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With the recent completion of my fully convertible Baneblade I have been considering trying out the new Hammerblow formation but I was curious on any feedback about this monster. Has anyone tried this formation out on the tabletop or better yet in a competitive setting?

For those who dont know it consists of

1 CCS (in Chimera)
1 Platoon (in Chimeras)
1 Scout Sentinel
1 Scion Unit
1 Valkyrie
1 Squadron of Leman Russes
1 Baneblade

Rules: All infantry units have Obsec and stubborn, Baneblade and LR squad are twinlinked if their target is within 12" of a unit in the formation, scions must be in Valk, Valk must deep strike and does not scatter if within 12" of scout sentinel.

Overall very cool but has some interesting mixes. Do you max out on infantry to take advantage of Obsec? do you go all out on Russes and hope you have enough stuff in play to make it TLed? Theres not much room to wiggle points wise because I think it starts in the 1300 range.

I'm honestly not a fan as it forces you to take the worst options of everything available:

Scout sentinels are only useful in clouds, Scions need to MSU to survive, the valkyrie isn't worth the plastic it's made of , and the Baneblade has a mere 10" blast lascannon, competing with s10 ap1 ignores cover 10"/7" with an extra demolisher cannon, BS4 large blast D, and heavy 30 s6 ap3 with transport.

In return all you get is 2 more obsecs, and since you have to make all the platoon corps(e)men mechanised, no blob to benefit from stubborn.

Now for style points it's alright, bonus points if you can get all the guardsmen with respirators for Steel Legion or something.

malamis wrote:
I'm honestly not a fan as it forces you to take the worst options of everything available:

Scout sentinels are only useful in clouds, Scions need to MSU to survive, the valkyrie isn't worth the plastic it's made of , and the Baneblade has a mere 10" blast lascannon, competing with s10 ap1 ignores cover 10"/7" with an extra demolisher cannon, BS4 large blast D, and heavy 30 s6 ap3 with transport.

In return all you get is 2 more obsecs, and since you have to make all the platoon corps(e)men mechanised, no blob to benefit from stubborn.

Now for style points it's alright, bonus points if you can get all the guardsmen with respirators for Steel Legion or something.

I can do steel legion on them, thats actually the plan! (and I have a cool urban camo to use on my tanks)

I've been using BattleGroup Hammerblow.

Won in a small 1650pts 8 man tourney with it (played Tyranids (won), Knights + Marines (tied), and Guard (won) ). I also took it to the Broadside Bash and went 2-3. (Guard + Knight (lost), Demons + Dark Eldar (Won), Space Marines + Eldar (lost), Knights + AdMech (lost) and Sisters of Battle + Space Marines. (won) )

First, it's a really fun list to play, and deceptively competitive.

Obsec + Stubborn 10 man squads are good and tougher to deal with than the average opponent gives them credit for usually. The twin linked Leman (go for the Punisher) is absolutely no joke the punisher cannon wiped enemy units reliably and the multi-melta sponsons handled some Knights.

The Baneblade: what it IS is overcosted, what it is NOT is weak. Every single game I had people knew it probably would be a threat but if they didn't handle it it would win me the game. I had the good fortune of playing Reece Robbins from Frontline Gaming at the Broadside Bash and he gave a quick rundown of what he thought about Hammerblow (and the Baneblade!) on their podcast. (linked with timestamp https://youtu.be/HpWrhRwwqI4?t=1h3m42s)

The secret sauce as far as I'm concerned is the Scions and Valkyrie, they start in deep strike reserves embarked on the Valkyrie (in ITC deep striking flyers can choose to come in Hover or Zooming, player's choice) and can choose to come in on the start of ANY of your turns including the first (or wait as long as you like!) Deep Striking transports can disembark their units on the turn they deep strike so enjoy you're odd flyer drop pod and get those scions where you need them! This also creates a non allied way for Guard to Null Deploy and this has thrown my opponents for an absolute loop in a few games. Paired with taking the simple company commander as Warlord and hitting a solid Strategic Trait roll I've been able to get everything in turn 2 or outflank/infiltrate all my obsec troops. It has been some of my finest moments playing Guard having my opponent out of position for the Baneblade to come in and unleash hell.

