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2018/05/13 18:31:15
Subject: Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Naix wrote: So I've been noticing a trend of late, at least with Dark Eldar and Necrons that I'm struggling to keep Pask alive, and with that many points nuked on a turn 1 Alpha strike (can't always keep him out of LoS after their maneuvers) I find it a struggle to play catch-up when my turn comes around.
Does anyone else reckon that Pask is no longer competitive due to the fact that he's just as vulnerable as a normal leman russ? Destroyers hurt man.
He's only about 10 points more than a regular command tank for serious bonuses, I would say he is fine. I just wouldnt kit him out to the nines, I'd just leave him with turret weapon and maybe a lascannon. The more weapons you put on him the bigger a target he becomes.
True, but at the same time I would consider a regular tank commander to be non-competitive as a result too against such lists.
2018/05/13 20:23:09
Subject: Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Naix wrote: So I've been noticing a trend of late, at least with Dark Eldar and Necrons that I'm struggling to keep Pask alive, and with that many points nuked on a turn 1 Alpha strike (can't always keep him out of LoS after their maneuvers) I find it a struggle to play catch-up when my turn comes around.
Does anyone else reckon that Pask is no longer competitive due to the fact that he's just as vulnerable as a normal leman russ? Destroyers hurt man.
He's only about 10 points more than a regular command tank for serious bonuses, I would say he is fine. I just wouldnt kit him out to the nines, I'd just leave him with turret weapon and maybe a lascannon. The more weapons you put on him the bigger a target he becomes.
True, but at the same time I would consider a regular tank commander to be non-competitive as a result too against such lists.
What would you replace him with that is as good but doesn't die to destroyers?
I think the answer is to accept that you can't keep everything safe, your going to lose valuable models and instead build in redundancy so that you maintain enough firepower to answer back. Its harder against DE because they can bring a ton of good, but cheap funs aswell but I have found Necrons rely on 1-2 Destroyer units for the most part of their damage.
2018/05/14 00:36:10
Subject: Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Naix wrote: So I've been noticing a trend of late, at least with Dark Eldar and Necrons that I'm struggling to keep Pask alive, and with that many points nuked on a turn 1 Alpha strike (can't always keep him out of LoS after their maneuvers) I find it a struggle to play catch-up when my turn comes around.
Does anyone else reckon that Pask is no longer competitive due to the fact that he's just as vulnerable as a normal leman russ? Destroyers hurt man.
He's only about 10 points more than a regular command tank for serious bonuses, I would say he is fine. I just wouldnt kit him out to the nines, I'd just leave him with turret weapon and maybe a lascannon. The more weapons you put on him the bigger a target he becomes.
True, but at the same time I would consider a regular tank commander to be non-competitive as a result too against such lists.
What would you replace him with that is as good but doesn't die to destroyers?
I think the answer is to accept that you can't keep everything safe, your going to lose valuable models and instead build in redundancy so that you maintain enough firepower to answer back. Its harder against DE because they can bring a ton of good, but cheap funs aswell but I have found Necrons rely on 1-2 Destroyer units for the most part of their damage.
You can't keep everything safe, but you're going to lose a bunch of tanks either way and I can guarantee you won't have a single BS 2/3 tank on the board after round two. If all of your tanks are the same price/threat, you at least make your opponent worry about target priority. Also in ITC, Pask/TC's are minimum 4 free VP so you can't take them anyway unless you like starting games with a 4 point handicap.
2018/05/14 00:56:26
Subject: Re:Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
I just seriously looked at Harker for the first time and he makes for an interesting unit... surrounding units re-rolling 1s and he carries a heavy bolter around for a little extra fire support. Only thing is that he's 50 points, seems pricey.
You say Fiery Crash! I say Dynamic Entry!
*Increases Game Point Limit by 100*: Tau get two Crisis Suits and a Firewarrior. Imperial Guard get two infantry companies, artillery support, and APCs.
2018/05/14 07:46:07
Subject: Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Ordana wrote: I think the answer is to accept that you can't keep everything safe, your going to lose valuable models and instead build in redundancy so that you maintain enough firepower to answer back. Its harder against DE because they can bring a ton of good, but cheap funs aswell but I have found Necrons rely on 1-2 Destroyer units for the most part of their damage.
