Pips Salamanders
From Gobstyks-wiki
2nd August 2009
HQ: Forgefather Vulkan He'stan (190 Pts)
HQ:
Brother Arsene Icosis
Space Marine Librarian (100 Pts)
Null Zone; The Avenger
Elite:
Venerable Brother Hephaestus
Dreadnought (165 Pts)
Extra Armor; Heavy Flamer; Twin Linked Heavy Flamer; Drop Pod
Elite:
Squad Palici
5 Assault Terminators (200 Pts)
Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield (x5)
Troops:
Squad Pyrios
10 Tactical Marines (250 Pts)
Meltagun; Multi-Melta;
Rhino: Helios
Extra Armor
Troops:
Squad Adranus
10 Scouts (180 Pts)
Camo Cloaks; Sniper Rifle (x9); Heavy Bolter w/Hellfire Shells
Fast Attack:
Squad Aetna
3 Land Speeders (150 Pts)
Heavy Flamer (x3)
Heavy Support:
Volundr
Land Raider Redeemer (265 Pts)
Extra Armor; Multi-Melta
The Forgefather, Vulkan Hest'an, has gathered around him a small force of Space Marines as he embarks on his sacred mission to recover the lost artifacts of Vulkan.
Brother Icosis, a recent recruit to the chapter Librarium, has impressive abilities in the psychic art of psychometry. By holding an object, he is able to divine some details of the object, including who last held it. It is Hest'an's hope that he will be instrumental in his search.
Venerable Brother Hephaestus has been entombed within his armoured shell for over three millenia. His wisdom and counsel have proved invaluable to Hest'an on many occasions, and has joined the expedition to lend his calming presence to the party.
Squad Palici are Hest'ans personal bodyguard. Their presence were granted to him on the same day that he was ordained as the Forgefather. They will give their lives if necessary in pursuit of their goals.
Squad Pyrios are from the fourth company, and Sergeant Pyrios is a close colleague of Hest'ans. They have fought together on a thousand worlds, and he will follow Hest'an into the Eye of Terror, if it meant recovering only one of the artifacts.
Squad Adranus are on their final mission as Scouts. Once this expedition is over, they will return to Prometheus, where they will granted full status as Brother Marines. Sergeant Adranus is a veteran Scout Sergeant, who has seen many of his charges progress on to greater things, including a former 4th company Captain.
As is the custom with the Salamanders, they have each hunted down one of the indigenous Fire Drakes, and killed it using only the weapons they have created. The scales of this creature have been crafted into a cloak, increasing their ability to remain undetected.
Although the Salamanders fighting style does not lend to lightning strikes so much as the rest of their brother Marines, they still see the wisdom in utilising Land Speeders, and especially so in a mission such as Hest'ans, where speed is sometimes the best course of action. Often, they are not required to destroy massed forces, but merely speed in, collect what they came for, and speed out again. Squad Aetna have proved themselves many times over over the course of the expedition, and have shown how Space Marines have to be able to adapt to any given situation.
Volundr is Hest'ans personal transport. Land Raider Redeemers are favoured by the Salamanders, and Hest'an is no different. The Machine Spirit sometimes takes on a near sentience, and as often avoided potential incidents without seeming to have warning.
The usual tactics employed by the army is for the Land Speeders to soar forwards, quickly followed by Squad Agni in their Rhino, Helios and Scout Squad Adranus.
After these have reconned the area, if further assistance is required, then they contact the Strike Cruiser, where a Thunderhawk transporter, bearing the Land Raider Volundr, containing Hest'an, Icosis and Squad Palici and a Drop Pod containing Venerable Brother Hephaestus are despatched, where they rapidly descend to the planet. Hest'an is in contact with Sergeants Pyrios and Adranus during the descent, ensuring they are ready for battle the moment they touch down.
3rd August 2009
Well, after a few games to play test the list, I have noticed one major problem. In a list like this, relying on a small number of solid, resilient units, the Landspeeders stick out like a sore thumb.
I don't know whether my opponents recognise their damage potential, or whether they see them as the weakest unit and a ready source of Kill Points (or maybe it's my inability to use them properly) but they are not working for me, so out they go.
Instead, they are replaced by a Vindicator, and a few upgrades to existing units. So this is the list as it stands.
HQ: Forgefather Vulkan He'stan (190 Pts)
HQ: Space Marine Librarian (100 Pts)
Null Zone; The Avenger
Elite: Terminator Assault Squad (465 Pts)
5 x Terminator Assault Squad; Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
Land Raider Redeemer
Extra Armor; Multi-Melta
Elite: Ironclad Dreadnought (185 Pts)
Heavy Flamer (x2)
Drop Pod
Troops: Tactical Squad (255 Pts)
10 x Tactical Squad
Meltagun; Multi-Melta
Rhino
Dozer Blade; Extra Armor
Troops: Scout Squad (170 Pts)
10 x Scout Squad
Camo Cloaks; Sniper Rifles
Heavy Support: Vindicator (130 Pts)
Extra Armor
Total Roster Cost: 1495
To be honest, removing the Landspeeders has made the army slightly fluffier, as Salamanders do not make much use of Landspeeders and Bikes.
