tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24383601561005579082024-02-06T23:55:55.342-06:00Shoot First THEN JumpA blog regarding 40k, occasional PC gaming, philosophy, and perhaps the Ultimate Question.Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-73806506102854697782014-03-24T11:02:00.001-05:002014-03-24T11:02:14.698-05:00Tau vs New Nids Tip (with only one Vassal pic)Hello Internets!<br /><br />Just some quick thoughts on the new Nids, as I recently picked up some of their models. I wound up running a vassal game between one of the scarier new Nids list I've seen with my Tau army. Playing Tau FTW! And it was a strange game, almost a deja vu experience, teleporting me back to the days of 5th edition.<br /><br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.weprowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Deja+Vu.+O.o_050215_3238913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.weprowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Deja+Vu.+O.o_050215_3238913.jpg" height="308" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.weprowl.com/deja-vu">Woah... This is crazy!</a></td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>So, I was running my typical Tau list, which tries to cram in as many non-giant-MC toys as possible:<br /><br />Commander O'Mortal: <div>
Ethereal</div>
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x3 Crisis: x2 MP</div>
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x3 Crisis: x2 Plasma</div>
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x3 Crisis: Fireknife</div>
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x11 Firewarrior</div>
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x1 Devilfish: dp</div>
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x12 Firewarrior</div>
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2x13/x1 Kroot/Hound</div>
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x2 Piranha: fusion</div>
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2x7 Pathfinder</div>
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2x1 Hammerhead: railgun/sms/dp</div>
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x2 Broadside: railgun/sms<br /><br />Around 1850-2k points, this is pretty much what I like running as a take-all-comers list. It has lots of shooting, special ability synergy combos, and so forth. I feel like it has a bit of limitations regarding mobility, but I guess I can't win them all, right? So, the Nids list I faced looked something like the following:<br /><br />Flyrant w/ hive commander</div>
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2x13 genestealers</div>
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x20 devilgaunts</div>
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x30 gaunts</div>
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x1 tervigon<br />hive crone<br />trygon prime<br />exocrine<br />mawloc</div>
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Aegis w/ Comm<br /><br />I've been pretty vocal in RL about hating the new Nids dex, but I haven't actually written any of that stuff down. Suffice to say, I think Tau is going to be a super nasty match-up for the bugs until they get some sort of decent way to get across the table without having to footslog it. </div>
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So, on to the summary of the game ... and I can't find the pictures, so I recreated what the map looked like at the end of turn 6: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGoIPty64f0dV5EMI4_SLZ05fugZKc1NS3ofbWe4LBvdjDuf2bLNIbEHL9Y5-zemoquKuM1pBAWX91xajlxmMqzfxqvBmt-36Wx71euaMJtK2W8oht6TrLsxn0lG_HsoJWxhlxxkxO1s/s1600/victory_tau.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGoIPty64f0dV5EMI4_SLZ05fugZKc1NS3ofbWe4LBvdjDuf2bLNIbEHL9Y5-zemoquKuM1pBAWX91xajlxmMqzfxqvBmt-36Wx71euaMJtK2W8oht6TrLsxn0lG_HsoJWxhlxxkxO1s/s1600/victory_tau.png" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />As Tau, I went with the old split deployment strategy from 5th, setting up two separate castles in the corners. And... it worked! Even with infiltrating / deepstriking all the broods they can, thats a lot of shooting before they can do their thing. And, most importantly, synapse becomes really limiting!<br /><br />The nid dex comes in two flavors: dangerous and synapse. There aren't that many synapse creatures, and any list that overloads on them underloads the dangerous broods. So, since Tau die to a stiff breeze in close combat, splitting deployment seems to be the key.<br /><br />When deployment is split, nid broods have to not only run across the board / deepstrike in enemies face, and then divide broods and synapse creatures and get into assault fast enough to neutralize the opponent. As this picture shows, it didnt work this time.<br /><br />So, until I find those pictures, that is all for now!</div>
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Shas'el Mike<br /></div>
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Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-4833701533744533012013-08-06T23:35:00.003-05:002013-08-06T23:35:25.600-05:00I'm not dead either... And Tau stuff! XV8 Crisis Suit Conversion, now with less disappoint!Greeting and salutations readers!<br />
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I too have taken a long absence from blogging! I figure what with grad-school being a huge burden, and with all the cool blog-personalities doing it, might as well get on the train right? Well, there is that and 6th. You see, 6th and I have a love-hate relationship. But you didn't come for that, right? You came for Crisis Suits and their related conversions:<br />
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<a href="http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/ninjaturkey/media/40k%20Tau%20Empire%20XV8%20Crisis%20Suit%20Conversion/IMG_20130717_095433_zpscf894a8d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_20130717_095433_zpscf894a8d.jpg" border="0" height="300" src="http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r685/ninjaturkey/40k%20Tau%20Empire%20XV8%20Crisis%20Suit%20Conversion/IMG_20130717_095433_zpscf894a8d.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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6th and I have a 'its complicated' status, for those of you who remember Facebook circa 2006. I love it, because the book has a whole chapter dedicated to the fundamental principles underlying the mechanics, which explains things like when which modifiers take effect, which ones get primacy, and the like. Boring technical stuff THAT EVERY EDITION EVER ABSOLUTELY NEEDED. ahem. Additionally, stuff like facing being important, and taking casualties from models that are actually targetable, and the vehicle HP system. Now, not saying all the FAQ anti-transport nerfs are great, I actually disagree there. But the HP / glancing system in and of itself is great. It essentially turns vehicles into creatures, with a bonus chance of devastating damage in return for additional functionality. So, a landspeeder becomes a t6w2 thing that can be assaulted rather easily even if it moved. How do I know the toughness equivalent? Because a Kroot gun (the Krootox one) glances on a 4. So, 6+4=10! Which means that an Landraider is a t10w4 monster which costs... slightly more than a t6w6 Trygon. I'll leave that rant for another day. But why can't Monsterous Creatures be like the Monsterous Creatures that the humans / other xenos have? But, I also hate it. It feels like a squad game, a platoon game, and a dogfighting game had a threesome and created a baby cat-style. Look it up, cats can use multiple daddies to create one baby. Challenges, overpowered fighters, grenade throws, they bog the game down and feel out of scale. Additionally, the challenge phase in general and wound allocation specifically are so time consuming and convaluted, I question whether anyone does them right. Oh, and the Smash-Brothers Happy-Hammer taken to Null Deployment, and Assaulting... Ok, off this wagon. Essentially, this edition has some good stuff going for it, and some bad stuff that needed some further fine-tuning. But, enough on that. Just... it feels so sloppy. Like not all the fat got trimmed during the revision phase. Moving on...<br />
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But anyways, I have in fact managed to get in some Hobbyhammer, on my crisis suits. I HATE how the crisis suits were executed. I love the art, I love the forgeworld models. I even really like the Dawn of War version of them. Which is essentially the actual model only done right. So, not being able to afford Forge World, and already having my own Crisis models, I figured why not refresh them? My goal was to only use the suits I had, the parts I had, and the stealth suits I had. I combed a bunch of forums and blogs for ideas, and this is the result:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lqwWS45jFm6wLCPlqm0_DtKOJOTHjzh8QdpUo4nEzgQgUQpWAOT91rP5Pf9CmmZ0hSh2QqhJgQzrHFM1g4XO3SIgcWPdGHmKiF06TW7YgCfkakl-u7dj5herhezqzdmuAjJZaIbBchA/s1600/crisis_suits_conversion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lqwWS45jFm6wLCPlqm0_DtKOJOTHjzh8QdpUo4nEzgQgUQpWAOT91rP5Pf9CmmZ0hSh2QqhJgQzrHFM1g4XO3SIgcWPdGHmKiF06TW7YgCfkakl-u7dj5herhezqzdmuAjJZaIbBchA/s400/crisis_suits_conversion.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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There are two photobucket libraries chronicalling the construction of each model, as well as two Advanced Tau Tactica threads discussing how I went about creating them. If you are interested, feel free to call dibs on my ideas, on others ideas, or leave questions or comments!<br />
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Pics of the first suit conversion<br />
<a href="http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/ninjaturkey/library/40k%20Tau%20Empire%20XV8%20Crisis%20Suit%20Conversion?sort=3&page=1">http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/ninjaturkey/library/40k%20Tau%20Empire%20XV8%20Crisis%20Suit%20Conversion?sort=3&page=1</a><br />
Pics of the second suit conversion<br />
<a href="http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/ninjaturkey/library/XV8%20Crisis%20Suit%20Refresh%20Tutorial?sort=2&page=1">http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/ninjaturkey/library/XV8%20Crisis%20Suit%20Refresh%20Tutorial?sort=2&page=1</a><br />
WIP chronicle of the first suit conversion<br />
<a href="http://advancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=21051">http://advancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=21051</a><br />
WIP and tutorial of the second suit conversion<br />
<a href="http://advancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=21078">http://advancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=21078</a><br />
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~ Shas'el MikeShas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-20792605057497118012013-01-17T21:38:00.002-06:002013-01-17T21:38:39.119-06:00Painting Log!So here are some pics of some models I finished painting. One Sanguinary Guard squad and one Assault Squad down!<div>
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Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-29003165712018576842013-01-17T21:31:00.001-06:002013-01-17T21:31:14.673-06:00Tau FAQ Rule Clarification... BummerSo, as you probably know if you spend time on the internet, the new round of FAQs are up. I'd like to say that I had a part in them, as I sent multiple emails into the FAQ department asking what "resolved normally at an assumed BS of 5" actually means. You know, since normally could mean either snap-firing or firing at a regular BS. And... they ruled not-in-favor of Tau. So, Seeker Missiles are still oh-so-worthless :(<br />
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So, sadface. It looks like Garnet and some of the other bloggers I discussed this with were right.Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-1417803924377966382013-01-03T13:47:00.002-06:002013-01-03T13:48:11.323-06:00Vassal Tau vs Imperial Guard 1500 pts Batrep! Also, How I Managed to Not Lose to the Flyer!Hello and good morning!<br />
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I am excited, as I finally got around to getting my first vassal game of 6th edition in. As I am at heart a tau-fan, I played my favorite blue-skinned feudalists. I don't know that I can honestly call them communists, but that is a discussion for another time.<br />
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As I approached list-building for this game, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Consequently, I built the most balanced list I could and hoped for a competitor that wasn't running a fighter wing. And... I was in luck! I drew a dude playing a cadian Imperial Guard list!<br />
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As far as lists go, my force composition did actually change from my traditional 5th edition list. I dropped piranhas as 3+ to hit in combat kind of negates their blocking role and 2hp is not much for 75 pts apiece. I also dropped kroot hounds as my goal was to shoot as much as possible. Shooting is king and all that. I also added some more blast marker goodness and Fire Warriors! I love the models, and with the changes to rapid fire shooting I can actually justify their use! So, lists after the break.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I ran the following:<br />
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Shas'el: x2 MP, ADV-SS, HW-BSF<br />
x2 Crisis: MP, PR, MT, Tleader w/ HW-BSF<br />
x2 Crisis: MP, PR, MT, Tleader w/ HW-BSF<br />
x9 FW<br />
x9FW<br />
Dfish: DP<br />
x14 Kroot Carnivores<br />
x14 Kroot Carnivores<br />
x8 Pathfinders<br />
Dfish: DP<br />
HH: Rail, BC, MT, DP<br />
HH: Rail, BC, MT, DP<br />
x2 Broadsides: x1 TL, x1 BSF, Tleader w/ HW-DC, x2 SD<br />
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He ran the following:<br />
Yarrik<br />
x5 Vets w/ plasma<br />
x2 guard blobs w/ x2 flamers, vox<br />
x2 platoon command squads w/ vox<br />
HWT w/ 3 lascannons<br />
vendetta w/ 3 tl-lascannons<br />
x2 armored Sentinels w/ plasma cannons<br />
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Warlord traits: me: Night Attacker, him: Coordinated Assault<br />
Deployment: hammer and anvil<br />
Mission: purge the alien<br />
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I won the rolloff and chose to go first, and chose the left side. I placed the broadsides where they had LoS to almost the entire map, and the two hammerheads midmap to ensure clear shots in any direction. I put one squad of FW in terrain near the Broadsides, and deployed the devilfish mid-top with Pathfinders and Fire Warriors inside, and crisis suits behind. I infiltrated the kroot forward mid-map into the forests and scouted the pathfinders down to to where they had clear LoS to the Leman Russ. He deployed his troop blobs split, top and bottom, with most of his forces focused around his top blob. The LR provided a physical shield to everyone, and the Sentinels were coming on from reserve. He attempted to seize and did not succeed. I forgot to take a pic, but its pretty easy to deduce from the Turn 1 pic.<br />
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With this game, my goal was to put what I've learned over the last couple years, and play actively. I wanted to control the pace of battle, where it happened, and how it happened. Consequently, as I had an immunity to nightfighting built into my list, got lucky and rolled control of it for my warlord trait, had better mobility, and had essentially refused flanked his line deployment, I wanted to focus on one half of the army while delaying the other half.<br />
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So, turn 1 I popped nightfighting on, and went to town. I wiffed my LR-killing shots from the broadsides, put my Hammerheads went to down on the squishy IG blobs. Because of nightfighting he did no damage. Below is a pic at the end of turn 1. I had scored 1vp for First Blood, 1vp for the LR, and he had scored 0.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fbAewZfRHkpK6kaHGqQOYcwViXhK_mY_Fp1ouIg0pg6czXusKBPrMZwkwnHUwBKsEDQ5P8XL2zTtGBft3fBWd4vVznPieglZX5qToUOGIl6uTYP_ym9jw8LJzcqKAg2Z0_BYAAr7Av8/s1600/turn+one+minus+LR+and+9+dudes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fbAewZfRHkpK6kaHGqQOYcwViXhK_mY_Fp1ouIg0pg6czXusKBPrMZwkwnHUwBKsEDQ5P8XL2zTtGBft3fBWd4vVznPieglZX5qToUOGIl6uTYP_ym9jw8LJzcqKAg2Z0_BYAAr7Av8/s320/turn+one+minus+LR+and+9+dudes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">be careful, ITS A TRAP!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Turn 2 was going to be important because that flyer might come on, and I had nothing to counter it with. So, I decided to VP race and shoot everything else. Flyers have restrictive movement rules, so I shuffled my vehicles to minimize shots, and also to allow for Jink to be used. Because of the way flat out works now, I moved my Devilfish back to shoot, and then flat-outed them back into place for a 2+ save on av11 or 12 depending on facing. This allowed me to block LoS to all my important stuff. I wound up focusing on the top half of the army, but killed a couple of the troops from the bottom with the kroot who had no better target. On his turn, he was able to get the Valkyrie on, and zoomed it up the middle. It targetted the closest Hammerhead and stripped a single hullpoint off. The Sentinels came in and did nothing, with the top devilfish absorbing an attempted shot without affect. The top half of his force was able to kill 2 kroot with their crazy cover save, and noone else died. Lots of absorbed shots by the devilfish. At the end of turn 2, it was still 2-0 in my favor.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnSbquBdBuqU6N-XIE8q9ppLfWtWgy8m82j5cmdDeLn1Di0-CQZCkM6T_tmBjahKlvppf8vMfQBeMSdRUNSkhfccDqe0GgsGiTi6g0CV97c1aXaSppgOOPSblASQ0g9B16fRODqmvSqo/s1600/end+turn+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnSbquBdBuqU6N-XIE8q9ppLfWtWgy8m82j5cmdDeLn1Di0-CQZCkM6T_tmBjahKlvppf8vMfQBeMSdRUNSkhfccDqe0GgsGiTi6g0CV97c1aXaSppgOOPSblASQ0g9B16fRODqmvSqo/s320/end+turn+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this bodes well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The important thing on the third turn was the flyer rules. The flyer rules dictate that flyers move a minimum of 18" or they immediately are destroyed. And they have to delcare whether they are zooming or hovering before movement. And, since I am allowed to pre-measure, I knew exactly how far was too close for the plane to target. So, I scooted my Hammerheads closer to the flyer, knowing that if he stayed zooming he couldn't hit anything meaningful, and if he switched to hover mode that my Broadsides would gladly collect that VP. Then, I killed one Sentinel and wiffed on the other, and killed more of the top troop blob, the remainder of the heavy weapons team, and most of the vets, and put a wound on Yarrik. On his turn, he disconnected silently and quit. So, the story ends there. I won 4-0 with three kills and First Blood.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSOompE_Jf0G6XMqWV-2UVmp1GiCFOTdxD0xKEEnvIwNYYNdizJ2k5Rh-qPqhDgms36VES-jk8RIUlP1gAXRGiAKN5EcZmFpRzpG_XXdZCXA-kiw31Sakrr-69BXsfnxssfDgqquDZm4/s1600/end+of+game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSOompE_Jf0G6XMqWV-2UVmp1GiCFOTdxD0xKEEnvIwNYYNdizJ2k5Rh-qPqhDgms36VES-jk8RIUlP1gAXRGiAKN5EcZmFpRzpG_XXdZCXA-kiw31Sakrr-69BXsfnxssfDgqquDZm4/s320/end+of+game.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my HH's suck at making railshots. so they only got marker-duty this game</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This game was unique, because I played aggressively. While I did not deviate much from my starting position, that was all that was needed to ensure that I had the strategic advantage and he had to come to me. Keeping mid-map under control allowed me to reach the targets I needed to, and minimize his flyers usefulness. Because of the movement rules of flyers, the have a huge safe zone where models inside can't be harmed without exposing the unit to return fire in hover mode. As can be seen from the picture, my crucial Hammerheads were protected by placement rather than having to roll dice and hope failure doesn't ambush me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKZR8ch2IgnbPMMWnUAnTIQBhAyExNwyTH7W5V0fHkso65vUVGPcsPs0phn8x-Oj0Z5Pu8trgPPhw5CvclHoZ6YMWNYKxQl3HINjOCeWEkEcLbCJGhsULqlXFXDGV8p3cvNk5QX4exqM/s1600/flyer+min+range.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKZR8ch2IgnbPMMWnUAnTIQBhAyExNwyTH7W5V0fHkso65vUVGPcsPs0phn8x-Oj0Z5Pu8trgPPhw5CvclHoZ6YMWNYKxQl3HINjOCeWEkEcLbCJGhsULqlXFXDGV8p3cvNk5QX4exqM/s320/flyer+min+range.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the bubble is the safe zone of 18" in vassal-inches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While this game was fun, and it was refreshing to see the power Tau can project on the table, the biggest reason I put this batrep up is to show how I managed to deal with a very powerful flyer without Skyfire or flyers. The Answer is to use their movement against them, and continue pushing the VP counter up. If you can't reliably shoot the flyer, shoot something else. That way you can stay ahead enough in VP's that maybe the inevitable deaths to flyer-shots won't be game changing.<br />
