Ravager, Razorwing, Voidraven Bomber... OH MY!

Excuse after excuse about not posting, but I have been really busy.  I moved last weekend and have been trying to paint with all of my extra time.  I still have a lot to go, but I have been churning out miniatures for the upcoming BAO.   

Alright onto the article:

All 3 of these units have a great place in any Dark Eldar list.  With the immergence of fliers in 6th, the two planes are more commonplace and needed than ever.  Back in 5th, you could have gotten away with running 3 Lance Ravagers and calling it a day.  I know plenty of people that still do!  Some people would run an occasional Razorwing here or ther in 5th, but i never saw anyone run a Voidraven... ever.

With Dark Eldar, there isn't much competition in the Heavy Support Slot.  Talos and Chronos are very lackluser and really have no place in a competitive environment.  So that leaves us with the Ravager, the Razorwing, and the Voidraven Bomber.  All 3 I believe have a place in DE list and bring something each of the other doesn't.

First up: The Ravager.  For 105 points you get a 11/11/10 Fast Skimmer with Aerial Assault (shoot all 3 weapon at normal BS).  You get all of the various upgrades for the Ravager as you would the Raider or Venom.  it comes stock with 3 Dark Lances (Str 8 AP 2, Lance, Heavy 1) or you can switch them out for Desinigrators (Str 5 AP 2, Heavy 3) for free.  I tend to run mine with Night Shields and Dark Lances.  Back in 5th it was a Flicker Field  because there was no Jink.  With 6th, because of Jink I switch to Night Shields.

 I know I am in the minority with running them like this as most believe a naked Ravager is best.  However, I could not disagree more.  I know most good AT weapons have 42''-72'' range, so the Night Shields won't make a difference.  But against those armies like Necrons, Grey Knights, Orks, hell even all Marines who tote Meltas or Palsma, the 6'' reduction in range is such a killer to them.  The look on opponents faces when they move their 6'' and find they are just within the 24'' range of their Multi-Melta and coem to find out it is truly out of range is great.  I remind them every time that the Ravager has it and I often even highlight it on my army sheet just incase.  I think it is invaluable against armies liek Necrons and Grey Knights you only have 24'' range guns.  Yes, it is situational, but in the situations that it helps, it helps... ALOT.

Second up: The Razorwing.  For 145 points you get a 10/10/10 flier.  It comes stock with 2 Dark Lances, a TL-Splinter Rifle, and 4 Monoscythe Missiles (Str 6 AP 5,Large Blast).  The missiles are nice to have and not have to pay for them.  The Dark lances are nice as well as it gives some diversity in what you can fire at.  The TL-Rifle can be upgraded to a Splinter Cannon for 10 points, which is what most people do.  You can buy Shatterfield missiles (Str 7, AP-, reroll to wound) or Necrotoxin Missiles (Str X, AP 5, Poison 2+) each for 10 points a pop.  (I think there is one more, I cannot think of it at the moment as I am at work!)

When I have ran the Razorwing (which I admit, I do not anymore, but have before in early 6th) I just threw a Flickfield on it and called it a day.  My biggest gripe is that its AV 10.  Bolters can bring this thing down and I dont like that.  Is it unlikely?  Yes... But 1 Hull Point here, 1 Hullpoint there adds up and leads to a dead flier.  Most people I know run them because they are cheaper than the Voidraven and come with stock missiles which the Voidraven has to pay for.

Third up:  The Voidraven Bomber.  For 145 points, you get an AV 11/11/10 flier.  It comes stock with 2 Voidlances (Str. 9 AP 2, Lance Heavy 1), and a Void Bomb (Str. 9, AP 2, Small blast--- One time use, and only scatters D6, but the full D6).  So VRBs are the same price as Razorwings starting out. 

I prefer to load mine with 3 Shatterfield Missiles (Str 7, AP-, reroll to Wound) and a Flicker Field.  I think this gives them the best utility as I believe the Shatterfield Missiles are the best missiles and a Flicker so I do not have to Jink.  Void ravens have access to Implosion Missiles for 30pts a pop!  These babies force Woudn tests... Yes Wound tests!  But they allow Cover and Invulns to happen well.  That is the draw back.  If they could ignore cover they might be worth it... Might.  My load out above is 185 points.  Lets see what you get though.

