(40K) (APOC) Anyone actually played a game yet?

Hey,

On Oct 25, 5:12 pm, Fin <f_mac... RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote:
> Anyone played a game using the rules?

Not yet, sadly.

Happily, the winning strategy is pretty much dictated by the rules -
1. Include the maximum possible expensive Scoring Units.
2. Keep as many of them as you can viable until game end.
3. Keep your eyes on the six Objective Markers at all times.

Details will vary, but these three principles will endure.

> I am going to have a crack at it next week

Good luck!

Much of the allure of 40kA is its potential for a last-minute coup.
Besides normal concerns, there are SA effects to consider, too.
These might also be things to consider as you make your plans.

> I figure over 4 foot of templates hitting the front lines with monster
> strength fun on turn 1 would be pretty impressive.

The thing that negates this idea is the 40kA Reserves rules.
Basically, nothing has to be deployed on the board before turn 2.
Many armies will routinely reserve half their forces until turn 3.
Also, many forces will tend to favor *not* getting first turn.

> What you lot think?

Your early focus has got to be the best placement of Scoring Units.

You'll have 2 OMs in your DZ, so reserve two tough SUs for them.
One of the Centre Objectives will be nearer your DZ than the enemy's.
Reserve a mobile, high-price SU to ensure you Claim that one too.
Withhold enough reinforcements to help hold these vs Contestants.

This will be the obvious default strategy for every player, afaict.
Claiming the three 'easy' Objectives won't earn a victory, however.
The game comes down to who can also Claim remote Objectives.

So, the first two turns will be a feint-and-counter Blutwaltz.
Then, starting turn three, the *real* gorefest will begin -

Since all SUs are committed, the new focus will be on the clock.
(To take that well-defended 4th OM *just before* your time's up.)
IG players will have to be especially crafty to manage this.

Have fun!


Playa

--

Warning: A Lash Prince can move SUs out of Claimant range.
They will invariably do this in the bottom of the last game turn!
 >> Stay informed about: (40K) (APOC) Anyone actually played a game yet? 

Fin wrote:
> I figure over 4 foot of templates hitting the front lines with monster
> strength fun on turn 1 would be pretty impressive. Going for a 3
> minute deployment to get turn 1 then roll the infantry in turn two and
> three after me old tanks are pasted. If the enemy go for 2 minutes or
> under then line the lot up to swamp whatever is plonked on the table,
> assuming it will be three or four monster models.
>
>
> What you lot think?

Don't forget that even if you go for the first turn and your opponent
gets it, you still get restricted to your bid time. If you don't
complete deployment, anything left gets put into your reserves.

Scout moves also have to be done within your deployment time, so your
Sentinels will need to be down and moved within that three minutes. Also
you will not get Infiltrators if you get first deployment, but the other
side WILL get Infiltrators if they have them. That could be ugly with
Veteran Space Marines or Chaos Chosen if they have Lascannons.

At 3332 you will be giving away one Strategic Asset at 3000 points.

It sounds like you have the right idea about turn one though. I'd doubt
seriously if anyone is going to undercut you at three minutes!

The Apoc game I played was 25K points a side with about ten players. We
had lots of Strategic Assets and it was a barrel of fun. I have 2500
points of Kult of Speed that was entirely in Reserves and 1250 points of
Bikes, Rokkit Buggies and Gunwagons hit an IG Basilisk Company on Turn
two, from their rear due to Flank March. Backing them up were three
Fighta-Bommers with Supa Rokkits. The rest of their bretheren hit the
next turn... the carnage was utter.
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On Oct 26, 1:17 am, Richard Busby <richbu... DeleteThis @hatespam.bellsouth.net>
wrote:
> Fin wrote:
>
>
> Don't forget that even if you go for the first turn and your opponent
> gets it, you still get restricted to your bid time. If you don't
> complete deployment, anything left gets put into your reserves.

Ahh that seems right, but I was assuming I could take the full 30 mins
if you fail to beat the bid. To offset the disadvantage of second
turn. But I think you are right.

>
> Scout moves also have to be done within your deployment time, so your
> Sentinels will need to be down and moved within that three minutes. Also
> you will not get Infiltrators if you get first deployment, but the other
> side WILL get Infiltrators if they have them. That could be ugly with
> Veteran Space Marines or Chaos Chosen if they have Lascannons.
>

Let them infiltrate. That's why I have all those big guns to splat
them with on my first turn. Vet marines don't take to Demolisher hits
too well. Even with lascannons. And you would have to move to hit
anything other than AV 14 at which point you don't get to fire the STR
9 weapons. Fun fun fun! It's flank marching melta guns I'm worried
about and thats why I'd anchor flanks with Gaurd and keep the tanks
fairly central.

> At 3332 you will be giving away one Strategic Asset at 3000 points.

