So guys, simple question. I want a shooty WHFB army that's not Dark Elves and I already play Skaven.
I also want it to be evil, or at least not goody two shoes. It also has to be, y'know, good. WE archer lines aint gonna cut it.
Any ideas?
Read more!
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Monday, 28 February 2011
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Archnomad's 40k Gospel
So guys, I've decided to write something absolutely monolithic. My own 40k bible. Very much a WIP at the moment, but i'd like some community involvement here. At the moment, I'm starting with list writing. If you feel you have anything to add, please make it known. I'm just putting it up while I write it. I mean, getting C&C is better than having it sitting in drafts right?
Now then. Winning in 40k. In my opinion, this starts well before you roll your mission. Well before you find an opponent. You know what I'm getting at, this starts with an Army List. A successful army list is able to handly everything an opponent can throw at you, and anything you encounter. An unsuccessful army list can't deal with certain threats, or is spread too thin. So, lets talk about making army lists.
This obviously starts with your army of choice. Now then, for the purposes of this, I'm going to refer to Space Wolves as my default (as they're my default, and in my opinion have one of the most rounded codices in the game). I should note, that some armies simply have to build lists differently, but there's a certain amount of things a successful army needs to be able to do.
We've covered it already. Take all comers by the horns and punch them in the chops. So how do we do that? Well, what does all comers entail? Well, can your army list reliably (assuming 2kpts):
Deal with 200 models?
Deal with masses of 2+ saves?
Deal with masses of invulnerables (storm shields, fateweaver)?
Deal with being alpha struck?
Deal with lots of high toughness or very tough models?
Deal with gunlines?
Deal with combat armies?
Deal with being pressured by stuff in your DZ turn one?
Deal with armies staying 36" (or trying to) away from you at all times?
Deal with the top army builds at the time (as you're likely to encounter these)?
Deal with 20+ vehicles?
Push forward to take objectives against an aggressive opponent?
Push forward to take objectives against a gunline?
Remain potent while moving?
Operate reliably, with lots of redundancy, so deviation from the averages doesn't completely screw you, and you always have a back up plan?
Not have bad matchups (this isn't essential, but know the risk of running paper, when you run into scissors you cannot complain)?
Looks like a lot doesn't it? It's not really, most armies tick half of that off by just picking the codex. A lot of codices would have to build around not having this stuff. I should also note, not every unit in your army needs to be able to adhere to this, but as a whole this should be something your army is capable of doing. (:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, so next up, efficiency. This is big in army list design. Take for instance, the commonly doled out example of the predator's autocannon. Almost everybody you meet will tell you to not upgrade it to a Lascannon. Lascannons are better, sure. But they are not efficient. Ok, so what is efficient?
Well, efficiency is usually defined to a role. Very rarely will you find a unit that is efficient at everything. Lets rattle through a few examples. What I'll do is put say, 5 unit types and give a grade. The grade represents how good it is at a certain task. It'll be easier if you see it. So, sticking with some well known units here:
*disclaimer - these scales are very rough, they're there to get a point across! Don't call me out on it, as ultimately it doesn't matter*
Vendetta
Anti Light Infantry (guard, orks etc) - D
Anti Heavy Infantry (Marines, termies) - C
Anti Monstrous Creature - A
Anti Light Tank - A
Anti Heavy Tank - B
Dakka Predator
Anti Light Infantry (guard, orks etc) - B (would be A if it ignored cover)
Anti Heavy Infantry (Marines, termies) - D
Anti Monstrous Creature - D
Anti Light Tank - C
Anti Heavy Tank - F
Tactical Marines Rapid Firing
Anti Light Infantry (guard, orks etc) - C
Anti Heavy Infantry (Marines, termies) - D
Anti Monstrous Creature - D
Anti Light Tank - D
Anti Heavy Tank - F
Dreadnought with Twin Autocannons
Anti Light Infantry (guard, orks etc) - C
Anti Heavy Infantry (Marines, termies) - D (it's not much good against either)
Anti Monstrous Creature - C
Anti Light Tank - B
Anti Heavy Tank - C
Ok, so looking at that, you need to note they're pretty specialised examples. However, all but one of these units are considered "efficient". And indeed, all these weapons have their place. A Vendetta reigns over the skies. Hard as hell to get cover from, it absolutely destroys tanks. Very efficient for what you're paying. Versus infantry it's about as efficient as a teaspoon for cutting steak, however. In the same vein, a dakka pred is pretty good against light infantry. Now, the important thing to take away from this is how good they are for what you're paying. The best unit in that mix is the Vendetta. It's the most expensive, sure, but it's fantastic at what it does. I wish my SW got Vendettas. Seriously, they have everything you could want in a long range platform. Well, almost. If they were AV14 they'd be... In fact I don't even want to think about that.
Anyway, where I was going. A vendetta is horrifically efficient, and thus a very good unit. A dakka pred is not "that" killy. But it's cheap as all hell.
Another important note, it's the only thing there that ignores armour. I don't care what people say about riflemen dreads, I don't think they're all that. I think they and dakka preds are one of the reasons nilla SM can't compete. They have tonnes of AP4, and struggle to deal out wounds to things like Tyranid MCs. I do not give a shit how many people say "just pour wounds onto them", if the nid player knows what he's doing, you'll be firing at a 2+ save (2+ tyranno or 3+/FnP). And this leads us nicely into my next point.
