tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60654916015936939792024-03-05T04:54:19.248-05:00Bringer of VictoryNikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.comBlogger348125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-43348737437588691162017-08-16T17:38:00.003-04:002017-08-16T17:40:30.930-04:00List Evolution Post Codex!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Hey guys. I’m back. In the time I’ve been gone the SM codex officially came out and two more codices are on the way! Whew. I posted my last list and I have some feedback on units which over performed and under performed, as well as a few points adjustments going from Index to Codex.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5ZviAzCDKL6jZTMvyTcw0qR5Eiw2_8_Vf2zSgA6Ttjwg-YhJw2lMwZnzHUBUh4NuRiA3y_SWKE7ZY1YHqu-nqCIQkNDg4XQAkIXxizNFAeXR5a_d_JyFgvON-l5m18m6nSdMfunVsAA/s1600/CodexSM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5ZviAzCDKL6jZTMvyTcw0qR5Eiw2_8_Vf2zSgA6Ttjwg-YhJw2lMwZnzHUBUh4NuRiA3y_SWKE7ZY1YHqu-nqCIQkNDg4XQAkIXxizNFAeXR5a_d_JyFgvON-l5m18m6nSdMfunVsAA/s320/CodexSM.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-9618a114-ecfb-58b2-0588-cf827c462313" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Over Performers</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Assbacks: Everyone knew it. I knew it. These things are so good. Ridiculous. Don’t get me wrong, the Twin Lasbacks were good too, but I have a lot of Lascannons in the list already and what I didn’t have is a lot of anti-infantry. Pretty much every game I kept wishing the razorbacks all had assault cannons. So I broke down, went to ebay and bought the bits to make up to 5 assbacks. Not sure I’ll use 5 of them, but now I’m prepared!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Venerable Dreads: Good news is, these kicked ass as you’d expect. They hit on 2+ so you don’t </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">need</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> them to be close to Roboute since space in his bubble is at a premium. These worked great against infantry and vehicles alike and I really fell in love with them. Bad news, they aren’t in the codex! However, GW has come out and said you can use the index option which is fine by me. Personally, I think this is a huge cop out for GW and opens the door to power gaming shenanigans, but I’ll take it for selfish reasons</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Techmarine: The techmarine was sick! Against bad players, he extends the survivability of my gun line amazingly. Against good players, they focus down one vehicle before moving on, but in a way this also is helpful since it fucks with their target priority big time. Dirt cheap HQ to help fill out the battalion tax, yes please.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Underperformers</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Librarian: I dunno, maybe I played it wrong. It felt like an expensive, not very killy model. The psychic defenses weren’t enough to slow down a psych based army and against an army with a random single psyker or two it didn’t feel necessary. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Tacticals: Ofcourse three squads of 5 marines aren’t going to be earth changing either way. The three lascannons were nice but since my first list had tons of lascannons on the razorbacks I didn’t feel these mattered as much. Perhaps in a more Assback centric list these would fulfill their role more importantly.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">With that said, its time for my even leaner current list…</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Battalion Detachment - 3cp - Ultramarines</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">HQ:</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Techmarine w/ Servo Arm, Power Axe - 62</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Techmarine w/ Servo Arm, Power Axe - 62</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Troops:</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Tactical Squad (5) with Lascannon - 90</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Tactical Squad (5) with Lascannon - 90</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Tactical Squad (5) with Lascannon - 90</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Elites:</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Venerable Dreadnought w/ Twin Autocannons x2 - 156</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Venerable Dreadnought w/ Twin Autocannons x2 - 156</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Venerable Dreadnought w/ Twin Autocannons x2 - 156</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Heavy Support: </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Predator w/ Predator AC and 2x Lascannon sponsons - 189</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Predator w/ Predator AC and 2x Lascannon sponsons - 189</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Dedicated Transports:</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Razorback w/ Twin Assault Cannon - 100</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Razorback w/ Twin Assault Cannon - 100</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Razorback w/ Twin Assault Cannon - 100</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Razorback w/ Twin Assault Cannon - 100</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Total: 1640</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Lord of War Detachment - Ultramarines - 3cp</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Roboute Guilliman (warlord) - 360</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Grand Total: 2000 points - 9 CP</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">This is about as lean as I could make the list. Any one out there see any glaring inefficiencies? I’m really excited to play this list now, its pretty far ahead of my old list in terms of depth of firepower as well as target saturation. I’d really like input on this!</span></span></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-30422649260341175392017-07-25T07:29:00.000-04:002017-07-25T07:29:06.572-04:00Space Marine List Evolution<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As you last read I have embraced the concept of running Ultramarines simply because its the only way to run the sort of list I want to run in a way that doesn’t feel like I’m hemorrhaging value or making gross concessions. Without reiterating it, Guilleman is a role compressor: for 360 points you get the best force multiplier a shooty army could want along with being one of the nastiest close combat units in the game and he is virtually immune to shooting. You all know all that already.</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-3a91ca52-797f-f38f-fe2b-fd9b4907358a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I want lot’s of Razorbacks simply because they are efficient, and the best unit to unlock them, 5 man heavy/combi Tactical squads are also rather efficient. Many people view Troops as the “tax” for unlocking the Battalion Detachment, and in some armies that is possibly true. But for Marines, the troops are decent, if not good. Oddly enough, if you are bringing Guilleman, the HQ becomes the tax. Without Guilleman, one of the Chapter Masters or even min/maxed Captain with Combi Plasma give you very efficient force multiplier choices. But with Guilleman you dont get a great deal from those. Marneus Calgar is not great in a list with Guilleman, for example. The aforementioned hyper efficient combiplas captain isn’t much better. Assuming you don’t need re-rolls from your HQ, where do you find value? You have to bring two of these to get a battalion and they need to have value.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9NGFfwjlWhIP2-nPlN7VY5LQJ0-ksDc74pJjmuhiz0d0c1zGKUFM2TfJA8uT9K7SFXrrl78_8Hu_JWeJR39ing8NvFwzWC1SburMHGOWT7Nq63-5U796z7eVxTISPgnGumizqYQX2jE/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="600" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9NGFfwjlWhIP2-nPlN7VY5LQJ0-ksDc74pJjmuhiz0d0c1zGKUFM2TfJA8uT9K7SFXrrl78_8Hu_JWeJR39ing8NvFwzWC1SburMHGOWT7Nq63-5U796z7eVxTISPgnGumizqYQX2jE/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why bring a battalion? Well we are already paying the “troop tax” voluntarily. And no matter what formation we bring we need an HQ. So really the “HQ tax” is only like 100 points for 2 extra command points, plus whatever value we get from that HQ. With that right HQ, that is worthwhile.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alright, so what HQ do we want to maximize our value? In a list with Razorbacks and Dreadnaughts, especially one looking to economize on points the best option in the book is Techmarine. For a dirt cheap 75 points you are likely to repair a half dozen wounds to your vehicles over the course of the game. That is ridiculously powerful in a mechanized list. The enemy cannot leave a wounded vehicle alive, he HAS to kill them if he is going to bother shooting at them at all. This means spending his firepower inefficiently, which is a huge defensive bonus for you. Basic Techmarine with Power Axe is where its at. So much so, that I am tempted to bring 2 of them.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Except Librarians are also great. A basic Librarian with Force Sword is price efficient, provides some psychic defense and thanks to power of his own is, if nothing else, a heavy firepower shooting unit from our HQ. Not to mention that against some armies, Null Zone saves the day. I’m not 100% convinced that the Libby is better than a second Techmarine would be, but the point of making initial lists is being a tad generalist and refine it after playtesting. If the Libby is mediocre and the TM over preforms, make the swap. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Without further delay, here is the core of the list I’m working on now.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lord of War Detachment</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Roboute Guilleman </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">360 (warlord)</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Battalion Detachment</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Librarian w/ Force Sword</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">105</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Techmarine w/ Power Axe </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">75</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5 Tac Squad with Lascannon and combi Plasma 105</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5 Tac Squad with Lascannon and combi Plasma 105</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5 Tac Squad with Lascannon and combi Plasma 105</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ven Dread w/ 2x Twin Autocannon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">156</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ven Dread w/ 2x Twin Autocannon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">156</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Predator w/ Pred AC, 2x Lascannons</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">201</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Predator w/ Pred AC, 2x Lascannons</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">201</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Razorback w/ Twin Assault Cannon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">100</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Razorback w/ Twin Assault Cannon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">100</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Razorback w/ Twin Lascannon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">115</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Razorback w/ Twin Lascannon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">115</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Total: 1,999 points</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Command Points: 9</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The predators are a bit of an experiment. You could easily cut them, buy a third Ven Dread, and have points left over to spam more razorbacks. It’s hard to say which option is more efficient. It seems possible to me that two Assbacks is more powerful than a single Predator, but I’m not sure how it will play out. Either way, I think this is a pretty mean list and I wouldn’t be excited to play against it. Any thoughts? Am I missing something?</span></span></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com179tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-95068239021541402017-07-23T11:17:00.001-04:002017-07-23T12:06:53.751-04:00Thinking Out Loud: Space Marine Codex<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Space Marine Codex is interesting. I was hoping for something in the Strategem/Relic/Warlord trait section would make my Templars more competitive, but alas, while the toys Templars got are very fluffy you don't win competitive games by having the best fluff. Simply put, the Templars in 8th are an assault army and assault armies don't generally win tournaments. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Actually, its not that Templars are bad at shooting, its just that there are better options for a gunline/firebase army in the book that picking Templars to play a shooty army is just squandering an advantage. Ravenguard got an incredibly powerful ability that will allow them to outshoot opposing shooty armies. Salamanders got an incredibly powerful ability that will allow them to dismantle enemy mechanized armies with high strength low weight of fire weapons. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As my longtime readers may remember my preferance is MSU gunlines with strong counter charge assault units to defend them or to silence enemy shooting as the situation merits. Salamanders lends more to that playstyle than RG. The RG ability is so strong that it definitely lends itself to a more mobile shooty playstyle where you can ensure you'll always be more than 12 away. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Salamanders were my initial choice, simply because with melta and las weapons (my preference) you are so disruptive. The benefits to flame weapons allows you to deal with hordes that would otherwise trouble a las-heavy force. What I didn't like about Salamanders was that Vulkan doesn't actually do much. Yes, with warlord traits and relics etc you can turn him into an assault monster but he serves no actual purpose in the army as he isn't terribly good as force multiplier. What this means is, Salamanders are generally best off with vanilla HQ choices instead of Vulkan. Some might argue that their chapter tactic is enough of a force multiplier, they can take fighty HQ choices my response is: you can't multiply your forces enough. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So I was kinda at a loss. The initial Salamanders lists I put together all felt decent but they were missing a bit of punch. There just wasn't much finishing power. The more assaulty units I added to get some of that counter-charge punch I wanted just came at the expense of watering down my firepower. I had a bit of an epiphany at this point.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A good marine list needs:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. Firepower.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. Counter charge capabilities</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3. Significant force multipliers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Tell us something we don't know."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">OK.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You'll never have enough points to do all three unless their roles overlap. Unless your force-multiplier also is a countercharge unit, or is a pillar of your shooting capabilities you'll never be able to have enough points to beat a more focuses enemy shooting army or defeat a well played assault army. So you need role compression. Look at it like a basketball team. You need good 3 point shooters and you need guys who can really play defense well against opposing 3 point shooters. You can only have 5 guys on the court at once. You cannot have 3 really good 3 point shooters and 3 really good defenders. On the best teams, most of your best defenders are also your best shooters etc. You get it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So how to do all that? Easy: play Ultramarines. Guilleman is the best force multiplier in the Imperium AND the best assault character. When I came back to 40k with 8E I really did not want to use Guilleman because I felt using a character like that was no different than being the guy who shows up to a 1,000 point game with broken forgeworld units. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The more I tinkered with lists and the more I experienced 8th, the more I realized that its silly and noncompetitive to put those kinds of restrictions on my lists. I want to have fun and I want to win and I'll do it by bringing the best lists I can. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"So why don't you bring fliers?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Good question. The most honest answer is that I don't own any since I quit the game before they came out. The secondary answer is that fliers being in the game, as opposed to reserved for Apocalypse games, are one of the reasons I quit the game in the first place. Simply put, call me a hypocrite for going against what I just wrote about not limiting my list building, but the bottom line is I don't need the game. It's not my only creative or competitive outlet. I'd just assume walk away from the game again than to play a Stormtalon spam list.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the days to come I'll post my thoughts on 8th Edition Marine list building and how my evolution is going.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-5780720440285056552017-07-12T12:20:00.002-04:002017-07-12T12:23:19.459-04:008th Edition Stray Observations<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">#1: Plasma pistols are good. Like really good. We are in a new world now in 8th edition and the ability of plasma pistols to put a huge dent into an MEQ unit before a charge is really helpful. I’ve been experimenting with Vanguard Vets instead of Terminators per the suggestion of Laeroth, and getting great results. For HALF the points a Veteran with Plasma Pistol and Chainsword hits far above his weight. Thats 23 points for those scoring at home, compared to 44 points for a twin LC terminator. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes, the terminator has 2 wounds and 2x Lightning Claws are way killier than a chainsword but its important to remember the role of the close combat rock in a shooty army. If the enemy is a close range, aggressive enemy, their job is to take out their scariest close combat unit that threatens your fire base. If they are a shooty army, the job is to push forward, delete their best shooty unit and then sow chaos in their firebase until they are finally wiped out. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The terminator squad is undeniably better at the second job. Terminators are built to take more hits and keep killing, which means when they jump out of the LRC and attack the enemy fire base, it will take tons of attention off of your shooters. In that role, the terminators crush the Vets. However, in the counter-charge, or defensive role, the Vets are just as good. If you count their pistols as an extra close combat attack at Strength 7 and -3 to save, that closes the gap to the terminators nicely, and since they should almost always get to strike first in combat, they will erase whatever target they wish. But what makes this possible is the pistol. If we dumped the pistols and just gave them all Power Axes we could save some points but the killing power of the unit would be much reduced. Plasma pistols tie the room together. Plasma pistols are a force multiplier. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7Mpm5zyNiOZbwzAgtoecMKOpcifxGwQ4dzkrMW0Dz0Z-zrhKfT6eDlqvmtdb_3V90IAvWeZqcHKvUtmnMlGfOrlWMEv3Bl6JllEBeQhnxr_MHY3N5CofVvRPYqPlFAi_adW8GWTsKQE/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="293" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7Mpm5zyNiOZbwzAgtoecMKOpcifxGwQ4dzkrMW0Dz0Z-zrhKfT6eDlqvmtdb_3V90IAvWeZqcHKvUtmnMlGfOrlWMEv3Bl6JllEBeQhnxr_MHY3N5CofVvRPYqPlFAi_adW8GWTsKQE/s320/6.jpg" width="156" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">#2 Razorbacks are god tier. I know this may seem obvious, but it was the first thing I noticed. Razorbacks became way way harder to kill or shut down in 8th Edition, and with the change to twin linked weapons, became way killier. The two best options are twin ass-cans or twin las-cannons. Obviously, these two weapons have almost opposite roles and you’ll have to pick wisely. I will give you this A+ grade advanced skills tactica: don’t pick twin-heavy bolters.