MSU still viable?

[Zombs]

So with the nerfs to RB cost, could it still be a good strategy to take 4 or 5 of these with TL HB to leave them cheap?

Inside like 5 veterans with chainsword and bolters.

 

Or is it better to just deepstrike huge kill teams in enemy's face?

 

I was thinking about this because lately my infantry has been annihilated by dark eldar & eldar and after deepstriking, it usually dies even if in cover.

 

What are your opinions?

[RogueApiary]

I'm of the opinion that you want at least two of your vets/intercessors at max size. The +1 to wound strats are so much deadlier when you're pumping 40 storm Bolter shots into the enemy or double firing 5 aggressors + however many of their intercessor meatshields survived. In addition, it gets the most juice out of Auspex Scan and intercepting strike.

[spacewatch]

I agree, strategems favor bigger units. On the other hand I have started using min size units inside Rhinos and TAC-Razorbacks after my local opponents figured how to kind of double screen and wipe my DS SB-Vets (trying to break and open screens for hard hitting units). So I have switched back to MSU tactics. I feel fever but bigger kill-teams are better (because of strategems) when shooting but multiple smaller units is better when taking damage. Yes, bigger units can survive better but Vet teams, no matter what the protection is (termies/SS's), at least are usually so damaged after enemy shooting that they become practically useless. Using vehicles also gives Vets better protection and mobility later game.

[Prot]

I'm with Space Watch on this one. I've enjoyed the benefit of extending buffs to larger squads, but man it hurts when they get focused with a large squad size. 

 

I think for me the bigger picture here is gaining command points. I've been playing a double Battalion list and therefore need 6 troops and even at 2K I'm not seeing a huge benefit to the larger squads when I can shift those much needed points to heavier units. 

 

Metal boxes are big though. I think they're mandatory, and I like to minimize my drops so that means condensing squads wherever possible to get that +1 to go first.

[FabulousRex]

I'm theory testing an idea for MSU using the double battalion route.

 

3 Intercessor squads, base 5 plus 1 plasma Inceptor each. Gives my foot dudes immense flexibility, and a tad more killing power.

 

3 veteran squads deepstriking in as your hammers. 5 man vet squads can pack serious firepower on the drop. I've got a Combi plasma team, a frag/shotgun team, and a Stormbolter team. Each has some stormshields and melee weapons sprinkled in.

 

The key, I think, is to use threat overload. Clear the screens with Intercessors, drop in like much heavier Scions and do the Emperor's work.

 

This fits about 1500 plus HQs. Scaling up, I'ld start by maxing the Intercessor squads with basic dudes. More SIA and board control. Many vehicles and/or allies can plug in as well.

[Vel'Cona]

Metal boxes are big though. I think they're mandatory, and I like to minimize my drops so that means condensing squads wherever possible to get that +1 to go first.

 

This is a huge component that I think a lot of potential Watch Captains (nevermind other factions) are missing.  First turn is still a big thing in 8th edition (no matter how much GW tries to mitigate it) and limiting drops to plump for the +1 is huge for elite armies.  Horde armies have the resilience to weather the storm as needed, but with expensive elite armies that can hit hard and not generally take a lot in return, getting the early drop is key.  That being said, if the rules limiting Deep Strike-esque abilities go forward, first turn will become significantly less valuable.

 

For the time being, however, MSU is still my preferred method but it's a careful balancing act with available transports.