Imperial Fist purchasing assistance

[Frater Cornelius]

Hello, brothers and sisters.

Well, since FW isn't one of the cheapest commodities, I would like to ask advice on smart purchases, lest I spend money and effort on unnecessary units.

 

I am interested in the Stone Gauntlet RoW. Hence, my first purchase will be two units of ten Breachers. I was thinking of giving them Graviton Guns, mostly because they are fairly generalist and help me crack the hard AV of 30k. I would mostly use them as tough scoring guys to hang back and play defensively.

 

Next, I was thinking about 20 Tacs for some good improved Bolter FotL goodness. Worth getting those? Or do Breacher Bolters and other elements offer enough anti-infantry firepower?

 

I was also looking at a Spartan, some Shield TDA. I also own two Sicarans.

 

This is where I am stuck. I am not sure which HQ would suit my needs and how to fill the next slots to support my 'hard to shift' defensive playstyle.

 

Any help is highly appreciated :)

[Ishagu]

It's a really fun sounding Rite of War, I've just looked at it in my book.

I wish the Ultras had something as good as it, to be honest!

 

Anyways, more bodies are always good. I'd actually say a Veteran Tactical squad with a combination of Heavy or Special Weapons of your choice might be a better investment as you already have your mandatory Troops in the Breachers, or a support squad of your choice...

 

As for HQ, if I was getting a Spartan to fill with TDA Marines I'd simply get Sigismund or Pollux to lead them, unless I was eventually going to get Rogal Dorn instead - in which case a Consul like a Forge Lord or a Chaplain might be best to bolster a strong unit like that.

 

I find it hard in my mind to build lists that only focus on building a strong back line...

[Slips]

Breachers are a good Starting Point. If you want Stone Gauntlet, thats 2 Minimum Sized Squads of 10 Each. Preferably, you'd boost them to 20 Each special weapons being dependent on Meta - dont even consider the Breaching Charge. They would also Ideally have an Apothecary Attached so thats another thing to buy if you dont have any.

 

Standard 20 Man Tac Blobs are cool but, due to how commonly they are encountered (not really a big surprise there) there are a lot of known ways to counter them. Still, 80 Bolter Shots when in Rapid Fire Range is nothing to scoff at at BS5 unless you cant hurt them.

 

Templar Brethren are pretty much our TEQ Equivalent (with Combat Shields giving a 5++ in CC or a Flat 6++ otherwise) who can sweep. Downside is they're stuck with Power Swords. But hey, Melta Bombs and 4 Attacks each on the Charge. And the Champion can take the Lovely Solarite Power Gauntlet too.

 

Sigismund is pretty much the Ultimate Non-Primarch Murder Machine even then he has pretty good odds of Offing Non-Transfigured Lorgar but, who takes him that way, really?. Be Aware that anyone who knows anything about 30k Will know that and will try their Damnest to make sure he cant just Instagib their Warlord.

 

Terminators aren't actually suck-tastic like they are in 40k so you can actually make use of them if you do it properly.

 

Phalanx Warders, while cool, are really a Pure ZM Unit. Its where you get the Most out of them. You can still use them as Normal Breachers though just be aware of Wargear Differences.

 

For a Strong Back Field Gunline Army look at:

• Rapier Batteries, specifically Grav and Thudd Gun.
• Medusa Batteries. Nothing says "Stay Back" like S10 Ap2 5" Blasts.
• Deredeo Dreadnought. Too good not to take if you dont loathe the way it looks.
• LasVindicators. 3 S9 Ap1 Ordnance Shots a Turn melts stuff fast.
• Dreadnoughts. Contemptors if points aren't a problem / you find box dreads stupid-looking, Box dreads if your strapped for points.

The thing is, most of the juicy choices, especially for a gunline, will be found in Heavy Support so consider building a List using the Onslaught FoC for 4 Heavy Support Slots. Though know that, unless you seize, using this FoC means you'll never get first turn.

 

Sicarans are still solid choices all-round though.

 

Also look into the following Super-Heavies:

• Typhon
• Glaive
• Fellblade
• Falchion (not my preferred choice due to only 1 Twin-Linked Shot)

Knowing the points limit your building a list to would also be helpful in deciding what you'd ultimately buy.

[Frater Cornelius]

First of all, thanks very much for taking time to reply :) Playing defensively is how I like my game, but this does not mean camping your zone. All it means is valuing staying power of offensive power and not rushing headlong into the enemy's zone but rather solidifying field presence.

 

Just before reading this I have also found out about the beauty that is webbed HB Vets. Works well with the IF. They are definitely on my list.

The Spartan will be a late purchase, seeing as I would rarely play it at 1500pts.

[Frater Cornelius]

@ Slip - Thanks for the input. Good stuff.