AV 11 vs AV 10-- VRB wins
Str 9 Lances vs Str 8 Lances-- VRB wins
3 Str 7 missiles vs 4 Str 6 missiles-- Wash to me... I get the extra Str and reroll, you get an extra missile
Bomb vs no bomb or TL-Rifle-- VRB wins
185 pts vs 155pts--- Razorwing wins
Not Bolter bait vs Bolter Bait--- VRB wins

I think the Voidraven Bomber is just plain better.  I will pay 30 pts for str7 missiles, AV11, Str 9 Lances, and a Str 9 Bomb.  To me it is a no brainer.  To others they think the opposite.

Overall, I prefer a mix of the Heavy slots.  I go for 2 Voidraven Bombers and 1 Ravager.  So I spend 485 points on average for the Heavy support slot in my DE army.  It is not much at all when considering you get great firepower and great utility from the units.  I like the lone Ravager so I can pop a tank Turn 1 and have some AT on the field for Turn 1.  I also think fliers work best in pairs.  Someone can dedicate all of their shots at one and bring it down.  With two, you have a whole nother threat to key on and their smashign through your army together.  3 Fliers gets cluttered I feel and doesnt give you a big AT presence on Turn 1.  Plus, it is a heavy point investment and if they come in piecmeal, they will be destroyed as such.

What Heavy support do you guys run for your DE army?  Do you agree with the analysis given?  State your case!

-YEE! YEE!

Revving up for the 1250 CoC!

First off, sorry for the delay in posts and material.  I have been very busy and trying to clamp down on a permanent job.  Hopefully I can stay where I am teaching now for the rest of the year, but that decision is not up to me!  Also, I have actually done some painting, I will finish up more models this weekend, and HOPEFULLY be able to post up some pics.  Just dont expect any Picasso or anything.

The first Contest of Champions is around the corner folks!  Big changes have happened from last year.  The biggest would be NO COMP!  for as long as the CoC has been running, their has been Comp.  However, Gary (the owner of Great Escape Games) has decided to get rid of it. 

This is not up for debate and however you feel is how you feel.  I personally did not mind Comp and I don't mind it really much at all anywhere.  I feel it is the conscious decision of whoever is running the tournament to do what they want with their tournament.  I am sure there are a great many who are very happy to see No Comp at the CoC and I know there is a great many that are sad, mad, or whatever to see it go.  I for one don't care either way.  Douchers will still be present, if not in bigger numbers.  The strong players will still be contenders each and every tournament.

Comp is supposably addressed in the Sportsmanship score where you give a score based on "how fun" it was to play your opponent and their list.  This is where it can get hairy and people will get tanked.  i for one will never and have never marked anyone down on their Sportmanship score because of their list.  I like the challenge of playing someone who is bringing the "BEST OMGAWESOME" list.  I particularly like seeing the new Net Lists that come to play.

Other changes include Sirus Chappell being able to play in the CoC now that Gary and Anonda are running the tournament.  I look forward to beating him up a little bit and making fun of hs 45 year old mohawk he rocks.

I still expect at the first tournament to be around 100 people.  I am sure Reece and Frankie from Frontline Gaming will be there if only to promote the Bay Area Open.  Doug and Mike from Wofl Brother will show up in force and be ready to lay some MURDER AND BLOOD on the tabletops.  And of course, the Sac City Punishers will be in full force to claim and hold our homefield.

This is the list I am thinking about bringing.  It is a mini version of my potential BAO list, and a list of models I currently have almost fully painted.  I think it lacks, but no worries.  I still think I will fare well at the tournament.  So here ya go:

The Baron

x5 Warriors, Shredder, Venom- 115
x5 Warriors, Blaster, Venom- 125
x10 Warriors, Cannon, Raider, Racks, Dessie- 170

x5 BMs, x1 Clawed Fiend, x5 Khymera, x6 Razorwing Flock- 250

Ravager, Nightshields, 115
Voidraven, x3 Shatterfield Missiles, Flickerfield- 185
Voidraven, x3 Shatterfield Missiles, Flickerfield- 185

As I said, I think it lacks, especially in troops, but i think I can make up for it depending on the mission.  I look forward to this upcoming CoC and I look forward to the new faces and lists that No Comp brings to the CoC.

