Regimental History of The Varrian 10th

While I can't say I have as a valid a reason as Scott does for neglecting 40k, I have been busy. Between work, going to my sister's wedding last weekend, and dealing with other mundane real life chores, I have not been doing nearly enough painting or playing lately. However, though life can make playing and painting difficult, it can not stop me from thinking about 40k history and fluff, and more specifically about my Imperial Guard.

I've had a fairly generic history of the Varrian 10th written for some time now, since I first started the army. My desire to make it more interesting was spurred by the new codex, partly because of the units I'm adding and partly because some of the fluff in the new codex made the 10th unusual. In particular, the new codex makes it very clear that Imperial Guard regiments are strictly infantry or armoured, and armoured units work along side infantry regiments, or are seconded from their regiment to support infantry regiments. Given that I want the 10th to fit the fluff, and have quite a few vehicles painted in the colors of the 10th, with marking indicating they belong to the 10th Varrian, this caused me some problems. But it also gave me an idea on how to make the regiment's history more unique.

With any army background or history (which I'll get too soon, I promise), I'm trying to explain the equipment and tactics of the army, and any significant deviations from the established organization set forth in the army's codex. In the case of the 10th, I have to explain why they are a combined arms force, with armour and infantry a part of the same regiment, and why I take the units I do, most significantly two Company Commanders. I know not everyone gets the same pleasure out of fluff and background as I do, but I hope this will make other people think about their army and where it came from, in terms of the 40k universe. If it inspires people to think about their Guard regiments, even better-- Space Marines aren't the only ones with heraldry and cool stories. And with that, here's the (slightly revised) Regimental History of the Varrian 10th.

The planet and people of Varria have a long history of service to the Imperium of Man. Located in the Segementum Pacificus, just to the galactic north of the Fortress World of Hyrdaphur, it is blessed by the Emperor with fertile fields in the southern hemisphere and around the Equator, and also has substantial mineral reserves in the mountainous northern hemisphere and around the poles. Because of it's unique mineral wealth, it soon became a primary supplier of foodstuffs and raw materials to Hydraphur and nearby Forge Worlds. For centuries, Varria was exclusively a supply world catering to the demands of the Imperial Fleet and the Adeptus Mechanicus, and was exempted from the tithes of Guardsmen owed by most worlds of the Imperium. The Mechanicus has, at various times, attempted to bring Varria directly under its control, but this has been resisted by the hereditary Imperial Governors of Varria and by the Lord Admirals of the Imperial Navy, who did not wish to see the foodstuffs of Varria go only to the Forge Worlds. The Mechanicus remains a significant power on Varria, as only their expertise permits the exploitation of Varria's mineral wealth. They are constantly involved in a subtle, long term power struggle with the hereditary nobility of Varria and with the representatives of the Departamento Munitorum over the distribution of Varria's resources.

Due to it's strategic importance, Varria has always maintained, with the help of the Adeptus Mechanicus, a large, well trained, and well equipped Planetary Defense Force. This force has proved itself many times over the centuries, putting down rebellions and defending against Xenos raiders. At times of crisis in the sector, when the numbers of the Imperial Armies are depleted and reinforcements needed, the Varrian PDF has been conscripted, en masse and with all their equipment and vehicles, into the Imperial Guard. This happened for the first time almost 500 years ago. The Varrian First was raised, under the command of Colonel (later Lord General) Radke Patton, and proved to be such a valuable asset that further Varrian Regiments have been sought after by the Departamento Munitorum.

The latest to be raised is the Varrian Tenth, under the command of Colonel Varl Paulus. Colonel Paulus was an officer of the Varrian Ninth, transfered to command the newly created Varrian 10th as they transitioned from PDF to Imperial Guard Regiment. His second in command, Major Erich Caius, was a veteran officer of the PDF's elite Rapid Asssault and Response teams. They two officers complement each other, with Colonel Paulus commanding the over all battle and Major Caius leading the Varrian 10th's Veteran squads in rapid assault, delivered via Chimera or Valkyrie to claim a vital objective or destroy key enemy units. Just as in the PDF, the Varrian 10th emphasises combined arms tactics, and never deploy without the regiment's complement of vehicles. The Varrian 10th, as with most Varrian Regiments, prides itself on being a self-sufficient force, and their armoured vehicles are a prime reason for that view point.

Another legacy of the 10th's PDF roots is in it's organization. There are no companies in the Varrian 10th, instead it is made up of platoons, each of 3 infantry squads and 2 to 4 heavy weapons squads. These platoons, with attached armoured units, can function alone or can work in conjunction with other platoons. Formations of multiple platoons are known as Battlegroups, and at times the entire regiment has deployed as one Battlegroup. Outside of the platoon framework are the Veteran Squads, comprised of soldiers who have distinguished themselves in no less than 3 campaigns. These Veteran Squads answer to Major Caius, and can be deployed in groups of Veteran Squads for particularly vital missions, or more commonly fight alongside platoons who need greater numbers or who may benefit from the example of their veteran comrades.

Since it's founding, the Varrian 10th has added many campaigns to the Regimental Honor Roll, among them the Cleansing of Slato, the Arlinor Expedition, and the Alpheca III Campaign. Although it is seldom spoken of, and barely known of outside of the regiment and the Angels of Absolution Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes, the battles of Andelon on Tyrgon V remain a source of pride and bitterness among the veterans of the Varrian 10th. Currently, the 10th is deployed alongside the Crimson Fists Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes, battling Orks outside the city of Irodu.

Thoughts and Lessons from this Monday's game...

Yesterday, I posted my army list for the first game I played with the new Imperial Guard codex. Nick and I ended up playing a straight forward Annihilation mission, with the Spearhead (table quarters) deployment. Given the number of proxies and unpainted models on the table, we didn't take many pictures. And I was too busy trying to remember all the changes in the new codex to take notes on the game. It went the full seven turns, and was a great, and close, game. At the end of turn 5, we were in a draw. At the end of turn 6, Nick was up by 1 kill point. After turn 7, thanks to Sergeant Domitus and Veteran Squad 5, I was up by two kill points. My apologies for the lack of a thorough battle report, but I did want to talk about some things I learned and changes I plan to make to my army.

• I am very happy with the veteran squads, and the fact that they're troops is even better. Mounted up in Chimeras and coming on from reserve, they were in perfect position to capture objectives, if it had been an objective based mission. As it was, they were instrumental in killing several squads, and accounted for 4 of my 12 total kill points on their own, mostly due to their flamers, shotguns, and the ability to mount back up in the Chimera and go after a new target.
• I'm going to have to adapt how I use my command squads. In the past, my senior officer sat back with a lascannon and master vox, while my junior officer took his special weapon toting troopers and went after vehicles or went on suicide missions while his platoon sat back and shot. Given the new order system, I need to make my Company Commander more mobile, and my Platoon Commanders need to stick closer to their platoons. I'm happy with the weapons I gave to my platoon command squad-- now it's just a matter of adjusting how I use them. The company commander, however, will be changed. I'm planning on dropping the lascannon, and giving the Company Command Squad a Chimera. Not only will that make them more mobile and (hopefully) keep them alive a bit longer, it will give a couple more inches to the range of the orders. Which would have been helpfull last night.
• On a similar note, I need to remember to use the orders. On turn 3, I forgot to issue orders. I don't think it would have made a big difference, but who knows. Later on, Nick's Ork Kommandos outflanked and slaughtered my command squad before I could issue any further orders.  Hence the need for a Chimera mentioned above.
• Once or twice I missed the 24" range of the plasma guns I used under the old codex, but for the most part, I'm quite happy with switch to melta guns. Especially since they don't kill you when you miss. I still might kit out my platoon command squad with the 3 plasma guns and a medic combo. Have to think about that one...
• The Leman Russ "Lumbering Behemoth" rule isn't a game breaker, but it was nice. On a couple occasions, a heavy bolter firing after the battle cannon pushed a squad into a leadership test, or finished them off.
• Now that Hellhounds are fast, they're that much more effective and I might have to find the points to run two of them. However, now you have to be careful not to leave them out there unsupported if they get too far ahead. And for those who are switching to the Banewolf, all I can say is this: Purify the heretic and the xenos not with poison but with flame. Now you all know why I've finished in the middle of the pack at every tournament I've gone to.
• This isn't so much a new codex specific thought, but more a reminder: Don't count on orders, special characters, or anything else except the basic units you bring to the table and what they're capable of without extra help. The orders may make an infantry squad more effective, but they're not going to drastically change the squad, or the game. Don't expect them to. The same goes for the regimental advisors. The Astropath is great, especially for making sure your reserves arrive early, but don't count on getting the board edge you want. Likewise, the Officer of the Fleet is nice, and I'll be using him again, but don't count on him holding up your opponents reserves for long. Plan your moves as if all your orders will fail, and your opponents reserves will all show up on turn 2, and you won't be caught off guard when things don't go according to plan.