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />
~ Shas'el Mike<br />
(not listening to anything currently)Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-48970887272770242232012-12-19T22:38:00.000-06:002014-03-24T10:10:58.863-05:00Dawn of War Configuration Woes, and the Solution!So I decided on a whim to reinstall and begin playing through Dawn of War, Winter Assault, Dark Crusade, and Soulstorm. As my current laptop only packs a measly 8400m GS, I'm not currently in a situation to enjoy the wonders of Dawn of War 2. Anyhow, I ran into a nasty, nasty frustration that only applied to Dawn of War and Winter Assault: they wouldn't run! They gave an error about 'missing spooge driver: ensure directX is properly installed,' or some such nonsense. Let me tell you, I was ticked! So I started cruising around the web, and I found the solution!<br /><br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<br />
It turns out that Dawn of War and Winter Assault share a protocol that blocks the game from running on older video cards or drivers that were outdated at the time. However... because the permission list is explicit rather than implicit, drivers or video cards that are too new also fail the video check prior to the game running. So, Windows 7 and Geforce 8m series be hanged, this game won't run!<br />
<br />
After some more digging, I found the solution, buried in a forum behind a login. And, after having taken advantage of the fix, I figured I should share the love with the world! So, what you do is replace the spdx9_config.txt in the drivers folder under your Dawn of War installation with a new one you've created using the below text. Once it is replaced, you should be ready to rock! Here is the text you should put in that text file, oh and more content after that:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
;;;;<br />
<br />
<br />
;<br />
;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>spDx9_config.txt : configuration for the Dx9 PC spooge driver<br />
;<br />
<br />
; configfile : set of shader compiler scripts<br />
<br />
; allowdevice : allows cards to always fail initialization<br />
allowdevice 1<br />
<br />
; allowhwtnl : allows hardware TnL to be used<br />
allowhwtnl 1<br />
<br />
; allowtfactor : allows the TFactor to be used as a constant colour<br />
allowtfactor 1<br />
<br />
; allowhwcursor : allows the use of the Dx8 cursor system<br />
allowhwcursor 1<br />
<br />
; allow32bitdisplay : allows 32bit display modes<br />
allow32bitdisplay 1<br />
<br />
; disableslowalpha : when alpha flipping is not available, don't allow dest alpha<br />
disableslowalpha 1<br />
<br />
; allowrgba4np2 : allows D3DFMT_A4R4G4B4 for NP2 textures<br />
allowrgba4np2 1<br />
<br />
; isslowcard : used as a hint to automatic configuration to use lower numbers<br />
isslowcard 0<br />
<br />
; togglemodeonstartup : tells the driver to toggle the bit depth before starting the device<br />
;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>fixes problems with running after an OpenGL game<br />
<br />
; maxstage : sets a maximum number of texture stages to use<br />
; maxtexture : sets a maximum number of textures to use (in one pass)<br />
; allowtfactor : allows compiler to use tfactor (it is sometimes emulated using the diffuse channel)<br />
; allowtemp : allows compiler to use D3DTA_TEMP as a result<br />
; allowlookupdudv : allows EMBM texturing<br />
; allowrender2texture : allows render to texture<br />
; allowpalettedtextures : allows paletted textures to be created<br />
<br />
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;<br />
;<br />
;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>3dfx<br />
;<br />
begin vendor 0x121a<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Disabled cards (below min-spec)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;<br />
;<br />
;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ATI<br />
;<br />
begin vendor 0x1002<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>configfile ati.txt<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowlookupdudv 0<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Disabled cards (below min-spec)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE MOBILITY 128 M4 (RAGE 128 PRO based)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4D46<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4D4C<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE MOBILITY 128 M3 (RAGE 128 PRO based)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4C45 0x4C46<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE 128 PRO ULTRA<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x5446<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x544C<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x5452 0x5455<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE 128 4X<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x5345 0x5348<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x534B 0x534E<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE 128 PRO GL<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x5041 0x5046<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE 128 PRO VR<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x5047 0x5058<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE 128 GL<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x5245 0x5246<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x534B 0x534D<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE 128 VR<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x524B 0x524C<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x5345 0x5347<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE MOBILITY M/M1/P (RAGE PRO based)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4C4D<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4C52<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE LT-PRO (RAGE PRO based)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4C42<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4C49 0x4C50<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE LT (RAGE II based)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4C47<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE XL (RAGE PRO based)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x474D<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x474F<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4752<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE XC (RAGE PRO based)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x474C<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x474E<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE PRO<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4742<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4744<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4749 0x4750<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE IIC AGP<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4757<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4759 0x475A<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE IIC PCI<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4756<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x5656<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE II+<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4755<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RAGE II<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4754<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>; <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Radeon 7000<br />
begin device 0x5159<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Slow cards<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Radeon 7500<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x5157<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>isslowcard 1<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Mobility Radeon 7500<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4C57<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>isslowcard 1<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Radeon/Radeon 7200<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x5144 0x5147<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>isslowcard 1<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Radeon IGP<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4336 0x4337<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>isslowcard 1<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Radeon IGP<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4437<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>isslowcard 1<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Radeon VE/Radeon 7000<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x515A<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>isslowcard 1<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Mobility Radeon<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x4C59 0x4C5A<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>isslowcard 1<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;<br />
;<br />
;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>nVidia<br />
;<br />
begin vendor 0x10DE<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>configfile nvidia.txt'<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>; disable drivers prior to version 52.16 (previous versions have quirks with directx 9 in win98)<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin version 0x0000 0x000D<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 1<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin subversion 0x0000 0x0009<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 1<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin build 0x0000 0x1459<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 1<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Disabled cards (below min-spec)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RIVA TNT<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x0020<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RIVA TNT2/TNT2 Pro<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x0028<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RIVA TNT2 Ultra<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x0029<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Vanta/Vanta LT<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x002C<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x002D<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Aladdin TNT2<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x00A0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>NV1x (GeForce 256/2/2mx/4mx)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x0100 0x01FF<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowrgba4np2 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>isslowcard 1<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
; nvidia genius reused a segment inside the 0x01.. range of ids for the NV43 line<br />
; turn on what has been turned off by previous group of devices for this cards<br />
; NV43 Geforce 6200,6600/6610 GT/PCI, Quadro FX540, line<br />
begin device 0x0140 0x014F<br />
isslowcard 0<br />
allowrgba4np2 1<br />
allowhwtnl 1<br />
end<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;<br />
;<br />
;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Matrox<br />
;<br />
begin vendor 0x102b<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>G550<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x2527<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>G400/G450<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x0525<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;<br />
;<br />
;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Intel<br />
;<br />
begin vendor 0x8086<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>isslowcard 1<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>810 (and 810e)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x7121 0x7123<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Intel(R) 82810E<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x7125<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;<br />
;<br />
;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>S3<br />
;<br />
begin vendor 0x5333<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>isslowcard 1<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>; <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Savage4<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x8a22<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ProSavage<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x8A26<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ProSavageDDR<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x8D02<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x8D04<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>; Savage 2000<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x9102<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;<br />
;<br />
;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>SiS<br />
;<br />
begin vendor 0x1039<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>isslowcard 1<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>315/315e<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x0325<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>xabre<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x0330<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>630/730<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x6300<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>; <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>SIS (M)650, 651<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x6325<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;<br />
;<br />
;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Trident<br />
;<br />
begin vendor 0x1023<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Blade XP<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x9910<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>; CyberBlade XP<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x8820<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;<br />
;<br />
;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>PowerVR<br />
;<br />
begin vendor 0x104A<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;<br />
;<br />
;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>VIA/S3G<br />
;<br />
begin vendor 0x1106<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>isslowcard 1<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>UniChrome Graphics, KM400/KN400<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x7205<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>UniChrome Graphics, KM400/KN400<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>begin device 0x9910<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>allowdevice 0<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>end<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
end<br />
<div>
;;;</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh, and graphical modifications! I love it when older games secretly have better graphics to offer! Now that computers have progressed beyond the Dark Ages of the 90's, its time to let loose all the magical textures. This works for DoW as well as the expansions: change the shortcut first. Right click on it, and then add "-forcehighpoly" without the quotes after the quotation mark in the target box. Then, edit the local.ini and add the line "fullres_teamcolour=1" without quotes, save and you're ready to rock. Oh, and if you're using Windows 7 make sure to edit the copy of local.ini hidden in your user\appdata folder. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thats all!</div>
<div>
~Shas'el Mike</div>
Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-62928139140104682692012-08-20T12:55:00.002-05:002012-12-31T11:54:17.876-06:00A Second Look at Tau Unit Efficiency: Evaluating Seeker Missiles Against Other Options. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
As they enter their third sphere of
expansion, the Tau Empire has an uphill battle ahead of them. With the
introduction of flyers, and the loss of target locks on infantry models, there
are now more targets and less ability to allocate the necessary firepower to
the highest priority threats. Consequently, there needs to be an evaluation of
which weapons on which units are strongest against which types of targets. This
article will examine the proposal that seeker missiles be purchased and
allocated against flyers, and determine whether they are a worthwhile weapon
purchase. This will be determined by determining the glance and wound
percentages for the available anti vehicle weapons and examining where seeker
missiles fall along the scale. As this is a new edition, perhaps it is time to
renew this discussion. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
In 5<sup>th</sup> edition Warhammer
40k, the seeker missile was considered to be an inefficient weapon upgrade. It
required two rolls to hit, the typical Markerlight-bearer to be stationary, and
was only strength 8. Consequently, the more tactically-minded voices in the 40k
community suggested investing the points in target locks on units such as
Broadsides and Crisis suits in order to accomplish the same results the 1-shot
missile attempted to perform. With standard cover saves as high as they were,
and Markerlights desperately needed to strip cover saves and improve ballistic
skill, there was no room for using one to trigger a missile that might miss. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
A new edition has arrived, along
with a host of changes. In addition to cover being reduced, heavy weapons being
able to hit using snap fire, a new mechanic for glancing hits, the Tau also
lost their target locks on infantry models. The average Tau army, utilizing 3x2
Crisis suits and 3x2 Broadsides, had their available target opportunities per
turn cut in half. The other introduction is the flyer. They are fast,
dangerous, and can only be hit with snap fired or anti-aircraft weapons. The Tau
Empire is one of the many armies that currently have no anti-aircraft weapons.
Consequently, snap fire is the only option outside of allies. Because of the
shift in the new rules, new firepower options need to be evaluated. While
allies can solve many matchup problems a Tau build may have, they are outside
the scope of this article. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The methodology used to calculate
the results in the below table is based on minimum unit size. While doubling or
tripling the number of models in a unit can influence the statistical outcome,
introducing that factor would require another axis evaluating cost against
effectiveness. To avoid this complication, I am measuring the statistical
likelihood of achieving a glance or wound with a minimum sized unit, ignoring
mitigating factors such as line of sight or cover saves. Additionally, all
weapons were calculated at maximum range with the default ballistic skill of the
unit bearing the weapon. To give perspective on weapon effectiveness, the
calculations for effectiveness against non-flyer vehicles are included as well.
