ECHOES OF WAR:

LAST STEP BACKWARDS

On the Throne-forsaken world of Besana, a thin line of Cadian Whiteshields is all that stands between the forces of Chaos and absolute victory. The best efforts of Besanan High Command have failed, and the majority of the Astra Militarum forces are in full retreat with Luciver Anckor’s Cultist hordes snapping at their heels. Yet hope is not lost. On the Incardine Ridge, the redoubtable Major Luka has drawn up a thin line of Cadian defenders, their Aegis Defence Lines thrown across the natural choke-point where the causeway reaches up from the Long Dry and heads for Starport. Help is on the way in the form of none other than Castellan Creed himself; if Luka’s plucky cadets can hold the foe for long enough, they can still seize victory from the jaws of defeat. However, the baying tide of Chaos-worshippers is closing in, the cad-ore storms are fouling the vox, and matters look desperate. Now, only faith in the Emperor and good, straight steel will see the Cadians hold the line.

THE ARMIES

One player is the Cadian player, and his opponent is the Chaos Space Marine player.

The Cadian player's army consists of a Company Command Squad, a Leman Russ Battle Tank and any number of units of Conscripts (these do not need to be chosen as part of an Infantry Platoon). The combined points value of these units cannot exceed 500 points. The army may include up to three Aegis Defence Lines at no additional points cost. The Company Commander in the Company Command Squad must be chosen as the army's Warlord (this model represents Major Luka).

All units in the Chaos Space Marine player's army must have the Chaos Space Marines Faction. The combined points value of these units cannot exceed 1000 points. The army must include at least three units of Chaos Cultists.

THE BATTLEFIELD

Use the deployment map included with this mission. The Cadian player sets up terrain. We recommend that the space between the two areas of the Long Dry (see map) is limited to Battlefield Debris, as described in Warhammer 40,000: The Rules.

DEPLOYMENT

The Cadian player deploys first, anywhere in his deployment zone. The Chaos Space Marine player deploys second, anywhere in his deployment zone.

FIRST TURN

The Cadian player takes the first turn.

GAME LENGTH

The mission uses Variable Game Length as described in Warhammer 40,000: The Rules.

VICTORY CONDITIONS

If there are no models from the Cadian player's army left on the battlefield, the game ends immediately and the Chaos Space Marine player wins the battle. If there is at least one model from the Cadian player's army on the battlefield when the game ends, the Cadian player wins the battle.

MISSION SPECIAL RULES

Armour-piercing Rounds: Before the Cadian player fires the Leman Russ Battle Tank’s battle cannon, he can declare that he will attempt to load an Armour-piercing Round. If he does so, he must roll a D6. On a 2+, the battle cannon counts as a Vanquisher battle cannon for the duration of the attack. On a 1, the battle cannon cannot be fired this turn.

Cad-ore Blizzards: The Cadian player rolls a D6 at the start of each of his turns. On a 1 or 2, a Cad-ore Blizzard sweeps across the ridge and the Night Fighting special rule comes into effect until the start of the Cadian player’s next turn. In addition, whilst a Cad-ore Blizzard is in effect, any failed Leadership test rolled whilst issuing an order (see the Voice of Command special rule in Codex: Astra Militarum) counts as an Incompetent Command, regardless of the actual result rolled.

Indomitable Command: All models in the Cadian player's army can use Major Luka’s Leadership value. If Major Luka is removed as a casualty, they can no longer use his Leadership value.

The Long Dry: The area marked on the map as the Long Dry is impassable terrain to all models other than Skimmers, Flyers and Flying Monstrous Creatures.

Echoes of War: Astra Militarum – Last Step Backwards © Copyright Games Workshop Limited 2014. Echoes of War: Astra Militarum –Last Step Backwards, GW, Games Workshop, Space Marine, 40K, Warhammer, Warhammer 40,000, the ‘Aquila’ Double-headed Eagle logo, and all associated logos, illustrations, images, names, creatures, races, vehicles, locations, weapons, characters, and the distinctive likenesses thereof, are either ® or TM, and/or © Games Workshop Limited, variably registered around the world. All Rights Reserved.

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ISBN 978-1-78253-809-7

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Games Workshop Ltd - 11.12.2014