Armoured Column

[fatuous]

Hey guys, am working out a new army list (am finally going to give my Storm Troopers a test run) and have an idea I want to try, just wanted to see if any one had any sugestions for the armoured column section (see below).

Basically I'll split my force in to 2 parts, a static fire base and an advancing amoured column with infantry support. Here's the basic list of each.

Abbreviations

AC autocannon
ML missile launcher (havent quite decided on which will go where, but both cost the same)
CS command squad
NL nade launcher
HB heavy bolter
PS power sword

Static line

Command Platoon
CS HSO, PS, standard bearer, NL, ML/AC
Fire support 3 AC
Anti tank support 3 ML

1st platoon
CS JO, PS, 2x NL, ML/AC
1st squad 10 guard, 1 NL, HB
2nd squad 10 guard flamer, HB

Armoured column

Leman Russ, battle cannon, 3 HBs
Leman Russ Exterminator, twin linked AC, 3 HB, heavy stubber
Hellhound

10 Storm troopers, 2 plasma guns, vet sarg, hon emp, PS, plasma pistol. In Chimera, with multi lazer, smoke launchers, and HB.

2nd Platoon
CS, JO, PS, 4 NL
1st squad, 10 guardsmen, NL, HB
2nd squad, 10 guard, flamer, HB

Plus 5 DS storm troopers with 2 melta guns.

So there's the basics. I have a few points left which I intend to add extras to the tanks, track guards and extra armour. The heavy weapons were added to the CSs on a whim so I may change those all back to special weapons.

The plan

Set up the static line in cover in the usual guard way, on a flank, with in 12" of the HSO (not sure if I should add the CS of 1st platoon to the armoured column, so suggestions welcome). Fire at anything they can.

Send the armoured column forward to take objectives and hopefully crush anything they come across.

Keep the 5 man storm troopers in reserve ready to DS in and take out any difficult armour (i do have lascannon anti tank squad, but perfer the ML and ACs for flexibility, but do want some thing to tak on ap12+ targets).

What I'm really after are

1 suggestions and tips to the basic list. I am pretty much using all of my tanks (bar a lisk), so while I could add another Hellhound, I would have to buy it and would perfer to stick with what I have (if a second hellhound would be much better than the chimera, then I wanna know, and would buy another

2 and this is the main thing I'd like input on. Some tips, suggestions, etc... on how to structure the armoured column. the russ's at the front, followed by hellhound and chimera with infantry support, or a line of 4 tanks with infantry behind. should the stormies stay in their transport, or be on foot?

Sry for such a long post, hope it all makes sense, and any suggestions no anything most appreciated.'

Thanks

[Rolling Thunder]

A russ demolisher is always a good option for the mobile IG commander. Your enemies are terrified of it, and it's tougher than the regular LRBT. Plus it's got sweet sponsons.

[Mabus]

I've tried a similar army myself. It does work but you really, really have to make sure you don't expose your tanks' flanks. It's also vital that your static gunline doesn't get into close quarters. If I were you I'd have 10 man ST squads, not 5. I speak from experiance, small squads die far too easily!.

[Deleted]

cool list & idea.some advice:

a)do NOT add another tank in.3-4 tanks are ideal, more than those make cities of death difficult.

b)u might not realize this, but that Chimera is pretty much well-needed:if not for it, the stormies will never reach their goal(no, deep strike will get them killed no matter how many models they are. deep strike=1-turn function.)

c)do u have a specific reason to like 'nade launchers?i would love them if they really were jack of all trades but because the blast is only S3 u can actually only use the krack nade, so they basically are a S6 AP4 melta... the frag's main problem is that it will only hit 1-2 guys fully, 1 partially if opponent scattered as usual.so 2-3 foes hit with S3=not much better than a lasgun or 1xhigh STR hit EVEN IF FOE IS A SWARM ARMY.so as i said S6 AP4 melta. if u have different feedback i would like to know & try(so please do explain, i'd like to know if i can actually use them)

d)Armoured Column: use in line: Russ-Chimera-Russ. Hellhound on one flank, closest to center where it can do damage.(note:noticed the intargetability of chimera's flanks due to the russes?)

[Deleted]

note: i actually use an armoured column type approach myself.it works really well, just know that the main anti-tank power will come from your infantry, the tanks will mainly target soft targets as a result.

u must also learn to "time" your tank assault so that u have time to destroy enemy anti-tank b4 your tanks get exposed to them (or preper that with your 5-man stormie squad)

also note that a demolisher would not be greatly suited to this role as its sponsors are not good for move-and-shoot, they are "main", not defensive, and that between ML/Autocannon the ML is better due to u not having enough lascannons(can u replace some 1-2 heavy weapons with lascannons?finding points by ditching some special weapons and maybe the banner?)

[fatuous]

Hi guys, thanks for all ur comments.

The storm troopers were a suicide squad, they were to DS in, blown stuff up then promptly get killed. Turned out in that game that I didn't have any targets left for them, the DS in, missed everything they shot at, then held up a scorceror for 3 turns in CC, they weere v lucky to survive that long. For a DS squad, I don't intend to increase the numbers, but am painting up more for a double plasma-tastic squad, will let u know how that turns out.

Have got a LD demo now as well, assembled but not painted yet, that will replace one of the LR in my armoured column, prob my exterminator, as that will be nearly useless in Ed 5 rules any way (due to the change in defensive weapons st ).

Nade launchers. Yes, I have a love affair with these babies and simply can not get enough of them, the range is simply too good to pass up. The st is a weird 1 and I assumed I would always only use the kraks, but have changed my mind about that. I have been able to get up to 4 hits per frag nade (this is rare tho), but 2 and a partial is fairly common. Against sister of battle, tua, eldar, etc.... this is awesome, especially if they are bunched up hidding in cover, but I've even used em against orks and marines to great effect. Quite often i do just end up using kraks, but even against marines, if u can catch em getting out of a rhino, 3 or 4 rolls per nade at 5+ to wound can work out better than 1 at 3+. all depends on the situation tho.

I do have a set of 3 lascannons. I tend to only take them if i suspect I'll face a land raider, war wagon or equivelents. I prefer missile launchers and almost always take 3 autocannons (love these guns too) and 3 missile launchers, plus another ML in a vet squad, also with 3 nade launchers

cheers

[Deleted]

I agree with praetorian that a demolisher (while sweet in certain roles) isn't that great in this role due to the defensive/main weapon/ordinance rules, although if you want a tank to soak up fire... that's your boy.

I'd also consider the use of mortars to force pinning tests on the troops approaching your mini manned flank, as well as potentially limiting the enemies ability to maneurve in response to your left/right Armoured Column hook.

Mortars are the great leveller against those naturally jammy rollers (like my twin brother) who rolls 5 or 6 two times out of three. I once had a bizarre battle that saw my guard get pummelled by over accurate Eldar fire, but pass every leadership test (thanks to my low rolling) and fail to hit anything, but four Eldar squad failed moral tests (at 9-10 ld) and fled the field.

In one particular memorable moment. I killed 2 out of 8 rangers (with my whole army) at which point my brother rolled a 12 ld test followed by an 11" move.

They ran. Fled the field. I smiled. Karma.