-YEE YEE!

Flakk Tanks and BAO

Madfjohn here and just posting a little bit for orks and the BAO.

I will suggest for a Ork player to take the flack trucks . I found these to be really helpful in shooting down aircraft and they are good at shooting ground targets. I ran two of these with a aegis defense line with a quad gun .

Well my two cents any way.

Anyone else thinkign of running these?

this was passing about on FB. hope you like

'Twas the night before Kristmas, when all through the Rok,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a Snot;
The sluggas were stacked by the chimney with care,
In the hopes that Orky Klaws soon would be there;

The Gretchin were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Killa-Kans danced in their heads;
Da boss with his blasta, and me with my axe,
Had just settled down for some wintery snacks,

When out on the battlements there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my crate to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the blast shield and threw up the sash.

The glare of the searchlights on new-fallen snow,
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,
When what to my beady red eyes did emerge,
But a roaring great sleigh and five snarling boars,

With a hulking green driver with huge meaty paws,
I knew in a moment he was Orky Klaws.
More rapid than red Trukks his coursers they came,
And he grunted, and snarled, and bellowed their names:

"Now, Snorta! now, Grunta! now Maimer and Glutton!
On, Tuskgob! your nose is a go fasta button!
To the top of the bastion! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!

As leaves that before the Dakkajets fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the fortress the jet-pigs they flew
With the sleigh full of gubbinz, and Orky Klaws too-

And then, with a crash, I heard on the roof
The crash of the boars and their dirty great hooves.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Orky Klaws fell with a bound.

He was dressed all in armour, from his head to his foot,
And his kit was all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of shootas he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a Big Mek about to attack.

His teef - how they glistened! his choppa, how rusty!
His bionics were crude, he smelt a bit musty.
The drool from his mouth was slimy and wet;
And his bionic eye was evil and red;

A super krak stikkbomb was held tight in his teef,
And the smoke from his burna looked just like a wreath;
He had a broad face, and big metal arm
That hissed with hydraulics when he wanted to harm.

His Grots were all tangled all up in themselves,
And I grunted with laughter, in spite of myself;
A huge wooden crate down the chimney did smash
And the Grots set to work, with hammers they thrashed;

Klaws spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Kustomized the sluggas; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
Ignited his jump pack, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his pigs gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like a badly aimed missile.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he flew out of sight-
“'Appy Kristmas to all, and to all a good fight!"

hope you all have a good Holidays .

Madfjohn

BAO Test Game #2 vs Blackrage

I am still waiting on finishing up a couple models, so I have not done pictures or a video batrep yet.  They are coming I swear!  Also, this weekend I will post pictures of the Baron conversion I am almost done with and the models I am using for my Beastmaster's and the Beasts.

Last night I played Blackrage in a BAO practice game.  His list is as follows:

CCS w/ Officer of the Fleet, Astropath, Master of Ordance, Autocannon, Chimera w/ Hvy Flamer
Lord Comissar
x30 Platoon Squad w/ x4 Lascannons, x4-5 Power Axes
x10 Vets, x2 Plasma, x1 Melta, Chimera
x10 Vets, x2 Plasma, x1 Melta, Chimera
x10 Vets, x2 Plasma, x1 Melta, Demo Charge
Vendetta
Basilisk, Closed Top
Leman Russ
Leman Russ
Defense Line, Quad Gun

Mission: Purge the Alien and Scouring
Deployment:Vanguard Strike

Blackrage has first turn and there is Nightfighting (My warlord Trait).

Turn 1
Black rage hits some of my beasts with a couple blasts and Chimeras.  He blows a Venom up and is awarded First Blood.  They pass Morale but fail Pinning.  The damage I took was pretty minimal.

I move the Beasts along his left flank and right at his Blob Squad behind his defense Line.  My shooting saw me take a Hull Point off of one Leman Russ.  I shot and killed a few Guardsmen with the Venoms.  I Flat Out! my Wych Venom right next to his Leman Russ.

