Valkyrie/Vendetta help for a new grunt

[johnnycommissar]

Hi everyone. I'm a long time 40k player but this is my first attempt at a Guard army (I've traditionally been a strictly Xenos player; Orks, Tyranids, Tau and Eldar being my previous armies). A friend of mine recently swapped me a small(ish) Guard army for some old Eldar and I'm over the moon with them.

My problem is as follows (and I'm sorry if it's one you come across often). One of the models I've been given is a Valkyrie. I'm able to convert it to a Vendetta fairly easily (I'm not fantastic, but I'm not inexperienced at conversions) but I'm not sure if I should.

To start with I should say the force I plan on using is quite balanced, with comfortable numbers, a handful of tanks, and a small mechanised wing. As I haven't planned/bought everything I'll need yet, I'm not really concerned whether I take a Valkyrie or Vendetta for force balance reasons as I can easily change what plans I have to accomodate the decision.

My main problem is that I am planning on taking a squad of Veterans in the Valkyrie/Vendetta. My initial plan was to take a triple melta squad in a Valkyrie, but I'm starting to find the Vendetta more appealing. My concern is that a dedicated anti-tank squad in an anti-tank vehicle puts a lot of my anti tank 'eggs' in one basket. I also feel they might tread on each other's toes somewhat in the early turns, each competing with each other for viable targets. Is this as unwise a move as I fear it might be?

Essentially (if the above is such a bad idea) my alternatives are:

Veteran squad with three meltas in a Valkyrie

Veteran squad with three plasma guns in a Vendetta

Although to be honest I'm not sold on the plasma squad.

Does anyone have any advice?
What do you guys usually transport in your Vendettas?

I hope that's at least fairly clear. Thanks a lot for taking the time to read this.

[orcidas]

plasma veterans in vendetta if im expecting meq opponents to predominate

melta vets in valkyrie with rocket pods if i expect xenos to dominate...

[krasimirova]

Hi there.. And welcome to IGMB..

You sound like you really have done some thinking.. Good man..

Now the "problem" with the valk/vendetta is that it is a very good unit, might even be too good.. It grants guard a mobility that we don't have otherwise.. Therefore it is very high on peoples "treat'o'meter".. Putting another high target unit inside it simply makes it more appealing.. And the model is really hard to hide on a battlefield, except if you have other valkyries, which kinda defeats the purpose..

Personally i like to run my vendettas as dedicated anti-tank units.. But i put a cheap troop squad inside, that way the Vendetta is scoring and dosn't "seem" as dangerous as it would with 3 x Plasmaguns + a Plasmapistol inside it.. Infantry squads is IMO the best for this role.. You might consider a SWS, but think about putting the PCS in instead, cheaper.. <-- Now this is ofcause only if you run Platoons.. Going full veteran you'd need a veteran squad in it.. I'd throw them 3 flamers, simply because of the high damage output they give while still not being too shiney for the enemy..

Outflanking/scouting (first turn hammer tech, see below) Valkyries loaded with melta veterans and CCS' can wreck havoc on dedicated elements of you opponents units.. Like if you face dual Landraider list, taking out both Landraiders on turn 1 with a combo of melta veteran+CCS and orders tends to screw the opponents gameplan like Charlie Sheen at Spring Break..

You might also wanna search for a thread called "Rolling thunder" - something.. He has some okay advice on how to use Valks/Vendettas, but tends to focus on all Air-Cav, which isn't bad.. It just isn't competitive enough for my liking.. But it is a question of tastes..

It is ofcause all a question about what list you are making.. And what units you are making it around..

Personally i find that the combo of Leman Russ Main Battle tanks and Vendettas is snazzy.. The high wrecking/destroying chance of the 3 x tl'd lascannons combined with battle cannons make all MEQ players cry..

Likewise, Outflanking melta squads makes Broadsides and obliterators cry..

So pick a role for your Valks/Vendettas in your list and tool up the troops you put in them to either support that role or simply play a supporting role (making them scoring etc.)

Hope it helps..

Cheers Kras..

[sj]

Now that Kras mentioned it, that PCS in a Vendetta sounds good. I think that Melta or Flamer squad would be the best.

[DadCRO]

Welcome to the IGMB!

I hearby clone you in the name of D.o.N.T.

Take a glass of water and a cell phone and convince GW to lower their prices.

Beware of people trying to steal your organs, and check your sanity when entering the Underhive.

[johnnycommissar]

Well that was... interesting DadCRO. Thanks for the welcome, though I'm afraid I'm not even going to pretend I understand the rest

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'd already read the 'Rolling Thunder' Tactic Krasimirova, it's what got me excited about my newly aquired Valk/Vendetta in the first place I think I'm settled on the Vendetta as it's likely my list will change a lot over time and it seems very easy to get anti-infantry in a Guard list wheras reliable anti-high AP tank fire isn't quite so common (though there is a lot more of it than in the armies I'm used to, Orks mainly)

I'm really looking forward to the combo of the Vendetta and my Russes. I know it's probably a common sentiment, but I love the LRBT. I'm really appreciative of playing an army with access to a durable tank with a main gun that can actually instant death things. I'm looking forward to coming across Death Company again now

Also, I can see how putting a cheap troop choice in a Valk to make it scoring would be wise, but it somehow doesn't sit right with me. I've nothing against anyone else using it, but it's not my thing. Same reason I never enjoyed it when I put small Dire Avenger squads in my Falcons.

I've drafted a list and have posted it here: commissar.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=armylist&action=display&thread=14288&page=1

Along with my thoughts on what each unit is intende to do. It's be great if you guys could take a look at it and tell me what you think

Thanks again for the advice guys

Johnny

[Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four]

Nov 9, 2011 23:32:02 GMT -5 DadCRO said:

Welcome to the IGMB!

I hearby clone you in the name of D.o.N.T.

Take a glass of water and a cell phone and convince GW to lower their prices.

Beware of people trying to steal your organs, and check your sanity when entering the Underhive.

Excellent, your first greeting, DadCRO!

*Is proud of his latest apprentice*



Johnnycommisaar, DadCRO is one of my designated cloning apprentices. What you just experienced is a standard greeting given to most new members when they make their first post, usually in the Beginner's Board section where people typically introduce themselves. Part of the tradition is to issue a new conscript with equipment that is utterly insufficient to accomplish the mission that they are then assigned to complete...

For now, just nod and smile like you understand what's going on while slowly backing away. In time, though, you will actually understand what is going on, at which point you won't have to worry about checking your sanity when venturing into the Underhive (off topic) section of the IGMB.

Anyway, welcome the the IGMB!