I do hope you play this list, it's become my standard loadout for my guard.

Thanks for the link and the rundown SilvaStandard, this formation actually sounds really interesting now, especially the possibility of null deploy which I had not even considered. I may have to try this out.

What exactly are all the bonuses this formation gives? Specifically I can't find anything about the Valkyrie being able to come in turn one, but I can't find a complete list of formation benefits anywhere.

BattleScribe has the full formation rules, uploaded by someone who purchased the bundle. The Ob Sec and Twin Linked rules were able to be seen on the pictures of BattleGroup Hammerblow but the full wording for 'Rapid Response' which lays out how to deploy the Scions and Valkyrie I've only seen in BattleScribe.

SilvaStandard wrote:
BattleScribe has the full formation rules, uploaded by someone who purchased the bundle. The Ob Sec and Twin Linked rules were able to be seen on the pictures of BattleGroup Hammerblow but the full wording for 'Rapid Response' which lays out how to deploy the Scions and Valkyrie I've only seen in BattleScribe.

That sounds like it has a lot of potential now with the new flyer rules! if you're the only one you can potentially get a nice bonus to your reserves roll for your null deploy! Interestingly enough i actually got the idea to try the Hammerblow (and coincidentally an all Scion list since I have the Primes) from Reece's article about your match up!

I just ran 2k hammerblow and I love it!!! My List is as follow

BaneBlade 2lascannon/2 hvy bolter sponsons
Scions *7 2 metla guns
Valkrie
CCS 3 plasma guns vox caster
Infantry platoon pcs 4x grenade launchers MB 2 platoons flamer MB
1 Lemun Russ punisher 3 HBs 2 exterminators 3 HBs
3 sentinels 2 auto cannon, 1 missile launcher

My hands are forced by WYSIWYG but overall I love the synergy this formation has... I table my dark Angels opponent tonight by weight of fire power. It's mobile, and can be defensive or offensive. I only wish I could take a vendetta instead of a Valkyrie... All my chims are ML HB too

I really like the formation and I'm only 2 chimeras and the baneblade away from fielding it, i have a few questions though.
Should this formation be kept low points wise, say around the 1500 mark so stuff like Pask/inquisitors/assassins can be included? Or should it be maxed out with double sets of sponsons on the Baneblade, multipul scout sents with auto cannons or lascannons, multipul leman russ's (pretty sold on punishers with tripple HB's), or hell even maxing out the infantry platoon to 4-5 obsec squads in chimeras with special and heavy weapons.

Hoping to get a convo started about this, as this formation has me properly excited about guard for the first time in a while, I love that it gives a set of bonus's that rely on good game play rather than just giving blanket buffs regardless of tactical skill.

SilvaStandard wrote:
The Baneblade: what it IS is overcosted, what it is NOT is weak. Every single game I had people knew it probably would be a threat but if they didn't handle it it would win me the game. I had the good fortune of playing Reece Robbins from Frontline Gaming at the Broadside Bash and he gave a quick rundown of what he thought about Hammerblow (and the Baneblade!) on their podcast. (linked with timestamp https://youtu.be/HpWrhRwwqI4?t=1h3m42s)

I read that report. Really cool game with two armies incorporating a lot of off-meta units, good on ya for killing that IK on T1 to keep things old school. Hammerblow strikes me as how formations should have been done, take fluffy unit choices that don't necessarily synergize and make them fun and rewarding to play.

How did you like playing that Scion list?

