The Kratos tank and the future possibilities

[Captain Idaho]

My problem with the Melta is you ideally need to get within 18". Very doable but the return charges and attacks can be quite substantial. 

I'd like to smash from across the table.

[Orange Knight]

I think that in 40k in particular that is more likely than one might think, due to the way objectives steer armies around the board.

I think tank hunting is also the best job for the tank in 30k, as support squads can offer better Volkite related firepower. Also the Spartan has a smaller number of Las Cannon shots than initially thought.

[Captain Idaho]

Oh true, things get up close and personal quite sharpish. But with ranged punch I often find that additional distance more important as I might not want to shoot the stuff that came close to me with the Kratos main gun.

[Minsc]

Fielded my Kratos (all Volkite) today for the first time and it more or less won the game for me.

I played a Dread-heavy 2000 pts-list against Tyranids (Leviathan; Tyrant /w 3 Tyrant Guards, Prime, Neurothrope, 9+5+5 Warriors, 4+4+4 Zoanthropes, 1 Maleceptor)

Mortal Spam vs. Dread-heavy isn't the best matchup for me, but the Kratos came trough every round, starting with removing 1 unit of Zoanthropes with the main gun alone (4 6's!), and softening up another with the remaining weaponry. It was a reliable anchor troughout the game, removing Warriors left and right, the Maleceptor (after I had enough of it) and finished of the Tyrant in the last turn.

Needless to say, I expect my opponent will focus more on the Kratos next time he faces it, and I fear a Techmarine and Smokescreen wont be enough to keep it alive. :P

[Captain Idaho]

Nice result! So you went Volkite heavy? Interesting twist I dismissed really since I was going pure power and not considering the fishing for 6s a thing. (I'm an Ultramarines player - the Theoretical didn't sit well with me...)

I think a Techmarine is pretty crucial for an HQ choice for a Kratos. +1 to hit and a modest regeneration are critical benefits.

[Minsc]

Yes, all Volkite, even the combi-volkite. The damage-output can be quite spiky, but even if you roll few 6's, it's still 22 D2-shots with moderate strength (mostly 6 and 7.)

I'd never field it without a Techmarine. +1 to hit feels pretty crucial  because more hits = more potential 6's/Mortal Wounds. Repairing D3 wounds/turn is more of a bonus.

[Captain Idaho]

I agree about thr Techmarine for the +1 to hit and heal being useful.

I might even upgrade to Master of the Forge too. It's an expensive bit of kit from the Armoury so he might be concerned about leaving it to a joey.

But also 3 wounds a turn can make a big difference to keeping it alive.

Edited July 1, 2022 by Captain Idaho

[CCE1981]

The Kratos looks great, and would look awesome sitting between my two Sicarans.  Unfortunately it is hard to justify the points and CP investment on one.  Add in a Techmarine on top of that and it gets even worse.  

[Captain Idaho]

How are people finding the Kratos tank in performance - survivability in what sort of army and damage output? What sort of opponents are you gunning down?

[CCE1981]

I think I might have an Iron Hands list that goes ham on Volkite.  Idk how good it is but 70 Volkite shots seem interesting.  I can actually, knock that up to 78. 

[Captain Idaho]

I presume central to that is the Kratos - if it's topic appropriate show us your thoughts!

[CCE1981]

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium - Adeptus Astartes - Iron Hands) [110 PL, 2,000pts, ] ++

+ Configuration +

**Chapter Selector**: Iron Hands

Battle Size [6CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) 

Detachment Command Cost

Gametype: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim

+ HQ +

Chaplain [6 PL, 105pts]: 2. Catechism of Fire, 5. Recitation of Focus, Boltgun, Chapter Command:  Master of Sanctity, Litany of Hate

Librarian [5 PL, 90pts]: 1) Blessing of the Machine God, 5) Reforge, Boltgun, Force sword

Primaris Techmarine [5 PL, 100pts]: Chapter Command:  Master of the Forge, Warlord

+ Troops +

Assault Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 95pts]
. 4x Assault Intercessor: 4x Astartes Chainsword, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Heavy Bolt Pistol
. Assault Intercessor Sgt: Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol

Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 100pts]: Bolt rifle
. 4x Intercessor: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Intercessor Sergeant: Astartes Chainsword

Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 100pts]: Bolt rifle
. 4x Intercessor: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Intercessor Sergeant: Astartes Chainsword

+ Elites +

Leviathan Dreadnought [13 PL, 220pts, -2CP]: 2x Twin Volkite calivers, Stratagem: March of the Ancients
. Leviathan siege claw
. Leviathan siege drill

Relic Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, 170pts, -1CP]: 2x Twin volkite culverin

Relic Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, 170pts, -1CP]: 2x Twin volkite culverin

Relic Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, 170pts, -1CP]: 2x Twin volkite culverin

+ Heavy Support +

Gladiator Reaper [10 PL, 180pts]

Gladiator Reaper [10 PL, 180pts]

Kratos [22 PL, 320pts, -1CP]: 2x Volkite Calivers, 2x Volkite Culverins, Combi-volkite, Volkite Cardanelle

++ Total: [110 PL, 2,000pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe

[CCE1981]

3x units can be given +1 to hit.  The Chaplains  Litany of Hate, Catechism of Fire, AND Recitation of Focus can all affect the Leviathan because he is a Character.  
 

The Librarian probably should be another Techmarine but figured psycher defense was good.

Edited July 12, 2022 by CCE1981
Yeah the Chaplain should be a Primaris Chaplain, and the Librarian should be a Primaris Techmarine.

[Captain Idaho]

That's kinda how I see a Kratos operating. Large and dangerous model with loads of armoured threats around him to further provide target saturation.

Though I never like fishing for 6s, I think the Gladiators make up for that too.

Good show.

[CCE1981]

I figured that throwing so many dice I should just throw more with those Gladiators.  As Ironhands you can put one of those units in the Devastator Doctrine to re-roll hit rolls of 1.  Also getting that plus 1 to hit.  The Leviathan pulls double duty as a countercharge unit.  All while that Kratos pours firepower downrange.  With Nephilim, and being Ironhands I just couldn’t find much in the way of Warlord traits or Relics that really fit.  I might actually field a Kratos with this list.  That is a lot of interesting shooting.

[Captain Idaho]

How does everyone consider the pintle mounted weapon choices? 10pts for a Multi-melta isn't bad but I often like to build lists that are finely tuned and 10pts to drop on that is often very useful as an option.

Since I'm not aiming for a Volkite build, I think the Heavy Bolter works well as an extra 3 D2 shots, for free.

The combi-melta isn't terrible for free and a melta shot but getting that close with a gunboat is less of a strategy and more a moment of opportunity.

The combi-plasma... yeah overcharge that and see what happens! GW really needs to fix such Plasma weapons.

[Orange Knight]

I think in games of 40k the MM is an obvious choice. Great additional firepower for a minimal investment.

In 40k in particular, you should upgrade all the weapons to Las Cannons as you don't pay any extra points. On any other vehicle such a upgrade would cost you extra.

 

[Captain Idaho]

Totally agree. I'm going for a big target killer and using the long ranged Lascannons to assist that. I generally struggle against bigger targets and not infantry as a classic Marines player. Ultramarines are built to kill infantry even down to things like Chapter Champions.

I might see about magnetising the MM and other weapons too. 

[Minsc]

If not going for combi-Volkite, I'd go for the Multimelta. It's "only" 10 points for a substantial increase in firepower.