4th August 2009
Been down to GW today and bought me my Ironclad Dreadnought. It is a very nice model, but I'm afraid it still needs converting. It has a seismic hammer, Salamanders use Hammers (real ones, not hammer function drills) so it needs a Thunder Hammer (it won't get a re-roll mind :( )
Should have a piccy up in a day or two.
Also got plenty of painting done. Base painted five more infantry, and stripped and re-based my librarian (after my two year old daughter decided to show me how to paint it).
And I should have Vulkan Hest'an on Friday.
6th August 2009
After having a fantastic game against 'Orky' James (which I would have won if I had remembered my army-wide special rules), we have decided that the Vindicator isn't really working, it did nothing all game, and doesn't add anything or fit into the army.
So instead I am going to try a standard Dreadnought with Multimelta in Drop Pod.
This will give the added advantage of being able to choose which to drop pod in on the first turn, and which one to hold in reserve.
10th August 2009
After various discussions over the weekend, there is a few things I am tempted to change.
I can either go with the second dread, and then deploy my Tactical Squad in a Drop Pod too, allowing both Dreads to come down on the first turn, and keeping the Tactical Squad safe until later in the game or,
Drop (pun intended) the second Dread and take an unit of 3 Attack Bikes instead, with more melta goodness. the question is do I really need anymore melta weapons. More playtesting is called for me thinks.
On a different note, another five models finished, so just 5 more infantry and 2 characters to paint, and they are all done. I just then need to make a final decision on what I need to buy.
12th August 2009
Had another game today against Ali's Imperial Guard. Another Annihilate mission (it seems to be the only mission I play these days). Ali brought 2 Valks and a Vendetta, vet squads, command hq, 3 storm troopers and a Russ.
Lost the scouts to three turns of 2 Storm Trooper Squads shooting them in the open (couldn't move as I kept going to ground) and my Ironclad got vaped by a vet squad's meltaguns (nobody seems to like my Ironclad, they all keep shooting it).
Otherwise, everything else went really well, and I won 9 : 2 KPs. We both had bad luck with reserves, and Ali admits he could have played better in hindsight, but still a convincing win to bolster my confidence. I think the second Dread is the right choice (although the next few games should confirm it hopefully).
Also, on the converting / painting front, I have re-positioned Vulkan's spear so he is holding it upright rather than the silly throwing pose.
15th August 2009
And once again, the re-imagined army list with the two dreads.
HQ:
Forgefather Vulkan He'stan (190 Pts)
HQ: Space Marine Librarian (100 Pts) Null Zone, The Gate of Infinity
Elite: 5 x Terminator Assault Squad (465 Pts) Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield Land Raider Redeemer Extra Armor; Multi-Melta
Elite: Ironclad Dreadnought (185 Pts) Heavy Flamer x 2 Drop Pod
Elite: Dreadnought (140 Pts) Multi-Melta Drop Pod
Troops: 10 x Tactical Squad (250 Pts) Meltagun; Multi-Melta; Melta Bombs; Power Fist; Combi-Meltagun Drop Pod
Troops: 10 x Scout Squad (170 Pts) Camo Cloaks; Sniper Rifle
Now I just need to find an appropriate name for my normal Dreadnought.
25th August 2009
The Terminator Squad, Tactical Squad and Ironclad Dreadnought are now finished. I have decided to ditch the metal librarian and instead convert mine own.
Pictures to follow when I can find my camera.
29th August 2009
The Scout Squad is now finished, I have started painting my plastic Librarian and the first Drop Pod.
On Thursday, I came close to beating Mr Purvis (lost by 1 KP) which is an achievement in anyone's book. I also beat Toad's anti-LR list, but fortune was smiling on me. He had some of the worst luck I have seen.
So far, I seem to be about 50/50 with winning games, but those I have lost have not been by very much.
9th September 2009
Not much been happening recently. Bought my second Drop Pod and started converting it. Both Land Raiders now built, just waiting for the Crusader sprue to come through.
I have fallen behind a little on my painting, but hoping to get my Librarian and first Drop Pod painted by the weekend.
13th September 2009
Woo hoo, found my camera, so time for some piccies.
Right now, I am slightly behind on my painting schedule, so I really need to get my butt into gear with this. I need to paint one model a week, but they are all vehicles or characters, so it is not quite as easy as it sounds.
Anyways, on with the show.
