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I just started playing 40K in June and we have an escalation league coming up where we start at 500 points and every 2 weeks the points value goes up by 250 over the course of 3 months. Next Saturday is the beginning of the league. I was hoping folks could give their critics about my list and tactics.

My 500 point Imperial Guard

HQ
Primaris Psyker, 70 points

Troops 1
Infantry Platoon, 295 points
Platoon command squad with vox and Lascannon team, 55 points
Infantry squad with vox and flamer, sergeant with power sword, 70 points
Infantry squad with vox and flamer, 60 points
Heavy weapons team with 3 lascannons, 105 points

Troops 2
Veteran Squad 3 plasma guns, sergeant with power sword and plasma pistol, 140 points


Here's my very noobish reasons for taking these choices:

So for our current 'meta', we have a bunch of Space Marines players. Some are regular SM, one plays Black Templar, there's a Blood Angels player, and a Space Wolves player. All of these are big threats because they can win easily in assault vs IG. So I've tried to include flamers for auto-hits on overwatch, and seeded power weapons into the two troops choices. The lascannons can hopefully explode enemy transports before they get close.

There are CSM players also. I feel the same about them as I do with SM. They're a threat when they try to assault rush me.

We have two or three other IG players, and I think I maintained enough firepower to at least be on an even level with an opposing 500 point IG list.

There's a Tau player also, but I think he's running his SM for the tourney. If he brings his Tau, I'm not sure how to counter it with this list at 500 points because he can out-shoot me.

The Tyranid players are a big threat also, one plays with horde armies where he keeps spawning more and more of the little bugs. The other runs a very monsterous creature heavy list, and the MCs are often flying. I'm not sure how to combat either of these lists, and I don't understand how synapse works.

Anyway, advice or suggestions is definetly welcome. Whatever I pick, I have to use for 2 weeks until the points go up by 250. I don't normally play very competitively, I view 40K as a chance to socialize and hang out with my friends, so I wasn't sure how to approach writing a tournament list. This is my first tournament, so I'd really like to do well in it.

My only real issue is the power weapons...its sounds like assault is a no win for Guard in your meta...thus I would either dump them...or take Power Axes...you're going last anyways...might as well get the S and AP bonus.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The plasma pistol could also be dropped.

howabout getting a leman russ inn here and change the psyker for a commissar?

 ductvader wrote:
My only real issue is the power weapons...its sounds like assault is a no win for Guard in your meta...thus I would either dump them...or take Power Axes...you're going last anyways...might as well get the S and AP bonus.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The plasma pistol could also be dropped.

Oh. Those are good ideas! I'm writing them down now. ^.^ Going to write down all the ideas and suggestions and evaulate them. Very good, thanks so much!

As for the plasma pistol.. I just stuck it in there because I had extra points. Wanted to add as many plasma shots into the mix as possible to get past the 3+ saves.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

phatonic wrote:
howabout getting a leman russ inn here and change the psyker for a commissar?

The Lord Commissar costs the same as the Psyker, 70 points. If I wanted him to have anything other than a bolt pistol and CCW, I'd have to spend points on him. The Psyker gets a psychic shooting attack at least.

As for the Leman Russ.. it would cost a minimum of 150 or so points, and I'd have to strip down almost troops choice to bare bones for it. The main gun is str8 ap3, but it's a blast weapon.. so it could scatter. I'd be sacrificing too much to take it at 500 points I think.

He's right about the comissar...with all your vox reliance. If your were running more vets i might actually go with the psyker.

And a single battle tank could cause a ruckus. Broadsides would be the only threat at this point...and IG Lascannons.

Depends on the models you own.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Psyker definitely needs to swap powers out for a Discipline...dont take him stock.

Use Telepathy or Pyromancy...what other disciplines do they get?

 ductvader wrote:
He's right about the comissar...with all your vox reliance. If your were running more vets i might actually go with the psyker.

And a single battle tank could cause a ruckus. Broadsides would be the only threat at this point...and IG Lascannons.

Depends on the models you own.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Psyker definitely needs to swap powers out for a Discipline...dont take him stock.

Doesnt guard get pyromancy?

Yes, they get pyro. I could remove the voxes too. I just couldn't think of another way to spend 15 points. I figured it would be nice to be able to reroll leadership for orders, because those orders can be very important.

