Reaver Titan for CC

[Dark Bjoern]

Hello my fellow princeps,

 

Actual i´m in the process building and painting my titans. and one question came up. What about CC-Reavers? I thought about a Reaver with Melta, Turbo-Laser and CCW. But which one? What are your experiences with them? What wound be the better choise. The Fist or the Chainfist?

[DuskRaider]

If you're asking about pure CC, I can actually help with this.

 

I've played a few games now and my CC Reaver has been ace. People have a hard time countering it, especially when it's teamed up with other things (a pack of Warhounds, for example). Mine has a Power Fist and a Chain Fist. The combo works great because the Chain Fist does extra damage while the Power Fist can knock the enemy Titan around (literally). My advice is to ALWAYS attack with the Chain Fist first. If you go with the Power Fist swing first and knock the enemy out of CC range you've lost the ability to use that Chain Fist completely that round.

 

I've magnetized my carapace weapons, but I prefer the Turbo Laser for the added punch. You don't need to worry about shields when you're ignoring them anyhow so your best bet is to mount something that will add to the punch you're already packing.

[Fajita Fan]

Yeah, go big or go home. 

 

[Blood and skulls]

If you go gryphonicus and pick a Regia mantiple, replace one warlord with a reaver and use the Warhounds to share shields with it. That could make a fast moving close combat monster with the Warhounds spraying fire and incoming targets.

[Mandragola]

I like the ferrox maniple for melee reavers. That extra point of strength is a big help, as is using you BS in melee instead of WS.

 

I've never been sold on the idea of two close combat weapons, but I do understand the appeal. For me, it's always seemed logical to have a chain or power fist and a gun, so you can do something at range. However, a melee reaver is likely to spend a lot of its time on full stride orders if it can (though it may fail, at which point a gun is good). The thing is, actually reaver guns aren't all that powerful, so losing one isn't all that bad, but the extra damage you can do in melee with another CCW is really serious. So basically while I used to be pretty sure you shouldn't go for dual melee weapons, now I think maybe it's viable - if not actually sensible. 

 

I still think you can't really go wrong with CCW and melta, gatling or laser blaster. All have their merits really. The gatling is the best for targeted shots, and with some damage done by the fist and the bonus strength for ferrox it might well be the best option for finishing a wounded titan. Melta is really powerful but you can't target locations with it, and there's a risk you'll shoot yourself.

[Fajita Fan]

In all seriousness it's too bad Reavers don't have an arm-mounted plasma cannon, like a 2 shot Exterminator or something. 

[Dark Bjoern]

Am i right if i say that the fist is more popular then the chain fist?

[Fajita Fan]

I think the powerfist looks better than the chainfist for sure.

[Kilofix]

I have 3 melee Reavers (um yeah lol).

 

Some other tips:

 

+ Don’t forget the bonus attack you get when you Order - Charge

 

+ Legio Vulpa gives some bonuses to strength and so does Ferrox Maniple

 

+ You need Knights because:

++ You need more Activations. If you have fewer activations then your opponent will simply walk away after you’ve moved into CC range

++ Knights can be used with the Jannisary Maniple which may seem somewhat useless until you realize that by moving a Reaver and a Knight unit at the same time you can “pin” and opponents Titan and prevent him from moving (or turning)

++ Knights can also be used with the Dominus Maniple to take hits from low strength (Void Shield stripping) weapons buying you time to close in

 

+ Corsair Maniple cause also allow you to do some interesting maneuvering to attack rear armor

 

+ There are also various Strats and Traits that can give you bonuses to move and or command check - which is crucial for Full Stride and Charge

[Mandragola]

Those are good points kilofix.

 

Activations are a reason I like the ferrox maniple. The bonus to damage up close can replace the need to run the warhounds as a squadron, which then means you get a reasonable number of activations.

 

I’m curious to hear how you can surround an engine using the jannissary maniple. I’d have thought the rules stopping the knights from turning during a charge would prevent that, but I suppose they don’t actually need charge orders go accomplish it.

 

To be honest I think I’ve only once got a reaver into melee, and without accomplishing all that much. But I like having the ferrox guys as a skirmish line for my warlords, keeping the enemy busy while the big guys bring the real pain. You can see this approach in action in a batrep I recorded with the 30k channel if you like, though I’m sorry to say it’s behind a paywall. https://the30kchannel.com/video/legio-mortis-vs-legio-astorum/

[Kilofix]

So Jannissary works like this:

 

During Movement - you charge your Reaver into the front of your opponent and get your bonus attack. Now normally, if that opponent hasn’t activated, he can now move out of CC range preventing you from using your Melee weapon.

 

But with Jannissary, immediately after you charge your Reaver you move (regular move) your Cerastus Knights 12” behind the target to envelope him. Now during his activation his model is pinned between your two units.

Also don’t forget you can still Smash and fire weapons (not Carapace if shorter) in addition to your Melee once in close combat.

[Fajita Fan]

I like it.