Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

After my first year was spent learning the ropes I'm slowly going into more competitive areas and games lately, but I still feel clueless often about the capabilities of other armies from lack of experience.

If you dont mind can we do a run down of all of the current stars out there people are referring to and what exactly makes them effective, how to counter them, and also for my own education roughly
how much of an opponents points are being spent to construct these stars. I've tried to learn on my own but often I get told different compositions for the same star. Thanks in advance, everyone.

The centstar I typically run involves something like

3 centurions
-grav/ml
Tigurius
-rolling divination
Chapter Master
-artificer, shield eternal

This puts out a ton of AP2 wounds.
Almost guaranteed to get abilities you want on divination due to tigurius Rerolling powers he doesn't want. I typically aim for the 4+ invul, ignore cover and prescience powers.

This unit costs in the neighborhood of 600-650 points depending on the load out of the chapter master. Is ideally add another centurion to the group for more firepower.

The biggest weakness I've found of this unit is S10, as they are majority T5, so instant death. Without the invul power, they can die fast as they are just 2+, 2 wounds. The chapter master is there to try to tank wounds with a 2+3++ eternal warrior.

The O'vesastar:

Farsight, O'vesa (an IC riptide with IA), a Riptide with IA and target lock and an allied tau commander with the re-rolls to hit and ignores cover wargear, all join the Riptide with IA and target lock.

It is majority T6 with 2+ saves and is able to throw out 2 S8 AP2 large blasts at 72" range with re-roll scatter and ignores cover.

Mike94656 wrote:
The centstar I typically run involves something like

3 centurions
-grav/ml
Tigurius
-rolling divination
Chapter Master
-artificer, shield eternal

This puts out a ton of AP2 wounds.
Almost guaranteed to get abilities you want on divination due to tigurius Rerolling powers he doesn't want. I typically aim for the 4+ invul, ignore cover and prescience powers.

This unit costs in the neighborhood of 600-650 points depending on the load out of the chapter master. Is ideally add another centurion to the group for more firepower.

The biggest weakness I've found of this unit is S10, as they are majority T5, so instant death. Without the invul power, they can die fast as they are just 2+, 2 wounds. The chapter master is there to try to tank wounds with a 2+3++ eternal warrior.

Variations on this include using Loth instead of Tigurius for a guaranteed Gate of Infinity, and Farsight for a no-scatter DS with it. Or fish GoI and Forewarning on Tiggy.

Very helpful so far, everyone.

Seer council/jetbike variations Im unsure of and screamer star I know little about.
Are there other ones?

The dark eldar Beaststar is another one. Though i cant tell you the best (most optimal) build for it.

iirc, Screamer star is as follows:

Fateweave (separate but necessary)

3x Tzeentch Heralds on disks, ML3 (roll 2x divination, 1x Tzeentch for flicker fire), Aetherblades. Stick an Exalted Locus of Conjuration on one as well.

1x Herald on disk, Exalted Reward, ML3 (same rolls), Aetherblade if you wish.

9x Screamers.

Forewarning off of one of four heralds supplies 4++ invul, Grimoire bumps it to a 2++, Daemon of Tzeentch rule lets you re-roll 1's, Fateweaver's re-roll ensures Grimoire doesn't fail. Flicker Fire for mass Str6 (locus) shooting, Aetherblades for AP2 CC, Screamers have Armorbane for tanks, entire unit is fast and durable (majority T5 iirc).

Nob Bikers are another one, though its less prevalent than the real problem stars it was a beast in the last edition and very common in Ork armies;

Ork Warboss on Warbike w/ Power Fist, T6 W3 4+/4+ cover, 5+ invuln (and FNP if joined to unit), bonus attacks (5 total iirc), re-roll failed ld, optional one shot S5 AP4 flamer.

Optional second Warboss as above.

4-10x Nob Bikers depending on how big they're making it. Base T5 W2, 4+, 4+ cover, 5++ and a 5+ FNP due to the Painboy character. Killing power comes from hidden fists in the unit. Optional +2 Strength weapons and one shot flamers as above. Special banner will make the unit WS5 and any attached bosses WS6, can have re-roll ld tests wargear in there too.

The Warbosses raise the otherwise crappy ld7 to ld9 and can tank S10 hits on their T6, but usually they just hide in the unit. The unit will roll up the field someplace and smash gak up, with the bosses frequently splitting off to zoom into anything that 5-6 WS5 S10 AP1 unwieldy attacks can hurt on.

The unit is also scoring due to Warbosses each allowing one scoring Nob unit, and sometimes, especially with smaller stars, can appear in doubles.

