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Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User




Hi All-
I'm interested in building a infantry centered Alpha Legion list, the theme of which is infiltrating and delivering a plasma alpha strike using preferred enemy to mitigate gets hot problems, and cover/FnP to protect the expensive bodies. I'm not entirely sure on how to build it so was hoping to share my thoughts and get your advice.

The strikers:
-Legion Seeker Squad: Originally this was my intent, they bring their own preferred enemy (if I want to leave Alpharius at home). Also, their special ammunition will allow them to still be threatening after using their Combis. BS5 means nearly 100% hits.

-AL Headhunter Kill Team: These turn on whether they can take combi-weapons. Many say they have heard from ForgeWorld that the combi-bolter in their profile was meant to be combi-weapon (a twin linked weapon on a BS5 model with preferred enemy doesn't make much sense). If so, even with their higher price per model they end up cheaper if their combi-weapons cost 5. I don't think banestrike is as useful as the variety of seeker ammo, but these guys also have a little more cc punch.

-Legion Veteran Tactical Squad: These guys are a significant savings. On top of that, they can bring two actual plasma guns to increase later game damage. They don't have native preferred enemy, although I am leaning toward bring Alpharius anyway for reasons outline below, and he gives it army-wide. BS4 so like 25% fewer hits.

-Legion Terminator Squad: If I take Alpharius, I might give him terminators to join, like the veterans, they can bring two actual plasma guns for prolonged output. They are pricey.

-Legion Support Squad: Standard marine statline, but for less than the seekers or headhunters, I can have 10 actual plasma guns, depending on the opponent's ability to retaliate, they could do significantly more damage over the course of a game.

The support:
-Alpharius- As I mentioned, I'm leaning toward including him. Army wide preferred enemy opens up the striker options. Also, his 4+ seize really increases the chances of going first.

-Exodus- Because I want to - Rule of Cool. If I choose headhunters, he can give one squad stealth.

-Vigilator Consuls - Gives stealth.

-Apothecaries - Gives FnP

RoW:
-Headhunter Leviathal: Allows me to bring headhunters in the troops slots. Reroll to go first and opponents have to pass a leadeship test to target units on the first turn.
-Pride of the Legion: If I decide to go the Vet/Termie route.
-Coils of the Hydra:+1 to go first and reroll to seize. Posibility of bringing a unit from another legion
-Legion Recon Company: Reroll to go first and to seize. Infiltrated units get shrouded first turn.

Anything I'm missing worth considering?

Here's a sample 3500 point
list:

HQ:
Exodus

Primus Medicae, Terminator armour

Praevian w/ 3 Castellax w/ Darkfire Cannons

Elites:
3x Apothecaries w/ Artificer

Legion Terminator Squad (10), 2x Plasma Blasters, 8x Combi-Weapons, 2x Chain Fists, 2x Power Fists

3x Rapier Laser Destroyers

Troops:
Legion Tactical Squad (20), Artificer, Power Weapon

Legion Tactical Squad (20), Artificer, Power Weapon

Legion Recon Squad (5), 5x Sniper Rifles, Artificer

Legion Support Squad (10), 10x Plasma Guns, Artificer, Power Weapon

Legion Support Squad (10), 10x Plasma Guns, Artificer, Power Weapon

Fast Attack:
Primaris-Lightening Fighter, 4x Kraken Penetrators, Servitor, GTAs

Lord of War:
Alpharius

So what do you think? 60 plasma shots turn 1 from Shrouded/FnP marines and 44 on subsequent turns. Tank hunting Darkfire Cannons and the laser destroyers for opening cans. Which squad would you use for delivering the strike? Would you support it with different units?

Also, since I've never run Terminators- What power weapons would you give them? Cataphractii or Tartaros? Not sure how much ignores cover AP2 there is kicking around and with Alpharius sweeping isn't out of the question.

Thanks all!
   
Made in gb
Unhealthy Competition With Other Legions




Nottingham / Sheffield

I think the Legion Recon Company ROW is a good choice as it provides re-rolls to good chances to go first and to sieze. It provides your entire army with shrouded turn one (assuming you take Infiltration as your mutable tactic).
Its main disadvantage is denying you access to terminators and turn 1 heavy support. It would also be the first time I've seen it used.

