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this is awesome thanks OP

Kinda Necro-ing, don't you think?

I wouldn't call it a necro-thread, since the topic is still relevant.
And re-opening this thing seems better than creating a new thread, the internet doesn't have unlimited space, you know!

But my opinion remains the same:
DnD-squads have a role, other crypteks and lords do not support that role.
Another Despairtek would increase the cost and it wouldn't help that much (unless we are talking units with 10+ models with a 2+ save)

So my verdict: Keep it as cheap as possible.
If you really want a second Despairtek, take a second Deathmark group to go with it.

I typically run 3 units of 5xdeathmarks + despairtek + NS. I then target only my opponents troop choices. If you have no troop choices, most of the time, you can't win the game. I also like to double down if it' a 10 man unit. Wanna see your opponent cry cheese? Explain to him that anything marked can be attacked by any deathmark unit.

In most of my games (excluding Tau as they shred me) my opponents are left with a handfull of models and that's it. Deathmarks do quite a bit of damage as well as the 6 NS + DS flying around (and two anni barges).

One thing I did learn to watch for is Coteaz. I played a guy last week who had him buried in his Dragowing. It's been awhile since I played GK and forgot about Coteaz's "I've been expecting you" rule. So two death mark units come on the board along with the DS and all manage to get within 12" of coteaz. He neutered the deathmarks since the despairteks needed to be up front they got shot to pieces. Then he took some hull points off of the flyers. Ouch. Still had one deathmark unit left but couldn't use it against the dragowing so I went and picked on his other two troop choices. Left him with his drago wing pretty much intact but annihilated everything else. We were playing the Relic NOVA Open mission and ending up going to the tie breaker so we each got 10BP. He won over all because the drago unit is so damn expensive and he did manage to kill off the deathmarks and a couple of flyers.

Contributing to a necro thread, but whatever.

I've found a good way to get around Tau is to use Veils of Darkness... the trick is, though, to start with them on the table.
(Interceptor can't trigger if the unit is teleporting from one side of the table to another).
For anti-Riptide/Broadsides, it means a bit of a gamble, but as long as you can get in range for the Deathmarks to doubletap, they should be able to wreak havoc from turn one, either severely crippling it, or straight out wiping them (if you're running 10 per squad).
Additionally, a Veil-tek + 2 Storm-teks teleporting behind your opponent's key vehicle on turn one will REALLY ruin his day.
Suicide squad, yes, but it's only 110 points to guarantee ANY vehicle in the game is wrecked.
And if they survive, the can jump somewhere else next turn and do it again!

My preference is for just the minimum despair 'tek to cut down on points generally.

That said, if I am adding another 'tek it's probably going to be a chrono-tek. I like to cut down on random mishaps killing or misplacing my sniper squads as much as possible, and the re-roll is very handy even if you do not need it for that purpose.

 skoffs wrote:
Contributing to a necro thread, but whatever.

I've found a good way to get around Tau is to use Veils of Darkness... the trick is, though, to start with them on the table.
(Interceptor can't trigger if the unit is teleporting from one side of the table to another).
For anti-Riptide/Broadsides, it means a bit of a gamble, but as long as you can get in range for the Deathmarks to doubletap, they should be able to wreak havoc from turn one, either severely crippling it, or straight out wiping them (if you're running 10 per squad).
Additionally, a Veil-tek + 2 Storm-teks teleporting behind your opponent's key vehicle on turn one will REALLY ruin his day.
Suicide squad, yes, but it's only 110 points to guarantee ANY vehicle in the game is wrecked.
And if they survive, the can jump somewhere else next turn and do it again!

Thanks for the suggestion but the deathmarks need to start in reserve. If they jump on the board they'll get shot at - unless you DS somewhere out of range which can be tough to do. Really what has done the most damage are the high HYMP's with EW, the riptide's ion accelerator with EW and skyfire and the commander with his fusion guns. Yikes!

Although, maybe DSng a large unit of immortals with guass cannons within RF range of the broadsides might take the wind out of their sails a bit...

The Deathmarks don't need to start in reserve. I start them on the table with a veiltek just about all the time, cos there is nothing like using them T1. First Blood, here I come!

MarkCron wrote:
The Deathmarks don't need to start in reserve. I start them on the table with a veiltek just about all the time, cos there is nothing like using them T1. First Blood, here I come!

The problem with starting them on the board is that if you set-up first, they don't get to mark anything. The rule says that when they deploy, they have to choose an enemy unit on the battlefield, so if you are setting up before your opponent then there aren't any choices to mark, so you just get hosed.

Well yes, OBVIOUSLY you want to deploy second with Deathmarks.
If you have to deploy first, THEN you put them in reserve.
But only if you have to.