This is a small one, but in imperial guard you have the "harkerstar"

It's a squad of 10 veterans, that have taken the camo-cloak upgrade (to get stealth), and take the sergeant upgrade character Harker (to get shrouded).

It's just 10 guardsmen, but they're all BS4, and basically have a permanent 2+ cover save so long as they're behind any kind of cover. Either you do this with 3x plasma guns and a lascannon, or you do this with 2x flamers, a heavy flamer, and a heavy bolter (harker also comes with a free heavy bolter) which creates a squad that's mean in overwatch and pretty firmly camps on objectives.

Not the killiest of things, but it's a "star" nonetheless.

I run a mini star which I call flank star with my wolves. Wolf priest with saga of the hunter and combi-plasma, a ten man grey hunter pack with 2 plasma guns a wolf standard and motw, as well as a wolf guard pack leader with a tda and a cml. Can put out 18 bolt shots, 6 plasma shots, and 2 krak missiles with preferred enemy, fearless, stealth, and outflank. Can be improved by adding divination rune priests as well. ~350-650 points. Fun stuff! Also, on the turn the pack leader is in a challenge and you have use the wolf standard, he has a rerollable 2+ armour save!

Beaststar:

5 Beastmasters with 5 Khymera each. (they have 5++ save and 4 attacks on charge)

A jetSeer may be added to try for fortune and other buffing abilities. 2 can be added to almost guarantee it.

Baron may be added to give grenades and a 2++ tank save and Hit and Run, but slows the unit down.

Selections of Kymerah may be substituted for 2 Razorwing Flocks for more attacks (rending).

I've tried out a blob-star and really liked it especially in mellee.

50-strong ig platoon [3 power axes on sarges, 2 vox casters, 30 krak grenades, 3 meltas] + Platoon command squad [vox caster] - 385 pts
Tigurius - 165 pts
Xeno inquisitor [psychostroke grenades, Rad Grenades, Liber Heresius, 3 servo-sculls, Power armor, ML1] - 117 pts

667 total, i think you can play with the loadout to make it 666 pts if you want.

They're usually accompanied by:
50 conscripts - 200 pts
Comissar lord [power fist] - 85 pts

That's not a common deathstar but they do wreck stuff in mellee thanks to inquisitor and Tigurius's psypowers. Also, they boast nice close-ranged 12'-24' firepower. They're pretty durable with 4++ or fnp+relentless or both depending on what powers you roll. A scoutmove from liber heresius helps with mobility a bit and can provide them with nice buffs like counter-attack or fear. I've lost count on how many monstrous creatures and bikes they've wrecked in mellee.

Powers:
-Bodycount and an excellent bauble-wrap for your chimeras and russes (yep, a deathstar that can bauble-wrap quite nicely) and you can occupy half of the board with them if you want.
-Fairly resilient but depend on psy-powers, however, Tigurius is pretty reliable with rerolls.
-Frightening mellee capabilities. They really do wreck everything in mellee thanks to inquisitor's nades and psy-buffs-debuffs
-Nice deny the witch with ml3 on Tiggy
-Great close-ranged firepower and if you got a CCS or PCS around - they throw a ton of lazgun wounds
-Scoring
-If they get focused down - you can just switch the squad with all your indeps. Tigurius and Xeno inquisitor can buff even conscripts to the point of being quite decent.
-If they don't outright kill stuff in mellee - it's pretty likely that they'll get stuck for another turn thus get protection from shooting cause they suffer a number of casualties too, but have ld10 with stubborn.
-Unlike most deathstars they're fun to play with or against and are not considered a no-brain unit like O'Vesa star or Seerstar.

Weaknesses:
-They're slow. General infantry that can only move up to 6+d6
-They're vulnerable to strong barrages that can snipe out indeps. But it's somewhat mitigated by look out, sirs and 4++ or Eternal warrior that can be aquired with Endurance.
-Large footprint is a downside of bodycount
-Dependant on psy-powers though, it's somewhat negated by Tiguriuse's rerolling. If you want to get 4++ all the time - you can take Azrael instead, he'll also give fearless instead of ld10

 Aleph-Sama wrote:
I run a mini star which I call flank star with my wolves. Wolf priest with saga of the hunter and combi-plasma, a ten man grey hunter pack with 2 plasma guns a wolf standard and motw, as well as a wolf guard pack leader with a tda and a cml. Can put out 18 bolt shots, 6 plasma shots, and 2 krak missiles with preferred enemy, fearless, stealth, and outflank. Can be improved by adding divination rune priests as well. ~350-650 points. Fun stuff! Also, on the turn the pack leader is in a challenge and you have use the wolf standard, he has a rerollable 2+ armour save!

