[3000] TAC Terror Assault for 2021

[em_en_oh_pee]

HQ:

Praetor

Paragon Blade, Iron Halo, Digital Lasers, Jump Pack, Trophies

[190]

 

Elites:

Contemptor-Cortus

2x Grav, 2x Chainfist

Dreadnought Drop Pod

[285]

 

(8) Legion Terminator Squad

8x Combi-Plasma, 3x Chainfist, Transponder

[366]

 

(3) Apothecarion Detachment

Artificer Armor

[165]

 

(9) Veteran Squad (Apoth)

7x Combi-Meltas, Meltabombs, Nuncio-Vox

Artificer Armor, Power Fist

Drop Pod

[303]

 

Troops:

(10) Terror Squad (Apoth)

9x Volkite Charger

Artificer Armor

[240]

 

(10) Terror Squad (Apoth)

9x Volkite Charger

Artificer Armor

[240]

 

(12) Night Raptors (Praetor)

12x Chainglaives, Artificer Armor

[325]

 

Fast Attack:

Primaris-Lightining

4x Kraken, BSC, GTA

[230]

 

Xiphon

GTA

[215]

 

Heavy:

Leviathan

Drill w/ Melta, AC, Phosphex, CML

Dreadnought Drop Pod

[440]

 

[2999]

 

Looking to jump into the Heresy in 2021 and this list I've been tinkering with for... well really years. I do finally own most of it. Just hammering out what I want to commit to. 

I figure the Leviathan, Vets and Lightning give me enough anti-tank. The Cortus can do it too. Raptors, Terrors, Termies are more for fighting infantry. Xiphon can take out other aircraft and tanks. Pod Vets come in and guide the Terminators for T2 deep strike (ideally). Two Terrors infiltrate.

 

I tried to make it as TAC as possible. Thoughts?

[Varyn]

Looks good to me, the only suggestion I can think of would be to drop a couple of chain glaives in the raptor unit to take a headmans axe :) 

[Lautrec the Embraced]

I think it looks pretty good, you've definitely tried to pack some nasty choices with 2 flyers and leviathan. I see 3 things I would at least consider:

 

- As Varyn said, Headsmans Axe is absolutely boss on Huntmaster. This guy is already a beast with his stats and if you consider the Headsmans Axe with S8 Rending on potential initiative 5 - the lad is like a centurion that can slay even enemy praetor if you're lucky. He's kinda like smaller old Sevatar, as all your wounds will ID normal guys, but you really hope for that rending six. Sure, he'll likely die in the process if said Praetor has a paragon blade but it's still a very good deal. It's a go to weapon for huntmaster.

 

- Maybe it's an aesthetic choice but I personally wouldn't ever take full glaive squad. I'd much rather save a few points because I'm certain a few guys will die before close combat. They might as well carry cheaper chainswords. Second argument - chainglaives are jack of all trades kind of weapons. Flexible, fluffy and rending is very cool. That being said, on raptors power sword is usually (against T4) better against PA infantry - math wise its the same on charge without TfM, and better in other cases. Similar thing applies to axes - rending is very useful but you're nowhere near the damage that would come from a few axes.

 

So if you want to stay with glaives - sure, it's completely valid. But I wanted to present a more balanced loadout with half of them having glaives, and a few have other weapons or just base CCW.

 

- I think Apothecary would be better employed for Raptors. Way more wounds to pass FnP on when you consider Praetor and they are generally more worth saving - veterans use combi-meltas and they are fairly expendable afterwards whereas Raptors+Preator are not. And it's also an additional 2 wound for TfM so it might come in handy.

 

The melta squad could then take an additional guy, maybe invest in not-combi meltas.

 

Oh, and I'm not certain here but by joining Praetor to Raptors I'm afraid you lose the 'Raptor Strike' rule. Just a reminder.

 

PS. Why take 2 chainfists on cortus? Am I not seeing something -isn't it just wasting points?

Edited November 5, 2020 by Lautrec the Embraced

[em_en_oh_pee]

Thanks for the feedback! It is so helpful as I try to reacquaint myself with the rules after so long out of the game. 