The most effective weapon against each armor value type is bolded for the reader’s
convenience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Table 1: Tau Unit Effectiveness versus
Non-Flyer Armor Values<o:p></o:p></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
AV 10<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
AV 11<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
AV 12<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
AV 13<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
AV 14<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Crisis suit x1 Missile Launcher<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.5<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.38<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.25<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.13<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
--<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Crisis suit x2 Missile Launcher<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.62<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.47<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.31<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.16<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
--<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
X6 Fire Warriors<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.32<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.16<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
--<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
--<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
--<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
X1 Krootox<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.33<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.25<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.16<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.08<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
--<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Piranha with Fusion Blaster<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.41<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.33<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.25<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.17<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.06<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
X4 Pathfinders with Seeker Missile<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>0.65</b><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.52<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.39<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.26<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.09<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Broadside with 2 Railguns<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.62<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>0.62<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>0.62<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>0.50<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>0.38<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Hammerhead with Railgun<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.55<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.55<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.55<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.44<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.33<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Table 2: Tau Unit Effectiveness versus
Flyer Values<o:p></o:p></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
AV 10<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
AV 11<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
AV 12<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Crisis suit x1 Missile Launcher<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.20<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.15<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.10<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Crisis suit x2 Missile Launcher<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.34<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.25<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.17<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
X6 Fire Warriors<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.22<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.11<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
--<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
X1 Krootox<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.11<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.08<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.05<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Piranha with Fusion Blaster<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.14<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.11<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.08<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
X4 Pathfinders with Seeker Missile<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>0.41<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>0.33<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>0.25<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Broadside with 2 Railguns<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.25<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.25<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>0.25<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Hammerhead with Railgun<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.14<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.14<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.8pt;" valign="top" width="106"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
0.14<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Looking at the above, some
traditional truths are validated and some surprising suggestions emerge. If an
enemy vehicle is AV11 or higher the Broadside is the most efficient unit to
target it. Also, dual Missile Pod Crisis suits put up some solid numbers
against light armor. But a surprising contender is most efficient at damaging
AV10. Against non-flyers, Seeker Missiles are more successful against AV10 than
Broadsides. Krootox also see some surprising numbers, only running slightly
behind single Missile Pod suits at the 24.1-36 inch range. Against higher armor
values, Hammerheads and Broadsides are the only sensible choices to take out
targets. The results change significantly on the flyer table. Against AV10 and
AV11 flyers, due to the snap fire restrictions, Seeker Missiles come out on
top. The numbers for the other units dropped half or more, while seekers only
lost roughly a third of their efficiency. However, against higher armor values
the highest efficiency goes back to the traditional king. Against AV12 flyers
the Broadside ties due to the greater strength of the Railgun compared to the
Seeker Missile. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Within
the context of the new rule set, the inclusion of several Seeker Missiles into
the Tau Cadre appears to be a reasonable decision. With the significantly
larger movement range of all vehicles, and of fast skimmer vehicles in
particular, Tau have plenty of options to squeeze them in. Additionally, Seeker
Missiles are not dependent on the vehicle rules for firing. As long as the vehicle is not destroyed, the
missiles can be launched remotely by the Markerlight user. Particularly now
that heavy weapons can snap fire on the move, there is no reason not to use
your Markerlights on flyers and line up next turn’s more traditional light-up. Building
a Tau cadre with role-emphasis in mind, the evidence suggests that Seeker
Missiles should be brought to down the inevitable flyers, allowing your other
units to focus on other targets and enjoy a greater probability of success.
Remember, accuracy is good and the Tau are all for “Greater Good."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>~Shas'el Mike</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>"I'm the soulweeper..."</i></div>
Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-7947357388610380882012-07-31T14:00:00.001-05:002012-07-31T14:00:47.242-05:00The Tau Answer to FlyersHello everyone!<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Welcome to 6th! Since the last time I have posted, an edition has both gone (5th) and come into being (6th). </div>
<div>
Also, I'll be starting grad school soon! But enough about real life. I'm here to talk about the thing that others are talking about: Flyers. They are fast, they are dangerous, and they are hard to hit. Namely, they require 6's to hit. However, they are (thus far) av11 or av12 on average and wobble and crash if you can manage to land anything on them. And, without using allies or fortifications, Tau might have a way to combat fliers. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am proposing that Seeker Missiles might be the answer. Okay, go ahead and laugh. Do it, it is good for you. Ok, lets go back to thinking about this. I think that they may be the way to not waste tons of firepower while at the same time knocking the birds out of the sky. Alrighty, let's begin. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Seekers can only be fired by Markerlights, so we'll discuss them first. When packed by moving Pathfinders, they only hit on 6s due to the 'snap fire' rule. So if we hit the flyers with the lights, we aren't losing anything. At 30 inch range, plus 6 inch move, the planes could likely be painted coming or going. Unlike most weapons, moving markerlights do not have any wasted accuracy on fliers.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now, we will check the Markerlight rules. A token can be expended to fire a Seeker Missile, which is resolved at an assumed ballistic skill of 5. To recap, you shoot the Markerlight which can then trigger another shot at a specified ballistic skill. So, a shooting attack triggers a special ability which is like a shooting attack. But more importantly, its a specified ballistic skill. Why is that important? Because codex trumps rulebook! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, there you have it. Markerlights and Seeker missiles might be the ticket to clear out flyers. And the best part is, you don't need any new units! Seeker missiles can just be tacked onto whatever vehicles you are currently using and fired using the Pathfinders you already are using. I'll be trying this tactic out once I can manage to get some games in. Until then, </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Keep it real. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
~ Shas'el Mike</div>
<div>
<i>I'm the soulweeper...</i></div>Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-38929098621298894962012-04-27T14:29:00.000-05:002012-12-31T11:55:37.988-06:00Batrep! Angels Encarmine vs Plague Marines 1300ptsFigured it was about time to get a game in, so my buddy and I met over at <a href="http://www.comicasylum.com/">Comic Asylum</a> in the Richardson, TX area. Unfortunately, it was a Tuesday. And we all know what that means: everyone is ready to go home, so everyone closes shop early. But, gamers can only sometimes be choosers so we decided to make a go of it. To be honest, I don't know why we played at 1300 points, its a weird point level, and any army list likely to come out of it will not be usable anywhere else. But, weird encourages flexibility, so I'm not opposed to it. So, here is my list, and below is his, to the best of my memory:<br />
<br />
librarian: jp<br />
x2 sanguinary priests: x1 jp<br />
2x10 assault marines: x2 mg, pf<br />
x7 death company: th, pw<br />
drop pod (for DC)<br />
3x5 devastators: x3 ml<br />
<br />
x2 demon princes: wings, wind of nurgle<br />
2x7 plague marnines: champion, x2 melta<br />
2x rhinos with icons<br />
2x 7 or 8 zombies (counts-as demons, i believe)<br />
greater demon <br />
2x obliterators<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<br />
I took a picture of the table before setup, so here is the picture. I must say, I really like the terrain at that particular store. We rolled Annihilation and Dawn of War, He won roll-off and opted for first turn. I attempted to seize, but the dice were not with me this time. He opted to have the zombies and oblits deepstrike in, while the plague marines and demon princes walked on. Naturally, the greater demon also had to deepstrike in. I opted to have everyone walk on, but the death company, who would ride the drop pod in. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYtPJBmyqAoM2WM0fYJvAmEDFcE6NJLZhkfZRbMUHUx6dWZIJSBZwWZvA3lEc-XJjJ8q0-06xzXjCVHpmPaCwp2Z6_9MLQ_j4Bh4SB-bgFSz9KzkHXXNbVAKQjwen4BRAAYmMiPNWEto/s1600/WP_000045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYtPJBmyqAoM2WM0fYJvAmEDFcE6NJLZhkfZRbMUHUx6dWZIJSBZwWZvA3lEc-XJjJ8q0-06xzXjCVHpmPaCwp2Z6_9MLQ_j4Bh4SB-bgFSz9KzkHXXNbVAKQjwen4BRAAYmMiPNWEto/s320/WP_000045.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not big on the CityFight rules, but man do the tables look cool</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b>Turn 1: Chaos:</b></u> rhinos come on and pop smoke, demon princes come on. One lands in terrain, but takes no wounds. I don't believe he popped smoke, but none of his weapons can reach anyone, so first turn shifts to me.KP: 0-0<br />
<br />
<u><b>Turn 1: Blood Angels: </b></u>everyone shows up! Assault marines jump and run foward, with a librarian in one squad and sanguinary priest in the other. The devastator squads move and run as well, with a sanguinary priest in the middle squad. Also, the death company come in towards the side, hemming in the chaos forces. With his ability to deepstrike in his support and remaining troop choices, I wanted to choose the field of battle. As an aside, I'm mostly done painting my Blood Angels! As I've mentioned previously, it takes willpower to make myself paint, and with Tau being my favorite army they get first-choice for painting time. KP: 0-0<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbfTqZPnoKTJHhl7a4BXe_zz3RYTcDqMZxJ22sGPwJMTSIn_BB3qkXOOem3KfM4qjpgf1JOAiL1tJpOFqYF80UMahGUgnHTCcxFK4lTbBEC64td9YahE9odlmh5W2zejdcuKULIhCQUM/s1600/WP_000046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbfTqZPnoKTJHhl7a4BXe_zz3RYTcDqMZxJ22sGPwJMTSIn_BB3qkXOOem3KfM4qjpgf1JOAiL1tJpOFqYF80UMahGUgnHTCcxFK4lTbBEC64td9YahE9odlmh5W2zejdcuKULIhCQUM/s320/WP_000046.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evil vs Good, all with 3+ saves!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyenrZIFb9Jx7ujTQfDWDr6FQsBtli42pOzqERikhJRE2AWUmhvhevgCJnL_0ZErvnzb09VjyCCBz6sHZyrzFUIkdmzGS6Hpx6AcaStv1Ot-lyhxtIFfp9F6IsqHPQSEl77GN4HjMK01s/s1600/WP_000047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyenrZIFb9Jx7ujTQfDWDr6FQsBtli42pOzqERikhJRE2AWUmhvhevgCJnL_0ZErvnzb09VjyCCBz6sHZyrzFUIkdmzGS6Hpx6AcaStv1Ot-lyhxtIFfp9F6IsqHPQSEl77GN4HjMK01s/s320/WP_000047.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture where the death company are visible. Note the scratch-built drop pod</td></tr>
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<u><b>Turn 2: Chaos:</b></u> Everybody runs forward. The far demon prince struggles to get out of terrain, but as he opts to walk no dangerous terrain tests are taken. Also, as my buddy was less than thrilled by, both zombie squads came in. He drops them behind the rhinos, but close enough the icons keep them from scattering. As his oblits hadn't come in yet, he didn't have any long-range shooting. He pops smoke on the rhinos, giving everyone cover saves. KP: 0-0<br />
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<u><b>Turn 2: Blood Angels:</b></u> Jumpers shift to the right, giving the devestators clear shots, but keeping everyone within range of a blood chalice. Devastators shoot, and manage to wreck one rhino, and kill a couple of the zombies. However, the other rhino makes every save and I don't bother shooting the princes yet. It is much more important to shut down the mobility of the enemy forces and kill off his cult troops. Also, the death company moves and runs. KP: 0-1<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyUVT_Uo7EXpuDJqs1bhv2-f1cB17P0f05awZShe_LXSBUvIQqTDu1g67Bauipk7_YO4mdQX5mRm3m_L2XofthyBQW6i3CIc2ULMdxhOYC7KEN-bfiIz0rbKkiJECg1Dt-djGpXkZokg/s1600/WP_000048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyUVT_Uo7EXpuDJqs1bhv2-f1cB17P0f05awZShe_LXSBUvIQqTDu1g67Bauipk7_YO4mdQX5mRm3m_L2XofthyBQW6i3CIc2ULMdxhOYC7KEN-bfiIz0rbKkiJECg1Dt-djGpXkZokg/s320/WP_000048.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Technically turning rhinos on their side for cover is illegal. <br />