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All jokes aside, with no formations, there are very few free points available. Since the price of heavy weapons are standardized, the key is finding the cheapest platforms to carry the most heavy weapons. A Razorback competes with Predators, Devastators, and Dreads. From a firepower perspective, Razors have less firepower potential than all three but cost much less than Preds and Devs, and are about the same survivability as Dreads. I couldn’t really justify the cost of a Predator in 8th while Razorbacks exist. I really think Dreads are quite good with double shooty weapons, which is why most of my lists bring lots of razors and dreads. I don’t bring preds and devs since they are so inefficient. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lastly, the Razorback doesn’t take up a FOC slot. In Marine armies the best stuff is in Elites. Depending on what Detachment you use, Elites get filled quickly. If you want Dreadnaughts or Vanguard Vets or Terminators and still want a Battalion, you’re going to run out of FOC slots quickly. Razorbacks bring heavy firepower on a sturdy platform without using up a FOC slot, so you can get the firepower you need without maxing out the detachment’s allowances.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">#3. Space Marines have no great second HQ choice. With the exceptions of Black Templars, who can make a deadly close combat rock with Helbrect and Grimaldus combo’ing with each other, other chapters have no satisfying second choice. If you want a Battalion, you need a second. This is a hefty tax. Let’s say you do something smart, and bring Pedro Kantor as your first HQ choice. What is your second? A vanilla chaplain adds basically nothing. A librarian is probably the best choice, but expensive and underwhelming. On the cheap end, the best option is a vanilla captain with combi plasma sitting in a squad with lots of plasma weapons using the re-roll 1 aura to go ham. What you’ll notice is that even the cheap options are around 100 points. This is 5% of your force going to a tax just to open up the battalion formation. I’m rapidly becoming disenchanted with the idea of Battalions being worthwhile unless you desperately want the +2 command points. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtDLbmTU0a6KWog0qeQd8vLkwzf7XV7fRrzm7HSZ0LmkpsFAfvIv4NavJxHX59gesMO_coXX28H5IWsyZvH7hFmGnWGQl-2ya3LdY_5ajGZy06enI55uHlfVuvJ5iqtrxCHtvAt0VHR8/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtDLbmTU0a6KWog0qeQd8vLkwzf7XV7fRrzm7HSZ0LmkpsFAfvIv4NavJxHX59gesMO_coXX28H5IWsyZvH7hFmGnWGQl-2ya3LdY_5ajGZy06enI55uHlfVuvJ5iqtrxCHtvAt0VHR8/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">#4. These early tournament lists are offputting. Early reports have lists with 6 fliers and Guilleman winning tournaments. This is pretty gross to me. While I love a lot of the changes with 8th Edition, cutting down on this sort of cheese was something they needed to do, but didn’t. 5th Edition worked because of the troop requirement. Yes, many armiers (Eldar) took the bare minimum troops and moved along, but the basic 1 HQ 2 Troops skeleton of 5th edition armies forced people to take “real” armies rather than balls of flier cheese. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You guys know I play to win. But I’m not so WAAC that I’ll bring a stupid flier army. I’d just rather not play. For the people whose only hobby is 40k, if they have a competitive mindset, they are stuck. For me, I can do other stuff with my time, so I can just walk away if the game becomes unfun. My hope is that this list is just the result of specific tournament rules or ill prepared opponents. If this is what every 40k tournament looks like, 6 fliers and a lord of war, I’m out. I suspect it won’t but we’ll see. Perhaps as pathetic and anti-WAAC as it sounds, I might actually prefer a tournament where you had to use only battalion or brigade detachments and others were banned. I think in a tournament like that you’d see “real” 40k.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I will say, the Tzeentch cheese ball army with Magnus and Changeling is a broken, cheesey army but it doesn’t offend me for some reason. It seems like a “real” army with several stacking synergies that combine to be insanely over-powered, but doesn’t cross over into me asking “am I even play warhammer?” Hopefully this is toned down for competitive purposes, but at least playing against it feels like playing the game. Playing against 6 fliers and a LoW is not 40k. Then again, maybe it is 40k, and I just don’t like what 40k is?</span></span></div>
<br />Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-60638362848758406152017-06-30T12:50:00.000-04:002017-06-30T12:50:11.082-04:00Mathhammer: Percentages Lie<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">The most infuriating thing I hear when people talk about list building and wargear options is something like, “option a is 33% more effective than option b and costs only 5 more points!” I call this the fallacy of using percentages in a nominal system.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">This isn’t just a 40k problem, I see it in every sort of RPG, MMO, card game, etc where players have to pick from differing options using limited resources. But since this is a 40k blog, my examples are going to be from 40k for the sake of being understood universally.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoW3zNq-G66TNM4rgZRZjBQTe8V9tTPOi3bnwx3fPK8ssDAEiBj2eAjhsS925wmXwkQhmDSotKQ5CHI3avn0RYOKiCU9D9ODwIC2r7hLhN1yIb1UlXHjxvd6jKHd6aDofmjtRXgAwFs4/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoW3zNq-G66TNM4rgZRZjBQTe8V9tTPOi3bnwx3fPK8ssDAEiBj2eAjhsS925wmXwkQhmDSotKQ5CHI3avn0RYOKiCU9D9ODwIC2r7hLhN1yIb1UlXHjxvd6jKHd6aDofmjtRXgAwFs4/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">So what is the problem? The problem is, you don’t build lists based on percentages, you build them based on points. In the crudest terms, how many MEQ a gun kills per turn is worthless information. If gun A kills 1 MEQ per turn and gun b kills 1.33, if you don’t then divide by the points cost, you aren’t actually making any sort of rational choice. Since we are limited in points, any choice comes at the expense of another choice, and making efficient choices is how you win in the list building phase. In a balanced game, there would never be a single weapon that was good against every type of army for an affordable amount of points ::cough::grav cannon::cough::. However, even figuring out killing power divided by points isn’t the whole story.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">You could build a list using killing power divided by points to only pick the most efficient choices, but you’d probably lose. There are some armies that simply don’t have great options across the whole killing spectrum. They might shred vehicles. They might kill MEQ. But they have to pay through the nose to kill hordes. If you’re trying to field a balanced army you may have to bring inefficient choices in order to actually have a well rounded force. For example, let’s say an army has a hyper efficient lascannon platform. You could bring an army bristling with these lascannon platforms. You might has 25% more lascannons than any other army could bring to the table for the same points. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Is that even good? I’d argue that those extra lascannons are not helping. What you SHOULD do is economise by using your cheap lascannons to fill out your anti-vehicle slots, and then use the points savings to bring killy but points inefficient units that shred infantry. This is an oversimplified example, ofcourse but it demonstrates that idea that simplying making a list of nothing but points efficient units won’t check all the boxes. Unless, ofcourse, your codex is broke and simply better at every role than everyone else.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another thing to consider is the value of nominalizing these numbers. “33% better at killing MEQ!” sounds great. How many extra MEQ dead per game is that? Oh well Gun A kills .65 MEQ per turn and Gun B kills .87 MEQ per turn. Cool, gun B </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MIGHT </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">kill one extra marine per game, if you get perfect conditions every turn. Is that really worth paying ANY extra points for? If we value a Marine at 13 points, you might argue that so long as the gun costs less than 13 points it is worth paying for. We know, ofcourse, this is a nonsense way to look at list building.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8w_tPAPpyrWDj8Sbh0JQA2JgN7zGPb31WU3LjZYCmIBM6p7hzL4WHFGYnqt_Ekl0IJTwuOjLydo8UW4QfqYaMyvSGqO-FvmH4QRL9DfbN3_e6vBPvLQjkOZ5HrL8DWJLNzfIi-eAuDYU/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="569" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8w_tPAPpyrWDj8Sbh0JQA2JgN7zGPb31WU3LjZYCmIBM6p7hzL4WHFGYnqt_Ekl0IJTwuOjLydo8UW4QfqYaMyvSGqO-FvmH4QRL9DfbN3_e6vBPvLQjkOZ5HrL8DWJLNzfIi-eAuDYU/s320/1.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, I just “proved” that big percentages of small numbers is still small numbers. Please deliver my nobel prize for mathematics any time now. But that is important to consider! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When people use percentages, they are trying to confuse you! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the writers at 3plusplus made an awesome series of charts demonstrating the killing power of all the weapons for each faction. This was great. It showed how many wounds per turn a weapon would do against a variety of targets ranging from GEQ to Land Raiders. Fantastically useful information… which people proceeded to draw insanely bad conclusions from because they put too much value in comparing percentages of small numbers and not enough on looking at the nominal amounts. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-3a91ca52-f9e5-b76d-3520-6ebd8a2af672"></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">In conclusion, beware percentages. Big sounding percentages differences are often used to exaggerate what are actually small nominal differences on the table top especially in regards to higher variance, single shot weapons. Efficiency in list building is extremely important but don’t let the desire to be hyper efficient cause you to make mistakes.</span></span></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-82833753547300344232017-06-22T12:31:00.001-04:002017-06-22T12:31:31.513-04:00Pedro vs Helbrecht<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you’re like me (a genius who spends his time thinking about trivial things) you clearly understand that Pedro Kantor and Helbrecht are the most powerful Chapter Masters a marine army can pick in terms of buffing power.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh5oT0EBbb7deS2QBXFh3S0EjHnTRR3d9tsT442fsHY2D7j6L0HwWR944vg3peGDGAc3wjM-twj7D3UvNcW4KpsG0jMNtEcRCoMM4UI61PTDvMVlCK4ufB0X8t4B_nE6hYOStKmJm_lk/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh5oT0EBbb7deS2QBXFh3S0EjHnTRR3d9tsT442fsHY2D7j6L0HwWR944vg3peGDGAc3wjM-twj7D3UvNcW4KpsG0jMNtEcRCoMM4UI61PTDvMVlCK4ufB0X8t4B_nE6hYOStKmJm_lk/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lysander need not apply =(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Since their buffs benefit close combat, it's a given to pair them with assault terminators, though a veteran squad with close combat weapons and plasma pistols is also quite strong consideration. From a very basic standpoint, Pedro’s +1 attacks benefits models with fewer, but more powerful attacks whereas Helbrechts +1 Strength benefits models who are already going to hit a lot, but might need help wounding. Also obvious, +1 attack is way more powerful in isolation, but Helbrecht slightly mitigates that by being equipped with better gear and having better CC capability.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The level basic thinking is Pedro = Thunderhammers, Helbrecht = Lightning Claws. Does this hold up? Let’s hammer some maths. In order to be points fair we will say that you get 6x LC termies and 5x TH termies. For the moment we will ignore the capabilities of each character and only look at the killiness of the unit with their buff.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pedro + 5 TH Termis (all numbers after saves, after damage)</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Ork Boyz = 7.5 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs MEQ = 6.23 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Rhino = 21 wounds (splat!)</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Landraider = 12 Wounds </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pedro + 6 LC Termies</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Ork Boyz = 13.5 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs MEQ = 8.9 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Rhino = 6.6 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Landraider = 2.75 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Helbrecht + 5 TH Termie</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Ork Boyz = 5.4 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs MEQ = 4.5 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Rhino = 13.5 wounds (splat)</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Landraider = 11 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Helbrecht + 6 LC Termies</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Ork Boyz = 14.1 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs MEQ = 9.33 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Rhino = 5.4 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Landraider = 4 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So what patterns can we conclude here. At the basic level, Thunderhammers are obviously lights out vs light vehicles either way. Lightning Claws eat through infantry. We all knew that already. At the second level we can see just how bad ass Land Raiders are. A unit of Thunderhammer terminators buffed by Pedro or Helbrecht aren’t capable of killing one in a single turn of combat. That’s tough stuff.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But about the HQ boys themselves. Pedro makes his unit killier across the board against vehicles, Helbrecht has a slight advantage against infantry. What I was hoping to see, but didn’t, was that Helbrecht’s +1 strength would give his Lightning Claw termies a huge advantage against vehicles. Against T7, the roll to wound is the same at Str 4 or Str 5, though. There was a pretty noticeable advantage against T8, however, since going from 6 to 5 to wound doubles the amount of wounds you inflict. But really, if you’re charging LC terminators into a Land Raider something bad is happening. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now lets look at the killing power of the Characters themselves, since it helps to consider that the character may be able to compensate for his unit’s shortcoming.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pedro Kantor</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Ork Boyz = 3.7 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs MEQ = 3.1 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Rhino = 7.4 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Land Raider = 4.4 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">High Marshal Helbrecht</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Ork Boyz = 3.8 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs MEQ = 3.2 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Rhino = 3.2 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vs Land Raider = 2.6 wounds</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This was… not what I was expecting. My intuition was that 6 attacks at Str 6 that hit on 2s would have enabled Helbrecht to tear through infantry a lot better than Pedro. But since both re-roll to hit the difference in hits was minor. The game changer for Pedro was wounding infantry on 2+ vs Helbrecht’s 3+ helped a ton. It should be said Helbrecht will wound T3 on 2+ as well so he should be a bit deadlier relative to Pedro there. So while Helbrecht has a slight advantage against infantry the gap is imperceptibly small on the battlefield with a normal game’s same size. And Pedro is much killier against vehicles. One thing in Helbrecht’s favor is his combi-melta adds a good bit to his anti-vehicle punch, especially against T7.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What can we conclude? Anything short of a Land Raider, give me Pedro and Lightning Claws. Pedro and Lightning Claws will kill a Rhino in one turn, same as TH/SS. Against infantry the Lightning Claws will murder. The only offensive advantage of the TH terminator is against T8. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Looking at the combos, it seems clear to me that Pedro and some Lightning Claw terminators is going to be your killiest combination against all comers. Hopefully, your shooting can take down the T8 baddies and let the terminators kill the enemy elite infantry or shooting infantry. Lastly, one thing in the favor of TH termies is the storm shield. 3++ save is better than ever and against enemy elite infantry who are armed with plasma pistols and power axes galore there is a bit to be said for it sacrificing some killing power to sustain some heavy hits. In 8th you’ll typically eat a unit and then get shot at next turn either way due to fall back, so being able to survive the shooting is helpful.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But yeah, Crimson Fists looking good. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4483a863-d0a3-5359-8a6d-94447af2e7c2"></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thoughts?</span></span></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-44086503634469132552017-06-20T07:05:00.001-04:002017-06-20T07:08:15.233-04:00Getting My Feet Wet Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-4483a863-c52f-b2c2-9a2d-c6edf3e13dc1"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">So “shooty” Templars are a definite thing. As you know, I prefer my shooty armies to have enough close combat abilities to defend or disable enemy threats, but as a thought exercise how about we see how extreme we can make the shootiness?</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9NGFfwjlWhIP2-nPlN7VY5LQJ0-ksDc74pJjmuhiz0d0c1zGKUFM2TfJA8uT9K7SFXrrl78_8Hu_JWeJR39ing8NvFwzWC1SburMHGOWT7Nq63-5U796z7eVxTISPgnGumizqYQX2jE/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="600" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9NGFfwjlWhIP2-nPlN7VY5LQJ0-ksDc74pJjmuhiz0d0c1zGKUFM2TfJA8uT9K7SFXrrl78_8Hu_JWeJR39ing8NvFwzWC1SburMHGOWT7Nq63-5U796z7eVxTISPgnGumizqYQX2jE/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">We are going to be Troop heavy anyway, so we are going to use a Battalion for some free command points, it does mean taking two HQs but as you’ll see, that only makes us more powerful bwahahahahaha!</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Black Templars - Battalion Formation</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Captain</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">-Combi Plasma</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">-Razorback with Twin Las Cannon</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">=204</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Captain</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">-Combi Plasma</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">-Razorback with Twin Las Cannon</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">=204</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">These guys have no intention of riding in the Razorback, they are just here to unlock the extra vehicle, carry a plasmagun, and provide re-rolls to hit when we roll a 1 which is quite handy when wielding lots of plasma weapons!