Building a solid medium range squad

[BDS]

Hello brothers,

 

Here is my mission. In 2010 I am in a painting challenge; each month you must complete a unit. February is a troop selection.

 

January was HQ. I painted up a table top legal Bjorn model; I will be using Logan eventually. I choose Bjorn as this model had been floating around my workshop for years and I was short (like 4 hours) on time. I am continuing to work on Bjorn as the weeks go by, but I met my challenge.

 

I am also simultaneously working on a CSM challenge...for this I painted the dredful Maddox, foe of Ragnar Blackmane, weilding the spear of Russ.

 

So, this brings me to my February SW challenge. It must be a troop. It must be a unit I feel I will place in almost any build I eventually choose. So I want it to be a solid jack of all trades, accepteable of eventual expansion, and a unit I will want to take in most/all of my games.

 

Here are my thoughts so far:

 

5 GH

...Plasma gun, mark of wulfen, wolf banner

Wolf guard

...combi flamer, power fist

Razor Back

...TL assault cannon

....................................228pts

 

The plasma gun is to compliment 24" range of Bjorn and Razorback. Mark of Wulfen and Banner are to bolster assault. I choose the pwr fist over a frost axe or pwr wpn due to the value of the combi flamer. The unit is competent anti-amor and anti-horde. I did not choose a mb, due to the presence of the pwr fist and the fact this squad will most times be accompanied by Bjorn.

 

When I build the squad I will most likely paint the Rhino/Razorback pieces to include a rhino top and las plas for future flexibility.

 

Have I left any gaps in my planning brothers?

 

Thanks,

BDS

[Kenmichi]

I haven't played many games as a Wolf player but one thing I've learned and put together in terms of Wolf tactics is motion and mobility. Plasma gun packs have their place as objective sitters since you want those packs to shoot as much as possible without moving away from the objective. Anyway, you might want to consider going with a meltagun and possibly swapping your Wolf Guard's combi-flamer to a combi-melta or maybe even consider a stormbolter.

[Wildfire]

Looks like you've got a bad case of upgrade-itis.

 

The plasma gun is to compliment 24" range of Bjorn and Razorback. Mark of Wulfen and Banner are to bolster assault. I choose the pwr fist over a frost axe or pwr wpn due to the value of the combi flamer. The unit is competent anti-amor and anti-horde. I did not choose a mb, due to the presence of the pwr fist and the fact this squad will most times be accompanied by Bjorn.

 

This does not really gel. First off, why give any CC upgrades to a unit you say you want to sit back and shoot at 24"? Why give a flamer for the same reason? Or a WG at all? Also, where is this "competent anti-armor" you speak of? It's also only mediocre at anti-horde due to small size. Really, what this is is a small unit that will want to run up to an opponent and unload, then hope to get a counter-charge off. That conflicts with the transport, which should not be upgraded if you want to close.

 

Squad: First thing you need to decide is what you're going to use that unit for. Are you trying to assualt infantry? More numbers, and give it assualt weapons. Are you trying to shoot infantry? Give it a larger squad size, and get double plasma. Are you trying to mess up vehicles? The small squad size is probably fine, but you need to exchange the plasma and combi-flamer for meltas. Is it intended to sit back and claim objectives? 5 marines with just the plasma gun should suffice. This squad is just too all over the place for my liking, it wants streamlining.

 

Razorback: If you're using the razorback to transport a squad, leave it the basic heavy bolter type. Otherwise it's just too tempting for opposing fire (unless of course that's what you're hoping for him to fire at).

 

Some examples:

 

Assualty squad: GH x7-9, pweap/MotW, flamer/melta, WG with nothing/combi-melta and pfist, rhino, possible wolf standard = 193-243

 

Shooty squad: GH x10, plas x2, pweap/MotW, rhino = 210

 

Anti-vehicle/support squad: GH x5, melta, WG with combi-melta and pfist, razor with heavy bolters = 163

 

Objective sitting squad: GH x5, plasma, razor with upgrade (no upgrade if it's going to be stolen by another unit) = 150-160

[Grey Mage]

I agree- a Plasmahunter pack for objectives shouldnt ever be less than 10 men with two PGs, otherwise theyre just not pumping out enough shots to do their job.

 

I think the only really optional thing for them is a Razorback verses a Rhino in most lists... I usually go with the Rhino for flexability, but in larger games theirs no reason not to go with a Razorback.

[BDS]

Well thanks for the quick and "decisive" replies.

 

The squad does not feel all over the place to me. The intention of the squad is to hang with Bjorn most times. My first inclination was to outfit Bjorn and the Razorback with assault cannons.

 

There lies your competent "anti-tank" and "anti-horde" 8 assault cannon shots, 4 twin linked. Statistically you have a good chance to pop most armor, or at least slow it down.

 

Further anti-tank is provided by the plasma gun when outside the rzr back. Bjorn 5 S10 attacks on the charge, WG PF, and SW krak grenades for up close; d6 rending attacks added for fun.

 

Anti-horde is supplied for the Hvy flamer, combi flamer, rapid firing bolters, and 8 assault cannon shots.

 

The litttle death bubble can move 6" per turn and still pump out respectable heat.

 

Definitely not the end all and be all of SW gaming, but maybe a little more respectable than your giving it credit for.

 

I am most often a water style player and will seek to make opponents march through as much firepower as possible to get to my troops. These two units acting together should be fairly solid given the use of terrain, smoke launchers, and Bjorn's rules and armor. The squad with Bjorn is no push over on worn down units on most any type. I also see the SW's ability to stand and shoot then counter assault when finally reached with their full attacks as a huge plus for any units holding ground and will generally play them this way.

 

I will look to other units to hunt opposing units down.

 

Thanks and I always value others points of view.

 

BDS

[Grey Mage]

You want it as an advancing unit along side Bjeorn?

 

It gets alot better than. Im still not sold on its antitank ability... but frankly my only suggest with that setup is thus:

 

Get a Plasma Pistol.

 

Bjeorns biggest threats to survival right now- Tyranids and Fire Dragons. The more High str low AP shots you have, the better you can kill MCs and WSs.

[BDS]

You want it as an advancing unit along side Bjeorn?

 

It gets alot better than. Im still not sold on its antitank ability... but frankly my only suggest with that setup is thus:

 

Get a Plasma Pistol.

 

Bjeorns biggest threats to survival right now- Tyranids and Fire Dragons. The more High str low AP shots you have, the better you can kill MCs and WSs.

 

Well that is the first time I have seen anyone reccomend plasma pistols. I will mull that over.

 

Thanks,

BDS