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My gaming group has every army available, except for Imperial Guard. It seems like playing them would be interesting, but I would not want to go the route of the power gaming Chimera spam. Here's what I've been working on at 1500:


HQ Company Command Squad 215
Iron Hand Straken
4 Veterans, 1 Officer of Fleet 4x Meltagun, 1 Officer of the Fleet

Troop
Platoon Command Squad 60 3x meltaguns, 1 platoon commander
Infantry Squad 110 8x lasguns, 1 flamer, sergent w powerweapon, commisar w powerweapon
Infantry Squad 65 8x lasguns, 1 flamer, sergent w power weapon
Infantry Squad 65 8x lasguns, 1 flamer, sergent w power weapon

Troop
Platoon Command Squad 60 3x meltaguns, 1 platoon commander
Infantry Squad 110 8x lasguns, 1 flamer, sergent w powerweapon, commisar w powerweapon
Infantry Squad 65 8x lasguns, 1 flamer, sergent w power weapon
Infantry Squad 65 8x lasguns, 1 flamer, sergent w power weapon

Troop
Platoon Command Squad 60 3x meltaguns, 1 platoon commander
Infantry Squad 110 8x lasguns, 1 flamer, sergent w powerweapon, commisar w powerweapon
Infantry Squad 65 8x lasguns, 1 flamer, sergent w power weapon
Infantry Squad 65 8x lasguns, 1 flamer, sergent w power weapon

Fast Attack
Vendetta 130 3x Twin Linked Lascannons

Heavy Support
Medusa 140 Bastion Breacher Shells

Heavy Support
Medusa 140 Bastion Breacher Shells

Total: 1525

Obviously I have to drop 25 points. My biggest question is the use of Straken. Is he worth it? Or would that unit be the area to drop to a normal commander? Are the 30 man squads too big? Any other advice from experienced blob guard players???

Ive played with a Straken and found him to be better on paper than the tabletop. He has great stuff, and its not too hard to get it off its just that adding counter attack has resulted in 1 more wound and still losing combat. Overall he is a to taste kinda guy.

Commisars with power weapons or power fists are fine. Every sergant doesn't need one. I'd also like to see more heavy weapons in your blobs or atleast some special weapons besides flamers. I think you'll be disappointed with the Medusas. I've run a pair a number of times and the first time they shoot a tank and miss, that tank eats them. Or if somebody knows what they are, they're dead before they get a shot. I'd replace them with a LRBT.

Commisars with power weapons or power fists are fine. Every sergant doesn't need one. I'd also like to see more heavy weapons in your blobs or atleast some special weapons besides flamers. I think you'll be disappointed with the Medusas. I've run a pair a number of times and the first time they shoot a tank and miss, that tank eats them. Or if somebody knows what they are, they're dead before they get a shot. I'd replace them with a LRBT.

Hmmm, I think the power weapons are nice because they are hidden and seem to help with assault. But I will certainly take that into consideration. The fit on the Commissar might be the choice to take. I don't know that the flamers will be worth it. I have a mind to use plasma guns but I always roll 1's with them. Such an investment for a questionable output. Maybe meltaguns instead.

The Medusas look so good on paper. They are fragile though. I'm assuming you run a naked LRBT? Thank you for the input.

Ive played with a Straken and found him to be better on paper than the tabletop. He has great stuff, and its not too hard to get it off its just that adding counter attack has resulted in 1 more wound and still losing combat. Overall he is a to taste kinda guy.

He looks nice, I just don't know how much charging I will actually end up doing. Counter charge is good though. He is something I'm considering dropping.

You don't need 4 power weapons in each blob. It's overkill. The commissar w/ a power weapon is enough. Get yourself some heavy weapons. What are you going to do vs a mech list w/o them? Rely on 1 vendetta to wipe 6-7 tanks?

You could lose Straken for just a commander with maybe a fist, but then add Al'Rahem (spelling?) and maybe swap the OotF for an astropath to outflank with a blob for some tactical mobility. Just bring enough melta.

Zonder wrote:Ive played with a Straken and found him to be better on paper than the tabletop.

Unfortunately, this is how I found him too. You're not lugging around an astropath you're trying to keep alive, or are outflanking anything, so you'll likely get more mileage out of him than I did.

Flyinmiata1 wrote:You don't need 4 power weapons in each blob.

Sarge wrote:Commisars with power weapons or power fists are fine. Every sergant doesn't need one.

