[Xabre]

I have never, EVER considered IG before. Until people started mentioning the Steel Host. Then I had to do some research.

Primary Detachment - Steel Host Formation

Command Executioner - Plasma Sponsons, Tank Commander, Hull Heavy Bolter
Executioner x2, Plasma Sponsons x2, Hull Heavy Bolters x2

LR Squadron - Battle Tank x2, Pintle Heavy Stubber x2, Hull Heavy Bolter x2

LR Squadron - Exterminator x2, Heavy Bolter Sponsons x2, Hull Heavy Bolter x2

LR Squadron - Vanquisher x2, Hull Lascannon x2, Hull Heavy Bolter x2

Hydra - Armored Crew Compartment

Stormwing Formation

Stormraven Gunship - Lascannon, Multimelta

Stormtalon Gunship - Skyhammer Missiles

Stormtalon Gunship - Skyhammer Missiles

2000/2000

It's just silly!

 

[Xabre]

I think it should do pretty well, also. The Command squad has preferred Enemy so it shouldn't suffer Gets Hot very often. Then there's a Dakka squad of autocannons and heavy bolters, a Battle Cannon squad for pie plates, and a heavy armor squad of Lascannon/Vanquishers.

Then the Stormwing offers a bit of all around support, with more autocannons (sorry, Skyhammers), assault cannons, and more anti-tank in the Stormraven.

 

[Xabre]

I got off around two dozen plasma shots without even needing a re-roll last game, game before I almost wrecked my own tank even with Preferred Enemy. Stupid dice...

Is this the entirety of the rules for the Steel Host Formation?

Yep, as far as I've seen, that's the entire thing.

That, and the awesome factor because, as a formation, there's no pesky squishies I have to add as a tax.

 

[Xabre]

Dude, just wait until this whole Decurion thing hits the Guard. I anticipate that cherry picking units will never have been easier!

As for the squishies, my Vets win me games. I'd be more annoyed about the Hydra tax for this Formation as that tank is possibly the biggest let down in the current Codex for not having Interceptor.

Now that I'm thinking of it, bunching your tanks up to make the most of the Formation's special rule can be a double edged sword. It leaves you open to blast templates from the enemy, and can give you trouble if combat units make it in close as they can disorderly charge several tanks and wreck the crap out of them (not to mention tank squads that get charged often get absolutely ruined thanks to being in a squad). I had an instance in my last game where the Orks I was facing were in too close for me to even try using my blast weapons.

Didn't guard get 7E? Or were they the last 6E codex? We'd have to wait for an 8E codex for them possibly for a Super Formation, like BA or GKs.

I have nothing against Vets. I just like the idea of a fully armored company. If I could find a list that let me go all Dreadnoughts, I probably would try that (btw, there is actually. Space Wolves can do it).

The Formation rules for tanks are 4" coherency, right? that's enough space to avoid double-tapping with most blasts, and 12" bubbles means I don't have to form up TOO much for the preferred. it's guaranteed for the command squad, however (which is why all the plasma was together there).

 

[Xabre]

Or even terminators deep striking to the rear. Curse your Achilles heel Leman Russ!

that 12" bubble that Xabre mentioned is actually a 12" radius bubble, so look more at this being a full 2 feet of preferred enemy for your formation.

Also, didn't the skyfire - interceptor stack end last edition? Or are you just bemoaning the turn 2 strafing run targeting the hydra and leaving the rest of the tanks exposed?

Well, in this list I could least expect my own airforce to come out and crush any fliers that eat my Hydra.

Maybe a better option would be to fit in a Knight Crusader? Icarus for anti-air, another Battle Cannon because i can, and the Avenger to just throw out lots of dice. Plus Stomp for those pesky terminators.

 

[Xabre]

I own one of each right now. I prefer the ranged beast myself, but the first one I built was the Errant as it suited Grey Knights better.

 

[Xabre]

Fairly easy. I use some BIG magnets, and they're strong enoguh that I fight them every time I swap out the arms. Instead of using the 'cuffs' at the arms that let them swivel, that's where I put my magnets. It's a little tricky for the Battle Cannon and the Melta, because they use the same general gun casing, with different shield/barrel, so you need to magnetize the shield to the front of the gun, and settle on having a melta with a shell vent, or a battle cannon with fuel tanks.

Otherwise, every weapon arm is magnetizable. You have to pick one of the two missile options for the carapace.

 

[Xabre]

Ha. No, I have not. I don't actually have anything even remotely tank-like. usually I ignore them like the plague. Not usually a vehicle person. Prefer walkers, honestly.

 

[Xabre]

Sigh. Wish my sentinel army fared better in the one game it had...

Maybe when next I join a team apocalypse, I can just bring an Emperor's talons formation, a knight titan and a warhound! Walkerlicious.

See, I build a lot of fluff lists. @ntaw will tell you. If you say 'Sentinel Army', I expect Sentinels, almost exclusively. IG isn't good for that, because you just need SO MANY bodies. That's why I had liked the Steel Host.

I'd still try your Sentinels, but I'd play with it a bit more to maximize them and skip meatbags. And I'd throw in the Skitarii chickenwalkers. But I've said that already. I'd probably also add other armies where I could convert in giant Sentinels... like Grey Knights. Add in 2 Dreadknights that are modeled like sentinels? etc.