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So after seeing the 4 riptide list from NOVA, it became my mission to write a list with 5 riptides in it. Here is the list:

Primary Contingent: Farsight Enclaves

Commander Farsight – 165
O’Vesa – 305
XV8 Crisis Team, 2x additional crisis shas’ui, 3x missle pod, 3x bonding knife ritual – 114
XV8 Crisis Team, 1x additional crisis shas’ui, 2x missle pod, 2x bonding knife ritual – 76
XV8 Crisis Team, 1x additional crisis shas’ui, 2x missle pod, 2x bonding knife ritual – 76
XV8 Crisis Team, 1x additional crisis shas’ui, 2x missle pod, 2x bonding knife ritual – 76
Kroot Carnivore Squad, 1x kroot hound – 65
XV104 Riptide, twin-linked fusion blaster, ion accelerator, talisman of athas moloch, early warning override, 2x shielded missile drones – 265
XV104 Riptide, ion accelerator, early warning override – 190
XV104 Riptide, velocity tracker, early warning override – 210

Allies: Tau Empire

Commander, neuroweb systems jammer, onager gauntlet, command and control node, puretide engram neurochip, multi-spectrum sensor suite, xv8-02 crisis ‘iridium’ battlesuit, drone controller, vectored retro-thrusters – 180
Kroot Carnivore Squad, 1x kroot hound – 65
XV104 Riptide, velocity tracker, early warning override – 210
Total: 1997

Now, I am wondering if this list could actually be viable in the meta-game.? I would love to hear some comments and criticisms. Thanks.

my roomate john ran a similar list at my flgs, won two games in a row in top of turn 1. his first opponent went first, drop podded his marines danger close (all his tides had interceptor). Even with a little scatter, morethan 30 marines dead. all johns opponent had left was a small attack bike squad, his HQ's, his dread, and a unit of scouts. second game went very similar against warrior heavy necrons ( admittedly he couldnt make a reanimation roll to save his life). it kicks out so much firepower its not funny. now against blob guard and bugs, maybe not so much cuz theres so much to kill, but against flyers, mech, MEQ, and TEQ, its just mean


Automatically Appended Next Post:
he had farsight, two squads of suits, the hq riptide, 3 reg riptides, and a broadside. he brought tau allies as well with a fire commander, one 6 man nits of fire warriors, and another tide. maybe another broadside, cant remember offhand

I think it's viable.

Whether or not I would play with it myself, it is very cool to be able to build an army like that. See: Virtually any anime with robots. I support it.

Give the VT Riptides an HBC instead.

5 Riptides is just too much. Unsupported Riptides just don't put out that much punishment.

I see FMC Spam Daemons or even Khornedogg Rush ripping this apart especially if they can get 1st turn. Nids too, Poisoned Guants will beat Riptides in CC. I think Green Tide likes this match-up.

I see what you have to give up to bring the 5th as too much.

I think 3 or 4 is the Sweetspot for Riptide Spam for 1850.

Zagman - The VT tides do have HBCs. I write my lists with only upgrades or changes shown. If it starts on the model, then I do not list it. Also, what am I giving up to take the 5th Riptide. The only thing that this list doesn't have, that the NOVA list did have, is the Skyray. I don't really see that changing a lot in any of the match-ups that you have listed. Could you give me some examples of what I might be losing out on to take the 5th Riptide? I just don't see what would be more powerful.

I appreciate the comments guys. Keep them coming.

sephiroth00055 wrote:
Zagman - The VT tides do have HBCs. I write my lists with only upgrades or changes shown. If it starts on the model, then I do not list it. Also, what am I giving up to take the 5th Riptide. The only thing that this list doesn't have, that the NOVA list did have, is the Skyray. I don't really see that changing a lot in any of the match-ups that you have listed. Could you give me some examples of what I might be losing out on to take the 5th Riptide? I just don't see what would be more powerful.

I appreciate the comments guys. Keep them coming.

Yet you priced out an IA Riptide with VT and EWO.


The list is missing the support elements for those extra Riptides. If you read any reports of the NOVA games, the unsupported Riptides contributed little to the game and it was the O'VesaStar itself that has so powerful.

Don't forget that NOVA list was only 1850.

For the cost of one Riptide you almost get 2x Skyrays. The Skyrays bring 4 BS4 Skyfire Markerlights plus a ton of Seeker Missiles for an Alpha Strike. Those Markerlights can help to make your Riptides Effective. Without Support IA Riptides just don't put out that much hurt on a consistent basis.

My appologies. The two riptides that have VT are supposed to have HBCs. I will look into potentially changing things around. Thanks for the comments.

Green tide would get owned by this list... I played a 2k tourney vs 3 tides and got raped.

 doktor_g wrote:
Green tide would get owned by this list... I played a 2k tourney vs 3 tides and got raped.

Listen.. I"m a noob still. I just don't understand how a lopsided scissors like this beats a rock. I mean, Orks aren't the best codex to pick against this but being an ork I don't understand how someone couldn't have the rock pick to this.. Please I beg a WAAC player to make me understand why someone like my friend, who is running 2 or 3 AV14 LRC's or a shooty ork list can't out perform a list that is lacking volume to deal with 1W models rockz a tourney..

Not to make it about me just.. how?

 doktor_g wrote:
Green tide would get owned by this list... I played a 2k tourney vs 3 tides and got raped.

Because one random experience without any details is the definitive word.

With coherency and smart play those Riptides will not kill enough boyz, and most of the time they aren't ignoring cover either.

Now, if it was one or two R'Varna instead of stock IA Riptides, then I would be concerned.