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Hello Gents,

Looking for thoughts, opinions & discussion on DS counter assault / tie up units for drop stern 'all comers type' lists.

1750
Lib
2 x Stern (1 squad is 9 man for mech/meta purposes with 5 & 10 combi weapons respectively)
3 Tac with mm/flamers
all sgt's have fists
only one beacon

280 points to spend

I cant see much capability in a 'small' assault terminator unit without an assault ramp, and well AM's standing around doing nothing the turn they arrive is just useless.. so:

7 VanG with fist sgt
6 Termies with a asscan or cyclone
6 Termies heavy flamer and more beacons
7 Termies without a heavy weapon

My thoughts:
- Can see HI being handy in certain situations, however 7 models with 3+ saves and a single fist for 275 points doesn't strike me as being terribly good value.
- 30 points for a heavy weapon in a unit which your hoping to see CC with doesn't seem like a great use of points.
- HF and beacons appears to be the best buy (from a points & tactical flexibility perspective, combat power wise - im hoping others can share their experience with asscans and cyclones for counter assault purposes)
- 7 basic termies for the extra wound & fist is pretty solid but lacks lethality outside of CC


Thanks in advance,
Ben

I'd squeeze in a Dread and another Libby.

If you're talking counter assault and you're talking termies, why not termies with flamers/heavy flamers (I'm not sure what they have available)?

I had 1500 point game today with a scaled version the of above with 5 termies and a HF. Due to lack of beacons the HF didn't work out so well. The termies performed reasonably well in their intended role, even though they never saw cc. The opfor ended up by passing the beaconed objective with his assault unit (after it being contested for several turns by his troops). Which actually worked out well for me, as he headed for another objective and was bounced by gate stern. His remaining troops on the objective ended up being whacked by the tacs and termie.
This guys a pretty decent commander, so think he decided to strand the termies in no mans land and cut his losses.

So with out beacons i believe the asscan and cyclone is probably a good buy. Assuming you prepared to spend the 30 points on a weapon which may only fire for 1-2 rounds and be in reserve or CC for the remainder of the game.

- People, please feel free to add their 2 cents to my analysis. Haven't had many games in 5th (im a new old 2ed guy).


Thanks 1sgt wuestenfux, ill try a cheap dread, extra gate lib and full stern squads. My plan to have a interchangeable mech/drop troop list just inst going to work and engaging multiple targets on landing is very useful.
Also going for a couple of plasma cannons for some range and some blast anti 2+sv infantry. Multimeltas did fry what ever came into range but lacked the ability to support my other elements and the stern performed well as an AT unit anyway.

Definently another librarian and an extra beacon or 2. Maybe by bringing 1-2 pods for your tacticals and drop a combat squad in each of them. (5 man + flamer and serg maybe).

Def gonna give the 2 lib's a try. Im abit concerend about being labled That Guy with a twin gate lib/stern list... Im only playing for fun at the FLGS and gaming club (but I like a no frills efficent list so its catch 22!). Being a new face, I don’t believe it’s a good look waltzing into town like the new sherif

Ive been able to get away with the single lib with 2x stern list as its a crimson fists army. Even without Cantor, combat tactics is just too awesome with stern.


Thanks again for everyone's comments.