Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Getting Tactical: Issues with Assault Marines



When I am not playing 40k, painting, modeling, etc; I am thinking about 40k.
Always thinking.

I don't think I am going to use Assault Marines anymore in a Mechanized Blood Angels army.
Hear me out. First a nice image by a guy named Scarecrovv.


The Tactical Marine has been a battlefield staple of mine ever since Codex: Angels of Death (Second Edition for you younger folks).
Why am I making this switch? Simple answer, the Tactical Marine gives me Tactical Options.
This is why Grey Hunters, Plague Marines, and Grey Knights are such good Troops choices, they give you flexibility.
All too often have I faced an enemy unit with my Assault Marines and knew I only had one option, to assault. Granted Bolt Pistols are nice, but they are not what I would consider to be a strong shooting attack. What happens if my enemy is better in assault than I am? I either run away or I lose a unit. This led me to an obvious truth.

"Assault Marines are useful IF you can kill your enemies in assault."
"Tactical Marines are useful if you can either kill your enemy with shooting OR in assault."

With Tactical Marines, I always have a choice. I made a 1500 List that focuses on the Tactical Marine. I will try to post it and get some games in with it.

-Mike

1 comment:

Gramps said...

Interesting. I think this was one of your problems in our game...must assault, but shouldn't. If you want a rematch against the GK let me know. I may even throw the Dreadknight I just finished for my brother into the mix.