Master of Ambush Options

[Bluflash]

What are you thinking of running with MoA?

My list normally has three invictors, but I'm thinking of converting one, and squeezing points elsewhere to bring 6 boltstorm aggressors. If I go first, they'll get to shoot twice, since the sneak deploy doesn't count as movement, and there will be two invuctors in the Chapter Master bubble with them for more firepower.

 

I've seen others recommend grav centurions, but squad of 3 is the same price as the 6 aggressors, give or take.

 

Thoughts?

[Mcha0s92]

I really like the centurion options and think they could be good, even the assault variant.

Was thinking about master of ambush chapter master with the additional wt( from the strat) to give advance and charge to make the centurion more mobile while still be able to fire their flamers and charge, a hard hammer unit suddenly in their deployment zone.

My plan is to also bring at least 3 incurson squads and 2 invictor suit to bring big pressure turn 1 with so much concealed deployment

[Bluflash]

That's not bad! I run a biker captain with teeth of Terra, so I was thinking of taking the fly back, shoot, and charge trait to help secure that t2 character hit.

[Mcha0s92]

That's not bad! I run a biker captain with teeth of Terra, so I was thinking of taking the fly back, shoot, and charge trait to help secure that t2 character hit.

Why not a jump pack captain? There are many strats that synergise well if you are equipped with it and with that wt you have crazy mobility and you can engage flyers in combat.

( the no overwatch wt is quite good here too)

[ShinyRhino]

I ran three Assault Centurions when the "old" SftS worked that way. Hurricanes and flamers.

 

But since I'm phasing out all mmt Firstborn models, I'm leaning toward Aggressors if I bother with that WL trait.

[Jacques Corbin]

I am thinking 6 Aggressors with a Primaris Chaplain preaching Catechism of Fire. That +1 to wound the closest unit is just too crazy. I might even park an Apothecary next to an Umbramancy Librarian in my backfield, and just drop him in as they start taking casualties. Hell, I might even drop in a Phobos Lieutenant to reroll those 1s to wound. I mean, rerolls happen before modifiers, so 2s will be modified to 3s, which will wound T3 or T4, so only natural 1s will fail to wound.

 

Also, I might just spend the CP to give the Chaplain a Warlord Trait, without him actually being the warlord.

[Bluflash]

I like the bike for the extra toughness, wounds and bolter shots, but I'll admit the jet pack has good synergy. Being able to go through ruins and walls is nice...

I'll consider it more.

[dode74]

Hi all, new to the forum but I've been playing RG for a bit over a year now.

 

I think Assault Centurions will be a great option for Master of Ambush. 312pts for 6 of them is nasty. Not only do they set up 9" from the deployment zone but you can Infiltrate them for 1CP if your opponent has set up away from the edge of his deployment zone for a 4+d6" extra movement. They can then move again in your movement phase and then they shoot 72 hurricane bolter shots and 12d6 flamer shots followed by a charge with 25 S10 -4AP D3 melee attacks. You can also Infiltrate a set of Vanguard Vets for 12+d6" before the turn, another 12" (with advance if you want to use the Strike from the Skies strat) in your movement phase for even more T1 charge shenanigans. And ofc you deployed an Invictor warsuit in flamer and charge range, right? And some Incursors? And a Phobos Librarian to try some Enveloping Darkness and kill off OW?

 

I think there's some serious in-your-face alpha strike potential when going first, and some great options for other shenanigans when going second.

[Mcha0s92]

Hi all, new to the forum but I've been playing RG for a bit over a year now.

 

I think Assault Centurions will be a great option for Master of Ambush. 312pts for 6 of them is nasty. Not only do they set up 9" from the deployment zone but you can Infiltrate them for 1CP if your opponent has set up away from the edge of his deployment zone for a 4+d6" extra movement. They can then move again in your movement phase and then they shoot 72 hurricane bolter shots and 12d6 flamer shots followed by a charge with 25 S10 -4AP D3 melee attacks. You can also Infiltrate a set of Vanguard Vets for 12+d6" before the turn, another 12" (with advance if you want to use the Strike from the Skies strat) in your movement phase for even more T1 charge shenanigans. And ofc you deployed an Invictor warsuit in flamer and charge range, right? And some Incursors? And a Phobos Librarian to try some Enveloping Darkness and kill off OW?

 

I think there's some serious in-your-face alpha strike potential when going first, and some great options for other shenanigans when going second.

You just wrote what my list is and what is up to do first turn

[defl0]

Soooooooooo... Master of Ambush is awesome if you go first. But if you go second you really need to change your tactics.

 

Cents are awesome but I'm not sure you are tough enough to weather an alpha strike and you are probably useless if you deploy in your own deponent zone.

[dode74]

Yeah, it's a switch-up if you go second.  But I think there is enough flexibility in the stratagems like Infiltrate and SFTS to allow it to work.  And while Cents aren't ideal unless you get them into combat, they *are* infantry and can deploy behind buildings or SFTS etc.  I personally play more 1250pt games than 2k, so will probably take a unit of 3, making it easier to hide them if you go 2nd.

[Bluflash]

That's one reason I'm considering Aggressors over Assault Cents. If i go second, they can still start midfield or threaten a flank.

[SanguinaryGuardsman]

Soooooooooo... Master of Ambush is awesome if you go first. But if you go second you really need to change your tactics.

 

Cents are awesome but I'm not sure you are tough enough to weather an alpha strike and you are probably useless if you deploy in your own deponent zone.

