Purgation Squad Alpha Strike

[L30n1d4s]

I have been playing around with how to use the new Fortifications from Stronghold Assault and one that comes to mind is the Skyshield Landing Pad, with its new "ready for takeoff" rule. Basically, it allows you to start one flyer on the board (i.e. not in Reserves, as normal), althought it requires the Flyer to stay in Hover mode for the first turn at least.

 

Based on this, I thought about loading a GK Stormraven with a 5 man Purgation Squad (with 4 Incinerators) and a Malleus Inquisitor (with Incinerator) and starting it on the the Skyshield Landing Pad. If your opponent goes first, then the 4++ save and AV12 of the Stormraven should given a strong chance of it surviving. If you go first, then you don't have to worry about the enmy shooting it down while in Hover mode before you even get to move it.

 

Turn 1, you move the Storm Raven 12", then another 12" for Flat Out move, then use Skies of Fury to unload your suicidal Incinerator squad right next to a key enemy unit (preferable one with LOTS of models, like an Ork Horde, IG blob squad, Tyranid horde, BT Crusader squad, etc.)

 

Five Incinerator templates later, whatever you targeted is likely to be greatly reduced; assuming 4-5 hits per template, you have an average of:

 

-Against GEQs/Hordes -- (20-25 hits), wound on 2+ (16-20 wounds), no armor/cover saves (16-20 unsaved wounds)

 

-Against MEQs -- (20-25 hits), wound on 2+ (16-20 wounds), 3+ armor save (5-7 unsaved wounds)

 

-Against TEQs -- (20-25 hits), wound on 2+ (16-20 wounds), 2+ armor save (2-3 unsaved wounds)

 

Even light vehicles (i.e. Dark Eldar Skimmers, Land Speeder Squadrons, Rhino/Razorbacks, all Ork Trukks, Pirahna Squadrons, etc. will

 

Obviously, this won't win any games by itself, but I think it can take your opponent off guard and, if properly applied, destabilize his game plan, especially if he was counting on the unit that you Burninated on turn 1 e.g. You hit the IG blob squad or Cultist mob he was depending on to hold his homefield Objective, or you targeted the Ork Nobz which was going to lead his Waaagh down your throat, or the masses of Gargoyles that was going to be his "distraction/you up unit."

 

Either way, your suicide unit only comes in at around 150 points (not couting the Stormraven, which can hopefully survive and be used later in the game), so if it inflicts heavy casualties one turn and disrupts your oppenent's game plan, then it has served its purpose and you can afford it if the enemy wipes it out next turn (highly likely).

[Grand Master Caloth]

I think skies of fury is used for zooming, idk if you can use it in skimmer

[Reclusiarch Darius]

Flyers have to start the game in Reserve :(

 

Also the Skyshield is terrible. 

 

Your core strategy is sound though. Multiple incinerators out of a Raven is painful. I would do it with a full Purifier squad though. That way, you can charge both combat squads and get two castings of 'Cleansing Flame' off. The things that can stand up to that many wounds are few, and they'll usually die to either a halberd or a hammer to the face. 

[L30n1d4s]

The Skyshield gets around the "have to start in reserve" rule for Flyers by allowing one Flyer to start on the Skyshield pad with a special rule called "Ready for Takeoff" (it did not have this rule in the 40K Rulebook, but it got added with Stronghold Assault).

[irwit]

I think for cheaper you could ally in 5 WG with combi flamers in a pod,  a rune priest and some grey hunters. 

 

5wg combi flamers = 115

pod = 35

Rp = 100

5 GHs = 75

 

Total = 325

 

I dont know how much teh landing pad is but i would of thought this is far cheaper with better range plus you get to jaws something too

[Gentlemanloser]

The upgrade to the pad is only 5 points... It's ridiculously cheap.

Also, while we have lost the no scatter from Personal Teleporters due to the also ridiculously (bad!) FAQ change to equate the Stormraven to all Imperial armies (that can now take them...), please remember that we *must* use the Stormraven rules from Death From the Skies.

As such, we can now purchase a Locator Beacon for our Stormraven, which means we can drop from it without Scattering.

Win.

As for 5 Incinerators, as we have to Deep Strike in a circle, I'm not sure you'd be able to use all 5 if you take a minimum Squad, due to the inability to not cover some of your own dudes. Maybe 4 at a push...

Edit;

Skyshield Landing Pad, Ready for Takeoff (80)

Stormraven, Locator Beacon (215)

Purgation Squad x5, Incinerator x4 (100)

Total: 395

70 points more expensive than the SW option above, but doesn't take your Ally slot, and gives you a Flier over a Drop Pod.

Edit2;

OK, now I have an evil thought of using a Raven to deploy some Grav Cannon Centurion...

[Reclusiarch Darius]

 

Also, while we have lost the no scatter from Personal Teleporters due to the also ridiculously (bad!) FAQ change to equate the Stormraven to all Imperial armies (that can now take them...), please remember that we *must* use the Stormraven rules from Death From the Skies.

Since when? I'd estimate about 10% of the community even have the rules. How are they meant to enforce such things, when neither our FAQ or our codex say whatever 'Death From the Skies' says?

[Gentlemanloser]

GW's ToT rules that units must use the most recently published rules for units.

Kinda why you can't use the old Codex: Assassins anymore.

That's the only place I've seen it in print, but it's one of those long established behind the scenes rules that new updates old.

I'm pretty sure GW won't care you don't have DftS, you should have bought it!

Edit: Sorry, Warriors Code;

http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m3520006a_Warriors_code_V1.2.pdf

We expect everyone to use the most recently released version of each unit entry.

[Sigvard]

I would be inclined to dispute this simply because the Storm Raven in the Codex has a relevant FAQ that refers to the updated rule but also because the Grey Knights Storm Raven has its own special rules for the Grey Knights Codex -  I do not think that you have present your Storm Raven as listed in the rules from Death From The Skies providing you are using the relevant FAQ and the Codex:Grey Knights entry.

[Gentlemanloser]

The rules in DftS are;

 

 

Grey Knights Stormraven Gunships

Stormravens in detachments chosen from Codex: Grey Knights must replace their Stormstrike missile with Mindstrike Missile (page 64).  Additionally, they have The Aegis and Psychic Pilot special rules, as well as the psychic power Fortitude at an additional cost of 5 points.  They may also take additional options, as listed in Codex: Grey Knights.  They otherwise follow all of the rules listed above.

 

Blood Angels have a similar box.

[Reclusiarch Darius]

Get fugged GW. I play with my codex, not your stupid, widely ignored and useless supplement no one WANTED or BOUGHT.

 

Also, taking away the Interceptor 'no scatter' rule is insane. No one even uses that combo, and yet you decided that hey, fun is wrong, so lets just take away a cool ability that hardly ever matters, because why, spite? 

 

/rant

 

I'm playing with my codex and the FAQ. They can get FAQ'd if they want me to buy 'Death From The Skies'. 

[Sigvard]

Get fugged GW. I play with my codex, not your stupid, widely ignored and useless supplement no one WANTED or BOUGHT.

 

Also, taking away the Interceptor 'no scatter' rule is insane. No one even uses that combo, and yet you decided that hey, fun is wrong, so lets just take away a cool ability that hardly ever matters, because why, spite? 

 

/rant

 

I'm playing with my codex and the FAQ. They can get FAQ'd if they want me to buy 'Death From The Skies'. 

 

100% Agreed