2250 FA spam

Set out to use every FA choice available to us, incorporating a few things I've come to appreciate as of late. What do you think?

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Baron 105
3 Beastmasters, khymerae x3, razorwing flocks x4 132

Haemy, liq gun 60
9 Wyches, hekaniser, haywires 208
Raider, FF

Haemy, liq gun 60
9 Wyches, hekaniser, haywires 208
Raider, FF


3 Blasterborn 156
Venom, 2SC, NS

3 Blasterborn 156
Venom, 2SC, NS

3 Blasterborn 156
Venom, 2SC, NS


5 Warriors, blaster 130
Raider, FF


6 Reavers, blaster x2 162

5 Scourges, haywire blaster x2 130


Ravager, FF 115

Ravager, FF 115

Razorwing, FF, NS (DLs, mono missiles) 165


6 Hellions 96

6 Hellions 96


TOTAL 2250

Same bumrush deal as with any Raider rush list... just with less Raiders. As opposed to Blasterborn the Reavers would sneak behind enemy lines, while the Scourges suppress anything Darklight can't/shouldn't deal with right away. The Hellions excel at... being annoying and opportunistic. They should be able to nab Pain tokens off units the Venoms hadn't -quite- finished yet. Having 3 solid assault units, with the Hellions pitching in at later stages, will also be a nice change of pace for me. My Blasterborn come with Night Shields (woo!) and I encourage everyone to make the investment.

For those who care: Darklight count = 23 shots, on 11 platforms, with 2 Haywire Blasters pitching in. And despite my sig, only 5 Troops choices.

Ah this is very similar to what I've been running more or less. Here are some experiences I've had:
1. I'd drop the Hekatrix. This opens up 60 points, that you can use elsewhere.
2. You can get Blasters every where, you can only get Heat Lances in Scourges, Talos, and Jetbikes. So I'd take 2 Heat Lances instead of 2 Blasters on your Jetbikes. Scourges are good, but if you run into Grey Knights just use them as either a distraction (make him expend resources to kill them) or as AI.
3. I'm sure somebody else will say something about it too, but you really need 6 Troops, especially at this point level. Even if its just 3 Wracks in a Raider/Venom.
4. I like the Razorwing, I really do, but this is not the list for them. If everything goes to plan, then you should have your Wyches, Beasts, and Jetbikes all in your opponent's face ASAP. All it takes is one of those missiles to scatter and bam, thats a lot of dead Wyches.
5. What are the Hellions for, do you use them like a Venom? That's what I'm bout to try out but right away 2 units of 6 seems small and comes to what, 96pts? My first impression is that 3 Wracks in a Venom is the same cost and could do the same thing way better. I'm gonna try using a unit of 14 with the Baron (I'm not running Beasts) so that I can take more Raiders, but let us know how 2 units of 6 works out for you.

At 2250, I think that (not including the Troop Hellions) 2 FA slots is about max what you can have without having holes in the rest of your army. If you drop the Hekatri, swap the Razorwing for a Ravager, drop NS on the Venoms, and change the Blasters to Heat Lances on the Reavers that frees up 156 points. That's plenty to get a 6th troop and have points leftover to beef up the Hellions, though if you want my suggestion I'd drop the Scourges or Beasts as well, combine the Hellions, and buy 2 more Troops.

astorre wrote:

Ah this is very similar to what I've been running more or less. Here are some experiences I've had:
1. I'd drop the Hekatrix. This opens up 60 points, that you can use elsewhere.

Seriously? I honestly never thought of fielding a large squad without a Heka. Might try it out and see what the difference is, but so far I've always considered her worth the investment.

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2. You can get Blasters every where, you can only get Heat Lances in Scourges, Talos, and Jetbikes. So I'd take 2 Heat Lances instead of 2 Blasters on your Jetbikes. Scourges are good, but if you run into Grey Knights just use them as either a distraction (make him expend resources to kill them) or as AI.

Personal iff, I guess, but I've never been too impressed with HLs. Considering most if not all the Reavers' shots will be against Side/Rear armor it's hard to justify exposing them. As for the Scourges, you read my mind

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3. I'm sure somebody else will say something about it too, but you really need 6 Troops, especially at this point level. Even if its just 3 Wracks in a Raider/Venom.

Hehe. I myself would offer the same advice if it weren't for my own restrictions (see OP). I'd probably take out the Scourges for another 5-man Warrior squad w/ blaster in a FF-Raider, as they're the same amount of points. That said I think I would still value the unique qualities the Scourges bring to the table.

