Master Ciaphas Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 Hail frateris My gaming group and I (4 people in total), are about to start up a campaign incorporating both Warhammer 40k and Battlefleet Gothic. It will be with maps, supply, characters capable of gaining levels etc. Now, as for the BFG part, we are all utterly new to the game (save one, who played about 6-7 years ago). We will be: 1 Eldar Craftworld list (1 Dragonship, 2 Wraithships, 8 Shadow Hunters) 1 Chaos Alpha Legion (1 Desolator, 3 Idolators, 3 Infidels, 3 Iconoclasts, 4 cruisers of what-ever) 1 Armageddon SM list (4 Strike Cruisers, 8 Nova frigates) 1 Chaos fleet (me) (1 Desolator, 4-6 cruisers) Now, this all adds up to about 1000 points each. With my particular list, I was thinking about: 1 Desolator 2 x Styx 2 x Carnage 2 x ? What say you all to this? Also - a question - the various bombers and fighters that one can buy off the GW / FW homepage - are they just there to spice up the cardboard markers, or do they have a proper purpose? Thank you all for your replies!! Regards, Master Ciaphas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viray Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 I don't know too much about Chaos fleets, or BFG in general for that matter, but I'd like to remind you that you'll need an admiral, or whatever the Chaos equiavlent of an admiral is, to lead your fleet as it is over 750 pts. I am, of course, assuming that you'll be playing with all 1000 pts at once. If not, then disregard what I've said. If so, you might want to also remind the Space Marine player he needs to purchase an admiral (Master of the Fleet), too; as his list currently stands, he'd be 30 pts over if he buys a MotF for his forces. As to your fleet, all I know about Chaos is that they are a very strong long range fleet whose ordnance is good enough to entirely replace their escorts... And that's all I can say on the matter. Sorry. ^_^ On your question about the fighter/bomber markers, yes, they are just there to spice things up. BFG as a whole is a very proxy friendly game; you could effectively play the game for the cost of some printer paper and ink. But that's no fun. Anyway, personally, I wouldn't invest in models for ordnance markers. I don't have that much disposable income and I feel my money would be better invested in buying a captial ship or some escorts. I'm sure you'll love the game and I must say that I'm a bit envious that your gaming group has put together a campaign that sounds like so much fun. Good luck gaming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Ciaphas Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 Hail! Thank you for your reply. We have postponed the ordering of the various fleets, as the manager was not in the store, and the Red Shirts on duty seemed incapable of independent thought. We are aware of the admiral/warmaster/skipper requirement, and will be factoring that into our calculations of the final point values. I suppose that we initially will just play with weird point values (like 1023). If there are others who have a reasoned opinion to chip in with, lets hear it :-) Thanks! Regards, Master Ciaphas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother_Fatiswon Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 ... and the Red Shirts on duty seemed incapable of independent thought. too funny but soooooo true is some shops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Ciaphas Posted March 23, 2012 Author Share Posted March 23, 2012 Hail! Alas, yes. HOWEVER - since last, we have ordered, and yesterday received our fleets! My part of the parcel included: 1 Desolator battleship 1 Repulsive Grand Cruiser 6 Chaos Cruisers plastic kits 1 x Chaos fighters 1 x Chaos bombers So - words of advice on how to assemble my 6 cruisers would be more than welcome! Regards Master Ciaphas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minigun762 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 1 Desolator battleship1 Repulsive Grand Cruiser 6 Chaos Cruisers plastic kits 1 x Chaos fighters 1 x Chaos bombers I have only toyed with BFG but I believe I can still provide some assistance. Remember that you need 3 cruisers per Grand Cruiser or Battleship (if I remember correctly). The main strengths of Chaos fleets are long range firepower (45cm+), ordnance (attack craft moreso than torps) and above average speed (25cm). You normally want a nice mix of lances and weapon batteries, lances for 6+ armor fleets like space marines or the front of imperial navy ships and weapon batteries against eldar and 4+ armor fleets. As far as Chaos cruisers go Slaughters are cheap and powerful but the speed could actually be a drawback as they can outrun the rest of your fleet. I think of them as the odd man out and so I wouldn't recommend them to a starter player. Devastations encompass all of the major Chaos strengths. 