Yeah, for the twin CFs on the CCD - I spaced and thought it needed two for the +1A. Just rusty on the rules there. 

 

I went ahead and adjusted some stuff based on the feedback plus some just general tinkering. Here is what I wound up with:
 

HQ:

Warmonger

Headsman's Axe, Artificer Armor

[130]

 

Elites:

Contemptor-Cortus

2x Grav, Chainfist

Dreadnought Drop Pod

[275]

 

(8) Legion Cataphractii Squad

7x Combi-Plasma, 3x Chainfist

[344]

 

(3) Apothecarion Detachment

Artificer Armor x2, Jump Pack x1

[170]

 

(10) Veteran Squad

6x Combi-Meltas, Meltabombs, Nuncio-Vox

Artificer Armor, Power Fist

Drop Pod

[315]

 

Troops:

(10) Terror Squad (Apoth)

9x Volkite Charger

Artificer Armor

[240]

 

(10) Terror Squad (Apoth)

9x Volkite Charger

Artificer Armor

[240]

 

(12) Night Raptors (Apoth)

8x Chainglaives

Artificer Armor, Headman's Axe, Trophies

[315]

 

Fast Attack:

Primaris-Lightining

4x Kraken, BSC, GTA

[230]

 

Xiphon

GTA

[215]

 

Javelin Attack Speeder

TL Las, MM, 2x HKs

[85]

 

Heavy:

Leviathan

Drill w/ Melta, AC, Phosphex, CML

Dreadnought Drop Pod

[440]

 

[2999]

 

Changes: Added Jav for Deep Strike tank hunting. Dropped Praetor for a WM to go with the Terminators over the Raptors, so they don't lose their rule (and for free DS). Apothecary moved to Raptors and now it has some ablative dudes. Headsman's Axe added to the Huntmaster too.

 

A LOT of emphasis on antitank because I know that is a common weakness of the list. With all the Volkite, the Raptors, and Termies (even Vets too), I am hoping I have enough to tackle infantry. 

How does that look? Thoughts on the adjustments? 

[Eternal Despair]

Just some immediate thoughts, since you dropped the praetor you no longer have a model letting you run a ROW so your list is illegal. 
 

personally I’d drop the xiphon for 3 javelins for a total of 4 (2x2 squadrons) with a load out of cml, mm and 2 HK missiles, it’s a lot of s8 dakka and in total puts out more fire power than the single xiphon, you also get 2 extra units to start on the table (personally you don’t have enough boots on the ground if the opponent goes first), they’re more manoeuvrable and they put out more fire power. As for why the cml over the lascannons, it’s more shots for less points, and a single lascannons shot for 75 points just isn’t worth it (to me).

 

I know it was pointed out that having the praetor in the raptors makes them lose raptor assault but if you’re adding the apothecary they’ll lose it anyway so when you bring back the praetor I’d still stick him their. 
 

with any and all dreadnoughts I find it’s best to go pure assault or pure shooting, you’ve done it with the cortus but not the Levi. Again this is more a personal opinion but I believe the ranged weapons for a Levi are either bad or can be done better/cheaper elsewhere in the army, plus the Levi itself seems geared more towards cc, at least to me. As for armoured ceramite, if you’re not av14 all around then it’s a bit of a moot point, if they hit you in the rear they’ll still probably get you ac or not so I tend to only put it on if I have spare points, it’s av 14 all around or a big fat lord of war.

 

but needing a model with master of the legion those are for the most part my own personal tastes, you’ve definitely got an interesting list going for yourself already 

[em_en_oh_pee]

Ok, so I know the Leviathan is one of those distraction type units that also does have a lot of oomph, but its also eating up a ton of points for my list. I am wondering if it wouldn't be better to opt for the Fire Raptor and put points into more dudes. Thoughts on that direction? 

[em_en_oh_pee]

Ok, so I know the Leviathan is one of those distraction type units that also does have a lot of oomph, but its also eating up a ton of points for my list. I am wondering if it wouldn't be better to opt for the Fire Raptor and put points into more dudes. Thoughts on that direction? 

