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Hey guys, first time posting here. Just getting back into the hobby after a few years absence. Had a pretty large IG army I started in 3rd Ed and upgraded it with 4th Ed, but I wanted to build something new for 5th. So I'm doing a Confederate themed army. Not supposed to be super competitive, just something fun I can play against my brothers and friends. I already added commissars to my 30man blob platoons on the recommendations that I've read on these forums, but I figured I'd post up my list so far and see if you all had some ideas. Remember this is civil war themed, and not supposed to be competitive. No tanks, and I'm going pretty light on anti-tank weapons. I gave plasma pistols or bolt pistols to those with BS4, and power weapons to those with WS4. My biggest question is probably what to do with the platoon command squads. I gave them 4 grenade launchers for lack of anything better I could think of. Was trying to keep points low. I also got a veterans squad for some conversion potential. Left em with lasguns to fit the theme and keeps points low. The whole army so far is 1219 pts. I guess I would try and get it to about 1500 if possible through recommended upgrades. Any ideas on how I could get/model Ministorium Priests or Stormtroopers to fit a civil war themed army?
Also, is it acceptable to post some WIP pictures here?

HQ
Company Command Squad
Plasma Pistol
Power Weapon
Regimental Standard
Plasma Gun
Grenade Launcher
Grenade Launcher

Troops
1st Platoon Command Squad
Bolt Pistol
Power Weapon
Grenade Launcher
Grenade Launcher
Grenade Launcher
Grenade Launcher
1st Platoon
x30 Guardsmen
Commissar
Power Weapon
Plasma Pistol
2nd Platoon Command Squad
Bolt Pistol
Power Weapon
Grenade Launcher
Grenade Launcher
Grenade Launcher
Grenade Launcher
2nd Platoon
x30 Guardsmen
Commissar
Power Weapon
Plasma Pistol

Heavy Weapon Squad 1
x3 Lascannon
Heavy Weapon Squad 2
x3 Missile Launcher
Heavy Weapon Squad 3
x3 Missile Launcher

Confederate Veterans
Plasma Pistol

Fast Attack
Rough Rider Squad 1
x10 Riders
Rough Rider Squad 2
x10 Riders

Just asking this is 1000p or 1500p, and also I LOVE ROUGH RIDERS.

Currently it is 1219, looking to top out at 1500

Currently planning to do a Rough Rider conversion so they match the Cadian style dress. Seen some awesome examples on this board for inspiration.

Well to push it up you could get a vendetta or two and then but power weapons in the blobs and and give your vets some good weapons(heavy flamers or flamers would be really cool for this theme).

Mmmm no vehicles. And not sure how flamers would fit a civil war theme. I might do melta bombs instead of power weapons for the blob so I have some anti-vehicle stuff. Can't bring myself to put melta guns in there...

Theres alot of junk at the moment. You need more AT.

Care to give some ideas that would fit a Civil war themed army? I know its short on AT, but I'm really trying to fit the theme here.

More HWS with Mortars modeled like Cannons? You could add a Heavy Weapons team with a Mortar/Cannon to each Platoon Squad and Platoon Command Squad. Even Missile launchers modeled like Cannons would be cool.

You mean like these?



I could theoretically add 3 more HWS, since I have two infantry platoons. That totally slipped my mind actually.
Would mortars really be worth it? They could be modeled as howitzers, which would fit the theme, but I wasn't sure as to how useful they would be. Definitely not good AT.

Ok, first those models look great. Second, no mortars aren't worth it I just envisioned easier conversion potential but you have that covered. I honestly would go with 3 more HWS kitted the same as your other 3 and fill in the other squads with HW where applicable.

Thanks Overwatch. Yeah, I think more HWS is the way to go. I rechecked the rules, and you can have 5 HWS per platoon, so that would be 10 total with what I have right now. Pickett's Charge anyone?

I did think having some Ministorium Priests would be good for when I tried to assault an objective with my blobs, but I couldn't think of a good way of building one to fit a civil war theme. If anyone has any ideas there... Maybe a model with a Virginia state flag to "inspire" defense of one's state? I wouldn't want it to be confused with a Platoon or Regimental Standard though...

KillerAngel wrote:
I could theoretically add 3 more HWS, since I have two infantry platoons. That totally slipped my mind actually.
Would mortars really be worth it? They could be modeled as howitzers, which would fit the theme, but I wasn't sure as to how useful they would be. Definitely not good AT.

NICE! I like those conversions. AT is pretty much required in 5th edition (vehicles, monsters, though infantry, etc). I'd max out on the heavy weapon squads. Remember that they are very easy to instant-death so keep them in cover. A Lord Commissar will help keep these guys from running away once they start loosing models.

Creed would actually be good for this list as well.

Power weapons and meltabombs on the sergeants wouldn't be bad, either.

It's really a crime to have veterans running around with no weapons. If you don't take the guns on them (or a way to get them close to the enemy quickly), I'd just drop them completely.


