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.

So I've read a number of opinions that Magnus isn't that great on the competitive scene, but he's really tough to face in casual games. Well, I play with a casual group and one of the players recently got Magnus. Incidentally, he finally won his first game last week using the big guy. I'm facing this player tomorrow, and am not sure how scared I need to be. I thought I'd do a little homework on the forums.

From what I remember from last week the player had:
Magnus
A few squads of Thousand Sons in Rhinos
Some oblits
I wanna say there were some Knorne berserkes in there but I'm not sure if there was a CSM detachment or not.

We play at 1250/1500 and my list is:
CSM DP , 2 x talons, Intoxicating Elixir
Oblits
Predator
Vindicator or Maulerfiend or Defiler

Herald Of Slaanesh on Steed
Herald Of Slaanesh
3x10 Demonettes
8-10 Seekers

If we play 1500 I usually add in the KoS, but could always add in a fourth CSM heavy. I do like casting Hysterical Frenzy on my DP though.

With my army, what's the best way for me to handle Magnus? I was thinking of taking Death Hex on the DP instead of his usual Warptime, but beyond that I don't really have a plan.

Also, I'm not sure if this player has his TS codex yet, so he may be using the index version of Magnus. I know Magnus got nerfed in the codex. Is it reasonable to ask the player to use the codex version? Is that bad form? What's the etiquette in a case like this?

It's up to you but codex is technically the only way to play it canon. You are going to have a hard time. Deathhex will probably get denied. That said if you are running a quad lascannon predator, oblits roll high (3 dmg) you may gib him if he overextends remember you roll damage before you chose targeting. He only has a 4++ with 7T so the damage adds up fast. I would consider bringing the defiler or the vindicator here - the defiler is scary enough on the charge it could cripple him severely and adds some ranged pressure - while the vindicator has the range and damage - but you might be in trouble if he gets in close (remember he has a large base so you can manage his charge priority first turn even with warptime).

Oblits and pred will clean him up in a turn or two without too much trouble. Magnus isn't 'that' tough really if you focus fire him down.

I think if Magnus gets to cast, you can't kill him any more. 3++ with -1 to be hit and healing d3 wounds a turn is not a joke. If you get him before he gets to cast, ie first turn alpha strike then you might have a chance to oneshot him with all your army shooting.

That being said, you really only need to deny him hth. Outside hth, Magnus really is a 450 pt buff bot.

topaxygouroun i wrote:
I think if Magnus gets to cast, you can't kill him any more. 3++ with -1 to be hit and healing d3 wounds a turn is not a joke. If you get him before he gets to cast, ie first turn alpha strike then you might have a chance to oneshot him with all your army shooting.

That being said, you really only need to deny him hth. Outside hth, Magnus really is a 450 pt buff bot.

If those are the 3 powers magnus picked then you can just laugh at your opponent.
He should be taking Glamour, Weaver and Warptime. Potentially even dropping glamour for Death hex.
The healing is a joke D3 wounds back is garbage in comparison to anything else magnus can do.

Thanks for the tips. We will be playing 1500, I'll take the Defiler and Vindicator instead of the KoS.

Sneggy wrote:
Oblits and pred will clean him up in a turn or two without too much trouble. Magnus isn't 'that' tough really if you focus fire him down.

This. Honestly, a couple squads of Oblits should take him down with little trouble, with or without buffs. Especially if you get the first turn, if you can put shots on him before Weaver is up, he's a joke.

Perfectly fair to ask for the Codex variant. It should be widely available.

He should be using the latest version of the rules - everyone should.

As for how to kill Magnus, there are two ways: on turn 1 before he gets going, or with considerable difficulty.

If using the second option, take heart and remember that damage tends to stick on him once it's been done. Focus him down until he's dead.

Here's what not to do: stick a few wounds on him, get depressed, change your mind and attack other stuff. Once you've got started you need to finish him.

To be honest magnus codex edition isn't the op monster the index version was just keep hitting him and he will go down and bracketing him reduces his casting power

I went first and put everything I had into Magnus: Oblits with Endless Cacaphony and Veterans of the Long War, my Defiler with Daemonforge, and my quad las pred (my Vindicator was out of range). After spending four CP and unloading all of that into Magnus I had him down to 3 wounds.

On the following turn Magnus was up to 7 wounds due shaman healing. I again focused him, but this time the oblits were locked in combat. I used Daemonforge again on the Defiler. My opponent saved against all of the lascannon wounds. I was worried because after my second shooting phase Magnus still had 3 wounds remaining, but my DP was able to charge him and barely finish him off with four damage.

We were playing a Maelstrom of War mission and I got crazy lucky on the first two rounds with my cards, by the end of the second round I was up 9-0 on VP. With Magnus gone and behind by so much my opponent conceded after the second round. My first battle against Magnus was somewhat anti-climatic.

As always, thanks for the tips, focusing Magnus down certainly worked in this case.

Yeah, post Codex Magnus is nowhere near as scary as he was before. My game against him was pretty disappointing.