Imperial Storm Trooper Transports

[The Holy Heretic]

So I'm about to finish on the GK part of my army. The termies, dreads and redeemer are just about ready to go to war. Which means I'm just about ready to start on the cool part - the Imperial Storm Troopers.

 

But then I got myself thinking. Originally I was planning for a 2 squads of 10 ISTs with meltas in rhinos - and a squad of 5 PAGKs - but then I had second thoughts just before pressing "checkout". And wondered getting three squads of ISTs instead and mounting them in Chimeras - the whole thing is costing a bundle since most of the is from FW.

 

So what do you guys think?

 

- bear in mind, I have yet to play a 40K game (since Rogue Trader), and have absolutely no idea, what I'm doing :)

[Ozybonza]

Download the IA2 update (google it). If your gaming group is happpy to let you use it, it means you get cheaper and better Rhinos and Chimeras. If you go down this path, then Chimeras all the way as they have 5 fire points, ie. 5 models can fire out the top hatch, rather than 2 from the rhino.

[The Holy Heretic]

That may be true, but it would also up the price on my dreads by 30-40 points a piece, and even worse, force me to lug around a bunch of papers instead of just keeping things neat and easy referenced. Bad enough that I decided to use the FW Redeemer raider, but thats just a matter of coolness B) - and only one special aberration from the main rules, which is based on a specific model and not a question of "points magic". ;)

 

I do doubt there would be any problems with opponents, as I wouldn't be playing competitively - the whole thing is more of a modelling project, but there is no reason not to keep it functional ;)

[SamaNagol]

And those IA2 Rhinos don't have old style smoke launchers, right?

[number6]

I would suggest dropping the squad size from 2x 10 ISTs (2x meltas) to 3x 5 ISTs (2x meltas). The points cost difference is 240 pts (2x 10) to 210 pts (3x 5). Gives you more units AND frees up almost enough points to get a 3rd transport for that 3rd unit. But even if you have to leave the 3rd unit unmounted, I'd still do the 3 units instead of 2 for the additional flexibility.

 

The purpose of ISTs is to be cheap and disposable melta delivery units. Their scoring unit status is just gravy.

 

Considering that purpose, I favor Rhinos over Chimeras. Cheaper, superior side armour, more exit points, and no guns to try and make you consider sitting back and shooting when you shouldn't be doing that with your ISTs pretty much ever. ;)

 

However, if you are also inducting IG platoons, then I would instead borrow the IG chimeras. They're essentially the exact same cost as Inquisitorial Rhinos so there's no reason not too. You can afford to throw away IG Chimeras in service to the emperor. Inquisitorial Chimeras are too expensive for that. :woot:

[The Holy Heretic]

You can afford to throw away IG Chimeras in service to the emperor. Inquisitorial Chimeras are too expensive for that. :)

 

Makes sense. Considering that you'll have purge the poor sods by fire anyway, after they've had contact with chaos :(

[Reclusiarch Darius]

Hey, thats my trick No. 6! :angry:

 

Yeah, if you want a decent transport for your meltagun caddies, steal inducted IG Chimeras. You should already be bringing IG for the cheap skirmish screen they can be anyway (great for screening your fragile PAGK and bolstering your numbers overall), so nicking their Chimeras isn't usually a problem.

 

Using that workaround also avoids having to rely on the IA2 update, thus making it perfectly usuable in any tournament. They may be able to ban Forge World (for the completely arbritrary reasoning that it's overpowered, when really what they mean is 'superheavies are overpowered'), but they can't prevent the Inquisition inducting IG. GW even put out a FAQ which suggested the idea of stealing the newer Chimeras, along with clarifying what units we're allowed to induct.

 

I still lament the fact we can't get IG Veterans inducted...but meh, such is life.

[Senseilord Ashahara]

Chimera are fantastic force mulitpliers.

I see that you're using Gks so it's not such an issue but as I only use ISTs as troop, the two heavy weapons on a chimera are invaluble for them.