Why a Wolf Standard AND Preffered Enemy, if you don't mind my asking?


As far as other Stars go... Space Marines using Iron Warriors has a decent one.
A decked out Chapter Master with a bike, Artificer Armor, the Shield Eternal and a Thunder Hammer. (Or Burning Blade.) Attach a unit of bikes with Grav-Guns. (Alternately, use their supplement to swap the Shield for a Gorgons Chain.)
For extra Lols, ally in Space Wolves and swap the bikes for Thunderwolf Cavalry, then add a Rune Priest on a bike to get Divination. If you just want Divination but don't care for Thunderwolves, Dark Angels work just fine.
Really, it's a delivery system for the Chapter Master.

Waaaghpower wrote:

 Aleph-Sama wrote:
I run a mini star which I call flank star with my wolves. Wolf priest with saga of the hunter and combi-plasma, a ten man grey hunter pack with 2 plasma guns a wolf standard and motw, as well as a wolf guard pack leader with a tda and a cml. Can put out 18 bolt shots, 6 plasma shots, and 2 krak missiles with preferred enemy, fearless, stealth, and outflank. Can be improved by adding divination rune priests as well. ~350-650 points. Fun stuff! Also, on the turn the pack leader is in a challenge and you have use the wolf standard, he has a rerollable 2+ armour save!

Why a Wolf Standard AND Preffered Enemy, if you don't mind my asking?


As far as other Stars go... Space Marines using Iron Warriors has a decent one.
A decked out Chapter Master with a bike, Artificer Armor, the Shield Eternal and a Thunder Hammer. (Or Burning Blade.) Attach a unit of bikes with Grav-Guns. (Alternately, use their supplement to swap the Shield for a Gorgons Chain.)
For extra Lols, ally in Space Wolves and swap the bikes for Thunderwolf Cavalry, then add a Rune Priest on a bike to get Divination. If you just want Divination but don't care for Thunderwolves, Dark Angels work just fine.
Really, it's a delivery system for the Chapter Master.

Wolf standard works on armour saves, charge distance, overwatch, and motw. Well worth 10 points.

Seer council usually contains;
2 Farseers
5-6 warlocks
The Baron
All on bikes, and I prefer them with singing spears for S9 shooting. The baron grants stealth, grenades, and hit and run. Hope for Fortune from the Farseer, and protect from the warlocks. 2+ cover and armour rerolling, plus 4++ rerolling along with LoS shenanigans. Also, fleshbane and armourbanes attacks. Give one farseer the Shard so the squad is fearless without a psychic power.

Waaaghpower wrote:

For extra Lols, ally in Space Wolves and swap the bikes for Thunderwolf Cavalry, then add a Rune Priest on a bike to get Divination. If you just want Divination but don't care for Thunderwolves, Dark Angels work just fine.
Really, it's a delivery system for the Chapter Master.

Unfortunately, units containing models riding thunderwllves cannot be joined by models not riding thunderwolves (Fenrisian Wolves being the only exception.

I've been running a version of the 'Priest Bomb' with my Sisters of Battle.

Jacobus (gives counter attack and your Sisters a 5++ if he's your warlord)
2 x priests it maces
1 x priest with and luterines of faith (auto pass war hymns)
2 x Xenos Inquisitors Rad and Psykotoke, ML1 and hammer hand, one has the 'scout book'.
20 battle Sisters , flamer heavy flamer.

I think this config runs me about 700pts. The awesome comes from rad nades making the enermy unit -1t, and +2s on your own dudes from hamme hand. The priests make the squad super nasty with 2 getting you powrs to reroll to would rolls and the other giving you rerolls on armour/invuls. The other 2 (usually the ones with maces) will be either S7 or S10 if you have your base attacks and at ap2.

The reaction I get from people is usually in theregion of 'they do what?!!'.

D

 gregor_xenos wrote:
Beaststar:

5 Beastmasters with 5 Khymera each. (they have 4++ save and 4 attacks on charge)

A jetSeer may be added to try for fortune and other buffing abilities. 2 can be added to almost guarantee it. A jetseer must be brought with a Shard of Anaris for Fearless.

Baron may be added to give grenades and a 2++ tank save and Hit and Run. He does NOT slow the unit down (he is jump infantry).

Selections of Kymerah may be substituted for 2 Razorwing Flocks for more attacks (rending). Razorwings can also tank S5 and lower attacks since they have 5 wounds each.

