Military Players and Footslogging

[Ulfhedinn]

A player named Killswitch posted an article, “On Foot, Like Russ Intended,” on another forum (I don’t want to break any B&C rules by pasting a link).

 

This article talked about a footslogging force with a forward slogging vanguard of Blood Claws spread out and protected by a Rune Priest (Storm Caller) and Wolf Priest (Saga of the Hunter)…this idea has been tossed around by numerous internet bloggers since the updated FAQ provides a mobile 4+ cover save in the open but I like the way Killswitch wrote about it.

 

Now on to my point:

 

I’m a career Army Officer just getting back into WH40K after 10 years…moving around the world is a major part of my life so the more compact army the better for me. Nothing is better than light infantry for mobility (101^st Airborne experience). Tanks and vehicles just slow you down – AIR ASSAULT!

 

Most of my army is dismounted infantry based and the new FAQ makes me very happy. I had been trying to figure out an expensive pelican case option to protect my future vehicles during frequent moves but I think I’ll just stick to dismounted infantry for now.

 

I don’t expect to enter a GT with a footslogging force but I think it will be fun to play and easy to pack around the world with me.

[robertlee]

I agree with you 100% My experience in the 101st (Rakkasan) also tells me to go at it like Russ intended, with our feet firmly on the ground. Unfortunately in the warhammer universe we will get slaughtered with out heavy support and Long Fangs can only do so much.

[muadib02]

Footslogging with Wolves is fantastic, i did it just for the fun of it (and because being an Armoured Officer in reality, I cant stand the vehicle movement rules)

You are right to point out that the SW make great light infantry with the fantastic support units provided to them. I brought 2200 points of footsloging SW to a tournament a few months ago (it was a last man standing sort of affair, where you keep playing successive rounds with whatever you have left on the table) and took 3rd place with only 1 longfang squad remaining. The great thing is that our units are so economical that without transports I can throw around 75 power armoured models (GH, BC, LF and HQ) and 20 scouts (outflanking). Save against AP3 template/blast spam, it takes a long time to kill all these guys (more so now that the WP can give his whole squad stealth) Stealth Bloodclaws w. Lukas will be interesting. Its good to see other military folks kicking around the gaming world.

[Growler67]

Thse can be found in your LGS or ordered online or even found on eBay: http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/...dId=prod1095468

[Ulfhedinn]

I have one of the GW hard cases which is perfect for infantry but if I added a few Razorbacks, Land Raiders, Drop Pods, etc to my collection I would quickly run out of space and be carrying multiple GW cases...not practical for a Soldier on the move. I want to fit 2500 points into one case...infantry gives me this option.

 

Between Long Fangs, Scouts, and SS/CF-SS/TH Lone Wolves I feel I can put the hurt on enemy armor and MCs.

[muadib02]

Ive found that some foam padding and a toolbox makes a great way to transport either 4000 points of infantry or a fairly large number of rhino chassis vehicles (as space is also a concern of mine) (I dont know what im gonna do with my dark eldar though)

[wolf363839]

Curahee! Spent a couple tours and a few years in the 101st myself. It's not as small as the pelican brief case, but the sabol army transport "motorpool" is pretty small, well padded, and packs a lot of stuff. With my Wolves I can manage to squeak out a 4000 pt force including 5 Rhinos, 2 Vindis, a Dread, a Drop Pod, and a Land Raider. That also includes more than 75 infantry and a handful of TWC as well. All the traveling made me pretty good at packing as much as possible into smaller cases...

 

Good luck brother

[Growler67]

Jun '84-Aug '88 before PCSing to Germany. Didn't even know about 40K back then. Container aside, it's all in the packing. Fill any space voids with spare foam or bubble wrap. Inertia is the breaker of parts and if ANY movement is minimized to the maximum state possible, then you have truly done all you can. The rest is up to the Fates. Trust your Priests as they casts the runes before any MOB or Deployment.

 

ETA: wouldn't hurt to offer a prayer to the Machine Spirits as well :D

[robertlee]

Footslogging with Wolves is fantastic, i did it just for the fun of it (and because being an Armoured Officer in reality, I cant stand the vehicle movement rules)

You are right to point out that the SW make great light infantry with the fantastic support units provided to them. I brought 2200 points of footsloging SW to a tournament a few months ago (it was a last man standing sort of affair, where you keep playing successive rounds with whatever you have left on the table) and took 3rd place with only 1 longfang squad remaining. The great thing is that our units are so economical that without transports I can throw around 75 power armoured models (GH, BC, LF and HQ) and 20 scouts (outflanking). Save against AP3 template/blast spam, it takes a long time to kill all these guys (more so now that the WP can give his whole squad stealth) Stealth Bloodclaws w. Lukas will be interesting. Its good to see other military folks kicking around the gaming world.

You've really got me thinking about giving up my vehicles and slogging it out across the table. With long Fang Support and Scouts Outflanking. I might just do this

[army310]

I like a footslogging but because I'm in the CAB I like a all Drop Pod list. I fell its a air assault list guys get drop off with some support.

2ND ID, 82nd airborne and 25th ID "NCO's lead the way." It's good to see some officers play.