But its a friendly game and I dont intend to shoot the dp so no harm done</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkFMfDVgYwwJJKhVRWIHDIgj6_NepUj3dBJXsJfWc0QafIW6OjBflZz18VirXDqqWQdsuCE1bqIMTkyOu0Ele-WI-IoF02ZhtCC2dSVVcrljysW0pSofjfiES01jn28uFlsKGf_PtDf0/s1600/WP_000049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkFMfDVgYwwJJKhVRWIHDIgj6_NepUj3dBJXsJfWc0QafIW6OjBflZz18VirXDqqWQdsuCE1bqIMTkyOu0Ele-WI-IoF02ZhtCC2dSVVcrljysW0pSofjfiES01jn28uFlsKGf_PtDf0/s320/WP_000049.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the other side</td></tr>
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<b><u>Turn 3: Chaos:</u> </b><u></u>Both obliterators come in! They are placed in the central ruin, where one of them immediately falls to a failed dangerous terrain test. The plague marines move up, the demon prince moves up in front of them. The rhino on the otherside makes a beeline for terrain, followed by the other prince. Both zombie squads move forward, keeping several members in terrain for that magical cover save. Then, the DP assaults! One plague marine and the prince are close enough to get into assault on one of my assault marine squads. During the resulting combat, the jump-packed sanguinary priest dies, and perhaps a couple marines on both sides. But, they stay locked in combat. KP: 1-2<br />
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<u><b>Turn 3: Blood Angels:</b></u><b> </b>The sanguinary priest splits from his dev squad and moves forward, into terrain. Also, the far devastator squad drops back to reduce the chance of the other DP charging it. The other assault marine squad angles to get the charge off while under the influence of the blood chalice, and we move to the shooting phase. Missiles away! other than some more zombies being dropped, cover or armor saves are made by the zombies and obliterator respectively. Man those 2+ armor saves can be a tough nut to crack. The death company moves/runs into the terrain the oblit is housed in, and we go to the assault phase! The plague marines are down to 1 man, and the demon prince has one wound left, but combat goes on. KP: 1-2<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uQFK2Upw3iJsv1ZI_JeLCbYzsFPmfu6tc6IkFtgAJo8TwmDA2GEk2frAmhgQVE1YzaqWZkyA-YXdxL3lTiSSy1Fi8GhCQli4SSrLrfI1G4bWWhsuuSmSh-9zFgNpZ_CokUMDy5PA5ho/s1600/WP_000050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uQFK2Upw3iJsv1ZI_JeLCbYzsFPmfu6tc6IkFtgAJo8TwmDA2GEk2frAmhgQVE1YzaqWZkyA-YXdxL3lTiSSy1Fi8GhCQli4SSrLrfI1G4bWWhsuuSmSh-9zFgNpZ_CokUMDy5PA5ho/s320/WP_000050.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">things about nasty for this squad...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNyXBUaIhGqS_0YYy_5MGv6j4Y-TqnzUetrYtdkJ2ivwMxUTafi0_ct9fL4wJ2qubZM7r930y03bSYiZZdOa73djDlocW-zmSMqs8adaE40XSfehXNhxY4A53gSnS6uKREHgjh5nno8E/s1600/WP_000051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNyXBUaIhGqS_0YYy_5MGv6j4Y-TqnzUetrYtdkJ2ivwMxUTafi0_ct9fL4wJ2qubZM7r930y03bSYiZZdOa73djDlocW-zmSMqs8adaE40XSfehXNhxY4A53gSnS6uKREHgjh5nno8E/s320/WP_000051.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">librarian about to lead a charge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLvDdxmw5ohsHv6a0mPfY72Xwbtev8l4Qvf-lqD5AJz7hLdsroSFiQl1QFfxUbwxOfK5Jp4qsehUN6H_2KdtJh5o4bVnvlfo53llxtIQgkgeRZjxAEcwad3Z8qb5NyCKswL7RT76pwF8/s1600/WP_000054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLvDdxmw5ohsHv6a0mPfY72Xwbtev8l4Qvf-lqD5AJz7hLdsroSFiQl1QFfxUbwxOfK5Jp4qsehUN6H_2KdtJh5o4bVnvlfo53llxtIQgkgeRZjxAEcwad3Z8qb5NyCKswL7RT76pwF8/s320/WP_000054.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close combat goodness!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHlxXc5iARRWsHoNlrTtJPDImG_Pv3TFLo9gvhyphenhypheniVGMBdos5NNXxj_Ef9uITfAouFMe1bykwIuHwW2xw6imY4M6tVWLYpbEanlTey7m9RiujQ5-oVy3m_IgcL-W5vvtZa_hox_OtjoYc/s1600/WP_000053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHlxXc5iARRWsHoNlrTtJPDImG_Pv3TFLo9gvhyphenhypheniVGMBdos5NNXxj_Ef9uITfAouFMe1bykwIuHwW2xw6imY4M6tVWLYpbEanlTey7m9RiujQ5-oVy3m_IgcL-W5vvtZa_hox_OtjoYc/s320/WP_000053.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hope they brought enough chainswords...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyzzD5llPPDsmNTwBmLg8FxRC21_abgXqTiWjWM9mEDxAGpFCwr2GOUUd5-LlRNy5iD6sA5pIal3QsLqrpZ7Y939S0GLHhRpISHkkgjQhkSFs9cRk1kZdy1WjB5p1LsHXshX8m5Lhink/s1600/WP_000055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyzzD5llPPDsmNTwBmLg8FxRC21_abgXqTiWjWM9mEDxAGpFCwr2GOUUd5-LlRNy5iD6sA5pIal3QsLqrpZ7Y939S0GLHhRpISHkkgjQhkSFs9cRk1kZdy1WjB5p1LsHXshX8m5Lhink/s320/WP_000055.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">notice the rhino sitting safe</td></tr>
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<u><b>Turn 4: Chaos:</b></u> The rhino charges forward, and doesn't imobilize, the zombies have gone to ground last turn so they can't do jack, and the other demon prince wings forwards. Also of note, the greater demon arrives! he comes down mid-assault in the center field, and then... the shop owner tells us its time to close up. Consequently, I didn't take pictures, and instead posted all the above pictures. <b></b>While we agreed to a a draw, I was ahead 1-3 in kill points at the moment game was called. However, as this turn would have been a crux had we been able to go beyond the movement phase, we decided to rule it inconclusive.<br />
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For forecastings sake, I think I would have won this one by a narrow squeak. The dp and the demon would likely have wiped out the smaller assault squad and librarian, and I would have taken out the demon prince in reply, likely putting wounds on the greater demon. I dont remember its toughness or save, so I'll estimate conservatively. Also, assuming average rolls, the sang priest would have been sniped by the obliterator. This would put KP at 4-4 my turn. Even with average difficult terrain movement rolls, I should have been able to put the DC into assault with the oblit and zombies, with the hammer likely taking out the oblit and weight of attacks taking out the zombies. Also, the greater demon would likely succumb to the power first, putting me at 4-7. His turn, if my buddy estimated the distance correctly, the demon prince would have been able to hit one, possibly two devastator squads. Assuming he rolls averagely, and I lose the roll and take fearless wounds, both would be gone within a couple turns, bringing KP to 6-7. Assuming that I use those turns to move everyone back and DC forward, end of turn 6, beginning of turn 7 I might be able to bag the demon prince, the rhino, or the zombies, or a combination. Its pretty unlikely that I could bag the plague marines. Therefore, I would guestimate winning by 2 KP. But, that is all forecasting.<br />
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As far as the plan went, I was pretty happy with it. I managed to keep to the plans, and used my devastators to dictate which side of the board the battle was fought on. However my guestimations of distance were off for the closer assault marine squad, allowing the plague marines to engage as well as the demon prince. I was hoping to lure the prince in and kill it off solo, using weight of numbers, but no luck. Also, I should have run the devastator squad on the far left forwards, not back. If I had gone forward, they would likely have died, giving me two devastator squads to fight with. Still, I would have liked to finish the battle and see how the forces of the Emperor fared.<br />
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Until Next Time!<br />
~Shas'el Mike<br />
<i>Do what you, what you want</i>Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-19077031691706059172012-04-26T20:57:00.001-05:002012-12-31T11:55:48.240-06:00Painting Log: To-Do ListHowdy Internet!<br />
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I actually am posting! While I have joined the throngs of bloggers who haven't been posting recently, it is hardly due to boredom with 5th edition 40k. Far from it, as I recently have not been able to play enough! I did get in a game recently, where all went mostly well, which I will be blogging about shortly. But, I have to actually load pictures and create an orderly narrative, which I haven't completed yet. So for now, the painting log!<br />
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I have a bad habit of not painting models until I want to use them. I am first a gamer, second a hobbyist. Consequently, painting occurs in long sessions which occur generally two days before an event. As I haven't had a chance to play in any events recently, you get the idea...<br />
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So, I have reorganized my desk-top to only hold stuff that needs painting, and have organized it from 'raw' to 'mostly done.' This way, I can pick things up and complete them as I feel like it, and put them where they belong. I hope this little version of a rewards system will be enough for me to remain motivated. <span id="goog_1338107907"></span><span id="goog_1338107908"></span><br />
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<br />Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-18574066458715542582012-03-12T13:28:00.003-05:002012-03-12T13:28:55.262-05:00New Website You Should Visit! Also, a Condenced Rant<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHAFjHSJVviNPijy9Ctt7fEriYtHz_ErI_iB5MZLwtNQl5K_sB3sHrVSpgPJV9JzvBgoMQuMDVeJGpjINL50wlHS-xD1siZ9dul572C_wCUgLmTN1ge_sp1ibgOrdB8SWjmc6HSr-jRs/s1600/tumblr_m0c2coBkWI1rqc134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHAFjHSJVviNPijy9Ctt7fEriYtHz_ErI_iB5MZLwtNQl5K_sB3sHrVSpgPJV9JzvBgoMQuMDVeJGpjINL50wlHS-xD1siZ9dul572C_wCUgLmTN1ge_sp1ibgOrdB8SWjmc6HSr-jRs/s320/tumblr_m0c2coBkWI1rqc134.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trollingchrisbrown.tumblr.com/">Just one of many great trolls...</a></td></tr>
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So one of the websites I visit has a commentator who covers pop music. This week, he covered why Chris Brown is a terrible person, and should be flushed from the music scene. Here is the <a href="http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/teamt/tis/tpsr/34549-turn-up-the-music">link</a>. I had no idea that he performed twice at the Grammy's, and it really ticked me off. Additionally, here is a hilarious tumblr account dedicated to trolling the man who has been described as a "WWE Villain." That link is <a href="http://trollingchrisbrown.tumblr.com/">here</a>. So, that is all for now. Short thought of the day: go have some laughs, and do your very best to boycott this human cancer.<br />
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~Shas'el MikeShas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-60699693663329985022012-02-24T16:38:00.000-06:002012-12-31T11:56:02.420-06:00Upcoming Tourney this weekend!So I haven't posted about it, but I've got a tournament this weekend! It consists of three missions: spearhead with four objectives, pitched battle with capture and control, and dawn of war with victory points. Pretty sure its that combination, if not its some other combination of those three. Oh, and its 5th edition rules (on account of it being 2012). So, now I've got a choice: Play Tau (my first plastic love), or Blood Angels (my second plastic love). On one hand, I like Tau, and I play them most. They're a challenge, and every fight has cinematic potential. On the other hand, my Angels are itching to go, and having a chance to devastate my opponent in the assault phase has me kind of excited. So which did I choose?<br />
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BLOOD ANGELS!!!!! (Here are some pics!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/332134.page">Who says Dakka is useless? </a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lodba6BN9q1qlcwcfo1_500.jpg">Awesome Pic!</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodwp.com/large/201108/19725.jpg">It came from this one place</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoUo3BD1bZDG3WMZHhojQ3i-ZY5XpoSQZTbyeYNwAkfnAtrIkCbKbvd7-OoP5uWBG8mGXwwoJzkltgndlx2kFPJlSu8nZrItQUgL77S2CpNCy-EwUi0vlRL9FVK96FbyBM4_tO48EWrE/s1600/3993119748-warhammer-40k-blood-angels-terminators-and-cybot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoUo3BD1bZDG3WMZHhojQ3i-ZY5XpoSQZTbyeYNwAkfnAtrIkCbKbvd7-OoP5uWBG8mGXwwoJzkltgndlx2kFPJlSu8nZrItQUgL77S2CpNCy-EwUi0vlRL9FVK96FbyBM4_tO48EWrE/s320/3993119748-warhammer-40k-blood-angels-terminators-and-cybot.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.djibnet.com/photo/games+workshop/warhammer-40k-blood-angels-terminators-and-cybot-3993119748.html">Sweet Lighting</a></td></tr>
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So its 1850 points, and I have a couple options. Last time I played them in a tourney, I ran jumpers and Mephiston, which was fun. I wound up getting 4th, after a total massacre courtesy of a chaos marine army. However, in a couple test games I've played the inability to pop mass armor have been a challenge. So, I'm thinking that jumpers+devs is the way to go. Here's the list: <br />
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Librarian: jump pack<br />
x2 Sanguinary Priest: jump pack, power weapons<br />
Sanguinary Priest<br />
2x10 Assault Marines: x2 meltaguns, power fist<br />
x5 Assault Marines: meltagun, power fist<br />
2x5 Vanguard Vets: lightning claw, thunder hammer, x2 storm shields, glaive on sarge<br />
3x5 Devastators: x4 missile launchers<br />
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~Like it? Love it? Or don't care?<br />
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<i>Shas'el Mike</i><br />
<i><br /></i>Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-64920573130950691302012-02-21T14:52:00.000-06:002012-12-31T11:56:12.507-06:00A Fantastical ThoughtIF:<br />
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if ghosts are real,<br />
if ghosts consistently generate measurable emf fields,<br />
if the electricity from those fields is the same as conventionally-generated electricity,<br />
if magic is power from an outside source utilized through ritual,<br />
if electricity can be generated from a series of known processes <br />
if magic can generally do the things that electricity can generally be said to do, <br />
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THEN:<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Perhaps we've accidentally arrived at the future without realizing it. Perhaps we have harnessed magic and done very real and magical things with it, without realizing our accomplishments. Much like we don't believe in dragons because we've only found dinosaur bones, perhaps we don't believe in magic because we have only discovered electricity. <br />
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We have machines that heat and cook food, transports that monitor themselves as they carry us, that tell us where we are on a map, that do calculations and create non-existent worlds for us to play in, solve problems, project voices and carry visions of far-away places. We have paddles that can bring a 'dead' person back to life, and focused application of this energy can fix depression temporarily.<br />
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The easiest way to make something less scary is to give it a name and attempt to know something about its habits. Perhaps, in our rush to tame our world by naming and categorizing everything in it, we have lost sight of how crazy and magical the world we live in is.Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-31093571532002210032012-02-06T19:03:00.000-06:002012-12-31T11:56:22.087-06:00off-topic, then... Tau vs Drop-Melta and JotWW!First, the off-topic stuff. I tend to patrol eBay regularly, looking for awesome deals. As a somewhat broke post-college student, I have to stretch every dollar as far as it will go. This weeks deal was a smashed-up Dante, that was mis-labeled. As any Dante fan will tell you, he has an axe with a wicked special rule, and an infernus pistol. (I had to look that up actually, so I guess I have to admit to being a Dante-poser.) However, I did have some leftover Sanguinary Guard bitz, and Death Company bitz... so, I rebuilt him. He's not taller, and he's still metal, but I like to think he looks more awesome! Due to privacy concerns I have used state-of-the-art technology to obscure the photographers identity: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7vUMBpbZAE5-b-zwUVxbPbb2xbFjtBdnR32yrHpTxTXzNSaEM9wSGEQ9XnNhMqufMcB_IwFvwgYQAhH-kbiKOPpWuFOQeGzB56S7mLZvpzrjbbhAFJUvxuDvexGS9iAIAoApAjpXjDw/s1600/WP_000405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7vUMBpbZAE5-b-zwUVxbPbb2xbFjtBdnR32yrHpTxTXzNSaEM9wSGEQ9XnNhMqufMcB_IwFvwgYQAhH-kbiKOPpWuFOQeGzB56S7mLZvpzrjbbhAFJUvxuDvexGS9iAIAoApAjpXjDw/s200/WP_000405.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