Rage- 1  Yeeman- 0

I have taken little damage but done even less to Blackrage.  The second turn will determine how this game will go.  If my beasts go bye bye, I must play defensively and hug cover and play a ranged game that I can't hope to win.  My Wyches are primed to hit his vehicle line and cause some havoc if they live.  If my beasts do live, they will run rampant through his Guardsmen and his vehicles.

Turn 2
Vendetta fails to come in.  Shuffles some vehicles around. 1st Rank, 2nd Rank is cast on his Blob.  He unloads on my Beasts.  60 total shots and he kills 3 bases I believe.  He shoots 3 Chimnera, their contents, and a Leman Russ at my Wych Venom.  Finally it goes boom, taking 3 Wches with it.  They pass Pinning.  I pass LD on my Beasts.

Doom is cast on the Blob squad and a Voidraven comes in behind the Bastions in the middle.  My turn sees me move up the Warrior squad that got shot out up toward the middle Scouring Objective worth 2pts.  I unload my Blaster Warriors on an objective out of LOS and that's worth 1pt.  Other vehicles shuffle around to aim.  Beasts move in base contact with the Defense Line  to give me a 3+ Cover from Overwatch I will be getting.

Shooting sees no real damage other than the Quad Gun dying.  I strip some  Hull Points off multiple Chimeras.  Voidraven whiffs on the Rear armor of the CCS Chimera.  (It got turned by Eldritch Storm)  A Haywire Grenade strips a Hullpoint off the Russ.  I charge and absorb his Overwatch and take zero wounds from the Blob Squad and his CCS Chimera.  I kill 18 Guardsmen and so many died that he cannot consolidate into CC with me.  The Baron takes care of the chimera.  Wyches charge Leman Russ and blow it.

Rage- 2  Yeeman- 2

Well my Beasts survived, and I am now in his lines.  He needs to make target priority matter as the Guardsmen will be swept in CC.  My Wyches can hopefully go and take off the last HP off the Chimera near them.  Hopefully my Voidraven comes in and i can start blowing thins up.  I'd like his Vendetta to come in and have me blow that up.  I just needto keep on the offensive.

Turn 3
Vendetta comes in.  Flies on my right flank, right in front of my Guardians.  Vets stay in Vendetta.  Surviving Russ moves to take on my Ravager.  Chimeras shuffle around.

His shooting sees his Leman Russ take down my Ravager.  His Vendetta shoots my Voidraven.  Strips only 1 HP off after I Flicker his Penetrating hit away.  A Chimera shoots and kills the 2 Wyches that remained.  CC sees my Beasts run rampant and take out his Lord Commisar and the rest of the  Blob.  I consolidate towards his PCS and his Basilisk.

I dont get my other Voidraven in.  I forget to Doom!  My Voidraven flies off the field but drops his Bomb on a Chimera and 4 of the CCS.  Kills the Officer, the Standard, and the Master of Ordinance.  it also blows the Chimera it hit.  They pass Pinning.  My Gunboat Raider moves up, as does my other Venom to get a good shot on the squad from the exploded Chimera.  beasts get an inch away from the Basilisk, Vets from Chimera and the PCS.

Shooting sees the Venom kill a couple Vets from the Chimera.  The Gunboat Raider shoots and kill the CCS.  I multicharge the Basilisk, the PCS, and the Vets with the Beasts.  Basilisk goes boom, PCS is wiped and the Vets are riddled.  Vets fail morale and run off the board.

Rage- 4  Yeeman- 8

I am now in the driver seat after picking up 6 Killpoints this turn, and just need the game to end sooner than later.  That leman Russ can still hurt my Beasts who are in the open.  Also, the lone Chimera with Vets is still a threat.  The Vendetta  doesnt have a lot of otpions but can still something.

Turn 4
Rage dumps his Vets out by my 1pt objective holding Warriors.  Vendetta goes to Hover and eyes my Raider.  Leman Russ backs off and prepares to fire at the Beasts.

Shooting sees his Vets kill the Warriors.  Vendetta shoots the Beasts instead and kills a base because they had cover from a Ruin.  Leman Russ unloads and kills more Beasts.  Chimera shoots and downs the last of the Beasts.  Only the Baron and the Farseer remain!