60cm lances, decent speed and a fair number of attack craft. Taking 2 is a great start to any fleet. Putting them in a squadron makes it easier to get a better LD and make fewer reloading order checks. Simplest tactic is to be abeam to your target and circle strafe them with lances and ordnance for as long as possible. Murders/Carnage are similar ships but used differently. Murders will want to close with the enemy, firing lances, until they can broadside while the Carnage will want to circle strafe between 45-60cm. Murders by themselves are fairly umimpressive but paired up they can knock out a cruiser's shields in one turn with lances at 60cm. Carnage are easier to use but weapon batteries can sometimes feel weak when firing at 6+ armor from far away. Long story short, the Chaos standard list is based on 2x Devastation and 2x Carnages paired together. That is safest route to start with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Ciaphas Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 Hail! Excellent! Thank you! That would then settle the first four of my six cruisers. Should I perhaps construct a Styx or such? Also - I will be using either the Repulsive or the Devastation as my flagship - which would you recommend? Thanks!! Regards, Master Ciaphas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piousservant Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Hail! Excellent! Thank you! That would then settle the first four of my six cruisers. Should I perhaps construct a Styx or such? Also - I will be using either the Repulsive or the Devastation as my flagship - which would you recommend? Thanks!! Regards, Master Ciaphas The Desolator has to be your flagship, as it's the most expensive ship in the fleet. Also, a Desolator, Repulsive, 6 Cruisers, plus Warmaster is closer to 1500 points not 1000. For 1000 points the two Devestations would be sufficient and I think the Styx would be overkill. However in a 1.5k fleet having the Styx too would be fine I think. My fleet is quite light on attack craft by usual Chaos standards I think, so others may tell you different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Ciaphas Posted March 27, 2012 Author Share Posted March 27, 2012 Hail! Thank you for your reply. How would you put together a fleet worthy of the glorious powers of chaos ? Regards, Master Ciaphas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Ciaphas Posted March 28, 2012 Author Share Posted March 28, 2012 Hail Well - just assembled my first two Devastations yesterday. Easy-peasy, as they say on the rain and mist-shrouded island of Albion (aka England). My question now would be whether I ought to assemble two Carnages or whether I should concentrate on my Repulsive or Desolator? My group will be playing introduction games Saturday evening (prop about 1000 points), and there will be another Chaos fleet and an Eldar Craftworld fleet (which has access to a Dragonship, two Wraithships and eight Shadow Hunters). Only the other Chaos player has actually tried the game - and he has a smattering of escorts (Infidels, Iconoclasts and Idolators ~3-4 of each), a Devastation, a Murder, an unassembled one, and a Murder/Carnage analog - but also a Desolator battleship which, like mine, is unassembled. With regard to paint scheme, I will probably be painting my little boats in the livery of the pre-Heresy Death Guard - meaning ivory with green/dark green embellishments, thought I might also do one in the colours of Khorne. Words of advice are always welcome... Regards, Master Ciaphas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minigun762 Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 The strength of Chaos is in their cruisers so I'd finish up those Carnage first. If you're feeling up to it, you could try magnets to allow you to swap out components. I know you said that the point values for the games might be a little off 1000, so I'm hoping thats the case because once you have your 2x Devs and 2x Carnage and cheapest HQ unit, you're down to 210 points which isn't enough for either the Repulsive or Desolator. Of the two, the Desolator would be the easiest to use since it has the same speed and same weapon range as your cruisers, allowing you to stick together. The Repulsive can work, I would buy the lance upgrade to give you that range boost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Ciaphas Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share Posted March 29, 2012 Hail! Thank you for your reply. Well - as neither the Repulsive nor the Desolator will fit into a 1000 point list, how about a Styx? Would that do the trick instead? Or an Acheron? Regards, Master Ciaphas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minigun762 Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 I don't think the Styx would fit into the list either, I want to say its only a few points cheaper than the Repulsive. Acheron is a good flagship, as most of its weapons are long range and can be fired when you're abeam of your target just like the Carnage and Devastations. This way your entire fleet turns sideways and starts pumping out firepower @ 60cm with attack craft either protecting you from incoming ordnance or going after larger targets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Ciaphas Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share Posted March 29, 2012 Hail An Acheron it is then. We will be playing the "Cruiser Clash" mission on Saturday, where I suppose I will be facing: 2 Space Marine Strike cruisers 2 Eldar Wraithships 2 Chaos cruisers of some odd design Which two cruisers would you gentlemen recommend me to bring, in order to counter the above? Regards and my thanks! Master