Reavers, tips & tricks

Hi forum

After reading the amazing Plastikente's Guide, I'm looking for more tips & tricks with reavers. In terms of competitivity are a good choice?

Remember they're relentless and can move 2 d6 in the assault which gives you interesting shooting options

Arguably the most competitive unit in the codex because of their increased toughness from the bikes, jink saves, blade vanes, special weapon choices, ability to move 36" to contest objectives and anything else you can think of. So they can attack and get away without retaliation, they can late game contest and if you're up to it they can handily finish off a unit with 2 poison shots, a HoW hit and then 3 attacks on the charge. So they can pretty much kill anything and everything and are one of the most durable units we have.

tl:dr. Very Competitive

Read all of Mushkilla's battle reports. Guy knows all the reaver stunts. I've heard he can make them backflip.

Hehe thanks guys got it! writing a list with few bikes

All of the above, as well as jump-shoot-jump when shooting and the big one, skilled rider! 3+ in ruins (2+ if you roll Stealth(ruins) Warlord result) and ignoring dangerous test without having to Jink is pretty sweet if u ask me

Just kill all the marker lighters and avoid the Ignores Cover/Template weapons on the way in

Edit: don't forget the massive redeployment option available too....

This is something I haven't understood...how they can get 3+ cover?

Snorri wrote:

This is something I haven't understood...how they can get 3+ cover?

Jink gives 4+ now and Skilled Rider improves that by 1 for a 3+ save.

ok thanks well actually I didn't know bikes were so good...really I need to re-write my list for tonight. Gonna face Tyranids

If you want a bit more variety/flexibility and if you plan on taking Reavers in squads of 6 or 10 then think about mixing Heat Lances with Blasters. 9 Reavers, 1 HL, 2 Blasters gives you far more flexibility when killing multi wound T4, MCs and Tanks alike.

Good luck against those 'nids. Let us know how the game goes! (...don't forget to Bladevane his FMCs too ...)

Mmm prolly 3x3 instead of 9x1 would be better? Anyway tonight I'll use a different list (Squidmaster helped me).
I'm expecting an epic defeat since it's my true first match in 40k...and I'm playing against a skilled and experienced Tyr player

You got this, we believe in you!

We'll see...if I have to lose, well he'll celebrate my defeat covered by the blood of his own tyranids

Oh yeah, don't forget, amidst all this shooty possibility, that bladevanes are a crazy-good option against certain things. My reavers never leave home without caltrops - D6 S6 (x2, in a big enough pack!) wreaks havoc on little 'nids, mon-keigh... everything! And that's besides all the regular S3 hits.

well I'm writing the list right now, put:
3 Reavers: heat lance, cluster caltrops
3 Reavers: blaster, cluster caltrops
3 Reavers: blaster, cluster caltrops
mixing your tips.
I'm quite a noob but I think 3 units, even if smaller, working together could perform like a big 1 of 9 but with a lil bit more tactical flexibility...feel free to correct me please. Playing with WE in fantasy taught me the strenght and flexibility of small units, dunno if it's the same with DE or generally speaking in 40k.

One thing to always be mindful of... it is very easy to make the mistake of rushing these guys up the board too fast and getting them in harms way. I always keep them back and wait for the opponent to get spread out before send them in. I try my hardest not to make them a suicide squad, which they can turn into very quickly if you are not patient.

Brutalized...as expected. Match ended at 3rd turn, I've deployed too much closed and he prevented me from moving.

Heh heh. Sounds like you learned the hard way. Maybe keep a couple of reserves next time. It helps you realize that you neeeeed to deploy in cover if you're not going first

How exactly did he prevent you from moving? Unless your opponent rolled a bunch of Immobilised/Pinned results, our stuff flies, so just skim over it.

Well with 3 flying with templates on first turn (he got initiative) destroyed 1 raider, 2 venoms and immobilized 1 ravager. I managed to figure out how to get out of that crappy situation but on second turn I had to give up.
Deployed too close and too forward...
Barrywise the hard way is the only teaching method to learn how to play in my game club; I've learnt to play WHFB, I'll learn how to play in WH40k.
We planned a rematch

Paging Mushkilla. Mushkilla to the Reaver thread....that's Mushkilla to the Reaver thread... thank you.

In honestly, they're pretty good as a harassment unit. Bladevaning means they don't actually need to stop to shoot or assault things, the 3+ cover save is nice, and T4 is golden. Also make for nice little objective-pinchers or linebreaker units.

Mmm think could work a first wave of reavers followed by a second of incubi...that's a lot of pain.
Panic_Puppet I'm studying your BRs, they are really well done!

I use my reavers in teams of six with two heat lances and two cluster caltrops. I love them to death. With decent positioning you can defeat an opponent almost using reavers alone. Especially if the board has some decent LOS blocking terrain and you can get into the enemy backfield. They can wreak havoc as they snipe out heavy weapon teams, harass tanks with heat lances, or thin horde units.

Thanks Snorri! I'm afraid they can't be much use regarding reaver tactics specifically as I only have 3 that came in the battleforce, but on the rare occasions I do use them they're inevitably a pain in the backside for people...

Honestly, The reason Reaver Jetbikes are so good is that they can change roles whenever you feel like. I run mine in 6 man squads 2 blasters, 2 Caltrops, AC with Power Weapon. Fantastic Distraction Unit / Harrassment Unit. Altough dont take Grav-Talons cause most units we face either are Fearless or the ATSKNF Crap -_-. Altough watch out as they really go down against ignores cover and flamers, Keep your distance or go in for the kill!