Hydra Dominatus - Gehenna Prime

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Raise Banners.

Primary Objective: Burden Of Trust.

Detachment: Vanguard Spearhead.

Opponents Detachment: Deceptors.

When contact was lost with the mining colony on Gehenna Prime, Imperial forces investigated and found that the planet had turned from the Emperor's Light - corrupted by the Alpha Legion. Armies were mobilised and dispatched to liberate the system. The Rift Wardens joined the crusade fleet and were one of the first forces to engage the enemy.

The initial engagement was a pivotal battle and involved the majority of the Rift Wardens chapter, operating under captain Mallegant. Further north, the few loyalist PDF forces also supported their attack. South of the main force, Artthurus led a coordinated attack along the main front. The objective was to break through one of the most heavily defended stretches of the Alpha Legion lines. The assault achieved its objectives, resulting in the first full breach of the enemy positions, in the face of heavy enemy resistance.  In concert with other attacks across Gehenna Prime, the Alpha Legion command began to feel that they were unlikely to hold off the Imperial forces.

A Dark And Stormy Night - Birmingham

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible Of Battle / Rapid Escalation.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Vanguard Spearhead.

Opponents Detachment: Skysplinter Assault.

Birmingham - a dark and gloomy world, eternally wrapped in darkest night and pounding thunderstorms. When it's population came under attack by the piratical Drukhari, the Rift Wardens responded quickly, deploying to the heart of the city and engaging the vile alien.

The initial engagement was the beginning of a pursuit by the Drukhari against the fleeing PDF. After this terrifying pursuit, the Drukhari attacked and captured a series of rearguard positions. These positions were held by brave PDF soldiers and they held out as long as they could.

The initial Rift Wardens forces marched in columns through the streets towards the districts targeted by the alien raiders. At the same time, more space marine forces were deploying along the Emperor's Highway,

The Rift Wardens entrenched themselves to cover the retreat of the surviving PDF. These rearguards were successfully attacked by the Drukhari, capturing a number of survivors, dragging them back to their Dark City in chains. The Drukhari continued their advance into the space marine lines.

Craftworld Offensive - Omegon Theta

Points: 1000.

Mission: The Gathering Shroud

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Battle Host.

Agendas: Angels of Death, Drive Them Back and Recover Mission Archives.

Opponent's Agendas: Cleanse Infection and Forward Observers.

This offensive was part of a major attack by the Aeldari against the Mechanicus research stations around the buried Craftworld ship. It was fought over the course of a month, and was one of the largest battles in the initial stages of the war. It involved millions of skitarri, aeldari warriors as well as the majority of the Rift Wardens chapter. It was one of the deadliest campaigns for the Rift Warden, and ultimately the loss of these dig sites worsened the morale of the Mechanicus command.

Battle for Samakah - Talos

Points: 1000.

Mission: Routed Prey.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Invasion Fleet.

Agendas: Angels of Death and Monstrous Targets.

Opponent's Agendas: Hunt & Slay and Tyrannoform The Prey World.

Following a number of victories in the Samakah region, a combined series of attacks by the Tyranids, supported by extensive aerial support from flying monsters, allowed the hive mind to achieve a number of victories against the defenders. A Rift Wardens expeditionary force in the area were, by the attacks, to forced to fight back and push the Tyranids back, all but briefly. The Tyranids retreated to avoid being outflanked, Although the hive mind withdrew, they had inflicted significant casualties upon the Imperial defenders, although the Rift Wardens suffered few actual casualties.

Battle for the Artemis Line - Tartaria

Points: 1600.

Mission: Interdimensional Clash.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Retaliation Cadre.

Agendas: Defiance Unfurled, Know No Fear, and Monstrous Targets.

Opponent's Agendas: Outflank and Encircle, and Protect The Leadership.

The battle of the Artemis Line was a major offensive against the Farsight Enclaves. After driving the Enclaves back under Operation: Planetstrike, the Rift Wardens captured territory once held by the enemy while continuing to push the Enclaves away from the great hive cities of Tartaria. Having cut the Enclaves off from any reinforcements, the space marines proceeded eastwards to attack and capture more territory from the enemy, before moving on to attack and decimate multiple detachments of the Enclave forces. 

The Rift Warden advance force, commanded by chapter master Arthurus, began the Battle for the Artemis Line in the early morning followed by further breakthrough attacks by outriders. Meanwhile, on the right flank, the battle began with a drop pod assault against the forces holding a line of fortified hills. During this engagement, it soon became apparent that the battle was going to be a success for the Rift Wardens.

After leaving a companies worth of intercessors to hold the newly acquired territory against any counter-attacks, Arthurus continued to lead his battle brothers eastwards to attack and capture further territory. With the Enclaves in full retreat, they continued to pursue and engaged Commander Farsight himself. Once again, Arthurus fought a heroic battle against the enemy commander, striking a devastating blow which laid low the enemy commander. The Enclave forces recovered their grievously wounded commander but it was too late. The Imperial forces now controlled the lands around the capitol of Tartaria.

Operation: Planetstrike - Tartaria

Points: 1600.

Mission: Quantum Siege.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Retaliation Cadre.

Agendas: Drive Them Back, Monstrous Targets, and Recover Blackstone Data.

Opponent's Agendas: Outflank and Encircle, and Protect The Leadership.

In the months following the conclusion to the Corinthian Crusade, the Rift Wardens were once again contacted by Inquisitor Rosarius about yet another Imperial world reaching out to the Tau Empire. This time, a trade agreement had been made by the planetary governor of a world named Tartaria with an off shoot of the Tau Empire. Rosarias requested Arthurus drive the alien menace from this world while she and her acolytes dealt with the renegade governor and his family.

