How to get the best out of my CC blob

[hektorreborn]

So with the super cheap conscripts i have a plan that i think should work pretty well to finally get the feel of the inexhaustible river of human anger that would make up a guard infantry assault. I have played a few games with cc guard and I ve noticed a few things that work really well I do have some questions for the board however. So far this is what i have as the close combat element in my armies.

HQ

Lord Commissar
Priests x 3
Commissar
Psykers x3

Troop

Platoon with 3 axes

Conscripts 50

The idea thus far is to deploy my conscripts in a max spread about 3 ranks deep and 16 or so across

Two inches behind the Conscripts third rank i place my Platoon in two ranks about 16 across

What has worked so far is to put priests in each blob, two with the Blob squads with the lord commi. The whole thing advances up on objectives while the Pcs gives orders and holds my home objective if i have one. Priests roll on divination and hopefully will get me a 4++ or at least rerolls to hit.

In my games so far the Conscripts usually eat the charge of something nasty or get shot to hell but usually manage to tie up several units for the platoon to multi assault.

This seems to work pretty well, especially with Vendetta and Manticore Support but i wonder if I could do anything better with the following areas.

1. Should i keep heavy weapons in my CC blob platoon? Re roll Lascannons seem like a nice way to dismount approaching infantry and bad reserve rolls on my vendettas would hurt less.

2. Mastery level 2 for Psykers? Better chance of getting 4++ for my advancing guardsmen would make them last alot better

3. Lord Commissar in there for Hq? Or a CCS with Straken or Yarrick? I'm really unsure here

4. Inquisitor to give units shooting psykers BS 10? OR too situational.

Any other general advice would be appreciated. Sorry for the length of this post, I just really enjoy running the infantry blob but i want to make sure that i can be competitive with it.

Thanks in advance.

[yvain]

Its hard to give advice without knowing the full army so you can see what you got to work with. I am assuming you are taking about a blob of 50 conscripts with a blob of 50 Guardsmen behind it. I am going to say you have too many characters for that. That is points you are eating up on your one unit that will probably add up to a few more squads of guys.

No heavy weapons, you are just going to snap them every time with this build so its not really worth it.

I would definitely try to upgrade those psykers. The conscripts are essentially a meat shield and with 4++ they are insanely tough for their price not to mention the other abilities are great.

You are losing a lot by not also fielding a CCS for orders. What you could do is drop a priest and the commissar and grab Yarrick. Its the best of both worlds and in this case, his buff will certainly benefit your build. Now you have a fearless Conscript group due to priest. Fearless power axe blob. Likely to be 4++. And don't take leadership tests below 25% if the priest dies. Also if they do somehow they use Yarricks leadership. Also Yarrick and his blob is now a CC monsters. What is not to like?

That inquisitor anti psyker abilities ability is not really worth it. What is worth it is, are rad or psyktrop grenades. Check those out.

[hektorreborn]

usually depending on the point level i run 1-3 Vendettas with a melta vet squad in one and 1-4 basilisks manticores, or deathstrikes.

I rely heavily on vendettas to crack transports of nasty things or flyers then shell the debarked survivors with my artillery. I still havent reached a conclusion on the best artillery piece but im starting to think that three deathstrikes can be pretty wonderful based on a two games in which i took them.

I usually only ran my infantry platoon 30 strong but bulking it up would give me extra sgts for accepting challenges and what not. Adding Yarrick sounds like a good plan too, I think that i ll come up with a list including him in the next few days.

I will definatly check out the inquisition book in greater detail and take a look at the rad and psyktrop grenades. I think that book might offer some interesting twists to give my troops more punch.

Are there any other really great allied combinations that you would recoment more than the inquisitor? From my first look it seems like Inquisition offers a really cheap ally and that is the main appeal for me. Thanks for the help though! I've really just started playing this horde style army so all advice is much appriciated!

[Julian Sharps]

In the 6th edition codex, the transport capacity of the Vendetta has been reduced to 6, so dropping vet squads from Vendettas is pretty much dead.

As for allies combos, Space Wolves would give you access to And They Shall Know No Fear and Counter-Attack, as well as a couple tough-as-nails Troops units, and a squad of Long Fangs for added AT firepower. Sometimes, I like taking Dark Eldar as allies so that I can have a fast, hard-hitting force tie my opponent up while my platoons advance to take the midfield, but they're not ideal allies. Orks could prove to be fun, especially if you take Nob Bikers.

[hektorreborn]

I see, Space Wolves sound pretty good. counter attack would be really valuable since the blob is usually too slow to get a charge on most targets. Ill have to get their book and check them out. Has anyone really used Deathstrikes in this edition? I know basilisks look better on paper but i just feel drawn to the apoc blast template...

[dangerrod]

Coteaz is the best and cheapest way to currently buff your Guard list

For the price of x10 Melta guns, he'll give you Stubborn, Mastery Level 2 psyker with access to divination, a force weapon, the ability to seize the initiative twice and also force successful seizes against you, he also has the I've been expecting you rule which is basically interceptor (unlimited) with a 12" range (perfect for anti drop pod lists)

Also Codex Inquisition will also allow you to take an additional Inquisitor which can give you access to Servo Skulls!

NB, Servo Skulls are freaking awesome against infiltrators and scout moves!

[hektorreborn]

Hmm ill definatly check out Coteaz, I'm really most worried about facing a CSM build which runs a flying prince, kharn with 30 cultists, and two heldrakes. Coteaz might be worth it just for facing drop pod lists as i seem to be encountering them pretty frequently since that new marine book arrived. also another mastery level 2 psyker to try and get that 4++ could never hurt!

[yvain]

Don't forget 2+ armor save. Coteaz is so good he is broken.