I've been experimenting with Minervans recently. I expect everyone will know what Minervans are generally like; the sledgehammer of the emperor with massive volumes of tanks, incredibly resilient armour, very shooting-orientated, slow moving, moderate in assault at best, shackled by low activation counts but tough to actually kill.
My test lists have been very assault-orientated, using Exterminators instead of Russes (45cm autocannons instead of 75cm Battlecannons, but FF3+) and using Warhounds from the ally slot to add speed and get around the Support formation restriction.
YMMV as to whether this works, but it certainly suits my playstyle of fighting assaults to control the centre of the table rather than try outshoot opponents from a distance.
I'll post two variants, and would appreciate input and a second opinion on them.
Minervan Assault list - 10 ActivationsTANK COMPANY [685] Supreme Commander, Flak Support (Hydra), 9 Exterminator, Leman Russ
TANK COMPANY [565] 9 Exterminator, Flak Support (Hydra), Thunderer
SALAMANDER SCOUT PLATOON [125] 3 Salamanders, Salamander Command Vehicle
ARTILLERY BATTERY [250] 3 Manticores
DEATHSTRIKE MISSILE BATTERY [200] 2 Deathstrike Missile Launchers
SUPER-HEAVY TANK PLATOON [200] Shadowsword
THUNDERBOLT FIGHTERS [150] 2 Thunderbolts
WARHOUND [275] 1 Warhound Class Titan
WARHOUND [275] 1 Warhound Class Titan
WARHOUND [275] 1 Warhound Class Titan
Minervan Assault list - 9 ActivationsTANK COMPANY [760] Supreme Commander,
2x Flak Support (Hydra), 9 Exterminator, Leman Russ,
Salamander Command VehicleTANK COMPANY [565] 9 Exterminator,
2x Flak Support (Hydra), Thunderer,
Salamander Command VehicleSALAMANDER SCOUT PLATOON [125] 3 Salamanders, Salamander Command Vehicle
ARTILLERY BATTERY [250] 3 Manticores
DEATHSTRIKE MISSILE BATTERY [200] 2 Deathstrike Missile Launchers
SUPER-HEAVY TANK PLATOON [200] Shadowsword
WARHOUND [275] 1 Warhound Class Titan
WARHOUND [275] 1 Warhound Class Titan
WARHOUND [275] 1 Warhound Class Titan
Differences are highlighted in yellow. List 2 loses Thunderbolts (and thus an activation) in order to add 2 Hydras and 2 Salamander Command Vehicles to the army. Hydras obviously fill the AA role in a similar way to Thunderbolts without worrying about enemy AA units. The Salamander Command vehicles are fragile but a bit of a steal for their points; not only is the BTS increased to 13 AV, it also has a third leader for shedding BMs. I know, insane right?
However, the list becomes 9 activations and loses its aircraft.
Thoughts, opinions, complaints, flames. Is there even a better list to be had from the Minervans?