1850 list -need help

[Tuatara]

Hi Folks,

I'm not sure if this is the best use of my points. I like the idea of Purgation squads. I know people say Purifiers have cheaper psycannons, but you need to get 10 of them to get those four psycannons in one squad, whereas a Purgation squad can have 4 of your 5 with Psycannons. Anyway, C and C welcome.

HQ:
Grand Master XXX pts

Elites:
Purifier squad - 2 incinerators, 2 halberds and 1 sword. DT is Razorback with heavy flamer and Psyflame ammo 199pts
Ven Dread - Psifleman upgrades 195pts

Troops:
10 man GKSS - 2 swords, the rest halberds, Psybolt ammo 260pts
5 man GKSS - 2 swords and 3 halberds. DT is Razorback with Las/Plas 195pts

Fast Attack:
Storm Raven with Plasma Cannons and Typhoon Missiles 230pts

Heavy Support:
2 Purgation Squads. 4 Psycannons and a sword in each. Both have DT of Razorback with Psybolt ammo 460pts in total
Psifleman Dread 135pts

That makes 1849. I like the idea of the Pruifiers arriving in something that will flame the living daylights out of an opponent, then they get out, burn them with incinerators, then cleanse them with flames.

The ten man GKSS will go in the SR with the GM (although in missions requiring objectives, I may combat squad them or the GM can make more units scoring). The dreads will provide backup fire for the purgation squads. If none of these guys move, that's 32 stength 7 shots and 8 strength 8 shots per round. (I used to have a list that had 3 Purgation squads and 6 terminators carrying psycannons - that was fun but not very mobile and I feel I need S8 shots in my list).

One slight modification would be to change the GKSS razorback to a regular Razorback with psybolt ammo leaving enough points for 2 psycannons in the ten man squad and 1 in the 5 man squad.

Seem ok to you?

[Mad Cat]

HQ: Fine, rad grenades added would be a nice combat boost.

Elites: Ven dread with MM/CCW would be fun transported in the storm raven otherwise I would drop it to a regular psyfleman. Purifers are ok but I would like to see a larger unit in the stoem raven.

Troops: A bit light for 1850 points meaning the GM strategy is always needed in objective missions. Halberds aren't great on GKSS as they only have 1 attack and the cost is considderable. Take 2 psycannon and psybolts. A hammer too would help. Smaller squad I would upgrade to 10 as above.

Fast: I always prefer the MM for killing tanks. Plasma is ok on the turret.

Heavy: Don't like them. Yes you don't have to buy meatshields to get 4 PC but then you are a very juicy (and rather expensive) target. I would swap for GKSS. Dread is fine.

[Tuatara]

Hi Mad Cat,

You have given me some things to ponder. I agree with your comments on the Ven Dread (have changed to carrying MM, but have changed the SB to a Heavy Flamer and psyflame ammo). Have also increased the Purifiers to a 10-man squad (2 Incinerators and 2 Psycannons plus a hammer). They will now take the SR.

I take your comments on board about the MM on the SR, but I think I'll keep the Missile launcher on there (want to try it anyhow).

Both GKSS are 10-man with 2 psycannons, hammer and still 4 halberds due to model constraints. But they also have psybolts. If I combat squad them, the hammer and 4 halberds will go together. Both squads will ahve a razorback each, so they will not be able to be used if I don't squad them, but that's OK. If I do, then the hammer and halberds will go in and rush forward.

Have bid a teary farewell to my purgation squad and have two regular psifleman dreads.

Thanks for you help.

[Mad Cat]

Sounds good.

If you still want a purgation squad a cheap 5 man with 4 Incinerator unit in a razorback can be fun. Their flamer cost is reasonable and the numbetr of S6 hits can be very effective.

[Grey nut]

if you have 5 guys in a squad (4 with psycannons) how much fire can you TAKE before you start loosing psycannons?

remember that extra guys means more fire you can take without losing return fire strength...

[Tuatara]

Good point.

[Furbyballer]

If the enemy can shoot your purgation squad then you have screwed up. The best way to use them is to put them in a razorback and truck them up to mid field and drop them behind a LOS blocking terrain and use the razor backs as mobile cover and LOS blockers as well. There is not a single vehicle that can withstand 16 psycannon shots, even with 4+ cover saves. Purgation squads are expensive but when put in razorbacks, placed on the board correctly, and made scoring units by a GM they are amazing.