VII Legion "On the Wall" Modular lists

[Indefragable]

High all, below please find my three VII Legion lists that I plan on running, depending on game size and other variables. Feedback welcome. 

 

LONG POST, apologies in advance. 

 

They are meant to be modular, so you will see generally the same units and builds. 

 

CONCEPT: 

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My inspiration is the idea of the Fists being “On the Wall.” And thus the core idea is 3000pts. Holding a zone against attack, using Breachers on chokepoints, as the “Roman Legions” in cohort formation, with the Phalanx Warders as the elites/veterans holding the center. All 3 units have Apothecaries to make max use out of the RoW, with T5 and 5+++. The excellent big guns are in cover, firing salvos of missiles and lascannons to tear the enemy apart at range, with the free Tank Hunters opening up metal boxes of all sizes for days. One HSS has Flakk missiles to help against Flyers as well. The Terminators and Contemptor are the Reaction Force, there to plug gaps in the line and also be anti-deathstar duty. Can’t really call them a “Quick Reaction Force” since they do not have a transport. Primus Medicae and Praetor go in Terminator bomb while the Champion (in Tartaros) hangs out with the Phalanx squad for WS7 and even better choppiness. 

 

The 4k version includes Dorn (cause I love Primarchs) expanding on the above concept, personally arriving to shore up that section of the wall. He brings a Spartan with him to better protect the Terminators (which have been pumped up to 9 dudes total) as well as a pair of Rapier Battery Laser Destroyers for even more long range FWAP. 

 

My Zone Mortalis list is built for 1250 since that’s a sweet spot between 1000 and 1500 (I’ll round down as needed, but want to get a concept on paper first).  Basically the “guts” of the above lists without the big guns or other stuff. I’m still unclear on whether you can run Stone Gauntlet in ZM, so Phalanx Warders are Troops below, but would just go in Fast Attack otherwise. 

 

 

QUESTIONS:

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1. for ZM, I am at 1145/1250 and torn what to do to get up to 1250. Easiest thing would be to just add bodies to squads, but I

 

2. for all the lists, I feel that adding special weapons (especially AT weapons) to the Breachers could be useful, but 15pts/ea for melta that will probably not be in range for much of the game seems not that great for me. And you can’t fire grav guns on overwatch, so that likewise seems not that good. I guess lascutters are essentially power fists for squaddies in combat, but you’re wasting (BS5) bolter shots by taking them. 50pts/a squad for MB’s also seems both expensive and overkill. 

 

3. I think the 3000pt list is pretty tight overall, and I am comfortable with its limitations given the theme (it has 0 mobility). But I worry that having all infantry except for a single Contemptor and a Bunker means I almost might as well not bring either of those: they will attract the entirety of the enemy’s AT shooting right away. I like having the Bunker as a hard point to anchor my line (Imperial Fists), but it also kinda seems like just a fire magnet without scarier things to draw fire from it (like the Spartan in the 4000pt version). Should I completely abandon everything with an AV and just go all Infantry? 

 

4. Piggybacking off the above, the alternative would be to tinker to get 2x Contemptors as a buddy-cop QRF of sorts. 

 

5. The single bare-bones Tactical squad is there to both get me more Elites/Fast Attack options in Stone Gauntlet, and also because it is legally mandated that you have at least one unit that can bolter things to death as an Imperial Fist, right? I mean BS5 Fury of the Legion is just too cool to pass up, it seems. That being said, half of me thinks taking Hussars or Sky Seekers is more optimized since they fulfill that Troops slot, but also provide much needed mobility. But TBH, I actually think building/painting some VII Legion Tacticals (i’ve only done Breachers so far) would be fun, while I’m not motivated to do bikes for IF for one reason or another. 

 

6. In the 4000pt version I have 165pts to spare to get to 4k. Again, like #5 above, my instincts say “go Fast Attack and/or mobility.” But rule of cool says “nah, just get a 20man Tactical blob. Bolters go BRRRRRT.”  Yet another part of me says Sabre Strike Tanks could be the perfect blend of mobility, AV (to compliment Bunker, Contemptor(s), Spartan), and firepower, all in a relatively cheap package. Would appreciate people’s thoughts/suggestions. 