If you have cover(and you will 100% of the time) it takes about 6 D-cannon ravagers to remove a 6 man blob of centurions using transhuman physiology.  That seems very durable to me.  

 

Furthermore, Master of Ambush comes into affect after the first turn has been decided so even if you are going second you could just infiltrate deepstrike your centurions/aggressors/whatever to shield them from any 1st turn firepower. 

[ShinyRhino]

Our Assault Centurions are deceptively tough. Mine soak a metric ton of fire every game. The 24" always-on rapid fire of their hurricanes tends to make up for their slow movement. They also ignore cover when the Sergeant is alive. The bonus wound they got in the new dex is icing on the top.

[Nemisor]

jump chaplin with mantra of strength. you relocate him and a smash captain with MC hammer (with no overwatch and sword of the imperium traits), use the turn 1 free move on them/jp cap. cast mantra, smash cap hits a knight/repulsor/anything that needs to die with 7 S12 D5 hammer attacks. you can even make him a chaptermaster if needed. then pay 3 cp to kill another somthing. it will take about 9-11 cps but thats almost a first turn win if the right situation comes up. 

[superwill]

I like the idea of using it to send a couple of bash-brothers up the field - seems Iess risky than the centurions and with more viable backup plans in case of going second?

 

What about some regular devastators with grav? They don’t need the aura, and getting +1 to wound from the chaplain would meaning they’re wounding most things on 2-4s? Only requires 150 points and does more damage than the 3 cents for less investment.

[Shas Oh Dear]

jump chaplin with mantra of strength. you relocate him and a smash captain with MC hammer (with no overwatch and sword of the imperium traits), use the turn 1 free move on them/jp cap. cast mantra, smash cap hits a knight/repulsor/anything that needs to die with 7 S12 D5 hammer attacks. you can even make him a chaptermaster if needed. then pay 3 cp to kill another somthing. it will take about 9-11 cps but thats almost a first turn win if the right situation comes up.

Mantra of strength only affects the chaplain unfortunately so this combo wouldn't work, a captain with 6 str12 d4 attacks is still potent though. Also the chaplain essentially becomes a second smash boi with the mantra of str so you could throw him into the fray too.

[Nemisor]

Bugger. Ahh well in that case might be better to run 2 smash caps ang give 1 the trait. That way its not dependant on a dice roll for a 3d weapon

[SyNidus]

One thing i'm thinking of is have 3 invictors ready, then use master of ambush to bring a bunch of buffs (Chaplain & Smash Captain.) Plus points for having a phobos librarian nearby ready to cast enveloping darkness.

[Jacques Corbin]

I am thinking a 3-pronged attack. Primaris Chaplain with Master of Ambush, accompanying a maxed unit of Bolter Aggressors. A Phobos Librarian infiltrating with Incursors. Turn 2 or 3, I drop in a Phobos Lieutenant with Grav Chute, along with Reivers with Grav Chutes.

 

For my backfield, I am dropping my Lascannon Devastators for Las Fusil Eliminators. Of course I am bringing my 2 Thunderfire Cannons. I can't get behind the Invictor, so I am keeping an Ironclad to be an Aggressive fire magnet. As usual, it is the struggle of balancing anti infantry with anti tank.

[Dracos]

Damn Jacques, except the Thunder Cannons I feel like I’m looking in a mirror. Love your thought process. Focusing on board control but with enough oomph to do some real work also :)

[VanDutch]

Quick question about how to read Master of Ambush; I read it as being that the units can be set up anywhere on the board and do not need to be near each other either when they start or redeploy?

 

My intention is to give this warlord trait (and Shadowmaster through the Trifold Path strat) to a jump pack captain with TH. I'll then move a squad of six aggressors next to a prepositioned Phobos captain and the jump pack captain somewhere else. I think this is legitimate.

 

I may then use the codex stratagem for an extra 'warlord' for Master of the Vanguard and a Phobos Lt.

[Biscuittzz]

I'm not on the Assault Centurions bus. I think you'll get just as much offensive mileage off a unit of Aggressors and both are most likely going to get blown off the table after that anyway. Losing a unit of aggressors isn't that much of a point sink compared to assault centurions imo.

 

Not to mention I absolutely despise the models 

[Shadow Captain Vyper]

Quick question about how to read Master of Ambush; I read it as being that the units can be set up anywhere on the board and do not need to be near each other either when they start or redeploy?

 

My intention is to give this warlord trait (and Shadowmaster through the Trifold Path strat) to a jump pack captain with TH. I'll then move a squad of six aggressors next to a prepositioned Phobos captain and the jump pack captain somewhere else. I think this is legitimate.

 

I may then use the codex stratagem for an extra 'warlord' for Master of the Vanguard and a Phobos Lt.

This all works as you expect. There is even some discussion on if you can then use Infiltrate on them after the redeploy as well.

[ShinyRhino]

I'm not on the Assault Centurions bus. I think you'll get just as much offensive mileage off a unit of Aggressors and both are most likely going to get blown off the table after that anyway. Losing a unit of aggressors isn't that much of a point sink compared to assault centurions imo.

 

Not to mention I absolutely despise the models

Assault Centurions are cheap as chips now. Every person I played against yesterday said "man those are tough models to kill!"

 

It comes down to personal preference really. Both units will perform admirably. I'll be replacing my Cents with Aggressors eventually, just to keep my switch over from Firstborn to Primaris intact.