Dropzone list/shoptalk thread

[scoundrel13]

I don't think you need a Condor for the Kodiak, as it is the kind of Commander that hides at the back of the board using Indirect Fire and issuing orders through scouts. Have it drive on, or directly deploy. If you do drive it on, you will need Scouts somewhere in the list, as they can relay the command radius of the Kodiak- which it will need, hiding at the back of the board! If you want no scouts at all, or don't have the points, then actually you may need the Condor to get you physically close enough to yell orders out of the Kodiak window at your tank formations.

What CV is the Kodiak Commander? Judging from the points, I think you may not have paid for one. You need some kind of Command Value as you'll struggle to get any Command Cards off without being espionaged, and you'll only be able to have 1 command card in your hand. You'll also rarely win the Initiative roll, so will be at your opponents mercy of being forced to go first or last. I recommend CV4 or CV5. It's expensive, but worth it. If you're using FFOR army builder, right click on the Kodiak for command upgrade options. CV4 costs 95pts, CV5 costs 140pts.

Praetorians are a great choice, swift insertion in a Raven A, and they can go toe-t0-toe with other CQB specialists.

Ah, the classic UCM armoured brick. These are a solid spine to the army, just remember that the Rapiers don't have to hang around with the Sabres once they're down, as they are separate squads. I would throw this Albatross straight up the middle of the board, drop in the centre, for great AA threat and Sabre target flexibility.

The Legionnaire Corps is a must, nothing else need really be said.

Wow, four Gladius and two Scimitars, that's some serious firepower! The only thing I would say is that you already have a large chunk of points devoted to killing enemy vehicles- the six Sabres. If you're happy to go with the overwhelming ground firepower, that's fine, but I would say at 1500pts that you only really need the 4Gladii/2Scimitar brick (no Sabres), 3 Sabres and 2 Gladii or 2 Scimitars, or just the 6 Sabres (no Gladii or Scimitars). You could use the spare points for something lighter but more flexible, like a Katana squad (lots of E9 shots), something with Flame capacity to support your infantry or extra AA cover.
I've struggled against John's Gladii before, as 2dp and A10 is an absolute bitch to get through. While they battered my skimmers in a straight fight, they weren't able to move and respond quickly to the evolving battle, so I escaped with most of the objectives and no surviving models. Not seen the Scimitars used, but they recently got their MF changed to 1" and E value for main weapon bumped to E11.

For any other force, I'd say that TWO Fast Movers is unnecessary for 1500, but for UCM, you can get away with this, as a large chunk of the UCM command deck involves bumping or supporting your FMs in some way. The Archangel can act both as a dropship sniper for any enemy transports straying out of AA protection, and as Interceptor cover for the heavier Seraphim. The Seraphim itself is a monster at A7, and has the flexibility to smash buildings (Sledgehammer missile is now Demolisher D3+3) and enemy armour. It does lack any AA firepower of its own, and is especially vulnerable to enemy Interceptors, but that's what you take the Archangel for.

Overall, I'd say its a solid win-the-ground-war leaning list, which will smash anything that tries to fight you in a straight fight (PHR, Resistance) but may struggle to deal with rapid movement, redeployment or general avoidance (Shaltari, Scourge). It's also a tad light on AA, with the one Rapier squad and the Archangel, but that comes down to personal preference. With care taken over the health of those Rapiers, this can still work. As a Scourge player, my main aim would be to throw everything at that single Rapier squad in order to gain close air dominance, allowing my Desolator and Reavers to hunt ground assets unimpeded, and my dropships to operate freely (apart from the Archangel).

But hey, that's just me This was longer than I planned! Hope its helpful.