BFG: 1500pts Fleet List

[Mazer Rackham]

Hail Fraters.

 

Some crazed person on this forum re-ignited my long-slumbering love for BFG, and now I've found some models I like, I wanted to do a crazy list.

 

Master of Fleet, 1 x re-roll = 75

Ven BB, Styx, SM/Torps upgrade = 295

SC, Shield +15 = 160 x 5 = 800

Novas x 3 = 150

Hunters x 4 = 160

 

Total: 1480.

Launch Bays: 14

Torps Tubes: 14

 

Concept: Boarding Torps and Thunderhawks. Novas run with the SC's, Hunters roll with the BB, which can put the Hawks on CAP to cover, maybe an SC to beef up the Styx.

 

Thoughts anyone?

 

Edited September 9 by Mazer Rackham

[Captain Idaho]

Had a difficult few weeks and lost track of my posting or I'd have replied sooner sorry!

 

Anyway, let me take a look at what we have here... (yes I am typing this in real time)

 

Ooo yeah a great idea fo use a Styx as a Venerable Battlebarge! Diabolically clever.

 

Nice list, very differently built. Would you use aggressive tactics to swarm ships, I presume?

 

I like the amout of torpedo tubes and launch bays. Very cool.

[Mazer Rackham]

10 hours ago, Captain Idaho said:

Had a difficult few weeks and lost track of my posting or I'd have replied sooner sorry!

 

No need to apologise to me - hope things have calmed down. 

 

10 hours ago, Captain Idaho said:

Anyway, let me take a look at what we have here... (yes I am typing this in real time)

 

Living dangerously, Cap..!

 

10 hours ago, Captain Idaho said:

Ooo yeah a great idea fo use a Styx as a Venerable Battlebarge! Diabolically clever.

 

Can't take credit for it myself, sadly - I saw someone in a YT Comment mention it, checked it out, and there it was. As a Heavy Cruisier it can also Squadron with the Strike Cruisers, so it can get meatshields (void shields?) and extra protection there. It's the same speed as the Strike Cruisers....but....it doesn't turn as quickly, so that's something to watch out for. 

 

10 hours ago, Captain Idaho said:

Nice list, very differently built. Would you use aggressive tactics to swarm ships, I presume?

 

Mostly. It would be pretty much a hit-and-run generator, with Thunderhawks pulling double duty to remove enemy ordnance. The Boarding Torps can turn, so facing and tracking aren't as important, allowing for more dynamic manoeuvring.

 

10 hours ago, Captain Idaho said:

I like the amout of torpedo tubes and launch bays. Very cool.

 

Cheers. Am working on a list that nearly doubles the Torps at a cost of two Thunderhawks, but I'm not sure I like it. Anyway, thanks for the look, much appreciated!

[Captain Idaho]

The subtle differences between attack craft and torpedoes makes it a tough decision.

 

I quite like the torpedoes, as they're a turn by turn threat. Can really saturate a board.

 

But the most powerful tournament lists love the launch bays so what do I know! 

[Mazer Rackham]

I don't bother with Tournaments, in anything, ever.

 

I know why they like the Launch bays, though; once the spacecraft are out, that's it, you don't need RO, and can do other things instead, plus Fighters and Bombers can do a lot of damage/Turret suppression, and they hit on Rear Armour. Launch Bays also allow for CAP, which will neutralise other Ordnance when it hits.

 

Thunderhawks, as you likely know, get a 4+ against Ordnance, so can take out torps and then carry on to do the business. IIRC, Hit and Runs don't roll to hit they roll to Succeed, so the T-hawks are better value than Torps, which are dumbfire and can be swerved by 90-arc Cruisers with CTNH available.

 

You never run out of Torps, but you NEED high LD, or they're never getting reloaded, so you have to buy re-rolls. Torps also hit on armour - so a high ask for anything less than a S6 volley against IN or SM. They make a hell of a sphincter cincher seeing an alpha strike of 20-30 Goddamn Torps coming in like a Galactus-issue shotgun, though!

Edited September 9 by Mazer Rackham
Dear Lord, my spelling...

[Captain Idaho]

On 9/9/2025 at 9:49 PM, Mazer Rackham said:

I don't bother with Tournaments, in anything, ever.

 

I must confess I like the community event nature of a tournament. 

 

But I've done a lot of research with the events nature of BFG, including directly with YouTuber and great community champion, Turbidious.

 

He confirmed even the London GT for BFG is mostly a casual affair for the community. I'm going to get involved just because I want the social event 

 

No pressure of course.

 

On 9/9/2025 at 9:49 PM, Mazer Rackham said:

 

I know why they like the Launch bays, though; once the spacecraft are out, that's it, you don't need RO, and can do other things instead, plus Fighters and Bombers can do a lot of damage/Turret suppression, and they hit on Rear Armour. Launch Bays also allow for CAP, which will neutralise other Ordnance when it hits.

 

Thunderhawks, as you likely know, get a 4+ against Ordnance, so can take out torps and then carry on to do the business. IIRC, Hit and Runs don't roll to hit they roll to Succeed, so the T-hawks are better value than Torps, which are dumbfire and can be swerved by 90-arc Cruisers with CTNH available.

 

Good points! Thunderhawks are very good in that they can double their use or more with lucky 4+.

 

On 9/9/2025 at 9:49 PM, Mazer Rackham said:

You never run out of Torps, but you NEED high LD, or they're never getting reloaded, so you have to buy re-rolls. Torps also hit on armour - so a high ask for anything less than a S6 volley against IN or SM. They make a hell of a sphincter cincher seeing an alpha strike of 20-30 Goddamn Torps coming in like a Galactus-issue shotgun, though!

 

Yeah S6 or go home with them. It's a good point that reloads are critical so a reasonable Admiral is crucial. Never thought of that!

 

Hmmm. I think firing every other turn with the ships taking it in turns 50-50 is crucial to ensure pressure despite the odd failed leadership reload.

 

You've made me thunk, good sir!

 

[Mazer Rackham]

2 hours ago, Captain Idaho said:

He confirmed even the London GT for BFG is mostly a casual affair for the community. I'm going to get involved just because I want the social event 

 

If that's the case, then excellent, and I hope you get involved and have yourself your opponent a blast. I take it that they will be using BFG:Remastered rulesets?

 

2 hours ago, Captain Idaho said:

Yeah S6 or go home with them. It's a good point that reloads are critical so a reasonable Admiral is crucial. Never thought of that!

 

Highest LD you can.

 

2 hours ago, Captain Idaho said:

Hmmm. I think firing every other turn with the ships taking it in turns 50-50 is crucial to ensure pressure despite the odd failed leadership reload.

 

You've made me thunk, good sir!

 

Good stuff, a thinking Admiral is a victorius Admiral. Glad you found it useful.

 

Another tactic with Torps is to have them loaded when you close to 30cm, and just fire them like a stopping rifle. That way, they'll hit instantly in your Ordnance phase, and, depending what they are, might be a nasty surprise. Melta Torps if you can afford them and have points loose, for that burning heretic feel.

Edited September 10 by Mazer Rackham