Hello Again,
As most of you are aware, the NOVA Open just wrapped up this past weekend. With that, we saw similar trends in the armies that made it to the top tier or fought for No.1 in their respective tournament. In fact, in the top tier 1 bracket we saw 5 Space Wolf and 4 Grey Knight players out of a total of sixteen total participants. That is more than half the field. Hmm.... I guess no one would be surprised to learn that they also took home the top prizes in two of the more significant events.
1) Winner of the NOVA Open Invitational 2011 - Grey Knights
1a) Second place was awarded to a Space Wolves Player
2) Winner of the NOVA Open 2011 - Space Wolves
2a) Second place was awarded to a Grey Knight Player
Both lists utilized:
- Razorbacks and rhinos transporting minimum sized squads with some form of anti tank weapon (Meltagun or Psycannon).
- Heavy Support that was capable of taking our light transports. Psycannon Dreadnought or Long Fangs w/Missile Launchers.
The notable difference in both armies is the Space Wolves fielded scouts and strong HQs such as Njal or Thunder Wolf Cavalry Lords.
This brings me back to one army I've been playing for years and one army I am currently working on. I've been playing Space Wolves for years. In the beginning, I utilized the Rhino Rush to great effect. When rhinos took a big hit, I switched to a hybrid Rhino/Drop Pod list and still did well. Lately, I've been using a Land Raider followed up by Rhinos and Drop Pods. This list has served me well, but I feel like the Landraider does not always make back its points. Therefore, I've contemplated a new list.
Space Wolves 2000pts.
275pts - HQ: Logan Grimnar
245pts - HQ: Njal Stormcaller
085pts - Elite: Spave Wolf Scouts w/Meltagun
225pts - Troops: Grey Hunter Pack (10) Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol, Plasmagun x2 [Drop Pod]
215pts - Troops: Grey Hunter Pack (10) Power Fist, Meltagun x2 [Drop Pod]
215pts - Troops: Grey Hunter Pack (10) Power Fist, Meltagun x2 [Drop Pod]
120pts - Troops: Grey Hunter Pack (5) Meltagun [Razorback w/HB]
120pts - Troops: Grey Hunter Pack (5) Meltagun [Razorback w/HB]
115pts - Troops: Grey Hunter Pack (5) Meltagun [Drop Pod]
115pts - Heavy: Long Fangs (5) Missile Launcher x4
115pts - Heavy: Long Fangs (5) Missile Launcher x4
150pts - Heavy: Long Fangs (5) Multi-Melta x4 [Drop Pod]
Total Points - 1995pts
The idea behind this list seems pretty obvious, but I'll explain just in case.
Turn 1: Logan Grimnar w/MM Long Fangs and the PF Meltagun Grey Hunters arrive via Drop Pods. They target armor and other high priority targets. Twenty five Grey Hunters and Logan Grimnar are no joke and can cause some serious damage. The Long Fangs w/Missiles deploy in unison with the two Grey Hunter Packs in Razorbacks for support. The Long Fangs and GH in Razorbacks provide fire support while holding rear objectives/quarters.
Turn 2: Hopefully, the initial Drop Pod Assault is still alive and active to cause damage and create mayhem. Hopefully, the scouts and the last large Grey Hunter squad arrive to assist Logan and Boys. The Long Fangs w/Missiles and Grey Hunters in Razorbacks continue to harass the enemy and provide much needed fire support.
Turn 3 and 4: Njal arrives with the last Grey Hunter Squad in their Drop Pod. By this time, his tempest is raging to full effect and will wreak devastation for enemy squads. Njal will arrive in the middle of the enemy's lines in support of Logan and boys unleashing psychic powers and the tempest.
If all works out well, the Space Wolves Shock and Awe will cripple the enemy before they can react. Then the clean up crew (Njal and remaining Grey Hunters) will come in for the kill.
In regards to the Grey Knights, I've been working on an Adeptus Custodes army. I'm sure you were already aware of this per my last post. I've decided to alter the list slightly in favor of a different secondary HQ. The list would perform a little better in the tournament scene, but includes a few non competitive units (GK Terminators).
190pts - HQ: Grand Master w/Psychotroke (sp?) Grenades
175pts - HQ: Grey Knight Librarian w/Sanctuary, Shrouding, 3 other powers (Can't recall their names)
145pts - Elite: Vindicare Assassin (Love this model and its rules)
180pts - Elite: Purifier Squad (5) Psycannon x2, Rhino
225pts - Troops: Terminator Squad (5), Psycannon, Daemon Hammer
170pts - Troops: Strike Squad (5) Justicar w/Daemon Hammer, Psycannon, Razorback w/Psyammo
170pts - Troops: Strike Squad (5) Justicar w/Daemon Hammer, Psycannon, Razorback w/Psyammo
170pts - Troops: Strike Squad (5) Justicar w/Daemon Hammer, Psycannon, Razorback w/Psyammo
170pts - Troops: Strike Squad (5) Justicar w/Daemon Hammer, Psycannon, Razorback w/Psyammo
135pts - Heavy: Dreadnought w/Two Twin-Linked Autocannons, Psyammo
135pts - Heavy: Dreadnought w/Two Twin-Linked Autocannons, Psyammo
135pts - Heavy: Dreadnought w/Two Twin-Linked Autocannons, Psyammo
Total Points: 2000pts
Kill Points: 17
Scoring Units: 5 + D3
As you can see, I've removed the Brother Champion (it pains me) and Justicar Thawn for a Librarian with five psychic powers. The librarian can use two of his powers in my opponents turn and two in my turn. Most notably, he can turn my 4+ Cover save into a 3+ cover save making my units more resilient. He can also use Sanctuary to prevent or make it more difficult for enemy models to assault my units as they will be force to roll for difficult and dangerous terrain. Finally, he has some offensive psychic shooting attacks and a buff for combat. All for 175pts..... What a steal!
