Corsairs of the Severed Talon (1500pts)

[Army name is pending!]

Greetings, my fellow archons. I come before you today with the outline for my new Corsair raiding fleet! Please leave your thoughts and criticism below, as the more feedback I can gather before recruiting the actual forces required, the better!

-=HQ=-
(150) Duke Sliscus

Will join the Trueborns in the venom.

-=Troops=-
(190) Wyches x9
-Hekatrix w/ Agoniser
-Raider w/ Shock prow, TGL

(190) Wyches x9
-Hekatrix w/ Agoniser
-Raider w/ Shock prow, TGL

Will start most games in reserve, to be deepstruck in via Sliscus' ability. Goal is to charge straight into a unit and try to cause them to break before unloading the wyches. This may drive some units off the table if I'm lucky, or will at least cause havoc and disarray, throwing things out of position for my opponent if not. I'm hoping that with the extra drug roll the Duke provides, these units may be a bit more killy than they normally are

(130) Warriors x5
-Blaster
-Raider w/ Flickerfield

(130) Warriors x5
-Blaster
-Raider w/ Flickerfield

Will start most games on the table

-=Elite=-
(121) Trueborn x3
-Dracon w/ Venom blade, Blast pistol
-2x Splinter Cannon
-Venom w/ 2x Splinter Cannon

The Duke will join this squad. It's my intent that this squad will start most games on the table, and will serve mainly as an AI squad, though will retain the ability to pop a tank with it's 2 blast pistols, or even assault a monstrous creature with all the 2+ venom hits in melee. It's thus a versatile support unit that can be used in any situation in a pinch.

-=Fast Attack=-
(78) Reaver x3
-Heat lance


(78) Reaver x3
-Heat lance


-=Heavy Support=-
(155) Razorwing
-Flickerfield

(155) Razorwing
-Flickerfield

Will likely start in reserve and deepstrike in most games. It's my intention that they'll deepstrike in either turn 2 or 3 and unload all their missles on whatever ranged squad is poised to shoot at my wyches once they've won their initial engagement.

(115) Ravager
-Flickerfield

Starts tabled.

Summary:
1492 points (where to dump these final 8? Suggestions?)
11 DL's
2 Blasters
2 Heatlances
2 Blast pistols

Welcome to the forum.

As a fan of the Duke I shall look at giving you a few pointers of my own.

I think the Dracon is wasted with the Trueborn, add two more with Shardcarbines to the squad and use Duke where needed. I've learned to use Duke more offensively, he's done most of his work before the game begins so don't be afraid to throw him into a fight to support your Wyches or even on his own. He's no combat monster but I have wasted him a lot, sitting in his Venom.

I find Razorwings best reserving, their threat range is massive so no need to deepstrike IMHO. I'd look at replacing one with another Ravager.

Actually the Razorwings can't deepstrike with the Dukes rule. It is only Ravagers, Raiders and Venoms that gain the Deep Strike special rule from him. So you are better off reserving the Razorwings.

I agree with Sky serpent here that you would benefit from having another ravager.

Actually, razorwings naturally have deepstriking, and thus don't need to rely on the Duke for deepstriking.

Could I ask why both of you recommend reserving the razorwings instead of deepstriking? Because of their range, they're not in desperate need to deepstrike or anything, but what'S the detriment in doing so?

Also, could you elaborate on why you suggest replacing a razorwing with another ravager? I figured this army was light on AI, and the razorwing supliments that gap nicely, while remaining competent at AT and sporting more survivability at the same time.

Reserving and deepstriking both mean random chance of coming on, we both know that, no difference there.

Deepstriking - The Razorwing is massive, will you be able to guarantee a nice empty space with target lanes for it to land on with a chance of scattering and mishap?

Reserving - Most players I know bring the Razorwing on, empty the missiles, then tank/MEQ hunt depending on what it is armed with. By coming on from your table edge you are safe, you can't mishap and with the range of your guns you can react to any threat on the table. Yes they're more likely going to get a cover save but this is 5th, everything will be getting a cover save.

Looking back at your list I understand what you mean by lack of AI. In my view one venom and Ravager is better than one Raider and Razorwing. The Ravager is going to kill a lot more than the Raider and the Venom will do more damage over time, besides you have the other Razorwing to nuke any large squads on the table.