The best units are often those that're efficient in multiple fields. Lets take the Vendetta again. It's great anti tank, but it's also a nice source of some AP2, AND it's S9, which helps instant kill a lot of stuff. Take a Rifledread. It fires a lot of S7, so it's good against light tanks. It doesn't fire that many shots, certainly not enough for torrent, so light anti tank is about all it does. One of the reasons I'm not a huge fan, it's a matchup dependant unit (in my opinion) and, I've already mentioned, because of that and the dakka pred I feel nilla can't compete. :D
Ok, while I'm here, have some units efficient in multiple fields. Autolas predators, Long Fangs, Lasplas Razorbacks, Crisis Battlesuits, Veterans in Chimeras, BA ASM with LCs, Sangpriests and meltas, Sisters/IST units in Immolators, Vendettas, Tactical Marines, TH/SS terminators, MM/HF Speeders, Manticores, Medusas, Demolisher Tanks...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That looking familiar? Yeah, all those units are very common in tournaments. I wonder why that is. Now, if I may here is my Space Wolf army, as it appears on the table:
*reason I'm showing you is it can tick off the boxes on the list*
4 Good sized (7+WG) Grey Hunter units with a melta, wolf standard, combi melta and power fist in rhinos. So these units are good against light infantry (they'll scythe through guard type units), heavier infantry (if they pop the wolf standard they can really pile on the wounds with bolt pistols and stuff, you're talking like 12 wounds (so 2 die) before the fist), bigger monsters a la mephiston, tervigons etc as they have a power fist, allowing them to whittle them down, and they can also shoot them with AP1 weapons. They're good against tanks, as they have melta guns, and with the rhino, can catch them. A very good all purpose unit. Now, don't get me wrong, their preferred targets are things weaker than them that they have a good chance of killing (as is the way of 40k), but they will beat up most troops, and kill most tanks too. These are the guys I push forward with, and take objectives.
2 5 man grey hunter squads with flamers in lasplas razorbacks. The Stelek Surprise, no? These units will take potshots with flamers at units that get into that position. They are great in some games, as y'know, if you demech a unit of say veterans you can get these guys into a position so that if the vets come close, they're gonna get burnt. Remember, the IG player (worth his salt) will spread out, so you'll need to tank shock him back into shape. The lasplas allows this FOC to deal with MCs, Tanks, heavy infantry. Hell, in a pinch it's 3 shots, not bad by any standard. Yup. They're also scorers, these guys get the home field objectives.
2 units of 5 wolf scouts with a melta, and a WG w/Combi + Power Fist. Now, the WG is mandatory, but a lot of people question the fist. Well, it's good for assaulting tanks. Honestly, against some armies (particularly bad players) this is sheer awesome. The Scouts however fuck up backlines. The fist actually means they can beat up some squads like long fangs, which is fucking funny when it happens, just saying. But yeah, these guys are my wild cards. Cheap and cheerful, if you were to go to my checklist, they're also a major part in how I deal with gunlines and people who play defensively. They also allow me access to my opponents backfield if my Hunters are tied up in the midfield.
3 units of 5 long fangs with 4 missiles. Do I really need to explain? Really? Suffice to say these guys are ample anti tank, they're very good suppression fire, for shit like Vendettas, can shoot six targets, allow me to set up fire lanes, contest homefield objectives, have not bad anti infantry fire and surprise people (like Al'rahem) when they suddenly pull out pistols and dive in! Just generally a good unit, very efficient anti tank (115pts for 4 missiles that can split fire and also shoot infantry with blasts). The lasplas they bring is covered earlier. It acts as a backup for the Hunters if theirs gets blown up too.
Ok, the main point of contention in my list is Njal. I suppose he's another Wild Card. Let me explain. Njal, if he doesn't test quite well enough, will get swapped out. Probably for more GHs, another lasplas and a Rune Priest. However, Njal has been testing amazingly. Seriously, he's been ripping people's shit up. He tends to stay in his tank till turn 3-4. After that he's out and about, messing up people's days. Also, his personal force field/anti flyer(orDS) powers are nice to always have. Worth 145pts extra? Maybe. However, he also has Saga of Majesty (which is awesome for failed pins, ask my friends, I fail a lot), a chooser and a 3+ DENY on psychic powers. Honestly, pretty good. When his powers start getting serious, he's harsh. Personal best is either.... slowing down an army of horde orks, or wrecking 2 chimeras, blowing up a vendetta and immobilising a chimmy, all in one turn (Vengeful Hurricane + Living Lightning yo!). He also has a total toolbox of powers (well, the useful ones, having Murderous Hurricane, JotWW, Living Lightning and Tempest Wrath is nice). But yeah, testing well, but he's not quite fixed yet.
Now, where I'm going with this.
Deal with 200 models? Yes, the Grey Hunters can kill shit like this in infantry, and longfangs have blast templates, there's also murderous hurricane So can Wolf Scouts.
Deal with masses of 2+ saves? Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts, Long Fangs.
