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.

Hey again everyone,

I was thinking of starting an Iron Hands force to be part of my Crusade Fleet along with some Mechanicum and eventually Solar Auxilia. I want to keep it fluffy but competitive, so I have stuck with a mixture of tanks and infantry, with plenty of experimental weaponry. This is what I have come up with so far:

HQ
Castrmen Orth - Rides in the Sicaran

TROOPS
Legion Tactical Squad x15 - Sgt with AA, Melta Bombs, Power Axe, Legion Vexilla
Legion Tactical Squad x15 - Sgt with AA, Melta Bombs, Power Axe, Legion Vexilla
Legion Tac Support Squad x10 - Sgt with AA and Bolter/Scanner, 9x Calivers

ELITES
Apothecarion Detachment x2 - AA, Scanners (one for each of the Tac Squads)
Legion Rapier Battery x3 - Graviton Cannons

HEAVY SUPPORT
Deredeo - Aiolos, Autosimulacra
Legion Predator Squadron x3 - 1x Heavy Conversion Beamber & Machine Spirit, 2x Autocannons, All with Lascannon Sponsons and Autosimulacra
Sicaran Battle Tank - Ceramite, Autosimulacra, Lascannon Sponsons

Essentially the plan would be for the Tac Squads to move up and grab objectives while the rest of the force sits back and blows stuff up. Simple and brutal, just how the IH would prefer I imagine.

Changes I've considered:
1. Swap Deredeo for a Venator - I already have the Deredeo which helps, and it's great AA.
2. Drop a Rapier for something else - not sure what. I think with Grav Cannons it's go big or go home and grav fits the IH theme nicely.
3. Drop the 3rd Predator - go for 2 with HCB's (cos why not?!).
4. I would love to get a Contemptor in there. Either a Mortis with 2x Lascannons (maybe drop the Deredeo for it?) or a dual-fits with grav Dread to Hulk smash things. If going melee Contemptors I'd ideally want to have 2 (one for each Tac Squad).

Thoughts?

I must ask, why no IW RoW?

Ok few things I'm curious about

I didn't know iron hands could give there vehicles autosimulacra, thought it was mech only.

The machine spirit on the pred with the heavy conversion beamer is totally pointless, since it cannot move and shoot, why have you taken it?

I also would like to know why no row?

 Formosa wrote:
Ok few things I'm curious about

I didn't know iron hands could give there vehicles autosimulacra, thought it was mech only.

The machine spirit on the pred with the heavy conversion beamer is totally pointless, since it cannot move and shoot, why have you taken it?

I also would like to know why no row?

Autosimulacra is for everything, yeah. As for the Machine Spirit, don't forget it still allows you to fire at a different target, as well as allowing you to fire after getting shaken or stunned. It's 25 points of tactical flexibility, which I've used to pretty good effect as-so-far.

 combat engineer wrote:
I must ask, why no IW RoW?

Would need one more compulsory troop choice?

Btw, what that HQ? where it can be found?

 Morhgoz wrote:

 combat engineer wrote:
I must ask, why no IW RoW?

Would need one more compulsory troop choice?

Btw, what that HQ? where it can be found?

HH Book 2; it's a Tank commander specific to the IH. Makes the tank he's in BS5 and Tank Hunter, which is pretty sweet.

exsanguis wrote:
Hey again everyone,

I was thinking of starting an Iron Hands force to be part of my Crusade Fleet along with some Mechanicum and eventually Solar Auxilia. I want to keep it fluffy but competitive, so I have stuck with a mixture of tanks and infantry, with plenty of experimental weaponry. This is what I have come up with so far:

HQ
Castrmen Orth - Rides in the Sicaran

Useful for the BS5 and Tank Hunters rule when in the Sicaran. Too bad his warlord trait is largely crap (ramming has never impressed me yet)

TROOPS
Legion Tactical Squad x15 - Sgt with AA, Melta Bombs, Power Axe, Legion Vexilla
Legion Tactical Squad x15 - Sgt with AA, Melta Bombs, Power Axe, Legion Vexilla
Legion Tac Support Squad x10 - Sgt with AA and Bolter/Scanner, 9x Calivers

Good sized tactical squads. Is the Augury Scanner really worth giving up the support sergeant's caliver? Do you face that many infiltrators and deep strikes?

ELITES
Apothecarion Detachment x2 - AA, Scanners (one for each of the Tac Squads)
Legion Rapier Battery x3 - Graviton Cannons

I would try for three Apothecaries, to have one in the Support Squad as well. That way the support sergeant can keep his special weapon, and the apothecary brings the scanner. Plus, that support squad will be under a lot of fire, so the Apothecary helps them to survive.
Graviton cannons....aren't good. None of the 30K grav weapons (apart from the imploder) are good. Sure, that patch of dangerous terrain it creates can be useful, but I would say the other rapier options (laser destroyer for armor, quad mortar for infantry and light armor) are better choices.

Yeh the Machine Spirit for the HCB Predator is so the HCB can shoot at a different target to the Lascannons - sometimes the range might make it a less effective tank hunter and more effective infantry killer.

I might fiddle with it a bit more tomorrow and post an updated version. I'm trying to find a nice mix between fluff and competitiveness. Speaking of which, has anyone had much success with foot-slogging Gorgons and Immortals?