Help future proof my project

[mertbl]

I'm sitting on a large ad mech commission and we are trying to figure out what to do with it now that 10th has been announced. 

 

I've got 60 ranger/vanguard bodies. lots of special weapon options here, we are thinking to just build up until its time for arms and then wait. 

 

Ironstriders - pretty sure we want to go shooting with these either way and the guns are an easy enough swap. 

 

Pteraxi - steryalizers just seem better with flamers and claws vs the pure gun ones.

 

Infiltrators/Rust stalkers - multiple thoughts here between the MW output(probably gone?) of ruststalkers vs the machine pistols of the infiltrators. 

 

Horses vs dogs - Leaning sniper ponies vs flamer dogs. 

[Bouargh]

Your plan looks quite fair.

For Vanguards/Rangers, one key parameter in Xth will be unit size I presume. so doing preassembly and prepainting is going to allow you progress while not compromising you too much...

For Ironstriders and Pteraxii, I cannot agree more.

 

As I do not really like Stalkers I would say, wait until datacards are released. Or do as for Line Sktiarii  - prepaint and wait

 

The big deal IMO is for the cavalry: if you go shooty with the ironstrider I would tend to say go horses to get a cohesive block. But you lack HtH and the pistoliers rue of the hounds can help if it stays, so that other stuff can engage the close combat... This is the point where I am currently blocked too (but more in terms of planing of the procurement...)

[brother_b]

For infantry just build up a core group of regular troops. That way you can field them in whatever configuration you like, and add special weapons once 10th edition is previewed so we get a ideas.

 

The base ranger and base Vanguard do exceptional work, and their leaders do not need to have a close combat weapon so you can for instance just run 10-vanguard normal troopers, etc.

 

I agree for Pteraxi and ironstriders.

 

I have two units of infiltrators and love the models and abilities. I have one box of stalkers and will likely build them as such when I have time.

 

Foe the horses their use isn’t really combat. I use them to rush forward and block movement. They are sacrificial pieces that can take a forward objective and loose a volley of fire. They can get right up on the enemy and then stay there, making your opponent spend time and effort removing them.

 

Obviously movement is before shooting so potentially you can hold up multiple units before they shoot your horsemen down.

 

If they don’t shoot and kill your cavalry they’ll likely try to charge you, opening up a chance to use their strat to reposition.

 

I have no experience with the flamer dogs.

Edited April 12, 2023 by brother_b

[Dr. Clock]

On 4/12/2023 at 4:43 PM, brother_b said:

I have no experience with the flamer dogs.

Basically definition of glass cannon. They're a fun late game outflanking / skirmishing threat that can actually kill some units (unlike Raiders), but are similarly often sacrificial speedbumps to waste opponent's time. I couldn't resist flame dogs.... But I use necro helamite riders for Raiders as well.

 

I don't think its likely that plasma/arc/jezzail loadouts are going to be so impactful that you'll be sad you built whatever minis you think look coolest. I actually would bet that most options will be 'free/interchangeable', but maybe that's just wishful thinking. If you've got 60 bodies I'd likely do 20 Rangers and 40 vanguard, but 30+30 is just as good. Big question is about unit size here, and depending on how impactful character rules are it may still be wise to go big on at least 2 bricks of 20 with 4x5 MSU skirmishing units running about being annoying.

 

Infiltrators / stalkers - honestly make the build you like best again. Most people don't know the difference, and if you model pistols or swords for rule of cool most won't mind unless there's a need to distinguish them (like if you build 5 of each you can run that as 10 of one kind or 5+5 without anyone caring). My guess is that '1+1' of each may be more interesting than just a big unit of one instead of the other. That's what I've got - 1x5 infiltrators playing 'stay alive near objective' and 1x8 Stalkers rushing a flank.

 

I fully expect las ballistarii will remain a core feature of the list. If they go down to a single shot, I'm guessing it'll hit on a 2 and re-roll wounds tbh...

 

Pteraxii - flamers fit my style best (did flame dogs instead tho). I'd be surprised if the flechette bois outclass the sterylizors, but who knows. Flechettes might be relevant if you didn't already have likely 4 MSU rangers/vanguard to throw around for sheer positioning.

 

Cheers,

 

The Good Doctor.