Deal with masses of invulnerables (storm shields, fateweaver)? Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts, Long Fangs.
Deal with being alpha struck?Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts, Long Fangs.
Deal with lots of high toughness or very tough models?Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts, Long Fangs.
Deal with gunlines?Grey Hunters and Scouts pressure, while the rest shoot shit up.
Deal with combat armies?Grey Hunters, can fight them, while the rest shoot their support.
Deal with being pressured by stuff in your DZ turn one My army doesn't have much trouble with being pressured. It operates well at close range and can intercept stuff at close range. Most of the stuff that comes in close I can beat up.
Deal with armies staying 36" (or trying to) away from you at all times? Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts, Long Fangs..... All my units don't mind. Hunters are fast in rhinos, scouts can come on AT the enemy units, and the rest shoots.
Deal with the top army builds at the time (as you're likely to encounter these)?This is a top army build (Hybrid wolves) at the moment, but yes I would say it has the tools to deal with them.
Deal with 20+ vehicles?Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts, Long Fangs. All have anti tank.
Push forward to take objectives against an aggressive opponent?Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts.
Push forward to take objectives against a gunline?Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts.
Remain potent while moving?Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts.
Operate reliably, with lots of redundancy, so deviation from the averages doesn't completely screw you, and you always have a back up plan?Grey Huntersx6, Lasplas Razorsx3, Wolf Scoutsx2, Long Fangsx3.
Not have bad matchups (this isn't essential, but know the risk of running paper, when you run into scissors you cannot complain)?Nope. List is really well rounded imo.
So yeah, the wolf list has a lot of units that can deal with everything. So do things like mech IG. This is why I think it's a really good army. It's something a friend of mine is calling army homogeny, and that's a fantastic term for it. Everything in my army can deal with most (or every) threat it encounters, especially if I gang up. It makes target priority difficult, and means that I can make comebacks from most situations, as it's not like you can remove all my anti tank/infantry/heavy infantry/bases/lps/mana without killing me.
;] I miss my mana spring totem. Is cata really any good? I have an 80 shaman in like, 232-256 gear sitting about that I haven't thought about in a while...
Ok, so these principles. Now i realise this isn't possible for every army. Even most armies. But you can try, and make good attempts. A power klaw serves this function in Ork Boy units. Melta guns in veterans, especially if you bring straken and a Chimera. So yeah, having generalists is (in my opinion) the best way to go. Right, but if you can't have generalists, you need to bring specialists. Do not, ever, bring one specialist. You need multiple specialists. This is called redundancy, and this is huge.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redundancy. Well, I've covered why this is good previously. Basically, it means a single clinical strike can't remove your entire army's capability to combat certain types of unit. Tyranids are a fantastic example of lacking redundancy. In a 2000point game, they will normally bring 3 units of hive guard, and 2 tyrannofexes. Say I'm playing gunline mech IG. Turn one, I use my vendettas to nuke the Tyrannofexes off the board, and the rest of the army reduces your hive guard to cinders. Now what do you do? You have no reliable way to combat my mech. GG dude. Ok so that's a really extreme example, but it's why I believe nids aren't so hot at the moment, severe lack of anti tank units. Another example would be bad forum eldar lists. That bring a squad of dragons and 2 bright lances. When they're removed, you have no way to deal with tanks. Another GG, dude.
So combatting this. Well it was touched on earlier. Bring multiple units that fulfill the same role. That's why the tyranid player has 5 anti tank units. To reduce the amount he's hampered by harsh losses.
-To Be Continued. Again. Read more!
Now then. Winning in 40k. In my opinion, this starts well before you roll your mission. Well before you find an opponent. You know what I'm getting at, this starts with an Army List. A successful army list is able to handly everything an opponent can throw at you, and anything you encounter. An unsuccessful army list can't deal with certain threats, or is spread too thin. So, lets talk about making army lists.
This obviously starts with your army of choice. Now then, for the purposes of this, I'm going to refer to Space Wolves as my default (as they're my default, and in my opinion have one of the most rounded codices in the game). I should note, that some armies simply have to build lists differently, but there's a certain amount of things a successful army needs to be able to do.
We've covered it already. Take all comers by the horns and punch them in the chops. So how do we do that? Well, what does all comers entail? Well, can your army list reliably (assuming 2kpts):
Deal with 200 models?
Deal with masses of 2+ saves?
Deal with masses of invulnerables (storm shields, fateweaver)?
Deal with being alpha struck?
Deal with lots of high toughness or very tough models?
Deal with gunlines?
Deal with combat armies?
Deal with being pressured by stuff in your DZ turn one?
Deal with armies staying 36" (or trying to) away from you at all times?
Deal with the top army builds at the time (as you're likely to encounter these)?
Deal with 20+ vehicles?
Push forward to take objectives against an aggressive opponent?
Push forward to take objectives against a gunline?
Remain potent while moving?
Operate reliably, with lots of redundancy, so deviation from the averages doesn't completely screw you, and you always have a back up plan?
Not have bad matchups (this isn't essential, but know the risk of running paper, when you run into scissors you cannot complain)?
