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I just stumbled across the fortification rules in Index Imperium 2. I knew these existed but never paid attention because in my experience no one takes them in a list. I notice their faction is "unaligned" which I guess means they are available to everyone?

It seems like fortifications could be useful in withstanding the initial bombardment from some forces, or are they not worth the points? So does anyone actually take these, have any tips or success stories with using fortifications?

In matched play they are not worth it because you can only put one squad in them and any number of characters

For example the fortress of redemption is 30 model capacity but only one squad can go in. So if you out 5 devs you have 25 empty spot. Additionally they changed the way the weapons work from 7th. Before if you put a squad in there, you could have one of the models man the gun and use it's BS so for marines a 3 + they changes it now to where they are all 5 + and then get better based on other factors most of which are not in matches play.

They are how ever super super in narrative games, planet strike, and strong hold assault games. Other then that. Meh. I mean, if you took a firestorm rabute and did the quad laz cannons, that's 8 laz cannons that are hitting anything with fly on a 4+ which is nice, but still really pricy.

They aren't great to be honest. I own a Bastion and a pair of Vengeance Weapon Platforms. I've only played them three or four times total since 8th came out.

I can find use for a bastion, but it’s at FOR prices now,..

On the upside it is buyable LOS blocking that can provide a fire base for a shooty unit.

I use one sometimes with my Admech with a unit of Kataphron Destroyers in there. It mitigates their squishiness, and improves their field of fire as they can fire from any part of the bastion.

I will use feculent gnarlmaws (new Daemon fortification) gladly. Pretty much all my other fortifications will be catching dust awhile.

Seems to me like they were turned primarily into a way for everyone to get anti-air weapons.

I've got 4 Vengeance batteries, which I used to use a lot in 7th with battle cannons, but their 8th version suffers a lot from the D6 shots and 5+ bs. Some merit in using the Punisher variants to set up crossfires, though.
Other than that, the best alternate use I see with them is stuffing Kataphrons in the bunker, since there's no Bulky rules any more; you'd struggle to physically fit 10 Kataphrons in a bunker, but you can and get 6 shooting out of it, which is huge.
Likewise, any alternative heavy weapons unit being rammed inside for sweet T8 shenanigans is a win in my book, and only for 100 points.

Fortifications are not a good source for anti-air weapons, because you are paying a lot for the protective enclosure just to get an AA-gun with bs5+. That is not cost-efficient.

Fortifications can be used in the same way a lot of people are using transports: To limit your number of drops and protect glass-cannon units against alpha-strikes. Also, they can be a source of deployable LOS blocking terrain, which is very useful in 8th edition.

The only fortification I would consider taking is the bunker. The rest are either saddled with overpriced guns or only gives a cover-save.

Fortifications are available for everyone yes, they are not worth it (maybe the ADL is still).

Like others said, for the cost and the restrictions on them, they are not worth it. If those restrictions where gone we still wouldnt see many of them just b.c a 180pt no movement vehicle isnt something most armies needs or wants.

They are mostly there for fun and for the hobbyist I feel

It doesn't sound too great

I'm still interested in the Void Shield Generator. It's expensive but if it saved more points than it cost then worth it? I'm thinking possibly a high points cost firebase of Dark Reapers, Fire Prisms and Support Platforms under a 4++ umbrella? I'll have to try it out.

craftworld_uk wrote:
It doesn't sound too great

I'm still interested in the Void Shield Generator. It's expensive but if it saved more points than it cost then worth it? I'm thinking possibly a high points cost firebase of Dark Reapers, Fire Prisms and Support Platforms under a 4++ umbrella? I'll have to try it out.

It is only a 5++ save, and only for units wholly within 6 inches. It is hilariously bad.

pismakron wrote:

It is only a 5++ save, and only for units wholly within 6 inches. It is hilariously bad.

Wha? Index Imperium 2 states 4++ within 12"? Including the model width would give 29" diameter coverage (over 20% of the table) depending on placement. Has there been a rules update?

craftworld_uk wrote:

pismakron wrote:

It is only a 5++ save, and only for units wholly within 6 inches. It is hilariously bad.

Wha? Index Imperium 2 states 4++ within 12"? Including the model width would give 29" diameter coverage (over 20% of the table) depending on placement. Has there been a rules update?

Yes, that has been faqqed.

pismakron wrote:

Yes, that has been faqqed.

I found it. Oh man, that kills that idea. I don't suppose the points were reduced anywhere?

Generally over costed for some lackluster abilities.
A pity but symptomatic of GWs 8th ed terrain ruleset in general. I.e. total gak..

 BlackLobster wrote:
They aren't great to be honest. I own a Bastion and a pair of Vengeance Weapon Platforms. I've only played them three or four times total since 8th came out.

I've got all of them and use them regularly.

As LoS blocking scenery...

I think it'd be interesting to play some games using the various fortifications. I hadn't thought about the ones that are available to all races...could be nice modelling opportunities for people making them for their own armies, as the official ones are all very Imperium themed.

 Scott-S6 wrote:

 BlackLobster wrote:
They aren't great to be honest. I own a Bastion and a pair of Vengeance Weapon Platforms. I've only played them three or four times total since 8th came out.

I've got all of them and use them regularly.

As LoS blocking scenery...

That's pretty much what we do at the club too.

The Gnarlmaw looks like it might be worth a look

As someone said....I think a lot of Dark Reapers in a Bastion would make you lose some friends real fast!!!

I imagine fortifications will get something similar to the stronghold assault book to make them more interesting later on. Right now they’re operating on index rules like a lot of armies, and should get a buff with their actual codex rules.

pismakron wrote:
Fortifications are not a good source for anti-air weapons, because you are paying a lot for the protective enclosure just to get an AA-gun with bs5+. That is not cost-efficient.

Fortifications can be used in the same way a lot of people are using transports: To limit your number of drops and protect glass-cannon units against alpha-strikes. Also, they can be a source of deployable LOS blocking terrain, which is very useful in 8th edition.

The only fortification I would consider taking is the bunker. The rest are either saddled with overpriced guns or only gives a cover-save.

Pretty much this. And if you play Planetstrike, they are mandatory to even the field - since the Attacker has the first turn, and could start very close to your units...

 Badablack wrote:
I imagine fortifications will get something similar to the stronghold assault book to make them more interesting later on. Right now they’re operating on index rules like a lot of armies, and should get a buff with their actual codex rules.

Stronghold assault is in Chapter Approved.

As usual, GeeDerps dropped the ball. Fortifications suck - they are hilariously overcosted and the old BS of user rule should apply (or maybe tone it down to give +1 BS as a maximum?)

They over-nerfed the VSG in the same way they over-nerfed Riptides and Wraithknights.

I might still use a bunker (because of the hilarious LOS rules now... my lascannon devestators can shoot from any point of it!)

But yes... terrain rules. We were really hoping for improvements in CA... and.... meh.