In general Pask suffers from unique character syndrome. Basically he's non-scalable. Pask is better the smaller the point level you play. 2k? You are going to lose 1-2 russ in a turn so if opponent goes first Pask WILL die.
1k? One russ can live 2-3 turns easily so Pask can get 2-3 rounds of shooting easily.
Basically the bigger the game the more you need to bring same thing if you want to have them around more than 1 turn. And Pask being unique...Well if you take him on 2k game you have to accept if you go first he shoots one, if he goes first it's basically bullet magnet from others so you need to make sure you have something ELSE that you want enemy to shoot less than Pask.
2024 painted/bought: 109/109
2018/05/14 12:17:16
Subject: Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Maybe it's a stupid question but: I have seen some comments saying that Leman Russ tanks are better than Basilisks. Is artillery necessary in 1500-2000 army lists? I'm thinking about having a build with 6 infantry units supported by 3-4 Leman Russ tanks, Scout Sentinels and 2-3 Chimeras. Does it make any sense or artillery is too important to not include it in the list?
2018/05/14 12:23:58
Subject: Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Lot depends on your terrain. If you an hide basilisk it has obviously going to be lot better than if you can't hide. If you have typical GW terrain board you won't be hiding basilisk out of LOS all that often so leman russ is much more appealing.
2024 painted/bought: 109/109
2018/05/14 12:46:54
Subject: Re:Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Yes, there will be a problem with getting enough cover to hide artillery. Basically, I wanted to use Battle Cannons as a mobile and more durable platform. Thank you for your comment.
2018/05/14 13:00:37
Subject: Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
CaptainLame wrote: Maybe it's a stupid question but: I have seen some comments saying that Leman Russ tanks are better than Basilisks. Is artillery necessary in 1500-2000 army lists? I'm thinking about having a build with 6 infantry units supported by 3-4 Leman Russ tanks, Scout Sentinels and 2-3 Chimeras. Does it make any sense or artillery is too important to not include it in the list?
Russ tanks are better because they cost more points. The real debate is if 2 bare bones Russ is better than 3 basilisk, or if 2 decked out Russ tanks is better than 4 basilisk.
2 Russ tanks average 14 shots while 3 basilisk average 13.5 shots. Regiment makes a huge difference with Russ gaining the most from catachan and Basilisk from cadian. The extra -1 armor save makes a huge difference some of the time.
Durability depends on what's shooting back. Usually 33 t6 wounds is better than 24 t8 but results may vary.
Chaos isn’t a pit. Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail, and never get to try again. The fall breaks them. And some are given a chance to climb, but refuse. They cling to the realm, or love, or the gods…illusions. Only the ladder is real. The climb is all there is, but they’ll never know this. Not until it’s too late.
2018/05/14 13:25:28
Subject: Re:Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Leman Russ Battle Tanks [20 PL, 332pts]
. Leman Russ Battle Tank [10 PL, 180pts]: Battle Cannon [22pts], Heavy Bolters [16pts], Lascannon [20pts]
. Leman Russ Battle Tank [10 PL, 152pts]: Battle Cannon [22pts], Heavy Bolter [8pts]
+ Dedicated Transport [18 PL, 279pts] +
Chimera [6 PL, 93pts]: Heavy Bolter [8pts], Multi-laser [10pts]
Chimera [6 PL, 93pts]: Heavy Bolter [8pts], Multi-laser [10pts]
Chimera [6 PL, 93pts]: Heavy Bolter [8pts], Multi-laser [10pts]
++ Total: [91 PL, 1495pts] ++
I'm trying to make this list as universal as possible but the majority of games will be played against Necrons and DeathWatch. I was thinking about 3 infantry squads as a cover for my tanks and 3 mobile units supported by Chimeras. Could you tell me if this build is good enough or I should change it?