Looks like a lot doesn't it? It's not really, most armies tick half of that off by just picking the codex. A lot of codices would have to build around not having this stuff. I should also note, not every unit in your army needs to be able to adhere to this, but as a whole this should be something your army is capable of doing. (:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, so next up, efficiency. This is big in army list design. Take for instance, the commonly doled out example of the predator's autocannon. Almost everybody you meet will tell you to not upgrade it to a Lascannon. Lascannons are better, sure. But they are not efficient. Ok, so what is efficient?
Well, efficiency is usually defined to a role. Very rarely will you find a unit that is efficient at everything. Lets rattle through a few examples. What I'll do is put say, 5 unit types and give a grade. The grade represents how good it is at a certain task. It'll be easier if you see it. So, sticking with some well known units here:
*disclaimer - these scales are very rough, they're there to get a point across! Don't call me out on it, as ultimately it doesn't matter*
Vendetta
Anti Light Infantry (guard, orks etc) - D
Anti Heavy Infantry (Marines, termies) - C
Anti Monstrous Creature - A
Anti Light Tank - A
Anti Heavy Tank - B
Dakka Predator
Anti Light Infantry (guard, orks etc) - B (would be A if it ignored cover)
Anti Heavy Infantry (Marines, termies) - D
Anti Monstrous Creature - D
Anti Light Tank - C
Anti Heavy Tank - F
Tactical Marines Rapid Firing
Anti Light Infantry (guard, orks etc) - C
Anti Heavy Infantry (Marines, termies) - D
Anti Monstrous Creature - D
Anti Light Tank - D
Anti Heavy Tank - F
Dreadnought with Twin Autocannons
Anti Light Infantry (guard, orks etc) - C
Anti Heavy Infantry (Marines, termies) - D (it's not much good against either)
Anti Monstrous Creature - C
Anti Light Tank - B
Anti Heavy Tank - C
Ok, so looking at that, you need to note they're pretty specialised examples. However, all but one of these units are considered "efficient". And indeed, all these weapons have their place. A Vendetta reigns over the skies. Hard as hell to get cover from, it absolutely destroys tanks. Very efficient for what you're paying. Versus infantry it's about as efficient as a teaspoon for cutting steak, however. In the same vein, a dakka pred is pretty good against light infantry. Now, the important thing to take away from this is how good they are for what you're paying. The best unit in that mix is the Vendetta. It's the most expensive, sure, but it's fantastic at what it does. I wish my SW got Vendettas. Seriously, they have everything you could want in a long range platform. Well, almost. If they were AV14 they'd be... In fact I don't even want to think about that.
Anyway, where I was going. A vendetta is horrifically efficient, and thus a very good unit. A dakka pred is not "that" killy. But it's cheap as all hell.
Another important note, it's the only thing there that ignores armour. I don't care what people say about riflemen dreads, I don't think they're all that. I think they and dakka preds are one of the reasons nilla SM can't compete. They have tonnes of AP4, and struggle to deal out wounds to things like Tyranid MCs. I do not give a shit how many people say "just pour wounds onto them", if the nid player knows what he's doing, you'll be firing at a 2+ save (2+ tyranno or 3+/FnP). And this leads us nicely into my next point.
The best units are often those that're efficient in multiple fields. Lets take the Vendetta again. It's great anti tank, but it's also a nice source of some AP2, AND it's S9, which helps instant kill a lot of stuff. Take a Rifledread. It fires a lot of S7, so it's good against light tanks. It doesn't fire that many shots, certainly not enough for torrent, so light anti tank is about all it does. One of the reasons I'm not a huge fan, it's a matchup dependant unit (in my opinion) and, I've already mentioned, because of that and the dakka pred I feel nilla can't compete. :D
Ok, while I'm here, have some units efficient in multiple fields. Autolas predators, Long Fangs, Lasplas Razorbacks, Crisis Battlesuits, Veterans in Chimeras, BA ASM with LCs, Sangpriests and meltas, Sisters/IST units in Immolators, Vendettas, Tactical Marines, TH/SS terminators, MM/HF Speeders, Manticores, Medusas, Demolisher Tanks...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That looking familiar? Yeah, all those units are very common in tournaments. I wonder why that is. Now, if I may here is my Space Wolf army, as it appears on the table:
*reason I'm showing you is it can tick off the boxes on the list*
4 Good sized (7+WG) Grey Hunter units with a melta, wolf standard, combi melta and power fist in rhinos. So these units are good against light infantry (they'll scythe through guard type units), heavier infantry (if they pop the wolf standard they can really pile on the wounds with bolt pistols and stuff, you're talking like 12 wounds (so 2 die) before the fist), bigger monsters a la mephiston, tervigons etc as they have a power fist, allowing them to whittle them down, and they can also shoot them with AP1 weapons. They're good against tanks, as they have melta guns, and with the rhino, can catch them. A very good all purpose unit. Now, don't get me wrong, their preferred targets are things weaker than them that they have a good chance of killing (as is the way of 40k), but they will beat up most troops, and kill most tanks too. These are the guys I push forward with, and take objectives.
