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I make no apologies about this no-mercy list.
Its all about being the hardest, most solid phalanx-type army I can make it...
An 'Ardboyz type force that is designed for all comers in all their optimized, nasty glory...
Having played a few tourney level games, I have found that some of my more fun choices were exploited and thus this is my "bring your best list" option so far.
I wanted to get back to using large blocks of infantry, as most of my other lists were composed of smaller , more numerous units of elite, fast attack and heavy support.
SHADOW REAPERS OF CORAX: Background and Fluff
Doctrinal Overview:
Shadow Reapers of Corax
5th Company, "The Phalanx Hoplites"
Commander: Xavier Alkemenes
The 5th Company organization and fighting style are a notable departure from the typical Shadow Reaper/Raven Guard fluid warfare tactics of stealthy ambush strikes and numerous independent unit actions.
As the most sub-ordinant Battle Company of the Chapter, it invariably contains the greatest number of new Initiates that have proven their mettle in the Reserve Companies and must now master the trade of a Tactical Marine in full tempo combat operations.
Due to their dearth of experience in power armour, the tenets of the Codex Astartes are hammered home thru conventional warfare. They fight in a much more rigid form that favours large, interlocking formations to produce a rigid wall in defence and a weighted arrowhead in assault.
Patterned after the Spartan Hoplites, the Initiates were blooded in the base principe of the Hoplite Tactical Squad;he must trust his battle brother to his right, and must not fail his brother to his left.
Ancient Spartans used this fundamental selflessness to produce a formidable tactic. The Aspis [shield], held in the left hand would not only guard a Spartan left side, but would guard his fellow warriors right. Thus, an interlocking set of shield would provide no weakness for the enemy to fissure the unit. The Spartans held a long bronze spear in the right, and attacked in coordination to obliterate the enemy front ranks...
This system was embraced and updated by successions of 5th Company Captains into an formidable method of warfighting in the 41st millenia.
The centre-piece of the army is the tactical squad and his rhino transport. In assault, Rhinos allow the hoplite formation to advance their heavy infantry upon the enemy without fear of small arms and long reaching artillery. Craven enemies that refuse to meet in honorable combat find the 5th Company quickly closing the distance and overrunning their positions.
Moreover, Rhinos are the Shield in defence. Waves upon waves of hordes hit and falter against their solid, armoured walls as the marines prepare to strike against the wavering line.
In this moment, the rhinos open their ranks and the Speartip of marines charges through, a flurry of displined fire and slashing blades decimating and breaking the enemy.
The current Assasin-Captain or the 5th Company is non-other than Xavier Alkamenes, an embodiment Spartan ideals that every warrior of the 5th hopes to achieve.
Selfless and dour, Xavier leads from the front with no thoughts of personal glory. As all Shadow Reaper Company Commanders, he is trained as a skilled, stealthy assassin. As a Teif Home-worlder, he feels a fierce martial obligation to his troops and will only range ahead to kill his leadership targets if the action will benefit the army as a whole.
Having served in the 5th Company since rising from a Scout, he embraced the Spartan culture and doctrines as his own. Brother Xavier took the 2nd name Alkamenes in honor of an ancient Spartan King once his assassin training was complete and he was formally elevated to Captaincy of the 5th Company.
On that day he received his Symbols of Office; The Hammer-Blades of Lakonia. Two mighty Artificium,wreathed in lightning energies wielded in fierce patterns to that overwhelm a foe's defences in a flurry of pounding blades...
His Xiphos Guard of Elite Terminators follow his lead and protect his flanks.Armed with blades, hammers and shields, the are able to surround and protect him from the worst of ranged fire, then attack en mass and cut a bloody swathe thru the enemy line.
Against a quick or wary foe, he will often sneak into there midst alone. His stealth and patience allowing him to close within killing range. Once in place, a small pysker beacon embedded in his armour is activated.... Aboard the 5th Company's orbiting Strike Cruiser, the Pysker Choirs have prepared for their ordeal and upon the signal, their chorus homes and guides his terminator bodyguard into a Teleport Assault of incredible accuracy and speed.
Before the enemy can react with any real effect, the Assassin-Captain and his Xiphos Guard are upon them and pin them in place, allowing the main phalanx to close the distance and overtake their prey before Xavier and his Terminators are overwhelmed.
In defence, Xavier and the Xiphos-Guard will anchor the vulnerable rear of the Hoplite Phalanx, propping up bends in the line and counterattacking to exploit divisions in the enemy line. As the enemy waves shatter upon the phalanx, their elite invariably surface to attempt to break the deadlock. Perfectly timed, the Guard and Xavier meet them with the irresistable force of Shield, Hammer, and Blade.
Ariston, the Eldest Guard:
Ariston was a Xiphos Guard who was cut down by an Ork Warboss when he shielded his Captain from the killing blow with his body.
Mortally wounded, the Spartan ideal was a warriors death and a final peace. Ariston however, mustered the strength to become entombed as a Dreadnought almost one thousand years ago and continues to act as a bodyguard for 5th Company Captains to this day.
Rarely armed with stand-off weapons, he screams earthward in a Drop Pod that homes on the location of his commander. Bursting onto the battlefield, he is never more than a few mighty strides his Liege...
===================================================
HQ: 195
Xavier Alkamenes [see avatar]
Assassin-Captain of the 5th Company
Shadow Reapers of Corax
Hammer-Blades of Lakonia [MC'ed, Rending Lightning Claws, Bolt Pistol]
Shadow Killer [Infiltrates, grants Teleport Precision-Assault to Terminators via Psyker Beacon]
The Training of the Agoge: Hoplite Warriors [Endurance of a Spartan; Fleet]
[counts as Shrike, Infiltrate to Terminators, Fleet to whole army]
ELITES:485
Ariston, the Eldest Guard
"Death-Blossom" Pattern Dread
Twin-Linked Hvy Flamer, Hvy Flamer/DCCW
Extra Armour
Drop Pod
The Xiphos Guard
8x Assault Terminators
[2x Lightning Claws, 6x Thunder-Hammer/Storm Shield]
FAST ATTACK:120
1x Landspeeder, Longrifle Pattern [2x Heavy Bolters]
1x Landspeeder, Longrifle Pattern [2x Heavy Bolters]
[due to new vehicle squadron damage rules, I'm thinking of keeping them separate; kill pts liability ATM...]
TROOPS:1020 [over 50%]
10x Man Tactical Hoplite Squad
Flamer
Lascannon
Vet Sgt Power Fist/Combi-Flamer
Rhino w/ Dozer Blade
10x Man Tactical Hoplite Squad
Flamer
Lascannon
Vet Sgt Power Fist/Combi-Flamer
Rhino w/ Dozer Blade
10x Man Tactical Hoplite Squad
Flamer
Lascannon
Vet Sgt Power Fist/Combi-Flamer
Rhino w/ Dozer Blade
10x Man Tactical Hoplite Squad
Flamer
Lascannon
Vet Sgt Power Fist/Combi-Flamer
Rhino w/ Dozer Blade
Heavy Support:170
Predator
TL Lascannon
Lascannons
Dozer Blade
1990 pts
any ideas for the 10 pts?
for a tournement/competitive game, where do you see weaknesses or situations and match ups that would prove less than ideal?