2018/05/14 13:54:10
Subject: Re:Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Leman Russ Battle Tanks [20 PL, 332pts]
. Leman Russ Battle Tank [10 PL, 180pts]: Battle Cannon [22pts], Heavy Bolters [16pts], Lascannon [20pts]
. Leman Russ Battle Tank [10 PL, 152pts]: Battle Cannon [22pts], Heavy Bolter [8pts]
+ Dedicated Transport [18 PL, 279pts] +
Chimera [6 PL, 93pts]: Heavy Bolter [8pts], Multi-laser [10pts]
Chimera [6 PL, 93pts]: Heavy Bolter [8pts], Multi-laser [10pts]
Chimera [6 PL, 93pts]: Heavy Bolter [8pts], Multi-laser [10pts]
++ Total: [91 PL, 1495pts] ++
I'm trying to make this list as universal as possible but the majority of games will be played against Necrons and DeathWatch. I was thinking about 3 infantry squads as a cover for my tanks and 3 mobile units supported by Chimeras. Could you tell me if this build is good enough or I should change it?
Multi-lasers... gross. Get rid of them and the chainsaws for autocannons on your sentinels. Honestly it looks like you're kind of forcing the brigade... you could go 2 battalions and not lose much, and be free from those elite spots that don't really seem to do much for you
The executions will continue until morale improves
2018/05/14 14:18:19
Subject: Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
You can probably ditch a company Commander as well. Your front line Infantry are going to get nuked turn 1 so 6 orders for 6 squads is probably overkill.
5k Imperial Guard
2k Ad Mech
2018/05/14 16:09:09
Subject: Re:Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
CaptainLame wrote: Thank you. I will break it into 2 battalions. I will add Autocannons to Sentinels instead of ML and remove Elites. Anything else?
Do not take Chimeras. If you REALLY want some metal boxes on the table -- take Tauroxes instead. They are cheaper and much more effective in the shooting phase.
2018/05/14 17:34:13
Subject: Re:Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Cothonian wrote: I just seriously looked at Harker for the first time and he makes for an interesting unit... surrounding units re-rolling 1s and he carries a heavy bolter around for a little extra fire support. Only thing is that he's 50 points, seems pricey.
Many armies pay far more for a character that does the same and doesn't even have as good of a gun. Remember he buffs everything Catachans, including tanks and superheavies. If you run Catachans and have any shooting whatsoever I'd say he's pretty much a no brainer.
'I've played Guard for years, and the best piece of advice is to always utilize the Guard's best special rule: "we roll more dice than you" ' - stormleader
"Sector Imperialis: 25mm and 40mm Round Bases (40+20) 26€ (Including 32 skulls for basing) " GW design philosophy in a nutshell
2018/05/14 21:56:13
Subject: Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
What are the opinions on an army consisting of 3/4 AM and 1/4 scions?
3x plasma troops squads and 1 plasma elite squads + primes mixed with the usual AM gunline.
drop troops go for objectives or kill an important target
It's format dependant. ITC youre handing your opponent free VP because a bunch of small T3/4+ save units means you'll never wipe out more units per turn than he will.
Outside of any mission set that factors in units destroyed/kill points, it can be really strong. I run a 500 point BN of MT in most of my guard lists.
2x Tprime with rods
2x MT Command Squad with 4x PG 3x Scions with 2x PG 1X PP
Because it's its own battalion, it gains the Scion Regiment bonus of 6's generating extra shots at half range, which can really help the turn you drop in.
2018/05/16 16:18:28
Subject: Re:Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Because it's its own battalion, it gains the Scion Regiment bonus of 6's generating extra shots at half range, which can really help the turn you drop in.
The Doctrine actually says 'roll of 6+': so what ways are there I can get +1 (or more) to hit for a squad(s) of Scions to take extra advantage of this?
2018/05/16 17:12:21
Subject: Re:Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Because it's its own battalion, it gains the Scion Regiment bonus of 6's generating extra shots at half range, which can really help the turn you drop in.
The Doctrine actually says 'roll of 6+': so what ways are there I can get +1 (or more) to hit for a squad(s) of Scions to take extra advantage of this?
None that I'm aware of. Cadians and I think Vostroyans are the only AM sub factions with a +1 to hit modifier as stratagems. The FW searchlight platform might work, but I dont think it can take Militarum Tempestus as a regiment keyword. But when you're putting out 28 plasma shots with reroll 1's, you're bound to have it trigger.
