Shrikes: melee vs ranged

Last week I got to play a game with my shrikes. This time I had them equipped with bone swords scything claws and toxin sacs. This raises their cost by 5 points each so I had to finagle some point around to get them in there. I was not completely happy with the list. In the end it performed decently. The Doom and the Swarm lord did not do that great but that is off topic. The topic today is Ranged or Melee shrikes.


I have had a few games now using the winged warriors and I like what they do. They are still fragile as all get out needing the Telekine Dome and Catalyst to survive the first turn but they seem to be a decent assault unit able to get into the thick by turn 2 in most games. I dread the day I pull tau out with their billion s7 shots. I just need to accept it we are bugs. We have crappy saves.

I felt kind of bad with my melee shrikes not getting to put shots into a unit before charging in. There was the big squad of flamer guys that I just kept away from. A Squad of 12 flamers is not something you want to charge into. So my shrikes useless against these guys though they did take out several other units without fail. Luckily that those squads didn't do a ton of damage to my squad on the overwatch phase. I really enjoyed having the ID and the no armor save. I did miss my first turn salvo of devourer shots. I know 15 shots do not make or break a game but they do help out. I think I will see more results from assaulting marines or terminators and removing their 2+ save. I think not having to count on getting 6's with rending is a huge plus.

I am going to give these guys some more time to grow on me. I figure I want these guy in my army to get into the assault and nom some face. This should include running in shooting phase if a charge is not possible to get me that much closer or to get me into some cover. If I really want some Dakka I should stick with the devil guants. I can have 5 of those for each upgraded shrike. That is 5 wounds instead of 3 and 15 shots verses 3 shots. A much better bargin.

So until next time....

Questions? Comments? Nom nom noms?

I had a game with the shrikes and plan to try them out again tonight.  I still don't have a model for them.  I wish GW would hurry up and make one.  I plan to take apart the warriors I have to make the shrikes I want but until someone makes affordable wings (Sorry forge world you are too much) I will just have to proxy *Gasp*

Imperial Guard Apocalypse musings

The next Apocalypse game is scheduled and since the last one is fresh in my mind I wanted to get some thoughts out into the air.  First off the game will be Imperium vs Chaos. Dang no xenos. This is ok.  It is the reason I have my Imperial Guard.  Well, that and I love tanks.

War Gamma Tau Defense line.

The defense line I ordered from War Gamma during Adepticon finally arrived. I will show some pictures then talk about them.

Photos from Xenos Apoc game

This weekend we played the new apoc rules and I had a blast.  We only had 7 players so it was a bit small for our group.  My Heirdule made all the way to turn 5.  Heck that we actually played a turn 5 is amazing.  Ususally we are all beat by turn 4 we call it. 

Next up on the choping block....

Power armor jerks!!

Apoc rumor reactions

So there are a bunch of rumors floating out and about now about the new apocalypse book. The White Dwarf is out with pictures of the new units and structures and some people have had access to the book already. Now before I get to read the book I will give you my impressions on what I have heard and what I want to know.

GW's new video

So the new Apocalypse video is out with 360's of all the new kits that are coming out this with the expansion. I am a bit happy and a bit sad at the small number of kits that are coming out. Let me explain

Apoc returns!

Unless you live under a rock you should all know that Apoc is coming soon.  It so happens that my group scheduled a big game a week from Sunday.  We each get 3k of points to bring our favorite Xeno army ( yea no marines) and the chaos will begin!