2 5 man grey hunter squads with flamers in lasplas razorbacks. The Stelek Surprise, no? These units will take potshots with flamers at units that get into that position. They are great in some games, as y'know, if you demech a unit of say veterans you can get these guys into a position so that if the vets come close, they're gonna get burnt. Remember, the IG player (worth his salt) will spread out, so you'll need to tank shock him back into shape. The lasplas allows this FOC to deal with MCs, Tanks, heavy infantry. Hell, in a pinch it's 3 shots, not bad by any standard. Yup. They're also scorers, these guys get the home field objectives.
2 units of 5 wolf scouts with a melta, and a WG w/Combi + Power Fist. Now, the WG is mandatory, but a lot of people question the fist. Well, it's good for assaulting tanks. Honestly, against some armies (particularly bad players) this is sheer awesome. The Scouts however fuck up backlines. The fist actually means they can beat up some squads like long fangs, which is fucking funny when it happens, just saying. But yeah, these guys are my wild cards. Cheap and cheerful, if you were to go to my checklist, they're also a major part in how I deal with gunlines and people who play defensively. They also allow me access to my opponents backfield if my Hunters are tied up in the midfield.
3 units of 5 long fangs with 4 missiles. Do I really need to explain? Really? Suffice to say these guys are ample anti tank, they're very good suppression fire, for shit like Vendettas, can shoot six targets, allow me to set up fire lanes, contest homefield objectives, have not bad anti infantry fire and surprise people (like Al'rahem) when they suddenly pull out pistols and dive in! Just generally a good unit, very efficient anti tank (115pts for 4 missiles that can split fire and also shoot infantry with blasts). The lasplas they bring is covered earlier. It acts as a backup for the Hunters if theirs gets blown up too.
Ok, the main point of contention in my list is Njal. I suppose he's another Wild Card. Let me explain. Njal, if he doesn't test quite well enough, will get swapped out. Probably for more GHs, another lasplas and a Rune Priest. However, Njal has been testing amazingly. Seriously, he's been ripping people's shit up. He tends to stay in his tank till turn 3-4. After that he's out and about, messing up people's days. Also, his personal force field/anti flyer(orDS) powers are nice to always have. Worth 145pts extra? Maybe. However, he also has Saga of Majesty (which is awesome for failed pins, ask my friends, I fail a lot), a chooser and a 3+ DENY on psychic powers. Honestly, pretty good. When his powers start getting serious, he's harsh. Personal best is either.... slowing down an army of horde orks, or wrecking 2 chimeras, blowing up a vendetta and immobilising a chimmy, all in one turn (Vengeful Hurricane + Living Lightning yo!). He also has a total toolbox of powers (well, the useful ones, having Murderous Hurricane, JotWW, Living Lightning and Tempest Wrath is nice). But yeah, testing well, but he's not quite fixed yet.
Now, where I'm going with this.
Deal with 200 models? Yes, the Grey Hunters can kill shit like this in infantry, and longfangs have blast templates, there's also murderous hurricane So can Wolf Scouts.
Deal with masses of 2+ saves? Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts, Long Fangs.
Deal with masses of invulnerables (storm shields, fateweaver)? Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts, Long Fangs.
Deal with being alpha struck?Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts, Long Fangs.
Deal with lots of high toughness or very tough models?Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts, Long Fangs.
Deal with gunlines?Grey Hunters and Scouts pressure, while the rest shoot shit up.
Deal with combat armies?Grey Hunters, can fight them, while the rest shoot their support.
Deal with being pressured by stuff in your DZ turn one My army doesn't have much trouble with being pressured. It operates well at close range and can intercept stuff at close range. Most of the stuff that comes in close I can beat up.
Deal with armies staying 36" (or trying to) away from you at all times? Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts, Long Fangs..... All my units don't mind. Hunters are fast in rhinos, scouts can come on AT the enemy units, and the rest shoots.
Deal with the top army builds at the time (as you're likely to encounter these)?This is a top army build (Hybrid wolves) at the moment, but yes I would say it has the tools to deal with them.
Deal with 20+ vehicles?Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts, Long Fangs. All have anti tank.
Push forward to take objectives against an aggressive opponent?Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts.
Push forward to take objectives against a gunline?Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts.
Remain potent while moving?Grey Hunters, Lasplas Razors, Njal, Wolf Scouts.
Operate reliably, with lots of redundancy, so deviation from the averages doesn't completely screw you, and you always have a back up plan?Grey Huntersx6, Lasplas Razorsx3, Wolf Scoutsx2, Long Fangsx3.
Not have bad matchups (this isn't essential, but know the risk of running paper, when you run into scissors you cannot complain)?Nope. List is really well rounded imo.
So yeah, the wolf list has a lot of units that can deal with everything. So do things like mech IG. This is why I think it's a really good army. It's something a friend of mine is calling army homogeny, and that's a fantastic term for it. Everything in my army can deal with most (or every) threat it encounters, especially if I gang up. It makes target priority difficult, and means that I can make comebacks from most situations, as it's not like you can remove all my anti tank/infantry/heavy infantry/bases/lps/mana without killing me.
;] I miss my mana spring totem. Is cata really any good? I have an 80 shaman in like, 232-256 gear sitting about that I haven't thought about in a while...
