4 Great Cannons

[HighPlainDrifter]

Now I realize great cannons are in almost every list, but has anyone even taken 4 cannons in a 2k battle before?
Now I'm not talking about a gunline army list, just a generic empire list but with BAM! 4 cannons. Just thinking about the utter destruction this would wrought on any army makes me happy.


Gunline or not, how has this worked out for you?

[GMJoeSolarte]

the most I ever did was 2 GC's, 2 HellBlasters, 1 mortar I think was able to fit in during 5th Edition under their WAR MACHINE ALLOWANCE.

As always, it all depends on whom you are up against. If you are up against an army with huge infantry blocs, really powerful monsters/individuals, chariots, etc then yes this can be a powerful thing to have that changes a lot of dynamics.

I would make sure my GC are backed up immediately by good troops. Chances are the enemy is going to HAVE to come after you as a shoot out probably won't end too well.

[Black Mamba]

I have never really run large volumes of cannon. I like volley gun , and I love Mortar and these will inevitably constitute most of my war machines.

Reasons why I wouldn't take a lot of cannon:

Kill-some-ness-although fantastic against characters, monsters and heavy armour, they don't have quite the potential mass killy power I like.

Line of Sight -when positioning them it may be difficult to give them all the fields of fire to cover the enemies advance, if you are relying on destroying nasty stuff from afar this is a sticking point.

Cost -Cost of Cannon vs cost of Mortar, not huge, but when you start adding 3-4 cannon you could buy another regiment.


Occasions where I would:

-Siege, no need for battering rams, towers or ladders, blow the walls down and walk over the ruins!

[alvenom]

I wouldn't take four Cannons. I think two is more than enough. I'd more rather take one of each artillery piece.

Versitility is the Empire's strength.

[GMJoeSolarte]

I could use 4 Great Cannons if I KNEW that the enemy was going with a list that would maximize 4 Great Cannons.

IE, if I knew he was going with huge, deep infantry blocs that were going to advance at me. Or had multiple REALLY large monsters that neccessicated the usage of 4 cannons to make sure I get them.

That cuts into your Special allowance, remember that.

[Black Mamba]

GMJoeSalarte has caught onto a key point!

Empire are supposed to be flexible, yes they can field all gun line, or all cavalry or huge infantry blocks, but they are best used in conjunction.

I tend to use Core units to deal with bulk of enemy army.
Special units (greatswords, pistoliers, cannon, mortars) are my flexible harrassing units, that can be fitted to any opposing army and given targets when deploying.
Rare units tend to fulfil more niche roles, Helblaster/helstorm are best employed against Tough armoured infantry units (Dwarf/Chaos Warrior/Saurus), flagellants are best used to grind down vicious enemy units and steam tank...well its a shock weapon!

I thought of another use for 4xcannon.....Vampire Sniping!
Yes, they have high Initiative for 'Look out sir!' rolls, but they gotta fail eventually, and when they do......

[GMJoeSolarte]

I had a pretty good 5th Edition Warhammer list.


It generally composed of a big 20+unit of infantry (back in 5th edition they were not that distinct), two detachments of 10 each of missle troops (usually handgunners and crossbow). Led by a hero with the crown of command and some other stuff.

2 Great Cannons. 2 Hellblasters.

This was generally the core part of my army. After that I had a lot of versatility and could vary the army to include Knights, Flaggelants, halfings, a general on griffon, and other such combinations. It largely depended on whom I was going up against but the above core was very good especially if going up against my opponents 'in the blind/not knowing what I was up against'.

[kithre]

I had a pretty good 5th Edition Warhammer list.


It generally composed of a big 20+unit of infantry (back in 5th edition they were not that distinct), two detachments of 10 each of missle troops (usually handgunners and crossbow). Led by a hero with the crown of command and some other stuff.

2 Great Cannons. 2 Hellblasters.

This was generally the core part of my army. After that I had a lot of versatility and could vary the army to include Knights, Flaggelants, halfings, a general on griffon, and other such combinations. It largely depended on whom I was going up against but the above core was very good especially if going up against my opponents 'in the blind/not knowing what I was up against'.

Lol and got munched by double ranked longbow fire and repeater Bolt Thrwoser (ah 5th ed - halcyon days indeed! WS 5 Silver Helms, Emperor Dragons galore, and genuinely the best magic in the game)

[GMJoeSolarte]

well if I KNEW I was going up against HE or WE, I would sub out the handgunners for xbows or longbowmen to help cover that. And drop the hellblasters for a Steam Tank, sometimes two of em if I knew they were bringing it and wanted to be stubborn. I did that to the WE especially when I knew they were bringing 100+archers in his army plus 2 treemen. putting two Steam Tanks with T10 forward and up of my army to fire away and know they could do nothing to it always helped.

[kithre]

Lol - happy days!

Anyways, back on topi - 4 cannon is a very large contingent of teh army that needs to earn its points back. A mortar is generally more likely to be able to do so.