Ignore this. If you're running power blobs, then everybody who can take a power weapon needs one. Of course, power weapon blobs aren't the only way to go, but if that's your chosen direction, then pack them in.

In general, the list looks fine. As for where to take out the points, I'd very seriously consider turning the other two medusas into vendettas as your list is light on anti-MC and anti-skimmer (a problem for power blob armies).

Thank you Ailaros, I was hoping that you would weigh in as the resident expert blob IG player. I will try to look over more of your battle reports. Al Rahem seems to do pretty well for you in the couple I've looked at.

Ignore this. If you're running power blobs, then everybody who can take a power weapon needs one. Of course, power weapon blobs aren't the only way to go, but if that's your chosen direction, then pack them in.

In general, the list looks fine. As for where to take out the points, I'd very seriously consider turning the other two medusas into vendettas as your list is light on anti-MC and anti-skimmer (a problem for power blob armies).

It seems that no one likes the Medusas...they seem so good? I was thinking changing the Medusae to LRBT and the Vendetta to 2 Hydras. I'll have to come up with an updated list.

Well, as you yourself mentioned...

JGrand wrote:I think the power weapons are nice because they are hidden and seem to help with assault.

Power blobs win because of the absurd amount of hidden power weapon attacks they put out turn after bloody, bloody turn. Taking a power blob without power weapons would be like taking a leman russ without a turret.

As for the medusa, some people swear by them, but I personally find them limited in use. They are better than manticores and vendettas against certain targets, but the lack of IF is killer, and in order to make them really worth taking against vehicles you have to give them BB shells, which makes them useless against infantry. Basically, they're an artillery version of the vanquisher, which isn't popular for a reason.

As for what to take instead, take things that your power blobs can't already deal with. This means skimmers, jetbikes, and high-toughness units like wraithlord/guard.

Adding in regular battle cannons will give you tanks that just duplicate the roll of power blobs while leaving holes in your killing power.

Power blobs win because of the absurd amount of hidden power weapon attacks they put out turn after bloody, bloody turn. Taking a power blob without power weapons would be like taking a leman russ without a turret.

As for the medusa, some people swear by them, but I personally find them limited in use. They are better than manticores and vendettas against certain targets, but the lack of IF is killer, and in order to make them really worth taking against vehicles you have to give them BB shells, which makes them useless against infantry. Basically, they're an artillery version of the vanquisher, which isn't popular for a reason.

As for what to take instead, take things that your power blobs can't already deal with. This means skimmers, jetbikes, and high-toughness units like wraithlord/guard.

Adding in regular battle cannons will give you tanks that just duplicate the roll of power blobs while leaving holes in your killing power.

Well, the Hydras seem like a given then. I suppose 2 Vendettas would be the other points left by the Medusae.

Hydras, vendettas, exterminators, plasma stormies, scout sentinels, ogryn, al'rahem, and HWSs all fill this void in one way or another. Unfortunately, they all have their drawbacks in a blob list, making there a disturbing lack of a clear front-runner.

Personally, I would take the HWS. So far in my limited IG experience HWS have proven to be a highly adaptable part of my blob army. I was proxying hydra, but due to their size and such, they were generally the first targets for some infilitrating scouts. Also their size made it more difficult to get decent cover saves. I have decided to run almost a 100% infantry IG blob army. Although I have slowly started to incorporate some LR's into my ranks in order to deal with certain targets. My LR of choice in that respect has to be the Exterminator. Otherwise I rely on the HWS ML's to take out most targets.

Also keep in mind I only play at 1000 Pts, AT MOST. So there isn't too much AV12+.

HWSs are nice because they fit the infantry theme and are the most points effective way to put down a serious load of hurt. Plus, they score.

The problem is that your opponent likely has nothing to shoot his anti-vehicle at, which means all those S6+ weapons are going straight on your HWSs, making them disappear in a hurry. This is especially bad when you can't leave them in reserve and get a free round of shooting against your opponent like most other options.

WARNING-NOT EXPERIENCED. SPECULATIVE.

Anyway, I wouldn't think that the flamers would be of any particular use to you. Armies that field hordes, aka Tyranids and Orks, would be able to outreach you, and charge your blob before they get a shot off. Orks have the WAAAGH 18" threat range (I think) and many, many tyranids have fleet. Which means, your flamers will be in combat, I fear, before they can be of any use.

