[Aun_shaun]

What do 40k battles represent in the ever expansing 40k universe and how does in interact with fluff. For example I THINK I repeat THINK! Wargammer said once upon a time that the IG considered it a good day if they survived a day againts eldar with zreo kills and 75% casualties.

[cl.ryan sg-3]

you're post is a bit confusing so Ill answer what i think your on about,

40k represents Small scale skirmishes between two armies,
it ties into the fluff as a representation of a large battle or e even war,
then we get to epic THATS illustrating full scale ground war,
the BFG which show space combat on a gigantic scale,

[Wargamer]

40K represents warfare in the 41st millennium the way Holywood accurately recreates the events of WWII...

For those who can't grasp sarcasm, it doesn't. 40K is appaulingly inaccurate.

[arguleon-veq]

40K represents small scale engagements. Vaneguard forces in a battle [not war], etc.

But if you want it to represent something bigger, here is an example.

You have a Salamander army facing Guard. Your fluff could be based around -

1. The Salamanders hitting a vital company in the IG battle line [the Regiment HQ company for example].
2. A Company is being sent to reinforce the traitor Guard battle line against the loyalist Guard Army, the Salamders intercept.
3. The battle rages, artillery pounds both battle line into submission. The loyalist Guard have been joined by a Battle Company of Salamanders, they will lead the push on the enemy right flank, hoping to break the enemy and leave them exposed for an Armoured Regiment to then smash along the enemy force.

ETC.

So rather than having it as a skirmish, you can say your 40K is one specific part of a huge battle that is raging on.

[Vash113]

Yes if you think about it the scale of the battles in 40k even at 2000 or 4000 points are still very minor engagements. So its far better to usually consider them as a specific area of fighting over a key objective or command companies meeting at the center and duking it out etc. This is another reason why I dont mind using a Shas'O as even though they are rare commanders I can just say that he is leading an elite cadre in the midst of a much larger battle.

Epic and Battlefleet Gothic are the things that show the scale of 40k engagements and war fare. 40k is almost like zooming into a small segment of a battle from epic.

[Aun_shaun]

Thanks guys that really cleared things up. But I rarely play against the same army twice so how do I explian competly random battles.

[Wargamer]

Originally Posted by Aun_shaun

Thanks guys that really cleared things up. But I rarely play against the same army twice so how do I explian competly random battles.

Tell me the scenario, and the armies, and I can give plenty of reasons.

[Restayvien]

Eldar - Turned up to guide a war in the direction they want it to go
Orks - Always there
Chaos - Twisted ritual, mindless slaughter etc
Necrons - They attack anyone they meet...
Tau - Defending a sept world...trying to assimilate another planet into their empire.
Tyranids - Eating

etc

They're just the general reasons. ;D

[Nerroth]

The problam with trying to reason your 40K force as part of a larger (Epic) combat is that the unit selections are often widely at odds with what the Epic formations are comprised of, as too many people try to represent their entire range of army choices in their 40K force - and are encouraged to do so by those lookingto sell lots of different figures for each army...

I stick with Epic and BFG - and Inquisitor, if I can find another group here.


Gary

[Wargamer]

Exactly.

Plus you get some really stupid attempts at explaining composition, like "oh, Abaddon could just be leading part of a larger army". Yes... so why is it he turns up every game? What is the rest of his army doing, having a six-month fag break?