As I play more games with the new codex, I'll post more of my thoughts. In the meantime, I'll be scouring the internet for other Guard players' take on the new codex, and looking for all the meltaguns I suddenly need in this army.

First Game with new Imperial Guard Codex

In a few hours, I’ll be playing my first game with the new Imperial Guard codex. I thought I’d take this opportunity to talk about how I’m changing my army for the new codex. Because I’m such a fan of fluff/background, I’ll post more about the background and history of the Varrian 10^th and how that influences my army selection at another time. For the purposes of this article, here’s a fairly typical list of mine from the old codex.

 HQ:

Command Squad

Junior Officer with Honorifica Imperialis, Iron Discipline

Heavy weapons team with lascannon

Plasma Gun

Master Vox

Sharpshooters

 

ELITES:

2 x Veteran Squad: Sgt with plasma pistol, 2 melta guns, flamer, 2 Vets with shotguns

 

TROOPS:

2x Platoon

Command Squad-- Junior Officer, lascannon, Sharpshooters

1^st Squad-- Plasma gun, vox caster, Sharpshooters

2^nd Squad—Heavy bolter, plasma gun, vox caster, Sharpshooters

 

2x Armoured Fist Squad—vox caster, flamer, Sharpshooters, Chimera APC with multi-laser, heavy bolter, smoke

 

FAST ATTACK

2 x Hellhound with hull heavy bolter, smoke

 

HEAVY SUPPORT

2x Demolishers with Hull lascannon

or

2x Leman Russ with Hull heavy bolter and heavy bolter sponsons

 

This formed the basis of almost every list I ran under the old codex. For more points, a Basilisk, mortar support squads or lascannon support squads could be added. To save points, I could drop the Veterans or the Hellhounds. As you can see, I’m a big fan of redundancy. If something goes down, I want to know I have the exact same thing available to fill its role.

 

Since the new Guard codex hit, I’ve been dreaming up new lists and messing with points totals. For my 1500 point game with Nick tonight, here’s the list I’m going with:

 

HQ:

Colonel Varl Paulus (counts as Lord Castellan Creed)

Vox caster, Veteran Weapons Team with lascannon, Two bodyguards, Astropath, Officer of the Fleet

 

TROOPS:

17th Platoon Command Squad

Platoon Commander (Lt. Tonius) with power weapon, vox caster, 3 melta guns

Squad 17/1—vox caster, melta gun

Squad 17/2—vox caster, melta gun

Squad 17/3—vox caster, melta gun

Squad 17/4—Heavy Weapon Squad with Missile launchers

Squad 17/5—Heavy Weapon Squad with Lascannons

 

Veteran Squad 9—vox caster, 2 melta guns, flamer, shotguns, Chimera APC with multi-laser, heavy bolter, smoke

Veteran Squad 5—vox caster, 2 melta guns, flamer, shotguns, Chimera APC with multi-laser, heavy bolter, smoke

 

FAST ATTACK

Hellhound with hull heavy bolter, smoke

 