[degen1066]

I'm a career Infantry sergeant in the US Army, and I really like this idea for a list. I've spent all my time in mech units though, so I'm kind of attached to my Rhinos and Razorbacks :D

[Ragnar the Red]

I have prefered to use a dismounted force. Wolf Guard terminators deep strike. Lots of scouts. Long Fangs for support. A dread or two for anti-armor. I have found that armor attracts to much attention, and can be a waist of points that can be used for wargrear or more troops. I transported my army in a plastic shoe box with foam peanuts, packed in the center of my dufflebag.

 

75th INF(Ranger), 24th INF, 3AD, 4th INF

[muadib02]

WG terminators cant deep strike (or are you using a drop pod?)

[Durfast Spiritwolf]

Since when did falling out of strategic left or cadging a lift on a helo count as foot slogging - weak :P

 

My force has also been around a bit and I find that the large case will cover most options.

 

In 40K I generally go foxtrot with one or two heavy As or Dreads in support. I recently brought the BCs out of retirement for fun having moved to pure GHs with the new codex, but would not want to use them as ablative armour. We don't need such cheap DA type tricks to win in my experience.

 

Rhinos and DPs have their uses, such as in Spearhead games, but risk being easy KPs in some others.

 

However, six BEL WS with a meltagun, two plasma pistols, MOTW and meltabombs - now we are talking.

 

Swift and Bold gentlemen and if you are ever over in blighty then please drop me a line and we can pull up a sandbag and swing the lantern ...

[Durfast Spiritwolf]

sorry t'internet is playing up - one drop of snow and London shuts down :P

[Ulfhedinn]

First it’s great to see all the military players’ comments here! Also, thanks for all the great transport ideas.

 

Now to clear up the last poster’s misconception about American Army Divisions :thanks:

 

Since when did falling out of strategic left or cadging a lift on a helo count as foot slogging - weak

 

Mechanized Infantry are just that (4^th Infantry Division)…

The American Light Infantry Divisions are either Airborne (82^nd Airborne Division) or Air Assault (101^st Airborne Division) or Mountain (10^th Mountain Division “similar to Air Assault”). So my use of the 101^st Airborne Division as a footslogging example for Space Wolves is about as close as you are going to get to true Light Infantry. If you need more convincing look at historical deployment rotations to Iraq (mounted combat) vs Afghanistan (dismounted combat)…82^nd 101^st and 10^th have taken turns in Afghanistan whereas the mechanized and heavy forces have been in Iraq more.

 

Couldn’t let that cross ocean jab get by without a counterpunch ;)

 

All kidding aside though, when going into a multinational task force, you Brits are a top choice.

[Master Of Malfeasance X]

I know this is a Space Wolf thing, and I'm a Blood Angels (Night Lords) player and I'll take my licks for that. Just the same, when the new Storm Raven comes out, I absolutely intend to get at least 3 and mod them open if I can. The very look of the model (the Valkyrie, too) brings me back to my time in First Cav, Ft. Hood and later, in Baghdad blazing across a burning city from just above the rooftops. Kudos for addressing it in print here.

[Ulfhedinn]

Blood Angels with fast transports are welcome in this discussion…you can quickly close the distance to my slow footslogging Space Wolves so we can hurry up and get down to business. I’ve even got beer keg markers so we can down a few after beating each other senseless. :P

[Valerian]

From a recent discussion on footslogging, I provided the following:

 

You can do "footslogging" and be successful, but you'll still need mobility. A lot of the game is about getting where you need to go. 2 of 3 standard Missions require you to get you units to Objectives to control them, while the final mission still requires you to get into position to destroy enemy units for Kill Points.

 

Mobility comes in two forms: Operational Mobility (getting to the battlefield), and Tactical Mobility (moving around on the battlefield). With Behind Enemy Lines, our Wolf Scouts have excellent Operational Mobility, and can arrive usually right where you want them on any board edge; but once the arrive they only have average Tactical Mobility. Drop Pod deployed units are similar with good OM, but average TM. It's a good idea to have one or more of these units in your footslogging lists.

 

Swift Claws, And Thunderwolf Cavalry have average OM (nothing special), but have great TM (especially Swift Claws with ability to Turbo-boost.

 

Sky Claws and Land Speeders have excellent TM, and with ability to Deep Strike, can have improved OM, as well.

 

You will need several units with good mobility to perform the tasks that your otherwise footslogging infantry will not be able to do for you. You won't be able to walk Grey Hunters all across the board to control enemy objectives or assault enemy support units. However, your units with good mobility can take care of those tasks (at peat contesting objectives for you), while your Grey Hunters, Wolf Guard, and others work on preventing the enemy from achieving his goals.

 

Many folks go "pure" and try to footslog every unit, Drop Pod every unit, or go mechanized and put every unit in a rhino or razorback. I go hybrid, with a little of each, in an attempt to get the exact capability that I think I need for each unit. My "typical" list consists of one unit in a Land Raider, three in Pods, one on Bikes, two coming in Behind Enemy Lines, and the rest just walking. Works well for me.