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So now onto the fun stuff! I've been trying to improve my deployment with Tau, trying not to gimp my game any more than I have to. After all, deployment is your chance to put your best foot forward, or get caught with your pants down. I don't know about you, but I prefer the former. Generally, I'm playing these days with my 1500pts list, I call it "mech death":<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOd13XSUWBZb47tU0YSVi6j8MsKx7h-8SflRORo7fpSiDcpNY9FEfQv-P3MSbc5sh4A1oceiyqFFtAv_YDEEXLC72Yz_Mgz6UPH-9ohO0rJP2ExGQyHOvvcxaNPSwREKT0P0QiKK-7W4/s1600/WP_000407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOd13XSUWBZb47tU0YSVi6j8MsKx7h-8SflRORo7fpSiDcpNY9FEfQv-P3MSbc5sh4A1oceiyqFFtAv_YDEEXLC72Yz_Mgz6UPH-9ohO0rJP2ExGQyHOvvcxaNPSwREKT0P0QiKK-7W4/s200/WP_000407.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my army</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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shas'o: mp, pr, mt<br />
2x2 crisis: mp, pr, mt<br />
x2 crisis: x2 mp, bsf<br />
2x10/1 kroot/hounds<br />
x6 fw<br />
x5 pathfinders<br />
x1 dfish<br />
2x1 piranha: ta, fb, dp<br />
3x2 broadsides: ass, leader:tl,x1sd<br />
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Pretty much the goal is to de-transport the opposing person, then feed them cheap units until the bell sounds, while shooting the rest of their army to pieces. Traditional Tau strategy, no? However, last tournament I got hit with a surprise gift of 4 Space Wolf Termies, Njal and Ajax in a drop pod turn 1! That unit absorbed two full rounds of firepower of mine before they finally broke out of containment and went to town, short one Termie. With the prevalence of sacrificial time-wasting assault units on the tourney scene, and my own lack of melee-counters, I've been musing on how to defeat drop-podding rocks. Especially those packing something nasty like Jaws-laden psykers. Because I am incredibly visual, I have included pictures. In case you want to follow along in my thoughts. So, here we go!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__8QqhZOK-0oQtT-xBbK6eb_IzwifL66rYVeyEZdCTgscIgITfXWx2DWPSbj5PGBdncQz-e1yok1p9huvZW0SE_ZEAUSxR3bLSgOHjrYGyw2x4Z8WWUUSQ5jelWixoeEIdJWtbr7n-FM/s1600/WP_000406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__8QqhZOK-0oQtT-xBbK6eb_IzwifL66rYVeyEZdCTgscIgITfXWx2DWPSbj5PGBdncQz-e1yok1p9huvZW0SE_ZEAUSxR3bLSgOHjrYGyw2x4Z8WWUUSQ5jelWixoeEIdJWtbr7n-FM/s400/WP_000406.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This formation can work for either spearhead or pitched-battle, assuming you want to force them to advance and avoid being surprised with a drop pod to the back. So, basics first. You want your vulnerable, long-range units in the back. So, Broadsides back, occupying the corner. Since we're afraid of Jaws, stagger them a bit so no more than one or two can be hit. Next, Crisis Suits, and use your vehicles to block LoS or otherwise provide cover to those squads. Then, place your Pathfinders forward, and i used my Fire Warriors to complete the chain. Finally, I layers my 2 squads of Kroot out into a wall. By making sure that every model was at the very extreme range of coherency to the next one up, this deployment forces Drop Pods out of range of the key elements of the list, and push melta-guns out of their sweet-spot. Also, there are no openings inside your castle to fit ds'ing units. Additionally, no matter where you are targeting from, you're not going to get more than one broadside with jaws. Crisis Suits are immune, and no-one cares if a couple Kroot get zapped. Add in some terrain which (hopefully) will give your Kroot some saves, and its going to be tough to drop your army with insta-gib weapons! But, what happens next, when those Termies with their Jaws, their claws, 3++ shields, and stuff show up at your door? Then comes Phase B!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15vcCKYhGaicDzMdmiHUaN1soc-H6tZcu_YF-j_UWtwN54isdm1gjq8f9sWPZ5RDgb3X3Ig64VrZ0Sk9G1884tq4ef2Rjf9D3544y8mgkPKGrKkSZfc_XlCh5DoZcbnBWpGY_6C5aGrI/s1600/WP_000409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15vcCKYhGaicDzMdmiHUaN1soc-H6tZcu_YF-j_UWtwN54isdm1gjq8f9sWPZ5RDgb3X3Ig64VrZ0Sk9G1884tq4ef2Rjf9D3544y8mgkPKGrKkSZfc_XlCh5DoZcbnBWpGY_6C5aGrI/s400/WP_000409.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">drones facing -> are termies. and the dice are too. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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This picture should be big enough to tell whats going on. Click on it if it needs to be bigger. I assumed the pod hit where my wife's phone is, and deployed the nastys as close to the line as possible, to attempt to Jaws some Broadsides. Also, this would theoretically give them cover from the rest of my army that isn't right there in front of them. Because everyone has 2" of coherency between them and the next model, there is an enormous amount of empty space in the tau deployment area. Think of it as a "Marshmallow" deployment. What happens when you put some heat to it? It shrinks! By retreating a bit with the Fire Warriors, and moving the Kroot line back, you've now got room to jump your piranhas up 12" to flank the Termies (represented with drones and dice, because... just because.) and drop drones. The drones can use their larger flight bases to create a wall between them and the rest of your army, covering more space and blocking enemies from stepping between them. And now, you let them have it! Ideally you'll be able to pin them or kill them, but if not, no sweat! your Kroot can wrap them as the rest of your army moves away, preferably to kill the scoring units in the other persons army. Using these tactics, you can count on two turns of shooting before they can begin wiping the floor with you. May your dice be kind!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOydaFNBWhUuX72knWJ70wRpPp40vf2oe3Ji7LZI0riTj-s5xIX6ByYHmp-PL_NA4CWYnXB977hl4Sbd2c8645jMUexYH-ebG-N69k_r5kXRdquoefMBpwNB3Dulciwt3DfABVYlbYJJg/s1600/WP_000410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOydaFNBWhUuX72knWJ70wRpPp40vf2oe3Ji7LZI0riTj-s5xIX6ByYHmp-PL_NA4CWYnXB977hl4Sbd2c8645jMUexYH-ebG-N69k_r5kXRdquoefMBpwNB3Dulciwt3DfABVYlbYJJg/s400/WP_000410.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and here's if they come in on the other side</td></tr>
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With the way that the army is setup, if they drop on the other side, you can do the same thing. Only this time, you use a Devilfish and a Piranha to move into position, and drop the drones and wall up. Again, it is important to get that 2" in between each drone. Once you move your Kroot up behind them, the rest of your army can begin moving away, to ensure that the death star is useless, or, shoot them up! Again, by using a "Marshmallow" deployment, you've ensured that you can compress, focus fire, and setup for next turn without throwing away your throwaway units. <br />
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Rock units (terrifying killy-units-of-doom) are scary because they can pulverize your tiny blue-green men, but as a tradeoff they are expensive and slow. If you can put something between them and you, only leaving their rear area clear, they will either waste a turn moving backwards, or assault your useless decoy on their own turn. Talk about a good deal! If you have the firepower, perhaps you can use a couple turns to wipe them out. Perhaps.<br />
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If shooting stormshields isn't your thing, there is a better idea: moving away! I illustrated deployment in a corner, to minimize the number of likely angles for a drop pod assault. They will likely hit front-and-center, as drop pods that fall off the table are counted as destroyed. As they have no way to reduce the number of dice they roll for scattering, risky behavior is likely going to be avoided. This leaves both table-edges open for retreat. Your Crisis Suits can JSJ, your Pathfinders are good sacrificial bait, your Fire Warriors can grab the Devilfish, your Broadsides are 'slow n purposeful,' your vehicles can move 12" and shoot, and your Kroot can back up enough to not be multi-assaulted by the rock, and still be close enough to tarpit them for another couple rounds. This thinking was inspired by a Space Wolf list that was comprised of Termies in a pod, Grey Hunters w/ a Librarian in a pod, more Grey Hunters in a pod, and Long Fangs. Most of the points were tied up in the rock. If I had simply moved out instead of trying to kill the rock, it should have been easy to wipe out the Grey Hunters, and Long Fangs. I could easily have put Crisis Suits and Piranhas on them, and wreaked havoc.<br />
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Particularly with the list I was facing, the rock could have been held up all game: he kills drones turn 1, kills kroot turn 2, kills kroot or pathfinders turn 3, and at that point has to spend the next 3 turns killing Broadside squads, otherwise they bypass Termie armor and offer insta-death. That is what the a.s.s. on the Broadsides is for: moving them far enough away they can't be multi-assaulted. I guess my learning curve is taking me to the point where every unit in my army is negotiable, as far as survival goes. Generally, I want broadsides to have good angles, and remain stationary while the rest of my army advances. But in some cases, like podding-Termies, those squads will serve a better purpose by being something that is un-ignoreable as well as disposable. After all, isn't that what the Greater Good is all about? <br />
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~Shas'el Mike<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff0oWESdmH0&ob=av3e"><i>"you sit alone, in your heartache"</i></a>Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-12355709023737436302012-01-25T09:20:00.003-06:002012-01-25T09:23:19.695-06:00LifeI was working on a post discussing deployment in a manner that prevents your precious HQ/Elite/Heavy units from being JotWW'd off the board, as well as preventing melta units from dropping inside the 6" range bubble simultaneously. However, real life raised its ugly head, and so that is temporarily being postponed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDvb3VyldS-10-eDhaSk3N8nYfOnrMWioU836NII1lcSh8a-fGpGkM3KKb2ifyAH0ravMXu5yGLXbFuPxr2i-V2408FCYZ-O9vSkAtqugtellHmrL-eHyqf6t8Azayxbo5cOXXXHKynU/s1600/Issue+6+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDvb3VyldS-10-eDhaSk3N8nYfOnrMWioU836NII1lcSh8a-fGpGkM3KKb2ifyAH0ravMXu5yGLXbFuPxr2i-V2408FCYZ-O9vSkAtqugtellHmrL-eHyqf6t8Azayxbo5cOXXXHKynU/s1600/Issue+6+Cover.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Identity-Crisis-Brad-Meltzer/dp/1401204589">link to original source</a><br />
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My grandfather passed away Sunday evening, and I will miss him. God gave him an extra 16 years thanks to a successful heart transplant, consequently he was able to witness both my growth into adulthood, and the first year and a half of my little boy's life. He was a believer, and as a Christian myself, I do believe I will see him again. Between now and then, his absence will be felt by myself and the rest of his family.Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-56737351624544878292012-01-12T18:07:00.000-06:002012-12-31T11:56:48.923-06:00Team Tournament!So, got a couple thoughts for you. There is a chance in my area to attend a 1500-pt team tournament, 750 pts per side. Each one has to bring at least one HQ and at least one troop choice. And, unless the special rule states otherwise, such as ethereals and morale check re-rolls, they apply to your allies army. Well, I own two armies: Tau and Blood Angels. So, I'm going to talk about combining them!<br />
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First, Tau. They're my favorite army, so I'll talk about them first. What do they have going for them? Firstly, guns. Their weapons are better than basic space marine weapons, mostly. Their basic pulse weapons are more powerful than MEQ equivalent, as are their railguns. The plasma rifle is weaker, but doesn't have the Gets Hot rule, and the missile pod shoots twice to make up for less strength and ap than the MEQ equivalent. Next, the crisis suits are mobile and abuse cover rules shamelessly. Also, Tau fear no night-fighting. Between blacksun filters and Acute Senses they can generally see as far as their range can shoot. Also, cheap spammable troops! Kroot are decently shooty, and Hounds are generally assaulty. The downside to Taus are pretty rough too: low leadership across the army, expensive kit options, and no solid assault presence.<br />
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Next, Blood Angels! Everyone's favorite crazy rampaging power-armor. What good things do they have going for them? Synergy! Sanguinary Priests offer furious charge and FNP gets offered to anyone close enough. Also, they are solid on the assault phase, with assault marines as troops and librarians that can break transports, provide cover saves, and lots of other fun stuff. What's bad about Blood Angels? A reliance on melta, for starters. Anytime that you don't get that double-dice roll, its gonna be tough to pop the vehicles. Also, their short-range shooting-phase is pretty weak. So, how do we combine these?<br />
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We want an army that is shooty, assaulty, and resilient as all get-out. So, here goes! Firstly, the shooting base: Broadsides and Crisis suits! Two Broads, make them team leaders, give them the ability to move-n-shoot, and a shield drone. Then, a Crisis squad and a Commander both outfitted as deathrains. And, add your requisite Fire Warriors. And some blocking/hitting presence... large kroot squads! A squad of 14 Kroot and 10 Hounds sets us back 158 points, so bring two!<br />
<br />
Now for BA, the synergy-kings! We want a Librarian and Reclusiarch. And, for fun lets make the Reclusiarch a terminator. Why? Shenanigans! Tacking them onto the Kroot squads, one squad gets a dude to generate cover saves, the other gets a guy to re-roll attacks! Awesome! Next, resiliency. Sanguinary Priests are amazing for their perks, so lets take 4! We'll take one and give him a jump pack and power weapon, and two to go with the kroot, who will pack power weapons, and a 4th to sit back with the Broads and Fire Warriors to create a shooty firebase. And of course, we need a troop, so 10 Assault Marines with two melta-guns and a power weapon on the sarge. <br />
<br />
Now for the summary! We've got two Kroot who can deploy forward, and have a Sanguinary Priest and either a Reclusiarch or Librarian attached as well. So now you've got better leadership, rerolls to hit or a cover save, FNP to provide a 4+ to anything that isn't ap1, ap2, instant death-causing, or a power weapon. Also, they pick up a couple power weapons, to ensure that they win combat. Talk about nasty. Furious-charging FNP kroot, backed up by a Reclusiarch or Librarian, not something you sneeze at. Also, we've got a 10-man troop choice who's goal is to run or DS forward, break vehicles, and then assault till every last one of them is done. To break vehicles and reduce mobility, you've got deathrains and Broadsides. And for scoring, you've got whatever is left of your Assault Marines, whatever is left of your Kroot, and your Fire Warriors. There you have it! Heres the list for summary. Until next time, keep it real!<br />
<br />
<br />
shas'el: x2mp, flamer, bsf<br />
x2 crisis: x2mp, bsf<br />
2x14 kroot, 10 hounds<br />
x6 fw: 60<br />
2x1 broad: ass, leader: bsf, sd<br />
<br />
libby<br />
reclusiarch: termie<br />
4x sang priests: x1jp, x3 pw<br />
x10 assm: x2mg, pw<br />
<br />
