10th company

[Galvinized]

I'm getting back into the hobby for the first time in 15 years. Previously had a UM force, pretty casual player with friends and family.  Iknow Space Marines aren't the most competitive at the moment but I'm not that worried. I'd prefer a fun, semi competitive build, fairly easy to play as I get back into the hobby.

 

I'm looking to build a 10th company style Phobos force (purely out of fluff and aesthetics) and I'm caught on which chapter to start. I'm torn between a fluffy RG list or sticking with UM. Also wouldn't rule out IF/CF, I would like to expand it and add another company over time so I don't want to be too short sighted.

 

Can someone help with this? Do the Raven Guards strats/tactics overlap with what the Phobos units already do? An UM Alpha strike of 3 Invictors sounds fun but I have heard RG are Alpha strike specialist. UMs lack of penalty for moving and shooting is also a draw 

 

I've written a list based on RG. I'm open to suggestions, trying to find non-super competitive advice on YouTube isn't easy so I'm all ears. 

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Galv 

 

[9x19 Parabellum]

So if you're asking about competitive viability....this is probably a 2 / 10.

 

Reivers are just straight up hot garbage.

Suppressors are not great, Invictor Tactical Warsuits are also not great.

 

Eliminators are pretty good, but 3 units is probably too much.

 

Storm speeders are ok; the thunderstrike is pretty good because it's BS2, which kind of makes up for the lack of core keyword.

Incursors and Infiltrators are both decent for our Troop units.  In general you never need to load up on more than the minimum Space Marine troops (there are some exceptions to this). 

 

So what are the overall issues here?

-you have very little that actually benefits from the buffs provided by Kayvann and the Lt.  The eliminators benefit from it, but they want to be in the back while Shrike goes up front and murders stuff.  The land speeders and Invictors all lack the core keyword so can't benefit from any buffs.   That leaves the Reivers and your troops; they all benefit from the Core Keyword but it's irrelevant because neither of those units actually will do any killing beyond incidental.

-a full phobos force is cool and aesthetic, but won't perform at all on the table.  Enter at your own risk.

 

-you don't have any units that actually hit hard: ie, Vanguard Vets, Centurion Assault, Eradicators, Devastator Marines, Terminators

 

-you don't have any actual units that can take a punch: ie, Terminators, Centurions, Bladeguard Veterans

 

-you do have speed (for getting on objectives), but the units that have speed (Land Speeders, Suppressors) don't have high model count for actually being able to claim objectives.

 

 

[Galvinized]

Appreciate your time and honesty. 

 

It does seem like it may not be a viable idea. I'm not too worried about being uber competitive and winning tournaments but I'd want to be in with a chance of winning games too.

 

I want to buy primaris only (for aesthetic and longevity) but may have to go back to the drawing board about a solely Phobos type force. 

 

 

[9x19 Parabellum]

If you're primary concern is the aesthetics, there are a couple things you could do.  Remember that Phobos armor and regular power armor have the same statline so, for example:

 

-kitbash phobos marines with your choice of heavy weapons and call them a devastator squad.

-kitbash reivers with jump packs and call them vanguard vets.

 

You could also try a Spearhead detachment with a bunch of Eliminator squads, you'd just need to give them las fusils so you have some high strength, anti-tank punch. 

[Galvinized]

Good suggestions.

 

Do any chapters synergise with Phobos in particular or is it currently dead in the water? 

 

40k seems difficult because of the revolving door or meta/editions. Part of me thinks to just go with a Phobos style 1k list for now and hope for buffs come 10th edition or rumoured supplements.

 

My question is then which chapter, and that's a whole different can of worms.

[duz_]

I like your HQ and troops selections. The Infiltrators and Incursors are great. 

I've been liking my dual Warsuit build. They're a great forward threat. At worst they're a scary speed bump at best they wreck face. 

Eliminators are kinda eh, 2 squads might be scary ish. 

The rest although I have the models I can't speak for since I haven't played with them yet. Or painted or assembled depending on the model 

[jpwyrm]

Well, I also like Phobos a lot so I get why you want to explore that theme. IMO, Raven Guard and Ultramarines will be the best Chapters for a 10th company army. Ultras have the redeploy stratagems that meshes very well with Invictors. You can afford to be super aggressive with them and then pull them back if you go second. Combined with Lord of Deceipt, you practically get a second deployment which can be good sometimes. Ultras will get more interesting stratagems than RG, while RG have one of the best secondary objectives, especially for a Phobos army.

 

I agree that Reivers are really bad as they are right now. You could get rid of them and either an Invictor or the Suppressors and field an aircraft instead. The mobility you get with a plane can be quite devastating if you send it character hunting turn 2-3. 

 

Sniper rifles, as much as I like their look, are so bad in game. Take Lasfusils and the carbine to get extra movement out the squad and you'll get far more out them than with sniper rifles. Leave the character hunting to other harder hitting units like the Hammerstrikes, Shrikes or a Flyer if you get one.

 

If you go the Phobos route, my recommendation would be play for the objectives, select secondary objectives that you have the most control on (Secure and Sabotage, Behind Enemy Lines/Engage on all front, even Shock Tactics) and be evasive. This army does not pack a lot of punch, so select your targets carefully and only engage the units you really need to.

[Galvinized]

@duz_ @jpwyrm

Thanks for the time. 

 

I'm leaning more towards the flexibility of the Ultramarines at the moment for that pre game redeployment, being able to move and shoot and all the stratagems and buffs available. Shrike would be a big miss, unless I converted him to a smash captain of sorts. I'm debating the RG Christmas box for the insane value. Yes Reivers are rubbish but they're great models. 

 

I'm in two minds with the Phobos. It's definitely my favourite visually but if you can't make it work it's difficult to continue with. I do like the idea of a flyer, I'm thinking instead of the suppressors as a 3 ITW Alpha strike would  be a laugh. There hasn't been a primaris flyer released though has there?

 

Did anyone else find it difficult choosing their chapter? 

 

 

[duz_]

I chose RG because I liked the lore mostly. 

 

Their 7th Ed CT wasn't amazing, but I liked it and also the buff they got for their semi company. 

 

8th and 9th Ed have been a yoyo of power levels so I wouldn't try and follow that too much. And there's nothing saying you must use the chapter tactic your army is painted in. (yet...). 

[Galvinized]

@duz_ @jpwyrm

 

The RG colour scheme of black with one shoulder's trim red or yellow looks quality. I'm not a fan of the beak helmets or any of the birds feet etc. 

 

Tbf when it comes to lore I think they're all pretty good. Ultras are a bit vanilla but I do enjoy the Roman theme. I like the WS additional move rules but am not too bothered on their Mongolian look. 

 

Decisions decisions 

[9x19 Parabellum]

I don't mind the Mongolian theme, but the white red and yellow color scheme just screams buck rogers too me. I get a seriously pulp 50's vibe from them that I'm not into. at all.

[Galvinized]

I won't lie, I had to Google who buck Rogers was but I can see where you're coming from. I think I might just buy some fairly universal units and build them up, maybe wait a few months to decide which chapter to paint them.