2018/05/16 19:49:35
Subject: Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Dunno if this is the right place to ask.. I can start a new threat for soups.. I've been intrigued to start a astra militarum detachment along with my blood angels before I even started playing 40k thanks to Dawn of War: winter assault. I'd like to get someone's opinion what would it take for me to get a AM gunline with screens with minimal investment. Which I would supplement with my mobile close combat oriented Blood Angels. Maybe 1/3 or 2/5 of the 2k army could be for the AM models. The tricky part is that I have already three armies at 3000-6000 points and I can't spend another 500€ to get stuff to make it work. I know that AM is an expensive faction, but using the start collecting and such boxes might give me the tools to have a proper gunline with lil' screen to accompany my blood thristy marines.
Hep me out here or just suggest to start a sepparate threat.
Thanks.
- Xirax
2018/05/16 20:27:18
Subject: Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Heavy Weapons Squad - x3 Mortars
Heavy Weapons Squad - x3 Mortars
Heavy Weapons Squad - x3 Mortars
429 points and a good foundation for area denial in 8th. Relatively affordable if you can buy used over time, might bust your budget (~$400 USD at retail) otherwise. You can bulk up the points by adding some special weapons as well. With creative modelling you can get lots of weapons teams out of the kits so you could change some weapons around or buy some bits and save as well.
If you want to be a little different and/or do not want to dump CP into Guard morale switch out a commander for a lord commissar and drop him in the middle of a few squads.
Using the start collecting box is hard because of the tank and commissar. If you go x3 infantry squads, 2 officers using the commissars and x3 Lemans you would save money but probably not achieve the result you seem to want.
Are leman russes so bad? I was thinking more like a batallion of infantry with mortars and a spear head with tanks with high strength to bring enemy armor down.
Something like:
Batallion
Lord Commander
Primaris psyker
3x 10man infantry with mortar team
Spearhead
Pask
Basilisk
Wyvern
3x Leman russes
and a Vanguard of BA
Cpt Slam
Librarian w/ JP
SG SG ancient
Big and cheap DC blob
2018/05/16 21:33:05
Subject: Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
Xirax wrote: Dunno if this is the right place to ask.. I can start a new threat for soups.. I've been intrigued to start a astra militarum detachment along with my blood angels before I even started playing 40k thanks to Dawn of War: winter assault. I'd like to get someone's opinion what would it take for me to get a AM gunline with screens with minimal investment. Which I would supplement with my mobile close combat oriented Blood Angels. Maybe 1/3 or 2/5 of the 2k army could be for the AM models. The tricky part is that I have already three armies at 3000-6000 points and I can't spend another 500€ to get stuff to make it work. I know that AM is an expensive faction, but using the start collecting and such boxes might give me the tools to have a proper gunline with lil' screen to accompany my blood thristy marines.
Hep me out here or just suggest to start a sepparate threat.
Thanks.
- Xirax
In support of BA I would look at some Scion squads who can Deepstrike to keep up with them. Leman Russus, Basilisk/Manticores and Mortar Heavy Weapon Squads to provide fire support.
2018/05/16 21:44:23
Subject: Astra Militarum: More Competitive in 8th Edition?
I have no idea how orders really work or which HQ as AM I should take, but in my head I see a bunch of tanks screened by infantry and my BA slowing the opponent my AM gunline to be operational.. I made a quick list, but I have no idea what is good or bad so a lot of grain and salt here please.. This is more of a crippling your opponent the whole game than a get those objectives list.. Is the idea haywire?
Captain [6 PL, 129pts]: 2. Artisan of War, Jump Pack, Storm shield, The Angel's Wing (replaces jump pack), Thunder hammer, Warlord
Chief Librarian Mephiston [8 PL, 145pts]
+ Elites +
Death Company [27 PL, 315pts]: Jump Pack
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Power axe
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Power axe
. Death Company Marine: Boltgun, Power axe
Sanguinary Ancient [6 PL, 99pts]: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Standard of Sacrifice
The executions will continue until morale improves 