~Shas'el MikeShas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-86998371468672128482012-01-02T21:01:00.000-06:002012-12-31T11:57:15.273-06:001500 Tau list, now with different Plasma !New lists! So i've been playing around with my default Tau army list, and poking around the internet. At 1500 points, I want something which can pound the other army into dust, and advance rather than walking back. Its an unusual concept, and will surely throw off any player who plays Tau which run away and hug the edge of the map. <br />
<br />
Crisis suits of the Fireknife variety are incredibly expensive, clocking in at 62 points. Especially at lower points, those are points that are easily needed elsewhere. However, as the only source of ap2 non-railgun weaponry usually there is no other choice. But what if there was? And what if it was cheaper? Additionally, what if you could virtually guarantee that every crisis suit wounds what it shoots at? I am suggesting, of course, deathrain suits, paying the points to tack plasma rifles onto broadsides, and running 3x2 of said weapon-bearers-of-doom.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
By putting the plasma on broadsides, and arming them with multi-trackers, we can create a solid core which can touch anyone and unleash a blistering array of firepower. Additionally, the saved points from the suits can be put into Kroot Hounds, and blacksun filters. This will result, I think, in an army which is better tourament balanced, and will give me an edge against many armies. Here you go, what do you think? <br />
<br />
Shas'el: x2mp, bsf, flamer<br />
3x2 Crisis: x2mp, bsf<br />
x6 fw<br />
2x10/3 kroot/hounds<br />
x4 pf<br />
dfish: dp<br />
2x1 piranha: fusion, ta, dp<br />
3x2 broads: plasma, mt leader/bsf,tl,x1sdShas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-5532592152449085852011-12-21T14:50:00.001-06:002011-12-21T14:55:35.099-06:00So... Necrons v Tau StrategiesSo i've been thinking about Necrons. Specifically, that nexis between Solar Pulse, Imotekh, and av13-till-penetrated hulls and how that relates to my Tau. <br /><br />Tau are terrible at nightfighting. Sure markerlight hits can be expended to ignore night-fighting on a 1-per-squad basis, but first you have to get the markerlights to hit, which in nightfighting conditions with heavy weapons is not an easy task. Additionally, having a mainly av13 army can be a bit of a challenge for tau, as now it takes fusion blasters or railguns for even the lowliest of transports, even the Crisis squad's vaunted missile pods aren't much use. And then, when it all lets up, Necrons win at CC, so letting them get into assault range is a problem. <br /><br />I'm musing a bit on whether my gameplan needs to change, as the Tau i usually play are completely helpless in extended night-fighting scenarios. Additionally, those random lightning strikes suck when you can consistently max out your force org chart.<br />
<br />
What are your experiences with Tau vs New Necrons? Share them, oh Dear Reader!<br />
<br />
~Shas'el MikeShas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-59015680989698740642011-12-18T15:53:00.001-06:002012-12-31T11:57:42.256-06:00One More, so I Don't ForgetOh yes, and I did a bit of conversion work the other night. Generally speaking, I am bad with greenstuff, and I avoid metal models. However, in an odd conversion of improbability and rarity, I decided to play with both. I needed another Death Company with a power weapon, but I haven't bought magnets for my existing DC. Oh, and I had a metal torso from some Space Marine from an edition gone by. So what did I do you ask? Go on, ask. Its ok. So what did I do? I blinged it up! I have an army of helmeted guys, because I hate painting flesh, but I had this rebreather head I really wanted to use in some way. Also, I an inflexible boring metal body that needed something to spruce it up. So, I used greenstuff for some hair on the rebreather head, i used the arm-with-the-robotic-hand from the DC thunderhammer arm, some blood angel shoulder pads, a DC backpack and BLAM! there you have it. Here are the pics. Enjoy!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVlSowoWhWJc5aglpBe16HDau7rnQxvypefW4yHZLo0eU-gs-MhJOkrb7iGorYL1x_NexxEWmk6ZYzqMQ7iHXHCOQF5jdUf0Cea8bqQlChAEXvx4xkmDz2QiLi5SpVhs6zhKYyHzbTXg/s1600/WP_000352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVlSowoWhWJc5aglpBe16HDau7rnQxvypefW4yHZLo0eU-gs-MhJOkrb7iGorYL1x_NexxEWmk6ZYzqMQ7iHXHCOQF5jdUf0Cea8bqQlChAEXvx4xkmDz2QiLi5SpVhs6zhKYyHzbTXg/s320/WP_000352.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i'm gonna experiment with painting gore, to make this guy more interesting. Greenstuff!</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi045A_4xkWuJ_WaNPNvkfTVaXdjV-mHJzEWVivFIQObrt3_l3vtkI-Ua0EJ5-jGKZpbosAZc5xZbcPACUDBpRo_LNnSh1rP4ZB6krNloTi9KkvuDYS80znbEg4MNbsy_mjuVCiKSyc1Rw/s1600/WP_000355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi045A_4xkWuJ_WaNPNvkfTVaXdjV-mHJzEWVivFIQObrt3_l3vtkI-Ua0EJ5-jGKZpbosAZc5xZbcPACUDBpRo_LNnSh1rP4ZB6krNloTi9KkvuDYS80znbEg4MNbsy_mjuVCiKSyc1Rw/s320/WP_000355.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the hair looks weird, but after getting twice as much all over my hands as on the model, i decided i was done</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4eaPqNasxhW5_EHhuSkYUmODSkZCVYCSxpnreBUv98_OZAoftjsXVPsislPhzQ3meCwibo5AAiHHymDS9EsXBiTu5JkuqX3fze7txOk7jq-LGuS3UW9uDYoEdeXRrjVTOEcl01aF2d4/s1600/WP_000357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4eaPqNasxhW5_EHhuSkYUmODSkZCVYCSxpnreBUv98_OZAoftjsXVPsislPhzQ3meCwibo5AAiHHymDS9EsXBiTu5JkuqX3fze7txOk7jq-LGuS3UW9uDYoEdeXRrjVTOEcl01aF2d4/s320/WP_000357.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">third time's the charm. ignore the fingernails please (my job makes them grow fast, i didnt notice until i posted the picture)</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
Shas'El Mike<br />
done for real now, maybe.Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-51736073364891628542011-12-18T15:46:00.000-06:002012-12-31T11:57:50.537-06:00This Week: 1500 Tourament!So apparently the 3rd weekend of the month is tournament weekend at <a href="http://www.comicasylum.com/">Comic Asylum</a>. I went, I conquered somewhat, it was fun. As far as armies, there were Blood Angels, Grey Knights, Space Wolves, Chaos Marines, Chaos Demons, Necrons, Vanilla Marines, and Eldar that I remember. The missions weren't published initally, so I wasn't sure what I was getting into, but I figured i'd bring my Blood Angels! They haven't seen a lot of use, due to the awkward nature of my model collection and my desire to only play with painted armies. By awkward I mean that my collection comprises most of the support/ fast attack/elite choices i'd want to play with, but i need another squad or two of assault marines. So, here is the list I went with:<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Librarian: jump-pack <i>Shield, Lance</i><br />
Mephiston<br />
2x1 Sanguinary Priest: jump-pack, powersword, x1 infernus pistol <br />
2x10 Assault Marines: x2 Meltaguns, Powerfist<br />
2x5 Vanguard Vets: x2 Storm Shields, Lightning Claw, Thunderhammer, Glaive on sarge<br />
<br />
<u><b>Game 1: By</b></u><br />
<br />
I think that is how you spell it. Basically, three people didn't show. So that means that there was an odd-man out every round. <u><b> </b></u>So I spent this one looking at the other people's armies, and watching them play. Pretty lame, even though it did net me an automatic win for the day.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Game 2: Me vs Chaos Marines: Loss</b></u> <br />
<br />
His list was pretty nasty,heres what I remember:<br />
<br />
Demon Prince: wings, warptime, mark of tzeentch (whichever one gives a boosted invuln)<br />
2x1 Dreads: 1 w/ autocannon, 1 w/ plasma cannon<br />
terminators: combi-meltas<br />
x10 Chaos Marines w/Rhino<br />
x10 Plague Marines w/ fist in Rhino<br />
x10 Berzerkers in Rhino<br />
x5 Havos w/ autocannons<br />
<br />
This mission was pitched-battle deployment, capture and control mission. his forces deployed, mephy went on the board, everything else deepstruck. Then things got brutal, mostly due to my inexperience. Everybody came in turn 2, vets dropping near vehicles, assault marines behind said vehicles. However, i forgot to declare heroic intervention before the deepstrike rolls. So i drop, shake and stun and destroy weapons on some stuff. Then, his terminators and prince walk on, and my vets are just standing there. Over the next four turns, he managed to wipe me out, while being able to hold on to his objective. It was bad, real bad. If I had remembered to announce heroic intervention, and if i had not split my forces, I would have had a good chance for a win. As it was... i got tabled. Ouch. <br />
<br />
<u><b>Game 3: Me vs Space Wolves: Victory</b></u><br />
<br />
If I remember correctly, his list looked like this:<br />
<u><b> </b></u><br />
stormcaller: <i>jaws, lighting</i><br />
2x1 librarian-equivalents: <i>lightning</i><br />
2x10 grey hunters, plasma and fist<br />
drop pod w/ missile launcher<br />
rhino <br />
vindicator<br />
predator<br />
<br />
This game definitely went a lot better than last game. Mephy got obliterated by an entire armies worth of firepower turn 1. I kid you not. I failed an armor save from 3 hits of lightning, failed a save against bolter fire, and in my assault phase took a wound from a super-happy fist. I was very sad inside. But, his libbys were behind his forces, so that was a plus. I deepstruck a squad of vets who killed two of the libbys over two turns, the other vets tied up a grey hunter squad for a while, and the rest of my army proceeded to chew on the rest. By turn 5 all that was left was a grey hunter w/ fist, the pod, and a rhino. Turn 6 i only managed to kill the hunter and the rhino, so it was a mostly-tabling.<br />
<br />
This game I made sure to focus on getting the little technicalities right. I like BA, they're as attention-needy as Tau. They have a bunch of built-in synergies, and rule nuances, that if overlooked result in CSM beating face and tabling you. This time, I made sure to tie up anyone with JoTWW, and make sure to keep everyone possible FNP'd, and multi-assault whenever I could. Overall, this game it worked.<br />
<br />
As I had a win-loss-win, I placed 4th of 11, with the 1st place slot going to a player who scored max possible points all three games. Not too shabby. I used the store credit I won to pick up some more paint, and the metal Chaplain in Terminator armor. I'm pretty excited about him, I'll be sure to post pics eventually.<br />
Until next time, keep playing!<br />
<br />
Shas'El Mike<br />
I got nothing. Go watch some Monty Python.<br />
<br />
<br />Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-59349638779460610852011-12-18T15:01:00.000-06:002012-12-31T11:58:05.633-06:001850 Tournament!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQGvlt8LHidYL5-duWtROqYq0KxRK6LNcRoxCwpgNx50y1hYCJyo4sKASv4mvGuWypHaJGtDIuyBXaHfuVaI8AGIjr7Pj-DyGNwFd0NQuXQ7txhjQ3yTKMCV-z_mc_d-AC3cWXWjLdfY/s1600/Tau_XV8_Crisis_Battlesuit_by_ironflea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQGvlt8LHidYL5-duWtROqYq0KxRK6LNcRoxCwpgNx50y1hYCJyo4sKASv4mvGuWypHaJGtDIuyBXaHfuVaI8AGIjr7Pj-DyGNwFd0NQuXQ7txhjQ3yTKMCV-z_mc_d-AC3cWXWjLdfY/s320/Tau_XV8_Crisis_Battlesuit_by_ironflea.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=58464224&postRepeater1-p=8#58533491">Love this pic. </a></td></tr>
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And now for an overdue update: Last weekend I had the privilege of playing in an 1850 tournament at <a href="http://www.texastoysoldier.com/">Texas Toy Solider</a>. It cost $15 for entry, and was a success. Sisters of Battle, Eldar, Chaos Demons, Grey Knights, Imperial Guard, Chaos Marines, Blood Angels, Space Wolves, another Tau and two Vulcan Marines were present competing for success, plus whatever other armies slipped my mind. Oddly absent were Dark Eldar and Necrons, considering they are the newest of the zenos books. Also, (with no surprise) there was no Tyranids present. <br />
<br />
While previously I have mentioned that the traditional monobuild of Tau is the only way to go, I've been playing around with a different setup. Basically, two-man Crisis squads and two 5-man Fire Warriors in Devilfishes. The reason for the Crisis squad setup is their abysmal leadership and the expense of squad upgrades. Crisis suits are jump infantry with poor leadership, and should they break less than 50% then they can never rally. Also, if vehicles are the target often one of the suits is wasting its shots. And lastly, 3 suits are tough to hid behind cover or vehicles, as one of them is bound to have something hanging out. So, i've been playing two-man squads. They may break, but they will never run off the map unable to rally due to squad size. Also, they're easier to hide. So, I used this strategy in my 1850 list. Heres the list, in case you are wondering: <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
x1 Shas'o: missile pod, plasma rifle, multi-tracker<br />
3x2 Crisis: missile pod, plasma rifle, multi-tracker<br />
2x5 Fire Warriors: x1 pulse carbine<br />
2x10/5 Kroot/hounds (one squad had 4) <br />
x1 Devilfish: disruption pod<br />
x6 Pathfinders<br />
x1 Devilfish: disruption pod<br />
2x2 Piranhas: fusion blaster, targeting array, disruption pod<br />
2x1 Hammerhead: railgun, sms, multi-tracker, disruption pod<br />
x2 Broadsides: advanced stabilization system, squad leader w/ target lock, x1 shield drone<br />
<br />
With this list I wanted to make sure I had lots of blockers and bubble-wrap, but kept almost all the firepower of the 2k list. Overall, I feel this is a pretty solid list. The downside of this list is the killpoint count: 20. 20 kill points if i've popped all the drones, 16 if I keep them attached. That is beyond silly. The worst part is, there is no other way for Tau to do it. But, whatever. With two Fire Warrior squads I could potentially claim two objectives, and contest the others with what was left of my force.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Game 1: Me vs Chaos Demons: Major Loss</b></u><br />
<br />
his list: <br />
Fateweaver<br />
Masque<br />
x8 Bloodcrushers: iron shield (or whatever its called, 3+ armor save)<br />
6x9 Nurglings<br />
2x1 Demon Princes<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFldYPfF374XBEKjHoZWqWA_AJh9q3b2tbZsvx3-G1c9UzqqB91TDmRRJw5uc18F_a_CMpoFGAjzS5k7b04R2CKJbUeIyWGB05ufJEmtI1DHAH-HVhaWsUzSxdUZ07CqFkvcFis5jQYk/s1600/haha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFldYPfF374XBEKjHoZWqWA_AJh9q3b2tbZsvx3-G1c9UzqqB91TDmRRJw5uc18F_a_CMpoFGAjzS5k7b04R2CKJbUeIyWGB05ufJEmtI1DHAH-HVhaWsUzSxdUZ07CqFkvcFis5jQYk/s1600/haha.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">thanks Google!</td></tr>
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So I can't find my pictures, so I wont give you a play-by-play, as that can get boring. So summaries away! I was facing a Fatecrusher List, with a modified Dawn of War mission. As usual, nightfighting on turn 1, up to 1 HQ and 2 Troop choices for initial deployment. However, there were a couple modifications. First, night-fighting stayed in effect until we rolled a 4+ at the start of the turn. Additionally, we had to divide our remaining army into three segments, which had to be reserved. The first would come in at the normal difficulty for the squad, and the next two segments would also be tested for, but at a +1 and +2 difficulty compared to the first wave. Our mission was to get as many of our Troops and Elites into the other persons deployment zone as possible, bonus points for most expensive unit surviving, killing the others elites, and something else I forget. <br />
<br />
So I brought in my kroot and my commander, and put them in cover. Demons dropped, I shot some, killed a demon prince. He assaulted and killed everyone over two turns. Thats when things took a turn for the worse. Nightfighting stayed in place for 3 more turns! We had 4 turns of nightfighting, so I didn't start dropping his models until turn 5. It took me a couple turns to get everything in, which was no big deal. Basically though, it was a massacre. The nurglings deep-struck into my zone, and 27 fearless swarm wounds per squad was not something I could feasibly take down. So he chased me across the map, devouring my squads, and I ended the game in the top left corner of the map, when i came in bottom middle. Final Score: i got blown away. I lost 8 kill-points, and he had 9 troops in my deployment zone. And his most expensive unit survived. He lost 3 kill points, and had 1 of my troops in his deployment zone. It was brutal.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Game 2: Me vs Eldar: Draw</b></u><br />
