Mixed deployment....

[Grimtooth]

I am going to seriously start testing out this concept.

 

With the intro of 6th Edition, I am pretty tired of the doomsayers that say with absolute confidence that mech is dead and the only option for Wolves is drop podding and/or footslogging.  The reality is that mech as played in 5th edition is certainly dead, but mech as played in 6th edition is far from dead.  With that in mind, mech should be fully integrated into Wolves builds as the increase in versatility allows different tactics for different opponents.

 

Saga of the Hunter:  I am in the belief that this should be pretty much standard now in an army, either on a wolf priest or wolf guard battle leader and attached to a full pack of Grey Hunters with WGPL.

 

2+ Drop Pods:  At minimum 2 to have at least one in reserves for a possible double punch of pod and Saga in the back field of an enemy deployment or reinforcing your own lines.

 

1-2 Rhinos:  Too many times am I seeing people trying to ask too much of either footslogging GH or podding GH.  People expect them to come in, rapid fire an enemy to smithereens, and then camp an objective for the whole game.  Couple of secondary wave units coming up the field will at minium get them 12-18" closer to where you need them with just one movement phase.  GH absolutely NEED to be at midfield to really shine and Rhinos still get them there in their new role of a fast transport instead of the mobile bunker of 5th.

 

1-2 Razorbacks:  These should always be bought when you have Long Fangs.  Even if you are attaching a WGTDA to the unit and they can't use it, it is another threat priority on the board that ranks up higher then the Rhinos due to having pewpew.

 

Frankly, a balanced of deployed forces that includes effective use of all options is far better then pigeonholing your army into a role that may shine for one army but lack seriously against another.

[maverik_girl]

I would humbly suggest a fast attack option. Either landspeeders or bikes. Either of the two would help slow down or deter enemy squads from getting at the core unit (Greg Hunters) from accomplishing what you want them to do. Even if the purpose is fire support or getting into combat (bikes) that would chew up a pack of hunters. Bait and switch.

[dswanick]

Here's my standard core list:

Wolf Priest w/ Saga of the Hunter

TDA Pack Leader, C.Flamer, P.Axe

10 Grey Hunters, 2X Melta, W.Standard, MotW, P.axe

 

2@

Rune Priest

PA Pack Leader, C.Melta, W.Claw

8 Grey Hunters, Plasma, W.Standard, MotW, P.Axe'

Rhino/Droppod

 

2@

5 Grey Hunters, Flamers

-or-

1@

Allied Infantry Platoon (sometimes w/ Al'Rahem just for crazy Outflanking fun)

 

PA Pack Leader, P.Sword

5 Long Fangs, 2X Plasma, 2X H.Bolters, P.Sword

Razorback/Droppod

 

6 Long Fangs, 2X Lascannon, 3X M.Launchers

 

Landspeeder, M.Melta, Typhoon

 

Whirlwind

 

Sprinkle with Drop Podding Wolf Guard, Thunderwolf Lord, Thunderwolf Cavalry, Thunderfire Cannon, Stormtalon, or other units as the mood strikes and opponent dictates. Been doing this (minus the Allies) since 5th and it still works well for me.

 

Mech ain't dead.

[sigvals redfist]

the only thing that i can say is it should be at minimum 3 drop pods because I have been in a situation where I drop only a single squad of grey hunters and that squad gets decimated because the opponent usually doesn't like squads in their deployment zone, then again if it is a drop pod full of terminators, then this is a smaller problem, but still can easily be killed by massed fire power

[Rift Blade]

I agree with you Brother Ramses. Mech is not dead in 6th. Just different. I agree with both your basic outline & Maverick Girl's suggestion. I use a pack of TWC to run up the board followed by one or two packs of GH in Rhinos. THe TWC are my assault unit & fire magnet so the GH consolidate(based on mission req's) &/or pitch in as needed. I generally have a LF pack in the backfield along with a small pack of GH in a Razorback for fire support. From there my army varies with different HQ's & other units as I feel & the points  I almost always build an all comers list because it usually show up on THursday nights at our local hobby store for pick up games with who ever else shows up. I often run a Contemptor Dread in a Lucius pattern Drop Pod or 2 packs of plasma Wolf Scouts(my friends generally find the gunslinging wolf scouts...disturbing). I have tried the WP with Saga of the Hunter wit a pack of WG TDA in a LRC and though I did not win, the shock factor was priceless( I played against Armoured Co.). Somtimes I also use A Death Wind Drop Pod to soften up things but again depends on who I end up fighting. Good luck with your tests & please post any results. Very interested in what you find out.

[skeletoro]

I would have thought odd DPs is better than even. Reserves rolling is unreliable, and front-loading damage is generally better. 3 or 5 means you get 2 or 3 to completely dominate a board edge on turn 1.

 

Personally I like the idea of a contemptor in a lucius drop-pod to go with 2 Grey Hunter packs on turn 1. (With 2 drop pods to follow up). But 5 pods wouldn't leave room for much else.

 

The other option as a complement for pods is infiltrators (such as with Bran Redmaw).

 

3 pods + 1 unit of infiltrators means 3 units up in the enemy's face on turn 1.

[Grey Mage]

Valerians been talking combined forces since the new codex came out, and it works for him. Nothing wrong with the tactic...

 

Ive just always enjoyed my drop pods. They hurt more now than they used to when I face tau, but otherwise Im enjoying them.

[Roma]

Im expecting big things from future rhino+razorbacks spam experiments, but mixed doesn't really cut the cheese for me (apart from the occasional 1 drop pod suicide unit).

 

Regarding razorbacks for long fangs, do they have to start the game in it? If so that would be kinda pointless.

[montegue]

So, Longfangs in a Razorback. Why? Don't the Longfangs snapfire then? 

[Blacksad]

no long fangs in a razorback, just long fangs that have a dedicated transport razorback running around on the field somewhere, while they casualy take out big threats.

 

in all honesty though, I have my doubts at the viability of these mixed deployment tactics... I'll have to try it in a few months, when I find the time to get another game in.

[skeletoro]

Personally I think mixing 2 components is very good but mixing 3 would be tricky. Especially if there's a potential for poor reserves rolls to water down your forces further.

[Roma]

But do the lf have to start the game in their razorbacks??

[Way1and]

No, they do not.

 

Regardless of list size, I run two maxed out GH packs in Rhinos and at least one LF pack with a Razorback on the side. Even cruising the rhinos and hanging back with the razor, it still draws fire away from my GH packs and usually kills at least half it's points per game. Being a fire magnet easily makes up the point difference in my opinion.

[Blacksad]

even in my footsloggers lists, I sometimes buy razorbacks for ALL units.10 grey hunters + TDA wolf guard + razorback with TL heavy bolter, Long fangs with cyclone TDA wolf guard, and razorback with TL heavy bolter, a razorback with TL heavy bolter for the completely split up Wolf Guard, ...

 

none of those units can deploy in their dedicated transport. that does not mean the dedicated transport can't be there. same for droppods, you can have the unit deploy on the field, and still have the droppod come down to disrupt the enemy's firing lanes and movement.

 

for 5 pts more than a rhino, I absolutely love the potential of the TL HB (specialy massed)

[skeletoro]

Yeah, they make nice screens (even if at the cost of first blood). They fulfil this role pretty admirably even when wrecked! :)

[Blacksad]

and 5 pts add a S and a shot to it's gun isn't too expensive imo, specialy since it becomes TL :)