Escalation Tournament
Well, yesterday didn’t go exactly as I had planned. The Fortress closed at six, giving us just 1.5 hours to play a game, so we cut it down to 1500 points. Add in the fact that the store owner kept talking our ears off while we were playing, plus my opponent’s entire Tyranid army being in assault from Turn 2 onwards (I think we only went through three turns), all adds up to a sub-par outing.
Even worse, due to the time constraints, I couldn’t take any notes on what was going on. Here’s an abbreviated version of what happened during our five-objective Dawn of War match:
Entire Tau force kept in reserve, two Hormagaunt squads and a Flyrant deploy at the 24-inch line
Tyranids move very close, Tau tanks arrive and seriously wound the Flyrant and take pot-shots at the Hormagaunts
Two Genestealer squads and a Lictor arrive from reserves, charging every one of my tanks
…more assault, more pot-shots, rinse and repeat..
Not a good game for me, but what can you do when the odds are stacked ridiculously against you?
Anyway, one good thing did come out of the day: we found out about an escalation tournament the store is running for the next few months. Of course, the owner kept telling us about how starting a new army would be beneficial with the discounts they’re giving, but I won’t be starting a new army soon with my Elysians still being held in reserve and my two Valkyries waiting to get on the table.
Why oh why are they allowing you?
Now, the 500 point section of this tournament (which started last week and continues for the next four weeks) has some restrictions, most of which are pretty usual for this point level, like no 2+ saves or 3+ wounds. One things that isn’t included, however, is a limitation on vehicles, past the reduced FOC ones, that is. Now, I don’t know about specific points costs, but a Space Marine player could, in theory, bring a Land Raider to the 500-point section and still be within the bounds of the rules.
Ridiculous, right? So now my friend and I have to prepare for that, since some jerk will probably consider bringing that. Of course, I can run two mounted squads and a Railhead at that points level, but that’s pretty dick-ish on my part as well (although I will bring that list just in case I face super-dick…). Right now, I’m thinking that my list will probably be the following:
Troops – Fire Warrior Team [6] – 180 PTS
Devilfish Troop Carrier [Smart Missile System, Disruption Pod, Multi-Tracker, Targeting Array]Troops – Fire Warrior Team [6] – 180 PTS
Devilfish Troop Carrier [Smart Missile System, Disruption Pod, Multi-Tracker, Targeting Array]Elites – Crisis Battlesuit Team [2] – 138 PTS
Shas’Ui Team Leader [Fusion Blaster, Missile Pod, Targeting Array, Multi-Tracker (HW), Drone Controller (HW), Shield Drone], Shas’Ui [Fusion Blaster, Missile Pod, Multi-Tracker
So, because of the possibility of Land Raiders or other high-AV vehicles (plus the 0-1 limitation on Elites), I’m bringing out the Fireforges. That might switch to a deep-striking Sunforge (TL-Fusion), although then I probably wouldn’t be able to handle two or more vehicles. The Missile Pods will be the primary weapon while they JSJ towards the enemy heavy tanks, hopefully getting in range before being taken down.
The Warfish are there to decrease the number of Kill Points I can give up, since with the Gun Drones this list could hand out seven. The added two shots, added range, and ignoring-LOS abilities of the SMS are a plus as well…
But wait! I might not even be able to attend! Games run on Friday, and my weekends are usually pretty packed with homework, sleeping, eating, and the occasional drink or two (or sixteen…), making my attendance at the tournament probably in danger. There’s also a $10 entry fee, meaning that I really need to see this tourney through to make up for it (over two months), ignoring the fact that I don’t have $10. Will I still have the inclination to play in two/three weeks, or the time? My H-Option for Quantum Mechanics, plus my Honors HPS, will really start to pick up work later in the semester, ignoring what I have to do for all of my other classes, so I don’t know.
Maybe if I find $10 on the sidewalk later this week…