Ciaphas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minigun762 Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 Thats tough. Against Eldar the Carnage would be the obvious choice but Space Marines and their 6+ hull would normally require lances to punch through. Enemy Chaos ships fall somewhere in between. Carnage + Devastation is your safe bet. Carnage for stripping shields and killing Eldar and the Devastation for lances and fighter protection against thunderhawks. If you're a gambling man, 2x Carnage squadroned together and using "Lock On" could be very deadly but the Space Marines would be a challenge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Ciaphas Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share Posted March 30, 2012 Hail! Excellent - thank you! So - as I understand it, your recommendation is that against the Space Marine fleet, one fields 2xDevastations while against Eldar, one ought to field 2xCarnages, and against a Chaos fleet, the best bet would be 1xDevastation and 1xCarnage? Fortunately, I can now do all three combinations: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/Master_Ciaphas/Marts2012021.jpg :-) Now that we are at it - can someone explain to be me who the attack craft (fighters and bombers) work? I have bought a blister of each, and as far as I can tell, the bases come with slots for five craft. Now, take the Devastation, for example. It has Launch Bays (Swiftdeath, Bomber, Dreadclaws): 2. Does that mean that I field two bases with five models in, or 1 base with 2 models in? Say - if I was to field the 2xDevastations tomorrow - how many bases would I need to have assembled to last me the game? Thank you! Regards, Master Ciaphas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodEmperorOfMankind Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 2 launch bays = 2 bases ( or tokens if you bought the game or you could print some out) of whatever you decide to launch How many fighters you wish to stick on the bases is your choice, it's the number of bases that represent what you've launched, not what's on them. Think of tyranid ripper swarm bases or Ork snotling bases, you don't count the individual models on the base, just the base itself. Also a question, I'm assuming you don't have the original boxed game hence you buying the attack craft correct? So what do you use for all the other cardboard markers you're lacking? such as torpedoes, blast markers etc? Also do you have the relevant dice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Ciaphas Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share Posted March 30, 2012 Hail! Relevant dice? Ermm...I have a whole heap of normal d6? Are any other need (I also, naturally, have a scatter die from W40k)... The other Chaos player has two of the boxed sets, so I assume that he has all the tokens needed... But thank you for answering the question about the attack craft bases! Regards, Master Ciaphas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodEmperorOfMankind Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 He's got 2 boxed sets? Has he let you borrow a rulebook to read then or is he keeping it all to himself? The other relevant dice I'm talking about are the order dice, Green ones with all the order symbols on, you place them by your ships after you give them a special order so you remember what you've done with them. token wise, does that mean you can use some of his tokens too? Or you can download and print them off links from GW site Asteroids and Blast Markers Toredoes and Attack Craft Also lets see your ships when you get them painted up mate! I have a chaos fleet myself, got me a Planet killer as my flagship :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Ciaphas Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share Posted March 30, 2012 Hail! Well - I have downloaded the rules from the GW Website (before they removed it...) and am working my way through them. He has the tokens from two original boxeed sets, but only one set of rule books, as he bought them with a mate of his. As for the order dice, the Eldar player (and can Eldar players be anything but..."players"? :-) ) has invested in those. Thank you for the links to the markers! I will print them and glue them onto cardboard, so I have some tokens myself! If you have any pointers for a successful Chaos tactic, I am all ears. Thanks! Regards, Master Ciaphas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodEmperorOfMankind Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 All the gothic rules seem to be on the website still, under specialist games, BFG, resources. Well my advice would be more social advice than tactical. If you're playin with more than one opponent on the board (It sounded to me like your game this Sat evening would be you, the other chaos and the eldar player) then team up! Have a word with the other chaos player and make an agreement to destroy the eldar before turning on each other. Of course make sure that his ships are set firmly in your sights when the moment comes :lol: Word of advice on the Eldar actually, read and understand the rules of his ships movement. It's very much based on which direction they're facing in relation to the board (and the location of the star) they can suddenly fly straight