HEAVY SUPPORT

2x Leman Russ with Hull heavy bolter and heavy bolter sponsons

 By necessity, this list is based on models I already have. All I'll be proxying is a few melta guns and the Astropath and Officer of the Fleet. We’ll see how it works. I’m excited. I have plenty of melta and lascannons to bring down vehicles or Marines. If Nick brings his Orks, The Hellhound and Leman Russes should bring down the horde, while orders should help my infantry platoon stick around and make their lasguns more effective. Given the consolidation of heavy weapons into Heavy Weapons Squads, my infantry squads are more mobile than ever, and should be able to set up an excellent firebase, screening the heavy weapons squads and Company Commander, before moving out to grab objectives the last two or three turns.

Down the road, as money and time allow me to pick up and paint new units, we’ll see more changes, while keeping the basic character of the 10^th intact. Reading the new codex, I see the capability to form a highly effective “Hammer and Anvil” army. Infantry platoons, anchored with Creed and Heavy Weapons Squads, form the anvil, while the armour and more mobile units in Chimeras or Valkyries form the hammer. 

I plan to build a new command squad, and run a Company Commander (Major Caius) along side Paulus/Creed.  Major Caius and the Veterans will be mounted in Valkyries. Veterans have always played in a big role in the Varrian 10^th, and though I miss their ability to infiltrate, I'm very happy they're now troops and I will keep using them. Adding a couple squads of Storm Troopers is also a definite possibility, in which case they could ride in the Valkyrie and the Veterans keep their Chimeras. Aside from the obvious tactical advantages, the story possibilities that come with Major Caius leading his Veterans or Storm Troopers in an airborne assault are just too good to pass up.

If you made it all the way through my lengthy ramblings, thanks. Hope you found it useful.

 

 

Securing Irodu

It's my pleasure to present the first real post on 2nd City Warzone. This is a story based on a game on Nick, Eric, and I played on Monday, 4/27. It was my last game played with the old Imperial Guard Codex. Nick set up the board and found a scenario to take advantage of the setup. It ended up being a pretty classic match up: My Varrian 10th and Eric's Crimson Fists against Nick's Orks. For more detailed info on the game, and pictures, you can go to Nick's blog, Redemptors of Golinar .

I hope you enjoy the story. Comments and critiques are appreciated!

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Major Erich Caius of the Varrian 10th took a moment to make the sign of the Aquilla as he passed the ruined chapel. The Crimson Fists had pushed the Orks out of the town with impressive speed, and now the 10th had arrived to hold the city of Irodu and support further advances as the forces of the Imperium cleansed this planet of the Orks infesting it. The 10th had disembarked from their troopships earlier that morning, and while a base was established in the center of town, Caius was leading two platoons to secure the north gate. A contingent of the Crimson Fists accompanied the guardsmen, their plans and objectives a mystery to the Major.
Caius passed underneath a pedestrian bridge, and the north gate came into view. A massive wall rose above the city, running east to west and pierced by a tunnel through which ran the road Caius currently stood on. At each end of the wall stood what had once been a large watch building, but was now little more than rubble with a few walls still standing. Already, guardsmen of the 10th were taking up positions in those buildings as their comrades moved up behind them. To Caius’ right moved the Crimson Fists, following a road parallel to the one he stood on and ensuring that the buildings they passed were truly clear of the greenskin filth. Two Demolishers passed under the bridge and moved up on Caius’ left, as squads of Guardsmen advanced along side them. Caius prepared to move up, when the master vox carried by Trooper Corus crackled into life.
“Squad 17/1 to command, Orks are massing at the city limits. Do you copy? Repeat, Orks massing and advancing at the city limits. Do you copy?”
Corus had barely turned when Caius took the vox horn and responded. “Copy, 17/1. We are reforming behind you. Hold the line.”
“Copy, Command.” Before the vox signal cut off, Caius heard the distinctive sound of bayonets being fixed, and a curt order to “Kill them all…”
“Caius to battlegroup, we have enemy contact. Squads 17/1 and 42/1, hold your current positions. The rest of you, find cover and firing lines on the gate entrance. We hold them at the bridge. The Emperor protects.”
A new voice came in over the vox as the Crimson Fists joined in. “We will hold the right flank, Major. In the name of the Emperor, kill anything coming through that gate.” Major Caius responded, and his words were echoed up and down the Varrian 10th line. “The Emperor protects…”