Nothing to Doom this turn.  Both Voidravens come in and eye the Vendetta as prey.Farseer and Baron move up to blow the Russ.  Gunboat unloads its contents into the 3pt objective in the ruin on his side.
Shootign sees the Guardians, Night Spinner, and a couple stray missilsg kill all but 3 Vets.  Voidravens strip only 2 HPs off the Vendetta.  Vets pass morale.  Baron and Farseer charge and blow the Leman Russ.

Rage- 5  Yeeman- 9

I didn't do anything really this turn.  The Vendetta still lives, Vets are still alive but only have 2.  The Baron and Farseer can go mop up the Chimera and the contents.

Turn 5
At this time, Rage concedes the game.  I am up 4 Killpoints and  I have 8pts in Scouring objectives.  I have Walord and Line Breaker.

The game ends with a Yeeman victory 9-1.

After Game Thoughts:
The Beasts are INSANE!  People need to kill that unit in the first 2 turns.  If they don't they will literally run rampant and kill everything in their path.  once they get into CC, they can't be stopped.  I can pick and choose to stay in CC with Hit and Run.

Also, my shooting is a lot better than I give myself credit for.  I like that my Warriors havea tool for every job.  The one Wych Squad I have is money.  Glad I brough them with me.

My Voidravens need to come to the fight!  They whiffed on too many missiles and Void Lances.  Everything else did pretty much what I needed when I shot.  I didn't shoot the Blob Squad with the Night Spinner because I wanted to be stuck in CC with the Blob for 2 turns.  He stripped some HPs off Chimeras and Immobilized another!

I think Rage needs to get a little better target priority.  He didn't shot my Beasts enough.  He needed to kill that squad in hopes of picking off the rest of my army.  Also, he was too worried about my Venoms.  They couldn't do anythign because he was meched up. 

I like his list, but I think a little better tactics would have made it more of a game.

Overall, I am very happy with how the list played.  The Beasts can take such a punishment and still live to talk about it.  I love it.  I am lookign forward to more of the practice ames that will be happening soon.

We have the Punisher Potluck on New Year's Day and will have many practice games in that day.  So far I am 2-0 and loving the list and how it plays.  it can adapt to multiple situations and is really well balanced.
I look forward to playing Lizz's Daemons or a Necron Airforce.  Even Big Tex's 50 Marines will be tough just because of the sheer amount of bodies he has in the list. 

-YEE YEE!

Stormboyz ability

Madfjohn here lets talk about the ork storm boyz.

Some players think these boyz are terrible and others think they are the cats meow.  To be honest they are good  for what they do. Now under the 6th rules they have become something to watch out for. They come with a speshal rules that makes them relay good for getting to the assault. So lets look in to the speshal rules of the rocket packs for the orks.

So all jump pack units get to move 12" and jump over objects and enemy units. You can also deep strike the units. The newest one they add to jump troops is if they use the jump pack in the charge they get to re-roll the dice for charge distance.  Then theirs the bonus attack they get if the use the jump packs to get to the assault.

Now the Ork rockets also get a extra D6 " when they use the pack. If you roll a 1 you lose one of them. Now this is ware some players get things crossed. They think the ork  jump pack does not get this for the assault. Well they are wrong. The ork codex states it in the beginning under there description " Every time the stormboyz unit utilizes its rokkit packs to move or fall back" . You notes it did not say movement phase. This bonus is only when you use them so you can walk them in the movement phase and get the bonus in the assault move phase. So this can be a assault move of 18"  Remember if you deep strike you have used them to get on the board so no bonus that turn.

I hope you found this use full and add some fun to the games with this zany ability.

I will catch you on the next Waaaaagh !!!!

Off Topic: Real Life and sick people

I wanted to make a separate post to send my condolences to all of the families in today's Connecticut shooting.  Reading the story over at MSN has really shook me.  Being a father myself I cannot even begin to feel how they do.  My heart goes out to everyone that is effected by this strategy.

There truely are some sick people in this world.  Who goes to an Elementary School with Kindergarten - 4th graders and shoots them?  Just terrible. 

Again my heart goes out to all of the families and loved ones.  Just sick.