<br />
His list was somewhere along the lines of the following. I dont remember most of the details, as this was my first game to ever actualy fight an eldar army. so the weapon upgrades are pretty much lost to the mists of history.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4raTC6a1QN1J5CrtqBz7VLSMliObtvqRLLNGxAh6fkXLk65Km-lqR1DjRZ_1QEJoUOrpYHCAwfzPNgVhovn0HYMI012GNMFSrJpi76ZRCuncMz5XDNe9xHeoitXLkxnbfOS2DDMa_l0/s1600/WP_000343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4raTC6a1QN1J5CrtqBz7VLSMliObtvqRLLNGxAh6fkXLk65Km-lqR1DjRZ_1QEJoUOrpYHCAwfzPNgVhovn0HYMI012GNMFSrJpi76ZRCuncMz5XDNe9xHeoitXLkxnbfOS2DDMa_l0/s320/WP_000343.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">only pics i could find were game2 deployment</td></tr>
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<u><b> </b></u>2x1 farseer: runes of warding, fortune<br />
x6 harlequins: x2 fusion pistols<br />
3x10 dire avengers: exarch<br />
3x1 wave serpents<br />
x6 warp spiders<br />
2x2 War Walkers: eldar missiles<br />
Falcon<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MxrzCoxaTnfJNCqro_lNvAoayQEPm3cS9Xdkx6DjGAexfO6FSJNYV5ljxsmMQBkZB_lxsBufokPJ221wPQVwYfCbd-hjffOzKLGkR6ywHxYS15Na6VXuIQi93veawJ8vbkYpc_lmGBI/s1600/WP_000344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MxrzCoxaTnfJNCqro_lNvAoayQEPm3cS9Xdkx6DjGAexfO6FSJNYV5ljxsmMQBkZB_lxsBufokPJ221wPQVwYfCbd-hjffOzKLGkR6ywHxYS15Na6VXuIQi93veawJ8vbkYpc_lmGBI/s320/WP_000344.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my side of the field</td></tr>
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Game 2 was against the Eldar player, which was pretty sweet. I knew Eldar had fast vehicles, and high initative, but having never flipped through their codex I was very unprepared for how this game should have been played. Deployment was spearhead, with a 24" no-mans land running from the top-left corner of the table down to the bottom right. Mission was inverted kill-points: we would total up however many were left at the end of the battle, with HQ's being 3, elites/troops being 2, and everything else being worth 1, and the person with the highest points winning. Oh, and units created in-game didn't count. Yay for KP-free drones!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDZnclJW4TlH3DFAtkVmUOjYw6kLIolAhb38grMKabgn-6OcRTEXCm1maafeNWMKm-YZ6stjCU61w2MbyNRzVf3ACndNFskHO-MPO0T9EyK8dcXXTpQdR7tJmw_ayAiTTywgmgKjZucw/s1600/WP_000345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDZnclJW4TlH3DFAtkVmUOjYw6kLIolAhb38grMKabgn-6OcRTEXCm1maafeNWMKm-YZ6stjCU61w2MbyNRzVf3ACndNFskHO-MPO0T9EyK8dcXXTpQdR7tJmw_ayAiTTywgmgKjZucw/s320/WP_000345.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">end of turn 2?</td></tr>
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So basically the game involved him shooting, hitting, and me making every cover or disruption pod save that did not involve piranhas. Then, i'd fire, hit and wound/penetrate, but then he'd make his cover saves or i'd roll shaken on the damage chart respectively. I kid you not, this is how the entire game went. At the end of the game, i'd had a squad of kroot run off the map after loosing 4 guys from it (sad face. stupid kroot leadership), and both piranha squads and their respective drones died sparkly deaths. He'd lost two transports, and had two squads of dire avengers and his warp spiders mauled. So we tied, and that was that. I played far too defensively this game. When I got home, I started flipping through the codex. Basically, his entire army had str4 or 6 weaponry, and no model had a toughness score over 3. Seeing as Tau firepower is str5 and up, and t4 for my suits, and av11+ for vehicles, I should have advanced, hammerheads first, fish flanking and piranhas screening, suits jumping behind, and rolled his army up. As it was, we pretty much duked it out ineffectively and then called it a draw. What a silly result.<br />
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<u><b>Game 3: Me vs Grey Knights: Massacre</b></u><br />
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His list was as follows, i think:<br />
Draigo<br />
2x5 Paladins<br />
Stormraven<br />
x5 Interceptors<br />
x5 purgations: x2 psycannons<br />
Nemesis Dreadknight: greatsword, h. incinerator<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupXgQyJbUfFavGPYNdPWJkG0rkkF7AwXV8GSZVNeWfxbJJYI9VqtG0OiWBZzuIA9UL8VZR5Iylf59NVtUQRlHr0kQ4VlFnYN8-23krXv9rT3XRzNeBkmiwtXPD1fcotCsbguMw7XDdHQ/s1600/warhammer+40k5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupXgQyJbUfFavGPYNdPWJkG0rkkF7AwXV8GSZVNeWfxbJJYI9VqtG0OiWBZzuIA9UL8VZR5Iylf59NVtUQRlHr0kQ4VlFnYN8-23krXv9rT3XRzNeBkmiwtXPD1fcotCsbguMw7XDdHQ/s320/warhammer+40k5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.natfka.blogspot.com/">Prob GK Skulls</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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So i've commented a couple times that I think Tau are a great foil for grand cheese known as Grey Knights. They're expensive, have awesome CC weapons and powers, and their vehicles are difficult to suppress. However, Tau don't engage in close combat, love smaller-sized armies, and use weapons that kill vehicles rather than suppressing them. This mission was a 3rd edition throwback, oddly like capture the flag with guns. Which, btw, is as weirdly awesome as it sounds. There were 6 tokens scattered around the board, with a number on the underside. If you landed a model on it and stopped moving, you could flip it over. If the number matched the number rolled before deployment, that was the objective you were trying to capture. Then, you're goal was to keep that unit alive to retain possession of the marker. No secondaries, this was all-or-nothing. Spearhead deployment, kroot infiltrating into cover about 24" from the GK deployment zone up top, other infiltrating as screen below.<br />
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So turn 1, he moves foward. This map has a lot of of blos cover about as tall as half-a-dreadknight. However tall that actually is. But, none tall enough to block a Stormraven. So he moves foward, flips a couple tokens: nothing. He moves the purgation squad and whatever the other was foward, uses astral aim to be able to shoot my kroot, and then i go to ground for a 3+ and nobody dies. My turn, i explode his Stormraven, put a wound on his dreadnight, my piranha squad moves 18" and drops the drones on a marker: its the one! at this point, i run it back 4", and then assault move it another 6". His turn involves moving foward, and the dreadknight killing a piranha and the drones. meh. The rest of the game involves him moving foward towards me, shooting kroot pointlessly, me using Devilfish drones to keep the objective out of firing range of him turn 3 on, and me shooting everything to death besides 8 paladins and draigo. Turn 6 they barely reached the middle of the table, and i rolled a 1 for every wound i put on them! I kid you not, a 1 for every missile pod, every rapidfire plasma gun, every railgun, you name it. It was a massacre in my favor. As mentioned, i dropped everything but the remaining 8 termies and draigo, and he killed 3 piranhas, 6 drones, and 9 kroot from one squad. It was beautiful. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iNWsax-WJ0D2qRag6poSe-trwJ9n6dsHzstsevnA7wHvl7oFJaVYx2oGyoH-TNhysNt_tcob_jvvg2fS-sUhMOqbFJIe8O98me9fiaZZoerTA8q1RMp0dN3lCqxWekWS7UfZeDpsWhA/s1600/summarize-repeat-clarify.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iNWsax-WJ0D2qRag6poSe-trwJ9n6dsHzstsevnA7wHvl7oFJaVYx2oGyoH-TNhysNt_tcob_jvvg2fS-sUhMOqbFJIe8O98me9fiaZZoerTA8q1RMp0dN3lCqxWekWS7UfZeDpsWhA/s200/summarize-repeat-clarify.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smartlemming.com/blog/2009/05/how-to-avoid-mistakes-in-action-items-and-project-deadlines/">they forgot the rinse step</a></td></tr>
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Overall, I felt the stregnth and weakness of my codex, and the limitness of my knowledge. It was quite a rollercoaster day for me. The first game showed some glaring problems with Codex: Tau Empire. Namely: Necrons. Night-fighting is a terror that keeps Ethereals up at night, fearing to close their eyes and dream. Its terrible. Sure markerlights can allow you to ignore the rule, but your lights have to see to hit first! And since they're heavy weapons that means that squad can't move. That is a brutal combination when combined with a meaty assault army. Depending on how the meta goes, this could cause me to stop playing Tau at tournaments for the next couple months. Between solar pulses and that one HQ, it could get real nasty, and I have nothing to counter it with. In terms of knowledge, my defensiveness against the Eldar force really held me back. I played very defensively, keeping everyone alive and him out of threat range, but nothing really got accomplished. If I could play that game again, I definitely would have risked my forces more. Last game was pure gold. Using my archaic codex to hammer Cheese Marines into the ground just makes me happy inside, I cant really describe that glow. Additionally, Tau are boss at keep away. 18" move, 2" disembark, followed by a d6 run and 6" assault move means that if I find the token first you'll never see it again. Odd thing for Tau to be good at, but whatever.<br />
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So yes, there it is. I didn't place as high as I wanted, due to loss-draw-win, but it was fun. Until nextime!<br />
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Shas'El Mike<br />
<i>"Metal Boxes!"</i><br />
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<br />Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-24050437585986642222011-11-29T14:59:00.001-06:002012-12-31T11:59:03.762-06:00"Penguins come from Antartica!"Hello Internet! You can tell i'm glad to be posting because I personified the web of insanity that is the interwebz. Yes, you may now throw stones. 'Interwebz' is one of the stupidest words ever, and has gone from ironic to stupid due to overuse. By the way, I came up with a new joke today. Want to hear it? Glad you do, here it is:<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
"I walked into Banana Republic today. If I staged a coup, would they get the joke?"<br />
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So yeah, there you go. Think about it, let the cerebralness of it all sink into you like a car into snow. Then be sure to share it. Make it a meme, make it famous. So there you go.<br />
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In other news, I got a couple games in on vassal recently. Its tough, because I tend to start playing around midnight. Which is a terribly dumb idea. While free-association brought on by sleep-deprivation got me through college, its not as much fun now that i've got a 1.5-yr old alarm clock. So yeah, i haven't gone to bed before 330 in a couple nights. Ooog, I feel wiped out. Quick strategy rundown: I'm playing Tau. No surprise there, I love the fishheads. Speaking of which, WHAT THE HECK THQ. I picked up Dawn of War years ago, and loved it almost as much as Starcraft. When I wasn't Dragoon rushing, I was Fire-Warrioring. Those guys are awesome, and Crisis suits are a waste of population slots. Then I pick up 40k: surprise! Fire warriors are not in fact awesome. I have 48 of them, all painted, and no more than 6 ever see the table. Thanks THQ. Oh, and I love Crisis suits. The old stealth suits are ok, the new ones are clunky. So I don't mind that every Tau army must include a bunch of Crisis suits and Broadsides. Its great, I love their aesthetics and picked Tau due to them and Fire Warriors. Back in the day, I loved Mechwarrior. I loved me some Maurader IIC, Hated RIfleman with a passion, and if it didn't have PPCs I wasn't driving. So yeah, Broadsides rock. <i>Anyways</i>, I like Fire Warriors. And I hate how Kroot go balls-up as soon as something scary comes their way. balls-up. Yes, that is a thing, and its terrible. Its up there with Dane Cook kind of unpleasant experience. If you like him, you shouldn't, he's not funny. So there. <i>Anyways</i>, I like Fire Warriors, and I hate... we did this. we'll skip foward. I decided to try to fit two squads of them in Devilfish in, for scoring purposes. In an 1850 list, I dropped some hounds and a crisis suit, and something else I don't remember. At 2k, some other stuff. So, on to the games:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXE7RR9iVZyUZJ1dWF9YtFOKv1Tah9c21CIU781Hihy_-HA2QFzGqZALLCO2dlHI18cz4617hol5y2bGqq8Tyx475OBCOYZGGnsYBOxnkLBgTYc292xjzbAQEQHyZxRgEpRfeh_uoU4o/s1600/turn1end" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXE7RR9iVZyUZJ1dWF9YtFOKv1Tah9c21CIU781Hihy_-HA2QFzGqZALLCO2dlHI18cz4617hol5y2bGqq8Tyx475OBCOYZGGnsYBOxnkLBgTYc292xjzbAQEQHyZxRgEpRfeh_uoU4o/s320/turn1end" width="320" /></a></div>
Game 1: So this one was against Grey Knights. I deployed/went second. After the loss of a Piranha to his shooting, I pretty much decimated the lower half of his vehicles. Great guy to play against, very amiable. Sadly I won due to forfeit. His keyboard stopped working, and he failed to come back after restarting his computer. However, it was a traditional Tau-vs-GK game. Namely: Tau aren't phased. When you die to tantrums in CC, awesome killy powers are irrelevant. So, you shoot them. And since they cost more, there are less. And that is always good news. Which means, I think Tau will become more prevalent now that GK are the cheese-of-the-week. <br />
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Game 2:This game was different, but pretty awesome. My opponent introduced me to the Tyrants Legion, an IA option that allows you to field an IG+SM with some freakin sweet special rules. Are they overpowered? Not really. Is it a cool change? Pretty much. We played a couple rounds, then my opponent had to concede due to the lateness of the night. But, I think I had this one. It was a blast, I'm happy with how my list performed.<br />
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Game 3: This game went back and forth. Dawn of War versus Black Templar. Man, that Marshall can soak some firepower. It took me 3 turns to drop him and his honor guard. I've never seen a squad pass so many saves, and we're talking railgun, railgun, plasma, missile, kroot gun, kitchen sink, you name it. At the very end, I lost due to being unable to score a wound on the bottom Initiate squad, and being unable to kill the rhino that blasted through dangerous terrain to contest my objective. First two turns, I def had it. Then... a multi-assault that killed a FW squad, Kroot Squad and Dfish happened. After that it seesawed with turns 5 and 6 resulting in not a single death on his side of the board. But it was fun, glad I got to play. <br />
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So there you go. The morale of this story is: don't let terminators get in your lines. They're beastly. But when a Kroot Hound takes one down its hillarious. So yeah. Lovin Tau, Lovin Life. Until next time!<br />
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~Shas'el Mike<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1p_NHFd8jM"><i>Say some things... you know you've only got one</i></a><br />
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<br />Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-55872430047976838972011-10-29T00:34:00.001-05:002012-12-31T11:59:15.879-06:001200 Tau v Nurgle Marines Thoughts<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.starshipmodeler.com/rv/pg_tau.htm">Beautiful Diorama</a></td></tr>
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In the last week, i've managed to read all the battle reports involving my favorite Tau bloggers I could get ahold of. Between that and my musings, I've been interested in getting a game going.<br />
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Tonight one of my buddies and I got a game going at the local gamestore. We played 1200 points, him Nurgle Marines and I Tau. Unfortunately we got capture and control, pitched battle. I placed my objective in the open and his was placed in cover. My list was as follows:<br />
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shas'el: mp, pr, mt<br />
2x2 crisis: mp, pr, mt<br />
2x6 fire warrior<br />
2x1 devilfish: dp<br />
2x1, 1x1 piranha: dp, ta, fb<br />
2x1 hammerhead: dp, mt, rail, sms<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
