1850 - A Thousand Cuts MSU

After talking things over with friends and reading some posts on reavers and other units on forums recently, I tried to look at an interesting MSU build and see what I can come up with. It is definitely not optimized for kill point games; however, it also focuses on multiple units ganging up instead of having 1 unit try and defeat everything.

Real Space Raiders Detachment

HQ:
Archon (Blaster, Shadowfield, Armour of Misery, Agonizer)
- Venom (Dual Splinter Cannons, Chain Snares)


Troops:
5 Warriors (1 blaster)
- Venom (Dual Splinter Cannons)

5 Warriors (1 blaster)
- Venom (Dual Splinter Cannons)

5 Warriors (1 blaster)
- Venom (Dual Splinter Cannons)


Fast Attack:
Razorwing Jetfighter (Splinter Rifle, 2 Dark Lances, 4 Shatterfield Missiles)

Razorwing Jetfighter (Splinter Rifle, 2 Dark Lances, 4 Shatterfield Missiles)

3 Reavers (1 Heatlance)

3 Reavers (1 Heatlance)

3 Reavers (1 Heatlance)

3 Reavers (1 Heatlance)


Heavy Support:
Ravager (Triple Lance)

Ravager (Triple Lance)

Ravager (Triple Lance)



Scalpel Squadron Formation:
5 Wracks (1 Ossafactor)
- Acothyst (Hexrifle, Venom Blade)
- Venom (Dual Splinter Cannon, Chain Snares)

5 Wracks (1 Ossafactor)
- Acothyst (Hexrifle, Venom Blade)
- Venom (Dual Splinter Cannon, Chain Snares)



Total Points: 1842


The idea here is that I would pair up the units in order to force the enemy into picking what unit to shoot. The chain snares on the 3 Venoms (scalpel Squadron's 2 and the Archon's venom) are there due to the the negative leadership bubbles the units produce. The heat lances and blasters are provided to help with anti-armor but also to address Crisis Suites, Riptides, and Deathwing which I have a number of players in my local area.

I have thought about using a Dark Artisan formation instead of the Scalpel Squadron formation. With it, I would focus it as a disposable distraction; however, it would require ~50 more points and rely on reserve rolls.

Thoughts?

I'm not so certain about all the upgrades on the scalpel squad. The chainsnares could certainly go, I'm also on the drop the acothyst and hexrifle upgrade. I feel that if you really want that first blood, 24 venom poison shots and 2 ossefactors should be sufficient to pick off a small unit let alone with any help from the rest if the army.

The hex rifle is pretty lame in my opinion and I think the saved points could be used elsewhere. You have something along the lines of 60 points (cant remember the exact cost if the hex rifle) which could be spent on incubi or something to go with the Archon, or even some mandrakes. Mandrakes might actually be "useful" at helping the scalpel achieve first blood.

Scalpel doesn't need haemy?

Where does the Archon go? Solo? He's not that good in surviving.

I didn't think the Scalpel formation needed a Haem? Could be wrong...hope not!

No the scalpel is just two squads of wracks in venoms, no haemocules needed!

The reason for the chain snares is to potentially capitalize on the -1LD from the freakish spectacle. Dropping in against something like ork mek gunz or a tau gunline is annoying but if the venom survives, a tankshock may be useful to make them run.

As for the Archon, as is, he's solo. Yes it sounds risky but I could tuck him in a corner and hide him or could use him on the flanks or part of a secondary wave to help cleanup infantry with his venom.

As for the hexrifles - I agree that they are not that good; however, I have had some luck with them overall. In addition, I wanted a secondary shooting model in the unit itself and have had a lot better results with the hexrifle than with a liquifier gun recently so it's working for me for now. The venom blade upgrade is fairly mute but useful to get a few additional wounds onto units in the event I get charged or get the opportunity to charge a unit with them (as the wracks are semi-disposable).