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So, I have a friend who absolutely LOVES the 40K universe but gets depressed pretty easily these days it seems. He plays Space Wolves and Imperial Guard (Though pretty new to both of them, as he just came back from a two year hiatus and traded his old Necrons and Orks for IG and SW models).

After coming back to the game though, he admits to loving the fluff of 40K but has decided to quit for reasons that he seems unable to vocalize. I think the reasons are him not doing too well with his two armies despite them being considered higher tier.


So, my question is this - What makes both armies top tier? Some tactics that either army can use to be pretty competitive? (I'm looking for GT level tips, as no one in my area is that competitive)

Anything for either army would be excellent.

Thanks in advance.

I think its easier to say what doesnt make those lists top tier.

IG
Really good units
Veterans with meltaguns in Chimeras
Vendettas
Company Command with meltaguns in Chimeras
Griffons
Hydras
Medusas

Good units
Blob squads
Sentinels (both)
Manticores
Most Russ patterns

No SW players at my club but this is what i can think of that is really good with SW

Wolves
Grey Hunters
Thunderwolf cav
Long Fangs

And as exspensive as it is, Vets and CCS with plasma are good in a lot of situations.

Well placed orders from the command squads can go a long way to a victory.

We had both heard of the legendary Long Fangs. He's tried them out a few times with little success in all but one game. How are they best utilized? O_o


And the IG tactics make sense with the large vehicle game. Rush the Chimera's forward with all those meltas and watch your opponents tanks to goo, right?

Long fangs are excellent, and it is largely believed that rigging out 4-5 with MLs is the best way to go. As for thunderwolf cavalry/wolves, these are nice but overall fail. Having Ld 6 means even the biggest wolf squads can get completely screwed by Leadership Psychic powers and the like, or just fall back way too much in general. also they can NEVER be scoring units even if you throw in canis wolfborn to make them troops. thunderwolf cavalry are overpriced and die way way way too easily for being able to field max 15 of them. also, both these two take away valuable fast attack slots that could be better used for speeders or even Skyclaws (although many will argue these too fail)

SW cheese is in the fact that Grey Hunters cost 1 point less than regular marines, have one more attack (since GW decided they needed a bolt pistol, boltgun AND CC weapon), and get counterattack (thus deterring the "lets assault them first after they deepstrike!"). They also can each carry a Wolf Standard, giving them (once per game) a re-roll of ANY (and this includes saves) rolls of 1 during an assault phase (for a mere 10 points too!). This combined with the equally cheap long fangs/scouts (which are the ONLY scouts worth taking in the game...meltas behind your tanks anyone?) and some of the best librarians in the game (Rune Priests) make them monsters. Wolf Guard are a versatile unit and Logan Grimnar is pretty sick. However, their unique HQs, while awesome, are usually too expensive or too squishy vs the common powerfist/klaw. but when you run some of the best troops in the game, the sons of fenris dont care.

oh and for all your friend's SW worries, have him/her check out: http://space-wolves-grey.blogspot.com/ for literally EVERY SINGLE THING EVERY you could want to know about playing the space puppies to their max

Thanks a million Alpha. I'll check out that link and learn what I can to try and help him out

Tactics for SW and IG?

Show up??

Ozymandias wrote:Tactics for SW and IG?

Show up??

Nuff said haha

For the Imperial Guard, you would want to go with mass amounts of stuff, if you can do it. That is really the main tactic. They aren't called "Hammer of the Emperor" for nothing.

with ig it's all a bout picking your battles. most units are very specific one hit wonders, or meat for the grinder. the trick is timing. everything in ig is made to die easily... so bring plenty of everything.

ig has alot of different tactics to choose from. i'm still learning little tricks that make a difference.

space wolves are more flexible. everything you choose to hit, you can hit hard. just be able to take the punches when the opponen't turn comes around.