250 --> 500 pt. progression

bowdirk
Conscript

Posts: 7

250 --> 500 pt. progression Sept 6, 2012 15:11:24 GMT -5

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Post by bowdirk on Sept 6, 2012 15:11:24 GMT -5

Hi All,

I picked up the rulebook, codex, and army box 2 weeks ago just because I loved the look of the cadians on the box, the sentinel model, and the Bastion.

I have played numerous tabletop games before with a variety of systems so while I am new to 40k, I am not a complete n00b, just thought I would get that out of the way :-).

I plan on playing numerous games, at different and increasing points values over time. I find this is the best approach for me to learn a game system and the synergies of an army. Any how...

A small force of over-the-hill (veteran) troopers led by an acting company commander has been dropped onto a planet to recon and asses the planet for purposes of resource exploitation.

250 pt. List
CCS - 50
Company Commander
4 Troopers

Veterans - 85 - Fire support role
1 Sergeant
3 GL
6 Lasguns

Veterans - 115 - Assault role
Demolitions
1 Sergeant
3 Flamers
6 Lasguns

The force above will allow me to play a few fast games to learn the mechanics of moving, shooting, giving orders, etc. etc. and seems to be a properly structured mix for both effectiveness and fluff.

Please, share your thoughts on this initial Recon Force and whether or not I would be better served by dumping the demolitions tactic and grabbing Autocannons (for instance) for all squads. Thanks.

Continuing...

Initial scouting reports confirm that this area is worth further investigation, there are signs of earlier sentient activity. The decision has been made to establish a patrol base... Due to the remoteness of this outpost, something more than just a tent has been allocated...

498 pts.
CCS - 50
Company Commander
4 Troopers

Veterans - 85 - Fire support role
1 Sergeant
3 GL
6 Lasguns

Veterans - 115 - Assault role
Demolitions
1 Sergeant
3 Flamers
6 Lasguns

Imperial Bastion - 110 - Headquarters
Icarus Lascannon

3 Scout Sentinels - 138 - Recon Patrol
1 ML
1 AC
1 LC
all with Searchlights

Will probably take the sentinels as 3 different FA squads, as they roam around independently surveying the land...

This progression adds some vehicles and the opportunity to learn a bit how buildings work as well. At this point level, I could have taken 3 chimeras instead and beefed up all the troopers, but this just seems more fluffy to me...

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback...

cadian95th
Guardsman

Posts: 56

250 --> 500 pt. progression Sept 6, 2012 15:14:59 GMT -5

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Post by cadian95th on Sept 6, 2012 15:14:59 GMT -5

good idea, i also recently started with the boxset and would advise youget more guardsmen next, unless your trying to stick to the true cadian way of vets ftw, demolitioners is good, but i generally take sentries as i play the flamerless crons!!

in short normal guardsmen even if 1 platoon and vets.

emptyhat
WARLORD

Posts: 2,630

250 --> 500 pt. progression Sept 6, 2012 21:26:51 GMT -5

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Post by emptyhat on Sept 6, 2012 21:26:51 GMT -5

Did you already get three sentinels? I wouldn't buy them separately if I were you. Guard armies need a lot of troops and the battleforce (which we all <3) means that sentinels are what you get free with troops.

Also I think your 250 point list without any autocannons will have some trouble being in range where you can deal damage without getting stomped in close combat. You might also have problems with marine armies. That said it's hardly a deal breaker and there is only so much you can get for 250.

"True, true. These are rather dark times. How fortunate for me, then, that cats can see in the dark."

Ymmot (M.I.A) WARLORD King of the Rocketmen! Oh no! Posts: 6,427	250 --> 500 pt. progression Sept 6, 2012 22:02:31 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Ymmot (M.I.A) on Sept 6, 2012 22:02:31 GMT -5 If hampered by the FOC the number of units an SM player has to work with at 250 points is very limited. Scouts and 5 man combat squads are pretty much all they get.

bowdirk
Conscript

Posts: 7

250 --> 500 pt. progression Sept 7, 2012 10:36:04 GMT -5

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Post by bowdirk on Sept 7, 2012 10:36:04 GMT -5

Thanks for the replies and advice!

I am getting my sentinels via box sets, have already bought the second one, and will get the third in a couple of weeks. It truly seems like the best value and everything in it is useful.

I also have already bought the Bastion, regardless of the scenario and objectives, as long as I still have troops alive in the Bastion, I will consider it a win because I have an outpost for the reinforcements to arrive at (even if it is the next game).

Given the fact that I want to have an occupied Bastion, even if it is just a minimum CCS manning the battlements and Lascannon, what would be a good complimentary force at 500 pts.?

Thanks

cdrwattz
Lieutenant

Posts: 135

250 --> 500 pt. progression Sept 24, 2012 8:14:21 GMT -5

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Post by cdrwattz on Sept 24, 2012 8:14:21 GMT -5

Just a quick thing you may want to consider. The assault squad with the flamers, instead of having the rest of the guardsmen with lasguns, swap them out for shotguns. Less range, same strength and ap, but you can assault after you have fired them, the flamers and the laspistol (from the sergeant).