Ok, so these principles. Now i realise this isn't possible for every army. Even most armies. But you can try, and make good attempts. A power klaw serves this function in Ork Boy units. Melta guns in veterans, especially if you bring straken and a Chimera. So yeah, having generalists is (in my opinion) the best way to go. Right, but if you can't have generalists, you need to bring specialists. Do not, ever, bring one specialist. You need multiple specialists. This is called redundancy, and this is huge.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redundancy. Well, I've covered why this is good previously. Basically, it means a single clinical strike can't remove your entire army's capability to combat certain types of unit. Tyranids are a fantastic example of lacking redundancy. In a 2000point game, they will normally bring 3 units of hive guard, and 2 tyrannofexes. Say I'm playing gunline mech IG. Turn one, I use my vendettas to nuke the Tyrannofexes off the board, and the rest of the army reduces your hive guard to cinders. Now what do you do? You have no reliable way to combat my mech. GG dude. Ok so that's a really extreme example, but it's why I believe nids aren't so hot at the moment, severe lack of anti tank units. Another example would be bad forum eldar lists. That bring a squad of dragons and 2 bright lances. When they're removed, you have no way to deal with tanks. Another GG, dude.
So combatting this. Well it was touched on earlier. Bring multiple units that fulfill the same role. That's why the tyranid player has 5 anti tank units. To reduce the amount he's hampered by harsh losses.
-To Be Continued. Again. Read more!
Friday, 25 February 2011
But I thought Stelek was a bastard?
Since I got into truly "competitive" 40k I've been sending some questions to "the best (by record)" in the hobby. So, I thought Stelek was meant to be a bastard. Yet here's his breakdown of the email I sent him:
In particular, the second one got a fantastic response, well thought out answer, and some good feedback from the community.
http://yesthetruthhurts.com/2011/02/skaven-in-8e/
http://yesthetruthhurts.com/2011/02/questions-about-40k/
http://yesthetruthhurts.com/2011/02/sw-40k-stuff-etc/
All the posts are below, but some of the comments are really good. Now, Stelek gets a bad wrap from a lot of people, but based on this I'm quite happy to say.
Good guy, that Andrew,
Thanks.
Read more!
In particular, the second one got a fantastic response, well thought out answer, and some good feedback from the community.
http://yesthetruthhurts.com/2011/02/skaven-in-8e/
http://yesthetruthhurts.com/2011/02/questions-about-40k/
http://yesthetruthhurts.com/2011/02/sw-40k-stuff-etc/
All the posts are below, but some of the comments are really good. Now, Stelek gets a bad wrap from a lot of people, but based on this I'm quite happy to say.
Good guy, that Andrew,
Thanks.
Read more!
So Kirby rescheduled my post and I'm putting it up here for feedback just now...
Disclaimer: This is a rant. While it does cover some (very) important points, and some very good lessons as to playing 40k, it reads like a train of thought, or a conversation I would have with myself. Probably because I finished writing at 1:30am, and have been listening to a lot of 60s-70s rock. Just a word of warning.
So you're probably wondering what this article is aboutand you're not the only one. Well, it's about being good at 40k, and why I'm a better Warmachine player than I am a 40k player. Despite the fact I've had maybe 50 games of Warmachine in my life, and well more than that of 40k. So, I have some explaining to do I imagine. Well, let me lay out 3 very simple rules of "being good at 40k". If you follow these 3 guidelines I promise you your gameplay will improve. Hell, it sort of ties in with Kirby's eyeballing distance article. This is my personal 40k gospel in one easy checklist. Ok, so these 3 rules:
Read more!
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| This man. I will gladly offer a pound of flesh if someone can conjure me a machine to get to one of his gigs. |
So you're probably wondering what this article is about
Read more!
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Some Dark Heresy...
Now, for a bit of background, Dark Heresy is a pen and paper RPG which takes place in the 40k universe. You play as an acolyte of an Inquisitor (the GM, in this case me), and go off grinding XP and doing quests. You start at level 1 and can progress to level 6-
Wait. Sorry. ;] My games tend to take on a more "RPG" aspect with very few dice being rolled. I try to make it as much about the characters as possible, and only bring up combat when it's necessary. I don't think that the games that other people run, combat dice fests, are very fun. As frankly, DH combat... just play 40k? No? This is an oppertunity to get something much more. It's like the difference between a good video game (Bioshock) and a bad one (Kane and Lynch 2). Story, narrative, character development.
However, this session will only be a few hours long, so I'll try and make it as interesting a plot as I can. If you're interested, email me or comment. There's 5 spaces. (:
You don't need to bring character sheets, pens etc. If I can get enough people, we'll discuss the wheres and the whens.
<3 Read more!
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
NOVA Thoughts
This is early (I know), I'm debating what army to run to Nova. I'd like to see what kind of feedback I get on this, and I'll put a poll up tomorrow. However, the options we have are:
Blood Angels - Mech Chassis Spam
Blood Angels - TH/SS Raider List
Grey Knights - Something with scouting dreadknights and probably PAGKs. Maybe, depends on the book.
Necrons - Depends on when the book comes out. I hope to god it comes out for NOVA.