past and out of range of your guns, and it's difficult to bring them back to bear. All the more reason to team up :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Ciaphas Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share Posted March 30, 2012 Hail! Well - I have suggested that we play all four on the same field, but we might just as likely play one-on-one on two tables... So I am not sure who I will end up against. I will happily admit that I am slightly intimidated by the Eldar 2+ "invulnerable" save with their holofields, and their ability to move quicker and further than me, while sporting superior firepower... Also - I have now assembled four of my six cruisers. Should I assemble the last two as another Devasation and a Carnage, or would I be better served making a Styx and an Acheron? Regards, Master Ciaphas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minigun762 Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 I will happily admit that I am slightly intimidated by the Eldar 2+ "invulnerable" save with their holofields, and their ability to move quicker and further than me, while sporting superior firepower... This is why long range (45cm+) weapon batteries are so vital for fighting Eldar as it allows you to saturate a target with enough firepower that something hits and most Eldar ships are lightly armored and the extra range helps insure you can hit him even with his ninja movements. Make sure to read up on exactly how Eldar ships work if you can. Also - I have now assembled four of my six cruisers. Should I assemble the last two as another Devasation and a Carnage, or would I be better served making a Styx and an Acheron? Me being the cautious person I am, I would tell you to keep them unassembled until you get a feel for your fleet and how you like to play it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodEmperorOfMankind Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 If you're looking for more tactics, try the Admirals tactics pdf on the GW website here It has imperial and chaos tactics on each vessel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Ciaphas Posted April 1, 2012 Author Share Posted April 1, 2012 Hail! Well - now that the first game has been tried, I will try and sum up my experience from it. We played a "Cruiser Clash" with two cruisers each. The roll of the dice determined, that I would play together with the other Chaos player, while the Eldar and Space Marines (Black Templars) would join against the followers of the True Gods. For my two cruisers, I went with two Devastation class cruisers (Malificorum and Eternal Torment), rolling a respectable leaderhip 8 for both of them. The Eldar went with two Dragonships having Phantom pulsars on both, launch bays on one and torpedoes on the other. He rolled Ld 7 and 10 respectively. The Marine player went with 2 Strike Cruisers, both with bombardment cannons, extra shields and an honour guard. The other Chaos player selected two Slaughter class cruisers. The battlefield had a "medium planet" (ie. the cardboard planet from the original boxed set) on the center right, an asteroid field on the far right, a moon center left and a gas cloud on the far left. The "Forces of Good" had first turn, and the Eldar crept up behind the planet, which conveniently obscured sight, and launched torpedoes and bombers, while the Strike cruisers hid behind the moon and launched Thunderhawks. We, the "Forces of Evil" kept our line formation and could not shoot at anything, as they were out of range or sight. Turn two saw the torpedoes and bombers impact, while the Dragonships moved around the planet to stay out of sight, and the Strike cruisers aiming to hide behind the moon a turn longer. The bombers and torpedoes impacted on my Devastation cruiser, but it came off without a scratch. Our turn saw us move further to the right of the field, still having nothing to shoot at, as they were out of range/sight. Turn 3 saw the Eldar jump forward, unleash a torpedo barrage and pulsars, taking 3 HP off my Devstation, and causing four criticals on it - it losing prow, port and starboard weapons as well as having a fire onboard. Luckily, I managed to repair the fire and the starboard weapons, and aimed to return fire. The Slaughers locked on, but did diddly squat to the Eldar, except having one brace for impact. My two Devastations managed to destroy the holofields on one, and cripple it, taking off 3 HP. The Marine Strike cruisers were still untouched, and ready to make hit-and-run attacks now... ...but as the Marine player had to get home (it was getting late ~23hrs) we decided to call it a day, with a draw leaning towards the Forces of Good. My first impressions of the game are...ambivalent. It might simply be that I have practically no grasp on the rules and have a sense of my ships being terribly outclassed, outgunned and..well...out everything, really. On the plus side, the models are cool, and once we get a black boardgame to play on, I am sure that the visual aspects will compensate a lot...and when my understanding of the rules improve, so will my enjoyment of the game. Thoughts, comments ect are all very welcome! Regards, Master Ciaphas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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