The Imperial forces had barely gained cover when a hideous screech signaled an Ork artillery assault. Despite the noise, and the dirt and rubble thrown up by the explosions, there were few casualties. As the dust settled, the firing started. Sergeant Severus of 17/1 cursed his men into action, and las fire lashed out of the ruins at the oncoming Orks. The strangely small xenos fell, and their advance faltered, until the largest of the oncoming group smashed one of his charges into the ground and the rest decided they would rather face the Guardsmen than their leader. More intimidating than the oncoming xenos, though, was the massive shape looming to their right, advancing into the gate tunnel.
Caius bit off a curse as the first of the Ork vehicles came into sight. Two smaller and faster vehicles turned off before entering the gate, content to allow the massive wagon behind them to force the gate entrance. Glancing at the lascannon one of his adjutants was manning, Caius spoke. “Cato, do me a favor and kill that thing!” Not bothering to respond, Trooper Cato sighted, fired, and a white bolt from his lascannon slammed into the Ork construct. It exploded, and a cheer rose up from the Varrian 10th. Cheers faded, however, as through the smoke could be seen a few dead bodies and many more live Orks climbing from the wreckage. Orders rang out along the line, and the 10th opened fire. Heavy bolters mowed down more Orks, and each Demolisher put a shell into the gate opening. The Crimson Fists added their fire to that of the Varrian 10th. Another Ork vehicle exploded, and a few more of the xenos fell.
Despite the weight of fire, the Orks came on. They poured through the gate, to be met with torrents of las and heavy bolter fire. The last visible Ork fell just short of the Imperial lines, his body joining many others piled in the gate. As the firing ceased, cries could be heard. Triumphant shouts from the right flank, where Sergeant Severus and Squad 17/1 had turned back the grots and their leader, gave way to cries of dismay as a crude Ork Trukk smashed it’s way through a ruin on the right flank, and two large squads of Orks appeared out of nowhere behind the Imperials. Turning, Caius caught sight of the two groups. At the center of each was a strange Ork, brandishing a staff and cackling madly.
Once more, the Crimson Fists broke into the Varrian 10th vox network. “Major, take down the enemy on our right rear. Our battle brothers will deal with the other group shortly.”
“Caius to battlegroup. Squads 17/1 and 42/1, move to the right flank and bring down the bastards in that truck. All other units fall back to the pedestrian bridge and give the xenos hell!”
“Xenos flying machines, coming over the gate!” Lieutenant Tonius of 17th Platoon broke in. “Opening fire…” A krak missile lashed out from the 17th’s command squad, and one of the machines turned into a fiery ball. “One Down. Three machines remain. Displacing to pedestrian bridge.”
As the Varrian 10th fell back, Caius watched as Squad 17/1 raced to join 42/1 and reinforce the right flank. With a shriek, the Ork flying machines raced over the ruined buildings, throwing something at 42/1 as they went. A second later, further explosions rocked the battlefield, and 42/1 reported casualties over the box. “Three men down, sir. We are holding here. Orks incoming.”
Firing erupted at the rear of the Imperial lines, and as the guardsmen mounted the bridge and searched for targets, additional Crimson Fist marines arrived, moving into the battle. Several Orks fell to their fire, and as the guardsmen looked on the Fists charged into the Orks and wiped them out. The Ork leader was the last to fall, his staff crackling with strange energy as he flailed at the marines before a marine bearing a power sword took his head.
The left flank was now secure, but fire and screams echoed from the right flank as the Orks forced their way into the city and exchanged fire with the Crimson Fists and Guardsmen. Caius winced as reports of more casualties from 42/1 came in, but slowly the Orks fell to the combined fire power of the marines and Guardsmen. Crimson Fist Devastators brought down the remainder of the flying machines, and multiple squads of the Varrian 10th joined the Crimson Fist veterans as they closed in on the last remaining Orks, who had found cover in the same ruined chapel Caius had paused in before the battle.
As the guardsmen prepared to open fire, flame suddenly splashed one end of the pedestrian bridge. Having overwhelmed a squad of Crimson Fists, camouflaged Orks sprang from a rubble choked alley. The first volley of pistol shots and flamers killed several guardsmen, Trooper Corus dropping his vox caster as he fell to the ground, his chest blown open. The Orks charged, and more guardsmen fell to their crude weapons. Caius swept his chainsword up to meet them, and with a strike that took all of his strength cut one of the beasts down. Before he could give voice to his triumph, an Ork axe crashed into his side and threw him to the ground. His last sight before loosing consciousness was of las fire and heavy bolter tracer fire crossing overhead and slamming into the attacking Orks.

