unjust still: After Day Report: Badab War: Battle for the Old City

Saturday, 13 December 2025

After Day Report: Badab War: Battle for the Old City - Galen IV [Part 2/3]

Last time on unjust still...

Niijima and her scouts butcher a heavy weapon squad

Last time, I talked about the Badab War Day on 29 November, with photos from my first game. This was the high water mark for my player skill for the day - but I didn't expect to win any games, so I was having a great day.

At the start of the second round, the Secessionists controlled most of the territories of value, including the Governor's Palace -- but would they continue to hold? Alex's Howling Griffons moved into the Palace, trying to take it from... I forget, but I think it was the all-bike Executioners. In orbit, Mantis Warriors were defeated by Howling Griffons, putting the pressure on the ground war below.

GAME TWO: CONTROL THE HAB ZONE: MANTIS WARRIORS VS SALAMANDERS

My own Mantis Warriors were assigned the defence (or assault? I don't remember) of one of the Hab Zones, defending the innocent against the savagery of Imperial 'justice' - a game against Mick's Salamanders. (I think. I'm so bad with names...) I had brought a few of my civilian models (and loaned a Governor to the Governor's Palace), which we used to represent corralling citizens. Holding the Hab Zones increased the VP count for the side holding those tables at the end of the day, reflecting hearts, minds, and labour assets seized.

Early game - I forgot to get a deployment shot

This mission was a little more balanced. Deploy on the short edges; three objectives to take and hold. Mick was a good player, with a good list (2 x Tacticals with two lascannons, assault terminators, a frightening dread, etc), and was also one of those players with very bad luck normally who then has a run of incredible luck in some games. Like against me. Thanks, Mick.

Nijima's bikers did not last long this time

I don't want to take away from Mick, who played a disciplined game. I couldn't roll a dice to save my life, sure, but I also didn't play very well while he punished my mistakes, pushed against my points, and stiffened his own. He was also a very genial fellow, who was fun to hang out with. Also, his son was in the game day as well! How rad is that? (I think his son was the Executioner biker, actually.)

Nimcha gets wrecked

There's not much to say. I tried to push forward on my right with devastators, scouts and other assets. If I had managed to wreck the Salamander Rhino full of combi-flamer veterans, I might have been able to pin down that flank -- but I... did not. Kamacuras charged them at one point. Mick braced himself to lose the squad and I rolled all ones to hit. Incredible. The combat lasted a round or two more, but, welp.

In the middle, the Salamander Terminators with shields and death were unstoppable down the centre, breaking Nimcha on the way and eventually eating my reserve/objective holder marines. I had forgotten how overpowered storm shields were in Heresy 2, oh boy.

duel of the fates. the Dust Prophet surprisingly lasted one round!

On my left flank, I had a little more luck, with Squad II able to get down the flank and take out a Tactical unit -- eventually. Everything took twice as long as it should. Ahazra Redth couldn't manage to pin anyone with his brain and eventually got gutted by the dread, as you can see above.