Notes
This article appeared as part of a discussion on general tactics for the Chaos fleet. I read it, liked it, and asked
if the author would mind if I included it as an article here on the site, and he agreed. So, here it is, a response to
the question 'What can a Chaos player do against an Imperial fleet armed with Nova Cannons?' (CyberShadow)
|
A very nasty tactic is carrier squadrons, as in four to six Devastations in a group. One of the biggest strengths
(or weaknesses depending on how you look at it) is that Chaos can field pure squadrons. Things like pure Slaughter
squadrons, pure Carnage, pure Hades or pure Murder squadrons are the nastiest things on the field. When you say
"firepower 42 from my 3 Slaughters on your Dictator" it sends shivers down most player's spines and if they don't
brace, well, bye bye Dictator. Sure it's sometimes a bit of waste, but it's the psycological effect you're after.
Fleet battles are my specialty for that. I think I'm up to 1 loss out of about 6 or 7 encounters.
Pure carrier squadrons are very nasty, as Devastations and Styxes are very good stand-off ships. Their lances make
great backup weapons, and a full size carrier squadron can unload enough lance shots to scare a battleship. I used
4 Devastations, 1 Styx and a Hecate (see one of the magazines for the rules, and only use with the consent of your
opponent) and unloaded 14 lance shots at an Emperor from behind and tore giant chunks out of it. Follow that up
with a bomber wave and it's dead.
Long range is the Chaos specialty, and use it well. When you're approaching an Imperial fleet that has lots of Novas,
never panic. It's the Nova Cannon's ability to do lots of damage that gives it its fearsome reputation, but its not as bad
as some make it out to be. Weave an approach pattern that zigzags up the field towards the Imperials so that you can
broadside them constantly. Make Nova Cannon ships TOP (targerts of priority), but once you cripple it ignore it, as it
is effectively out of the game. Carriers are next. Imperial carriers are a glaring weakness to the Imperial battle line.
They have to be protected all the time as they don't have the ability to form pure carrier squadrons. Use the big
gun carriers such as the Murder, Carnage or Hades to keep pressure on them, and force them to BFI as much as possible.
Acherons should not be overlooked as they pack the punch of a Desolator broadside into a ship 2/3 the price. Field two
in a squad and you're looking at a nasty group. Use their batteries to strip shields, then pound away with their lances.
Always force the Imperials to split their fire. Massed battery/lance fire is the bane of all ships. Especially Eldar
with their papier mache armour. Don't always rely on your ordnance, that's not what makes a Chaos fleet. Weapons fire,
and hailstorms of it will win the day. A good trick, if you want to keep crippled ships alive and still fighting, is
formation change. If a cruiser is crippled but not killed, it can help out with extra weapons fire. If you are abeam,
move the crippled cruiser forward 15cm, then turn, then move forward. Have an undamaged squadmate move forward 10cm,
then turn, then move forward. Your crippled cruiser is now a further target and you force your opponent to take LD
checks to try and kill it, and if he fails he now faces a fresh target which usually out-guns his own cruiser. I
managed to keep a Carnage and a Murder alive and kicking using this tactic.
Escort are useful but don't field too many of them as they become easy points. But, if you do field them, a group of
three Iconoclasts and three Infidels gives you firepower 15 and a strength 6 torpedo salvo. Three Iconoclasts and three
Idolators gives you firepower 15 and 3 lances, although it's usually better to have six Idolators, so you get better
weapons fire.
There you have it some thoughts on Chaos tactics. Hope they help, they helped me through a lot.
|