There is one critical mistake.
None of your HQ choices can be the compusory HQ, they all have Legion Support Officer or Lone Killer. This can be mitigated by swapping Exodus out.
I'd take Dynat instead because his army-wide buffs are awesome, as is his Cognis-Signum, he will give you much more than Exodus will. He is also quite themetaic, sneaking up, then walloping the enemy.

There are some things I dislike:
The power weapons on the Support squads are a bit wasteful, as they want to be shooting. Worst case scenario is the sergeant blowing himself up, along with his power weapon.
I dislike giving terminators two special weapons, here at least four dudes have a fist and a special weapon.
Every sergeant should have meltabombs (or a powerfist) instead of a power weapon.

I like your theme, I think that is cool.
I think Alpharius is also a great character, just remember that to infiltrate him, you need to hide him in a unit and reveal him on turn 2. This denies you army-wide preferred enemy until he is revealed.
Alternatively, he can sit 'revealed' in your deployment zone from T1 to provide Preferred Enemy, he would just need some friends and a transport to get to the fighting.

The 'competetive issue' is that you will struggle to deal with multiple spartans or superheavies (think Warhounds) that you will see at 3.5k pts.

As written, the Headhunter Kill-team is gak compared to the Seeker squad. Your ajustment is interesting and would certainly make them a more usable combat unit.

This message was edited 5 times. Last update was at 2017/03/26 15:30:44


Project Log
Neronoxx wrote:
...for the love of god can we drop the flipping jokes?
They might go over peoples heads....
 
   
Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User




Ahhh! Alpharius does not himself have the Legiones Astrartes (Alpha Legion) rule - what an oversight on my part....

With regards to dealing with the threats you mention, what would be the minimum effective solution (without myself using a superheavy)? I like the look of the sicaran venator...

I really wish there were a way to take a primarch and a superheavy.
   
Made in gb
Unhealthy Competition With Other Legions




Nottingham / Sheffield

The Lightning will deal with a Spartan.
I would consider swapping the laser destroyers for Graviton cannons, as they ignore flare shields.
The venator is very good at stopping individual superheavies, but they are also prime targets for more general anti-armour units.
Recon company also limits your T1 heavy support, forcing it to not start on the board.
Drop-pod Leviathans and contemptor-cortuses can take on smaller SHVs, the drop-pod assault also allows them to arrive T1, avoiding the RoW restrictions. Both of these dreadnoughts can carry graviton guns, highly useful for dealing with masses of armour.
Dont forget that plasma guns can glance and penetrate non-AV14 units.

If you are playing a game of this size you probably have an inkling of who your opponent is playing, so work with that too.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/03/26 23:11:33


Project Log
Neronoxx wrote:
...for the love of god can we drop the flipping jokes?
They might go over peoples heads....
 
   
Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User




How do leviathans take Grav? The grav Flux bombard doesn't look great, double hull point damage but 3d6 only averages just over 10.

More broadly, what's your favorite way to equip your dreads? I've only run double kheres, with or without cyclone. I guess double fists with grav would work nicely. The cyclonic melta lance looks pretty mean...
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




Headhunters are the worst unit in the game, and the Leviathal rite is equally bad.

Combi-weapons on terminators are great, as are power fists. You will never* "waste" any points spent on combi-weapons because you will fire them off at first opportunity, while the fists are clutch for smacking elite units and Primarchs. Chainfists are one of the most reliable ways to kill AV14 which is frequently behind flare shield.

Double grav and chainfist/powerfist is a great loadout for Cortus Contemptors. Leviathans I like to load out with Melta Lance/Drill for a heavy armor killer. Grav flux is good for dealing with Infantry more than tanks since it can't be dodged with look out sir. With a drill it's still a killer of vehicles. Double storm cannon is pretty hilarious. Leviathans should always get phosphex and ceramite, volkite somewhat optional, and a dreadnought pod. With Cortus, I rather outflank or run up the field shoulder to shoulder.

Oh, and don't forget Alpharius doesn't grant preferred enemy while in transport because reasons.

*unless landing into heavy intercept fire

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/03/27 08:40:49


 
   
 
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