Final Stand at Acheron Hive

[CurvedSkilless]

Are all the last missions for each act going to be nerve wracking? I had only 2 Basilisks and 1 badly beaten squad of hive gangers left holding a victory objective before the Space Marines finally arrived.

[Darkfine]

I know, great isn't it?! I did okay first time, second time I condensed all of my forces into one area. As soon as the Marines dropped I went on a counter offensive to retake the others.

[Deskath]

Use conscripts as meatshield, AI targets weaker units :D so exploit it ;P

[LordofRoses]

Just get conscripts and give them the best transport available, they butcher tanks and units alike. +Conscripts are cheap +Best transport available = Killer

[Deskath]

Uhm... AI targets the transports a lot and they die so easily not worth it imo. Just stick with meat... and deep cover :P

[Talon]

I survived it with all 6 basiliks patterns undamaged and three of my tanks still intact by:

1. Force Composition: 3 upgraded destroyers and 3 Executioner Tanks, 6 Basiliks patterns, 5 companies of steel infantry (2 in the fort, rest in rough terrain). I also have two companies of infantry commands to act mostly as cheerleaders to boost morale for my units until my infantry died out due to a lack of reinforcement points around turn 12-13.
2. Condensing my forces on the small island to the right on the first turn.
3. Put 2 steel infantry to absorb hits and finish off orc infantry coming in across the bridge from the south, I put 3 infantry on the rough terrain near the bridge to the west.
4. Put my tank destroyers and two executions on a line to "wall" off the enemy across the bridge to the south before rotating my destroyers and surviving executioners to deal with the orc superheavy skooma the enemy hits me with...
5. Put my basiliks patterns against the hive wall out of reach of all enemy guns but in reach of the basilik cannons.
6. Rotate my infantry in and out as needed with one squad of infantry commands moving around to plug holes and another mostly to cheer the folks in the fort on your island so they hold out right until turn 13 or 14 when they will inevitably die out due to a lack of reinforcement points.
7. If possible before you finish you deployment keep roughly a modest reserve of reinforcement points to reinforce your infantry who will take a pounding. My tanks only started to suffer significant damage once the enemy heavies started to retaliate against them.

In general if your infantry can hold the line at the fort and the rough terrain on your little island you should be able to keep most of your tanks and arty alive until the space marines come to save the day on turn 14-15.

Holding the last two victory objectives at the fort is crucial to prevent a horrific defeat. The enemy will throw literally endless waves of orcs at you every 4 turns so don't be surprised if this mission will taxes you, your steel infantry, and then the rest of your IG army all the way until turn 15 where the space marines will turn the tide in your favor.

FYI, in my first playthrough saw every single one of my elite IG army that I had lovingly kept alive and strong from the time of their initial deployments starting back in the tutorial maps utterly destroyed in this battle to the last man until I did all the things I've listed above; even then it could have been disasterous if the space marines hadn't dropped to soak up some hits on turn 14 and complete their intense counter-offensive by turn 16-17. Its a very tough fight that deserves the scenario name: Last Stand.

Don't be discouraged. Its meant to be a tough fight down to the last man. Good Luck!

[BrianDavion]

Honestly I kind of enjoyed being on the other end of things in a video game. useally you're the space marines saving the guard. I now being to understand a little better how shell shocked Lt. Mira must have felt :)

[A_Gun_For_Sale]

Does the player get enough requisition points afterwards to rebuild his or her army?

[Talon]

Yes. I had enough requisition points after my run to build a solid SM Army to replace my IG Army.