</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Crusader Squad (5)</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Sword Brother with Combi Plasma</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Grav Cannon</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Plasma gun</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Razorback with Twin Las Cannon</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">=236</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Crusader Squad (5)</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Sword Brother with Combi Plasma</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Grav Cannon</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Plasma gun</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Razorback with Twin Las Cannon</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">=236</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Crusader Squad (5)</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Sword Brother with Combi Plasma</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Grav Cannon</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Plasma gun</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Razorback with Twin Las Cannon</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">=236</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Crusader Squad (5)</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Sword Brother with Combi Plasma</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Plasma Cannon</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Plasma gun</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Razorback with Twin Las Cannon</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">=229</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Crusader Squad (5)</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Sword Brother with Combi Plasma</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Plasma Cannon</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Plasma gun</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Razorback with Twin Las Cannon</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">=229</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">5 Crusader squads min/maxed with firepower. Combi Plasmas everywhere and grav cannons. The two Plasmacannon squads are where you put the Captains so they can fire overcharged shots each turn and re-roll any 1’s that come up. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Dreadnaught</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">2x Twin Autocannons</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">=136</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Dreadnaught</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">2x Twin Autocannons</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">=136</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Dreadnaught</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">2x Twin Autocannons</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">=136</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Dreadnaughts with double twin auto cannons are really cheap gun platforms, a better value than even Razorbacks. The auto cannons put out a ton of shots! Each Dread pushes out 8 shots per turn at Strength 7! </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Total: 1982 points</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Command Points: 6</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">This list is kinda nuts looking it over. 14 Lascanons, 3 grav cannons, 2 plasma cannons, 12 plasmaguns, 12 autocannons. Thats a pretty nutty amount of firepower. There is essentially no close combat capability whatsoever but thats the price you pay for being able to shoot your opponents’ MEQ army off the board in two turns. Being able to charge after a deep strike or teleport or drop pod scares me a lot in 8th edition, it makes me feel like armies like this may not be viable without spending points on a bubble wrap, but this was more of me trying to see whats possible rather than what is actually best for winning a tournament.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4483a863-c52f-7fda-00b7-46211a34ee42"></span></span><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Thoughts?</span></span></div>
</div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-49317028649397452242017-06-15T17:22:00.000-04:002017-06-15T17:22:51.953-04:00Dipping My Toes Back In...<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’d thought you’d seen the last of me. Hah! I quit hobby for the last 4 or so years because 6th Edition 40k ruined the game as I enjoyed playing it. You know all the criticisms: too random, too slow, too much roleplaying, clunky rules etc. When 7th Edition came out, I looked at the rules quickly and read a bit around the community and the vibe was slightly better but I was still unimpressed. The allies thing didn’t sit well with me, I hated the idea of competitive players being forced to bring the all star units of two or more armies and mashing them together in order to field a competitive list. Before you list to me all the mono-army lists that were competitive don’t bother, I don’t care and 7th edition is over so no use debating it. I just wasn’t interested in the Apocalypse non-sense and the allies, and god help us the formations which basically told competitive players: pick the formation that gets you the most free points of models and smash the other players who were too stupid to do what you did.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguStiNEOe2ZMPEW0U4n0RfDa2DTKKEAxHal35GQ5T_QJLzBLD6RY-wThDhD85hr2z2lzHmIOQ4JoM06inEGW4LS2cqU7MTH0UoNkmQPkwBzBy2FIR2M5M-NyRtXO2G1E1ZmITqKc3sHiI/s1600/EC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguStiNEOe2ZMPEW0U4n0RfDa2DTKKEAxHal35GQ5T_QJLzBLD6RY-wThDhD85hr2z2lzHmIOQ4JoM06inEGW4LS2cqU7MTH0UoNkmQPkwBzBy2FIR2M5M-NyRtXO2G1E1ZmITqKc3sHiI/s320/EC.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So yeah, typical gripes. When 8th edition leaks started hitting, I decided to see what was up. Lo and behold the game looks… playable again? It looks like a much more balanced game than it has been since 5th Edition. While I haven’t played any sample games or deep dived into the rules enough to declare whether shooting or melee or transports or whatever are “best” again. But, while I haven’t figured the game out by any means, there are definitely some things I noticed that stood out as cool. These will either be general things or more specifically in regards to Black Templars. I guess I need to dip my toes in the pool again and see if I like being wet.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First up, Marines can take 5 man Tac/Crusader squads with a heavy weapon. This is actually huge. One strength of Black Templars in 5th Edition, and vanilla marines in 4th edition was the ability to bring a 5 man squad with a heavy weapon in a razorback which would give maximal firepower from our troops with minimal points investment. Since vehicles appear much harder to kill in 8th, their points cost reflects this. We will have to pay a bit more for this playstyle than 4th edition, but nonetheless, I am excited to see my shooty templars back in action.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Secondly, character Chapter master auras are insanely powerful. Helbrect (a model I’ve never played in all my years of playing Templars, heretic I know) is amazing. Remember, Chapter Master rerolling to-hits applies to vehicles and to shooting. This means Helbrect inside a Land Raider Crusader can mow down a silly amount of troops or light vehicles. Twin assault cannon gets 12 shots with rerolls to hit for Helbrect. That’s nutty. His reroll to hit combined with +1 strength aura means that Lightning Claw terminators are very scary. 3 Strength 5 attacks, reroll to hits, and reroll to wounds. Thats enough rerolling to threaten Monsters and Vehicles with “only” strength 5. But they simply chew up any infantry. Maybe I’m being too fluffy, but I think a LRC with Helbrect and some assault terminators is too good a combo not to at least try. It’s a bit of a fragile death star for sure. Also, Thunderhammers don’t strike last anymore. They do have a minus 1 to hit penalty but… Helbrect allows re-rolls to hit. The only drawback to a Thunderhammer ball is the cost, 56 points per model is no joke.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Third, unlike vanilla marines, Crusader squads can take a heavy, special and combi-weapon in a 5 man squad. This is pretty nuts. Tactical squads need to take 10 man squads to bring all three which limits their ability to MSU though they can combat squad to partially mitigate this. For Templars that just means our “close combat” army is able to out fire-power our vanilla brothers on a point for point basis. Why? Your guess is as good as mine.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All of my 5th Edition Templar lists were similarly structured: heavy long range shooting from 5 man tacs + razorbacks forced enemy to come close if they couldn’t out shoot us, and I would use my terminator assault squads in Land Raiders as counter-charge units to eat whatever of theirs got too close and was too threatening. For the enemies who could actually beat us in a long range shooting battle the LRC and assault Termies could advance quickly to take out their best shooty units. Will this playstyle work in 8th? No idea, but it’s my starting point.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One thing that sorta sucks, is I dont currently own any Grav cannon models since they didn’t exist when I played. I am reliably informed that Grav cannons are the best heavy weapon for marines. I’d rather not buy the bits to make 6 of them if I am not sure I’ll be back to the hobby again, but just how big of a drop off is there from Grav Cannons to the next most efficient weapon? Interestingly, Las cannons and missile launchers are equally prices at 25 points a pop, but las cannons are significantly deadlier single target. Presumably the versatility of the missile launcher is its selling point. I think I will at least start with Las Cannons and see how much extra anti-infantry fire I need. Plasma Cannons also mathhammer quite well too. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So Command Points. Battalion brings with it an HQ and Troop Tax. For me, the Troops I can bring are quite points efficient, however the second HQ is a bit prohibitive. As cool as the Emperor’s Champion is, he is basically a big dumb close combat monster. A basic Chaplain would actually be better since it at least buffs the guys with him. But I genuinely don’t want a second HQ, especially a big dumb close combat monster, because it’s points that should go to shooting. So the Emperor’s Champion is, essentially, a big dumb close combat character with two bonus command points. Maybe I’m wildly off base, but in an army with a lot of redundant shooting and close combat I shouldn’t need the re-rolls that much. Maybe time will tell and those CP are more valuable than I expected?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That said, here is my Shooty Templar 8th Edition 2000 starter list!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Black Templars - Vanguard Detachment</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Helbrect - 170</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Razorback w/ Twin Lascannon - 115</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crusader Squad (5) - 103</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Las cannon </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Plasmagun</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Razorback w/ Twin Lascannon - 115</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crusader Squad (5) - 103</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Las cannon </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Plasmagun</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Razorback w/ Twin Lascannon - 115</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crusader Squad (5) - 99</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Plasma Cannon</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Plasma Gun</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Razorback w/ Twin Lascannon - 115</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dreadnaught - 136</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-TL Autocannon</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-TL Autocannon</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dreadnaught - 136</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-TL Autocannon</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-TL Autocannon</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dreadnaught - 136</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-TL Autocannon</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-TL Autocannon</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Land Raider Crusader - 244</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Terminator Assault Squad (7) - 392</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-7x TH/SS</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Total: 1979</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Command Points: 4</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lean and mean. Not a ton of models on the battlefield actually, but really good close combat units and also quite good shooting. 10 las cannons, 1 plasma cannons, 2 assault cannons, 12 Autocannons, and three plasma guns. Not exactly withering firepower but considering assault terminator unit point investment its nothing to sneeze at. I could imagine a shootier version that ditches the terminators and LRC entirely, brings more shooty units, and a bare bones HQ choice along with combi-plasma guns on all the Sword Brethren to maximize the fire power.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In previous editions, I would probably never consider a single-rock Land Raider unit. However, the chances of a Land Raider being destroyed on the first or second turn are now really low from what I can estimate. I’m really excited to see if that holds up in actual playing.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4483a863-ada1-68e0-99ea-e3cdd7eb1c93"></span><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It will be interesting to see how “troop centric” 8th Edition is, or if small elite armies can win battles. I can’t wait to see. Thoughts?</span></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-16970669137822676032015-07-21T10:41:00.001-04:002015-07-21T10:41:17.282-04:00Remember That Time Games Workshop Ruined Warhammer Fantasy?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I do! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPUko-D4vTTG59hs1GJmDAYLGb-i1ckRaDkyS-5M7OhnyvwW59mvuY8OdgajCi295NF-1-Qj8ZZYdrFPSE5yHjkxtUS6c8S0gRIQ_GaTk9sVj33bezdpY2GwHaJpLHfMIUnzlQCZbgII/s1600/dreadlord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPUko-D4vTTG59hs1GJmDAYLGb-i1ckRaDkyS-5M7OhnyvwW59mvuY8OdgajCi295NF-1-Qj8ZZYdrFPSE5yHjkxtUS6c8S0gRIQ_GaTk9sVj33bezdpY2GwHaJpLHfMIUnzlQCZbgII/s320/dreadlord.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I miss my Dark Elf Lord.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember when 8th Edition came out and there was legit hype that we might finally get a ruleset on par with 40k 5th Edition? I do!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember when they almost actually did it, except the Magic phase was grossly overpowered compared to the rest of the game and if they had only toned down the magic phase they would have had a game that had great rules, the same great minis, and the awesome variety of army that doesn't exist in Space Marine dominated 40k? I do!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember when they took our feedback ("magic phase is too OP") and instead of tweaking it and perfecting their game, they doubled down on it with the expansion that BUFFED THE GODDAMN MAGIC PHASE and made magic even more gamebreaking? I do!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember when that effectively killed the game and all of us threw our hands up and said "fuck this, I'm going back to 40k?" I do!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember when they subsequently fucked up 40k?! I do!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember when they desperately tried to cash in on the last bit of community goodwill for Fantasy with the End Times expansion which basically added more BS over the top units, merged all the armies into a play-whatever-you-want-yolo mess which destroyed the flavor of the individual armies <i>which was the best goddamn part of Fantasy in the first place? </i>I do!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember when they scrapped Warhammer Fantasy and replaced it with a little kid miniatures game that would be most ideally played with pre-painted unit ala Clix and the game was designed solely to appeal to little kids who like 40k but doesn't actually interest little kids and ofcourse Fantasy vets aren't interested because the game is complete horse shit garbage? I do!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">______</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What should you take away from this? That GW has absolutely no understanding of who their Fantasy audience was, what they wanted from the game and essentially delivered the exact opposite of what was needed on multiple occasions. Gamers have not abandoned Fantasy: we are still interested in WHFB. We would still play warhammer fantasy battles if there were solid rules and support. Pro tip: release WHFB 8th edition, but eliminate every magic spell above number 3 in every magic line and you instantly have a game that is fun, balanced and playable.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">RIP WHFB. It wasn't euthanasia, it was a murder.</span></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-45714773225206079702015-02-18T12:05:00.001-05:002015-02-18T15:54:40.300-05:00Stupidity on the Internet: BOLS Edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
OMG hi everyone. I was roused out of my torpor by one of the dumbest articles I've read on the 40k blogosphere in ages. While I don't play 40k anymore, I still do my best to keep up with it because who knows, something may happen that causes me to jump back into the hobby with a vengeance. Once a competitive player, always a competitive player.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In ages past this segment was always one of my most popular but also got a lot of hate thrown my way. The good news is now that I am not part of "the community" I don't care about the hate! Today's subject is this abortion: <a href="http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2015/02/40k-deep-thought-40k-7th-ed-less-competitive-40k-5th-ed.html">http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2015/02/40k-deep-thought-40k-7th-ed-less-competitive-40k-5th-ed.html</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.imgur.com/zgjVbUq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/zgjVbUq.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not gonna lie, this article is atrociously written. From the start it seems to fail to meet the same level of professionalism from most BOLS articles, which implies whatever that standard means to you.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The author of this piece seems to argue (because he isn't bold enough to actually come out and state his thesis directly) that 7th edition is just as competitive as 5th edition. His arguments exclusively fall into the "back in my day" line of argumentation. He cites the flavor of the month tournament lists from each previous edition as evidence that the game has always been poorly balanced. Congrats dude. You cited the names of lists. I guess that about wraps up the debate! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Me: 5th Edition was the most competitive edition of 40k</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Him: LOL LEAFBLOWER LOLZ</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Me: How can anyone argue with logic like that?! I surrender!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ummmmm no. Sorry bro, that doesn't settle anything. I don't care if vehicles were insanely overpowered in 3rd edition, that has no bearing on 5th edition. Many a good tournament player from the 5th edition era will tell you that the original leafblower list wasn't all that good after the first few months in the metagame. 5th Edition was about mech and shooting, and that list was definitely that. But it took advantage of players who hadn't fully adapted to the "mech and shooting" metagame of 5th edition. Once the community adapted, by adding more anti-mech firepower and bringing "mech and shooting" lists of their own I would argue that the leafblower list wasn't even that good. There were MANY lists I was much more afraid of running into at NOVA than mechguard, </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There were a couple traits that made 5th Edition the golden age of competitive 40k, traits that are missing now.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. Simplicity: Stelek's 5x5 and the NOVA variation thereof created a very MOBA-like battlefield where everyone was on even ground. There were no asymmetrical scenarios. If I have to explain why asymmetrical scenarios are non-competitive in tournament play you should probably stop reading and attend to your head trauma. Hell, even if you stuck to the 3 (yes 3) book scenarios the missions were at least relatively symmetrical. No matter which side of the scenario you rolled you had a more or less equal chance of winning. The same cannot be said of 7th edition. In 7th the scenario you roll is very capable of determining the winner before the first bolter is fired in anger. Sure TOs can ignore all that and run tournaments the way they were run in 5th edition, but they shouldn't have to.