Keep the voxes...even more important with Lascannons

Look at Pyromancy and Telepathy...see what you like...remember that you can always take the primary power and can always choose to roll once on both or twice on one.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
As for bug players...synapse keeps the bugs in check...if there is not a synapse creature around then they are not fearless and succumb to their "behavior" which some means a mindless assault and some means running into cover and shooting.

Flying MCs...needs mass fire...like lots of S4 or 5 fire...heavy bolters are nice...if you hit him he has to take a test to see if he crashes into the ground.

If your psyker gets to close to a synapse creature...dont use psychic powers...you'll fry your own brain.

As the Templar player you referred to in your post, I would say that the flamers could probably be traded out for plasma or melta. Sniper rifles are also fairly nice if you have the models.

Ratling are cool because they are some of the cheapest Precision shots this game can field...they also wound MCs on a 4+

 Doctor Khorne wrote:
As the Templar player you referred to in your post, I would say that the flamers could probably be traded out for plasma or melta. Sniper rifles are also fairly nice if you have the models.

I don't have any of the ratlings models. And ontop of that they take up an elite choice. I just don't think I have room for it in this list, I'm barely squeezing what I have into 500. I thought that the Primaris Psyker was a good choice because of his 36" shooting power. I could replace his second power with something from either Pyromancy or Telepahy or Telekenesis.

Also.. you're the BT player at Four Horsemen?

I am the BT, or red as it may be, templar player. I think vet squads are a solid choice for the league with a ccs for orders if you have the special weapons to do it.

You either take both codex powers or both powers from disciplines...you cant mix.

 Doctor Khorne wrote:
I am the BT, or red as it may be, templar player. I think vet squads are a solid choice for the league with a ccs for orders if you have the special weapons to do it.

Oh wow. Haha, what a concidence.

Okay, so ductvader says I have to take both powers from either the codex or book. That is actually alright, there's lots of stuff in the rulebook that's good too.

As for bringing vets.. I don't have any more points to do that with. I guess if I got rid of the infantry platoon I could do it, but then I'd lose 4 lascannons. Is a veteran squad with plasmas capable of replacing 4 lascannons? Seems like I'd have nothing to penetrate av14 with at that point.

Maybe I could drop the platoon, take a veteran squad with plasmas in its place and then take a Leman Russ? I still feel uneasy about losing my lascannons though.

Taking vets and a russ is probably a bit better than the lascannons, especially with the leadership of hwt and the lack of orders accessible in a 500 point list. Both of those units will slag something, whereas the lascannons might not even hit. High AV vehicles at this size can be ignored, or forced to move to show their soft parts.

 Doctor Khorne wrote:
Taking vets and a russ is probably a bit better than the lascannons, especially with the leadership of hwt and the lack of orders accessible in a 500 point list. Both of those units will slag something, whereas the lascannons might not even hit. High AV vehicles at this size can be ignored, or forced to move to show their soft parts.

Hmmm. Okay, what do you think of this list?

HQ:
Lord Commissar with power sword - 80 points

Troops1:
Vet squad with plasma x3, sergeant with power axe - 125 points

Troops 2:
Vet squad with plasma x3, sergeant with power axe - 125 points

Heavy:
Leman Russ with heavy flamer and heavy bolter sponsons - 170 points

Here's a list then

HQ
-Primaris Psyker

TROOP
-Veteran Squad (Plasma gun x3)

-Infantry Platoon
---Platoon Command Squad
---Infantry Squad (Missile Launcher)
---Infantry Squad (Missile Launcher)

HEAVY
-Leman Russ Battle Tank

495

With 5 points I recommend a Flamer/Grenade Launcher/Sniper/ or Mortar on the Command squad.

The tank is what is going to stave off incoming assaults...make sure the enemy has to run across open lanes when coming at you.



Automatically Appended Next Post:
I think both lists work...depends on the flavor you want

I would keep the heavy bolter and not flamer on the russ...more bolters to snap fire or take flying MCs down with.

 ductvader wrote:
Here's a list then

HQ
-Primaris Psyker

TROOP
-Veteran Squad (Plasma gun x3)

-Infantry Platoon
---Platoon Command Squad
---Infantry Squad (Missile Launcher)
---Infantry Squad (Missile Launcher)

HEAVY
-Leman Russ Battle Tank

495

With 5 points I recommend a Flamer/Grenade Launcher/Sniper/ or Mortar on the Command squad.

