CausticCossack

One other way to fix the bases that I found works well: drill a hole into the flight stand where it connects with the model and glue in a little metal rod (I just cut up a paperclip), then drill a hole into the model where it connects to the stand. I then just insert the metal rod sticking out from the stand into the hole in the model and it's completely stable. I don't even glue it into the model, so I can take it off the base any time I want if I want to transport it in a tight space. This has worked great for all infantry stuck with the awful new-style flying bases. I'm thinking of trying an equivalent for larger models too: I've got a Stormspeeder that sticks well enough on the big bulb flight stand, but doesn't really fit in my traveling case when attached. Maybe I'll try to cut the bulb in half and glue on a large magnet to allow for easy disconnection from the flight base.

It can be hard to get up the board very quickly, but my Imperial Fists force relies on terminators to take the midfield. Support them with an apothecary and captain w/ rites of war, and run the IF bolster barricades secondary to get light and heavy cover while on the objectives. We also have a 2CP strat to grant +1 to armor saves and attacks to a unit on an objective. This means it's not hard to get them to a 0+ save, and if they survive the first turn to complete the secondary action they can sit there at -1+ save. That's a real tough unit to chew through, and while they don't have great defense against mortals, a 10 man unit has enough wounds that even those take awhile to make a real impact. My current list has two of these squads - 10x regular terminators and 10x relic terminators, all with storm bolters. They can put out a surprising amount of damage in that position as well, and can be somewhat maneuverable with teleport homers. At the end of the day they're certainly not super competitive versus options some other armies have, but they're the best option we have currently as far as I can tell.

I'm trying to find a way to optimize Imperial Fists as much as possible during this period of time while they are widely regarded as the single worst faction in the game. I took this list to the SoCal open a few weeks back: 1x Primaris Chapter Master: WTs Indomitable + Rites of War; MC power sword + relic shield 1x Primaris Techmarine: WT Hand of Dorn; Relic Eye of Hypnoth 1x Apothecary: Master Apothecary; WT Selfless Healer 5x Bladeguard Veterans 10x Terminators 2x Redemptors (1 gatling, 1 plasma) 1x Relic Contemptor: 2x twin lascannons 3x Intercessor Squads (5 men each, chainswords on sergeants) 3x Inceptors w/ bolters 3x Suppressors I found that the terminators did really solid work both offensively (in shooting as well as melee - 40 storm bolter shots can do a surprising amount of damage in tactical doctrine) and defensively (these guys were extremely difficult to shift once on an objective w/ the +1 save strat and bolster barricades). The bladeguard were decent, but even with transhuman they just didn't have the same durability as the terminators, and also lacked the ranged firepower. On the other end of the spectrum, the intercessors contributed very little. Just very little offensive output, and dies quickly to anything beyond basic enemy troops. Taking that experience into account, I've created a new version of the list that doubles down on the best part by adding another 10 man terminator squad (bare basic relics to make the points work) in exchange for removing the bladeguard and two intercessor squads. Had enough points left over to throw a missile launcher on top of the contemptor and upgrade the techmarine to master of the forge. 1x Primaris Chapter Master: WTs Indomitable + Rites of War; MC power sword + relic shield 1x Primaris Techmarine: Master of the Forge; WT Hand of Dorn; Relic Eye of Hypnoth 1x Apothecary: Master Apothecary; WT Selfless Healer 10x Terminators 10x Relic Terminators all w/ combi-bolters and lightning claws 2x Redemptors (1 gatling, 1 plasma) 1x Relic Contemptor: 2x twin lascannons + cyclone missile launcher 1x Intercessor Squads (5 men, chainsword on sergeant) 3x Inceptors w/ bolters 3x Suppressors I'm hoping to take the revised version for a spin at an upcoming local RTT, and would be very interested to hear any thoughts any of you have on the list!

Took a bit longer than expected, but my vow is now complete. Sgt. Southpaw is now ready to knock back the hordes of invading traitors and xenos, Rocky-style.

I, CausticCossack, vow to complete a southpaw Intercessor Sergeant and friends for the Glory of the Imperial Fists chapter of the Space Marines on or by the 15th of August 2020, or bare the Badge of Shame until year's end

The only issue is that I'm playing Crimson Fists which means I do not have access to the seismic Devastation formation Even without Seismic Devastation, heavy bolters still benefit from bolter drill and the +1D super-trait more than lascannons. Assuming no re-rolls or other bonuses, my quick mathhammer gives (in devastator doctrine, against a knight not rotating ion shields): Heavy Bolters: 36 shots * 5/6 hit * 1/3 wound * 2/3 not saved * 2 damage = 13.3 wounds Lascannons: 12 * 2/3 * 2/3 * 2/3 * 4.5 = 16 wounds That's a pretty small difference in wounds, given that the bolters are far cheaper and much more effective against infantry. To me the only real downside is the slightly shorter range.

Took a bit longer than expected and I won't have a chance to add another, but my vow is now complete.

I'll be very sad if we lose the siege breaker indomitable trait because the new supplement one has the same name, I find the old one much more interesting and fluffy (IF shouldn't have to worry about morale, the idea of one running away for any reason other than to grab more bolt shells is utterly ridiculous). For the relic I'm actually looking at the vox espiritum from the main codex on a primaris captain with stalker bolt rifle, I think that extra 3" makes a real difference for being able to expand out the gunline and re-rolling all hits. Particularly if using the old siege breaker trait, since he can't move at all to maintain the benefits.

I needed to take a bit of a break after the ETL, but am ready to get back at it. I used these Aggressors to experiment with some different yellow options, and now that I've figured out my recipe I can get them cleaned up and finalized. I, CausticCossack, vow in the name of Rogal Dorn and the Imperial Fists to complete three Aggressors and five Hellblasters by 11th November 2019. For Dorn, Terra, and the Emperor!

Managed to complete my second vow: It's mighty tempting to try for another, but at this point I can't commit to being able to finish anything else. I'll be watching from the sideline and cheering the rest of you on for the last week.

Well, it took longer than expected but I've just completed my first vow - 420 points of Centurion Devastators are now ready for battle. I'm also going to press forward and try to get one more vow in this year. I, CausticCossack, rise to the challenge of E TENEBRAE LUX for the honor of the Imperial Fists on the side of the Adeptus Astartes and vow to complete a Relic Contemptor Dreadnought with two twin lascannons of total value 190 points on or before September 1st, 2019. Success will bring me eternal glory and failure will doom me to wear the Badge of the Oathbreaker until the year-end.