his list was setup like so:<br />
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2x1 demon prince: mark, wings, warptime<br />
2x7 plague marines: champ/fist, melta, icon<br />
2x1 rhino<br />
2x? zombies<br />
3x1 obliterator<br />
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Due to my phone being low on batteries, I wasn't able to take pics, so I'll forgo the traditional batrep and focus on thoughts:<br />
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<b>Deployment: </b>He went first, and deployed center-map. Traditional fair, rhinos providing cover to Dprinces, Obliterators in cover on the objective. I deployed my hammerheads and crisis suits in the left-corner closest to my objective, with the flank covered by the piranha. While this did keep me out of range of everything but a couple Oblits, it did greatly hamper my firepower. Because Tau are mobile, not fast, I wasn't able to get out of his Dprinces way. If I move 12 inches, and he flies 12 and then runs d6 inches towards me, its only a matter of time. While I can't control the dice, I think a split firebase would have been the way to go. Also, I should have kept the fight focused around the other objective, so that my dfish and piranhas wouldn't have to struggle with cover.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidy-lGlCiBYpjCStgFPSk3lFb2k_ZzmR29OUAKxvqdg2Q1ueXdvv1Y4uenLcmBeASX2eFOQShrXSnOopfCoCtVFL-c10DDvOuVtbGIF2bgeiwxT587J9GyKFo_RfbyBTZB2-RrHJFNqyI/s1600/Marauder+01+GF+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidy-lGlCiBYpjCStgFPSk3lFb2k_ZzmR29OUAKxvqdg2Q1ueXdvv1Y4uenLcmBeASX2eFOQShrXSnOopfCoCtVFL-c10DDvOuVtbGIF2bgeiwxT587J9GyKFo_RfbyBTZB2-RrHJFNqyI/s1600/Marauder+01+GF+032.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bluetablepainting.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html">Awesome Pic. So Sad</a></td></tr>
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<b>Turns: </b>Played the game cagily, Tau-style. Used crisis suits to whittle down the Plague Marines, attempted to use the Hammerheads to either do the same, or drop templates on the zombies that had deepstruck near the other objective and shambled onto it. Sadly not a single pieplate hit those zombies! I managed to get my suits cornered and tied up in CC, and lost a HH to shooting. On turn 6, I had one objective solidly contested by a piranha, a Dfish and its surviving FW cargo, and another one coming up fast. On the other objective, I had a railgun-less Hammerhead and a FB-less Piranha ready to contest. Sadly, the former got destroyed in CC and the other got immobilized.<br />
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<b>Next Time:</b> The first error happened when I allowed the game to be dictated on the wrong side of the field. While Tau are fragile in CC, I need to be more aggressive dictating which side of the field is played. Also, I am thinking split firebases are the only way to go. His forces fragmented readily, setting me up where I needed to be shooting wise. However, I couldn't get my forces to where the angles weren't giving cover saves. I need to not hide quite so far behind terrain in deployment, and aggressively move so that every turn my full firepower comes down. If I split my firebase, he has to come after one or the other. This way, I can negate the advantage that rhinos generate by holding the middle of the field. Otherwise, I think the game went well. This is my first game in ages where I used more than 6 fire warriors or 1 devilfish, and that makes me happy. Also, first Tau game ever where I willingly reserved parts of my forces. And i must say, it turned out well. As a test game, I wont lie I would have preferred a win. But, the loss was close enough that I think the new strategies will stick around. Next time: A real batrep!<br />
<br />
Shas'el Mike<br />
<i>"while the lawyers clean up small details..."</i>Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-19982949606397515252011-10-11T00:22:00.000-05:002011-10-11T00:22:10.822-05:00Swappable Blood Angels Furioso / LibrarianFinishing up assembling my new BA dreads and hit a quandary. The death dreads will stay as-is, I haven't come up with a list where I want anything besides basic guns and talons on them. The Furioso is a different story. I want it to have a hot-swappable left arm and torso. The arm is easy, a simple magnet will do the trick. The torso is trickier due to the hollow interior. So, if you know an easy way to accomplish this, please let me know. Pics and tutorials are both always good. <br />
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Until Next Time!<br />
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~Shas'el MikeShas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2438360156100557908.post-83815637768510099252011-10-08T13:11:00.000-05:002012-12-31T11:58:30.089-06:00Tau @ 1.5k: not like I usually playFirst off, a huge thank you for putting up with my touting my models I was selling here. I had my eye on three Furiosos, and the necessary bits to make 2 of them Death Company Furiosos, and one of them able to alternate between vanilla and Librarian Furioso. With some bitz-sells as well, I also picked up the bitz to finish my converted Vanguard Veterans. I'll do some posting about those when I'm done. However, thats all beside the point. For now, there shouldn't be any shameless commercial plugs. Now, on to other stuff.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://warhammer-tau-army.blogspot.com/2009/04/40k-battle-reports-from-carnage-2009.html">Warhammer Tau. Check it out. </a></td></tr>
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Now, for something completely different. Tau. I haven't posted a lot regarding them, because there isn't a lot thats new to them. The not-quite-grimdark fishheads were nasty in 4th, and still have managed to remain competitive in 5th, with a cost. That cost is becoming a monobuild. The Tau Empire codex was built with 4th in mind. Rules such as skimmers being immune to CC unless grounded, no TLoS, higher costs for the opposition's models, target priority, preferred enemy meant guaranteed attacks regardless of survival, etc. Which means, in true xenos fashion, rather than mighty stats they had mighty gimmicks. Sadly for Tau, all those rules above are gone. So they adapted. Sacrificing scores of Kroot allies, sending Piranhas to their pilots death, and giving ground in return for a change to unleash more blistering firepower, the Shas'el and Shas'o's are able to still claim victories for the Greater Good. Its always a costly victory, and its never certain whether important objectives can be reclaimed before it is too late. <br />
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While the traditional competitive build is both challenging and entertaining to play, and a dead Grey Knights army is a pleasure for everyone to enjoy this holiday season, sometimes I want to play something different. A different build, that has a chance of success but changes up my army and strategy. And at 1.5k points, because it lessens the firepower gap between first and second tier codexes. Will this build be the most efficient build the codex can offer? no, but it will share similar traits. Will it have a chance of victory as a take-all-comers list? That's the idea. I lean more towards the gaming/competitive side of the spectrum than towards the fluff/painting side. I don't want to build a <i>bad</i> list, I am aiming for <i>pretty good, </i>as long as it is different. So, here goes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tauofwar.blogspot.com/search/label/Old%20Shatter%20Hands">Commander-est non-forgeworld Google has to offer</a></td></tr>
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Firstly, HQ choices. Mandatorily, we have a Crisis Commander. I'm thinking dual missile pods and target lock, as that is what I have mine modelled with. And, it adds some anti-light armor and high-toughness firepower while saving points for the rest of the army. What about another HQ? no. I don't want to take another Commander because they don't gain enough for the extra points spent on them. And I won't take an Etheral for two options. One: I HATE THEIR RULES. Giving the codex a leader that causes everyone to loose heart upon his/her death, plus no save, and dumps fearless on a squad that is almost guaranteed to suck at CC is beyond cruel, its malicious. Two: i figure a less-than-ideally-effective army build will prob be annexing a backwater planet, making the presence of an Ethereal silly. <br />
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As far as Honor Guards go: probably not. They're expensive and don't add much. Slightly higher BS or the ability to take wargear don't make up for how expensive they are. unless you're over 2k points for your match, no reason to hit this category. Nothing new or interesting, just more expensive. No thanks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://advancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=14586">This is what real camo looks like</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Who do I want for my first elite slot? Stealth Suits of course. I love the design of these. I prefer the older ones to the new ones, but I can honestly say I like the XV-25's as well. I picked up 12 of them when I first got into 40k. And I want to us some of them. 30 pts for a model is kind of expensive, if they only have one wound. So we wont take a big squad at first. Lets try one three-member squad. Lets make one a Shas'ui, and give him a marker light. And give all three targeting arrays. Why? because invisible markerlight-shooters are fun. And if you're gonna spend that much in points, you better hit almost every time. And for killing MEQ and TEQ's lets put two squads of two Crisis Suits, giving them the traditional fireknife configuration. I like them, and they're a good unit. Plus the Tau Codex all but hits you over the head with a sign that says: "TAU USE CRISIS SUITS DUMMY!" So thats the elite slots. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rY_hB6o9gPapob5vJfssNfb0xd_mJQc0ak8LY90PaY0ChuBXOUqXNrFYOyL4x0fjWNKj4FVODJ4f1qcCxnhrBPVDtf2ZphaobC8jZHpCJUaOZ9PnFmQCyhGDqiluY_E_kFw-VH830YI/s1600/350px-Tau_Fire_Warrior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rY_hB6o9gPapob5vJfssNfb0xd_mJQc0ak8LY90PaY0ChuBXOUqXNrFYOyL4x0fjWNKj4FVODJ4f1qcCxnhrBPVDtf2ZphaobC8jZHpCJUaOZ9PnFmQCyhGDqiluY_E_kFw-VH830YI/s320/350px-Tau_Fire_Warrior.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Fire_Warrior">Warhammer Wiki: awesome pics</a></td></tr>
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And now for troops. The wisdom garnered from too much time on blogs suggests 4 troops for 1500. So four troops. I like Fire Warriors, i've got 48 of them floating around at my place. While they have some glaring weaknesses, they're the epitomy of Tau, and I have a weakspot for them. So two 12-man squads. And Kroot. They make great sacrifices, and allow flanking. I never flank, because that means less bodies on the field to absorb firepower. So, to change things up, we're gonna take two squads of fourteen Carnivores and seven Hounds, and outflank the heck out of them. Add in a Devilfish setup warfish style and troops are good to go. Two standing and shooting, two outflanking or infiltrating depending on the mission. Can't go wrong there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPFLyVaMQ8A3SMx-QDGbD8cHZ5WUdy6ooPl0CMmFFnb67YD4iPaRr3u5y61bnzJ4x-iNkMmtADSqOTZHb_Uyl5h9i-EtShD1FkVkHEUQPhTHfk33kusxJY9acWQKjYAFZY1RXJ_TIeDc/s1600/Tau_Piranha_Display___Front_by_Night_Spectre81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPFLyVaMQ8A3SMx-QDGbD8cHZ5WUdy6ooPl0CMmFFnb67YD4iPaRr3u5y61bnzJ4x-iNkMmtADSqOTZHb_Uyl5h9i-EtShD1FkVkHEUQPhTHfk33kusxJY9acWQKjYAFZY1RXJ_TIeDc/s320/Tau_Piranha_Display___Front_by_Night_Spectre81.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://night-spectre81.deviantart.com/art/Tau-Piranha-Display-Front-167566122">"Wind whippin at my coat..."</a></td></tr>
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Fast Attack was the last slot I ever learned to use. I'll be honest, I was loath to purchase Piranhas, and I can't stand Vespid. So, lets add in some Pathfinders and their mandatory Devilfish. Lets try boosting the Pathfinder numbers to 8 and configuring the Devilfish warfish style. Btw, that means smart missile system, multitracker, targeting array and disruption pod. 120 pts for a transport that might kill stuff. Nowhere near las/plas Razorback awesome, but its as close as we get. And a couple of Piranhas for blocking and melta goodness. Since they tend to not shoot the same targets as anyone else, we want them to hit. So add in some targeting arrays, the prereq disruption pod, and a fusion blaster, and they're good to go.<br />
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Now for heavy support... if only I had more points. I usually play with a couple Hammerheads, so i'm gonna go Broadside this time. Esp at lower point values, the twin-linked guns are beautiful things. Lets try two of them, in two squads. Add in the advanced stabilization system so they can move, make them both leaders (the cheap option), and give each one a shield drone. This allows for shooting different targets, gives each one a cheap 4+ invuln save attached to a disposable drone, and presents your opponent with the problem of overkill.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tauofwar.blogspot.com/2010/07/ideas-and-works-in-progress.html">Tau of War: pure amazing</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Unfortunately, this puts us over 1.5k in points. So... drop the fire warriors to 8 per squad. It still allows for the death of 2 prior to the first morale test, and sheds 80 pts total. Then, drop the kroot to ten carnivores and seven hounds apiece. Finally, drop the Pathfinders to 5. That should leave you with five points to spare. I'll prob add a bonding knife to one of the broadsides, or a target lock to the stealth suits. No obvious spends here though. So this gives us the following:<br />
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shas'el: tl-mp, tl<br />
2x2 crisis: mp, pr, mt<br />
x3 stealth: ta, leader/marker<br />
2x8 fire warrior<br />
Devilfish: sms, ta, mt, dp<br />
2x10 kroot/x7 hound <br />
x5 pathfinders<br />
Devilfish: sms, ta, mt, dp<br />
2x1 piranha: fb, ta, dp<br />
2x1 Broadside: ass, leader, x1 sd<br />
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As far as strategy goes: depends on the map. Kroot can outflank or infiltrate. I'd probably outflank to put some pressure on the opponents back area in objective games. The Broadsides can be put in opposite corners of your deployment zone to make sure they both can't be CC'd into oblivion. And... the rest of your army except for Pathfinders are mobile. Piranhas are great blockers/speedy melta units, your Stealth Suits can't be shot beyond 18" and are packing a 30" marker light, and your Crisis Suits and Fire Warriors have great range. Whichever side the Pathfinders are deployed on will prob be the focus of the enemy firepower/assault. So deploy them all, harras with Piranhas while pathfinders guide the shots in. After they get a little on the close side, load up or JSJ out of CC/Melta range. Then, drop the Fire Warriors back out, turn the crisis suits around, and firepower the heck out of everything. Meanwhile, your outflanked Kroot will either be stealing objectives or assaulting backfield units. Surround and destroy. Is it optimum? no. Does it use Stealth Suits and Fire Warriors? Yes. I'm gonna give it a whirl next game, post your comments if you do too.<br />
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P.S. Again, as a reminder, this is not the best Tau can do. If you recommend this list to a new joiner to our hobby, you should be ashamed of yourself, and chewed on by your gamer group. The best Tau can do is the shas'el w/ x2mp, 3x3 crisis: mp, pr, mt, fire warrior squad, 2x 10/7 kroot/hounds, x9 pathfinders, devilfish: ta, mt, dp, sms, 2x2 piranha: fb, ta, dp, 2x1 hammerhead: rail, sms, mt, dp, x2 broadsides; ass, leader/tl, x1 sd. This list is for a bit of tactical variety, and carries a higher risk of loosing. <br />
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Till next time,<br />
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Shas'el Mike<br />
"<i>work all day at the chocolate factory..."</i>Shas'el Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534357302990133778noreply@blogger.com1