Scouts
Tactical Marines
Assault Terminators
Land Speeder
Ironclad Dreadnought
Drop Pod
30th September 2009
A little more progress. I now have a month to finish my army, and I have a Dread, 2 Land Raiders, a Drop Pod, Rhino and a Librarian to paint.
Here are the pics of Mr Hest'an and my primary objective marker.
7th October 2009
Another model finished, this time it's Brother Arsene Icosis, my Codicier.
Just four models to finish in three and a half weeks, will I make it?
Edit
Been a busy bee tonight. I have now finished painting my Dreadnought as well. I know a lot of people paint while they are watching a familiar film on the telly, but I don't understand how they do this. Been watching 'The Matrix', and its been threatening to cut my painting time this evening.
Anyways, another pic. Just three models to go, a Land Raider, a Drop Pod and a Rhino.
12th October 2009
I have been needing new names for my normal Dreadnought and Land Raider Crusader.
I have decided to call my Redeemer 'Volconol' (after Vulkan's forge) and my Crusader will now be called 'Volundr'.
I shall be calling the Normal Dreadnought 'Venturi'.
So, a complete list of units and personalities are as follows.
Vulkan Hest'an
Arsene Icosis (Codicier)
Hephaestus (Ironclad Dreadnought)
Venturi (Dreadnought)
Squad Palici (Assault Terminators)
Squad Pyrios (Tactical Marines)
Helios (Rhino)
Squad Adranus (Scouts)
Volundr (Land Raider Crusader)
Volconol (Land Raider Redeemer)
20th October 2009
Well, only 11 days to go to the tournament.
Finished the Drop Pod last night, and I am well on the way to finishing the Rhino, which , with a bit of luck, should be finished tonight.
That leaves just the Land Raider Crusader.
So, I have a few repairs and change (my two squad sergeants need combi weapons) and a couple more objectives that need building.
Pics to follow.
21th October 2009
Here are the pics I promised yesterday.
Second Dreadnought Drop Pod
Tactical Squad Rhino
Land Raider Redeemer
This does mean I have only one model left to paint, my Land Raider Crusader, and ten days in which to paint it. I have also now built both of my Sergeants with Combi Weapons. These will also need painting.
29th October 2009
They're finished. Two days before the tournament, my army is now fully painted and ready to go. I have painted the two, new Sergeants with combi weapons, and a second objective.
Had a little more success with my Dreads. Being a little more conservative with their deployment (just as certain members have suggested) means they haven't been destroyed as easily, so definitely something to bear in mind for future games.
I shall post a piccy of the last few models, and a battle report for the tournament when I get the chance to.
1st November 2009
Well, the tournament did not go as well as planned.
Although I had three great games, once more my luck deserted me when it mattered most.
First game was against Deathwing, and it went pretty well, until turn 5. At the end of turn 4, he pretty much accepted that he had lost the game, and yet by the end of turn 5, he had got a massacre win. The dice rolled exactly as he needed them to. If there had been a turn 6, I would have had a draw, but it wasn't to be.
Second game was against a bloke I have played at the two previous Open Wars. He had his Orks again. I made one mistake (getting my Land Raiders wrong way around) and despite them moving fast, he managed to take both Land Raiders down in combat in the same turn (something which Orks really struggle against).
My third game was against a fellow Salamander player, who had worse luck than me. His luck continued, even though at the end of turn 4 I had 3 nearly 4 objectives to his none, and by turn 5 I had won 1-0. One squad was half an inch out of another objective, and again, if there had been a turn6, I would have won 4-0, but it wasn't to be once more.
Well, I have other things to paint for the army. Waiting for paint to be applied, I have another tactical Squad, Devastator Squad, terminator Squad, Sternguard Squad (being built) a Predator and two Land Speeders. There is a lot of life left in the army, but for now I shall also be painting Guard and Orks, in an attempt to get them completed.
4th November 2009
Having now had time to analyse my results and army performance from Saturday, I feel the following changes to be made.
In many games, I have found I still do not have enough Troops choices, even after combat squadding (I tend to find the 5 man squads are too easily crushed) so a New Tactical Squad with Rhino is in order (possibly armed the same, or with a Lascannon for long range firepower, we shall see).
I was also lacking somewhat in the speed department. With the exception of my Pods (which die quite easily when they are a threat) I had little to threaten objectives deep in my opponent's territory, so the addition of a squad of Attack Bikes with either a mix of weapons, or just multi meltas. I had considered Landspeeders (as I already have one painted and two built ready to paint), but the Attack Bikes won through with their smaller silhouette and their turbo boost rule.
To fund these additions, I shall drop (pun sort of intended) the normal Dreadnought, and Mr Hest'an, who to be quite honest, brough little to the army for his points. He's not bad, but alongside the Termies, rarely makes a difference.
That will give me a few more models on the table, which can never be a bad thing.