Orks - I've always wanted a mek army, like the one i'm running to Cent
Space Wolves - Hybrid SW (similar to the ones that've been up on here).
Tau - Dakkadakkadakkadakka.
I'll put up a poll however, listing all armies I can think of, just to see what kind of response I get. :D
But for now, thoughts? It's from the stand point of best chance of doing well. Crons is obviously up in the air at the moment, but I'm leaning on SW. Read more!
Blood Angels - Mech Chassis Spam
Blood Angels - TH/SS Raider List
Grey Knights - Something with scouting dreadknights and probably PAGKs. Maybe, depends on the book.
Necrons - Depends on when the book comes out. I hope to god it comes out for NOVA.
Orks - I've always wanted a mek army, like the one i'm running to Cent
Space Wolves - Hybrid SW (similar to the ones that've been up on here).
Tau - Dakkadakkadakkadakka.
I'll put up a poll however, listing all armies I can think of, just to see what kind of response I get. :D
But for now, thoughts? It's from the stand point of best chance of doing well. Crons is obviously up in the air at the moment, but I'm leaning on SW. Read more!
Monday, 21 February 2011
"Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste..."
So folks, events have transpired in such a fashion that i'm no longer running BA to Centurion. Nor am I running SW.
Now, as some (most?) of you know, I'm an author for 3++ is the new black, while sitting chitchatting in their chatbox widget (most amazing thing ever) we got into a jokey conversation about there not being any orks at cent and someone needing to represent them. I'd mentioned I'd love to run an army like MVB's (27 tanks at 2k), then it got half jokey.
Now I'm seriously running an army I've never played with, seen played, or will have even literally seen until the night before the event. Hopefully I can get that changed before then (going to a LGS here and doing some serious counts as, as well as some vassal). Yeah guys, I'm running in blind, dead in the water.
This is going to be fun. Read more!
Now, as some (most?) of you know, I'm an author for 3++ is the new black, while sitting chitchatting in their chatbox widget (most amazing thing ever) we got into a jokey conversation about there not being any orks at cent and someone needing to represent them. I'd mentioned I'd love to run an army like MVB's (27 tanks at 2k), then it got half jokey.
Now I'm seriously running an army I've never played with, seen played, or will have even literally seen until the night before the event. Hopefully I can get that changed before then (going to a LGS here and doing some serious counts as, as well as some vassal). Yeah guys, I'm running in blind, dead in the water.
This is going to be fun. Read more!
Thursday, 17 February 2011
In other news, Blood Bowl?
Found a set really cheap over here in Aus (getting one is a nightmare in the UK). So, I'm prolly going for that.
So, I love dwarfs in BB. Cause they're bastards. A team with block and tackle is so much fun to play with. They make really hard cages too, and are fantastic in long term. Because it's hard to lose players. And you know, when dwarfs start skilling up, as I mentioned, it's hard as fuck to play against them because they just deny your ability to do shit. And getting the ball off them is rough.
And they're cool. Mon dwarfs.
Anyway, the roster:
8 Blockers
2 Runners
1 Blitzer
4 Rerolls
1Mil
Thoughts? Read more!
So, I love dwarfs in BB. Cause they're bastards. A team with block and tackle is so much fun to play with. They make really hard cages too, and are fantastic in long term. Because it's hard to lose players. And you know, when dwarfs start skilling up, as I mentioned, it's hard as fuck to play against them because they just deny your ability to do shit. And getting the ball off them is rough.
And they're cool. Mon dwarfs.
Anyway, the roster:
8 Blockers
2 Runners
1 Blitzer
4 Rerolls
1Mil
Thoughts? Read more!
Taking a hint from Eathos, the (Australian) Archnomad Fund.
So, as eathos said in the comments of the last post, he advised me to ask the folks of australia if they'd be able to scrounge parts for me. Anybody in Australia fancy donating bits? Or even selling me some? I'm ok with paying reasonably for them. The bits I need are:
6 Plasma Guns
5 Missile Launchers
I'm going to be buying a box of grey hunters anyway, so the list is down 2 plasma guns (from 8) :P
get in touch at archnomad12@googlemail.com, or leave a comment here. I'm in Melbourne at the moment.
Thanks folks :) Read more!
6 Plasma Guns
5 Missile Launchers
I'm going to be buying a box of grey hunters anyway, so the list is down 2 plasma guns (from 8) :P
get in touch at archnomad12@googlemail.com, or leave a comment here. I'm in Melbourne at the moment.
Thanks folks :) Read more!
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Australian Prices. The hell?
Ok guys, so I'm in aus. Now, for my wolf army, I need 8 plasma guns, a melta gun, 5 missile launchers and 3 random infantry models. Later on in the year I need some more infantry for nova as well. The problem here is, I thought I could just buy this Shit when I got to aus. Thing is, you pay about double what this stuff costs in the UK. I could of course ship over, but I need this stuff painted for the 4th of march. Aus online stores aren't much better. Coming up to like 50 dollars for 10 grey hunters.
Now guys. I may have to bite the bullet here, however I would ask if any of you Aussie folks can help. Whether its recommending somewhere I can buy cheap (im in Melbourne FYI) or donating some bits. If I was buying this product wise I'd probably go with 2 boxes of devastators and 2 boxes of grey hunters, leaving me short 1 missile and 4 plasma guns.
