How I learned not to fear Grav Chute Insertion

[Pax Urbis Pax Imperi]

I've been playing some games recently with Vendettas and Vets, trying some things out. During one game against Grey Knights, my opponent moved his Autocannon Dred closer to me and out in the open for a better shot on my Vendetta but only shook me.

I saw a wide-open spot behind the Dred, and decided to take a chance. Moving flat out, I dropped my vets off behind the Dred, and blew out its back armor with melta. Unfortunately, the resulting exsplosion also killed most of my squad and the ran back to my lines, but I was pleased with the results.

But it got me thinking. Why DON'T we utilize Grav Chute Insertion more often as a tactic? Sure there is a chance the squad could get hurt, but its relatively small chance and its based on two factors: the scatter die, and the dangerous terrain checks if you miss your mark.

First, the Grav Chute special rule. Basically, the squad inside a Valkyrie/Vendetta may deploy at any point over the route of their ride using Deep Strike with this rule. Its not really a fly by attack, but its as close as we can get. Since we can deploy at any point, pick your route carefully.

Second, the Scatter Die. This does determine the fate of your squad, as a scatter will cause you to roll dangerous terrain checks on every single model. This sounds scary, but really, its not. A Hit result, and you are golden. EVERYONE is safe.

Now, third, even if you do scatter, don't be scared of that single pip on a D6. I mean, its only a 16% chance. The worst that will happen is that you lose a couple of models, maybe a special weapon, and you are on average 7 inches from your inital landing spot.

When you land, you can either run (towards the nearst cover, or to spreadout to avoid template weapons) or shoot.

This tactic really gives us a 24"+ threat range on board edges. Just have the V/V scream on, and jump away. Your opponent may think you are nuts, you may think your are nuts. But this game is about fun, taking insanse risks, and the huge payout. Its not without its risks, what isn't?

I encourage you to try this some time, and to hear your thoughts/critiques and stories on what happened if you have tried this, or will try this.

Happy Jumping!

~ Pax

[Peter Cooman]

I don't use valks or vendettas (strict oop/classic model army), but i support this 100%!

Lately i have been going just for the fun of it al,going more towards blob guard with platoons. It makes it all more fun and more tactics driven than a point-this-at-that-and-kill-it game.

I used to enjoy competitive play, but i got bored of it. Now i wanna see goofy and cool stuff happen.

[WestRider]

Don't forget the other danger factor: Any Mishap automatically kills the Squad. No chance of going into Reserves or getting placed by the Opponent. Not an insignificant risk when trying to drop into Melta Range.

Even with that taken into account, it's potentially a very useful trick. I've just never ended up in a situation where it wasn't better to just go 12" and Disembark normally, tho.

[Welsh Paul]

Maybe I've been misreading the rule, but I thought that rolling an arrow on the scatter die when using this rule resulted in the entire unit being lost as per a 1-2 on the deep strike mishap table?

[sgtsamvimes]

Would it make sense to use Stormtroopers for this? Doesn't their Airborne assault doctrine let them reroll the scatter dice? Sounds like they were made for this tactic. I guess they have deep strike anyway, but this just sounds too cool not to try.

@welshy, checking it over, it is if the squad can't be placed for some reason (i.e. you scatter onto impassable terrain or another unit) then it is destroyed.

[krasimirova]

It works with ST's and airbourne assault/drop troopers... But as you say, there isn't any reason (except the reserve roll) why you'd have them in a vendetta/valk..

I guess you could do the dual scout move with Penal legions as well.. But seeing as you need to be 12" away from the enemy anyway, i can't see where that might do you any good..

[sgtsamvimes]

are there special drop trooper rules somewhere? I only have the regular codex....

[krasimirova]

Ahh no no.. It is just me mixing up old and new..

I was only refering to the Stormtrooper rules in Codex: IG, sorry for any misunderstandings..

[imperatordeus]

I've been using this tactic with my Stormtroopers since I first got a Valkyrie in 5th. It didn't really become successful until 6th edition though, because it's way too easy to destroy a Valkyrie that is only a skimmer. Once they became flyers though, combined with the Airborne assault doctrine, I had a lot of luck with them. The stormtroopers usually didn't last very long after they landed, but if they destroyed a tank or a Deff Dread or something, it was usually worth the sacrifice. I think I lost the squad to a bad scatter only once.

Under the new rules this tactic is even better with the Militarum Tempestus, since now they have Move Through Cover which means they automatically pass dangerous terrain tests, so you only have to worry if you scatter onto an enemy unit or impassable terrain; or off the board edge, but that one's easy enough to avoid. The Scions can also deep strike, but I like the visual of them parachuting out of a Valkyrie!