able to strike a decisive blow until the greater battle had already turned.

Nekthyst elements translocated to contain the central push by Zathanor's Warrior phalanx and remaining Shard. This Scarab swarm was destroyed in moments, but caused a sufficient break in momentum for the Lychguard and Skorpekh cohorts from Nekthyst to counter-attack in force. 

Turning Point

Tactical overview from mid-engagement. Nekthyst's Skorpekh cohort broke through the Zathanor line, but opted to re-engage and relieve the Nekthyst line rather than push forward and attack the rear echelon. Clear evidence of the Destroyer affliction at work, even in the absence of organic targets.

The depleted Zathanor Skorpekh closed with the Nekthyst Warrior phalanx, weathering Doomstalker fire and driving Nekthyst forces into retreat.

Nekthyst's Lychguard, as the only troops capable of holding a Shard of Aza'gorod at bay, continue best efforts. Once again, Zathanor command elements survived the destruction of their cohort, in a trend that would prove decisive for their overall control of the field.

Having overcome the Shard of Mephet'ran, the Nekthyst's Shard of Mag'ladroth discorporated the senior Zathanor Cryptek with a voltaic barrage, moments before its own obliteration by the Zathanor doomsday platforms it was deployed to engage. The present chronicler recognises this as ironic.

 

 

Nekthyst scout elements completed their flanking operation, engaging the Zathanor fire support base. They proved inadequate in both firepower and resilience, and succumbed to point defence fire from Zathanor's Doomsday Ark.

Termination of Hostilities

Alas, pictographic accounts of the final moments are not available. After the destruction of the Zathanor chronomancer, an uncontrolled temporal surge accelerated the final stages of the battle beyond recording capacity.

 

Nekthyst's phalanx reported a briefly successful disruption of the battlespace as a whole, before withering counter-fire from Zathanor's doomsday weapons cleared three out of four quadrants. The ensuing breakdown of Nekthyst command structure ensured a full withdrawal from the battlespace: however, only command and fire support elements from the Zathanor phalanx survived, insufficient to pursue their dynasty's strategic goals. Historically, both dynasties would record the engagement as an excessively violent draw.

Final Analysis 

Zathanor's crown prince, in overall command of the phalanx, displayed an aggressive commitment to his right and central flanks, bolstered by his formidable command of engagement probabilities across the engagement. In particular, his decision to unleash the Shard of Mephet'ran proved crucial, containing Nekthyst's most significant tactical asset and allowing the Zathanor doomsday weapons to bombard without interruption. History must also acknowledge the comparatively greater familiarity of the crown prince with his assets, while the Nekthyst forces were believed to include several elements not yet field-tested by their commanding nemesor.

 

Said Nekthyst nemesor, meanwhile, successfully occupied the right flank through placement of infiltration and scouting elements, and correctly assigned their cohorts to forestall the central push for as long as possible. Their chief error was failing to corral their Skorpekh contingent. Had these Destroyers been successfully directed into the Zathanor supporting lines, rather than engaging said central push from the rear - a gesture which was ultimately useless in terms of battlespace control - the brief field advantage the Nekthyst enjoyed might have been maintained. Such an outcome would have reversed the initial disposition of forces, with the admittedly significant Zathanor command assets and final Shard isolated at extreme range.

 

With thanks to young Zathanor Minor for the first 2000 point outing in a very long time; for convincing me to play two rounds of "speedhammer" rather than call it a day; for the very satisfying 5-5 draw that was almost an 8-5 win; for being a courteous, charming opponent; and for the biscuit run. It was a pleasure and an education, and we'll have to do it again some time.