I hate large games.

[Iacton Qruze]

I see the benefit of both small and large games, but prefer smaller games for tournaments, larger games for friendly pick-ups. Larger games see a number of armies start using up FOC slots easier, without much to show for it, compared to the goodies an army like say, SW, has access to. Also, the tendency for further abuse rises when you get up past 1500 points.

 

Lucky you, getting to Portland. I've been trying to relocate there for a couple of years now. One day I'll get up there.

[commander alexander]

First off, welcome to Oregon Grey Mage . In my gaming group the standard game has always been 2.5k, and it was frustrating when I first started, but oh well it's off topic. I would recommend beefing up your Grey Hunters, and putting at least half or more in Drop Pods. I would recomend not taking a Wolf Guard to attach to those drop podding units, it is worth more to have a special weapon that continues to fire. Specialize those DP'ing GH packs with two of the same special weapon, so that for the instance of tanks, they have two meltaguns to blow it up (hopefully you landed your DP right next to it). Flamers for infantry, plasma for heavy infantry, and multi-wound beasties. Doing this will hopefully allow you to take out the units you deem most threatening in the first two turns. The rest can hopefully remain mobile in rhinos.

 

From there, I would reccomend Whirlwinds and Long Fangs. The Whirlwind is a cheap and effective long-range infantry harasser. I typically speciallize my LF's as well, one with my oh-so-loved plasma, and the other with a full complement of lascannons. I often give them Razorbacks, heavy bolter sponson for plasma, TL LC for the other.

 

Land Speeders with twin multi-meltas are another favorite. Now that there are Thunder Wolf models, I will have to experiement with TW Cav., TW Iron Priest (W/ cyberwolves), TW Lords and the like.

 

The Grey Hunter business I would say is the most practical and useful advice I can give. The rest is just personal taste I suppose.

[Rune_Priest_Rhapsody]

...Lucky you, getting to Portland. I've been trying to relocate there for a couple of years now. One day I'll get up there.

 

It's not that great here... :)

 

I have been talking with my LGS about doing more escalation leagues within a monthly basis. That way we can get started off at the lower points levels (1K, or 1500) and work our way up 250 or 500 a week. I like this concept because it can appeal to all players, baring the player have that many points...

 

End of Line

[Stormbrow II]

Our group used to play 1500 following the UKGT standard as we used to send groups of lads over for them every so often from here in Ireland but when they came up with the new format our minds were decided to swap over to the ETC points level which was 1750 but is now 1850. The first 250 point jump was a big change but the next 100 pts wasn't so bad as the extra points didn't make as much difference by comparison.

 

Most of our tourneys are 1850 but since about last July we've been staging 1k tourneys because it's cheaper to get started money-wise, draws in newer blood that are starting out and also changes the game up a bit where all of a sudden you *don't* have all of the toys you'd like at your disposal.

 

I must admit I like the higher points games as it allows you to try out a variety of units and army styles moreso than the smaller ones do. As for expanding the army - more GH is fine. At 1850 I try to run 5 and don't bother with Deathstars as they're too hit or miss and all of the best SW stuff are the Troops, Heavy and Elites anyways.

[Blacksad]

I actualy dislike smaller point battles... there's always something missing in the list you've built ^_^

 

and deathstars aren't often played around here. it gets punnished to heavily, and quickly. a 2500 pts list usualy means using every FOC slot, filling it with low-ish costing decent units that cooperate.

 

if someone spends 600 points on TWC, and you spent 600 points on 3 unit of Grey Hunters with their transport, you kill his unit in one round of shooting, then continue to wipe out the rest.

 

if your opponents use deathstars, show them the folly of their ways by beating them six ways from sundown (that is the expression, right? non-english speaker here :P)

[Grey Mage]

if your opponents use deathstars, show them the folly of their ways by beating them six ways from sundown (that is the expression, right? non-english speaker here :P)

Thats usually my philosophy- If you bring it I will kill it.

 

And I run GH heavy lists, lean on upgrades.... you are absolutely right, focus fire will take down just about anything if you have enough. I suppose part of my problem is that Im quite confused- I walked into the store and everyone seemed to have a couple hammer units, and they looked to be using them heavily instead of as mop-ups. That kind of behaviour doesnt last long in my old group, because those units end up being giant fire-magnets and dying before they do what they needed to do *usually get into assault*.

[Chaplain ChonkE]

I just find that hammer-units often leads to Hero-hammer, something I was indoctrinated against in 2nd edition where everything was a little ridiculous unless you played IG ;)

Hehe cause bringing your reserves off the board edge to tank shock was never ridiculous :P

 

I feel your pain GM but I find that larger points games were made for comfortable games between friends or tourney games. Smaller games tend to work out better between two opponents who are matched up for the first time and tend to be less incendiary.