 

The reason I like Tacs is not Fury, if you can believe it. It prevents movement and you can not shoot after. If an opponents lets 20 dudes walk within 12" and stay there for a turn, he deserves those 80 shots. But beyond that, I would value T5 higher. The only reason I am looking at Tacs is their price.

 

Next to Gauntlet I am considering Pride with webbed HB Vets and TDA.

 

The Breachers are pretty pricey. At full strength they are less so, but still more than Tacs. I am ultimately aiming to play 1500-2000 points and a collection of 3k, which includes bombs like Primarch, Spartan and Knight.

 

Anyway, I am buying to convert 3 Apothecaries. Thudd Guns as well, though not sure how many. Maybe two for now.

 

One unit with Templar Brethren and Sigismund sounds solid, especially when riding a Spartan or Raider. Getting a few of those dudes and converting my company specific Sigismund.

 

One unit of 5 TDA is also in there. Not sure whether shooty Cataphractii with the Assault Cannon or regulars with Vigil Shields. Any thoughts?

 

Which leaves me at the choice between Breachers or going Pride and what Heavy Support slots. I am eying Vindicators and Medusas for sure.

 

Thanks for the support ;)

[Ishagu]

I can confirm that the Vindicator Laser Destroyers are pretty spectacular at melting through vehicles. In a recent game I player two of them were able to destroy an Imperial Knight in a single turn of shooting. I just wish you could take them in squadrons as other great choices like Sicarans and the Deredeo that solves AA issues are competing for the same slot.

 

Thudd guns can be decent anti tank and anti horde, however - and are very cheap to buy in terms of money AND points which is nice.

 

I know the Gauntlet is expensive because Breachers are such a pricey unit, but having a whole army which is basically t5 is great, but they can also be less versatile than thw various Tac options.

 

Sigismund will probably be the best HQ option. Eternal Warrior is very rare outside of Primarchs in 30k.

 

At 2k points in my Legion Ultras list my troops are simply two 10 man Tac Squads in Rhinos, with the sgt equipped with a combi Plasma. They are there only for objectives and to engage infantry. This frees up points for me to invest in more specialised units.

[Frater Cornelius]

IF have it a bit easier. They have a Relic that gives you EW. But of cause, no match for Siggy in the chopping department.

 

Do you recon it is worth buying the Praetor? IF have solid named choices.

[WolfOfHorus]

I can confirm that the Vindicator Laser Destroyers are pretty spectacular at melting through vehicles. In a recent game I player two of them were able to destroy an Imperial Knight in a single turn of shooting. I just wish you could take them in squadrons as other great choices like Sicarans and the Deredeo that solves AA issues are competing for the same slot.

 

Thudd guns can be decent anti tank and anti horde, however - and are very cheap to buy in terms of money AND points which is nice.

 

I know the Gauntlet is expensive because Breachers are such a pricey unit, but having a whole army which is basically t5 is great, but they can also be less versatile than thw various Tac options.

 

Sigismund will probably be the best HQ option. Eternal Warrior is very rare outside of Primarchs in 30k.

 

At 2k points in my Legion Ultras list my troops are simply two 10 man Tac Squads in Rhinos, with the sgt equipped with a combi Plasma. They are there only for objectives and to engage infantry. This frees up points for me to invest in more specialised units.

They are incredibly cheap for what they are. Squadrons of them would invalidate several HS slots.

[Lord Blackwood]

 

I can confirm that the Vindicator Laser Destroyers are pretty spectacular at melting through vehicles. In a recent game I player two of them were able to destroy an Imperial Knight in a single turn of shooting. I just wish you could take them in squadrons as other great choices like Sicarans and the Deredeo that solves AA issues are competing for the same slot.

 

Thudd guns can be decent anti tank and anti horde, however - and are very cheap to buy in terms of money AND points which is nice.

 

I know the Gauntlet is expensive because Breachers are such a pricey unit, but having a whole army which is basically t5 is great, but they can also be less versatile than thw various Tac options.

 

Sigismund will probably be the best HQ option. Eternal Warrior is very rare outside of Primarchs in 30k.

 

At 2k points in my Legion Ultras list my troops are simply two 10 man Tac Squads in Rhinos, with the sgt equipped with a combi Plasma. They are there only for objectives and to engage infantry. This frees up points for me to invest in more specialised units.

They are incredibly cheap for what they are. Squadrons of them would invalidate several HS slots.

 

Yea Rapiers are very effective and versatile they were some of the first things I bought  and in my limited experience have proven very useful.

the Sicarian  Battle Tank is also a lot of fun if nothing else between that  the Rapier battery and  las cannon Heavy support squad theres three backfield far reaching very punchy shooting options for your opponent to have to deal with.  Tho I guess you could call the Sicarian a mid field  sort of threat more than a back field one.