 

7. For any of the above, I also am torn with getting a plasma support squad or two instead of xyz since other than the Terminator unit, I’m light on anti-TEQ/anti-Death Star ability. As utility as they are, I am reluctant to do that since such a squad loses out on any buffs from being VII Legion. If it’s not apparent, i’ve gone out of my way to milk our bonuses as much as possible, emphasizing bolters, HSS, cover, challenges, storm shields, and that sweet T5 from SG. 

 

NOTE on models/units:

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Through luck, crafty acquisition, and some cannibalization, I already have the following models, hence they are the building blocks of the above:

-Preator in Cataphractii

-Primus Medicae in Cataphractii

-Tacticals or Breachers x 10

-Breachers x 10

-Terminators in Cataphractii w/ SS x 5

-Apothecary x 3

-Heavy Support Squad w/ missiles x 5

-Heavy Support Squad w/ lascannons x 5

-Bunker

 

 

Feedback welcome, and thank you if you made it this far in my post. 

 

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LISTS: 

 

 

Zone Mortalis 1250

 

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Imperial Fists: “Boarding Party”

Allegiance: Loyalist 

Rite of War: The Stone Gauntlet or Zone Mortalis Assault Force or Zone Mortalis Combatant, etc… depending on allowed FOC. 

Points: 1145

 

HQ:

Praetor

-Cataphractii Terminator Armor

-Vigil Pattern Storm Shield

-Thunder Hammer

-Digital Lasers

-Master-Crafting (TH)

-Warlord

 

TROOPS:

Breacher Squad (10)

-Sgt Artificer Armor, Bolter, Melta bombs, Power Fist

 

Phalanx Warder Squad (10)

-Sgt Artificer Armor, Bolter, Melta bombs, Solarite Power Gauntlet

-Plasma gun x 2

-Power axe x 2

 

ELITES:

Contemptor Dreadnought

-Plasma Cannon

-CCW w/ Plasma blaster

 

Terminator Squad (5)

-Cataphractii Terminator Armor

-Vigil Pattern Storm Shield + Chainfist x 2

-Vigil Pattern Storm Shield + Power axe x 2

-Sgt Vigil Pattern Storm Shield + Thunder hammer (modeled that way)

 

 

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3000pts version

 

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Imperial Fists “Hold the Line”

Allegiance: Loyalist 

Rite of War: The Stone Gauntlet

Points: 3000

 

HQ:

Praetor

-Cataphractii Terminator Armor

-Vigil Pattern Storm Shield

-Thunder Hammer

-Digital Lasers

-Master-Crafting (TH)

-Warlord

 

Champion

-Tartaros Terminator Armor

-Vigil Pattern Storm Shield

-Paragon Blade

 

Primus Medicae

-Cataphractii Terminator Armor

-Combi-Bolter

-Power Axe

 

TROOPS:

Breacher Squad (15)

-Sgt Artificer Armor, Bolter, Melta bombs, Power Fist

 

Breacher Squad (15)

-Sgt Artificer Armor, Bolter, Melta bombs, Power Fist

 

Phalanx Warder Squad (15)

-Sgt Artificer Armor, Bolter, Melta bombs, Solarite Power Gauntlet

-Plasma gun x 3

-Power axe x 3

 

Tactical Squad (10)

-Bolters

 

ELITES:

Apothecarion Detachment

-Apothecary w/ Artificer Armor, Augury Scanner, Chainsword

-Apothecary w/ Artificer Armor, Augury Scanner, Chainsword

-Apothecary w/ Artificer Armor, Augury Scanner, Chainsword

 

Contemptor Dreadnought

-Plasma Cannon

-CCW w/ Plasma blaster

 

Terminator Squad (5)

-Cataphractii Terminator Armor

-Vigil Pattern Storm Shield + Chainfist x 2

-Vigil Pattern Storm Shield + Power axe x 2

-Sgt Vigil Pattern Storm Shield + Thunder hammer (modeled that way)

 

HEAVY SUPPORT:

