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I'm just beginning an AM army and am trying to plan out a workable core theme before i begin plopping down big $ for models

i'm starting with the cadian defense force and building up from that so i have a very core platoon and a LR, basically the core needed in practically any army


my question is this, rather than massive blob squads or the rolling mech armies i've seen so many of, (usually losing if youtube battle reports are any indication)

i've got an idea for a core army based on a couple quick principles:

1. the "core" infantry maybe reinforced with a VSG as my back lines, job is take and hold objectives in or very near deployment zones

2. a combination of battery forces, i'm thinking 2 wyverns and a manticore or a basilisk as the core, job is to pick 1-2 objectives on the enemy side and batter the hell out of it, making group 3 drop in for cleanup

3. a combination of rapid take and hold units, deep striking tempestus, 2x vendetta and i'm debating maybe the "holy requisitioner" formation added from cult mechanicus for perfect deep striking mop-up crew almost guaranteed turn 2



basically its a shock and awe style tactic, secure what's mine in deployment, bombard the crap out of 1-2 key enemy held objectives on turn 1, drop in turn 2 with clean up crews behind enemy lines... does this style of play work for anyone else?

clearly this is massive oversimplification, and there are many considerations to be made, like if planning to ally cult mechanicus i'd likely bring in 2 kastelan robots to assist in defense of my core, and i'd likely need to fill in some gaps dealing with super heavies, etc...

but in general does anyone else use an army with a similar play style, or play against somebody who does, how does it work for you?

One thing to keep in mind is how many points do you plan on playing and then go from there as well.

obviously it will start as less and build up

but it seems 1850-2000 is the goal number to be able to play competitive so that's where I'm headed

I guess you'd need something to be able to deal with deep strikers/pods in the rear. Probably something more than just basic infantry sitting at the back. Then again, Wyverns are cheap, so even if they pop early it's not a big deal.

Also worth keeping high strength weapons in mind for taking out big stuff like monstrous creatures etc.

Are you planning to use just the 1 Leman Russ, or get 1 - 2 more?

Will the Tempestus have sufficient wounds to remain alive at the objectives for a number of turns if they're gonna be there from turn 2?

Consider carefully what will happen if your reserves are delayed badly.

I use pask with three punisher Leman Russ as my face breakers, supported by a horde of chimeras/squads. Not traditional blob, but the chimeras can move damn fast to grab objectives, and I have 7 ob sec units when you include the obligatory veterans tax.

this also allows me to have three heavy support slots, splitting my three wyverns into three seperate slots, which drastically increases their surviability.

And I agree wit the comment above, I think you need to start with points values before you can make your decisions; i think that you may be diluting the army too much by adding scions AND Ad Mech...

Something to consider is a Skyshield landing pad. For 80 points you can start one of your vendettas on the board, and I can fit three wyverns and a squad of vets on top of tat thing as well, and everything on top gets a 4+ invulnerable. It will leave you less at the mercy of bad reserves rolls. (The vets spread out after the plain takes off to prevent people deep striking onto the pad behind the wyverns).

Wyverns and Vendettas are always good. Manticore is too (multiwound model squashing duty).

Big fan.

As for forward units, I suppose it depends on the points you have to spend but I recommend Militarum Tempestus allies for the Scions you wantto take. their orders are quite excellent and their Ground attack formation is equally excellent. Anytime you disembark, twin linked. Whuuuuut. But yes! Optionally you can employ less expensive (than Vendettas) Valkyries with missiles going off every turn and take the Air-cav approach. Totally a taste thing there, though it leaves you somewhat hurting against aerial enemies and you'll miss the Vendettas.

Wyverns are one of the greatest units Guard has in their codex. I strongly recommend running 2 of them in every game, they always do work for me and easily earn their points back. Manticores are pretty good too.

Camouflage and an Aegis line make the Wyverns very hard to kill as well. Food for thought.