As for Anti-Armor, MadMaverick's method of heavy weapons dealing with it - MLs - is one option, though if the enemy might have heavy tanks, lascannons may be more useful than Mls, and the other option is the big guns. D3 S10 Large blast templates given by Manticores not only can pop tanks and transports, but can decimate other hordes as well, which is one weakness of power blobs. I know Ailaros uses Manticores often.

Take 2:

HQ Company Command Squad 135
Commander
Laspistol, Powerfist, refractor field
4x Meltaguns, 1 Astropath

Troop
Platoon Command Squad 130 Al Raheem, 3x meltaguns, 1 lasgun
Infintry Squad 115 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w powerweapon, commisar w powerweapon
Infintry Squad 70 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w power weapon
Infintry Squad 70 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w power weapon

Troop
Platoon Command Squad 30 1 Platoon commander, 4 lasguns
Infintry Squad 115 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w powerweapon, commisar w powerweapon
Infintry Squad 70 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w power weapon
Infintry Squad 70 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w power weapon




Troop
Platoon Command Squad 30 1 Platoon commander, 4 lasguns
Infintry Squad 115 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w powerweapon, commisar w powerweapon
Infintry Squad 70 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w power weapon
Infintry Squad 70 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w power weapon

Fast Attack
Vendetta 130 3x Twin Linked Lascannons

Fast Attack
Vendetta 130 3x Twin Linked Lascannons

Heavy Support
Hydra 75 2 Twin Linked Hydra cannons, heavy bolter, auto targeting system

Heavy Support
Hydra 75 2 Twin Linked Hydra cannons, heavy bolter, auto targeting system


Total: 1500

it's nice except for the PCSs with absolutely no weapons. I'd at LEAST drop the CCS power fist so that you can throw a couple of flamers around.

I have two friends & team mates who have been absolutely rocking GTs over the past year and half with IG infantry horde. One of them took home the first golden ticket to Vegas, and both were on top tables at the Ard Boys final.

Both of them absolutely swear by Straken, and say he is the linchpin of the army. One of the guys was going to bring horde IG to the ETC this year, but decided it wasn't going to work after testing it (including giving it a run at Adepticon) without Straken, and did Mech IG for the ETC instead.

My recommendations:
Commissars obviously.
Power weapons everywhere, obviously.
Straken
Some meltabombs also in the blobs in case a walker survives to get on you.
Meltaguns in the squads; flamers are short ranged and can get annoying to position when you're moving a squad of 40 or 50 guys. FRFSRF gives you all the anti-infantry firepower you need anyway.
Heavy weapons squads with lascannons are your big ranged antitank. Being able to give them orders to re-roll to hit or force the enemy to re-roll cover saves is amazing.
Al Rahem is also highly recommended.

If your opponents have enough firepower to eliminate your HWSs despite cover, you can still use heavy weapons in the blobs. Las usually, AC or Missiles if points are tight.

JGrand wrote:Take 2:

HQ Company Command Squad 135
Commander
Laspistol, Powerfist, refractor field
4x Meltaguns, 1 Astropath

Troop
Platoon Command Squad 130 Al Raheem, 3x meltaguns, 1 lasgun
Infintry Squad 115 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w powerweapon, commisar w powerweapon
Infintry Squad 70 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w power weapon
Infintry Squad 70 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w power weapon

Troop
Platoon Command Squad 30 1 Platoon commander, 4 lasguns
Infintry Squad 115 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w powerweapon, commisar w powerweapon
Infintry Squad 70 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w power weapon
Infintry Squad 70 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w power weapon




Troop
Platoon Command Squad 30 1 Platoon commander, 4 lasguns
Infintry Squad 115 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w powerweapon, commisar w powerweapon
Infintry Squad 70 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w power weapon
Infintry Squad 70 8x lasguns, 1 meltagun, sergent w power weapon

Fast Attack
Vendetta 130 3x Twin Linked Lascannons

Fast Attack
Vendetta 130 3x Twin Linked Lascannons

Heavy Support
Hydra 75 2 Twin Linked Hydra cannons, heavy bolter, auto targeting system

Heavy Support
Hydra 75 2 Twin Linked Hydra cannons, heavy bolter, auto targeting system


Total: 1500

i can't help but think you'd be better off moving the meltaguns in the squads to the PCS.

edit: or breaking them down into SWS.