5 Landspeeders in one slot....

[Netfreakk]

is it worth it?

 

I don't see how it could be, 5 LSs all AV 10 without the good typhoon ML options so they have to get into 36" range at the minimum. Also, being in a group of 5 limits their ability to hide from LOS.

 

I could see how 15 shots at 36" range could sound scary against an infantry heavy army, but even that said, an army that has 48" shots will be able to take them out.

 

So, basically... I never played or seen them played in a squad of 5 and I was wondering if anyone has actually fielded a 5 LS squad and if it worked for you.

[Gillyfish]

I've not tried it, but it does allow for some intriguing possibilities. That said, I'm really not sure they're worth it. The key thing to think about here is what the rest of your army will look like and do in conjunction with this unit. Is the squadron there as a distraction or a real threat? Also, what's its purpose? To hunt tanks or infantry?

 

The problem with squadrons is that damage can be apportioned across the unit, leading to a greater number of casualties. On the plus side they only take up one slot (but bear in mind that Tornado speeders can be obtained through the attack squadron as well). Usually you're unlikely to field five speeders in one go, but let's say you did so against a tank heavy opponent. First of all, you're going to have to hope you get the first turn, because they could be a one trick wonder (depending upon what else you've deployed). But if you can get them within 12" of an enemy tank, the chances are that tank will die. Similarly, if outfitted for infantry killing they're probably a real pain against units like termagaunts, hormagaunts and genestealers, provided they stay out of range of the majority of return fire.

 

But what about the rest of your army? One combination I can foresee being annoying is a mechanised army (including, say, a Land Raider and two Rhinos) with speeder support. Those transports will be an armoured wedge and high on your opponent's threat index. So he'll want to pop them. But you then zoom your speeders in front of the advancing tanks and take out one of his anti-tank units. Against the other anti-tank units, suddenly you have five vehicles to provide a cover save or block line of sight to your main advance. The problem is that this is a really expensive sacrificial unit and you don't want it to get too close to the enemy or small arms fire will bring them all down.

 

Another use is as a mobile firebase in a more defensive, gunline oriented army. The speeders can redeploy to meet an enemy advance and still fire at pretty much maximum capacity. Your opponent has to either take them out (which could be frustrating if they're moving quickly and can ignore one result on the damage chart) or ignore them and attack other units. Again, they could be used sacrificially to block charges or line of sight. But surely you could do that equally well with one or two speeders which form their own units (especially since they would have to be targeted separately)?

[Chaplain Lucifer]

IMHo squads of 5 are only for big apocalypse games.. in 1500-1750 points games (or less) it's better to have several squadrons so they can tackle more targets... unless:

 

a ) you only play KP missions.. in that case probably is better to have a unit of 5 that is hard to give a KP.

b ) you want to put more speeders but you already have FA slots full.

[ValourousHeart]

Considering the limitation on upgrades this unit can take (1 typhoon and either 1 AC or 1 HF) you are really better off taking more units of single speeders than plunking them all into one unit.

 

I have used 3 units of 2 speeders, but have since dropped them in favor of all single speeders and extra bikes, because they didn't perform as well against the newer codices as my current list does.

[CrushThem]

I'd never go the full 5 speeders unless playing an apocolypse game. I think maybe a unit of 2 or 3 (or two units, depending on your army composition) would be better off. But 5 speeders in one unit? Thats gotta have a big bulls eye on it to someone with the dakka to take down speeders. Not to say that said speeder unit (s) couldn't cause considerable headache for your opponent if used correctly.

 

Regards,

Crush

[Alys Dwr]

What about in spearhead? I'm a bit out of the loop at the moment so feel free to slap me down :tu: but the deepstriking skimmer for 3 units, do the 5 speeders count as a single unit? A possible 15 deepstriking heavy weapons with pinning could be good fun. Or not if it's just wishful thinking!

 

But no, i've never even considered fielding 5 speeders. Even if i had a large contingent of ravenwing to take, i think that speeders are too fragile to be worth it. Unless i was feeling confident and lucky enough to cripple the enemy first turn with them. Which i doubt would happen.

 

Al

[The Shadow Guard]

Took the words right out of my mouth Alys Dwr..... Three units of support squadrons in a SKYFALL SPEARHEAD would do nicely...

 

I had been toying with this idea... squadron of five LS (1 Tornado, 1 Typhoon and 3 MM LS) costs 370 points for a total of 1110 for three squadrons. drop one tornado fron one and you get 14 LS for a 1000 add on Spearhead....

 

Deep striking.... and only roll for scatter for the first one.. and shooting attacks on the first turn of arrival will pin and always hit rear armour.... It will make a very big mess...but what happens to you on the next enemy turn? Will it be a one shot wonder? I can't even think as I haven't played in two editions... :)

[Alys Dwr]

Good to know i'm not the only one who though it was a good idea. A bit expensive and a bit fragile i conceed. However i'm guessing they can still all fire at independant targets, even one target per unit. Turning 3 critical targets to slag the turn you appear, thus causing the enemy general to completly chage his/her tactics is worth it to my mind.

 

Nice and fluff-ish for ravenwing.

 

Al

[The Shadow Guard]

... and one way to deep strike RW landspeeders.... though I think that will come in to mainstream with the next codex.