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. Variance. Any game with as much dice rolling as WH40k has going to have lots and lots of variance. In ANY game, the better players desire less variance and worse players desire more variance. There is a healthy balance between luck vs skill. A skillful player should be favored to beat a less skilled play in a healthy game. But there should be enough variance so that a less skilled player can still pull off and upset some amount of time. 5th Edition struck a good balance between the two. I've seen some savage losses to bad rolls, some close games that shouldn't have been close and some other games where the dice had very little say in the matter, the skill gap being that wide. Quite frankly, all the RPG elements in 6th and 7th edition added too much variance. Warlord traits being rolled adds stupid variance. Random charge distance added stupid variance. The scenarios (mentioned above) added too much variance. Even worse: a lot of these things are rolled before the game even starts. Having the outcome of the game tipped in one player's favor before the game starts based purely on luck is ridiculous.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. Balance. Was 5th edition perfectly balanced? Hell no. There were plenty of armies that were at a distinct disadvantage ::cough:: Nids and Orks ::cough:: but the tiers were not NEARLY so pronounced as in 7th edition. In 5th Edition I could play against a "tier 1 list" with my "tier 3" Black Templar army and get a close game. It was not a forlorn conclusion. I won several 5th edition tournaments with Black Templars, which were not considered an especially powerful army. Sure this is anecdotal but everyone would agree that the distance between the best list in the worst book to the best list in the best book were significantly smaller than it is today. This matters. It matters a lot. Saying "LOL Leafblower" is meaningless. Leafblower wasn't anywhere near as dominant as Eldar or Tau are in 7th. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So that's my case for 5th edition as a more competitive format: it had significantly better army balance, lower variance, and better scenario symmetry. Now that I've made my case let's get into the fun...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: blue;">"<strong style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Balance</strong><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"> – lol that one is a red herring. Most guys that want competitive tournaments actively try to break the game in the list building phase. The list building phase is the biggest factor in tournament gaming if you are playing to win – show up with a weak list and no matter how good you are you are going to be at a severe handicap."</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Everyone tries to make the best list they can. Duh. No one is arguing that 5th edition allowed people to play weak lists and be competitive. In fact, that would be the sign of a non-competitive game. 5th Edition, as I said, had smaller space between the tiers and more codices had relevant tournament lists.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: blue;">"<strong style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Still others cite shoddy rules</strong><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"> – but again the rules have always been complained about. Every edition there have been reams of threads about how crappy the rules are, but still tournament players were content with rolling until 6th."</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The rules could always be improved regardless of the edition, no one is arguing that. What you miss is the qualitative difference. If the rules of 5th edition were bad and complaint-worthy, and 7th Edition is also bad and complaint-worthy that doesn't mean that 5th and 7th are equally bad. One can be bad, but still vastly better by comparison.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: blue;">"<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">I think the biggest change that is commonly griped about are two fold:</span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><strong>1) allies</strong></span><br style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><strong>2) forge world"</strong></span></span></i><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">These DO matter. The option to include allies and OTT forgeworld bullshit means that any chance of balance between individual codices is ruined. GW made the list-building so open-ended that there is no reasonable way to balance them competitively.</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: blue;">"<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">In 3rd, 4th, and 5th edition there were usually three power builds that the vast majority of players took (i am speaking from heavy 3rd and 4th tournament experience and saw it in 5th after i had gotten out of tournament play)."</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That's right folks: you're being lectured on tournament balance between 5th and 7th edition by a guy who hasn't played in a tournament in a decade or more and hasn't played in a competitive tournament in either of the two editions he is talking about.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">"<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Today you can face six or seven power lists and the listbuilding phase is much harder to win in."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is where the author lets you know the reason people hate 7th edition is because there are TOO MANY good lists, rather than too few. You see, us bad tournament players apparently like it when there are only a handful of lists to prepare for since our pea-brains can't handle anymore. Once you introduce "six or seven" possible tournament armies our donkey brains can't cope and we just say the game is broken. That's a weird conclusion to draw when I can argue (as someone who actually played 5th edition tournaments, as opposed to the BOLS writer) that were were many, many competitive lists in 5th edition, and based on everything I see now, there are far fewer good options in 7th. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well that's it. I'm going to crawl back into my cave.</div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-84105205254220229352014-04-01T17:02:00.003-04:002014-04-01T17:02:57.885-04:00Dark Elves Army Book: Initial Impressions Part 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm back already. I wasn't kidding when I <strike>threatened to</strike> said I would post again. You wanted it, you got it. I want to do the next section of the Dark Elves Army Book impressions. Again, I want to stress I haven't played this book yet, or a game of Fantasy itself in almost two years so there is a good chance my impressions of the viability of units is 100% wrong. If I am wrong, please explain why in the comments so I can learn what's good more quickly.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.imgur.com/sQsVnky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/sQsVnky.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Lords and Heroes</span></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dreadlord - In the last book with it's OP magic items, we had the "unkillable" dreadlord with a 1+/2++/4+regen save, often mounted on a Pegasus who causes all sorts of trouble. Now, unfortunately, it appears you cannot really craft a DL that is worth the points. Taking advantage of the 100 points of magic items is hardly worth it with such a paltry selection and it seems like there is no reason to bring this guy, unless you wanted a dragon mount which is hardly worth it. I feel a pretty big 'pass' here.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Supreme Sorceress - The level 4 wizard is a pretty obligatory choice so unless I see some reason here not to take this... nope. Give her a Sacrificial Dagger and a large unit of Spearmen, Lore of Shadow and she is good to go.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
High Beastmaster - Hmmm. Stats are in between a dreadlord and a master, but it gets a free Manticore or Chariot. The selling point here is the Chariot with its Ravager Harpoon. A strength 7 d3 wound bolt thrower that can move and shoot is pretty nifty but this is quite a bit of points for that. I think I would pass.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Blackark Fleetmaster - A weird choice. Show No Weakness is geared towards a character winning challenges being part of a unit. So to maximize this, he has to be set up to win challenges by have his unit lose the fight. I'm not a fan.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sorceress - Lowbie wizard who for 115 points can get Tome of Furion and a Dark Pegasus to unleash a Black Horror that devastates the enemy. I might not be able to find points for that in a 2000 point list, but I could see one in a 2500 list to cause chaos.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Master - This is the affordable combat character choice. Last edition I liked this guy on foot in a unit of Executioners or on a Chariot. You can't give a deathhag BSB anymore unless I'm reading this wrong, so this seems fairly obligatory in most lists to me. Perhaps not on a chariot but existing in some form.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Deathhag - I'm a huge fan of the Cauldron of Blood and what it does for your army. Frenzy is often maligned as allowing your opponent to control you, but the other side of the coin is that it allows you to dictate the flow of the game. I'm a fan.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Assassin - Playing with an Assassin is like playing with a unit that has Frenzy in a way. If you play to maximize the Assassin it becomes obvious to your opponent that you have one. The best use of an Assassin is always to kill your opponent's level 4 wizard early in the game, but most players go to great pains to keep their level 4 out of combat early so it will be pretty difficult to get that done. Really cool theme but I don't think it is practical now.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thoughts? Comments? Questions?</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-54737905183073351252014-03-31T23:16:00.002-04:002014-03-31T23:16:47.187-04:00Dark Elves Army Book: Initial Impressions Part 1<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Uh hi.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember me?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No? Well that's OK anyway.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The long story short is that I was once a competitive 40k/Fantasy player who got run out of the hobby by GW. 8th Edition Fantasy was pretty casual, and 6th Edition 40k was just soul-crushingly bad. So bad, in fact, that I couldn't stomach playing it anymore. When the new Marines book came out I thought, "maybe this will do it." Then I read how Templars are rolled into it and are extremely non-competitive. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alright. It's fine, I've gone almost two years without playing 40k and I don't mind waiting another few years before I play again. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So why am I here? The short story is that Xaereth's casual Fantasy comeback inspired me to take a look at the new Dark Elves book. I don't think I'll ever play in another tournament, especially not one I have to travel for; but I can still enjoy a beer and pretzels game once a month, right? If that is the type of experience GW wants to sell to players maybe I can enjoy that. I went to the LGS and purchased the "new" Dark Elves book. I won't lie, our 7th Edition book had some insanely OP stuff. The units, the magic items, the special rules: it was easy for a 40k player who dabbled in Fantasy to beat players much more experienced than myself simply by overpowering them. I don't expect this ability to continue. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">According to Xaereth, the army is a glass cannon now, my old list packed chariots and Hydras and all the characters had insanely good ward saves and the heaviest armor. The only thing squishy were my troops, and a good Dark Elf Lord know they are expendable anyway. For an army of Elves, my army was a cannon but it was anything but glass. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Enough summary. What am I going to do here? I haven't played any games with this book so a review would be silly. A review of an army you haven't played is like reading a review of a car written by someone who has only read the owners manual. I won't pretend to know the current tournament meta (still crazy OP magic and ultra-powerful warmachines?) so I'm sure I will say stuff that sounds dumb to experienced players. But what I will give you is my initial impression of each unit and the magic items and how I think they would play. I might be right on or I might be way off. In either case, maybe I'll have some insight into the book that someone else could find useful. Hopefully my experience playing the old book and a lot of 8th edition won't steer me completely wrong in an embarrassing way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You ready? Let's do it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/W61YGdu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/W61YGdu.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Guild Wars 2 Thief would make a great Dark Elf Assassin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The best place to start is with the magic items, I think, because you can't make a greatly informed decision about the Lords and Heroes without knowing what OP things you can give them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Magic Items</u></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hydra Blade - 100 Point magic weapons are almost never viable. One with a drawback is instant pass.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chillblade - 50 point magic weapon that doesn't have to roll to wound. Anyone hit by it has to pass a toughness test or be -3 attacks for a while. Seems like a weapon you would put on a high initiative low strength character whose goal is to not die rather than to win challenges. Pretty marginal utility.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Black Dragon Egg - One use item that grants you strength 6 and toughness 6 and a breath weapon for one turn. I am not in that business, though its a nice trick to have when someone thinks they are going to kill your squishy sorceress. Still, I don't see this being competitive.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cloak of Twilight - 3++ save vs ranged weapons and magic. In the first round of any close combat the wearer has killing blow and multiple wounds d3. This sounds like it was tailor made for a character on a chariot and/or dark pegasus warmachine/character hunter. This might be viable.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Black Amulet - 4++ save that inflicts an unsaveable wound back on anyone who have an attacked saved by it. 60 points is a bit steep but the effect is pretty good.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ring of Hotek - Magic Resistance 3 and a 6" aura where snake eyes and double 6 causes miscasts. Pretty powerful. It's best on a front line unit that is fast enough to get close to the enemy's magic bunker or a character on a pegasus. I still think 6" is pretty prohibitive to use though.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Banner of Nagarythe - A banner that grants Unbreakable for 100 points. No thanks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gem of Spite - I'm not in the business of intentionally miscasting to maybe hurt other wizards.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sacrificial Dagger - Oh baby. This was by far the best item in the last book. Only 50% effective now, but if you fail to generate the power die you can try again. Only 25 points, even at a reduced effectiveness, is still priced to sell. This seems like it is still a must have.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tome of Furion - 25 Points for a free Dark Magic spell you can choose. This was good last edition and is good now. The best use previously was to give a level 2 sorceress a 3rd spell of her choosing, and I reckon this is still the best way to use it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>Lore of Dark Magic</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Spiteful Conjuration - Attribute - basically a buff to your spells that adds a few low strength hits. A lot of the spells in the Lore are strong against plentiful weaklings so depending on the match up it can be great or terrible.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Power of Darkness - Signature Spell - Give a unit +1 Strength, generate d3 Power Dice. If you generate 3 dice you take a wounds. I envision having a level 1 sorceress with Tome of Furion casting a huge spell once per turn with this. If she dies, she dies, but at least she gets off one mega spell.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doombolt - Signature Spell - 2d6 strength 2 magic missile that reduces the enemy unit balistic by 1. A good way to slow down a large unit of archers, but how can that compare to the Power of Darkness?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Word of Pain - Hex spell that does -d3 to weaponskill and ballistic, can be buffed to affect Strength and Initiative as well. Pretty strong on the 12+ version and ensures that your unit will win any combat.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bladewind - Direct damage spell that requires the unit to pass a strength test or everyone takes a strength 4 hit. Really good against large units of weaklings, obviously. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shroud of Despair - Hex prevents enemies from using Inspiring Presence and hold your ground. This can be situationally powerful against low Leadership armies who rely on their general for Leadership. Easy to think of a few like that, otherwise skip this.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Soul Stealer - A small blast template that inflicts Strength 2 hits with no armor. You wizard gains wounds up to 10. Another good spell against weak hordes. Ideally super strong on a roaming pegasus sorceress who will be soaking up some hits. Strength 2 hits even with no armor are nothing to be super excited about.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Black Horror - A magic vortex that forces strength tests and kills outright and can backfire spectacularly. Yet another spell that picks on weaklings. Sensing a theme here? This one is pretty meh, but when used on a Pegasus Sorceress it can do serious work devastating someone's entire line. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Summary: The best magic items appear to be geared towards increasing the capabilities of your casters. The combat weapons are fairly weak, though the cloak of twilight seems good. The magic lore seems like a good support Lore. I would guess the best thing would be to take Shadow on your Supreme and then a level 1 who likes to live dangerous with Tome of Furion to being Power of the Darkness and Blackhorror on a Pegasus or dark steed. My impression is that the only time you want to really go Supreme Sorceress is when you're facing an s3/t3 army. But even then, the Lore of Shadows seems superior.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thoughts? Comments? Questions?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-65657780822356869022013-03-13T12:16:00.000-04:002013-03-13T12:16:18.760-04:00Checking In and Where I've Been<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Hello,
Nikephoros checking in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I’ve
had a bunch of emails lately from you nice folks asking what I’ve been up to
and what my thoughts on the state of the game is. So I think I should make a post about those
things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I
have been still going strong with Guild Wars 2 to get my gaming fix. I am a member of a srs bsns guild, Death and
Taxes [DnT] on Blackgate server. The
guild is a PvE dungeon/fractal speed clear guild with the top players, and has
been super fun. We have started playing
tournament pvp for fun and its hilarious since we are so low ranked in pvp yet
since most of us are really good players we still beat much higher rated
teams. <st1:place w:st="on">Lot</st1:place>’s
of QQ and all that. A guildmate, Strife,
posts video speed run guides to each dungeon some of which I am in so if anyone
is interested I can post those here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In
non-gaming updates, I’m still going hard with my cycling training and racing
season starts for me this Sunday. I have
a 60 mile road race, which is a fun way to kick off the season since in a large
field race I don’t have high expectations and I can just test myself and get a
gauge for my fitness. I hit 12,000 miles
on the bike last year, and I basically had to destroy my social life and
alienate all my friends and family to do that.