I made corrections to your post in bold.

In my experience, if you run 25 khymera, roll for fortune. If you run more birds, roll for Invisibility.

If you are running a PURE beastpack (Baron, 25 Khymera, 2 Farseers), expect the unit to cost about 700 points. The Razorwing flocks are 1/2 the price of the Khymera, however, so more birds in the unit means more total wounds and cheaper.

Somewhat less popular after O'vesa came out but still a powerful deathstar is the Farsight bomb.

Farsight
Buffmander with all the toys
7 bodyguards
4 with dual plasma
2 with dual melta and target locks
10-14 gun drones 0-2 shield drones

Can replace the buffmander with a buff bodyguards and use Shadowsun for the perma-4+ cover save. Weapons can be change to suit preference but are almost always a mix of plasma, melta and missiles added in last and target locks to taste.

This is about 1000 points and gives an insane amount of firepower that is twin-linked, ignores cover, and has tank/monster hunter, that can be spread out to 3-4 targets per turn and with Shadowsun can thrust move 3d6 with 4+ cover in the open

 FirePainter wrote:
Somewhat less popular after O'vesa came out but still a powerful deathstar is the Farsight bomb.

Farsight
Buffmander with all the toys
7 bodyguards
4 with dual plasma
2 with dual melta and target locks
10-14 gun drones 0-2 shield drones

Can replace the buffmander with a buff bodyguards and use Shadowsun for the perma-4+ cover save. Weapons can be change to suit preference but are almost always a mix of plasma, melta and missiles added in last and target locks to taste.

This is about 1000 points and gives an insane amount of firepower that is twin-linked, ignores cover, and has tank/monster hunter, that can be spread out to 3-4 targets per turn and with Shadowsun can thrust move 3d6 with 4+ cover in the open

Actually that build is lacking, remove the buff!ander and add shadowsun for the 2+ cover, put the support systems on a bodyguard and add an optional farseer or SM Libby if needed.

Jakobokaj wrote:

 FirePainter wrote:
Somewhat less popular after O'vesa came out but still a powerful deathstar is the Farsight bomb.

Farsight
Buffmander with all the toys
7 bodyguards
4 with dual plasma
2 with dual melta and target locks
10-14 gun drones 0-2 shield drones

Can replace the buffmander with a buff bodyguards and use Shadowsun for the perma-4+ cover save. Weapons can be change to suit preference but are almost always a mix of plasma, melta and missiles added in last and target locks to taste.

This is about 1000 points and gives an insane amount of firepower that is twin-linked, ignores cover, and has tank/monster hunter, that can be spread out to 3-4 targets per turn and with Shadowsun can thrust move 3d6 with 4+ cover in the open

Actually that build is lacking, remove the buff!ander and add shadowsun for the 2+ cover, put the support systems on a bodyguard and add an optional farseer or SM Libby if needed.

I did mention the option of adding Shadowsun. I did forget to put in anything on allies though and while the no scatter GOI is nice I prefer the 3d6 thrust move. A farseer could be good if you get rerolls on saves but not sure it adds to much else.

 Krellnus wrote:
The O'vesastar:

Farsight, O'vesa (an IC riptide with IA), a Riptide with IA and target lock and an allied tau commander with the re-rolls to hit and ignores cover wargear, all join the Riptide with IA and target lock.

It is majority T6 with 2+ saves and is able to throw out 2 S8 AP2 large blasts at 72" range with re-roll scatter and ignores cover.

Personally I like the Heavy burst cannon, velocity tracker, target lock riptide in the unit instead, does an excellent job of wrecking up vehicles, flyers and FMCs. I find its much more tactically flexible.

Chaostar ?

MoK AoBF lord on jugger
Unmarked ML 3 sorcerer on bike
Both in a maxed unit of spawns/bikers/raptors. Use IoW for maximum fun.

blackarmchair wrote:

Waaaghpower wrote:

For extra Lols, ally in Space Wolves and swap the bikes for Thunderwolf Cavalry, then add a Rune Priest on a bike to get Divination. If you just want Divination but don't care for Thunderwolves, Dark Angels work just fine.
Really, it's a delivery system for the Chapter Master.

Unfortunately, units containing models riding thunderwllves cannot be joined by models not riding thunderwolves (Fenrisian Wolves being the only exception.

Not quite. A model riding a Thunderwolf cannot join any unit except other thunderwolves or fenrisian wolves. However, the rule doesn't apply visa versa. For some reason.

