Second Attpempt at my Adepticon List

[Ruckdog]

After my test game, I've taken the lessons learned and have tried my hand at a revised fleet list!

http://www.manbattlestations.com/blog/2016/02/07/adepticon-prep-firestorm-armada-fleet-lists-round-2/

[Ryjak]

I see you took my advice, and you're building units with the intention to place them into Reserves. Your analysis of how to adjust each unit for the role you've chosen is pretty good too.  This will give you an advantage, as many players shy away from using Reserves.

However, I think you can achieve better results if you take a more holistic approach.  Using Reserves in FSA is basically adopting a Hammer and Anvil strategy.  Your starting units are the Anvil; the Reserves are the Hammer.  Let's build around this.

First, the Carrier with Shield Cruisers can form a very solid Anvil core for 225 points.  (You should spend 10 points for Beams, so it has better synergy with the Shield Cruisers.). The problem is, nothing in your list is really designed to take advantage of what they bring.  If you Reserve the Cruisers and Battleship, this means your placing the Frigates on the table.  With Difficult Target and their 1 boosted Shield, combined with Token PD defense, they can be tough, but they're also not very threatening.  Easy target is the Carrier, as the Anvil crumples without it.

So instead, it would be better to have something offensive that compliments the Carrier and Shield Cruisers.  One option is to take Cruisers, with the following upgrades:

+1 Shields, Nuclear Torpedoes

For 195, you now have a unit that's tough to damage (3 Shields hitting on 3+), tossing 10-12 AD Torps the entire game.  Their Primary Weapons can also damage anything that gets close; hopefully finishing off anything the Bombers hit.

Another route is to switch things up, and place two of these Cruisers with the Carrier, and take 2-3 Shield Cruisers by themselves.  This may play better, and cost about the same.

Either way, the goal is to turtle up behind some terrain, lob Nukes, and frustrate your opponent the first few turns so he forgets about your Reserves.

The Apollo is a beast at short-range; no one wants that thing shunting into their rear.  I don't know how much it needs the Escorts when arriving from Reserves, though.  They're primary use is Token Defense and anti-Boarding defense, I think.  If possible, try it both ways; you may find a better use for your points...

[Ryjak]

One other thing.  No matter what you do for your Anvil, you'll need a plan for when to emerge from cover and start using those Direct Weapons.  Ideally, the Hammer arrives Turn 3, with your opponent in the center of the table, where you can easily line up RB2 shots on everything.

You'll also need a plan for TACs, and where you place your Admiral.  Placing the Admiral on the Carrier encourages your opponent to shoot the 4 boosted Shields instead of something softer, and let's you use the Perfect Timing or Charter Legacy cards on your Reserves.  Or place him on the Battleship, and take late-game TACs, focused on keeping the Battleship in the fight.

[Ruckdog]

Thanks for your feedback! You've given me a lot to think about.

I definitley see your point about making sure the Anvil is stiff enough. The thought of putting the cruisers in that element does have some appeal!

[Quickdraw]

I'm liking what is happening with this second list.
I echo what Ryjak mentioned about the escorts on the battleship. If he's shunting in then it's unlikely he will necessarily need the escorts. They're mostly there to help it survive as it closes the distance. I think you would be better off dropping them and bringing the frigates to full strength. If you're set on them you could keep one and still bump up the frigates.
Another point to consider on the carrier is fighters instead of bombers. If you are going for a hammer and anvil approach you'll still want to stay back a bit so your opponent will commit himself. This opens up shunt entry positions that you can utilize with your battleship and frigates. Fighters will give you extra reach with your carrier and make it an offensive platform with which you can threaten other SRS and ships.

[Ruckdog]

Alright! I've taken another crack at my Terran list for Adepticon! Here it is:


Faction: TA - Terran Alliance
Points: 1000 (1000 used)

