Otto Weston wrote:
Hi there, I've begun buying the models for my IG list -- basically infantry atm, so I can't go wrong as I'm planning a footslogger army based around Steel Legion Troop Models. Basically I have come up with the following 'Take all Comers' list. I'd like opinions and constructive criticism please. Ty.

CCS
Boltgun
Regimental Standard
Lascannon
MoO
Plasma Gun
BodyGuard x2
152pts

Ok, a few questions: Why the boltgun? Unless you have no other way to spend those points I'd leave the CCS, specifically the commander, fairly up-grade free. Regimental standard is great, good choice there. As for the Master of Ordnance, I would honestly consider running either an astropath, or even better a Master of the Fleet in lieu of the Master of Ordnance. Screwing with your opponents reserve rolls is the best thing to do with this upgrade, hence the Master of the Fleet. I would also honestly consider dropping both body guards and using those points for an Astropath as well so you can have a bonus to your reserve rolls, and make it harder on your opponent to get their reserve rolls at the same time. Lastly, I would also suggest dropping the Plasma gun and putting a Voxcaster on that model, it'll save you points, let you re-roll orders if you sprinkle voxcasters elsewhere. Also: BS:4 Lascannon HWT for the win.

My suggestion for your CCS:
Commander, Laspistol
Regimental Standard
Lascannon
Voxcaster
Master of the Fleet
Astropath (Or master of Ordnance)
150 Pts


Storm Trooper Squad
Melta Gun X2
215pts

Storm Trooper Squad
Melta Gun X2
215pts

Would strongly suggest dropping these squads and replacing them with veteran squads. They're troops, so are scoring, and are far cheaper even with Grenadiers doctrine, giving them a 4+ save. They can't deep strike without the aid of a Valkyrie/Vendetta, sure, but you can get an extra meltagun in each squad to make up for the loss of the AP:3 lasguns. As an example: Veteran Squad, with 3x Meltaguns, and Grenadiers Doctrine comes in at 130 Points. You can shave off the 4+ armor saves and buy them a chimera to ride around in and they're STILL only 155 points total for the squad and attached transport. That's 60 points saved per squad right there. Even if you leave the 4+ saves on them they're 185 points, saving you 30 points per squad. That would be what I would suggest honestly. If you're dead set on using the Storm Troopers, I can get behind it, I just don't see them as being as effective as a chimera (Or Valkyrie/Vendetta preferably) borne Veteran Squad. Your mileage may vary, but that's my suggestion regarding that.

Guardsman Marbo
65pts

Can't go wrong with him, I don't run him personally as it doesn't match the theme of my army very well (Vostroyan First Born) but he's a solid elite choice.

PCS
Commander Chenkov
Lascannon
Plasma Gun x2
130pts

Infantry Squad
Commissar
Grenade Launcher
Missile Launcher
105pts

Infantry Squad
Grenade Launcher
Missile Launcher
70pts

Infantry Squad
Grenade Launcher
Missile Launcher
70pts

Conscripts
SITNW
155pts

Ok, Liking this so far, but I'd shuffle some things. First, put a Voxcaster in Chenkov's squad and one of the infantry platoons so you can benefit from the reroll on "Bring it Down!" and give the option to re-roll the orders for those missile launchers if you blob the infantry squads up so the voxcaster can work for all weapons in the blob squad. Second, I'd remove the plasma guns from Chenkov's unit and spread them into two of the infantry platoons (I don't like having too much high strength, low AP weaponry concentrated in my Infantry platoons, makes it harder for an opponent to focus down the more dangerous elements of your troops choice.) Let the PCS shoot a lascannon at something and the rest of the Platoon shoot something else with massed missiles and/or plasma. Leave the grenade launcher in the third infantry platoon or drop it all together and use those points for the Voxcaster in the squad. Lastly, I would combine the conscripts from the other infantry platoon (20 and 20) into one, GIANT conscripts unit of 40 models. You want that unit to be massive so it can take a shot or two or lose five or more models and not break and run immediately, as well as benefit more from orders such as "First Rank Fire! Second Rank Fire!". Also, that saves you 75 points from having to buy "Send in the Next Wave!" twice. That savings, coupled with the 60 points you can save from both Storm Trooper Squads nets you 195 points saved right there.

PCS
Lascannon
50pts

Infantry Squad
Commissar
Grenade Launcher
Autocannon
100pts

Infantry Squad
Grenade Launcher
Autocannon
65pts

Infantry Squad
Grenade Launcher
Autocannon
65pts

Conscripts
SITNW
155pts

As stated earlier, I would move the Conscripts to the Platoon with Chenkov so they're one big squad instead of two smaller squads and only buying the SITNW once. Otherwise I would just try and find a way to add a voxcaster to one of the infantry squads unit to help with orders in the event you blob the infantry squads into one 30 man group.

Colossus
140pts

Like the colossus, and it's a solid choice. I'd consider running two Griffon Mortars for +10 more points (2 of them are 150, a bargain in my view considering they re-roll the scatter dice). Just an alternative suggestion to consider, both are good options for sure.

Manticore/ Deathstrike
160pts

Again solid choice. Would suggest the manticore over the Deathstrike, but they're both fun and effective.

Aegis Defence Line
Icarus Cannon
85pts

You literally cannot go wrong with this option. Good call.

Basically, the plan would be for the arties to sit at the back, with Platoon 1 in front of them as a meatshield/gunline sitting behind the ADL. Platoon 2 would push forward, both delaying the enemy and securing objectives. Stormtroopers + Marbo would be deployed to Kill Tanks + High Value Targets.

I'm most worried about encountering Mech Armies as they seem to be FOTM atm.

What are your thoughts, opinions and constructive criticisms? Ty