Hi

I have wanted to play AMTL since the propsect of playtest list was first mentioned. However I lacked confidence and felt I needed more experience playing with/against EA rulebook lists before ready to tackle playtest list. However after playing mainly IG for the last 3-4 years against several opponents, including playing Colin aka Kleomenes recently on average once every 4-6 weeks, I think time has come. So I plan on giving both Minervan and AMTL list a try, especially now that versions have settled down a bit.

I dont have a huge choice if sticking to WYSIWYG:
1*stock Warlord (VC, GB, 2*TLD)
4*Reavers
(VC + MRL + CC weapon, GB + MRL + CC weapon, MRL + 2*CC weapon, 3*MRL)
4*Warhounds
(VMB + PBG, VMB + PBG, 2*VMB, 2*PBG)
most IG support choices

My first attempt at an AMTL list is following:

Veteran Princeps
Reaver1 with VC + MRL + CC weapon
Reaver2 with GB + MRL + CC weapon
Reaver3 with MRL + 2*CC weapon
Warhound pack both with VMB + PBG each
Warhound scout with 2*VMB
Warhound scout with 2*PBG

I make that 3,000 points on the button, with 6 activations.

The reasons behind my choices were
1) I really wanted to take a Warlord but thought I would struggle for activations in 3000 points if I did. I guess will have to save Warlord for larger games.
2) I love the Forgeworld Reaver with 3 MRL's. Lovely model. But at 25 points for each MRL, or Apocalypse Rocket Launchers as they now appear to be called, that seems really pricey. The only way I could squeeze the 3*MRL Reaver into 3000 points would be to drop one of the first 2 Reavers and also drop Veteran Princeps.

What do you reckon? Please remeember my choices are limited to the nine titan listed. I could take Skitarii support choices borrowed from my IG army, but I want to maximise the numbers of titans, and would only take say a aquadron of Thunderbolts if down to last 150 points and could not field more titans!!

Please also remember that my Titan weapon choices are limited to those listed if playing WYSIWYG. So no Turbolaser destructors on Warhounds or Reavers with twin volcano cannons......

I am sure my weapon choices are nt opitmal but hopefully I can stiill get a fieldable list from the options available. Any help and advice for an AMTL initiate welcomed!!

Thanks very much

James

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Sadly all my suggestions revolve around non WYSIWYG configs!

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Best thing I can say is to give it a go. There is a steep learning curve with AMTL and it took me along time to get my first win with them. Next thing I would suggest is to get some magnets so that you can play around with combinations, next don't worry about WYSIWYG to start off with.

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Hi Tim

The weapons are already glued on and I would be worried about scratching the paint if I tried to cut them off.

If I am playing Colin then I can probably be relaxed about WYSIWYG, but I would prefer to get into good habits.

With the options I have would you say my list is OK?

Am I right to pass on the Warlord titan to get more smaller titans and
thus more activations?

Am I right to pass on the Reaver titan with 3 missile launchers?

Bearing in mind trying to make list capable of facing all comers as I have no idea of what list opponent might be using or what typr of terrain we are playing on.

Thanks

James

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My TOEG- Blood Angels and Deathbolts
My Painting Blog- Evil Sunz, Goffs
My Epic trades list

I'm trying not to look at this thread so we dont skew the playtest results!

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They are free, yes, but not entirely free; for they have a master, and that master is Law.

Good!

Nothing to see here.....

Are we OK for Sun 19th October?

Cheers

James

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My TOEG- Blood Angels and Deathbolts
My Painting Blog- Evil Sunz, Goffs
My Epic trades list

Should be. Im wondering whats best to bring for playtest purposes, I might bring a minor variant of the IG forces you used to use as they were pretty standard

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They are free, yes, but not entirely free; for they have a master, and that master is Law.

Cool

Makes sense to field playtest list against a force that we both now reasonably well.

Cheers

James

_________________
My TOEG- Blood Angels and Deathbolts
My Painting Blog- Evil Sunz, Goffs
My Epic trades list

I think that you are playing the best combination of titans with what you have available.

My main comment would be that there are too many CC weapons, I would be tempted to swop the 2*CC for the 3*MRL. I can't see Colin wishing to get into engagements against any of the Reavers and you being able to force the issue.

Remember to use as much cover as possible as I have found Reavers & Warhounds can be rather fragile otherwise.

