So, as most of you know, I didn't get a chance to go to 'Ard Boys 2011. This was primarily because I moved out of the Twin Cities area in May, so I wasn't in the position to drive 5 hours down there to play this year. I was concentrating more on Nova Open to be honest. Plus, I ultimately wasn't trying to "win" the competition. If I won the first and second rounds, I'd pass off my Finals ticket off. My goal was to grant a lesson to my opponents. Or at least, that was the goal. lol!
See, with some notable exceptions (i.e. Hulksmash), most of the guys down in the Twin Cities area don't play competitively. They bring unbalanced lists to tournaments and wonder why they lose. I was happy to try and explain different ways to improve their lists, but it always fell on deaf ears. I'm perfectly okay with players using what they have fun with in their lists, but don't get mad when you lose at a tournament. Tournaments are meant for competitive gaming; so bring the best list you can!
So I wondered what I could do to help facilitate the shift to a more balanced list building for these players. After some thought, I decided I wanted to bring the biggest rock list I could and show my opponent's why it was such a bad idea not to bring balanced lists. Would this cause me to beat my opponent pretty handily? Likely. But I'm known as an excellent sportsman (so I'm told), thus I'm confident my opponent would at least enjoy the game. Plus, if I did manage to do well enough, I'd win a free army. However, realistically, I'd eventually face a balanced list and get beat.........or so I hoped.
As it turns out, I would have been in a good position to win the first round of the 'Ard Boys competition at my home store. The winning list was genestealer spam Nids and I would have pulverized that list had I played it. :/
Anyway, because there have been so many emails and comments regarding it the past week, I am providing my Tri-Raider rock list for all to see. Remember, its not designed to be competitive list. However, I did try to optimize it as best I could and I think I'd have had a solid chance to win given what I know about the "metagame" in the Twin Cities. So, here it is:
HQ:
* Emperor's Champion w/ Black Sword, Bolt Pistol, Armor of Faith, Frag Grenades, and the Vow: "Accept Any Challenge, No Matter the Odds" [140]
Elites:
* 5 Assault Terminators w/ 3 pairs Lightning Claws, 2 Thunder Hammers and Storm Shields & Furious Charge. Mounted in Land Raider Crusader w/ Smoke Launchers and Blessed Hulls. [508]
* 5 Assault Terminators w/ 3 pairs Lightning Claws, 2 Thunder Hammers and Storm Shields & Furious Charge. Mounted in Land Raider Crusader w/ Smoke Launchers and Blessed Hulls. [508]
* 5 Assault Terminators w/ 3 pairs Lightning Claws, 2 Thunder Hammers and Storm Shields & Furious Charge. Mounted in Land Raider Crusader w/ Smoke Launchers and Blessed Hulls. [508]
Troops:
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 BP and CCW, 1 Meltagun & 1 Multi-Melta; 1 Neophyte w/ BP and CCW. Mounted in a Rhino w/ Smoke Launchers and Searchlight. [164]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Meltagun & 1 Multi-Melta. Mounted in a Rhino w/ Smoke Launchers and Searchlight. [154]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Meltagun & 1 Multi-Melta. Mounted in a Rhino w/ Smoke Launchers and Searchlight. [154]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Meltagun & 1 Multi-Melta. Mounted in a Rhino w/ Smoke Launchers and Searchlight. [154]
Fast Attack:
* Land Speeder: Heavy Bolter and Typhoon Missile Launchers. [70]
* Land Speeder: Heavy Bolter and Typhoon Missile Launchers. [70]
* Land Speeder: Heavy Bolter and Typhoon Missile Launchers. [70]
Total Points: [2500]
Emperor's Champion rides with the "close combat" MM Bunker squad and is the emergency counter-assault unit in the list. The rest of the Troops hold the center of the board or objectives, depending on the mission at hand. Lots of melta in the list, with there being 7 Multi-Meltas and 4 Meltaguns. Add in the Typhoons and that should have been plenty to deal with the mech I'd see in my area. The LRCs, Terminators, and Typhoons could handle AI duties as well. The list doesn't need to sit still, so staying mobile isn't an issue either.
Anyway, this is how I was going to attack 'Ard Boys this year. Now you guys are in the know. ;)
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