MrCalamari wrote:
I really like the formation and I'm only 2 chimeras and the baneblade away from fielding it, i have a few questions though.
Should this formation be kept low points wise, say around the 1500 mark so stuff like Pask/inquisitors/assassins can be included? Or should it be maxed out with double sets of sponsons on the Baneblade, multipul scout sents with auto cannons or lascannons, multipul leman russ's (pretty sold on punishers with tripple HB's), or hell even maxing out the infantry platoon to 4-5 obsec squads in chimeras with special and heavy weapons.

Hoping to get a convo started about this, as this formation has me properly excited about guard for the first time in a while, I love that it gives a set of bonus's that rely on good game play rather than just giving blanket buffs regardless of tactical skill.

Hey, I only need 2 chimeras and a Baneblade to field it as well, I'm hoping to get them this summer. I am thinking about Punisher Pask with 2 Exterminator buddies, loaded out with MM sponsons and Lascannons. That squadron packs quite a bit of firepower, basically another Baneblade worth in and of itself, and forces your opponent to decide which of the two threats they need to go for first, the AV14 9 HP Baneblade or the AV14 9 HP Leman Russ Squadron. Then if I had points left I would probably take more Infantry squads to act as more speedbumps to protect the LR or BB. Outflanking Scout Sentinels are also not a bad idea at all... the more I think about this formation the more excited I am to try it out.

ExFideFortis wrote:

MrCalamari wrote:
I really like the formation and I'm only 2 chimeras and the baneblade away from fielding it, i have a few questions though.
Should this formation be kept low points wise, say around the 1500 mark so stuff like Pask/inquisitors/assassins can be included? Or should it be maxed out with double sets of sponsons on the Baneblade, multipul scout sents with auto cannons or lascannons, multipul leman russ's (pretty sold on punishers with tripple HB's), or hell even maxing out the infantry platoon to 4-5 obsec squads in chimeras with special and heavy weapons.

Hoping to get a convo started about this, as this formation has me properly excited about guard for the first time in a while, I love that it gives a set of bonus's that rely on good game play rather than just giving blanket buffs regardless of tactical skill.

Hey, I only need 2 chimeras and a Baneblade to field it as well, I'm hoping to get them this summer. I am thinking about Punisher Pask with 2 Exterminator buddies, loaded out with MM sponsons and Lascannons. That squadron packs quite a bit of firepower, basically another Baneblade worth in and of itself, and forces your opponent to decide which of the two threats they need to go for first, the AV14 9 HP Baneblade or the AV14 9 HP Leman Russ Squadron. Then if I had points left I would probably take more Infantry squads to act as more speedbumps to protect the LR or BB. Outflanking Scout Sentinels are also not a bad idea at all... the more I think about this formation the more excited I am to try it out.

ive noticed a lot of people taking exterminators, which are great tanks, but im wondering if they may be a bit wasted not being able to take advantage of the TL? I was thinking about running either MM or HB dakka boat eradicators so I can pile on the wounds with punisher pask

Well i think they are taking the exterminators with pask as a added Cadian battlegroup to the actual formation, so they wouldn't get the twin linked. As a question, I've seen people suggest a great little battery of 3 vanquishers with hull lascannons as the Leman rus squadron, I like the sound of that but worry its 1, overkill and 2, a lot of points for overkill.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also here is my hammerblow list, 1850, and i have some limitations, only have 1 punisher tank, I'd like to take one in the formation and pask but I'm saving my pennies for the big pappa baneblade, and the eradicator is pretty much only there to screen for pask and put another 3 hp's between him and any anti tank. I diid have vox's on all the infantry but decided i wanted meltas on the infantry squads more than flamers.

Battlegroup Hammerblow:
CCS: Chimera (ML HB), Heavy Flamer, Melta
PCS: Chimera (ML HB), Heavy Flamer, Melta
Infantry Squad X2: Chimera (ML HF), Melta
Vanquisher: Hull lascannon
Militarum Tempestus Squad: 2 meltas
Valk: Rocket Pods
Scout Sent: ML
Baneblade: 1 pair of sponsons (HB)

Cadian Battlegroup:
Tank commander: Pask, Punisher, Lascannon, Multi Meltas
Eradicator.