I hate the wraithstart. Destroyer Lord with MSS and WS with 3-6 wraiths with whip coils. If I remember right its around 470 points-ish.

On the Marine side, a Land Raider Redeemer or Crusader stocked with 5 TH/SS Terminators and a Terminator Chaplain rings in between 700 and 800 points. The basic concept can be improved with other characters, of course.

Not too much of a star but the Space Marine Grav Command Squad.

Tanking Chap Master w/ Bike, SoE, Thunder Hammer, Arti Armour
5x Man Command Squad w/ Bikes, 4x Grav Guns, Apothecary.

450+ Points

Not as popular in 6th as 5th (ie no longer broken) but the Draigowing/Draigostar:

Lord Draigo
10x Paladins w/ 1x Apothecary for FNP, 4x Psycannons, 1x banner to auto pass force weapon activation, nemesis force weapons as preferred and and a psyker inquistor for prescience (or Coteaz for a possible 4++ and prescience). Can also add a grenade caddy inquisitor or take one as a level one psyker for prescience.

Ok so what do we think about the GraVesa Star? Mixing the O'Vesa and Grav. stars. It is a super expensive (point and cost) unit, but it is VERY strong. What do you think about the idea, I have a list that is pretty balanced too

 RavenGuard55 wrote:
I hate the wraithstart. Destroyer Lord with MSS and WS with 3-6 wraiths with whip coils. If I remember right its around 470 points-ish.

If you think THAT'S bad, wait 'till you meet the Spyder-Star:
• Zahndrekh
• Obyron
• Destroyer Lord (MSS, Weave, Warscythe)
• 3x Spyders (1x Gloom Prism)

Majority toughness 6, tons of wounds, 2+ saves, 3++ inv present, protection from psykers, Fearless, Preferred Enemy, AP1/AP2 all over the place, MCs so smash attacks, S7 Warscythes, Mindshackle Scarabs, the ability to Furious Charge/Counter Attack/Hit And Run/etc... and worst of all, the ability to remove those rules from enemy units (no hit and run for you, Beast Pack).

Unlike the Royal Court Disco Inferno, which is possibly deadlier but is seen more of a "just for fun" deathstar, the Spyder-Star is serious business.
Turn one it's in your grill, thanks to Obyron's teleportation. You've got one turn to shoot it before it charges, because once it does charge, it's probably going to wipe out its target.

With the loss of Biomancy, Tyranid death stars have suffered a pretty hard blow, with the old Swarmstar being pretty dead. You could replace it with three guards, a prime, and the swarmy, but it's not the same..

 RavenGuard55 wrote:
I hate the wraithstart. Destroyer Lord with MSS and WS with 3-6 wraiths with whip coils. If I remember right its around 470 points-ish.

Kutlakh the world killer/Necron overlord MSS SW Warscythe, Phylactery, Resorb, Phase Shifter/Zandrekh and Obyron
Necron Lord MSS SW, Warscythe, Resorb, Phase Shifter
Necron Lord MSS SW, Warscythe, Resorb, Phase Shifter
Necron Lord MSS SW, Warscythe, Resorb, Phase Shifter
Necron Lord MSS SW, Warscythe, Resorb, Phase Shifter
Necron Lord MSS SW, Warscythe, Resorb, Phase Shifter
Your choice of harbingers.

The royal court disco inferno; it crushes just about everything without a 2++ rerollable in assault with ease.

Jetseer council? Lol.

Nob bikers? Don't make me laugh.

Swarmstar? Even in it's glory days they wouldn't stand a chance.

Abaddon star? Hahahah.

Chapter Master Smashfether? Pfft weaksauce.

Carnifex stampede? WHY ARE YOU HITTING YOURSELF!?

On the note of the Carnifex stampede:

Three carnifexes.

Each with Crushing claws, regeneration, adrenal glands (for fleet because you want to be absolutely sure of your charge), toxin sacs, scything talons, and frag-spines. Maybe the other bells and whistles if you want them. Have a Venomthrope to place down shrouded on them, and someone with Catalyst to get some FNP loving, maybe Preferred Enemy too if you can (possibly from the Aforementioned Swarmlord Hurtstar).

That's twelve T6 shrouded wounds with FNP, Regeneration, and MEQ armor saves.

On the charge they inflict d3 hammer of wrath hits at S9 each, enough to ruin most vehicles and dump some serious wounds in one go.

Then they all swing for even more attacks.

It's very expensive, but it destroys most units it touches.

It does make me miss mutations and the ability to get 2+ saves on Fexes though.