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www.epic-uk.co.uk - home of the UK Epic tournament scene
NetEA NetERC Xenos Lists Chair
NetEA Ork + Feral Ork + Speed Freak Champion

Thanks.

Helps if I know I have a sensible starting point. Amnything else can be tweaked after having given initial list a try.

Cheers

James

_________________
My TOEG- Blood Angels and Deathbolts
My Painting Blog- Evil Sunz, Goffs
My Epic trades list

Hi

Colin & I belatedly had our first AMTL playtest game today. Well 2 games in fact. The first we took detailed notes on-hopefully Colin will be able to post shortly. The second game we just played for fun.

Unfortunately for me both games had the same result- a decisive victory for IG over my AMTL. The first was a sobering 4-0. The second was 3-0. As can be seen I am clearly no tactical genius. The first game was a real learning expereince for me, having barely used Titans with main IG/SM rulebook lists. So for me it really was Titans Class 101.

The second game was far closer even though it ended up a similar result. At the end of turn two I was fairly even, maybe slightlky ahead. But a couple of well timed retained initiatives and a couple of lucky dice rolls from IG forces, and the AMTL were reeling.

I have always liked on Warhounds and Reavers as quite sturdy. But when that is all you have in your army then they are surprisingly fragile. I lost a Warhound twice to close combat to single formation of Rough Riders.

I expect that a Titan can be taken down by a company of Shadowswords. I was more surprised when the same happened from being shot at by a compnay of Leman Russ tanks.

There were a couple of things I felt I fell down on. Firstly I made several naive tactical errors which is all part of the learning curve of trying a brand new army.

Secondly was army selection. I was worried that I had too many close combat weapons and not enough shooting power. That was borne out in pratice. The one titan I came away with a higher and better impresssion of was the Reaver with 3 MRL's i.e the one with 3 guns.

Secondly the low activation count hurt. With only 6 activations I found that Colin could set up his key units after I had set up all of my titans. In the first turn when he was out of range of an effective first turn strike he could move his cheap filler units first saving best units until last.

Colin has agreed to play another game of IG vs AMTL, possibly before or fater trying L&TD or Black Legion vs AMTL. Luckily he is relaxed about WYSIWYG, so long as I have clearly written list with titans clearly identifiable, which is fine with me. So those titan close combat weapons are going to be dropped for more shooting power.

However that would send me over 3,000 points mark so I am going to have to loook to save points savings elsewehere. Option 1 is to drop 2 Reavers, bring in the Warlord and pay points costs for splitting Warhound pack into 2 separate Scout choices. That would still leave me at 6 activations, so after investing in a Legate might consider some sentinels.

Option 2 is to stick with the 3 Reavers but upgun them. To pay I would probably drop a Warhound. So again 6 activations, this time from £ Reavears & 3 sole Warhounds. Again might look at Sentinel squadron.

I know Sentinels are fragile but they are cheap.

Will add more detailed comments once Colin has posted the detailed write up. Then again given my less than stellar command performance maybe I can persuade him that we accidently lost the notes!!

Cheers

James

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My TOEG- Blood Angels and Deathbolts
My Painting Blog- Evil Sunz, Goffs
My Epic trades list

Thanks for keeping us posted on your activities. I too found AMTL a difficult army to win with to start off with but have experimented and noted what others have posted on these forums. A small number of activations is a big challenge against higher activation armies when you realise that Warhounds can die relatively easily.

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www.epic-uk.co.uk - home of the UK Epic tournament scene
NetEA NetERC Xenos Lists Chair
NetEA Ork + Feral Ork + Speed Freak Champion

One thing to remember about using Titans, *ALWAYS* try to get them into cover... ruins, forests, obscured by buildings, etc...

Just risk the walker test for that sweet -1 penalty to enemy shooting... it can be a life-saver!

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"EPIC: Total War" Lead Developer

Now living in Boston... any EPIC players want to meet up?

Yes, Warhounds can be fragile in CC, but every now and then I'm pleasantly surprised to see a pair live through CC against Dave's bugs. 5+ RA is better than you might think.

Also, I typically have only 6 activations when I play AMTL. However, I usually don't field an all Titan army. It does take some practice to learn how to win with such a low number of activiations.

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"I don't believe in destiny or the guiding hand of fate." N. Peart

This was the first time I've got to use a shadowsword company - and I found it most satisfying!

Report for game 1 will follow when I get a spare half an hour to write it up!

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They are free, yes, but not entirely free; for they have a master, and that master is Law.