The Rift Wardens battle barge Herald of Faith, broke through the orbiting Enclave vessels to launch a swift and sudden planetfall strike against the Enclave forces. This enabled the space marines to capture two of the enemy's communication stations and disrupt their supply lines, while the infantry battle occurred further north. As the day wore on, more territory was seized from the Enclaves and Arthurus took to the battlefield himself. The next day, the Enclaves command base was captured by a valiant assault force the Tau were not prepared to face. This effectively ended the Enclave dominance on the surface at this time. During a subsequent early morning raid, the enemy commander, Farsight, was defeated and forced to flee the battlefield. During these operations, the greater part of the Enclaves force was surrounded and destroyed. These and other battles fought in the area, forced the Enclaves to retreat pursued by the Rift Wardens.

Unfortunately however, Inquisitor Rosarius was unable to apprehend the traitor governor and his family, who were spirited away by the Enclave. Rosarius decreed that she would find them and execute them for their crimes.

The Battle of Apothe Gate - Grendel

Points: 1800.

Mission: Outflank.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Teleport Strike Force.

Agendas: Drive Them Back, Malefic Hunter and Recover Blackstone Data.

Opponent's Agendas: Headhunters and Reap A Tally.

Following the battle of Black Fields, it was clear that the breakthrough attacks in the fields outside Ascension Hive, and the Grey Knights were ordered to begin the siege of the hive city by attacking the Rift Warden defences at Apothe Gate, supported by dreadknights. These attacks continued late into the night and throughout the next day, when continued teleport assaults and aerial bombing forced the space marines to disengage. The Rift Wardens led by chapter master Arthurus, retreated from the Apothe district towards the heart of the hive, leaving a rearguard to defend the gate. The gate was captured, while devastating aerial bombing of the surrounding area blocked their own line of retreat. As all objectives had now been won, no further attacks were required at this point, and the Grey Knights slew the surviving rearguard and witnessing civilians.

Battle of the Vangalt Defence Line - Vigilus Wastelands

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn of War / Chilling Rain.

Primary Objective: Take & Hold.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Pactbound Zealots.

The Battle of the Vangalt Defence Line began with an apocalyptic bombardment during which vast numbers of traitor tanks, supported by the firepower of two Carnage class cruisers, while traitor Knights fired a creeping barrage to cover the legionnaire assaults. The Black Legion marines attacked simultaneously along the front line, defended by the Rift Wardens and the Astra Militarum. During this battle, the enemy breached the front and second line trenches to eventually capture the defenders headquarters. On the right, those trenchworks were attacked and eventually captured by three companies of legionnaires. These three companies subsequently advanced, despite the defenders being reinforced by further Rift Warden squads, and captured supply points. This created a gap in the front lines for Black Legion bikers to ride through. They rode north and eastwards to the rear to capture the defending Imperial lines of communication.

The second phase of the battle began as soon as the gap was made during the infantry attacks. The bikers led the way north up of the Vangalt plains followed by hordes of legionnaires in reserve. These divisions subsequently rode across the Vangalt hills to occupy the wastelands beyond. The Black Legion slaughtered hundreds of thousands of guardsmen during this stage of the war.

The Rift Wardens command firebase was initially unsuccessfully attacked by one force of Black Legion marines. During this battle however, the Rift Wardens commander, chief librarian Uthar, was forced to escape, teleporting back to an orbiting battle barge. The firebase was captured days later, and soon the enemy had seized control over large swathes of territory. On the last day of the battle, the Rift Wardens attacked the Black Legion rearguard, killing large numbers of the traitor marines before fading back into the wastelands. 

Battle of Excavation Site 0045 - Omegon Theta

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Hidden Supplies

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Battle Host.

For some years the Adeptus Mechanicus has conducted excavations into the desert wastes of Omegon Theta looking for ancient alien technology. In recent weeks they have uncovered what they feel is a buried ancient Aeldari craftworld. Within days, their excavation teams would find themselves under attack by raiding Aeldari and Harlequin forces. Requesting assistance from any Imperial forces in the sector, they were surprised to receive swift aid from the Rift Wardens.

The battle of excavation 0045 was the first offensive of the war on Omegon Theta. The contending forces were the Aeldari of Craftworld Biel-Tan with Harlequin associates, with enough troops to outnumber the space marines almost three to one. After the Aeldari attacked the space marine lines of communication, distracting the space marines and then broke through their lines. Wave after wave of jetbikes rode through the breach in the Rift Wardens lines and almost encircled them. With the arrival of a monstrous Avatar of Khaine entering the battle, the space marines fell back, giving ground to the alien aggressors.

Battle of the Tabor Fields - Pelucidon

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer and Anvil / Raise Banners.

Primary Objective: The Ritual.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

During the Battle of the Tabor Fields, the Rift Wardens attacked the entrenched White Scars and their Knightly allies defending the Tabor defences. These defences were located in the middle of the rival space marine's lines. The Rift Wardens attacked in a three pronged assault, and these developed into a major set piece offensive. Finally the main force, led by the chapter's Judiciar, smashed through the defences and led to a major defeat for the White Scars.

Battle of the Thulkas Peninsula - Talos

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn of War / Stalwarts.

Primary Objective: Take and Hold.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Invasion Fleet.

The battle of Thulkas Peninsula took place over a week during the final days of the Imperial forces present. During the early phase of the battle, the Tyranid swarm attacked and overrun the front lines of the Imperial defenders under cover of an artillery barrage from giant assault monsters. The Tyranids victory over the entrenched Imperial defenders, composed of Astra Miltarum and the Rift Wardens, ultimately resulting in the destruction of the guardsmen, the retreat of two regiments and the devouring of hundreds of thousands. After the battle, the Tyranids pursued the retreating forces to the sprawling Damaskeinos Plains.