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Equipping a cheap XV-88

1K views 11 replies 10 participants last post by  Tralfagar 
#1 ·
Hello ever-helpful LO users.

I’ve been browsing through the forums over the past few days and reading various bits of advice about how best to spread the greater good. After all my reading, I looked back at some of the army lists I had drawn up, and decided to rework them a little.

When tweaking one list, I ended up with around 80 points spare, and having been a long-time fan of the Broadside I decided to throw one of these in – that and I couldn’t actually think of another unit that I can keep below 80 points. However, while a few discussions and tactica that I’ve read on this forum do deal with Broadsides, they tend to recommend throwing a few more points at these battlesuits.

Basically, I just wanted to get people’s feedback on what equipment would be most useful on a bare-bones Broadside. I’ve started with this setup;

Shas’ui with twin-linked railguns and smart missile system

To this, I can only add one support system, and I’m just wondering what people consider to be the best option from the following selection of upgrades.

Targeting Array – Improved accuracy seems to be a good idea when you’re relying on the broadside to eliminate enemy armour

Multi-tracker – I normally take this but I’m not sure if it would be well served in this instance. I figure the Broadside will use its railguns for the first few turns, targeting enemy armour, and if the XV-88 still happens to be alive in the later turns it can then move into cover and fire the smart missiles as targets get closer.

Drone controller and shield drone – Gives the battlesuit a better chance of survival. I know it takes the battlesuit slightly over my self-imposed limit of 80 points but I figured I could get around that by fiddling with something else in the list.

Advanced Stabilisation System – I can see how this could be useful, but I’m reluctant to take it as I don’t think I’d use the move-and-shoot ability very well and thereby end up wasting my points. Is it still a good option, or are the previous upgrades more useful?

So, that’s my conundrum. If any has any advice or alternative suggestions, it would be great to hear from you. I know a fair bit of what I’m asking is probably dependant on individual playing styles and preferences, but I still thought I would ask.

Thanks all.
 
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#3 ·
Hi there.

All support systems have their good uses. The three im most in favour of would be the A.S.S(my favourtite), shield drone and the targetting array. The A.S.S is good because you can move and still shoot with the rail guns, this comes in handy if you end up hiding your broadside behind cover for protection, and then pop out and shoot something big (though he becomes vulnerable for that turn). Now, if you had a shield drone, you dont quite have to worry about protecting him that much, a shield drone on a broadside gives another 2+/4+ save that can take hits instead. Finally, the targetting array. IMO its possibly not as effective as some of the other systems, seeing as the rail guns are twin linked, but if you want something that hits hard, and is nearly almost sure to hit, then take this.

Peace out.
 
#4 ·
Don't forget that a shield drone also adds a wound, and saves you from instant-kill the first time it happens. That said, ASS is the most useful one in my opinion, but my playstyle revolves around the ability to keep moving and firing. If you play more statically, the shield drone is not a bad upgrade.

Multi-trackers are not bad for when you are playing more statically, as you can trade mobility for greater firepower against some targets. However, given that the primary weapons system is the twin railgun, and given that it's targets are heavy armour, I would avoid the MT.
 
#7 ·
Don't forget that a shield drone also adds a wound, and saves you from instant-kill the first time it happens. That said, ASS is the most useful one in my opinion, but my playstyle revolves around the ability to keep moving and firing. If you play more statically, the shield drone is not a bad upgrade.

QUOTE]
A shield drone is possibly the worst item of wargear for a static XV88 (especially lone suits) it does indeed give you an extra wound, only problem is that as soon as the drone is gone your XV88 is taking last man standing tests and if it fails it cannot shoot its weapon (basically useless XV88).
If your taking a lone XV88 (not a good idea anyway IMO) then the A'S'S is probably the best option.
Like I said though I think lone XV88's are a bad idea, it is virtually impossible to get a good configuration that allows survivability and accuracy.
You cannot take A'S'S and shield or TA and A'S'S, or TA and Shield and shield drones are a no no for lone units (cost and the reason I listed earlier) the designers really made it hard to achieve a good suit build for bare bones XV88's.
I would tweak your list and find the points for either a two man XV88 team (allows more flexibility in equipping them) or a Hammerhead with railgun (my preference).
 
#8 ·
Indeed, say no to shield drones for fall-back purposes. I would personally take the TA, as an 8/9 hit rate is fairly splendid, though I can see the practicality of the ASS. I prefer to drop my broadside in one spot and fire for the whole game, even if it might be better to scooch over a little
 
#9 ·
Firstly, thanks for all the replies.

Secondly, I think ILonginus has summed up the way I would use a Broadside perfectly. Although I didn’t mention it in my original post, I’m still in the process of assembling/painting my Tau (while simultaneously working on a Fantasy army) and it’s taking a bit of time. I haven’t played that many games, and haven’t played any with a broadside, but my feeling is that I would split my army; have a static firebase (Firewarriors and the Broadside) and a mobile element (Crisis suits and Stealthsuits)

So, although everyone’s been singing the praises of the ASS, I think I’m more likely to go with the Targeting Array, just to make it even more certain that whatever those guns point at is cleared off the table.

But the ASS does sound tempting. I’ll keep it in mind; I suppose it won’t hurt to try it out…

Thanks again,
Brett
 
#10 ·
So, although everyone’s been singing the praises of the ASS, I think I’m more likely to go with the Targeting Array, just to make it even more certain that whatever those guns point at is cleared off the table.

But the ASS does sound tempting. I’ll keep it in mind; I suppose it won’t hurt to try it out…
Played against Nid's with a unit of two broadsides with ASS last night supported by 2 railheads and once again ASS proved it worth. With the twin linking my BASS didn't miss a shot in 6 turns and wiped out a carnifex and hive tyrant with tyrant guard on their own. The ASS let me control fire lanes while making slight adjustments on the units LOS.
 
#11 ·
Definitely ASS. My reasoning is simple: do you want to be able to move and still shoot the heavy stuff if your opponent has placed a tempting target but you have no LOS to it initially?

Two BASS with T-Ldr upgrade, HWTL and a couple of Shield Drones are even better!

E.
 
#12 ·
I'm with E. A TA means you can't shoot, and thus can't get the first shot off. And as soon as you move that 88 so it has LoS, it'll be blown up.

However, the A.S.S. allows you one shot before taking a LasCannon.

Shield Drones allow you to maneuver, but if you take more than 2 hits from a unit with AP2 or 1, you'll have a dead broadside.

IMO, it's better to pair drones with A.S.S. and if you MUST choose only one, I'd go with the drones. Either way, the 88s won't survive the game, but you'll be able to take out last the other configurations.
 
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