Thought it was about time I got some pics of the Cult of Askepios on the interwebs, so without further ado:
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| Genestealer Magus |
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| Cult Icon Bearers |
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| Wouldn't be a cult without... Genestealer Hybrids |
I used the army from early this year as a mech-guard leaf-blower type list with an embarrassing lack of success, though felt I was getting the hang of it by the end of 5th ed. Having been used to close-ranged armies such as Tyranids and Orks it was a whole different animal on the tabletop - with deployment usually playing the key factor in securing the win.
When 6th ed now having put the old Tyranids, I think, back in the game as a competitive option (what with their flying psychic machine-gun platforms) I've been focussing more on the Nids. Some of the changes made it clear that my 'Stealer Cult' army was not going to be as effective as it was (namely the changes to vehicle damage making 'AV12-spam' a less appealing tactic, and the Hydra Flak Tanks becoming less effective at dealing with ground-based transports), with allies throwing some interesting options both for making the army more competitive, or more themed towards a more characterful style of play.
For now though I'm thinking that the basis for the army of a Company Command Squad (CCS) with 2 Infantry Platoons is solid and theme-appropriate.
The CCS holds the Magus model as Commander, with his psychic abilities being represented by the 'Orders' system of the Imperial Guard. Likewise with the Icon Cult Bearers leading the Platoon Command Squads, channeling the Magus' psychic abilities through their icons and insane preaching!
The Infantry squads I will be expanding and grouping together, probably behind an Aegis Defence Line, still armed with Autocannons and for the time being flamers (for the overwatch bbq!).
The air-support contingent (of 3 Vendettas) has, luckily, emerged as a still very effective formation. They are hard to take down, can deal with enemy flyers or (if there are no flyers) tanks pretty happily. The difficulty in downing them could also, I think, be exploited by putting some bare infantry or special weapons teams in there for objective grabbing.
Heavy Support wise I will be dropping the Collosus tank, and also the Hydras in favour of probably Manticores. S10 and the range is hard to argue with, and they can cause multiple wounds or hits by being D3 large blast.
The other option I'm considering for heavies is Leman Russes, which I always find a pain when playing against. What is putting me off them for now though is that the gun I most like the look of (the Demolisher cannon) is too short ranged. Perhaps if later on I can come up with a more mobile list to give them some support as they trundle into range of the stuff that can take them out.
AND what I'd love to fit into the list is a Primaris Psyker with Psyker Battle Squad - mainly for the Psychic Shriek / Weaken Resolve combo.
Something I'm certain would be effective, though I'm struggling to see how I could thematically link them to a GS cult, is Space Wolves allies. 2 Rune Priests and 5 Grey Hunters would give me (at the minimum) Prescience and improved Ld on both my combined infantry platoons.
Allies aside, bare bones of a list would be along the lines of:
HQ
Company Command Squad (wargear to be determined, default is melta guns)
Primaris Psyker
TROOPS
2 x Infantry Platoons comprising:
Platoon Command Squad (wargear to be determined)
Infantry Squad with Autocannon, flamer, Commissar
Infantry Squad with Autocannon, flamer
Infantry Squad with Autocannon, flamer
ELITES - Psyker Battle Squad
FAST - 3 Vendettas
HEAVY - 2 manticores
Aegis Defence Line
Which takes me over 1500 assuming meltas on the CCS and a couple extra bodies in the Psyker squad, building towards 1750. Will have a think and get a proper list together along with more pics - open to suggestions and comments also!