Yoyoyo wrote:

SilvaStandard wrote:
The Baneblade: what it IS is overcosted, what it is NOT is weak. Every single game I had people knew it probably would be a threat but if they didn't handle it it would win me the game. I had the good fortune of playing Reece Robbins from Frontline Gaming at the Broadside Bash and he gave a quick rundown of what he thought about Hammerblow (and the Baneblade!) on their podcast. (linked with timestamp https://youtu.be/HpWrhRwwqI4?t=1h3m42s)

I read that report. Really cool game with two armies incorporating a lot of off-meta units, good on ya for killing that IK on T1 to keep things old school. Hammerblow strikes me as how formations should have been done, take fluffy unit choices that don't necessarily synergize and make them fun and rewarding to play.

How did you like playing that Scion list?

Awesome that people are trying out this formation and more planned on the way!

Playing Reece's Scions was fun! I guessed that he'd run the taurox's empty to start the game, Deep Strike melta is the bane of many a Guard player and I knew that he might give me the business quick. Reece is a great player and made the most of the game, he beats himself up about misplaying the Knight but he definitely made some smart decisions otherwise to make sure he took this game. I made a really risky move that blew up in my face (literally!) I run my chimeras with dozers for the point of making liberal use of ramming and tank shocking, again themed with my list it's something people don't expect! A strength 8 auto hit from a chimera might be the thing that drops that last hull point on a Knight or other metal box, especially if you don't want to leave it up to the Multi-Laser. I got too cute in the game with Reece, he Death or Gloried with a Melta Gun and blew up the tank shocker! I would have been much better served ordering ignores cover with lasguns. I couldn't effectively challenge my home objective after that and that was the difference.

At 2000pts I definitely think rocking Pask is the way to go as you don't have to compromise Hammerblow really at all to make it happen. At 1850 it's doable but you have to skimp on the Hammerblow Leman Scions and special weapons, At 1850 I've been planning on running a more robust Hammblow instead. I need one more Chimera to be able to rock an extra Infantry Squad, planning that as well.

For those of you wondering here's my full Broadside Bash 2000pts Hammerblow list.
BattleGroup Hammerblow
Baneblade - Lascannon + TL Heavy Bolter Sponsons x2

Company Command Squad - Chimera ML,HB + Dozer - Company Commander - Warlord - Wrath of Cadia + Meltagun x2 - Plasma gun x2

Infantry Platoon
Platoon Command Squad - Chimera ML HB + Dozer - Platoon Commander + Lasgun x4

Infantry Squad - Chimera ML HB + Dozer - Sergeant + Meltagun x1 - Lasgun x8

Infantry Squad - Chimera ML HB + Dozer - Sergeant + Meltagun x1 - Lasgun x8

Leman Russ Punisher - Hull Mounted HB

Valkyrie - Hellstrike Missle x2 (One Shot Str8 Ord) - Hull Mounted Lascannon

Scions - Tempestor + HotShot Lasgun x9

Scout Sentinel - Lascannon x1

Cadian Battle Group
Command - Tank Commander Squad
Knight Commander Pask - Punisher - Hull Mounted Lascannon - MultiMelta Sponsons
+
Eradicator - Hull Mounter HB - Heavy Bolter Sponsons

Sigh AM really needs a gladius type formation for free vehicles and everything objsec.

 SonsofVulkan wrote:
Sigh AM really needs a gladius type formation for free vehicles and everything objsec.

interestingly enough of all the armies out there IG is the only one who can truly justify having tons of free transports and/or cheap/unlimited troops from a rigid decurion than pretty much anyone else since they are the army of "DROWN THEM IN BLOOD AND EQUIPMENT!!!!"