 

Speaking of that list - finally actually wrote it up:

 

HQ:

Praetor

Paragon Blade, Digital Lasers, Iron Halo, Jump Pack, Trophies

[190]

 

Warmonger

Headsman's Axe, Artificer Armor

[130]

 

Elites:

Contemptor-Cortus

2x Grav, Chainfist

Dreadnought Drop Pod

[275]

 

(6) Legion Cataphractii Squad (WM)

6x Combi-Plasma, 4x Chainfist

[287]

 

(10) Veteran Squad

6x Combi-Meltas, Meltabombs, Nuncio-Vox

Artificer Armor, Power Fist

Drop Pod

[315]

 

(3) Apothecary

Artificer Armor x2

Jump Pack x1

[170]

 

Troops:

(9) Terror Squad (Apoth)

8x Volkite Charger

Artificer Armor

Drop Pod

[258]

 

(10) Terror Squad (Apoth)

9x Volkite Charger

Artificer Armor

[240]

 

(14) Night Raptors

8x Chainglaives

Artificer Armor, Headman's Axe, Trophies

[345]

 

(12) Assault Marines (Praetor, Apoth)

Meltabombs, 4x Power Axes

Power Fist, Artificer Armor

[326]

 

Fast Attack:

Primaris-Lightining

4x Kraken, BSC, GTA

[230]

 

Heavy:

Fire Raptor

Reaper, Hellstrikes

[230]

 

[2996]

 

Should be legal. Don't think I missed anything. How does that look? Suitably Drop Site Massacre-y? 

[The Scorpion]

This lists looks really elite: Unique units, veterans, and terminators. Not exactly the waves of traitors in Istvaan V but still very flavourful. That being said:

• Why take a Warmonger with Night Lords? Terminators & Jump Packs can Deepstrike, whereas Terror Squads can Infiltrate and vets can choose to Scout.
• Why the assault marines when you already have 3 troops and the vets and termies can score? Better spend those points maxing out the size of your other squads. Remember the VIIth's main damage dealer is Talent for Murder.
• Maybe the veterans and termies are redundant when you have terror squads, raptors, and a lighting to deal with armor.

[em_en_oh_pee]

Assault Marines because Raptors are killy enough and already a target, plus loose rules when adding characters, so I wanted a nice jump unit for a Praetor. Warmonger was mostly to have another character to model and he brings some melee to the party. Terminators pay to Deep Strike, but when he joins it's free. The Terror Squads and Raptors aren't really there for vehicles. The Vets are and the Assault Squad can in a pinch. Termites can in melee, just in case they're up against a Knight or something. I figured I'd rather be overboard with antitank than not. I know it's pretty slim on bodies, but I hoped for at least some quality and longevity to the bodies I had.

 

As for theme, the Night Lords struck me as one Legion that wouldn't just throw bodies at the loyalists and would have components come in behind or from other avenues, so that was my thought. Building a board near the end of the Urgall Depression that shows a group of Iron Hands surrounded and with piles of bodies.

 

Alllll that being said, I'm open to tweaking things. I currently own all of that stuff and some extras. So I have some flexibility. What are some changes you'd think would help specifically?

[The Scorpion]

Assault Marines because Raptors are killy enough and already a target, plus loose rules when adding characters, so I wanted a nice jump unit for a Praetor. Warmonger was mostly to have another character to model and he brings some melee to the party. Terminators pay to Deep Strike, but when he joins it's free. The Terror Squads and Raptors aren't really there for vehicles. The Vets are and the Assault Squad can in a pinch. Termites can in melee, just in case they're up against a Knight or something. I figured I'd rather be overboard with antitank than not. I know it's pretty slim on bodies, but I hoped for at least some quality and longevity to the bodies I had.

The Warmonger doesn't join for free. His upgrade is 45pts: a lot more than a transponder costs for an IC. Hell, I think that's more expensive than buying transponders for the whole squad.

The vets I agree though, they might be useful for a differnt role than terror squads.