This year I am paring it back to 10,000 in hopes of maybe having some
kind of interpersonal relationships with other humans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">So
enough about my life, what about Warhams?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Bluntly:
6<sup>th</sup> Edition killed 40k for me.
I played a bunch of games when 6<sup>th</sup> came out and I didn’t have
any fun. After the last game I played I
asked myself, “Am I even enjoying this?
If not, why am I spending my valuable Saturday free time doing something
I don’t enjoy?” The answer, sadly, was
that I wasn’t getting anything from it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">6<sup>th</sup>
Edition forces me to play a style of army I don’t particularly enjoy. I am 100% sure that when I say “6<sup>th</sup>
edition doesn’t reward maneuver” someone will try to prove me wrong. Fine, whatever. Maybe I am wrong. But my experience was that 5<sup>th</sup>
Edition greatly rewarded playskill by emphasizing maneuver and timing. In 6<sup>th</sup> Edition, my experience has
been that the ability to outmaneuver your opponent to gain an advantage is
significantly less. Again, I’m sure
someone will try to tell me that isn’t the case but I really don’t care as I’m
talking about my personal experience. I
don’t want to play an IG blob, I don’t want to play with allies, and I don’t
want to play an all foot army against other all foot armies. So the style of army is not my cup of tea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Additionally,
I like to play Black Templars. I think
we can all agree that BT are essentially unplayable in a competitive setting at
this point. Especially without allies,
because as I said above, I don’t want to use allies. I do still have my GK that I could readily
play but I would have to spend another couple hundred dollars to make them
ready for 6<sup>th</sup> edition, and that would mean a foot army. Since I don’t enjoy foot armies, spending
hundreds of dollars and hours of time modeling and painting just so I can play
something I don’t enjoy… that makes no sense.
My vanilla marines army is what I played in the games I did play, and it
just reminded me how little I enjoy vanilla marines. Boring army with no flavor that just does
stuff and has no edge to leverage. The
wins are close and the losses are close.
Maybe that works for some people but it’s not interesting to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">When
the new BT codex comes out in the White Dwarf in 2015 or whatever the rumor is
this week, I’ll buy it and if I like the way it looks I’ll give it a shot. But I don’t see any chance of me coming back
to 40k without a new BT book OR a vanilla marine book that is like the 4<sup>th</sup>
edition book that allowed you to use traits to make interesting armies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">As
far as fantasy goes, 8<sup>th</sup> Edition was never seriously competitive due
to the magic system being so over the top.
What killed Fantasy was the Storm of Magic or whatever supplement that
came out and took the worst part of 8<sup>th</sup> edition, Magic, and made it
10x worse. I COULD just ignore that
supplement, except for a good 6 month period no one locally played anything
else. And once ‘Ard Boyz was canceled
there was literally no reason to play what passes for competitive Fantasy. If you’re going to go carebear fluff bunny,
might as well go full carebear and play Storm of Magic. Unfortunately, going carebear doesn’t
interest me. So much like 40k, I’m not
going to waste my Saturday playing a game for 3 hours that I don’t find
compelling. I read on the rumor site
that Dark Elves are getting a new book next year. Sad to this one go as it has some pretty OP
stuff I enjoyed using, but maybe the next one will rekindle some kind of
interest in Fantasy for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">That’s
about it, I’ll check in again when I have something for ya!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-67336105476335433372012-12-04T12:18:00.005-05:002012-12-04T12:18:57.384-05:00Life on Death Row: Black Templar Allies in 6th<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Things
look bleak for Black Templars these days.
Their current codex is ancient and strictly non-competitive in a
tournament setting as the main army. All
the rumors point to the BT getting a White Dwarf codex sometime in 2013, and
based on the history of the last few WD codices… let’s just say we might
actually prefer to keep our ancient over-costed codex if the alternative is
anything like the Sisters of Battle. Our
current codex is a dinosaur on life support, and our future codex has a good
chance of being still-born. Things could
be better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOS3tgDdJ2qxdlC2O-_4WkrXWOWXLXG5cPyuJI_LFMoTPugW-SZjj2J6aCRR_q59y6zLThLGTvtJylgsuJ-tkiY6_rdtBoImeMe27b-Wh8uEyo2HlZwj2VTOIdghGDm5AKd_cSPDWOTRk/s1600/templar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOS3tgDdJ2qxdlC2O-_4WkrXWOWXLXG5cPyuJI_LFMoTPugW-SZjj2J6aCRR_q59y6zLThLGTvtJylgsuJ-tkiY6_rdtBoImeMe27b-Wh8uEyo2HlZwj2VTOIdghGDm5AKd_cSPDWOTRk/s320/templar.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
BT are all but useless as a main army in competitive 6<sup>th</sup>
edition. Our HQ and Troops are
significantly overcosted, and as those are areas that every army needs to
compete, it puts a strain out. So where
is the glimmer of hope? Simply put, as
allies. The BT have some interesting
units that can be complimentary as an allied force, and I’ll go over the
options here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">HQ: BT can bring a Terminator captain with a retinue
of Tank Hunting 2x Ass-can/cyclone terminators.
When is this useful? Let’s say
you have a good codex that has good options in heavy support and elites, but
you still want some more strong and tough anti-tank. Getting a shooty anti-tank unit out of an HQ
slot is rare. Not many modern armies can
bring shooty anti-tank units in HQ so if you are strapped for empty FOC slots,
this can really bolster your army<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Troops: As I mentioned before, our troops are
stiflingly overpriced. But we have one
attractive option: 20x man crusader squad with krak grenades. This is a fairly tough to shift blob that is
Fearless in assaults and, when a chaplain is attached, will be in your
deployment zone immediately if you choose to shoot at them. This unit is pricey for a Troop choice, but
it provide something only Chaos normally has access to: a 20 man MEQ unit with
close combat potential. There are a lot
of armies who bring allied CSM just for this type of unit, and depending on the
army and their ally options, this might be better. Or at least legal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Elites: 5x Terminator squad with 2x heavy weapons and
Tank Hunters. These are almost strictly
better than any modern codex’ similar options.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Tank
Hunting venerable dread with TLLC and Missile Launcher. The ability to glance kill the dread hurts
the points investment you take in Venerable.
However, your guns are 48” range and hit really hard. There are not too many better anti-heavy tank
units in the game. I could easily see
this incorporated into a GK list as the “fourth” psyfleman. Or in a C:SM Master of the Forge list as the
“sixth” rifleman. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Heavy
Support: Power of the Machine Spirit
Vindicator. Our FAQ weakened this option
by changing PotMS to match the new codices.
However, other books can’t take PotMS on their Vindis, so this is a
unique option. Many SM lists these days
are bringing Vindis, and some other armies that can’t wish they could. This is the option to take an upgraded
Vindi. I would definitely consider this
one in any list that is considering bringing a Vindi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">That’s
about it. Like I said, this codex is on
life support/death row; so us remaining Black Templar players have to do the
best with what good options are left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Thoughts? Comments?
Questions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-50187672628724972222012-10-01T10:00:00.000-04:002012-10-01T10:00:11.013-04:00Email In: Dark Elf 2k List Advice<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Tom
writes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">"Hey Nike, </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
I've been reading your blog for a little while now ever since I got back into Warhammer, and I was wondering if you could give me some tips on my Dark Elves, and probably at a later time my Space Marines too haha. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
This is what my Army list looks like at the moment:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<b>Lords: </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
Supreme Sorceress 315pts</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Lvl 4</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Life Taker</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Sacrificial Dagger</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Shadow</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Power of Darkness</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<b>Heroes</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
Sorceress 125pts</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Dispell Scroll </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Fire</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Power of Darkness</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
Death Hag 250pts</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Cauldron of Blood </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Rune of Khaine</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Manbane</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<b>Core</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
20 Dark Elf Warriors 155pts</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Shields</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Full Command</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
20 Dark Elf Warriors 155pts</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Shields</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Full Command</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
20 Dark Elf Crossbowmen 205pts</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Musician </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<b>Special </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
10 Cold One Knights 335pts</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Full Command</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Banner of Murder</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
20 Black Guard 267pts</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
- Musician </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<b>Rare</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
War Hydra 175pts</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
SO what's the go with what… </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
One Sorceress goes with one of the blocks of Spearmen, the other Sorceress goes with the other block. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
Cauldron lingers behind moving up, so it can buff a unit. The Cold One Knights can get in close and personal, or provide a flank bonus, with the Black Guard being a main target too. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
The Blocks of Warriors can be really buffed up by shadow, or have their enemies buffed down, and I kept the musician's in with the Crossbowmen and the Black Guard just for leadership purposes, with the reasoning behind no standard bearer being that hopefully I won't need the extra point in combat res. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
I have 15pts left over to spend, so am thinking of adding a Standard of Discipline onto one of the Spearmen units, or adding in a Standard to the Black Guard. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
What do you think? I haven't played a game with this army and still need to purchase some of the models such as the Hydra etc., so any criticisms or suggestions for models to buy is all good, because I don't want to waste money on things I won't use. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
Thanks, </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
Tom"</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2KhHOyUe5hGzCW0JERZgLj2IufOzSkHo3QA1yDkUWkSp9mbpTHsqRd8lkcYTXErc-hjFEqnhb3kAAscYcPnydr_CXcAqtsq20rg1jmDcEnwOjMC3x0s3uxGTfOlsOQSIoSdHwcOlNQY/s1600/male2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2KhHOyUe5hGzCW0JERZgLj2IufOzSkHo3QA1yDkUWkSp9mbpTHsqRd8lkcYTXErc-hjFEqnhb3kAAscYcPnydr_CXcAqtsq20rg1jmDcEnwOjMC3x0s3uxGTfOlsOQSIoSdHwcOlNQY/s320/male2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What? No dragons?!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Reply:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">So
there are some issues, both major and minor, with this list that I want to
address. I’ll start with the minor ones,
and then address the major ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Minor
issues:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I don’t
understand the Fire Sorceress.
Random Fire magic spells are pretty lame, I guess your plan is
Fireball spam? Seems weak to
me. Also, you need to look at the
price of the magic bunker when taking into account her cost. This is a fantastically expensive unit
that is not at all scary at magic or combat. I would make her Shadow Magic, and
probably lose the bunker.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I don’t
get the close combat upgrades on the Cauldron. The Cauldron shouldn’t often be in close
combat, and if it is in close combat things are going very wrong. Also, it’s no slouch in CC. Anything in close combat with it that
actually threatens it isn’t going to be phased by those upgrades, so they
seem a waste of points.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Full
Command on your magic bunkers is bad.
You don’t need the Lordling.
He doesn’t add leadership, just one extra piddly attack. Those points would be better spent on
banners that assist with Leadership or giving the unit Flaming attacks.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Banner of
Murder belongs on the Blackguard, since the armor piercing actually
matters. The COK need Haeg Graef
for ASF. Also, you want full
command on the BG. Not having a
magic item on the officer is throwing away free value.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Break the
Repeater Crossbowmen into MSU. You
want to be able to target multiple units per turn, and reduce your
vulnerability to AOE magic and warmachines.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Major
Issues:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">You don’t
have enough threats. Before buying
the COK or BG I would make sure you have a second Hydra. You need to present your opponent with
more threats than he has answers. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
threats you do have are have all different speeds. This is crucial. Your opponent can focus fire on your
units from fastest to slowest and destroy you bit by bit. By making target priority so easy, you
are essentially making your fewer threats significantly less scary.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Changes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Add the
second Hydra. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Break the
RXB into two units of 10 with banner and musician. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Lose the
second magic bunker unit. Make the
first one 30 strong, add banner of Leadership. Use the left over points to buy more
units of RXB. Do not exceed 500
points on Core.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Lose
either the BG or the COK. I
recommend losing the COK. Buy a
second unit of BG. Use the points
savings to properly equip them with full command and offensive magic
items. Any extra points will go
towards the Hydra.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Lose the
offensive upgrades on the Hag.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Lose the
L1 Sorceress. Her contribution will
be trivial, and her points will go a long way towards the second Hydra.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
results will be you now have 4 seriously scary units, your magic isn’t
significantly worse, and you have significantly more and better scoring units.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Thoughts? Comments?
Questions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-41492692718377579982012-09-10T12:12:00.000-04:002012-09-10T12:12:18.625-04:00Odds and Ends and Ramblings<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Hey
all, long time no talk. I’ve been
playing Guild Wars 2 a ton and not playing 40k at all. I did, however, follow the NOVA coverage and
I have a few comments on it. I have not
played enough high end competitive 6<sup>th</sup> Edition to reach firm
conclusions but here is what I have been thinking about…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSpHK7bmuQyEoAGxgGyipqFKcurofVjXwP0pf5M7Q9Q3dK1KaVXTpbYY9HeuAPIDrS0r8KV9QfusmQGETysOVW2Iizo_gXMDF_LVZZ9o17GpdKC-lJMBCtEquKJ0B5tVjANEplVmiJIc/s1600/nova.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSpHK7bmuQyEoAGxgGyipqFKcurofVjXwP0pf5M7Q9Q3dK1KaVXTpbYY9HeuAPIDrS0r8KV9QfusmQGETysOVW2Iizo_gXMDF_LVZZ9o17GpdKC-lJMBCtEquKJ0B5tVjANEplVmiJIc/s320/nova.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1. The top lists are a radical departure from
what we have seen before or what most people expected. Most people expected mech lists to be
slightly weaker, but what we saw was the total dominance of heavy firepower
foot lists. Full mech was definitely a
second tier choice. It seemed that if
you wanted to be at the competitive top your list had to have at least 50+
scoring MEQ bodies and 50+ Str 7+ shots per turn. Plus, in a startling transition, the reaction
was how powerful Plasma weapons were.
Because the good lists were on foot, the best lists were also foot lists
that could handle other foot lists and shoot away deathstars. AP2 plasma weapons seem to fit the bill
nicely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2. Deathstars or mini-stars seemed very
popular. With the new FAQ changes I
think we are seeing a drastic weakening of elite deathstars like Paladins, Nobz
and Wolf Guard. Blob-stars, if you can
give them fearless still after the FAQs, are still just as good since they didn’t
rely on bouncing wounds around to be effective.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3. I would like to think that this tournament’s
lists are indicative of 6<sup>th</sup> Edition in general. I’m just not sure. This isn’t a knock against MVB, but I think
the emphasis on table quarters and the fact that vehicles didn’t score for
quarters had a huge effect on the lists you saw. Unlike some, I think this is a good thing, as
the lists that did well are the type of lists I like to see. While these are the types of lists that <i>should</i> be good in an ideal game, I don’t
know that these would be the best lists if you were forced to play just the
straight book missions. It will be
interesting to see how future 6<sup>th</sup> Edition GT’s play out, because,
unfortunately, I think these lists may be optimized for the tournament mission
structure and not the game in abstract.
With that said…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4. Failure to win at NOVA is your own fault, not
the specific tournament environment.
Playtesting materials and FAQs were released well ahead of time. Terrain examples were released ahead of
time. Yet a particularly loud 40k blog
voice is blaming his failure to win on the follow: missions, terrain and
luck. Luck can be immediately discounted
because I’ve not yet met a human being who can statistically demonstrate that
they possess a quality known as “bad luck.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">If
you claim your dice rolled below average, perhaps they did, but that is almost
certainly a sign that you didn’t roll enough dice to bring out an average
result. That is a problem caused by one
of the following: your list didn’t give you enough resources to solve the
problem you faced, or your tactics were such that you couldn’t bring the
resources you had to bear when and where you needed them. Both of those issues are completely under
your control, so there is nothing to complain about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">As
far as terrain goes, it was the same for everyone. I won’t lie, at last year’s NOVA I wasn’t
happy with the terrain on one table I played on twice. While I would say it contributed to my loss,
I might have still lost anyway, so who knows?
What I do know is that it would be not only arrogant, but overly
simplistic to say that the terrain is what caused me to lose the game. The terrain on a table is a fixed
system. There is a right way to play
every particular arrangement, and gaming that system is how you use it to your
advantage. Chances are, if you “lost due
to terrain” what really happened is you lost due to your opponent taking
advantage of the terrain, and you underestimating him and not trying as hard to
play the terrain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Claiming
that missions themselves were flawed is a joke.
Stelek had the arrogant audacity to claim that his list was perfect for
6<sup>th</sup>, but that the NOVA missions were such a departure from 6<sup>th</sup>
that he got screwed out. As above, there
might be some validity to this concept.
But that isn’t an excuse for losing.
Playtesting materials were available to all. If you didn’t bring a list optimized to win
the published mission pack, who is at fault?
I don’t care if the mission pack doesn’t fit what you think the game
should be. You paid to attend a
tournament, you were given the tournament rules. Your list should take that tournament into
account. Claiming the missions were
flawed after the fact is mockable, and arrogant. If Mike had sprung the NOVA missions on us as
a surprise with no playtesting materials, this <i>might </i>be an excuse.
Unfortunately for this bogus criticism, the top players arrived with
lists tuned to win the tournament. While
you might find the entire concept of tuning your list for a particular
tournament objectionable, as a competitive player you have to PLAY TO WIN. By ignoring the missions and bringing a bad
list, you were not playing to win. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">5. Shame on BoLS. I don’t know what their problem with Mike is,
but none of their prominent writers went to NOVA for the 3<sup>rd</sup>
consecutive year. What is the deal with
that? These guys are undeniably talented
players, who apparently have the resources to fly to po-dunk small GTs and RTT,
or even to <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place> for the ETC. But they can never seem to find the time or
money to get to DC in August. Strange
stuff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">If that was it, I wouldn’t even mention
this. But in addition to their
unstated-but-still-obvious boycott, they didn’t even cover it. Arguably the #2 biggest (and #1 most important
to competitive players) 40k tournament in the United States and the only
coverage they got on the biggest 40k website in the United States was a
bullshit article about a judge’s ruling whose only reason for being published,
as far as I can see, was to imply that the tournament was run poorly. I’m sure MVB will take the high road and not
mention it, but I would love to know what the issue is. Is Wargamescon threatened by NOVA? NOVA clearly has the “competitive” label and
WGC less so. Is WGC jealous? Threatened?
I don’t get it at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">As
a quick aside, I want to remark how amazingly good Guild Wars 2 is. The game has the depth and refinement of a
game that has been out for years, at launch.
The game has better PVP than anything else out besides League of
Legends, and better PVE than anything else.
The only thing GW2 PVE comes up short when compared to WoW is large
raids, as the “end game” for GW2 PVE are 5-man dungeon instances. If you’re into 40 man raids, you might want
to look elsewhere, but for literally every other aspect of PVE GW2 provide a
superior experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Thoughts? Comments?
Questions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-7694110910446130972012-08-24T12:35:00.000-04:002012-08-24T12:35:10.342-04:00Extended Absence: Guild Wars 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hello. Short but sweet: Guild Wars 2 comes out tonight and I'll be playing that for the next few weeks hardcore enough that I don't anticipate writing anything for this blog, though maybe I'll write about GW2? In any event, I'll see you on the other side.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d2vn94glaxzkz3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/guildwars2-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://d2vn94glaxzkz3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/guildwars2-16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you are playing GW2 I'll be on Stormbluff Isle server with my guild doing what you'd expect: crushing faces in PVP.</span></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-75517603540070299362012-08-18T16:07:00.000-04:002012-08-18T16:07:00.274-04:0040k Theory: Power vs. Synergy<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I decided to post this on the weekend because it's too short of a thought for a full article, but the theory is interesting so I thought I'd share.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's clear to me that the Grey Knights codex is made of up pretty darn powerful individual units, even when you take their high costs into consideration. It's equally clear to me that there is a lot of synergy missing from the codex, which is a hugely limiting factor which keeps the codex from being absolutely nuts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For example, the HQ you'd love to take in most GK armies, a Librarian, has terminator armor which means that he can't be put in the units you'd want him with, namely MSU guys in Razorbacks. So a list with the best possible troops can't have the best possible HQ without some awkward, non-synergistic changes. Another great example would be Crowe. He cannot join a unit, so the most obvious build in the codex, MSU Purifiers suffers from his awfully awkward HQ choice. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On the other hand, some codices are nothing but synergy. IG and Dark Eldar jump out to me as the 'dexes where raw power is least, but due to special rules and the ease of army construction, the armies are often greater than the sum of their individual parts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In other competitive strategy games this conflict between synergy and power ebbs and flows. Sometimes the tools are there for synergy to trump power, other times it is reversed. While your mileage may vary, my experience in this game and others tells me that Power trumps Synergy when they are around equal to each other. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do allies change that? I'm not sure. Allies can create insane synergy. Allies can also provide very awkward additions that have no synergy but have tons of power. I'm anxious to see how NOVA goes to give some insight as to which way the wind is blowing.</span></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-77370677929883101562012-08-13T17:19:00.001-04:002012-08-13T17:19:58.045-04:00Better Playtesting: Cross Training<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">At
least some of you are aware that I am a competitive cyclist and I train like a
zombie. As far hobbies go, bike racing
is about as far from Warhammer 40,000 as you can conceivably get. While they are very different activities from
a physical and mental standpoint, a very lot of the lessons you learn from one
can help you get better at the other.
I’d like to focus on some of those similarities today. While your mileage may vary (pun!) I hope
that some of the concepts resonate with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5oPOzWaswrgGkRgMBIVDbah6IPS4OMeTFnq3Yn24VA1YNXON1rp8bYo4Ll55mix4s3DX6Almh10wdFfXm0eY0drwrXlYHZCw34nLR2jljR3EsQHQzLcOd8PMnMo7O7fM0jBs1wYcIwI/s1600/HH1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5oPOzWaswrgGkRgMBIVDbah6IPS4OMeTFnq3Yn24VA1YNXON1rp8bYo4Ll55mix4s3DX6Almh10wdFfXm0eY0drwrXlYHZCw34nLR2jljR3EsQHQzLcOd8PMnMo7O7fM0jBs1wYcIwI/s320/HH1.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Cycling:
Ride a lot<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">40k:
Play a lot<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
first step in training for an endurance sport is to build up a base. This means simply riding a lot of hour and
miles so that your body becomes accustomed to long distances. It builds up a base of fitness and helps get
you into shape. This is a step you
cannot skip. If you go straight into
practicing sprints or trying to race without having a base fitness built up,
you’ll fail spectacularly and possible hurt yourself. Therefore, it is essential to put in the long
hours establishing a base.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In
Warhammer, you have to play a lot to become good. This doesn’t mean focused playtesting or list
building. It means just playing the
game, regardless of competitive level of your competition or points levels of
your game. You have to do this for a few
reasons; first is learning the rules.
You never want to lose a game because you were wrong about the rules and
made plays that only worked if you were right about the rules. Learn the rules until they are second
nature. Second, you have to establish
the concept of the possible. Playing a
lot and experiencing the range of the game will give you a good idea of what is
and isn’t possible. Knowing the possible
allows you to know what you have to do, or what you can do, in order to win a
game. This is fairly basic, but knowing
your own codex and the other codices is important in establishing the
possible. How can you expect to be
competitive if you have huge gaps in your knowledge about the game? You can’t, and the only way to do it is to
play a lot of games.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Cycling:
Focused Training<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">40k:
Focused Playtesting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In
cycling, once you have a base in order to get faster you have to do high
intensity interval training, and there is no way around it. There are dozens of different types of
intervals and the specific program you do should be catered to the type of
skills you want to develop. Need to work
on your 40k time trialing? Nothing beats 2x20 intervals for that. Want to get faster at criterium racing where
there are tons of sudden accelerations?
Do tabata intervals until you puke.
The lesson here is that if you want to get faster you have to focus on
that particular skill and do focused training to grow it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In
40k, I’ve written a lot about the benefits of playtesting as well as how to do
it better. The bottom line is that when
you playtest, each session should be focused on learning a particular
lesson. One playtest session might be
about “how does my tournament list fare after I switch all the missile
launchers to lascannons,” or, “can my current list beat a Necron flier list
without radical changes?” The point is
you test <i>for </i>something. Scientists don’t just random mix chemicals
together just to see what happens. They
make a hypothesis, and then they test it.
Cyclists don’t just go on random bike rides and then expect to dominate
sprints in races. They train for
sprinting to maximize their 20 second power output. Competitive 40k players shouldn’t “playtest”
by smash two armies against each other with no goal. Rather, they should play games to see if
particular concepts work in practice to confirm or reject their theory. Focused training leads to specific results.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Cycling:
Don’t innovate on race-day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">40k:
Don’t change your list the night before a tournament<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">One
of the first lessons a cyclist learns, almost always the hard way, is not to
change your diet on race day. If you
normally put watered down Gatorade in your drink bottles during training,
that’s what you should do during a race.
A race is not the time to experiment with new foods or drinks. Many an otherwise fit racer has been
sidelined by an upset stomach resulting from trying a new energy drink, or
eating a special energy bar, during a race.
It seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how tempted people
are to try some new type of energy drink on race day “for a boost.” The reward, maybe an extra 1% better output,
is hardly worth the potential risk of getting totally blown out by an upset
stomach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In
40k, players will playtest for weeks, get a tuned list ready, painted and
modeled. …and then they will get to the
hotel the night before the tournament, see a guy carrying 5 Vendettas, panic,
and then hastily change their list and have to stay up all night painting and
modeling the changes to their list. Like
in the cycling example this seems to be a no-brainer, but we all know this
happens. People second guess months of
playtesting only to panic at the last second and make irrational changes. This is so obviously wrong that you don’t
need me to tell you why it’s wrong. The
night before a tournament is when you should be getting plenty of sleep, not
panicking about your list. Leave the
panicking and hand-wringing to the guys who <i>didn’t
</i>playtest enough. You playtested
enough, so be confident that your hardwork will be rewarded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Cycling:
There is always somebody faster<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">40k:
Set realistic goals<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">No
matter how fast you are, there are people faster than you. <st1:place w:st="on">Lot</st1:place>’s of
them. You have to accept that no matter
how hard you work, there are always going to be guys who are either genetically
superior to you, willing to work harder than you, or often both. If you’re ever totally satisfied with your
current fitness level, or your current results, you need to seek out tougher
competition. So on one hand, you have to
reconcile that you’re often going to lose to people who are just plain faster
than you and you have to learn to accept it.
But on the other hand, you have to learn not to accept the status quo
and keep pushing yourself. It seems
paradoxical to say “learn to like losing, and learn not to be happy winning”
but it’s true. If you ever get satisfied
with your good results, you’ll get lazy.
If you get too discouraged by your defeats you’ll lose motivation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In
the Warhams, much the same is true.
Unlike cycling where there is a category system and ways to rank riders,
there is nothing so formal in 40k. So
you have to determine your own goals. If
you’ve never played in a tournament before, you should probably have a
different set of goals before your first NOVA than a guy who has top 8’ed NOVA
two years in a row. Managing
expectations properly will set you up for happiness. If you’ve never played in a tournament
before, and you end up going 4-4, I’d say that you should be pretty happy about
that finish. On the other hand, if
you’ve top 8’ed two years in a row you have to avoid growing complacent. You can’t test less than previous years, and
you can’t take your competition for granted.
If you feel like you lost the competitive fire, don’t be upset when you
get knocked off the top. Resting in old
laurels is not the best way to maintain continued success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Cycling:
Ride with faster people<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">40k:
Play against better players<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">This
is somewhat related to the above concept, but a key turning point in the
development of a bike racer is when you realize that the fastest way to improve
is to ride with people faster than you, who will push you to your limits and
beyond. If you ride with guys who can
drop you, eventually you’ll stop getting dropped as you get stronger and able
to handle the pace and intensity. Plus,
it’s great motivation. On the other
hand, if you are the fastest guy in your group it’s time to seek out a new
group. Riding with those slow folks
because you’re friends with them is fine, just don’t consider it a work out or
part of your training program. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In
40k, you have to find players who are better than you if you want to get
better. Beating up on the same scrubs at
your LGS is only going to teach you so much about the game. Playtesting with guys who aren’t on the same
level as you will hold you back. You
need to find a group that will push you.
If you can beat your normal crew without breaking a sweat, you will get
lazy. There will be nothing to force you
to properly tune your lists. There will
be nothing to get you to play with perfect technical skills. Playing with players better than you will do
the opposite; you’ll have to bring the best lists possible and you’ll have to
play without making mistakes. The big
obstacle is that you’re probably friends with the scrubs at the LGS and dumping
them to go hang with a new crew is probably unappealing. Without delving too deep into hypothetical
issues I just hope you have enough social skills to maintain multiple groups of
friends at the same time without alienating them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Cycling:
Train heavy, race light<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">40k:
Playtest strictly, have fun at the tournament<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">If
you’re rich (or insane) enough to own a $4,000.00 set of feather-light race
wheels for your bicycle, you should only use them during races. For starters, the lighter your wheels, the
less durable they are and every day training rides will beat them to hell
quickly. But the main reason is the age
old dictum in cycling, “train heavy, race light.” What this means is, if you do your training
rides with heavier equipment and you are used to going fast on a heavy bike,
when you race on a lightweight bike you’ll go that much faster. Not everybody has the option to flip between
two bikes or two wheelsets, but you’ll find that among those that do this is a
rule that people tend to stick to. If
you switch to a bike that’s 3lbs lighter than your training bike the day of the
race, that’s like 3lbs of fat being sucked out of your body, and not an
advantage to be scoffed at.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In
40k, this translates to you being strict with yourself during playtesting. Don’t allow yourself take backs. Be a rules lawyer… with yourself. If you playtest strictly, your technical play
will be tighter and you’ll make fewer mistakes.