[silversmith82]

Even if you are using ISTs as troops, the IG Chimeras are still way cheaper way better overall. It is over 30 pts more for a comparably equipped DH Chimera that cannot transport anything besides itself. Workaround is to take 2 troops choices from DH, then a mechanized platoon which gives you access to the superior IG chims. You now have cheap transport capability for PAGK not to mention the sheer number of guardsmen you can field for a few hundred pts is pretty damn nice. And the heavy weapons choices... and the hilarity of the conscripts if you are feeling really froggy. Sentinals are nice too but you need to take 2 platoons for them. Still, outflanking heavy weapons shots on rear armor is very spiff. But at that point you might as well just play IG with DH allies.

 

 

edit: Just did teh maths and figured out that a minimalist IG platoon with 3 chimeras is 295 pts. 3 DH Identical Chimeras are 225 pts BY THEMSELVES. 70 pts gets you a 25 man meatshield/tarpit and those IG Chimeras are far FAR better. They can transport PAGK or even a 6 man GKT unit (that can still fire its 2-3 psycannons out of the fire points WHILE MOVING). 70 pts is alot in an army where points are a premium although having that platoon lets you tack on special/heavy weapons and in the greater scheme of things I'd think that footie platoon would be relatively low on the opponent's target priority list. Which is nice because 50 rapid fire flashlight shots can really mess up a squad stupid enough to get within 12". Yes I am captain of all that is obvious. No I had not realized the points were so close before.

[Red Lost Soldier]

If you need your IST alive by the end of the game, Chimeras and plasma guns are the way to go and keep them back. However with so much armour around, most people favour the meltagun build, which suits the rugged Rhino transport better. Rhinos also have the advantage of being physically smaller, thus easier to hide. I used a mix of both back in 4th. Problem now is our transports are just do damn expensive next to all the 5th edition armies. Which is why I'm looking at picking up an IG codex myself...

 

If you go with Chimeras, don't forget about those hull mounted lasguns. It is a nice surprise to unleash on light infantry.

[Reclusiarch Darius]

Yeah, I'd have to say that IG Chimeras win out on all fronts. They provide better fire support, they allow more models to fire from inside (making the incinerator Inquisitor+3 x Veteran melta+2 x Mystic build semi-useful as a support unit), and they have better frontal armour. Sure, that paper AV10 side can cause problems, but thats where Landraiders come in. Sandwich your vehicles so the enemy can't range any side armour except AV14, you're onto a winner.

 

The other main advantage to IG Chimeras is the Infantry Platoon you get with it. Now, you can combine those multiple Infantry squads into giant 20-strong mobs to hold objectives or to provide a light skirmish screen in front of your precious Grey Knights. They also can kill things when 'FRFRSF' is ordered, and you can spam flamers on them for a bit more anti-infantry.

If you have some more points spare, you can even supplement your Heavy Support anti-tank options with lascannon spam on Heavy Weapon squads. They're cheap enough to park on objectives and forget about, while distracting your opponent with the massed Combined squads advancing and the shiny Knights.

[silversmith82]

Yeah you buy 3 IG Chimeras and you get a 25 man strong mob to park on the home objective. Give them a few cheap special weapons, maybe a commisar and you just secured your home objective. Autocannons, heavy weapons, the list goes on. Great great fire support unit and hell, if you DO have the 2x mystic combo close by you can just assign the IG platoon to do the honors on DSing squads. 50 rapid fire flashlights and whatever heavy weapons are in there=win. Put a mini purgation squad behind them for both countercharge and more fire support is even better. So basically if with the transport workaround you have to buy a minimum 3 chimeras at 295 pts. Each extra one is 105 pts barebones unless you are buying 6, then just another 295 because of the 20 pts cheaper command squad that comes with the second platoon.

 

IMO, either go DH Rhinos or induct guard and hijack their Chims. You do pay a little more but you get so much for the extra pointage. Not being open topped using the 2 fire points helps too...

 

edit: The =][= in a Rhino with 2x mystics and a melta servitor was/is ALWAYS useful. DH rhinos do have a firepoint so anything DSes and you get a free MM shot at it. Buy 2 and create a "no fly zone" in your deployment area. Better still, 2 sages get you a re-roll but that is getting a bit out of hand as far as points go. Only time I would use 2 sages is with a PC servitor.

[The Holy Heretic]

My first list will be ISTs w. rhinos - there are a lot of other stuff I wanted to include, so there weren't room for inducting the guard, but guard will be the natural choice to expand my forces with eventually - they're waaay cooler than those goofy marines :down: