LutherMax Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Hello, I'm new to this corner of The B&C; you'll normally find me in the Blood Angels subforum and it is for that army I'm planning to build a small Skitarii force as allies. My Blood Angels are assault focused and so initially I'm looking to Skitarii to fill a fire support role – hence Rangers will be my first unit. The -1 Toughness boon the Vanguard offer is also appealing but one thing at a time... So I'm going to build my kit as a 10-strong Rangers unit. Question is, what upgrades to give them? I want to maintain the range of the standard Galvanic rifle so the Transuranic arquebus seems like a good option – very handy that Skitarii troops are Relentless so can move and shoot heavy weapons! Arc rifle is good anti-tank thanks to Haywire but I would have to get into bolter range to use them... The range of the plasma caliver doesn't really suit the role I have in mind for these guys. An Omnispex could be useful for reducing enemy cover. So I'm thinking: - 1x Transuranic arquebus - 2x Arc rifles - 1x Omnispex Thoughts? Should I also give the Alpha something fancy? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zembar Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Hello, I'm new to this corner of The B&C; you'll normally find me in the Blood Angels subforum and it is for that army I'm planning to build a small Skitarii force as allies. My Blood Angels are assault focused and so initially I'm looking to Skitarii to fill a fire support role – hence Rangers will be my first unit. The -1 Toughness boon the Vanguard offer is also appealing but one thing at a time... So I'm going to build my kit as a 10-strong Rangers unit. Question is, what upgrades to give them? I want to maintain the range of the standard Galvanic rifle so the Transuranic arquebus seems like a good option – very handy that Skitarii troops are Relentless so can move and shoot heavy weapons! Arc rifle is good anti-tank thanks to Haywire but I would have to get into bolter range to use them... The range of the plasma caliver doesn't really suit the role I have in mind for these guys. An Omnispex could be useful for reducing enemy cover. So I'm thinking: - 1x Transuranic arquebus - 2x Arc rifles - 1x Omnispex Thoughts? Should I also give the Alpha something fancy? Personally I'm more of a "one weapons type per squad" kind of guy. The arc rifles encourage getting in close to break armor, and the arquebus encourages range, and picking characters from squads. That makes it hard to deploy them both efficiently. Also, I hope you have at least two boxes, because there's only one of each special weapon per box... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4020681 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LutherMax Posted April 26, 2015 Author Share Posted April 26, 2015 Good point – and exactly the advice I'm looking for! As I said I'm looking to these guys for range, so perhaps the arquebus is the way I should go and forsake the arc rifle for this unit. I only have one box so for now I guess I'll have to go with just one arquebus. The omnispex is still a good option I think. Anything the Alpha might take that synergises with range? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4020685 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zembar Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 I personally don't like the pistols much. The only time I would take them would be to get an extra arc shot in an arc rifle squad, or along with a taser for a vanguard squad meant to eat overwatch and lower toughness to prepare for a charge by dragoons or sicarians. It's not that the pistols are bad per se, it's just that the default weapons are so good, and don't cost extra. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4020709 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vash Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 It depends on what you intend to do with this unit. What is their designated target? If it's only foot slogging infantry or basically maximum T5 guys, I would only give them an omnispex. The arquebus is overpriced against infantry. They basically only shine vs SM bikers and similar. For the points you save on the upgrades you can afford more than 5 Rangers. Arc rifles at 24" you should not look down on. Specially if you have a 10 man unit with 3 arc rifles. Remember that they have doctrinas and can boost their BS. Hitting on 2+ when you need it. And the arc rifle work really well with the galvanic rifles AP. so you can target the same type of enemy and get the most out of it. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4020711 Share on other sites More sharing options...
heron Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 I imagine that you will be buying more boxes as you go forward, so adding in more arqubusses will come in time. I have found that a conversion field is a decent investment for a ranger princeps. It gives you the option of having him out front to take hits from weapons with AP 4 or greater. I have only had a few games in, but I have had decent luck with smaller squads of rangers. The basic gun is really good on its own. I bought two boxes to start and went with this build: 6x Rangers- omnispex, 2x Arqubuss, conversion field 6x Rangers- omnispex, conversion field 8x vanguard- 2x arc rifles, princeps with taser goad/carbine/conversion field- if you are sticking with rangers only, its easy enough to do this same unit with them... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4020839 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zembar Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 My own plan is for something like 5-6 boxes. I'll magnetize all the heads on the special weapons, make one each of the omnispex/tether for both rangers and vanguards. Make a couple of alphas with arc pistol/arc maul and phosphor/taser and magnetized heads for special occasions. Rest will be vanilla rangers/vanguards. Should let me field at least two squads of each, equipped however I want. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4020847 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LutherMax Posted April 26, 2015 Author Share Posted April 26, 2015 I imagine that you will be buying more boxes as you go forward, so adding in more arqubusses will come in time. I have found that a conversion field is a decent investment for a ranger princeps. It gives you the option of having him out front to take hits from weapons with AP 4 or greater. I have only had a few games in, but I have had decent luck with smaller squads of rangers. The basic gun is really good on its own. I bought two boxes to start and went with this build: 6x Rangers- omnispex, 2x Arqubuss, conversion field 6x Rangers- omnispex, conversion field 8x vanguard- 2x arc rifles, princeps with taser goad/carbine/conversion field- if you are sticking with rangers only, its easy enough to do this same unit with them... Hmm... That actually sounds like a good set up! I think I'll build my first box with that in mind and get another box to make up the numbers. Cheers! Very, very clever work by GW there ;) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4021041 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MithrilForge Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Your answers seem to have been met so i won't puipe in on that(they all say what i'd probably say anyway ) something vash said though made me think...if you have skitarii as an allied unit in your army and you use the doctrina imperatives and change BS or WS does that effect the blood angels too ..??? Mithril Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4021185 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusktiger Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 My own plan is for something like 5-6 boxes. I'll magnetize all the heads on the special weapons, make one each of the omnispex/tether for both rangers and vanguards. Make a couple of alphas with arc pistol/arc maul and phosphor/taser and magnetized heads for special occasions. Rest will be vanilla rangers/vanguards. Should let me field at least two squads of each, equipped however I want. rather than fight with magnets on those heads, the box comes with a selection of heads that are exposed; no hoods, no helmets. use these on your special weapons guys and they can be either squad when you want them to be. i cut all my spare heads off and gave them to a friend for a project he's doing, but i believe there was 3 per box of the bare head look. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4021300 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommodusXIII Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Only 2 per box, that I remember at least. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4021303 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zembar Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 rather than fight with magnets on those heads, the box comes with a selection of heads that are exposed; no hoods, no helmets. use these on your special weapons guys and they can be either squad when you want them to be. i cut all my spare heads off and gave them to a friend for a project he's doing, but i believe there was 3 per box of the bare head look. I don't do bare heads as long as the model I'm doing gives me any choice. Some people think it looks badass to wade into combat without a helmet, but I prefer my army to look at least reasonably sane... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4021321 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LutherMax Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 Your answers seem to have been met so i won't puipe in on that(they all say what i'd probably say anyway:lol: ) something vash said though made me think...if you have skitarii as an allied unit in your army and you use the doctrina imperatives and change BS or WS does that effect the blood angels too ..??? Mithril Alas no, Doctrina Imperatives is a special rule, and only the Skitarii units have the rule. I have another question on using Skitarii as allies though... According to the BRB is not the requirement of an allied detachment 1x HQ and 2x Troops? Skitarii have no HQ units so how does that work?! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4021405 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vash Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Your answers seem to have been met so i won't puipe in on that(they all say what i'd probably say anyway:lol: ) something vash said though made me think...if you have skitarii as an allied unit in your army and you use the doctrina imperatives and change BS or WS does that effect the blood angels too ..??? Mithril Alas no, Doctrina Imperatives is a special rule, and only the Skitarii units have the rule. I have another question on using Skitarii as allies though... According to the BRB is not the requirement of an allied detachment 1x HQ and 2x Troops? Skitarii have no HQ units so how does that work?! It doesn't You have to use their own detachment. Meaning 2 Troops. You won't go under the rules for Allies, but rather the rules for combined detachments. And btw, Allied detachment is 1 HQ and 1 TROOP Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4021410 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LutherMax Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 Thank you for the clarification (and correction) Vash! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4021428 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vash Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Thank you for the clarification (and correction) Vash! The whole new army building system is rather confusion at first. But once you get your head around it, its really easy to understand... But GW is writing the rules pretty cryptic. My best suggestion for gamers is to forget anything you know about previous army building. Not even thinking "ah so its similar to what we had in this situation". I have made som comparisons between non warhammer 40k gamers and hard core WH40k gamers. The non WH40k gamers had a much easier time to understand the army building :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4021540 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LutherMax Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 I like the new method a lot - opens so many possibilities and means if GW release something I like (such as these Skitarii) I don't have to worry about neglecting my Blood Angels if I pick up some models - I can just create a small allied force. As ever very shrewd marketing on GW's part... ;) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4021574 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vash Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Its all about the money Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4021632 Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshall Egregorius Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 I like the new method a lot - opens so many possibilities and means if GW release something I like (such as these Skitarii) I don't have to worry about neglecting my Blood Angels if I pick up some models - I can just create a small allied force. As ever very shrewd marketing on GW's part... GW doesn't do marketing. or market research. Kirby said it himself in a report. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4021975 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LutherMax Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 Marketing, sales strategy, call it what you will. Some thought has gone into maximising sales and it worked on me :D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4022030 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vel'Cona Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Back on topic, I don't think the Skitarii Rangers really HAVE a best loadout. You kind of have to sculpt their equip to the role you plan for them to play, keeping in mind how they'll be deployed. If you're going to DP them, Calivers are solid but Vanguard probably offer more offense in this role and have reduced cost. If they're walking, I think Arc Rifles are the clear best choice, especially given that they're the cheapest option and give the Rangers exceptional anti-armor capability. Finally, the Transuranic Arquebus is solid if you need a bit of medium armor support with the ability to pick off a MEQ model here and there, though I prefer my TAs in minimum units and camping the hardest cover they can find. As for the Omnispex vs. Data Tether, I think the former is easily the better choice but isn't 100% necessary. For Arc Rifle squads, you'll want it to mitigate those Jink saves. For the others, I think it's better to save the points. That said, the new Eldar 'dex is bringing bike spam to a whole new level, so being able to reduce their Jink before a Plasma Caliver volley could be pivotal. Finally, the Alpha himself. I think a lot of players dump crazy points into this guy, and I'm not sure what their plan is. For the Rangers, they shouldn't be close enough to the enemy to worry about a CCW, and they lack the Rad Saturation rule that Vanguard make bank on in either case. My recommendation is to keep the Ranger Alpha cheap; an Arc Pistol is a solid choice for a Arc Rifle squad, though it's a bit expensive. If you plan to make the Ranger Alpha your Warlord, a Refractor Field is a great option for the bargain cost, but I'd leave the Conversion Field at home (even with re-rolls, it's still pretty likely Blind will hit them). Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4023048 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommodusXIII Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Finally, the Alpha himself. I think a lot of players dump crazy points into this guy, and I'm not sure what their plan is. For the Rangers, they shouldn't be close enough to the enemy to worry about a CCW, and they lack the Rad Saturation rule that Vanguard make bank on in either case. My recommendation is to keep the Ranger Alpha cheap; an Arc Pistol is a solid choice for a Arc Rifle squad, though it's a bit expensive. If you plan to make the Ranger Alpha your Warlord, a Refractor Field is a great option for the bargain cost, but I'd leave the Conversion Field at home (even with re-rolls, it's still pretty likely Blind will hit them). I agree - I plan on running my Ranger Alphas just about naked. My Vanguard Alphas will have more kit for close combat, and my Warlord even more so. I figure that if my Rangers are in combat, something has already gone terribly wrong. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4023112 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frater Cornelius Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I am planning to do two units of 5 Rangers with two special weapons each. What is the general consensus for that setup to open transports. Two AR or two TA? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4023182 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommodusXIII Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 To open up transports? Arc rifles for sure. The plasma caliver might be a bit better for light vehicles, but you risk frying yourself without the proper doctrina imperatives. I'm a plasma guy myself, but I'm willing to take that gamble and to each his own. Transuranic arquebi are better for sniping out characters and special troopers, and perhaps for picking off the odd light vehicle. Due to it being S4 with Armourbane, it's not entirely trustworthy for going after vehicles. The arc rifle and its haywire shot is much more dependable. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4023201 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frater Cornelius Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 So, what you are saying is that this is a solid starting point for long-ranged all-rounders whose main job is to open tin cans: 5 Rangers - 2 Arc Rifles 5 Rangers - 2 Arc Rifles And possibly some Omni-thingies to go around. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/306699-best-all-round-loadout-for-skitarii-rangers/#findComment-4023209 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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