The tank is what is going to stave off incoming assaults...make sure the enemy has to run across open lanes when coming at you.

That's another possibility. Hmmm, I've been running mortars with my IG and I actually like them. I wouldn't have a problem adding a mortar to the command squad with that list.

Good work with the axes though...thinking you should aquire those in future point increases.

 Iron Dragon wrote:

 Doctor Khorne wrote:
Taking vets and a russ is probably a bit better than the lascannons, especially with the leadership of hwt and the lack of orders accessible in a 500 point list. Both of those units will slag something, whereas the lascannons might not even hit. High AV vehicles at this size can be ignored, or forced to move to show their soft parts.

Hmmm. Okay, what do you think of this list?

HQ:
Lord Commissar with power sword - 80 points

Troops1:
Vet squad with plasma x3, sergeant with power axe - 125 points

Troops 2:
Vet squad with plasma x3, sergeant with power axe - 125 points

Heavy:
Leman Russ with heavy flamer and heavy bolter sponsons - 170 points

Unless I missed something in the codex, I don't think Veteran Sergeants have the option to take a Power Axe (unless the Power Weapon option has been FAQ'd to include whatever you want?). Point being, Guard don't belong in assault. You won't be charging with those plasma squads, so when the Marines do crash your line, your sergeants have 3 attacks, hitting on 4's and at Initiative 3 and wounding on 5's. One Marine? Maybe?

Re: Facing Tau - We have better guns, you have more guns. Most armies can counter Tau by getting into assault. Not you. Even if you do manage to get into combat, Firewarriors have a 4+ save which helps them last as long, if not longer than you in assault. Your heavy weapons can trade shots with Firewarrior teams and Broadsides can be taken down with volume of fire. Crisis Suits really don't like Plasma Guns or Lascannons or volumes of flashlights. These should be your target priority since they will be packing all the heavy/special weaponry.

Your initial list was a good start, I wouldn't recommend running the Vets and Russ. Vets and Valks are a different story, but a gun line made of Veterans is very,very squishy.

HQ
1) Company Command Squad
- Melta's if you have them, otherwise Flamers wouldn't be a terrible choice, though you're wasting the BS4. Take a Vox definitely.

TROOPS
1) Platoon Command Squad: Flamers, Voxcaster
Infantry Squad: Lascannon, Flamer, Voxcaster
Infantry Squad: Lascannon, Flamer
Infantry Squad: Lascannon, Flamer

2) Veteran Squad
- 3x Plasma, Lascannon, and Voxcaster

That lands you at around 500. Combine your Infantry Squad at the beginning of the game and you now have a 30 man blob with 3 lascannons that can become twin-linked with orders and 20 odd flashlights that can FRFSRF. That's a lot of pain. Alternatively, if the situation demands, keep them as separate squads. As well, your Veteran Squad can benefit from "Bring It Down!" too. Your PCS can counter any fast attackers and depending on how you upgrade your CCS, it can deal with threats too.

 orchewer wrote:

 Iron Dragon wrote:

 Doctor Khorne wrote:
Taking vets and a russ is probably a bit better than the lascannons, especially with the leadership of hwt and the lack of orders accessible in a 500 point list. Both of those units will slag something, whereas the lascannons might not even hit. High AV vehicles at this size can be ignored, or forced to move to show their soft parts.

Hmmm. Okay, what do you think of this list?

HQ:
Lord Commissar with power sword - 80 points

Troops1:
Vet squad with plasma x3, sergeant with power axe - 125 points

Troops 2:
Vet squad with plasma x3, sergeant with power axe - 125 points

Heavy:
Leman Russ with heavy flamer and heavy bolter sponsons - 170 points

Unless I missed something in the codex, I don't think Veteran Sergeants have the option to take a Power Axe (unless the Power Weapon option has been FAQ'd to include whatever you want?). Point being, Guard don't belong in assault. You won't be charging with those plasma squads, so when the Marines do crash your line, your sergeants have 3 attacks, hitting on 4's and at Initiative 3 and wounding on 5's. One Marine? Maybe?

Re: Facing Tau - We have better guns, you have more guns. Most armies can counter Tau by getting into assault. Not you. Even if you do manage to get into combat, Firewarriors have a 4+ save which helps them last as long, if not longer than you in assault. Your heavy weapons can trade shots with Firewarrior teams and Broadsides can be taken down with volume of fire. Crisis Suits really don't like Plasma Guns or Lascannons or volumes of flashlights. These should be your target priority since they will be packing all the heavy/special weaponry.

