07 « January « 2010 « NockerGeek.net

Prepping for the Tournament

Posted by NockerGeek in Army Lists on January 7, 2010

While I’ve been working on my Deathrain suits, I’ve been contemplating my army list for the tournament, and whether I wanted to make any changes to it. Then the other day Old Shatter Hands posted this video breakdown of his 1850-point army. His approach to his army, especially in regards to how he handles troops, got me thinking. I have to agree with his assessment that Fire Warriors just aren’t currently worth their points as-is, but since we have to take them, we might as well make the best of them. That means keeping them mobile and off the table as long as possible. I’ve tried the static gunline thing, and as much as I like the idea of it, it just doesn’t work in 5th Edition as well as it did in the past. Assault happens too quickly, and their shooting is too unreliable thanks to a mid-range BS and plentiful cover saves. (As an aside, I find Markerlights to be too expensive a fix for Fire Warriors.) I think I’m going to follow OSH’s advice and keep small units of Fire Warriors in ‘fish, instead of large ones. I’m also freeing up the Helios suits and replacing them with a pair of Piranhas; I’ve had good luck with the increased mobility, and it’s a source of more gun drones that can contest objectives as needed.

So, I’ve made a hybrid of his list and mine, which I can hopefully try out in a few practice games before the tournament itself:

HQ: Commander Shas’el (264 pts)
1 Commander Shas’el(Cyclic Ion Blaster; Hard-wired Multi-tracker; Plasma Rifle; Targeting Array)
2 Crisis Bodyguards (Hard-wired Drone Controller; Hard-wired Multi-tracker; Plasma Rifle; Twin Linked Burst Cannon)
2 Gun Drones

Elite: Crisis Battlesuit (186 pts)
3 Crisis Battlesuits (Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker)

Elite: Crisis Battlesuit (94 pts)
2 Crisis Battlesuit (Flamer; Twin Linked Missile Pod)

Troops: Fire Warrior (155 pts)
6 Fire Warriors (Pulse Rifle x6)
1 Devilfish (Gun Drones; Disruption Pod; Multi-Tracker)

Fast Attack: Piranha Light Skimmer (70 pts)
1 Piranha Light Skimmer (Fusion Blaster; Gun Drones x2; Disruption Pod)

Heavy Support: Hammerhead Gunship (170 pts)
1 Hammerhead Gunship (Railgun; Two Burst Cannons; Disruption Pod; Multi-Tracker; Target Lock)

Heavy Support: Hammerhead Gunship (180 pts)
1 Hammerhead Gunship (Railgun; Smart Missile System; Disruption Pod; Multi-Tracker; Target Lock)

Total Roster Cost: 1499

On a side note, I ordered two Devilfish sprues from The War Store, so I should have three ‘fish available for my Fire Warriors by the 23rd. Everything’s falling into place for the tournament! I may not have everything painted, or even primed (curse you, winter temperatures!), but since it’s not a requirement for this tournament, I think I’ll manage.

army list, tau, tournament