[Valerian]

Continued:

 

Regarding your Air Assault experience, I submit to you that you had excellent Operational Mobility, but rather poor tactical mobility (except when operating in restrictive terrain) once deployed and operating as a light infantryman. My experience as a Tanker/Cavalryman in multiple Heavy/Mechanized units was quite the opposite. However, when it comes to 40k, my preference, too, has been largely to avoid vehicles/transports. I only put together my first Land Raider after 18 years of playing the game.

 

I certainly understand your concern about optimizing your army size, but ultimately effectiveness, or at least your satisfaction with the army should supersede your concern of portability. I've got three footlockers full of books, codices, old White Dwarf magazines and bits/sprues. Added to that are 4 Sabol transport cases, 3 GW hard-shell cases, and several other boxes of hobby-related stuff. It's a rather large footprint of 40k dedicated items, but the Army moves it for me free, so it doesn't really matter. If you want to go for the best, I would say to go with battlefoam for tailored/customized options.

 

Valerian

[Ulfhedinn]

Valerian,

 

Thank you for the great write-up! I like your ideas and agree with your assessment of Operational vs Tactical mobility. My planned final army makeup was to include a TWC unit and a Scout unit but I will look at including some of the other options you pose. As for PCS’ing I just came back from overseas and had a lot of household baggage damage...had a heck of time getting any compensation (mostly just repairs that left me with damaged but operational items). I’m spending considerable time on this army so I will probably carry the troops with me while PCS’ing and send vehicles/larger item in household baggage.

[Durfast Spiritwolf]

First it’s great to see all the military players’ comments here! Also, thanks for all the great transport ideas.

 

Now to clear up the last poster’s misconception about American Army Divisions ;)

 

Since when did falling out of strategic left or cadging a lift on a helo count as foot slogging - weak

 

Mechanized Infantry are just that (4^th Infantry Division)…

The American Light Infantry Divisions are either Airborne (82^nd Airborne Division) or Air Assault (101^st Airborne Division) or Mountain (10^th Mountain Division “similar to Air Assault”). So my use of the 101^st Airborne Division as a footslogging example for Space Wolves is about as close as you are going to get to true Light Infantry. If you need more convincing look at historical deployment rotations to Iraq (mounted combat) vs Afghanistan (dismounted combat)…82^nd 101^st and 10^th have taken turns in Afghanistan whereas the mechanized and heavy forces have been in Iraq more.

 

Couldn’t let that cross ocean jab get by without a counterpunch ;)

 

All kidding aside though, when going into a multinational task force, you Brits are a top choice.

 

Send key setting over :yes:

 

Sorry for not being clear, but I didn't mean Mech or AI, but was referring to Para (falling out of strategic lift aka aeroplanes) and AA (cadging a lift on a helo).

 

Footslogging in my book means walking to battle not just being foxtrot in combat. Using operational and tactical lift is not foot slogging (aka light), but something else such as Air Assault or Para. It was at those wannbee lights that my punch was aimed ;)

 

I know that both the sandpits have enjoyed examples of mounted and dismounted combat. My reference point for light infantry would be the Falklands - even though some of the units were RM and Para, they did not use lift at either the operational or tactical levels - though not through choice :P

 

I would concur with Valerian - out of complex terrain AI run rings around dismounts, but that doesn't hold on a 6x4 table. A small MM armed LS sqn on the flank though can really put an opponent off their stroke.

 

TWC are very nasty, so much so that I've pulled them from club games and save them for tournies ...

[Valerian]

Valerian,

 

Thank you for the great write-up! I like your ideas and agree with your assessment of Operational vs Tactical mobility. My planned final army makeup was to include a TWC unit and a Scout unit but I will look at including some of the other options you pose.

 

This might be helpful, too: Valerian's Guide. Let me know what you think.

 

As for PCS’ing I just came back from overseas and had a lot of household baggage damage...had a heck of time getting any compensation (mostly just repairs that left me with damaged but operational items). I’m spending considerable time on this army so I will probably carry the troops with me while PCS’ing and send vehicles/larger item in household baggage.

 

Overseas moves are tough, in that you have less control over your items. I bought a used cargo trailer for about $2,000 several years ago. Whenever I move I hitch it to the SUV and just tow all of the important/fragile stuff that I want to keep with me, instead of with the movers. It's easy to find a cheap place to park it at a new location, and then I just use it for storage of bulk junk, like Christmas or Halloween decorations - great for keeping the house or garage a little less cluttered.

 

V

[Ulfhedinn]

Your guide is very comprehensive and well written...I really like the way you integrated military tactics in almost a Sun Tzu manner for WH40K. The only advice I probably won’t use is building custom armies for each opponent. When I played 2^nd in college before taking a long break I had a group of friends and we got into an arms race (Bigger Badder Better) always custom building new armies to beat the guy with the new trick. My army was over 7500 points (mostly unpainted) and games took forever to plan and execute. Reentering the WH40K community I want to build two or three “all comers” (fully painted) lists that I play for fun. If I lose continuously to the same race I may tweak the list but ultimately I want to work on deployment and tactics more than a killer list. In fact I don’t want a list so strong that I don’t have to have good tactics to beat an average player.

 

Bottom line – your guide is a must read for new players and old ones!