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I jumped into a painting Challenge/Competition at a local store which had an interesting twist. I picked up an ETB Redemptor and used the opportunity to try some techniques that I don't usually do. I was impressed with the results, and caught the bug in the Process. So I picked up the Primaris half of the Starter with the intent of having a Paint Project and fielding a small army to use with the Redemptor. Karma won't leave it at that, and several of the local gamers are a little too enthusiastic to help and have offered their unused Primaris Marines. I now find myself close enough to the 2k mark that I went to some list-building. I narrowed it down to these 2 lists. Just looking for advice on which to go with, as I don't really want to have much more than the 2k adding to my already too large pile of 40k armies.

Keep In Mind: This is built mostly around the ETB stuff limiting options, while being able to drop up to a 2k list for fun games. Still Primarily a Paint Project.

List A

List B

Both lists are very laid back, with the intent of playing as Imperial Fists just to not have to worry about the Cover Mechanic, or Ultramarines for the Fall Back/Shoot. The two Repulsors are going to be deployed on the ends of the army to force Alpha Strikers to come at me from the Front if they want to get in a 1st turn charge. The Redemptor Dread can fill the role of the Captain in Gravis armor in a pinch, which is why I've substituted the Librarian in (On top of me just liking the model). On List B, The 5 Inceptors would be on the line against Alpha armies, to both use the Auspex Scan Stratagem, and if they survive the Assault, they'd be able to retreat and still shoot should I choose to go with Imperial Fists. Against non-alpha Armies, they'd go where best needed. Then I was reading the Aggressor rules, and it seems that both units would fill that role, so list A was born. I really like the models as well. Now that I've typed this out, I believe this is probably the question I want answered the most.

Reivers and the ETB Agressors aren't an option. I don't like the Reivers models or rules, so even the ETB option is not one that's appealing. The ETB Aggressors were an option, but with them being stuck with the Flamers I couldn't find any way to squeeze them in points wise without dropping the Inceptors. I wasn't going to go with the Repulsors either with no ETB/Starter option. Seeing one built, painted, and on the table in a game made me look at their rules again and things just clicked in my head as making sense.

Current:


Thanks in advance.

Inceptors have the fly keyword so they can fall back and shoot regardless if that helps sway you one way or another.

I love aggressors so I'm a fan of list A. Hide them in one repulsor to get them up the board faster and a hellblasters squad in the other. Keep ancient back with the other hellblasters squad, and deep strike the Inceptors where you need them. You have 2 dakka repulsor so maybe the aggressors are a bit much and a captain would pair better with those hellblasters for overcharge shots.

List B isn't bad but if you are taking that many hellblasters it seems a waste to not have an ancient with them. I'd drop 2 Inceptors to make room for him. That or squeeze in the captain if the points are there.

All in all, either list should serve you fairly well.

Thank You.

The intent is to use the Inceptors or Aggresors as a buffer if my opponent has any Alpha Assault plans. More of a 'I have a plan if...' situation. That's where the Inceptors initially outshined the Aggressors as an option because of their flexibility. It's a flat 30 shots, Higher Strength and -1 AP with the Auspex Scan, then another 30 on Overwatch. If they survive the charge, then yes, the intent would be to use 'Fly' leave combat and do their thing. IF my opponent doesn't have anything that is going to approach me that fast, then 'Meteoric Descent' gives me a less predictable option to support my own forces or respond to other threats as necessary. On top of all that, it makes it a bit easier to transition between playing as Imperial Fists and Ultramarines to change the flavor from game to game.

Pre-emptive NOTE: I am not decided on whether Aggressors can shoot twice on the First turn or not. I've read all the arguments, and I'm aware of how some events are playing it. PLEASE do not assume that I'm going to play them one way or the other, or even bring up the discussion here. I've got time to make this decision, and I don't want to base my decision on it working one way, only to find out it doesn't. I'm going to wait and see if it's addressed in the next round of FAQ's.

The Aggressors will fill the same role as the Inceptors as the first line of defense against possible Alpha Strikers. One of the strongest attractions of the Aggressors outside of the possible* shooting output, is the Fists. Something that is lacking in List B. Outside of the Redemptor, I'm really limited on some sort of hard hitting CC option. Since I'm only running 3, I don't think it'll have much of an impact but having the option is somewhat comforting. I've also thought about dropping the Inceptors altogether for more Aggressors, but my only hangup there is that it clashes with the 'On a Budget' and I'm going to have the 6 Inceptors anyways. This is why List A contains both units. While I do not doubt the overall damage potential, the Aggressors retreating has several impacts on the game. The first being that I won't be able to go to the other side of whatever Assaulted them like the Inceptors can, which I feel is an even trade for the Aggressors being able to do more damage. The second is that in order to retain their shooting, I'm being forced to lean toward running them as Ultramarines. Outside of that, if my opponent doesn't have a need for them to take the brunt of a first turn Assault, they are still a threat, but it's one my opponent is going to know where they are at all times. The last advantage I feel they have over the Inceptors is being able to utilize the Librarian more than the Inceptors over the course of the game.

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The Ancient and Lieutenant are going to go with the Hellblasters on both lists. The Captain was also here on every base list I made to support your suggestion. With the Redemptor though, I felt that 'Wisdom of the Ancients' for the 1 CP would accomplish it on turn 1 or 2 which is all I'd really need. I'd see more mileage out of this with List B for sure, but it also makes putting any of the Hellblasters in the Repulsors limit the usefulness of taking advantage of this. I did have the idea on List A of putting starting in the Repulsors, then hopping out on either side of the Dread on turn 1. This opened up a whole world of 'What if's' which I decided to just leave it for when I start playing the army.

Swapping out the Captain for the Librarian allowed me to have a psyker in the army to help me learn the psychic phase (which I don't have as a Necron player), get a model that I would enjoy painting, and allow me to upgrade the Repulsors to something that I like. I'm acutely aware that they are very Dakka Heavy and enemy tanks are going to be an issue. Back to being a Paint Project first, the Repulsors are more setup as a Looks over Practicality setup. Setting them up that way appeals more to the 'I'm happy with this decision' over 'What's the most effective setup'. This kicks back to me being happier with the Librarian>Captain setup as well. So no remorse with that Decision.

After talking with the guys while assembling what I have, the decision isn't so much Inceptors or Aggressors. It's really trying to decide if I want the Aggressors or that 3rd unit of Hellblasters. From the Painting side of it, the Aggressors would give me more Variety to paint and make the army less spam-ish on the table. That alone might be worth the cost difference. I did get a peek at the condition of the 3rd unit of Hellblasters today so might not work. Still an option, just not a priority. That pushes the decision to being the absolute last purchase for the army.

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That's all the insight I've gained today.

Problem Solved. It's List A.

When I went back to check my lists it didn't make any sense. Calculating my lists here my math was off. I've edited the lists to reflect this, but if anyone else could double check I'd appreciate it.

I think you'll find that some games you won't want to go double Repulsor. You seem to have additional boots on the ground in your collection already though, so it's not a huge deal. Even in fun games sometimes you want the model count.