Doctor Who: Exterminate! Report: The Daleks Verses Sea Devils

THE SEA DEVIL OVERLORD BATTLES AGAINST A FORMIDABLE DALEK PATROL

This game was played using the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" rules by “Warlord Games” and essentially followed the parameters stipulated for the "Guide To The Time Vortex" skirmish scenario "A Meeting Of Metal". However, in order to allow both sides to get to grips with the Sea Devils' Special Traits, a couple of minor 'House Rules' were utilised concerning Battle Cards and Adventure Cards. Lastly, a few 'tweaks' regarding General Deployment and Winning The Game' were necessary so the battle could be accommodated upon a 3' x 2' gaming mat instead of the recommended 3' x 3' table...

"The story so far… It is the year 2164 A.D. and the Daleks have conquered the Earth. However, not all of the planet's inhabitants are entirely defeated, including a contingent of Sea Devils recently roused from their undersea sleeping chambers. Determined to rid their world of this latest threat to their global domination the Sea Devils have started to swim towards the outskirts of the nearest Dalek Metropolis and discover just how much of a threat the alien invaders are..."

THE TABLETOP - A BEACH ON EARTH

As per the scenario's stipulations, the Dalek Faction started with three Recruitment cards: a Patrol Leader, a Dalek Patrol (which generated three Daleks) and a smaller Dalek Patrol (which generated two Daleks and a Fate Token). In addition, the Patrol Leader, a special character, also created two Fate tokens to be added to his faction's Fate Pool. Finally, the Daleks received five Adventure cards "to use during their game." These were "Escape Plan", "Upgrade: Maximum Extermination", "Strategist", "Upgrade: No Mercy!" and "Upgrade: Destroy The Deviant!"

The Sea Devils also started with three Recruitment cards: a Sea Devil Overlord, some Sea Devils (which generated three Sea Devils) and some Sea Devil Ancients (which generated two Sea Devils and a Fate Token). The Sea Devil Overlord also generated two Fate tokens for his faction's Fate Pool. As like the Daleks, the Sea Devils selected five Adventure cards and these consisted of "Sea Devil Reinforcements", "Sonic Summoning", "Terror From The Deep", "Turning The Tables" and "Now We Are The Hunters".

THE DALEKS PREPARE TO FEND OFF AN ASSAULT FROM THE OCEAN

Following the scenario's general deployment rules, six Vortex Node markers were placed on the battlefield within its sandy central area. This 'zone' was designated as difficult terrain for both factions, meaning that the Movement rates for either force would be halved whilst trying to traverse it. The Dalek garrison protecting its outposts were deployed along the western end of the tabletop. Whilst the Sea Devils were placed amongst the sea's waves, which due to their Aquatic Special Trait meant that they, unlike their opponents, were unencumbered by the ocean and would actually "gain cover against Shooting attacks when in the water."

Determined to mount a successful raid upon the Dalek City all of the Sea Devils swam west towards the shore, with their Overlord particularly making his way towards the beach's Central Outcrop. Having brought his forces near land, the reptile-like humanoids' aggressive leader utilised "Sea Devil Reinforcements" to summon another three of his people to rise to the surface within their deployment zone. However, his latest additions would not be able to be utilised until the next turn.

Fortunately, the sudden arrival of even more hostiles momentarily alarmed the Daleks' battle computer, and resultantly the drones simply trundled east towards the outskirts of their futuristic settlement. Only their Patrol Leader paid much attention to his surroundings, by carefully defending his northern flank with Outpost Alpha. The southernmost patrol suddenly reported back that they had successfully reached Objective Five and, for now at least, claimed One Victory Point. In addition the vortex node contained spatial energy, allowing the drone to move further east across the slow, shifting sand. His small patrol's other Dalek did its best to follow him.

MORE SEA DEVILS EMERGE FROM THE OCEAN AS THE DALEKS GLIDE FORWARDS

To the north, the second and slightly larger Dalek patrol captured Objective Two, collected another Victory Point and attempted to shoot at the Sea Devil Overlord with the temporal energy it siphoned off from the vortex node. Disappointingly for the Dalek battle computer though, the energy blast fell significantly short of its target.

With both factions still quite a considerable distance apart, the Shooting phase predominantly consisted of the two warring forces moving further rather than firing at one another, and resulted in the Sea Devil Ancients reaching Objective Six and gaining Four Victory Points. To the north, the Sea Devils struggled to cross the sand and fell short in their endeavour to claim Objective Two. In response the Daleks merely moved further east, the majority of drones noticeably slowing as they attempted to traverse the shifting sand before them.

Considering that their battle computer was already predicting a demoralising 2-4 Victory Point defeat, the Patrol Leader was momentarily delighted to snatch the initiative from the Sea Devils at the start of the Second (of Six) Turn. However, the wily Sea Devil Overlord played "Turning The Tables" which automatically gave the sea-dwelling faction the Initiative. His water-breathing warriors made full use of this advantage by claiming an additional Victory Point for Objective Two and sending its reinforcements south-west in the direction of the highly valuable Objective Six. The rest of the Sea Devils held their ground, knowing that currently the Daleks had to come to them...

THE DALEKS FINALLY ENGAGE THE SEA DEVILS AND START TO PUSH THEM BACK INTO THE SEA

The Dalek Patrol Leader did not disappoint either, and trundled east behind his northern drones who simultaneously headed towards Objective Three. However, this put at least one drone within range of the Sea Devils' Heat Ray and it was momentarily shocked into submission. Encouraged by the pepper-pot's shrill cry of distress, the rest of the Sea Devils in the north moved on, seeking what shelter they could behind the Northern Outcrop.

To the south though the Sea Devil Ancients retreated south before the oncoming Daleks, and slid back into the safety of the ocean. Soon they would be joined by some reinforcements, and then would be the time to assault the aliens loitering far too closely towards Objective Six. The wily Sea Devils' departure could not have occurred at a better time either, as a number of Daleks unsuccessfully fired upon their protected position. Only the two Daleks to the north enjoyed any success, as one of the three Sea Devils beside the Northern Outcrop was gunned down by their fearsome disruptors.

Dum Da Dum, Diddly Dum, Oo-ee-oos…