Rough riders can hit hard, but after that they just die. Units of 10 have a pretty large footprint so it's hard to hid them. I'd shrink the units down in size a bit (or take 3 groups of 5-7).

If you want, I can draft up a list later today that might pull off what you're looking for.

Thanks Nungunz! My plan for the missile launchers is to add some green stuff to the back of the tube to give it that Parrott Rifle look.

Good call on Creed. I had thought about that for a bit. I'm definitely going to buy one, and use him for one I have the points.
I'm thinking I'm convinced on the meltabombs for the sgts. Not sure about the power weapons though. I know it would be better if I had them, but we'll see.
I know what you mean about the vets, but again, just wanted to make a unit of special looking people. I like the BS4, and with lasguns I can always give them the FRFSRF order. It's not ideal, but it fits the theme I think.
Good call on the rough riders though. Smaller might be better.

If you want to take the time to come up with a list, I'd love to read it.

KillerAngel wrote:
I know what you mean about the vets, but again, just wanted to make a unit of special looking people. I like the BS4, and with lasguns I can always give them the FRFSRF order. It's not ideal, but it fits the theme I think.

In the end they're still just lasguns.

Rapid-fire lasguns with 10-man squads against MEQs:

Infantry Squad: 1.111 dead marines
Veteran Squad: 1.481 dead marines

There is almost no difference. Vets can take 3 special weapons, use them or take more infantry squads.

Well if you want to get all technical
What weapons would you suggest for a vet squad with no transport?

KillerAngel wrote:Well if you want to get all technical
What weapons would you suggest for a vet squad with no transport?

Plasmaguns and a Missile Launcher or Las Cannon HWT. On foot the longer the range the better.

KillerAngel wrote:If you want to take the time to come up with a list, I'd love to read it.

Unfortunately, 1500 is a bit limiting with they style of list you're going for, but here is my best shot at it.

I'd suggest a mix of lascannons and autocannons heavy weapons, but the choice is yours. If you want fluff reasons:

Lascannon - 12-pound Howitzer
Missile Launcher - 9-pound Field Gun (the blast markers can be canister rounds)
Autocannon - 6-pound Field Gun (can reload these faster so they have multiple shots)
Grenade Launchers - Large-bore rifles with the option for scatter-shot canisters
Lasguns - Muskets
Flamers - Trench guns
Meltaguns - ....yeah....no idea here
Plasmaguns - ...once again, no idea


Hell you could take griffons (or larger artillery) and model them as 24 pound or 42 pound howitzer emplacements or gun carriages.



Anywho, here we go (1500 on the dot). Infantry squads will combine into 30-man squads.

HQ
Company Command Squad (General + advisors/bodyguard) - Creed, Autocannon, x2 Grenade Launchers - 160
Lord Commisar (Gun Battery Commander) - xx

Troops

Infantry Platoon - 560
- Platoon Command Squad (Lietenant and advisors/bodyguard) - x4 Grenade Launchers
- Infantry Squad (Line Regiment) - Commissar (actually I think both the Union and Federal troops had officers that filled this role) w/ Power Weapon, Sarg. w/ Power Weapon and meltabombs
- Infantry Squad - Sarge w/ Power Weapon and Meltabombs
- Infantry Squad - Sarge w/ Power Weapon and Meltabombs
- Heavy Weapon Squad (Gun Battery) - x3 Missile Launchers
- Heavy Weapon Squad - x3 Missile Launchers
- Heavy Weapon Squad - x3 Missile Launchers

Infantry Platoon - 560
- Platoon Command Squad - x4 Grenade Launchers
- Infantry Squad - Commissar w/ Power Weapon, Sarg. w/ Power Weapon and meltabombs
- Infantry Squad - Sarge w/ Power Weapon and Meltabombs
- Infantry Squad - Sarge w/ Power Weapon and Meltabombs
- Heavy Weapon Squad - x3 Missile Launchers
- Heavy Weapon Squad - x3 Missile Launchers
- Heavy Weapon Squad - x3 Missile Launchers

Fast Attack

x7 Rough Riders (Dragoons or Light Cav) - 75
x7 Rough Riders (Dragoons or Light Cav) - 75


Not sure how competitive this will be and you will definitely have issues in objective based games.


18 S8 AP3 shots (or 18 S4 AP6 blasts)
2 S7 AP4 shots
10 S6 AP4 shots (or 10 S3 AP6 blasts)
A crap-ton of lasgun shots.

Keep the Lord Commisar within 6" of at least four of the missile batteries so they have a high leadership for orders. Creed should sit back in cover. I'd actually drop a rough rider from each squad to give Creed's unit Camo-Cloaks. Blob squads can advance to claim objectives as needed. Might be worth putting flamers or meltaguns in the infantry squads, but I think you need larger games to make this effective.

Great job on your las weapons teams! Post them up when they are painted!

I'm envisioning a Robert E. Lee converted Creed, with a Stonewall Jackson themed Lord Commissar.


I can't stop giggling.

