The conundrom of the Darkshroud

I had my first game with the Darkshround and it's everything I could have hoped for. Against Tau it was nice making her use markerlights just to hit on 4+ again.

The problem I have is with my list. I have 2 distinct parts. A firebase powered by Azrael, and a mobile Ravenwing force powered by Samael.

The conundrum comes at wanting to keep everything under the Darkshroud. It just isn't possible. I like to advance the Ravenwing so they get the Jink save, and then use Speed of the Raven to be fully effective. 

The worst option is to have 2 darkshrouds.  They are far too expensive for that.  The 2nd option is to forgo the firebase and make a more mobile in general.  I think pure Ravenwing won't work but having Azrael run with Hellblasters instead of static with lascannons.  But lascannons sure make up for being able to use Weapons from the Dark Age only once.

The last option is just to keep the Darkshroud where it is needed the most. Against heavy targets keeping the lascannons under protection and keeping it with the Ravenwing when needed - but avoiding trying to do both. 

Showcase: Ravenwing Darkshroud

Nice thing about painting Ravenwing is it's mostly black. Didn't take long to finish up the Darkshroud. I especially like the blue and gold window, really stands out in the overall Ravenwing pallet. I left the relic separate for transport, but I'm worried about how easy the heavy bolter will come off.  We'll see.

It will be on the table this week for sure. I dropped the razorback - which I was already planning on doing - and a regular bike to make room for it in the list. Overall it didn't change much. 

Next project up: Darkshroud

Now that I've finished my bunkers, and am at a very good spot with my Tau, time to do some Dark Angels.

I was able to pick up a Darkshroud after being out of stock for months. I should note it was in stock for exactly 6 days before it's no longer available again.

There are a lot of things I need to decide on how to paint, but I plan on getting this done shortly and give it a try on the table.  Can't wait!!

Showcase: Kromlech Orc Dakka Bunkers

Very happy with these kits. Not only are they cheaper than the official GW model, but were very easy to put together, look great and are perfect for keeping stuff alive.

 

 

 

These might even end up in a battle report soon. Will be almost strange playing Orks again.

Next Tau list: trying out 2 Septs.

Time for the next iteration of my Tau.  I picked up a couple ideas from watching other people play and decided to try them out myself.

The key is the Sa'Cea sept, where each unit can re-roll a single failed to-hit each turn.  I first saw this with railheads - with a single shot each that's a pretty good deal.  I am going to try it out with Sniper drones and Firesight Marksman. Add in a drone controller now the snipers are hitting on 3+ with a re-roll.  Same with the marksman - only one shot each with the markerlight. 

Of course I'm keeping the Broadsides as Bork'An.

Here is the final list:

1994 pts, 106PL, 9 command points

Battalion Detachment, Bork'An Sept.
HQ: XV8 Commander, XV8-02, Shield gen, missile pod, drone controller, 2x Marker drone
HQ: Cadre Fireblade

Troops: 8 Firewarriors, markerlight
Troops: 8 Firewarriors, markerlight
Troops: 8 Firewarriors, markerlight, guardian drone

Fast: 5 pathfinders, pulse accel drone, grav inhibitor drone

Elite: XV104 Riptide, Burst cannon, sms, target lock, ATS

Heavy: 2 XV88 Broadside, HYMP, ats, 2 shield 2 marker
Heavy: 2 XV88 Broadside, HYMP, ats, 2 shield 2 marker


Vanguard Detachment, Sa'Cea Sept
HQ: XV8 Commander, XV8-02, 3x fusion blaster, 2x shield drone

Elite: Firesight Marksman
Elite: Firesight Marksman
Elite: Firesight Marksman
Elite: XV95 Ghostkeel, fusion blasters, fusion collider, drone controller, shield gen

Heavy: 3 Sniper drones
Heavy: 3 Sniper drones
Heavy: 3 Sniper drones

Let's see how that goes.

Showcase: XV-95 Ghostkeel

It's finally done. After a bunch of hemming and hawing over what colors go where, I finished it up over the weekend.  Of course having all the weapons magnetized adds time to complete the work, but it's worth it.

As my supply of fenris grey dwindles, the less I'm inclined to paint the Tau.  I do plan on at least the 3rd marksman and last 2 sniper drones I have.  The Stormsurge, someday soon-ish, but the other 2 ghostkeels might end up on ebay.

One last tweak to the Bork'An list

Last week I came back from a seized initiative against another 3-0 Tau player to go undefeated and secure first place in the month's league play!

After seeing what he was doing I decided to make a few tweaks on my list, mainly giving my drop commander more firepower.  I ended up dropping a Stealth suit to make room.

2000 pts, 106 PL

Battalion Detachment:
HQ: Cadre Fireblade
HQ: Commander (warlord), XV8-02, Shield Generator, missile pod, drone controller, 2x marker drone, puretide

Troop: 9 Strike Team, Markerlight, guardian drone
Troop: 9 Strike Team, Markerlight, guardian drone
Troop: 9 Strike Team, Markerlight

Fast: 4 Marker drone
Fast: 5 Pathfinders, grav-inhibitor drone, pulse accelerator drone

Vanguard detachment:
HQ: Commander, plasma rifle (replaced by Plasma accelerator), 2x fusion blaster, XV8-02, 2x shield drone

Elite: Firesight Marksman
Elite: XV9 Hazzard, burst cannons, ATS, 2x shield drone
Elite: XV25 stealth x3, marker drone, 1x fusion, 2x Velocity tracker, 1x drone controller
Elite: XV104 Riptide, Heavy burst cannon, SMS, advanced targeting system, target lock

Heavy: 2 XV88 Broadside, HYMP, SMS, ATS, 2 shield 2 marker
Heavy: 2 XV88 Broadside, HYMP, SMS, ATS, 2 shield 2 marker

Fortification network:
Tidewall Droneport, 4x Marker drone


I realized the plasma on the drop commander allowed me to stay far back, but didn't do any damage. So I went with the more traditional fusion blasters, along with the relic plasma.    Same with the plasma on warlord buff commander. I decided to try out a missile pod for a bit of range. 

I had 9pts left over, so added a couple systems to the stealth suits - a fusion with a velocity tracker should be fun.