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4. I like the Razorwing, I really do, but this is not the list for them. If everything goes to plan, then you should have your Wyches, Beasts, and Jetbikes all in your opponent's face ASAP. All it takes is one of those missiles to scatter and bam, thats a lot of dead Wyches.

The beef I have with assault-oriented lists is that there always seem to be some Long Fangs out there I can't reach (efficiently). I took the Razor to deal with those, then play out the rest as a Ravager-lite.

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5. What are the Hellions for, do you use them like a Venom? That's what I'm bout to try out but right away 2 units of 6 seems small and comes to what, 96pts? My first impression is that 3 Wracks in a Venom is the same cost and could do the same thing way better. I'm gonna try using a unit of 14 with the Baron (I'm not running Beasts) so that I can take more Raiders, but let us know how 2 units of 6 works out for you.

I've actually ran these units before, and found them well worth it when used sparingly. At first they're pseudo-Venoms, indeed, but once the Pain tokens rack up their versatility really starts to show. 18 S5 attacks is nothing to sniff at, and Hit&Run is a great tool to have. Keeping these units small and not taking many of them prevents them from getting in each other's way too much (these guys are GREEDY for stragglers!), though I have to admit 6 is an arbitrary number simply because they then pump out the same amount of shots as a Venom and I've just stuck with it. Comparing them to Venom-Wracks really doesn't do them justice, but it's one of those things you have to try out for yourself.

(Also, the look on your opponent's face when you catapult them onto an objective last turn and he realises they're a Scoring unit is PRICELESS.)

Lastly, what's wrong with Beasts?

never drop that Hecatrix... that static wound a turn is amazing at not letting the battle turn against you.

about the Hellions vs Venom debate, the latter has more range, but the former is harder to kill (relatively, its not going away to one shot) As you probably know I dont like Hellions, and I think to be effective skirmishers (like your using them) it should be a squad of 10 with a helliarch w/ Ag PGL, but try it out and see if you like them.

as for Reavers Im alittle sticky on your reasons for blasters. With a 9' range (for melta) and a 6" jetbike move back into cover (they have skilled riders remember) thats 15" well out of normal assault range, and anything with fleet has to assault through cover (which means they could miff it [your looking at a 12~14" average]) making them relatively safe from assault. As for shooting, your looking at a T4 model with a 4+ coversave, with possible FNP (drugs ofc... or they killed an oppotunistic unit) That is nothing to scoff at, especially with most armies leaning towards MSU, itll take alot to move them, which means less shooting at your main force.

As for the Scourges yes... they are useless against GKs... but its the price they pay for being one of the best units we can field

Shadows Revenge wrote:

never drop that Hecatrix... that static wound a turn is amazing at not letting the battle turn against you.

I'm of the same inclination, but I won't knock it 'til I tried it.

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about the Hellions vs Venom debate, the latter has more range, but the former is harder to kill (relatively, its not going away to one shot) As you probably know I dont like Hellions, and I think to be effective skirmishers (like your using them) it should be a squad of 10 with a helliarch w/ Ag PGL, but try it out and see if you like them.

I agree this is a better configuration if one is going to use them as a dedicated assault unit, but without a Haemy giving them a Pain token right away I feel they're quite underwhelming. And I don't have any Haemys nor points to spare.

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as for Reavers Im alittle sticky on your reasons for blasters. With a 9' range (for melta) and a 6" jetbike move back into cover (they have skilled riders remember) thats 15" well out of normal assault range, and anything with fleet has to assault through cover (which means they could miff it [your looking at a 12~14" average]) making them relatively safe from assault. As for shooting, your looking at a T4 model with a 4+ coversave, with possible FNP (drugs ofc... or they killed an oppotunistic unit) That is nothing to scoff at, especially with most armies leaning towards MSU, itll take alot to move them, which means less shooting at your main force.

Disembark 2", then 12" in a straight line... it's a lot closer than you make it out to be. Or maybe I just suck at measuring.

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As for the Scourges yes... they are useless against GKs... but its the price they pay for being one of the best units we can field

Only with Haywires though!

I will admit it takes an eye for premeasuring to get some good uses out of Reavers. I have it from when all boards werent cut up into 2x2 sections, but Ive seen several newer players flounder with them. It takes practice thats all

And remember, even if they are an centimeter short, its still short