Hours later, Erich Caius awoke on a cot in a makeshift medical center which had been set up in an abandoned Adeptus Mechanicus building. Waving off the medics who attempted to force him back down, he sat up and returned the salute of the approaching Lieutenant Tonius. “Good to see you up and around sir. We thought that last bunch of Orks had gotten you.”
“I’ve survived worse than that. You remember Andelon… at least here our allies stayed for the fight.”
“I do indeed sir. I’ve got the scars to prove it.”
“Enough of the past. What’s our status here?”
“We're dug in just outside the city wall and in the gate tunnel. We were able to turn that Ork vehicle Cato brought down into some effective barricades. They won’t be getting back in easily. Prepared positions within the city, so we have somewhere to fall back to. Mortars and basilisks are pre-sited. If they come back, sir, we’ll hurt them again.”
“And the Crimson Fists?”
“No idea, Major. As soon as the last of the Orks were dead, they formed up and moved out. Headed to the northwest, but didn’t tell us their objective or their plan.”
“Nothing new there, then. Thank you Tonius. And my compliments and thanks to the men. They did well today. Get me Colonel Paulus on the vox, and detail someone to be my vox operator. I’ll need to replace Corus.”
“Aye sir. I’ll have Trooper Bertrand here momentarily.”

As Tonius saluted and walked away, Caius touched his bandaged wounds and silently mourned Corus. A small Ork force had almost forced their way back into the city, and Emperor knew there were many more out there. This planet would get much bloodier, and more of the Varrian 10th would die, before it was returned to the rightful control of the Imperium.

Introduction...

Given that Scott took the initiative to get this blog up and running, I thought I should take the next step and actually post something to it. First, though, introductions are in order so you have some idea of who's typing at you. I have been a part of the Monday night gaming group (affectionately referred to as Nerd Night) for almost three years now. I have been playing Warhammer 40k off and on since 1998, but didn't play regularly until moving to Chicago and joining the Nerd Night group.

After dabbling with Marines both Loyalist and Chaos over the years, I now play Imperial Guard, and have fallen in love with the Hammer of the Emperor. I have founded the 10th Varrian Regiment, fielding it as a fairly straight forward guard army based on combined arms tactics. I am incredibly excited about the new Imperial Guard codex, and am feverishly modifying my army to fit the new codex. Not to mention dropping too much money on new models.

Aside from the ongoing expansion of the Varrian 10th, I have a new project: the White Scars 5th Company. I hope to track my progress on the White Scars on this blog, as well as the process of adapting and expanding the Varrian 10th.

What can you expect from me on this blog? My love of 40k stems from playing the game, and the incredible background Games Workshop has created. Much to the chagrin of my friend Nick, once my models are up to a table top standard, I'm done with them. So, I will leave the painting and modelling advice and articles to others. From me, you can mostly expect my thoughts on army building, battle reports, and fiction. I'll be posting the first of said fiction shortly.

I'm hoping this blog will become a place to record the campaigns, stories, battles, and tips that come out of our Monday night group. If that appeals to others and you decide to come back, even better. Thanks for reading,

Chad