Your initial list was a good start, I wouldn't recommend running the Vets and Russ. Vets and Valks are a different story, but a gun line made of Veterans is very,very squishy.

HQ
1) Company Command Squad
- Melta's if you have them, otherwise Flamers wouldn't be a terrible choice, though you're wasting the BS4. Take a Vox definitely.

TROOPS
1) Platoon Command Squad: Flamers, Voxcaster
Infantry Squad: Lascannon, Flamer, Voxcaster
Infantry Squad: Lascannon, Flamer
Infantry Squad: Lascannon, Flamer

2) Veteran Squad
- 3x Plasma, Lascannon, and Voxcaster

That lands you at around 500. Combine your Infantry Squad at the beginning of the game and you now have a 30 man blob with 3 lascannons that can become twin-linked with orders and 20 odd flashlights that can FRFSRF. That's a lot of pain. Alternatively, if the situation demands, keep them as separate squads. As well, your Veteran Squad can benefit from "Bring It Down!" too. Your PCS can counter any fast attackers and depending on how you upgrade your CCS, it can deal with threats too.

It says you can give them a power weapon, doesn't specificly say sword. And Army Builder lets me issue them with axes.. I hope I'm doing it right.

I like your idea too. I'll try to punch some of it into Army Builder tommorow when I get home from work and see what I can come up with. I really wish I had time to test out several lists at 500.

There is still a lot of value to vehicles at this point level,why not try:
Primaris psyker-70
vets,chimera-155
vets,chimera-155
Devil Dog-120
500
Thats 3 AV 12 tanks, one with a melta blast template.
people say vehicles suck, but when your opponents are marines the most they will have is maybe 3 units, an HQ, 2 squads of tac marines,maybe a dread if they pick scouts.
Or go with the element of surprise,

CCS,autocannon,melta-60
vets,autocannon,melta-90
vets,autocannon,melta-90
5x Stormtroopers,plasma gun-100
5x Stormtroopers,plasma gun-100
Armoured Sentinel with an autocannon-60
500
or play dirty with the ol death from above play.

CCS,mortar,melta-65
PCS,autocannon,melta-50
10x infantry,autocannon,melta-70
10x infantry,autocannon,melta-70
3x HWT,mortars-60
3x HWT,mortars-60
Basilisk-125
Imagine the enemies surprise when you show up with 7 small, and one big blast template that can fire from out of sight,while a line of autocannons blasts their transports and infantry to bits.

He made some fun lists too...you're good with the axes...you can have a sword lance axe or maul any time it just says "power weapon"


Just my opinions.

With Guard it's axe most of the time.

Whereas I like using Lances with Eldar.

Swords are good for MEQ.

And I haven't found a good reason for the Maul yet unless you're MEQ with a large Xeno meta in your area

danielbonke wrote:
There is still a lot of value to vehicles at this point level,why not try:
Primaris psyker-70
vets,chimera-155
vets,chimera-155
Devil Dog-120
500
Thats 3 AV 12 tanks, one with a melta blast template.
people say vehicles suck, but when your opponents are marines the most they will have is maybe 3 units, an HQ, 2 squads of tac marines,maybe a dread if they pick scouts.
Or go with the element of surprise,

CCS,autocannon,melta-60
vets,autocannon,melta-90
vets,autocannon,melta-90
5x Stormtroopers,plasma gun-100
5x Stormtroopers,plasma gun-100
Armoured Sentinel with an autocannon-60
500
or play dirty with the ol death from above play.

CCS,mortar,melta-65
PCS,autocannon,melta-50
10x infantry,autocannon,melta-70
10x infantry,autocannon,melta-70
3x HWT,mortars-60
3x HWT,mortars-60
Basilisk-125
Imagine the enemies surprise when you show up with 7 small, and one big blast template that can fire from out of sight,while a line of autocannons blasts their transports and infantry to bits.

These are some pretty good lists too! Unfortunetly I have no chimeras yet. I kind of like the mortar list.

Mortars are super fun,and given how cheap HWT are,they can be fielded en masse.just know you have to hide them,because they suffer morale tests easy and only have 6 wounds.that's why you have infantry shields protecting your flanks.