Tuagh wrote:I'm envisioning a Robert E. Lee converted Creed, with a Stonewall Jackson themed Lord Commissar.


I can't stop giggling.

I know, right!

You should see if you can get your hands on some forgeworld thudd guns. Would fit in great with your theme (or make your own).

Since your not worried about competition and wanting theme and flavor I'd work a sniper/ratling squad in there IMHO. The Confederacy had some of the best marksmen of the war.

I honestly don't see how special weapons aren't "civil war" enough.

Thanks for the list Nungunz, definitely got some help from all that. I really like the griffon as howitzer emplacement idea... I'm noticing griffons seem to be the arty of choice for IG lists, this true?
I might suck it up and put some power weapons and meltaguns in my blobs, because my brothers choas marines are destroying me right now. Only halfway through the game, but it's not looking good... Maybe it really needs to be a 2000pt list.

I'm envisioning a Robert E. Lee converted Creed, with a Stonewall Jackson themed Lord Commissar

I was actually planning to do a Jackson based Creed. I'll have to think about a good Lord Commissar conversion because I definitely see where it would help in getting my heavy weapon teams to get their orders passed. Maybe he could be Col. Alexander.

Since your not worried about competition and wanting theme and flavor I'd work a sniper/ratling squad in there IMHO. The Confederacy had some of the best marksmen of the war.

I actually forgot to add it in my list I posted here, but I do have a sniper special weapons team I am using right now. Maybe another is needed if I bump up the points.

I honestly don't see how special weapons aren't "civil war" enough.

I'm starting to care less about making it perfect. I might suck it up and put 3 plasma guns in the vet squad, and 3 meltaguns in the blobs.

You should see if you can get your hands on some forgeworld thudd guns. Would fit in great with your theme (or make your own).

I really like the concept of the thudd guns, but I cannot stand how they look... :\


Thanks a lot guys, you've been really helpful. I'll tweak the list some and post it up here to see what you think. If I ever get around to painting them between getting my thesis finished, I'll post some pics up as well.

KillerAngel wrote:
Thanks a lot guys, you've been really helpful. I'll tweak the list some and post it up here to see what you think. If I ever get around to painting them between getting my thesis finished, I'll post some pics up as well.

Dude, I know what you mean. I have grant proposals coming up and a research abstract due later this week. And yet I still waste time on dakka.

Yup, school's a biznatch

So I threw this together real quick based on suggestions. It is 2004pt all together

HQ
Confederate Command Squad
Creed (Gen Jackson)
Regimental Standard
x2 Grenade Launcher
Lord Commissar (Col Alexander)
Power Weapon

Troops
1st Platoon Command Squad
Bolt Pistol
Power Weapon
x2 Grenade Launcher
1st Squad 1st Platoon
Commissar (Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol)
Sgt (Meltabomb, Power Weapon)
Meltagun
2nd Squad 1st Platoon
Sgt (Meltabomb, Power Weapon)
Meltagun
3rd Squad 1st Platoon
Sgt (Meltabomb, Power Weapon)
Meltagun
2nd Platoon Command Squad
Bolt Pistol
Power Weapon
x2 Grenade Launcher
1st Squad 2nd Platoon
Commissar (Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol)
Sgt (Meltabomb, Power Weapon)
Meltagun
2nd Squad 2nd Platoon
Sgt (Meltabomb, Power Weapon)
Meltagun
3rd Squad 2nd Platoon
Sgt (Meltabomb, Power Weapon)
Meltagun
Heavy Weapon Squad 1
x3 Lascannon
Heavy Weapon Squad 2
x3 Lascannon
Heavy Weapon Squad 3
x3 Missile Launcher
Heavy Weapon Squad 4
x3 Missile Launcher
Heavy Weapon Squad 5
x3 Missile Launcher
Confederate Veterans
Plasma Pistol
x3 Plasma Gun
Special Weapon Squad 1
x3 Sniper Rifle
Special Weapon Squad 2
x3 Sniper Rifle

Fast Attack
Rough Rider Squad 1
x5 troopers
Rough Rider Squad 2
x5 troopers
Rough Rider Squad 3
x5 troopers

Heavy Support
Confederate Ordinance Battery
Griffon 1
Griffon 2
Griffon 3

Your sniper SWSs would be better if they were Ratling Squads - a higher BS and 2 more snipers for the points and they come with Stealth and Infiltrate. They'd look pretty good with confederate caps, to boot.

That's actually a very good point... Only problem is I really don't like the ratling models. All my confederate snipers use the kneeling legs from the HWS sprues. If I painted them in more kakhi/brown colors instead of just grey, would it be acceptable to use them as "counts as" ratlings? Fluff wise it works, model wise I think it works too (they are smaller).

Don't you think that Al Rahim makes a better Jackson? Hitting the enemy from the flank with his whole platoon sounds like Jackson to me. If you trim some of the junk you can probably squeeze him in.

Wow, another great idea... I'll see if I can make it work