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Hi all, I'm wondering how the changes to deep strike has changed your thinking on deployment, screening troops, where to drop on turn 2, what to target, etc. For context, I support my Adepta Sororitas army with about 400 points of Scions loaded out with plasma and volley guns.

With them arriving now on turn 2, I'm thinking their targets may have changed. They used to target transports before they could cross the board and deliver their passengers, or long-range anti-armor that could keep me from doing the same. Now I'm thinking heavy infantry, bikes, and mop-up duty from turn 1 shooting may be more their forte.

It will also be harder to drop directly onto midfield objectives... they're as likely as not to find an enemy transport or fast-moving infantry squad already there. Capture-and-defend just got harder... as much as their 4+ carapace plus a cover save was an okay way to keep them around, they're now a small unit likely to drop in the open and therefore even more of a glass cannon.

Finally, I think this changes the way I defend my backfield. I used to bring 2 units of stock Sisters (5 for 45 points) and string them out from where my HQs and Heavies castle up. They'd eventually move out late in the game to go grab an objective once the enemy was entirely on the board. Now I'm thinking my enemy's turn 2 deep strikers will respond to other threats (e.g. melta spam) shaping up elsewhere on the board and I can spend those points somewhere that will have a turn 1 impact.

So, who are your deep strikers and how will you use them in turn 2? How will you defend against enemy deep strikers on turn 2?

I think people will take a lot less deepstrikers than before. I imagine 1 or 2 units will be more common than 5+.

Screens will still be needed, I think, since there are still a large number of units that can first turn charge, and it looks like a lot of the strategems that let you redeploy units and deepstrike may be intended to still work on the first turn (per what GW has said on their community pages).

I think deepstrikers will be used much more tactically than before. It will be less about it being a safe way to deploy and more about needing a unit in a tactical place to put the pressure on and hopefully destroy something valuable. They will still definitely have a place, it will just be less obvious and more tactical.

I guess armies are going to fit naturally into two categories now: those who retained a mechanism for reliable, forceful turn 1 contact, and those without it. Genestealer Cult is in the former category, Raven Guard, a few others. Against them screening remains paramount, but against the majority it seems like a turn 1 dash for position is more likely.

EDIT: and who are the armies with an effective turn 1 charge?

Most armies have at least 1 unit that can do it. Assuming they clarify the FAQ to let the redeploy strategems work, I think the list is something like: GK teleporting units, BA wing strat, BA DC pre game move , Ork jump power, fast chaos units with warp time, and pretty much any unit that can advance and charge, depending on deployment set up and whatnot. I'm sure there are more, but most armies can do it one way or the other.

I feel more comfortable using things other than scouts as a screen now. I use scouts now to just carve out a spot to bring in my SftS guys, but other than that Intercessors are my go to. I need to ask for clarification on Lias. His ability is technically a deepstrike but they did say that the theme of RG (and their successors?) was to be able to do shenanigans like that, so I would like to get clarification.

Lias most likely will remain affected by the change, but you still have access to sfts.

I personally think screens will still be needed if you're running a gunline. Lots of things can still get a turn 1 charge and i think it will be a race between those types of lists and shooting lists.

My Raven Guard/Carcharodons will have no issue using 7cp to sfts and ruin a gun lines day.

 MacPhail wrote:
I guess armies are going to fit naturally into two categories now: those who retained a mechanism for reliable, forceful turn 1 contact, and those without it. Genestealer Cult is in the former category, Raven Guard, a few others. Against them screening remains paramount, but against the majority it seems like a turn 1 dash for position is more likely.

EDIT: and who are the armies with an effective turn 1 charge?

Kraken Nids still can. Non Kraken Nids with swarmlord can also get turn 1 charge.