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Hi all

So I am new to 40K. I was getting into ww2 tabletop games (FOW), but finding it hard to find local/assessable communities.
A good friend of mine has been into 40k for a while (+40k community seems very widespread/assessable) so I have decided to give Astra Militarum a go.

Im big WW2 history Nerd and immediately fell in love with Steel Legion, Mechanized armour doctrine. (reminds me a lot of FM Rommel’s DAK).
Over years I picked up little snippets of 40K gameplay mechanics, with a basic understanding of gameplay meta.

Im in process of getting my first models to build up a 500pt list. I would very much appreciate feedback on 2 possible lists.

The 1st being Fully-Mechanized, the 2nd being a more semi-Mechanized, Hammer/Anvil type thing.
I have no game experience so these 2 lists are a pure guesstimation based off what people say on forums


1st List (Fully-Mechanized)

-commander (1x power maul) -34pts

-Guard squad (1x plasma gun) -47pts
-Chimera (2x Heavy bolter) -91pts

-Guard squad (1x plasma gun) -47pts
-Chimera (2x Heavy bolter) -91pts

-Leman Russ battle tank -184pts
(cannon, heavy stubber, lascannon, heavy bolters)


2nd List (Semi-Mechanized)

-Commander -30pts

-Guard squad (1x Flamer) -47pts
-Chimera (Dozer blade, Heavy bolter, heavy flamer) -105pts

-Guard squad (1x plasma gun) -47pts
-heavy weapon team Lascannon -28pts
-Chimera (2x Heavy bolter) -91pts

-Guard squad (1x plasma gun) -47pts
-Heavy weapons team -51pts
(Lascannon / Mortar / Heavy bolter)
-Heavy weapons team -51pts
(Lascannon / Mortar / Heavy bolter)



The fully Mechanized list seems very mobile, not sure how much of an advantage that gives in 40k.

Though I been hearing reports that the Leman Russ battle tank is a but underpowered in 8th edition, so I looked at possibly switching it out for a more traditional ‘IG gun-line’ that several people have mentioned.
Im hoping it might give defensive capabilities, giving me more tactical options ?

(with 2nd list I made one mechanized detachment more shooty-shooty and the other more chargy-chargy. Not sure if that good or is it best to make em both shooty-shooty?)


As mentioned before, I have no experience of how games play out, so the lists are pure guess work.

I would very much appreciate any feedback/advice you might be able to offer.

Many thanks

Hmm. Lets see. Are you wanting to play to have fun or be competitive? Which really depends on your group.

The Leman Russ is actually very good after its updates. (In case you don't know it can now fire is main turret twice rather if it moves under half speed) also if taken in a Spearhead detachment it gain objective secured. Also the Tank Commander Variant is very useful as it has +1 BS but takes up an HQ slot and costs more. Now also there is another variant called the Leman Russ Conqueror that is considered the "best" variant and most people will let you run your normal LRs as them as as far as I know that turret is no longer in production. (This Version comes with a built in Stormbolter that if you shot the Storm bolter at a target then the Main gun the main guns gets to reroll all missed hits but has a somewhat shorter range.)

Also I personal find taking LRs as barebones as possible to be prudent. (Meaning typically take only the turret and HB and don't add sponsons.)

You basic infantry are pretty much there to hold objectives. They lack the punch to deal with most anything really and their 10 man unit size means they don't have the numbers.

Now if your wanting to take Infanty and load them in Chimeras to be carted around then Special Weapons teams and Command Squads are your friends.

(Also mixing 3 different types of weapons can be rough on a heavy weapons team though I have seen it work. Lascannons also while very powerful Increase the cost of the squad alot and paint a very big target of a pretty weak defensively squad so it can be high risk.)

My suggestion for something that is similar to what you are currently running but a bit more effective might be.

Vanguard Detachment: +1 CP

HQ:
Tank Commander: w/ Punisher Gatling Cannon & Lascannon

Elite:
Special weapon team w/ 3 Plasma
Special weapon team w/ 3 Plasma
Platoon Commander w/ Laspistol

DT:
Chimera w/ 2 Heavy Bolter
Chimera w/ 2 Heavy Bolter

Welcome! I can understand the draw coming from the historical background. From my end it was an interest in WWl along with the desire to avoid the stupid expensive forgeworld Death Korps.

Check the list in my signature for some different list set ups. I play the same kind and style of army.

Also check out Morrdian Glory on YouTube as he has a bunch of good info and tactics for this kind of list along with good info for beginners.

thanks for reply's chaps.
I still feel a bit lost. every time i decide on a list somone suggests somthing a bit different.
lots of different options.

I been looking at that Mordian Glory youtube channel, so much info for this type of list.

I suppose it comes down to if you think you will play more offensively or defensively. If you're coming from a mechanised armour background then I would say you're first list is pretty good.Though it may be worth running the LRBT barebones as previously suggested, this may help you put upgrades in other units or bring an extra unit. I think with the points saved you could bring a heavy weapon squad with Mortars. Also if you're going to be tearing around the table you could consider hull heavy flamers on the chimeras instead. This means they could advance and still shoot. Though this will be high risk high reward as you'll need to get very close, it can help a lot with storming an objective. The Steel Legion doctrine and order will help with this too.

Hunter that 500pt list looks nice.
i notice, relative to what mordian glory says about heavy weapons in mechanized list, that you put a lascannon with one of your detachments.
He also mentioned it a more anti-infantry list. so i guess the Lascannon makes list more versatile.

also, i never considered the importance of a 2nd officer. is that for more readily issuing orders like 1st rank shoot-2nd rank shoot ?

Pondweed wrote:
Hunter that 500pt list looks nice.
i notice, relative to what mordian glory says about heavy weapons in mechanized list, that you put a lascannon with one of your detachments.
He also mentioned it a more anti-infantry list. so i guess the Lascannon makes list more versatile.

also, i never considered the importance of a 2nd officer. is that for more readily issuing orders like 1st rank shoot-2nd rank shoot ?

Glad you like the lists!

In the 500 point list I threw in the cannot to fill out point requirements and give at least one anti tank weapon to the list.. I will freely admit that the largest weakness i see in my mechanized list is the lack of anti-armor.

On the whole, you will notice from my other lists that I do not take heavy weapons in squads usually. In fact, the only times I really do is to fill out the heavy support requirements for super cheap.

The presence of multiple officers is for exactly that purpose. Generally, when my squads disembark to shoot, they will have at least two officers with them. That is where armored fist +, inspired tactics, + first rank fire second rank fire/bring it down come in. Currently it is so easy to get CP that you can afford to throw 3 or 4 away for one round of shooting if it means that you get 80 some odd shots off from two squads with all those re-rolls.