So can anyone lend a hand?
Thanks guys. Read more!
Now guys. I may have to bite the bullet here, however I would ask if any of you Aussie folks can help. Whether its recommending somewhere I can buy cheap (im in Melbourne FYI) or donating some bits. If I was buying this product wise I'd probably go with 2 boxes of devastators and 2 boxes of grey hunters, leaving me short 1 missile and 4 plasma guns.
So can anyone lend a hand?
Thanks guys. Read more!
Monday, 14 February 2011
Friday, 11 February 2011
So guess what I just painted?
Eight rhino chassis. Yes. Eight. Fucking Eight. I'm surprised I can still see. I want the other 2 speeders done tonight, and then tomorrow I can work on some infantry.
Read more!
Lone Wolf on thunderWolf with Wolf claw, Wolf pelt, Wolf talisman and is a space Wolf.
Wolf.
Just some Space Wolf lists. 2k For the NOVA open (listbuilding begins already). I like them both, as they both have good midfield control, an aggressive element but still a nice amount of firepower.
So, the lists are very very similar. Have a look:
LIST A:
HQ
Rune Priest
Living Lightning
Jaws of the World Wolf
Chooser
110
Elites
5 Wolf Scouts
Melta Gun
85
5 Wolf Scouts
Melta Gun
85
6 Wolf Guard
Combi Meltas
Power Fists
258
Troops
5 Grey Hunters
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
150
5 Grey Hunters
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
150
8 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Wolf Standard
Rhino
170
8 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Wolf Standard
Rhino
170
8 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Wolf Standard
Rhino
170
7 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Wolf Standard
Rhino
155
Heavy Support
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
190
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
190
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
115
LIST B:
HQ
Rune Priest
Living Lightning
Jaws of the World Wolf
Chooser
110
Elites
5 Wolf Scouts
Melta Gun
85
5 Wolf Scouts
Melta Gun
85
6 Wolf Guard
Combi Meltas
Power Fists
258
Troops
5 Grey Hunters
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
150
5 Grey Hunters
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
150
7 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Wolf Standard
Rhino
155
7 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Rhino
145
7 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Rhino
145
7 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Rhino
145
Heavy Support
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
190
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
190
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
190
So basically, B has one more razor, but loses 3 GH and 3 wolf (WOLF!) standards to get it. What do you guys reckon? (:
Read more!
Just some Space Wolf lists. 2k For the NOVA open (listbuilding begins already). I like them both, as they both have good midfield control, an aggressive element but still a nice amount of firepower.
So, the lists are very very similar. Have a look:
LIST A:
HQ
Rune Priest
Living Lightning
Jaws of the World Wolf
Chooser
110
Elites
5 Wolf Scouts
Melta Gun
85
5 Wolf Scouts
Melta Gun
85
6 Wolf Guard
Combi Meltas
Power Fists
258
Troops
5 Grey Hunters
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
150
5 Grey Hunters
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
150
8 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Wolf Standard
Rhino
170
8 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Wolf Standard
Rhino
170
8 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Wolf Standard
Rhino
170
7 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Wolf Standard
Rhino
155
Heavy Support
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
190
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
190
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
115
LIST B:
HQ
Rune Priest
Living Lightning
Jaws of the World Wolf
Chooser
110
Elites
5 Wolf Scouts
Melta Gun
85
5 Wolf Scouts
Melta Gun
85
6 Wolf Guard
Combi Meltas
Power Fists
258
Troops
5 Grey Hunters
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
150
5 Grey Hunters
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
150
7 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Wolf Standard
Rhino
155
7 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Rhino
145
7 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Rhino
145
7 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Rhino
145
Heavy Support
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
190
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
190
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Linked Plasma Gun
190
So basically, B has one more razor, but loses 3 GH and 3 wolf (WOLF!) standards to get it. What do you guys reckon? (:
Read more!
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Thursday, 3 February 2011
At the last possible moment, he ducks, dips, dives, dodges....
Yup, sorry BA, while I like the book I am just more comfortable with my pups at this moment in time. I will continue to playtest my BA, but after Cent. Wolves for now. So, the list I'm taking...
HQ
Rune Priest
Living Lightning
Tempest's Wrath
Chooser of the Slain
110
Elites
6 Wolf Guard
6 Combi Meltas
2 Melta Bombs
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Plasma Gun
223
5 Wolf Scouts
Melta Gun
85
5 Wolf Scouts
Melta Gun
85
Troops
5 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Rhino
115
5 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Rhino
115
5 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Rhino
115
5 Grey Hunters
Melta Gun
Rhino
115
Fast Attack
Land Speeder
Multi Melta
Heavy Flamer
70
Land Speeder
Multi Melta
Heavy Flamer
70
Thunderwolf Cavalry
Wolf Claw
Melta Bomb
75
Heavy Support
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Plasma Gun
190
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Plasma Gun
190
5 Long Fangs
4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
Lascannon and Twin Plasma Gun
190
1750
So, thoughts? :D
P.s. Thanks for the birthday wishes <3 Read more!
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