I am working on the assumption that any sneaky little devil I play
against will be trying to steal a few points over the 3k without
giving up an asset. If you think about it 3249 is a good number as
you don't give the SA to the other player even if they strictly adhere
to the minimin of 3k. So I assume most people will do that or just
under, sort of 3200 or there about. So for most armies I speculate
I'll only be 100 points or so over thier total, thereby getting a
minor advantage for my poor IG troops. Maybe I'm being too devious
and if it bites me I will be giving away a SA for 250 points to 332
points. Most of them I figure are not worth the 250 points in any
case.

Any thoughts to what SA are really good? I'm not overly impressed
with any of them. I'd rather swap the default ones for extra 250
blocks of troops.

Regards,

fin
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Hey,

On Oct 26, 6:41 pm, Richard Busby <richbu... DeleteThis @hatespam.bellsouth.net>
wrote:
> Fin wrote:
> If I come in at 2800 you are
> giving me 2 Strategic Assets.

The rules stipulate a minimum of 3kpt to be considered a 40kA list.
Thus, 3000 - 3249pts is the desired range for the smallest 40kA
games.

> > Any thoughts to what SA are really good? I'm not overly impressed
> > with any of them.

I lean more toward the defensive Assets as a matter of principle.
Beacon and Blind look to be very useful in that role. YMMV.

> > I'd rather swap the default ones for extra 250
> > blocks of troops.

Opponents would likely be happy to oblige. Just ask.
Suggest waiving 1 and giving them 3 extras for 1kpt.
Even if they don't agree, their reactions should be interesting. ;- )

> Depends on what army, I guess. For me Flank March was pretty devastating
> against IG with a Kult of Speed Rokkit Buggy heavy army.

This is a risky tactic, though, as you're spread pretty thinly
afterward.
Maybe Flank March combined with Camouflage?

> Vortex Grenades will wreak havok in tightly bunched armies.

Including your own . . .

> Orbital Bombardment, always a favorite but now with the Apocalyptic
> templates

Definitely agree with this one because it doesn't use the Scatter
rule.
No matter when it comes on the board, it's going to be a big help.
A *very* big help!

> Blind Barrage could really give you fits... no LOS for you!

With the possibility of enemy DWeapons, I like this one a lot, too.
No worries about being sniped by a Titan model 8ft across the board!

Other combos to consider -

Anti-Plant and Recon.
Cagey opponents will hide their Objectives behind cover.
If most of the store's terrain bits are foliage-based . . .

Vital and HQ
Center the HQ between any 2 Markers less than 24in apart.
Make one the Vital Objective. Dare opponents to assault.

Vital and Hold.
This combo changes the victory conditions:
Originally, you have to Claim four Objectives with SUs to win.
Now, you need only deny 2 Markers to the enemy by whatever means.
Thematic cousins - Vital and P. Strike, Vital and Scheduled B.

One Asset to rule them all - Redeployment.
There are many last-minute cunning stunts, but this one is their
Queen.
"That's twice he's forgotten to use that Slaaneshi Termi squad. Hur!"
Beware the dead 'ard Unit seemingly idling in a forgotten
corner . . .

GW Typo of the Week award:
Tunnels
"Infantry Units ... may choose to either enter player normally,
or can move onto the table ... "

Spiky Bits ftw!


Playa
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On Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:23:55 -0000, Fin <f_macrae.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Any thoughts to what SA are really good? I'm not overly impressed
>with any of them. I'd rather swap the default ones for extra 250
>blocks of troops.

After playing a game, I can comment on a few:

Flank March - this is ridiculously useful. It allowed my Tankbustas
to pop up right on top of the super-heavies and knock out three and a
Land Raider Terminus in one turn. It also set up the Tyranid player
to put his bugs where he wanted, leaping into some extremely important
spots.

Anti-Plant Barrage - Somewhat useful, but only if there's going to be
a lot of foliage on the table.

Minefields - Ugh, useless.

Vortex Grenade - Oof. That's one sick little grenade, it can cause a
lot of damage when there's some things packed together.

Tunnels - Nice for making some moves around the table, especially if
you get a lucky roll for how many you get. One player planted exits
on the objectives and pulled units out on top of them, then had
another played use Flank March to pull on units close by to help hold
the objectives.

Supreme Headquarters - If you have an army that will sit in position
and spit out anti-tank fire, especially Devastator or Havoc squads,
this is a nice one to have. The Tank Hunters and Fearless especially
are nice.

Other than that, I'd suggest the asset that gives you a chance to
present Reserves showing up in an area, and planting it on an
objective or two (it's got some nice range). Jammers aren't too bad.
The timed barrages can be good, at least to disrupt your enemy as they
worry about where the next one's coming in.

--
Erik

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