When to take Havocks

[minigun762]

I'm one of those people who likes to find a use for every unit out there (besides maybe Spawns :tu: )

 

I think most people agree that Havocks aren't bad, the problem is that there is always a superior choice to take, but is that the case?

If you want LasCannons, you're best bet is Obliterators. The other choice could be Predators as its the cheapest way to spam them, but you are running into the problems of being stun locked.

If you want Heavy Bolters, typically the Dakka Predator is better. 3 Heavy Weapons for 100 points is a hard price to beat.

 

This leaves Missile Launchers and AutoCannons which is where I think Havocks can bring something useful. AutoCannons and Missile Launchers are both good, if underused weapons. Their main benefits are that they're cheap (compared to LasCannons) and they're flexible. As long as you aren't trying to take out a Land Raider or a group of Terminators, everything else is a viable target. This is extra nice because both of these weapons make for good transport busters as Devilfish, Wave Serpents and the ubiquitous Rhino all fall to S7/S8.

You don't have to get a full 8-10 man squad with 4 weapons, the much more affordable 6-7 man with 3 weapon squad comes in at 150ish points, the same as most Heavy choices. A mix of 3 AutoCannons/Missiles will be a nice fire support unit against most targets and if your 2+ Save and AV14 is covered elsewhere (usually by Plasma and Meltaguns) then you're set, especially against those faster units.

 

The nice thing in 5th Edition is that while everything might get a cover save, you typically can't fully hide a tank behind cover so you will get to shoot at it.

[chrac]

I think the real problem is that they fill up a heavy slot on the FOC. I would rather use that spot for defilers and oblits.

[JamesI]

I use Havocs for autocannons and heavy bolters, something oblits don't provide. Oblits can then focus on tank hunting, and using plasma cannons if no better option appears.

[Lord Humongous]

Havocs are good for special weapons spam / shock troops. Since they are not scoring units, you can assault with them with wild abandon by pushing them forwards in a rhinos, unloading and shooting. 4 flamers will put a major smackdown on any horde unit, and even most MEQs. Same with 4 plasma vs MEQs, and 4 meltas is probably overkill on most vehicles (certainly if you get within 6 inches) and is a nasty threat to MCs, plus can scare the jeepers out of characters (instant death). Mixing it up (2 flamers, 2 meltas) seems a good way to go, since it lets you put a hurt on just about anything, especially if backed up with a power fist on the unit champ, and maybe an Icon of Khorne...

[Cornelias]

that's exactly the way i go with my havoc squad, use them to assault objectives and have a normal csm squad support them and hold it while they move on to other targets, use them as a retinue for your lord, someone on the board uggested it in a thread a month or two ago and i swear by it now.

 

the first 1000 points(and 1k games) of every list i make looks more or less like this.........

 

Chaos Lord = 175 pts

wings,daemon weapon,plasma pistol, melta bombs

Havoc Squad = 245 pts

7x havocs, 2x melta, 2x flamers, IoCG,

1x champ, powerfist, combiflamer,

rhino

 

CSM squad = 215 pts

7x CSM, plasmagun, IoCG

1x champ, power weapon, melta bombs

rhino

 

CSM squad = 215 pts

7x CSM, plasmagun, IoCG

1x champ, power weapon, melta bombs

rhino

 

obliterators x2 = 150 pts

 

total 1000 pts

 

i usually up the csm squads to 10 men with 2 plasmas as points permit and try and add a 5 man unit of daemons per squad that can be called into supports any of the squads if their numbers get thinned or i want to beef up the holding of an objective. going upto 1750-2000 pts i will add a vindi or defiler, another CSM squad and possibly a squad of terminators with meltas and power weapons. above 2000 points i'll them look to add Abaddon then bulk up on some more CSM squads where points permit.

 

i'm really enjoying playing in this way and now i've gotten used to it i'm convinced it's the way forward, although i would like to add a cult unit or 2 to my collect but atm i can't see them performing any better than my normal "GI Joe" CSM squads.

 

hope that helps and i'm happy to answer any further questions on my playstyle :)

[doctor_wu]

I think havocs are Ok. Yeah missile launchers or autocannons are the way to go. For some reason however I have terrible luck with missile launchers and autocannons are not good at killing the heavy tanks anymore. That i why i do not like them that much. Also I would rather have obliterators.

[Sons of Horus]

when to take havocs?!?!? the answer is never!!! take oblits, they're much much better. oblits :P let's sing the obliterator song.

[Shaantitus]

I have used a squad of 6 with 4 plasma guns and a plasma pistol on the aspiring champ. Good for wasting a carnifex or a hive tyrant or melting a squad of terminators.

[Xenocidal Maniac]

I can't even believe people are suggesting that Havoks are no good. Or even that Oblits are better.

 

Your Chaos Troops choices are best up close and personal. And if you are playing CSM right, you have TONS of troops. Their effective range is 12" for firing and charging. That means at least a turn or two to position them before you begin putting hurt on your enemy. You take one squad of Havoks with 4 heavy bolters, 1 squad with 4 missile launchers, sit them in the backfield in cover, and lay down hellacious amounts of fire as the rest of your army advances into position. It's the most brutally effective list that I run. People hate playing against it.

 

Horde armies are taking 12 HB shots a turn, and if you place the templates right, up to 16 or even 20 shots from the frag missiles. It annihilates Orks and Nids. Or your Missile launchers can harrass and destroy tanks and other heavy infantry as well. And then you've got your Berserkers and Raptors etc smacking a decimated enemy HARD on turn three. It's almost auto win.

 

And Oblits get what? 1 measly shot per turn that misses 1/3 of the time? And it's a model that can potentially be destroyed with one shot. Worthless compared to Havoks.

 

Those assault squad Havoks sound pretty cool, too. I'll have to try them.

[Seth the Dark]

I agree. Havocs with 4 HBs or 4 MLs are a pretty good choice. I would go with Missile Launchers due to their versatility.

[minigun762]

Obliterators are better at tank busting and heavy infantry killing. You can't forget that they can deepstrike and have access to TL'd Melta and Plasmaguns. Those are going to rock a Terminator squad. Plus its one of the only ways to get a Plasma Cannon in Chaos. Obliterators are awesome and in many ways the default heavy choice.

As I say this, I don't run any of them because they're not for me. I prefer the pie plates from Defilers and Vindicators.

 

You gotta think about what Havocks can bring that other choices can't.

 

As for the assault Havocks, they can be very powerful, the only reason I didn't mention them is purely because assault Havocks are basically non scoring CSM squads with more special weapons and I'd prefer scoring status over 2 more special weapons.

[Cornelias]

that fact that they are non scoring is what makes them great, your not worrying about them having to hold an objective or anything.

 

think of them as that free roaming midfielder in a football team( Ronaldo etc.) :lol: