Scenario Outline
This scenario is based on the battle fought along Koth Ridge. The Orks must launch a quick assault to clear a corridor over the ridge. The Dark Angels must stop them achieving this objective before dawn rises.
"Death by Moonlight" is a re-run of a particular battle rather than a generic mission, so you should decide in advance if you wish to use it: it can't be generated from the scenario charts in the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook. In the notes below I assume that you'll be using Dark Angels and Orks in the battle, but it is easy to change the troops if you wish, for example replacing the Dark Angels with other Space Marines or Eldar, and the Orks with Chaos Space Marines or Tyranids.
A Note on Large Games
The assault on Koth Ridge was a huge battle, great for use as a special BFG (which I understand from friends stands for 'big fun game'). Just gather as many players as you can and set aside at least a day for the battle! If you do this, it's worth noting that in the actual battle Imperial Guard troops defended much of the ridge against the Orks, and if you wish you can use them to help defend it on this occasion as well by allowing the Dark Angels player to field a detachment of Imperial Guard (see the rules for big games on page 131 of the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook).
Set-Up
Dark Angels deployment: The Dark Angels set up first and may deploy their forces anywhere within 6" of the centre line, along Koth Ridge.
Ork deployment: The Orks set up second. Orks on foot may be deployed anywhere from their own table edge to a line 2D6+6" from the centre line of the table (ie, 8-18" from the centre). Any Ork vehicles, Dreadnoughts, warbikes, Boar Boyz and support weapons enter on the Orks' first turn. They may enter at any point along the Orks' table edge, but the entry point must be at least 12" from the sides.
Diagram: Table layout showing, from the Ork table edge inward: the ORK DEPLOYMENT ZONE band, then a band marked "2D6+6"" showing the maximum depth Ork infantry may deploy from the centre line, a dashed centre line, then the DARK ANGELS' DEPLOYMENT ZONE band extending 12" from the centre line, following the terrain of Koth Ridge (rocky outcrops and low hills scattered across the table).
Force Organisation
Use the 'Breakthrough' Force Organisation charts. The Orks are attacking and the Dark Angels are defending.
Dark Angels commander: At the time of the attack, Master Belial was encamped around the Ork landing site. He was replaced by Interrogator-Chaplain Sarpedon as commander of the Space Marines on Koth Ridge. The Dark Angels may not, therefore, include a Master or Grand Master in their army.
Ork special characters: The Ork attack was masterminded by Nazdreg and he may be included in the Ork army if the Ork player has a copy of his Special Character rules.
Ork vehicles: The Ork tellyportas could not transport anything larger than a wartrukk to the planet. Because of this, Ork vehicles are limited to Dreadnoughts, Buggies and Trukks. In addition, looted Imperial vehicles may not be used.
Recon Report
This game really needs a large table (5'x4' is pretty much the minimum). As you can see from the map the Dark Angels occupy an ideal defensive position, namely the hills of Koth Ridge across the middle of the table. This aside, the terrain is fairly open, consisting of small rocky outcrops, low hills, and ruined buildings.
Special Rules
Death by Moonlight uses the following special rules: Hidden Set-Up, Random Game Length, Night Fighting, Foxholes (see below).
Foxholes: The Dark Angels have had enough time to dig foxholes and pile up earth and rocks to use as defensive barriers. This means that any of the defenders placed in the open count as being in cover with a 5+ save as long as they do not move. Once any model in a unit moves, the whole unit loses this special cover save.
Game Length and Victory Conditions
Game length: The Dark Angels have the first turn and the battle lasts for a random number of turns.
Victory conditions: To win, the Orks must be able to trace a straight line from their table edge to the Dark Angels' edge. This line must pass within 8" of at least one Ork model and not pass within 8" of any enemy model.