Move up, shoot, then assault! This might not be as good as move up, shoot, not assaulting, then be assaulted by the squad that you've shot but getting to overwatch...
Not sure but if your new to the game and you wanna see how assaulting into close combat goes, give it a go.

Lord General Armstrong
WARLORD

Lord General

Victory is achieved through mettle. Glory is achieved through metal.

Posts: 1,347

250 --> 500 pt. progression Sept 24, 2012 20:29:26 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Lord General Armstrong on Sept 24, 2012 20:29:26 GMT -5

Sept 6, 2012 15:11:24 GMT -5 bowdirk said:

250 pt. List
CCS - 50
Company Commander
4 Troopers

Veterans - 85 - Fire support role
1 Sergeant
3 GL
6 Lasguns

Veterans - 115 - Assault role
Demolitions
1 Sergeant
3 Flamers
6 Lasguns

Now I know you're new, so model count or what you see is what you get, may be an issue. But Veterans with flamers and that demo charge (Demolitions) are going to be a bit of a gamble on your part, and a massive target on the enemies.

I say gamble because of the range required for the flamer to be effective. Guardsmen as you should know, cannot take much fire before crumbling. So to get in range you are either going to have to break cover to close the distance or wait for the enemy to come to you. Wasting a turn or mores worth of shooting if you took something else.

May I suggest this:

Headquarters

Company Command Squad 60pts
Autocannon, Lasguns

Troops

Veterans 95pts
3 Grenade Launchers, Autocannon

Veterans 95pts
3 Grenade Launchers, Autocannon

Total: 250pts

This will give you a greater firebase, some light AT capacity (You never know if someone will field a light tank or equivalent) and take more advantage of that BS4. Just remember the importance of cover, always make sure those Veterans get it.

You could even try to get some plasma guns, that'll help with the marine players or deploy a couple of Sentinels with autocannons. Though I'm not sure on your force organization chart.

* * * * *

Sept 6, 2012 15:11:24 GMT -5 bowdirk said:

498 pts.
CCS - 50
Company Commander
4 Troopers

Veterans - 85 - Fire support role
1 Sergeant
3 GL
6 Lasguns

Veterans - 115 - Assault role
Demolitions
1 Sergeant
3 Flamers
6 Lasguns

Imperial Bastion - 110 - Headquarters
Icarus Lascannon

3 Scout Sentinels - 138 - Recon Patrol
1 ML
1 AC
1 LC
all with Searchlights

Just a couple of tweaks here and there.

Terrain

Imperial Bastion 110pts
Icarus Lascannon

Headquarters

Company Command Squad 60pts
Autocannon, Lasguns

Troops

Veterans 95pts
3 Grenade Launchers, Autocannon

Veterans 95pts
3 Grenade Launchers, Autocannon

Fast Attack

Sentinel 40pts
Autocannon

Sentinel 50pts
Autocannon, Hunter Killer Missile

Sentinel 50pts
Autocannon, Hunter Killer Missile

Total: 500pts

Points to remember:

- Always put your Bastion at a 45 Degree angle, allows more weapons to be brought to bare. Like so:

/\
\/

- Use the Company Commander or one of his spare Veterans to man the Lascannon, the Autocannon to fire out of the fire ports and the others to man the heavy bolters.

- Either get the Sentinels to outflank or put them in cover to support your flanks.

- Same again, keep the Veterans in cover and create a firebase.

* * * * *

I'll show you the list for 500pts that I would have used.

* Means I cannot post individual points costs.

Headquarters

Company Command Squad *0pts

Troops

Veterans 80pts
Autocannon

Veterans *0pts

Heavy Support

Leman Russ *50pts
(Turret Battle Cannon, Hull Heavy Bolter)

Leman Russ *50pts
(Turret Battle Cannon, Hull Heavy Bolter)
Total: 500pts

Last Edit: Sept 24, 2012 20:54:55 GMT -5 by Lord General Armstrong

jarms48

I'm sure most of the men in the galaxy are familiar with the sinking feeling that accompanies the words "Do you think you could do me a little favour, darling?", but when the woman asking the question is an inquisitor it's even less wise than usual to say "No".

Post by bowdirk on Sept 6, 2012 15:11:24 GMT -5

Post by cadian95th on Sept 6, 2012 15:14:59 GMT -5

Post by emptyhat on Sept 6, 2012 21:26:51 GMT -5

Post by Ymmot (M.I.A) on Sept 6, 2012 22:02:31 GMT -5

Post by bowdirk on Sept 7, 2012 10:36:04 GMT -5

Post by cdrwattz on Sept 24, 2012 8:14:21 GMT -5

Post by Lord General Armstrong on Sept 24, 2012 20:29:26 GMT -5