Ok, here we go.
Before you just download the list and start ripping it to shreds, here are a couple of comments/points to reflect on.
DESIGN NOTES:1. The 2.x series of lists were based on Imperial Armor 3 - The Taros Campaign. Since then FW has come out with IA8 - Raid on Kastorel-Novem. The new 40K list is intended to replace the old IA3 list, though no mention is made of IA4. In following FWs lead, this list has also been upgraded to represent the most current version. What about the old list, I hear you say? More on that later.
2. After evaluating the basic differences between the two 40K lists and how they were represented in the 2.x series, I didn't feel like a lot of the 40K changes (e.g. IG platoon structure) affected the basic way the 2.x series worked. Yes, it was possible to fiddle with it, but in reality, the existing Epic structure seems to work pretty well as a emulation of the Elysian fluff. So I kept that and refined from there vs. redesigning the entire list. The baby seems to be Ok and the bath water is still warm.
3. From an infantry structure, the biggest noticeable change from a macro level is the ability to attach Sentinels to the platoon, the move of Sentinels to an "elite" slot vs. their previous Fast Attack slot. At a high level, I interpreted that to be greater access to Sentinels. The other noticeable change at a macro level (see the trend
) is a move to more close support weaponry for the Sentinels (2 out of 3 choices). So, that was reflected as an upgrade to Drop Companies along as being able to select them as a support choice.
4. By now I'm sure you want to know about the new stuff. I am not intentionally delaying any mention of all the new kewl/hawt toys FW gave us to be mean...think of it as a typical cinematic device for increasing viewer attention during an important part of the movie.
5. New vehicles: I have included the Tauros, Tauros Venator, Valkyrie Sky Talon, Vendetta, and the intriguing (at least to me) Punisher cannon armed Vulture. I'll talk about those as separate points below.
6. Tauros/Tauros Venator: I took a simple approach to these. In essence, they are a light scouting vehicle and I allow you to take either flavor in a squadron of four. I used a little AC privilege here to give the Tauros the Tauros Grenade Launcher and give you the choice of AP strong or AT strong Venators. The reason for the upgrade on the Tauros is that it makes two types of vehicles nearly the same cost (5 pts difference in 40K) and allows you to tailor your scouting force in a couple of different ways.
I know there are no vehicles yet, but perhaps someone will...uh, "help" out there (looks at E&C/Otterman).
7. The Vendetta: I think this will provide the Elysians with some interesting AT options and with the standard Valkyrie as configured for Epic costing the same as a Vendetta (in 40K), I opted to go with simple and allow for a swap out, one for one. Let the modeling opportunities proceed.
8. The Valkyrie Sky Talon: At the end of the day, this vehicle looks like an Epic Valkyrie, is armed the same as an Epic Valkyrie, so that's how I handled it. Short story: It is a transport option for Sentinels and the new Tauros suite of vehicles. Pure and simple.
9. The new Vulture: With the ability to have more AT in your formations, I kind of wondered what would happen to our wonderful Vultures. Then I realized that in my 40K Elysian army, I couldn't wait to get some of the new Punisher cannons to play with. So, I'm not surprised if I generate a few extra electrons on this one. It is a concept I would like to test out and see if it is viable. I plan on testing it out, I would appreciate if others do as well.
Just for reference, in 40K, the Punisher cannon has a range of 24 inches, shoots 20 shots at a higher than normal strength (S5). The Vulture can carry two of these to give them 20 twin-linked shots. That's why I set the initial values where I did. The other thing I did was add a cost to taking these, whereas in 40K they are actually one of the more cheaper builds.
So I'm not saying it's configured correctly right now, but it's what came to mind.
10. And now for the one point that Moscovian really cares about. Support Sentinels. They're gone. <imagines head sploding>. Ok, let's take a deep breath and let me run something by you. This list is intended to get us current. However, there may be a reason why someone wants to run the Taros campaign set, so I'm not going to just trash it.
Since that list was very close to being frozen and if not a tad underwhelming in competitive play, I will dress it up and make it current as part of this effort. That way, if you want to play historical Tau/Taros Campaign battles, you can. If you want to play the most up to date version, you will be able to do that as well.
11. Mortars and Commissars: These items have been updated per the thread that Moscovian started awhile back.
So, there you go. I'm sure there will be some comments on things not in the list, in particularly the Sentry guns or Cyclops. At a macro level, I could say that they are already figured into the existing values of the Elysian platoons. So "Poof" all handled. As far as the Sentry guns go...I know they are there, I just don't see them as a defining unit/formation for the Elysians. When I think of Elysians, I think of Valks, people dropping out of the sky, and now Rat Patrol dune buggies. I just don't think Sentry guns.
Bonus Item: Garrison. It is back in the list for the 3.x series. The Raid on Kastorel-Novem very clearly shows the Elysians in "garrison" type duties (in particular Shield force). Now, I'm not really going to comment on whether I thought that was a particularly smart way to use valuable resources (in fact, I felt it was just the opposite, Oops! I commented), but it is clear that it is an option that should be available for the upgraded list.
To make changes easier to spot, I have highlighted them in blue.
I'm looking forward to the discussion.
Cheers,
Honda