Heavy Support Squad (5)

-Lascannons x 5

-Sgt Artificer Armor, Augury Scanner

 

Heavy Support Squad (5)

-Missile Launchers x 5

-Flakk Missiles

-Sgt Artificer Armor, Augury Scanner

 

Heavy Support Squad (5)

-Missile Launchers x 5

-Sgt Artificer Armor, Augury Scanner

 

FORTIFICATION:

Bunker

-Ammo Store

-Ammunition Dump

-Void Shield

 

 

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4000pts version

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Imperial Fists “Dorn on the Wall”

Allegiance: Loyalist 

Rite of War: The Stone Gauntlet

Points: 3835

 

HQ:

Champion

-Tartaros Terminator Armor

-Vigil Pattern Storm Shield

-Paragon Blade

 

Primus Medicae

-Cataphractii Terminator Armor

-Combi-Bolter

-Power Axe

 

TROOPS:

Breacher Squad (15)

-Sgt Artificer Armor, Bolter, Melta bombs, Power Fist

 

Breacher Squad (15)

-Sgt Artificer Armor, Bolter, Melta bombs, Power Fist

 

Phalanx Warder Squad (15)

-Sgt Artificer Armor, Bolter, Melta bombs, Solarite Power Gauntlet

-Plasma gun x 3

-Power axe x 3

 

Tactical Squad (10)

-Bolters

 

Terminator Squad (9)

-Cataphractii Terminator Armor

-Vigil Pattern Storm Shield + Chainfist x 4

-Vigil Pattern Storm Shield + Power axe x 4

-Sgt Vigil Pattern Storm Shield + Thunder hammer (modeled that way)

Spartan Assault Tank

-Quad lascannons

-Flare Shield

-Dozer blade

 

ELITES:

Apothecarion Detachment

-Apothecary w/ Artificer Armor, Augury Scanner, Chainsword

-Apothecary w/ Artificer Armor, Augury Scanner, Chainsword

-Apothecary w/ Artificer Armor, Augury Scanner, Chainsword

 

Contemptor Dreadnought

-Plasma Cannon

-CCW w/ Plasma blaster

 

Rapier Weapons Battery

-Laser Destroyer Array x 1

 

Rapier Weapons Battery

-Laser Destroyer Array x 1

 

HEAVY SUPPORT:

Heavy Support Squad (5)

-Lascannons x 5

-Sgt Artificer Armor, Augury Scanner

 

Heavy Support Squad (5)

-Missile Launchers x 5

-Flakk Missiles

-Sgt Artificer Armor, Augury Scanner

 

Heavy Support Squad (5)

-Missile Launchers x 5

-Sgt Artificer Armor, Augury Scanner

 

FORTIFICATION:

Bunker

-Ammo Store

-Ammunition Dump

-Void Shield

 

LORD OF WAR:

Rogal Dorn

Edited May 20, 2021 by Indefragable

[LameBeard]

My first reaction to the ZM list was “are there enough units?”. Maybe this depends on board size/terrain and missions, but I was thinking you could go through cutting toys and then get an extra squad. I guess you have 3 scoring units whilst the Phalanx Warders are troops, but if 3 is good then 4 is better!

[Indefragable]

My first reaction to the ZM list was “are there enough units?”. Maybe this depends on board size/terrain and missions, but I was thinking you could go through cutting toys and then get an extra squad. I guess you have 3 scoring units whilst the Phalanx Warders are troops, but if 3 is good then 4 is better!

 

Yea that's the trick. I think it's also kind of light on shooting, which is kinda odd for IF, but i'm investing in SS/CQW Terminators and just a pair of plasma guns on the Warders. 

[LameBeard]

You say kind of light, but in close quarters ZM I think that’s fine. No one will enjoy charging the bolter squads with full BS overwatch, and no-one’s going to want to advance down the corridor guarded by the Contemptor, so there’s quite a bit of threat.

 

Still, if the Contemptor meets another Contemptor, he might be better off with melta and chainfist than all that expensive plasma.

