Veteran/Taurox Spam

[Frater Cornelius]

Hi guys,

 

I just returned from my long break from Table Top to find that GW released the single most awesome models in my eyes: Scions and Knights.

 

Although I am a long-time SW player, I am slowly losing my connection with them, possibly because for all my home-made stories and fluff, I can not sypathise and humanise them to a degree I like seeing how they are still trans-human super soldiers.

This is the reason an elite IG army is appealing to me.

 

Before I used to play Rune Priest and Thunderwolf Lords 3-5 GH, some in pod, rest in rhinos/razorbacks, some Long Fang support, TWC and Armoured Battlegroup as allies for some heavy Tank support.

 

I tried to translate this playstyle into IG terms (using Scion models):

One ccs or two in chimera/taurox, 3 vet squads with 4+as in taurox, bullgryns for the front lines and to soak up fire. Possibly some Hellhounds, long ranged fire-support like a Wyvern. As allies I'd play either Imp. Knights or my trusted Armoured Battlegroup (Instant-death vaquisher shells are just so awesome) and =][= for some divination action and to block infiltrators.

 

I'd like to keep the model count reasonably low, thus I won't like to play platoons. I also don't like playing fliers. With all that in mind, can my vision of an elite-ish midfield IG army work? Or am I better served with SW+ABG? Or maybe the Militarum Tempestus has the playstyle I seek with mobile midfield play?

 

Any feedback in appretiated.

[Boomkapow]

Yes. With Veterans as troops and tauroxs+carapace at so cheap these days, taurox/chimera spam is totally possible. Also, if you don't like fliers, take 1-3 Hydras and maybe an aegis with quad gun. Solid anti-fliers there.If you want that long range support that the fangs gave you, try a Leman Russ or two (or three!). They also got cheaper.  

[WarriorFish]

It can work, I don't think anyone else can boast the variety of lists the Guard codex can field :) The trick is to get a good number of units on the board, especially with transports as durable as the Taurox (i.e. not very). Hellhounds are always good and will fit your theme, they'll also handle your anti-infantry concerns especially matched with some Wyverns.

 

Such a list would look great on the table too :D

[Frater Cornelius]

So what you recon would be superior in that case, Taurox or Chimera? I suppose a Chimera is better for the CCS because you can toss orders from in there. For the Vets I was thinking of Taurox because of its superior weaponry and cheaper cost.

[Boomkapow]

I think that's right.

[WarriorFish]

It depends on what you need. Generally speaking the Chimera is better as it is more versatile and durable but if you're looking for a specific role then you should address that specifically. For example for Command Squads Chimeras are much better thanks to being able to give orders as you said, but if you want a speedy unit to advance up a flank or make a quick grab the Taurox would be useful.

 

My personal opinion is that the Taurox is a bit on the expensive side for what you get. If it had Rhino armour then I would consider it a fairer deal. I think you should think of it as a cross between a Rhino and a Razorback and treat it accordingly.

[Frater Cornelius]

That's exactly my point. As SW I was playing with Rhinos and Razors as fire support and transport. Those were mostly expendable as I either go first and get them into position where I need them turn 1 or I hide them in terrain. Same with the Taurox. The rest will just be fire support, preventing charges and line of sight abuse. So seeing how expendable it is, I was thinking that cheaper costs would be better for me. It also has side doors where the Chimera didn't.

 

One issue I see though is that SW survive the open field very well due to T4 and 3+, whereas vets have T3 and 4+. Another issue is that vets want to use fire-points for as long as possible most of the time and disembark at their final location given how fragile they are. And finally that auto canon is rather valuable. Also you can not add Commissars and Priests to the Vet squads. And finally the Chimera is 8€ cheaper.

 

And finally, I find it aesthetically pleasing to have a difference model in an army that would only consist of the Chimera chassis. It comes closer to an Leman Russ as far as looks go and that's always a plus in my eyes.

 

So I am not sure to be honest. I tend towards the Taurox I think but the versitility of the Chimera is tempting (more weapons and Lasgun Arrays), even though I dislike the model.

[Boomkapow]

I would write up a list. see what you can afford given everything else you want.

[WarriorFish]

Yeah that's the main problem with it, it's not Marines bundling out but Guardsmen. That's why numbers are essential to mitigate this. I think you have a good handle on what you want and the pros and cons so as Boom said the best thing to do is write up a list and see where you go from there :)