I actually took out the Manticore and one unit of IST for them. I think the Manticore is definitely a superior choice overall, however the preponderance of MEQs in this area makes me favor more AP3 firepower.

Also, I’ve downgraded the Colossus to a Basilisk. A lot of people hate on the Basilisk because of the other options out there, but I really like the flexibility of being able to fire indirectly or directly in addition to it being AP3 and also capable of cracking vehicles. And it’s cheap at only 125 points.

I use him as follows:

2xBodygards, Carapace, Medic, Vox, Officer, Astropath, triple meltaguns.

Bodyguards are serious bs. If you haven’t discovered the joy, you should. lol

I personally like having Straken, the bubblewrap, and a GKT unit. Scares the crap out of everybody, because you really can not just run in and CC Guard with those 3 units standing around. :)

How do you feel about Straken?

If you play IG, in my opinion you want one of two things:

A CC unit. Or, A CC unit.

Specifically, Grey Knights in the LOL Ride or the bubblewrap unit–Commissar, 2-3 Infantry squads, Sarges with power weapons. Both do wonders for Guard.

Surprisingly, I’ve not really faced IG in the new Codex yet. What I hope to see in your future articles is a breakdown of what an opponent of IG should do when facing the army. I know that is very general… I guess, as an Eldar player, should I engage or play avoidance games? That kind of thing.

Thanks in advance – Brent

As for the LRBT’s and Colossus, they’ve actually worked out quite well. The army is based on the traditional IG concept of pop the transports with long range AT and then pound the guys who fall out with ordnance. Vendettas are great at popping transports, but they aren’t AP 1 so they don’t always get the explosion result; most people are smart enough to deploy the unit behind the wreck so they can’t get shot, and that’s what the Colossus (and the Manticore) is for.

@Elessar:
A wonderful segue into the next step in the evolution of my IG list. I was trying to figure out the main weakness of my list, which turns out to be lack of counter-attack. It coincided perfectly with the best article I’ve read yet on Yes the Truth Hurts.

(PS – sorry, looks like my spam filter grabbed one of your comments again. Just approved it)

@Chumbalaya
The Russes have been the backbone of my anti-infantry and perform well every game. People tend to throw everything they’ve got at the Vendettas, so they generally end the battle unscathed. The only real problem with the unit is difficult terrain tests, since any failure means the vehicle is destroyed. I do, however, like the battle cannons firing together. It makes torrenting special weapons and IC’s much easier.

I don’t use Vendettas (I would if my rich relatives would hurry up and buy it :P), instead I’ve got Hellhounds and Demolishers with PBS for blasty goodness.

I like your list, though I’m curious how the Russes perform. I haven’t put much stock in the battle cannon or squadrons, how have they worked for you?

-GK

They can do the mech-spam very well, and can get their capabilities all over the place. I absolutely dread Vendettas, for their mobility, alpha-strike, and actually having enough twin-linked lascannons to do some damage.

If Guard get first turn, Guard can do some serious damage even without the alpha-strike thing.

On the other hand, Master of the Fleet ALSO cuts down the number of turns you get to shoot the other guy. I can see it backfiring if they keep claiming or fast contesting units alive because of it.

I would think about the Master of the Fleet for his ability to hold Vendettas in reserve. The enemy WILL light them up on turn one if he gets it, as they are just that dangerous.

The Manticore…is just plain nasty. The sheer threat it projects is worth the 160 point price tag, even if it does get gimped by bad scatter/dice rolls.

How have you found the LRBTs and the Colossus? I’ve dealt with LRBTs enough to find them versatile, but not necessarily that good at nuking the enemy in cover or heavier armor.