 

I just love the feel of this army, it’s making me want to start Imperial Fists ZM. One thing I’d love to do is dish out some nuncio-voxes (voci?) and teleport the terminators in. But I think that would be strictly rule-of-cool justification only.

[Slips]

As someone who has a contemptor with the same all-plasma loadout, just a heads up that glancing himself to death is very much a thing that can, and will, happen on an improbably but semi-regular basis.

Edited May 21, 2021 by Slips

[Indefragable]

You say kind of light, but in close quarters ZM I think that’s fine. No one will enjoy charging the bolter squads with full BS overwatch, and no-one’s going to want to advance down the corridor guarded by the Contemptor, so there’s quite a bit of threat.

 

Still, if the Contemptor meets another Contemptor, he might be better off with melta and chainfist than all that expensive plasma.

 

I just love the feel of this army, it’s making me want to start Imperial Fists ZM. One thing I’d love to do is dish out some nuncio-voxes (voci?) and teleport the terminators in. But I think that would be strictly rule-of-cool justification only.

 

My other thoughts were to go 2x Contemptors somehow. 

 

I also have an idea for a Dorn-led

boarding of the Vengeful Spirit

for 1500pt+ games. With either all Terminators or Phalanx Warders as

Huscarls

. 

 

As someone who has a contemptor with the same all-plasma loadout, just a heads up that glancing himself to death is very much a thing that can, and will, happen on an improbably but semi-regular basis.

 

I'm doing plasma partially for the Shred in ZM, partially to be different. Every Contemptor I've ever had up to this point has been TL lascannon + fist, so I want something different.

 

But it is a valid point about glancing one's self to death.

[LameBeard]

How about drop the contemptor and have 2 x legion dreadnaughts? Everyone talks about how good the big flamey weapon is in ZM, but how often do you actually see one? The other could have melta to stay cheap.

 

And yes I spoilt it for myself, love the idea of that assault, although Primarch in ZM is something I haven’t actually seen before - I think fair to warn your opponent!

[Marshal Vespasian]

I am of the opinion that you should go all or nothing with your contemptors. Do chainfist&ccw + 2 meltas or 2 plasma or 2 grav. Grav could actually be pretty mean in ZM by hindering your opponents movement. Plasma would profit from rending in that it woukd turn glances into pens at ap2 which is nice.

Also add the havoc launcher itll be rending in zm, which can quickly add up to a few dead marines.

Maybe degrade your praetor to a delegatus so you can fit in 2 apothecaries. The additional fnp is super frurstrating for people trying to kill you t5 shield wearing basic infantry.

Edited May 21, 2021 by Marshal Vespasian

[Indefragable]

How about drop the contemptor and have 2 x legion dreadnaughts? Everyone talks about how good the big flamey weapon is in ZM, but how often do you actually see one? The other could have melta to stay cheap.

 

And yes I spoilt it for myself, love the idea of that assault, although Primarch in ZM is something I haven’t actually seen before - I think fair to warn your opponent!

 

In my local group, there's been sort of a re-awakening of 30k and the first ZM game ever featured Horus. So there's that. 

 

(and a brave unnamed Salamanders Praetor got him down to 1 wound left...). 

 

That's not a terrible idea about the 2x box noughts instead, but I guess I play 30k for the sauce and Contemptors are kind of part of the sauce. 

 

I am of the opinion that you should go all or nothing with your contemptors. Do chainfist&ccw + 2 meltas or 2 plasma or 2 grav. Grav could actually be pretty mean in ZM by hindering your opponents movement. Plasma would profit from rending in that it woukd turn glances into pens at ap2 which is nice.

Also add the havoc launcher itll be rending in zm, which can quickly add up to a few dead marines.

Maybe degrade your praetor to a delegatus so you can fit in 2 apothecaries. The additional fnp is super frurstrating for people trying to kill you t5 shield wearing basic infantry.

 

2x CCWs (and/or CCW+chainfist) gives you both +1A and you could go dual plasma blasters that can also overwatch/snap fire, correct? Not a bad idea, especially if it's meant to be a QRF unit of sorts. 

 

You can't OW with grav since it's blast, so I'm less inclined to take it.