1x (Core) | Apollo/Razorthorn Class Battleship | Large | 170 | [1] | Wings: 0
(Hardpoint) | +1 Shield Rating | Apollo/Razorthorn (3/1) | +15
(Hardpoint) | Nuclear Torpedoes | Apollo/Razorthorn (3/1) | +0
(Upgrade) | Fore (Fixed) Weapons: Decimator Warheads MAR | Apollo/Razorthorn | +10
(Accompaniment) | Guardian/Squire Class Escorts | Apollo/Razorthorn (0-3) | *
3x (Core) | Guardian/Squire Class Escort | Small | 45 | [1,3] | Wings: 0
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1x (Core) | Ares/Zenith Class Carrier | Large | 125 | [1] | Wings: 9
(Hardpoint) | +1 Shield | Ares/Zenith (3/1) | +10
(Hardpoint) | +3 Wing Capacity | Ares/Zenith (3/1) | +5
(Hardpoint) | +2" Command Distance | Ares/Zenith (3/1) | +10
(Accompaniment) | Aegis Class Shield Cruisers | Ares/Zenith (0-2) | *
2x (Core) | Aegis Class Shield Cruiser | Medium | 100 | [1,3] | Wings: 0
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
6x (Core) | Interceptors | Wing | 30 | [1,6]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
6x (Core) | Bombers | Wing | 30 | [1,6]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
3x (Core) | Hermes/Sentinel/Teuton Class Cruiser | Medium | 150 | [2,3] | Wings: 0
(Hardpoint) | +1 Shield Rating | Hermes/Sentinel/Teuton x3 (1/1) | +30
(Upgrade) | Weapon Shielding MAR | Hermes/Sentinel/Teuton x3 | +15
(Upgrade) | Nuclear Torpedoes | Hermes/Sentinel/Teuton x3 | +15
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
4x (Core) | Armsmen/Pilgrim Class Frigate | Small | 120 | [2,4] | Wings: 0
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
4x (Core) | Armsmen/Pilgrim Class Frigate | Small | 120 | [2,4] | Wings: 0

I go into a little more detail on the blog:

http://www.manbattlestations.com/blog/2016/02/27/adepticon-prep-firestorm-armada-fleet-lists-round-3/

[Dakkar]

Metas will vary, but I've never seen a use for Decimators. Then again, for a one shot/turn chance, maybe worth it. Get the enemy Carrier squadron to fail that extra test ...

All the BB Escorts feel like overkill, but then it will NEVER die to torps. I just can't think what you'd spend the extra pts on except more Frigates

6 interceptors feels like overkill vs 3...but if you switched them to Fighters, they're still horribly effective vs Torps, And offer a 12 die "cleanup" strike out to 18"

Shield Cruisers on the Carrier help its survivability, but I'd almost always prefer the extra firepower from Teuton escorts (which includes a fair Torp salvo)

One the up-side, this is the kind of Terran list that makes my hair fall out (more). Utter tanking, combined with Torps you can't ignore. It's what Terrans do best.

[Ryjak]

 I also do not know how much utility you will gain from the interceptors; swapping them for fighters is  possibly a better option,  unless you have a specific unit you wish to guard with the interceptor token… Like those cruisers.

Sadly, this would require several playtest games, which I know you cannot do.

[Ruckdog]

Interesting point about the fighters. I will have to think on that. In the mean time, here is my Dreadnought list:

+++ Terran 1k B (1000pts) +++

++ Terran Fleet (Standard Fleet) (1000pts) ++

+ Tier 1 (565pts) +

Battleship (215pts)
····Apollo (215pts) [+1 Sh (15pts), Nuclear Torpedoes]
········Guardian/Squire Escorts (30pts) [2x Guardian/Squire (30pts)]

Dreadnought (350pts)
····Titan (350pts) [+1 Sh (15pts), +7 MN (10pts), Nuclear Torpedoes (5pts)]
········Escorts (30pts)
············Guardian/Squire Escorts (30pts) [2x Guardian/Squire (30pts)]

+ Tier 2 (195pts) +

Cruiser Squadron (195pts)
····Teuton Squadron (195pts)
········3x Teuton (195pts) [3x +1 HP (30pts), 3x Nuclear Torpedoes (15pts)]

+ Tier 3 (240pts) +

Frigate Squadron (120pts)
····Armsmen Squadron (120pts) [4x Armsmen (120pts)]

Frigate Squadron (120pts)
····Armsmen Squadron (120pts) [4x Armsmen (120pts)]

Created with BattleScribe

[Dakkar]

I like the brutality. All the vulnerable stuff - Frigates and Cruisers - stay well away at safe Torp distance or behind terrain. Then shove the nigh invulnerable BB and DN down their throats. Your only issue might be for Objective scenarios, but there you rely on taking two with your heavies, and denying others by focused fire.

[Ruckdog]

That's pretty much the idea. Really, this list is just an excuse for my DN to hit the table  .

For the objective-heavy missions, I've always got my other list handy.