During the tournament, the strict playtesting will pay off and you will
play tightly while feeling at ease and having a casual demeanor. Not being oppressed by your nerves, or by
being obsessed with trying to maintain technical play you aren’t used to will
let you appear to be playing casual, which goes a long way to both players
having fun, and for you to be considered a good sportsman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Thoughts? Comments?
Questions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-70325807223240003142012-08-09T20:27:00.000-04:002012-08-09T20:27:35.922-04:0040k Metrics: Building a Better Devastator<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In
5</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Edition, if someone said they were bringing Long Fangs,
Devastators or Havoks you could safely assume that they were going to be armed
with missiles.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It was a no brainer for
the most part because they were simply the most points efficient weapon
available.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Does this hold true in 6</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The way we go about killing vehicles, and to
a lesser extent Monstrous Creatures, has changed quite a bit.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The old paradigm might not hold true at all
anymore.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBNNPbvP2o3oJ1yj7Tyt6DgTxslKBokmtabws3U_tlEKHcGwW9xQ1UWSwY-yIE_q3wJ6PYBLZn8xcOdX8CLZH9zkRjGP5zKFORD0KunPeA6Ajhf-SdeQxHUR3nzLap03lm9xU5qJ7FgQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBNNPbvP2o3oJ1yj7Tyt6DgTxslKBokmtabws3U_tlEKHcGwW9xQ1UWSwY-yIE_q3wJ6PYBLZn8xcOdX8CLZH9zkRjGP5zKFORD0KunPeA6Ajhf-SdeQxHUR3nzLap03lm9xU5qJ7FgQ/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all about the numbers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A
long while ago, I put forward some 40k theory that said it’s better your unit
does something, at any cost, than doing nothing for cheap. For example, if your only Troops choices were
the following two units:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">5
Space Marines with bolters for 50 points or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10
Space Marines with two lascannons for 225 points<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">What
would you bring? If those were your only
two choices, the answer would be to bring the 10 marines with two lascannons by
a mile. The first unit, while extremely
points efficient, does nothing. It will
not advance your position in the game one bit.
The second unit, while way overcosted, at least does something. It has a chance to impact the game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We
have established that you would, and should, spend extra points when necessary
to bring a unit that will actually be effective rather than one that is points
efficient but doesn’t help you win the game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Let’s
look at some easy to compare units then, Long Fangs, Devastators, Havoks. First we will look at them with the old
standard loadout, 4x Missile Launchers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Unit
Cost<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Fangs:
115 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">SM
Devs: 150<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">BA
Devs: 130<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Havs:
155<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Results:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: 4.65pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 528px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 63.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="84">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Units<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="5"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 89.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="119">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Kills<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV10<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV11<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV12<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV13<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV14<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td rowspan="3" style="height: 14.25pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 63.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="84">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4x
missile<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 14.25pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="5"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 14.25pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 89.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="119">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Ave.
by HP<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 14.25pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3.4913<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 14.25pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1.876<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 14.25pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1.4349<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 14.25pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0.9523<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 14.25pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0.1684<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="5"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 89.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="119">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Ave.
by Insta<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0.5651<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0.6725<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0.4751<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0.2559<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="5"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 89.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="119">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Ave.
Total<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">4.056<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">2.549<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">1.91<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">1.208<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">0.168<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">This
will be our baseline. Clearly Havocs are
so inefficient as to be unplayable. I
know said before that you can play inefficient units, but there has to be a
reason to. Obliterators and Predators
and Vindicators are pretty efficient so there is no reason to bring a pretty
trashy Havoc unit. Same for
vanillas. Blood Angels are definitely playable,
but Wolves are clearly undercosted. Let’s
see what Lascannons are up to…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Unit
Cost<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Fangs:
175<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">SM
Devs: 230 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">BA
Devs: 190<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Havs:
215<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: 4.65pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 528px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td rowspan="4" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 63.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="84">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4x Lascannon<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="5"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 89.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="119">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Kills<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV10<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV11<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV12<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV13<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV14<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="5"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 89.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="119">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Ave.
by HP<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3.3045<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1.7604<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1.483<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1.1879<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0.4706<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="5"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 89.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="119">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Ave.
by Insta<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1.2985<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1.6758<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1.3515<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0.9667<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0.6054<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="5"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 89.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="119">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Ave.
Total<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">4.603<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">3.436<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">2.835<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">2.155<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">1.076<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Wow
those are expensive. But look at those
stats, they pack a punch. Against AV11
and 12 they are almost a full dead tank better per game, which is a huge
difference. But the real selling point
is how strong they are against AV13. 2
dead AV13 per game is no joke, if you team can drop two Predators per game you
are pulling your weight. These will
definitely attract enemy attention, which is why I would say that BA Devs do
these the best thanks to a FNP priest nearby.
Point for point, the SW are probably better off with Missiles. Vanilla marines shouldn’t bother with these. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Lastly,
how about a reason to take Havocs at all?
Glad you asked…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Havocs:
155<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: 4.65pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 528px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td rowspan="4" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 63.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="84">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4x Autocannon<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="5"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 89.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="119">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Kills<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV10<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV11<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV12<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV13<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">AV14<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="5"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 89.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="119">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Ave.
by HP<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4.1082<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">2.6421<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1.9382<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1.0677<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="5"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 89.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="119">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Ave.
by Insta<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0.6033<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0.7494<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0.4334<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="5"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 89.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="119">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Ave.
Total<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">4.712<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">3.392<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">2.372<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">1.068<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Yep
you are reading those stats properly.
They are better than missile devs at every light mech killing task. Almost a full Rhino per game ahead. Almost half a Chimera ahead. That is big game, and a reason for this unit
to exist. While not as cheap as a Long
Fang unit, these actually do more, and like I said above, paying more points
for something is fine if you get more value from it. If you’re playing Chaos Marines you could do
a lot worse than bringing these. Where I
see these shining, though, is as an ally for Daemons. Daemons want can openers, these are can
openers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Conclusions? Space Marines should be playing AV13 heavy
support units, or Rifleman Dreads via MotF.
Space Wolves can spend an extra 50% points on their unit to upgrade to
lascannons to gain around 50% value, so it’s debatable which to bring. Blood Angels gain more than they spend to
upgrade to lascannon Devs, so it bears serious consideration. And Chaos?
If 4x autocannons are a joke, I’m not laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Thoughts? Comments?
Questions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-31811213667126098012012-08-06T11:00:00.000-04:002012-08-06T11:00:06.052-04:0040k Metrics: MEQ Vehicle Busting<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've pushed the commonly seen MEQ heavy support choices through the my vehicle kill calculator and some things jumped out that may or may not interest you, but I thought I would share.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First up are Long Fangs with four Krak Missile Launchers. Blood Angels often take 4x missile Devastators and you sometimes see vanilla marines bring them too, but much more rare since they cost significantly more. These guys were in almost every 5th Edition SW list, so lets see how they stack up in 6th.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4x Long Fangs w/Missiles - 115 points</span></b><br />
<i><br />
</i></div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 448pt;" width="597"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 3072; mso-width-source: userset; width: 63pt;" width="84"></col></colgroup></table>
</div>
<i>Kills<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>AV10<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV11<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV12<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV13<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV14</i><br />
<i>Ave. by HP<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3.4913<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.876<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.4349<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.9523<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.1684</i><br />
<i>Ave. by Insta<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.5651<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.6725<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.4751<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.2559<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.0</i><br />
<i>Ave. Total<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.056<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.549<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.91<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.208<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.168</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As you would hope, these shred AV10. They can kill a Rhino a bit better than every other turn. They almost kill two Chimeras per game. The jump to AV13 isn't nearly as bad as AV14, but killing one Predator per game is not what you want to be spending your time doing. Lastly, you barely have a chance to hurt Land Raiders, so your best bet is to shoot at literally anything else.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Next up we have the Space Marine Rifleman Dread. While not technically a heavy support choice, they fulfill the same role and it should be taken into consideration. These guys are very common again in 6th, since they take on fliers. They are not exactly amazing at taking down fliers, but they are better than most alternatives.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 448pt;" width="597"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 3072; mso-width-source: userset; width: 63pt;" width="84"></col></colgroup></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rifleman Dread - 125 points</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;" width="355"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 3218; mso-width-source: userset; width: 66pt;" width="88"></col></colgroup></table>
<br />
<i>Kills<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>AV10<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV11<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV12<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV13<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV14</i><br />
<i>Ave. by HP<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3.5365<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.7968<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.2385<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.5806<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.0</i><br />
<i>Ave. by Insta<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.53<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.5643<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.3029<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.0<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.0</i><br />
<i>Ave. Total<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.067<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.361<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.541<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.581<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.0</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So what does 10 more points than a Long Fang Squad buy you? First, you lose any hope against AV14, which is hardly worth mentioning anyway. As you can see, against AV13 the single point of strength lost translates to half effectiveness. Since a lot of MEQ armies are bringing more AV13 and Necrons love it as well, this is a painful loss. You're half a Chimera worse than Long Fangs. Against Rhinos, you are at virtual parity and against AV10 you are at even more of a parity situation. So what <i>are</i> the advantages of Riflemen? Two things: game against fliers, and the fact that they come from Elites rather than Heavy Support. Those are definitely assets in their favor.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Up next, their more feared Grey Knight cousin...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 448pt;" width="597"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 3072; mso-width-source: userset; width: 63pt;" width="84"></col></colgroup></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Psyfleman Dread - 135 points</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;" width="355"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 3218; mso-width-source: userset; width: 66pt;" width="88"></col></colgroup></table>
<br />
<i>Kills<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>AV10<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV11<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV12<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV13<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV14</i><br />
<i>Ave. by HP<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.0199<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2.3237<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.8023<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.2341<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.3076</i><br />
<i>Ave. by Insta<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.6171<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.785<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.5708<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.3102<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.0</i><br />
<i>Ave. Total<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.637<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3.109<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.373<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.544<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.308</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fairly obvious looking at these numbers why these are so justifiably feared. They have the same game against fliers as the Rifleman, but they gain half a Rhino, almost half a Chimera, have significant game against AV13, but like the others they have no business shooting at Land Raiders. This is a hefty 5 point upgrade indeed. The superiority of these are such that it makes GK with Marine allies a much stronger consideration than Marines with GK allies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The next two saw little play in 5th Edition, but are seeing a resurgence in 6th thanks to the AV13 numbers we've been seeing above.</span></div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 448pt;" width="597"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 3072; mso-width-source: userset; width: 63pt;" width="84"></col></colgroup></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Predator Destructor - 120 points</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;" width="355"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 3218; mso-width-source: userset; width: 66pt;" width="88"></col></colgroup></table>
<br />
<i>Kills<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>AV10<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV11<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV12<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV13<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV14</i><br />
<i>Ave. by HP<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3.2828<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.5964<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.2486<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.8354<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.0976</i><br />
<i>Ave. by Insta<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.8751<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.1639<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.8665<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.5534<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.3467</i><br />
<i>Ave. Total<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.158<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.76<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.115<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.389<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.444</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This guy has some serious game. Not only is he tough to kill, but he is competitive against AV10, better at killing Rhinos than everyone so far besides Psyfleman Dreads. His Chimera game is quite superior to most, especially in the above the rim odds to Explode one thanks to two Lascannons. Against other AV13 the Lascannons show their worth. I sound like a broken record, but don't waste shots against Land Raiders.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 448pt;" width="597"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 3072; mso-width-source: userset; width: 63pt;" width="84"></col></colgroup></table>
</div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Vindicator - 115 points</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Kills<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>AV10<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV11<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV12<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV13<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV14</i><br />
<i>Ave. by HP<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.886<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.3611<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.2608<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.1776<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.014</i><br />
<i>Ave. by Insta<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.2233<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.2269<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.191<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.7725<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.5501</i><br />
<i>Ave. Total<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.109<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.588<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.28<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.95<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>0.564</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Simply put, these are brought for their ability to kill elite infantry and deathstars. Only a foolish opponent would parking lot his vehicles against these so I only assumed one hit per turn. So the big selling point of these guys are killing Paladins and Nob Bikerz really, not to fight against vehicles. One thing to note though, being Strength 10 AP2 Ordinance means they have a much higher ability to pop vehicles in a single volley than the others. While this isn't something you really need to consider during list building, it should be something you have in your pocket tactically. Sometimes you absolutely HAVE to kill a vehicle this turn, or else. And the ability to one shot with this guy is worth knowing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lastly is something that nobody is bringing, but perhaps these numbers will surprise you? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 448pt;" width="597"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 3072; mso-width-source: userset; width: 63pt;" width="84"></col></colgroup></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Land Raider Godhammer - 250 points</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;" width="355"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 3218; mso-width-source: userset; width: 66pt;" width="88"></col></colgroup></table>
<br />
<i>Kills<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>AV10<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV11<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV12<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV13<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>AV14</i><br />
<i>Ave. by HP<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3.2872<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.5378<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.953<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.712<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.1892</i><br />
<i>Ave. by Insta<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.2585<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.3177<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.0029<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.6948<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.4268</i><br />
<i>Ave. Total<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.546<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.856<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.956<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.41<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>0.616</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Godhammer Land Raider is much maligned, but as you can see it is insanely hard to kill with anything short of Lance weapons or Melta. It certainly trumps the others on this list. It also has very, very good game against fliers since it can shoot them dead and is very tough for most fliers to kill in return. The small price you pay for this? Double the points. From looking at these stats, you aren't bringing a Godhammer to kill AV10. It's good against Rhinos and Chimeras, but you can easily fall into a trap where you ignore Rhinos to have the Land Raider "earn its points back." But honestly, as we can see you're aren't bringing it for those purposes. What it DOES do well is going over the top of AV13. If everyone is bringing Predators, the guy with Godhammers is king.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Conclusions: </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These choices seem very balanced against each other... except the Psyfleman which is in a class by itself. When in doubt, take a Psyfleman against any comers. Lastly, you may laugh at the very idea of the inclusion of a Land Raider in this list, but consider what it is very strong against: AV13 and fliers. These were obviously big winners in the new edition. If the worst case scenario happens and 6th Edition becomes Flierhammer (and we don't get a Flakk FAQ boost) you could do worse than bringing Land Raiders. They shoot the fliers out of the sky and those very same fliers are going to struggle to do more than scratch the paint in return. While Land Raiders are somewhat a joke now, if AV13 and fliers become what Rhinos and Razorbacks were in 5th Edition the joke might get a lot less funny.</span></div>Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-91074660154597188712012-07-30T12:40:00.001-04:002012-07-30T12:40:21.561-04:00The 40k Community Has a Loser Mentality Part II<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In
my previous angry rant, I went off on some BoLS commentors who are clearly
idiots. It isn’t just that they have
strong ideas about what the game should be, it’s that they feel that their
ideas are superior to everyone else’s’ and consequently anything contrary is to
be dismissed, and dismissed with maximum indignation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><a href="http://www.3plusplus.net/2012/07/think-of-title-for-this-one.html">WhenI talked about scrub mentality on 3++</a>, I was NOT talking about them. As I admitted in that article, I have my own
self-imposed rules and limits about what kind of army I would play. These rules do probably limit how competitive
my armies could ever be, but there is always a chance that my rules would
happen to coincide with what’s good, and I could end up playing a hyper
competitive army. But really, the point
is, my rules are for me, not anyone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Unlike
these BoLS commentors, I don’t think the type of lists I prefer should apply to
everyone else. I don’t think that the
level of competitiveness I prefer to play at is the only level everyone else
should play at. I cannot fathom being
under the delusion that my happy medium is what everyone else should be forced
into. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">So
this brings me to my conclusion. The
scrub mentality is completely different than the loser mentality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A
scrub would say: I only enjoy playing foot lists, but I try to have the best
foot lists possible and I love smashing people’s mech armies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A
loser would say: Full mech armies are
WAAC garbage and if I see my opponent put down 8 razorbacks I’ll pack my army
up and leave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I
have no problem with the scrub mentality, and I’ll admit I have strong scrub
tendencies as do most competitive players in the hobby, simply because
aesthetic appeal of the armies and units is a strong reason to play a
particular army. Playing an army you
hate aesthetically just to be as competitive as possible seems really rare in
the 40k community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I
have a big problem with the loser mentality.
