They are all the rage and for good reason. They are tough. Dark Eldar have enough tricks to make a Tau player jealous, enough skimmers to make an Ork cry in frustration, and enough vehicles to put an Imperial Guard player in a huff. Well not really but they have a ton of new options for their army. They are still a mystery to me but I am pretty sure I have enough heavy flamers to keep most Dark Eldar armies at bay. The real evil of the new setting 40K now fights its battles in is not the rumor of 6th edition (I can't wait!). It certainly is not the Sisters of Battle codex, which I am happy to see at least something on. It is the psi-bolt ammo of the Grey Knights. That stuff is crazy! Totally fair in my opinion but worthy of planning for when building future tournament lists. I am not all too crazy about terminator troops but what are you going to do? Concentrate firepower and out maneuver your opponent. That's what.
I recently fought against some Grey Knight Dreadnoughts with the rifleman twin-linked autocannon setup and some razorbacks carrying some troop unit that was marine easy to kill. As an Imperial Guard player I know how lucky I am to have my chimeras, and by the emperor do I love them too, but the psi-bolt ammo, twin-linked heavy bolter, psychic power self repairing razorback was something to be envious of.
Decent Armor: normal rapid fire {Strength 4 AP 5} doesn't pop you on the front or sides.
Weapon Superiority: Strength 6 AP 4 Heavy Bolter that is twin-linked on a BS 4!!! Better than a multi-laser.
Fix it!: Psychic power that removes shaken or stunned, rhino so fixes immobilized on a 6+... This can lead to nasty surprises.
Rhino Class: It's a tank so naturally it is at home on any 40K gaming table because it can tank shock, ram, and gets all kind of little bonuses.
I truly am envious of the Grey Knight Razorback, Grade A vehicle by all means. Now the Dreadnought with the strength 8, Heavy 4, twin-linked autocannons.... What Land Raider? Leman who? Oh you can only immobilize these Armor 14 vehicles on a glance? Nope, with just a little bit of cover these nasty Dreadnoughts with take only a turn or two (if you have 3 Dreads) and make that armor 14 vehicle weaponless and immobile in no time. Not to mention no transport is safe. My Hydras are a little pissed that their awesomeness has been out done. When a Hydra gets assaulted its bye bye Hydra, but when a Dreadnought gets assaulted it was a big mistake to all but the most fearsome melee characters of 40K... and monstrous creatures of course.
Lastly I need to mention this psycannon. What a versatile weapon. Assault and heavy modes. My guardsmen are stuck with either standing still to fire a heavy weapon or get the hell out of the way of the nasty assault unit heading its way just delaying the inevitable. So many crazy situations!
I am not disheartened by these new capabilities, if anything I am excited to face such a competitive field. I learned something very important at the NOVA Open this year. Your army list matters a lot but so does how you use it on the table. I am talking about deployments that stymie outflank, denying deep strikes, spreading out against subterranean assaults/flamers/pie plates/etc. Experienced players know that stuff. I am just learning the tricks of the more experienced players that are at the top of the tier. I also know that I will never roll up to a tournament with such a cheesy army list ever again. I am in the tournament to win if I can. I am also there to show a unique army and offer a unique gaming experience. I was so disappointed when my opponents at the NOVA Open were all like, "I have fought this army list 3 times today already." Lame. Shame on us Imperial Guard players. We have so many options available to us! I for one am rolling in with a unique list to this upcoming local tournament.
I guess the bottom line of my ramblings, and I did ramble a bit there, is that there are some scary things on the table these days but don't fear trying non-optimized army lists. I need to be a better general. For the sake of the Imperial Guard, the 506th Elysian Drop Troops, and the 91st Steel Legion "Desert Vultures".
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