I've been thinking a lot lately about the current trends in 40K and what sorts of nasty things the new Nid codex is about to unleash on us. I've been playing a lot of Orks lately, and have noticed some disturbing truths that will only get worse next week. (more...)
1) Demolisher Cannons and Battle Cannons are losing their effectiveness.
Cover is where it's at, and every Ork hoard I'm facing is either hugging terrain or advancing under a Kustom Force Field. In my last half-dozen games, the flamers on my Russes have killed far more enemy troops than the battle/demo cannons. So the ability to ignore cover is becoming paramount. While I'm still beating Orks, I expect things to get harder with Nids.
As for MEQs, they're either advancing inside transports and getting cover when I pop them, or they're deploying in cover and shooting me with lascannons. Either way, I'm not getting very many clean anti-MEQ shots with my cannons. So I might as well ditch them for something that works better against non-MEQs.
2) I'm going to need a bit more long-range AT.
I'll need this to take down gaunt-pooping MCs and warriors.
So with that in mind, here's the list I'm thinking of running in the next local tourney:
HQ
205 Company Command Squad w/4 x Melta, Astropath, Fleet Officer, Chimera (Hull Heavy Flamer)
Troops
155 Veteran Squad w/3 x Melta, Chimera (Hull Heavy Flamer)
155 Veteran Squad w/3 x Melta, Chimera (Hull Heavy Flamer)
155 Veteran Squad w/3 x Melta, Chimera (Hull Heavy Flamer)
115 Veteran Squad w/Shotguns, 3 x Flamer, Demolitions
115 Veteran Squad w/Shotguns, 3 x Flamer, Demolitions
Fast Attack
130 Vendetta Gunship
130 Vendetta Gunship
120 3 Scout Sentinels w/Autocannons
Heavy Support
160 Leman Russ Eradicator w/Hull Heavy Flamer
160 Leman Russ Eradicator w/Hull Heavy Flamer
150 2 Hydras
Total: 1750 pts. (16 KP)
Since I don't want to give up my Vendettas for Hellhounds, I've gone with Eradicators instead. Which have the same strength, AP, and cover-denial as an inferno cannon, but more range. The Sentinels are there to shoot up MCs/Warriors and block/consolidate gaunt screens. The Hydras (And Sentinels) will give me some extra oomph versus MCs.
The Fleet Officer will probably be a mandatory addition to keep Nids from playing reserve games.
This is still an all-comers list, so the demo vets are there to deal with armor threats. Although they should stand a pretty good chance versus any gaunts that might be guarding an objective.
What do you guys think? All ideas/criticism are welcome.
If tyranids are what you are worried about and are what you are changing your list for, I think I would prefer to use Battlecannons and Demolisher cannons. They no longer will have Eternal Warrior from Synapse, making 3 wound Warriors vulnerable to S8+ weaponry.
ReplyDeleteSeems I'm going to have to give my nids some fire protective armor. If you're looking for a game against the new nids, let me know and we'll duke it out.
ReplyDeleteI almost spewed out my drink when I read "gaunt-pooping MC" haha. The best thing about that MC is that it is also a troop choice and can hold objectives.
Don't forget about the unit that now gives any other unit near it a cover save. so good call with the flamers. Though don't forget it has 2+poison instant death attacks.
@FoxPhoenix
ReplyDeleteThe problem is, warriors are going to have cover most of the time, either by hiding behind the gaunt-poopers, or hugging terrain.
But I do have the Vendettas and Melta Vets, which should do the job if need be. What I'm most worried about is being able to kill gaunts/orks/IG/Tau at range and through the cover they're hiding in.
@TheGraveMind
Absolutely I want a game. Are you local enough to come down to the Mooresville store next Tuesday?
Mass templates still are affective. Cover is good and helps, but with being a 4+ you will hopefully kill more than which survive. A KFF isn't much to write home about with a 5+ cover save for infantry, 4+ is better for vehicles :)
ReplyDeleteThough with eternal warrior gone, things like zoanthropes and warriors will be easier to kill :)
I think flamers will rule, also have you considered a colossus? S6 ap3 no cover saves? Sure is nasty. Hellhounds I think would be worth it, I'm not sure your load out on the valkyries, but vendettas will still have the cover save problem. Hellhounds won't and have about a 12ft range.
I'm in the area of the greenwood store (stop 10 and 31). And sadly I'll be in the West Lafayette region for most of the next 4 months. I will be back down on the 23rd. If you happen to be up for a game then.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the 'nid dex is going to change my overall list a lot. I think my tourney lists might still look fairly similar.
ReplyDeleteI might consider having Shelia in lists more now, and perhaps a third exorcist at 1750+ pts. What I'm seeing with using the Melta Celestians in an Immo, is they're a pretty good kick in the nuts as they are, for 158pts.
gah, I need more Immolators.
@Mercer
ReplyDeleteA Leman Russ Eradicator is S6, AP4, no cover saves. Which basically makes it the Heavy Support equivalent of a Hellhound. It can scatter, but as 36" range to make up for it. Plus, like all Russes, it can shield other tanks from light AT fire.
I would take Hellhounds, but in doing so I'd be giving up the Vendettas, which I need to pop Rhinos and Chimeras in non-Nid games.
As for Vendettas and Melta Vets, the former has an easier time denying cover due to it's height and scout move abilities. The melta vets, OTOH, are close enough when they fire that you're not likely to get cover anyhow.
If you guys want a little more information on the new Tyranids, I started a blog about a month ago for the new Codex. I have summaries of each unit. Its not much yet but I'm working on it.
ReplyDeletePredators and Prey in 40k (40kprey.blogspot.com)
Not to be advertising on your post, I just thought it would be easier than retyping everything about them.
You guys are my inspiration for it though.