 

As for theme, the Night Lords struck me as one Legion that wouldn't just throw bodies at the loyalists and would have components come in behind or from other avenues, so that was my thought. Building a board near the end of the Urgall Depression that shows a group of Iron Hands surrounded and with piles of bodies.

 

Normally, they are not. But at Istvaan V they were not sneaky, precisely because they had the element of surprise.

[em_en_oh_pee]

"Massacre" was what made me think that the Night Lords didn't fight like the rest of the Legions during the Massacre, so I tried to lean into that.

 

I am working on a list that just has the Praetor. Mostly chunks up the other squads. Not many big changes otherwise.

 

~30 Jump dudes 8 Termies and ~30 normal dudes. Not a lot, but hopefully it works.

[Lautrec the Embraced]

Warmonger is more expensive that regular transponders but mind that he brings more to the table, being something between centurion and praetor. For 45pts you get:

-10 pts - transponder for IC

-15 pts - transponder for the boys

-15 pts - digital lasers, normally exclusive to praetors

 -25 pts - iron halo, also exclusive to praetors

 

That nets you 65 pts of upgrades in a 45 pts package. DigiLas and Halo could very well be worth less on a model with worse stats than praetor but it's still an honest deal.  Not bad at all if you want a kitted out centurion to roll along teleporting units. 

Edited December 10, 2020 by Lautrec the Embraced

[The Scorpion]

Warmonger is more expensive that regular transponders but mind that he brings more to the table, being something between centurion and praetor. For 45pts you get:

-10 pts - transponder for IC

-15 pts - transponder for the boys

-15 pts - digital lasers, normally exclusive to praetors

 -25 pts - iron halo, also exclusive to praetors

 

That nets you 65 pts of upgrades in a 45 pts package. DigiLas and Halo could very well be worth less on a model with worse stats than praetor but it's still an honest deal.  Not bad at all if you want a kitted out centurion to roll along teleporting units. 

 

That's a good point, but it's also a damn shame not to make use of the transponders when the VIIIth is one of the only two legions that has access to them.

[em_en_oh_pee]

Well, I did make a list that opts for more bodies and one less HQ. I may still run the list with the Warmonger if only to have another character to model/paint. 
 

HQ:

Praetor

Paragon Blade, Digital Lasers, Iron Halo, Jump Pack, Trophies

[190]

 

Elites:

Contemptor-Cortus

2x Grav, Chainfist

Dreadnought Drop Pod

[275]

 

(8) Legion Cataphractii Squad

6x Combi-Plasma, 4x Chainfist, Transponder

[362]

 

(10) Veteran Squad

6x Combi-Meltas, Meltabombs, Nuncio-Vox

Artificer Armor, Power Fist

Drop Pod

[315]

 

(3) Apothecary

Artificer Armor x2

Jump Pack x1

[170]

 

Troops:

(9) Terror Squad (Apoth)

8x Volkite Charger

Artificer Armor, Power Fist

Drop Pod

[273]

 

(10) Terror Squad

9x Volkite Charger

Artificer Armor, Power Fist

[255]

 

(15) Night Raptors

8x Chainglaives

Artificer Armor, Headman's Axe, Trophies

[360]

 

(15) Assault Marines (Praetor, Apoth)

Meltabombs, 3x Power Axes

Power Fist, Artificer Armor

[340]

 

Fast Attack:

Primaris-Lightining

4x Kraken, BSC, GTA

[230]

 

Heavy:

Fire Raptor

Reaper, Hellstrikes

[230]

 

[3000]

 

Thoughts? I think it has most of the bases covered. Going to be casting some dead bodies this weekend for building up a thematic mound of dead to use on the display/bases. Real pumped to start painting this army now that I have like 90% of it purchased.

[The Scorpion]

In hindsight, it may be a great idea to paint a full squad of Night Lord vanilla vets, even if you have many terror squads. You always get mileage out of it:

• "Terror Assault" allows them to take pods.
• "Cross of Bone" is about opening more elite slots, so the vets will always have a place in there.
• "Bloodied Gauntlet" does not allow compulsory toops to score, so Implacable Advance comes in handy.

[Beerhammer]

I would switch the Cat Terms to Tartos Terms so they can run .....