Orbital Assault Tactica

[ProsperoStands]

I know it may seem strange but with all the different Legions and playstyles, how about a tactica page dedicated to the most iconic of Astartes tactics?

 

Orbital Assault, you know it, you love it (or hate it)

 

How do you like to run it? What do you like to use?

 

 

[Charlo]

Orbital Assault is a powerful Rite, however with the changes to Augury Scanners it's a little more risky. While a pod will eat the interceptor fire - if it blows up you can lose models easily, even worse with something like a Dreadclaw, that could crash!

 

Otherwise though, getting special weapons in range from turn one with pods is a solid tactic and the sheer amount of flyers and deep striking units available to Astartes makes this shine.

[Gorgoff]

I guess there won't be too many players who throw their interceptor fire at those pods if killing it's content is an option. ;) Edited September 14, 2018 by Gorgoff

[ProsperoStands]

Indeed. The new interceptor rule really hurts Orbital assault, as did the loss of Marksmen vets IMO.

 

I do love using the 16th legion with OA as deathdealers is amazing for support squads and seekers.

[Brofist]

Vets are still the best infantry in the game. Don't shed tears for them!

[LtDan]

Vets are still definitely worth taking. Dropping a ten man machine killer squad will definitely hurt. Or monster hunter Infront of mech. Weapon masters out of dreadclaw etc.

New interceptor/scanner rule definitely does hurt but doesn't stop the r.o.w

[ProsperoStands]

Indeed. I use machine killer vets with combi metlas and they will drop a spartan.

 

Weapon master vets are a lot of fun with that WS 5, toss in a Chaplain and its brutal.

 

I have never used monster hunters before.

[LtDan]

In 30k only really good against mech. Luckily you pick tactic at beginning of game, not on list writing. Very handy

[ProsperoStands]

How do people feel about doing hybrid OD lists?

 

I have been toying with doing a large amount of jump troops with about 4-6 pods dropping in.

 

Jump pack units/land speeders/Jet bikes can start on the table RAW since they have the Deep Strike special rule.

[Charlo]

How do people feel about doing hybrid OD lists?

 

I have been toying with doing a large amount of jump troops with about 4-6 pods dropping in.

 

Jump pack units/land speeders/Jet bikes can start on the table RAW since they have the Deep Strike special rule.

 

It's the best way to do it I think. Gives you a good backline/ second wave for turn 2.

 

Though the reverse is that if you go second your opponent gets to dictate the battle a little more.

[Brofist]

If you're taking a lot of assault squads you should run Drop Assault Vanguard. It's really strong especially now with the clarifications to drop pods!

[LtDan]

How do people feel about doing hybrid OD lists?

 

I have been toying with doing a large amount of jump troops with about 4-6 pods dropping in.

 

Jump pack units/land speeders/Jet bikes can start on the table RAW since they have the Deep Strike special rule.

This is basically what I run in terror assualt. Pods of terror squads and vets with supporting raptors, jetbikes and javs

Edited September 19, 2018 by LtDan

[Hfran Morkai]

How about throwing a Storm Eagle into an OA list? Gives a bunch of firepower but also a way to have a TDA Praetor and Command Squad hit combat the turn they arrive (admittedly this will be a random turn).

 

I ask because I love the model and have one in my collection.

[Gorgoff]

How about throwing a Storm Eagle into an OA list? Gives a bunch of firepower but also a way to have a TDA Praetor and Command Squad hit combat the turn they arrive (admittedly this will be a random turn).

 

I ask because I love the model and have one in my collection.

I don't know if you meant that but a unit can't charge in the turn in which it arrives from reserves.

[Hfran Morkai]

Forgive me my ignorance, I've not owned a rulebook since 5th (am getting the 30K one come payday). That's a shame. :(

 

So it's a trade off of the extra firepower and hullpoint versus additional cost and random turn arrival over a Dreadclaw.

 

Back to the drawing board methinks.

[LtDan]

Dread claws are a better cheaper option. Turn two charge is pretty much a garentte. With a storm eagle it's going to be turn 3 at the earliest.

[ProsperoStands]

The Storm Eagle is great for bigger armies and getting the 20 man tactical squad into position.

 

They are not needed turn one, and a turn 3 deployment is good for securing an objective OR dumping a 20 man charge into an already engaged unit as back up.

 

I have two Storm Eagles and while I rarely use them, they can be useful. They can act as lite antitank with the las-canons and Multi melta, and no one tends to see a Storm Eagle as a big enough threat to try and take down.

 

Plus it just looks cool IMO.

[SickSix]

As I don't own an AOD rulebook yet, are the changes to interceptor still in effect that hamper Drop pod deployment?

 

Also what type of weapons platforms in 30k have access to interceptor?

[Gorgoff]

"As I don't own an AOD rulebook yet, are the changes to interceptor still in effect that hamper Drop pod deployment?"

What do you mean?

 

"Also what type of weapons platforms in 30k have access to interceptor?"

Dreadnoughts, infantry, vehicles, superheavies, MC... you name it. I guess all types of units have some with interceptor.

[GodEmperorOfMankind]

So I've got around 10 drop pods I want to make a SoH OA list, is this a wise idea? Any thoughts on what I should put in them?

 

I was thinking of getting some reavers, couple of despoiler squads, some tac support squads with flamers and/or meltas. 

 

Anyone got any ideas on this?

[Cadmus Tyro]

I think SoH are innately well suited to OA lists, their legion rules practically encourage you to use OA. Death dealer gives you an advantage with shooting at 12”, edge of the spear gives you a reroll to failed reserve rolls.

 

Finally, maloghurst allows you to take veterans and reavers as troop choices (without using a warlord trait or Rite of war, which is a fairly unique benefit and means he does not have to be your warlord to take advantage of this). This is perhaps the biggest advantage over other legions, as you are not wasting points on standard 10 man tactical squads to fill compulsory troop slots.

 

If I was picking a legion to do OA, it would be SoH, painted white and black ;)

 

Cadmus

[GodEmperorOfMankind]

why are 10 man tac squads a waste of points? isn't the bulk of any army the tac squads?

[Cadmus Tyro]

There are just more efficient choices, unfortunately IMHO ten man tactical squads on foot don’t really cut it. Larger squads have some potential, squads in rhinos are more survivable, mobile and great for scoring objectives.

 

In OA, your tactical squad is forced to disembark it’s transport on arrival, and is potentially putting out a maximum of twenty bolter shots. They are then exposed and poorly mobile. Some people use them as their reserves, “cheap” scoring units held back for your second wave of pods.

 

In OA, you are attempting to “front load” your damage output, I.e alpha strike. This generally means using special weapons on infantry platforms - veterans, seekers, tactical support squads.

 

Veterans, point for point, are a more efficient unit to take over tacticals (+2 attacks, veteran tactic, access to specialist weapons for just 35points more), and will have more impact in game. Unless you are planning to have a squad babysit an objective late game, I would be using veterans.

 

But, this is all just my opinion, feel free to run tacticals if that’s what you want to do!

 

Cadmus

[GodEmperorOfMankind]

All much appreciated feedback cheers. I'm not particularly good at getting the most out of my army, I tend to just pick whatever I like, so getting someone's opinion on things is always good

[Interrogator-Chaplain Ezra]

What are people's thoughts on World Eaters and OA?