Whether they use fluff, or “what the game designers intended,” or claim
to not be competitive, they are similar to the scrub. But the scrub holds only himself to these
rules; the loser tries to hold everyone else to them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
40k community is, in fact, a community.
The key to being a member of a community is understanding that people can
hold incompatible ideas to yours, but rather than “packing up your army and
leaving” you learn to coexist. If you
don’t like playing against hyper-tuned competitive opposing lists: don’t play
against them. Find members of the
community with a similar interest to you, and play against them. There is nothing wrong with asking your
opponent before the game whether he is bringing a tournament testing list or a
fun list. Packing up your stuff and
leaving is a sign that you are not ready to be a member of the community, and
it’s seems clear to me that if you’re that upset you should probably avoid
playing publicly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Thoughts? Comments?
Questions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-26901481690163171042012-07-27T12:10:00.001-04:002012-07-27T12:10:50.994-04:00The 40k Community Has a Loser Mentality<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Reference:
<a href="http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2012/07/nurgle-daemon-and-allied-orks.html">This article</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">No,
not the article itself, but the comments.
The author of the article has a winner mentality, actually. He, or his playgroup, found a cool and
innovative combo that most people probably hadn’t discovered. And being justifiably excited about this
discovery, he posted it to share with the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">And
he got pilloried for it. By a bunch of
people who take being ‘<a href="http://www.3plusplus.net/2012/07/think-of-title-for-this-one.html">scrubs</a>’ to a new level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Could
you imagine this happening in another game with a different community? Imagine a Magic player discovering a new
combo that no one ever thought of, crafting a pretty cool deck out of it, and
sharing it with the community. He would
be complimented, encouraged and would set off a chain reaction hundreds of
other players rushing out to test it out themselves in order to tune and
improve the new interaction further. If
the deck turned out to be really good, he would probably have it named after
him, and would have a measure of immortality in the community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Not
in this community. Nope! All innovation is strictly punished by a
bunch of fucking losers who hate the idea of progress, innovation or
competition. These are the types of
players who want to play infinite games of their Space Marine battle company
list against their buddy’s 180 Boyz Ork army until the end of time. They interpret any sort of discovery of a
clever rules interaction as ungentlemanly at best, and cheating at worst. Fuck them.
<i>They</i> are holding this game
back, and holding the rest of the community back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">And
let’s be frank: this Daemon/Ork list probably isn’t even very good. But it isn’t about whether it’s good or
not. It’s fucking creative and
innovative. It pushes the boundaries of
what players consider possible further out.
That is good! Even if the idea
itself isn’t good, we should encourage this kind of experimentation and
innovation and creativity. That is what
a winner mentality is. If you’re not on
board for it, you’re a fucking loser, so shut your mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Thoughts? Comments?
Questions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-65507401216661467822012-07-24T12:20:00.001-04:002012-07-24T12:20:02.060-04:0040k Metrics: 6th Edition Vehicle Mathhammer<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It’s
rather obvious to everyone that I enjoy mathhammer. I feel that there is an edge to be gained by
being aware of the average potential of your units, and the ability to know
which of the units in your book are most points efficient. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">6<sup>th</sup>
Edition threw the old mathhammer for a loop in regards to killing
vehicles. It used to be rather straight
forward to calculate the amount of shots it would take to shoot down a Rhino,
but in 6<sup>th</sup> Edition it is very, very difficult. I doubt most players have bothered trying to
do it, so they may not be aware how tough it is to hammer out. What makes it so hard?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBNNPbvP2o3oJ1yj7Tyt6DgTxslKBokmtabws3U_tlEKHcGwW9xQ1UWSwY-yIE_q3wJ6PYBLZn8xcOdX8CLZH9zkRjGP5zKFORD0KunPeA6Ajhf-SdeQxHUR3nzLap03lm9xU5qJ7FgQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBNNPbvP2o3oJ1yj7Tyt6DgTxslKBokmtabws3U_tlEKHcGwW9xQ1UWSwY-yIE_q3wJ6PYBLZn8xcOdX8CLZH9zkRjGP5zKFORD0KunPeA6Ajhf-SdeQxHUR3nzLap03lm9xU5qJ7FgQ/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's still all about the numbers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In
short, it’s because we have two parallel systems for killing vehicles operating
at the same time. One system is the hull
point system, and the other is the penetration chart. It is rudimentary to calculate how many hull
points a unit can shoot away per turn, but what you cannot account for within
that is the fact that at least 1/6ths of penetrating shots will explode a
vehicle. If you explode a vehicle with
the first shot, it doesn’t matter how many hull points you can peel off with
the rest of the shooting for the unit.
Additionally, some weapons are better at exploding vehicles than others,
and that has to be taken into account.
Simply put, you have to take into account the overall likelihood that
either one of these systems will kill a vehicle in a given turn, which is a
really rather complex set of maths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">To
solve this dilemma I created a script within Excel that calculates the odds of
a particular unit to kill vehicles and I’m rather proud of it. It uses the following logic to calculate the
vehicle kills:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">At
the very start of a simulation, create a unit of AV___<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Start
Round 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For
weapon #1, do a hit/miss roll.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 83.25pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If
the weapon hits, do a strength roll<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 119.25pt; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If
strong enough, do a point of damage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 155.25pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 2.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If
the damage kills the unit, skip remaining weapons and move to Round 2.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 155.25pt; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 2.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Otherwise,
if damage is high enough for penetrate check, then do it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 191.25pt; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 2.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If
penetrate succeeds for instakill, then skip remaining weapons and move to Round
2.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 83.25pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If
the weapon misses, go to the next weapon for the round.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If
the unit still lives, repeat Step #3 for Weapon 2, 3, ....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Start
Round 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 83.25pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If
the unit never died, it starts Round 2 at its current hull level.
Otherwise, start Round 2 with a fresh unit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 83.25pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Round
repeats as Round 1 above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Repeat
through Round 5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A few comments. As you can see, it presumes a 5 turn game,
but you can tweak the settings for longer games if you like. It runs 10,000 simulated games to get an
average that should eliminate the outliers.
Also, it doesn’t allow for split firing, so units that can do that are
shit outta luck. This is much more
refined than the 5<sup>th</sup> Edition mathhammer, since it allows for vehicle
damage to carry over to the next turn.
You’ll also notice that logically the most vehicles any unit can destroy
per 5 turn game is 5, which makes complete sense. A unit with 200 meltaguns will still only be
able to kill a max of 5 vehicles per game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">After
I finished it, I went back and made it user friendly so you can literally put
any shooting weapon in the game into it and custom make your unit with whatever
loadout you want and run the analysis. <b>Download the .zip file <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2B39y9xwxIRS2RwWjk5a01oNlk">here</a>. </b>On the bottom right is your weapon
pool. Feel free to add every weapon in
your codex in there. It has slots for
Weapon Strength, roll needed to hit, how many dice to add to strength for armor
penetration, and what bonus you get rolling on the Penetration Chart. Once you have the weapon pool filled, you go
to the unit load out section on the left and add the weapons for the unit. If you put Krak missiles as #1 in your pool
and your Long Fangs have 5 of them, put “1” in the first 5 entries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Once
you’re done with the unit load out, hit “run analysis” and it will give you the
results. You’ll note that it changes
slightly every time you run it. This is
because instead of just running the straight average of rolls, it simulates
10,000 actual games. This is a large
enough sample size, I think, that the results can be accepted. But you can change that variable at the top
too, if you feel like the results of 50,000 games is more reliable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">All
in all, I’m very stoked about this and I hope you guys enjoy it. Since 6<sup>th</sup> Edition vehicle damage
is so much more difficult than previous editions, I would assume most people
are going to get some value from it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Last
note, I couldn’t figure out a simple way to do twin linked weapons, so for my
personal assumption I just raised the BS of the unit firing by 1. Not perfectly accurate but good enough for me
to draw conclusions from.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I’ll
do a follow up article next week detailing some of the interesting results this
program uncovers, and hopefully various people around the web will find some
unconventional conclusions as well to add to the discussion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Thoughts? Comments?
Questions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6065491601593693979.post-46717346843034478482012-07-17T11:00:00.000-04:002012-07-17T11:00:08.394-04:00My Current Lists: 6th Edition Space Marines 2k<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hey all. After playing my 6th Edition Templar list a bit to get a handle on 6th, I realized I didn't want to be in Templars after the FAQ. Simply put, having to bring an Emperor's Champ and another obligatory HQ is pretty points prohibitive. It basically eliminates me bringing allies to make up for the shortcomings of the Templars. What I basically found was that while Templars are shooty enough to compete in 6th, the added price of the 2nd obligatory HQ is one burden too many when it comes to list building. Additionally, the lack of mobility is a problem, only the Terminators and Typhoons can really move and shoot effectively and I just felt outclassed by highly mobile armies. Lastly, despite a lot of firepower, I ran into the problem of dealing with deathstars effectively without a ton of AP1 or 2 to put shots into them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At that point I decided to give vanilla Space Marines a chance. Their firepower is only slightly less than the Templars can bring, but they are much more flexible in that there is are more good units at each FOC slot to bring greater variety, plus they can add in allies a lot more flexibly. One of the things I wanted most was a 10x strong Terminator Assault Squad. Compared to other deathstars in various lists, they come in the cheapest, and they are a decent trump card against them. And if your opponent isn't bringing a deathstar, they are a threat to assault both infantry and vehicles. Just an all around great unit. The only other things I figured to be mandatory was bringing two Riflemen, and Predators in heavy support.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After a few games with my initial rough list, I came to the following conclusions:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. Codex Space Marines are generally not going to curb stomp your opponent. You're neither cheaper, nor stronger, nor tougher than your opponent. But the strength is versatility; your tactics have to change against each opponent. Some games you have to play aggressive and others highly defensive. Other armies are a bit more linear from a tactical perspective. They have their game plan, and they try to execute it. If they succeed they win, if the opponent can counter it, they lose. When making a C:SM list you have to acknowledge the fact that you aren't going to just steamroll someone off the board, and that every game against a good opponent is going to be relatively close. This means you build into your list the tools to attack or defend.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. Predators are good, especially with lascannon sponsons. Very few other heavy support units can interact profitably with them. They have enough firepower to just outshoot opposing heavy support choices, though AV14 is a problem. That said, they struggle against infantry. There are a lot more foot or hybrid lists out there it seems, plus a lot more deathstars. For the same reason Predators got good (AV13, resistance to being Shaken/Stunned) Vindicators did too. The "one gun" tank problem is largely gone now, and Vindis are pretty great. They just smoke infantry, even deathstars, and being Str 10 AP2 Ordinance means they can drop anything short of a Land Raider with ease. And with the new blast rules, they will smash a parking lot to smithereens. If you tally up the things a Predator is better against than a Vindicator, the Vindi seems to come out on top in 6th Edition, at this point.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. I prefer the age old Gate/Null Zone Libby powers over taking Divination. While some of the Divination powers are potentially stronger, I don't want to get worthless stuff, and honestly the Primaris power for Divination doesn't impress me a great deal. I would rather take a 7/10 guaranteed than the gamble of a 10/10 or 4/10.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. I'm not opposed to allies, but I haven't found an ally component that goes with this list in a way that doesn't seem flawed to me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So here is where I'm at today...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRJ4qSS-5fgiPMaAY_3Q69Gpo2Y0M3XI5B37jlgf2ItS4W2M30uiCRa9pDZ8ZF1vhyHSdmoeEyMaZDm6HzHz7t_QQ0G7UjUQO5dsbukTawZg6mahzTMqD3uE57MZnviE3cbgMoyE7TpA/s1600/libby_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRJ4qSS-5fgiPMaAY_3Q69Gpo2Y0M3XI5B37jlgf2ItS4W2M30uiCRa9pDZ8ZF1vhyHSdmoeEyMaZDm6HzHz7t_QQ0G7UjUQO5dsbukTawZg6mahzTMqD3uE57MZnviE3cbgMoyE7TpA/s320/libby_small.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I painted this, which explains its startling mediocrity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">HQ</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Librarian</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Force Maul</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Null Zone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Gate</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Terminator Armor and Storm Shield</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">=140</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">[Fairly typical. I was going to just go Power Armor and keep him el cheapo, but there are situations where you can't avoid him being in challenges, and that's a problem, so I bought him some protection.]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Elites</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10x Terminator Assault Squad</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">=400</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rifleman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">=125</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rifleman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">=125</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">[I explained the Termies above, and I think most people know the merits of Rifledreads, especially as this is really my only protection from flyerwings.]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Troops</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10x Tactical Squad</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Rhino</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Melta</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Multimelta</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Combimelta</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">=220</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10x Tactical Squad</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Rhino</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Melta</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Multimelta</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Combimelta</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">=220</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10x Tactical Squad [break into combat squads]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Melta</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Combimelta</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Plasma Cannon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Las/plas Razorback</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">=265</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10x Tactical Squad [break into combat squads]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Melta</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Combimelta</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Plasma Cannon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Las/plas Razorback</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">=265</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">[After playing with four of the melta Rhinos, I felt it just wasn't necessary to have that much. melta, and that the benefits of the Plasma Cannon was pretty great now. Also, I had a Typhoon in the early incarnations of this list, and I found it to be fairly meh as a one of. The Las/Plas Razorback is a serious threat to most opponents, but with all the other threats in the list it ranks pretty low on target priority. Part of the philosophy I outlined above for Marines to be versatile means spreading out your threats so you don't have a single point of failure, and I think these help a lot in that department.]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Heavy Support</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Vindicator</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Dozer Blade</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">=120</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Vindicator</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Dozer Blade</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">=120</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">[I explained these earlier, but they do work.]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Total: 2,000</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What do you guys think? </span><br />
<br />
<br />Nikephoroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484058926496438148noreply@blogger.com21