Anyone tried Beastmaster spam?

I mean, actual Beastmasters. Not the beasts.

I just noticed that for 60pts, you can get the same amount of poison shooting from them as from a Venom. Granted for that small discount on your dozen poison shots you'll get only half the Venom's range at 18", and trade AV10 for T3. But, on the other hand, Beastmasters will move through cover without any issue, still get a 12" move, and can even engage in assault in a pinch (they can take Agonizers too, but that seems like a waste of points when you consider they have one attack base).

Seems to me like they'd probably be the way to go for some weird vehicle-free DE build - Kabalites and an HQ camping objectives, while pseudo-hellions and Scourges move 12" up. Maybe add a Corpsethief for fun. Or just if you wanted some sort of shooty blob unit.

Thinking I'll run some Hellions as a group next game to see if they contribute anything worthwhile.

I usually have one or two squads of 1 beastmaster in my lists (filling up whatever empty FA slots remaining). I have found it to be quite worthwhile to have them outflank and just act as a nucence objective grabber/contester.

Its really fun to have the enemy shift their whole battle line just to deal with a 10 pt model that is in their DZ

From a pure poison point of view I think the Venom is the better option, the range difference is a huge plus putting the venom out of small arms firepower (such as bolters) which wreak beastmasters. Also the option to move 30" if it doesn't fire to claim an objective is another huge plus point for the venom.

With both beastmasters and venoms taking fast attack slots I would always take venoms for poison firepower. I do take beastmasters myself, but when I do they are the tax to give the beasts leadership 8.

Rathstar

The thing about beastmasters is they are only 10 pts. If you have an extra 30 pts left over, investing in a few beastmasters to fill in your last FA slots can be a great investment.

Also as I have said, the unit isnt meant to kill stuff. Its to outflank and grab objectives and just cause your opponent headaches of "do I really want to waste a turn of shooting at this single 10pt T3 guy?"

Every time I bring them, I am usually happy with the result. Last game my single beast master tied up a tactical missile launcher for a few turns. Didnt kill him, but it was enough to keep him from firing at my ravager (which more than makes up for the 10 pt investment)

Thats my $0.02 anyway

By outflank do mean run them up the sides of the board rather than use the Outflank rule? I was under the impression they don't have the special rule.

Hmm, I thought the Beast type allowed you to Outflank. After checking the rules, I appear to be cheating. Must have been a previous edition (or maybe all those combat drugs are frying my brain )