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SM vs. Epic Rule Engine http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=171 |
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Author: | nealhunt [ Wed May 07, 2003 3:48 pm ] |
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine |
I realize Netepic might be a beter board for this thread, but... I'm curious as to why some of you guys like the SM/TL rule engine so much more than the Epic set up. I can understand the desire for lots of nifty, cool units that were absent in Epic's release. However, those could have been written in Epic with house rules (and many were). I really don't get it. I found the SM rules to bog down rapidly. There was little opportunity for a variety of tactics. When there was, it was due primarily to some extreme force selection. For example, a friend took 9 falcon hosts in several games, which works out to falcons spaced exactly 6cm apart in virtually the entire deployment zone of a 4x8 board, and put everyone on first fire, using HQ units to snag objectives. Different, but still mind-numbingly dull. The thing I really disliked, is that there was no way to drive someone back short of decimation. Because of that, it became very WWI, line up and shoot across no-man's land until the CC units charge across. It was very static. So, maybe a better question is, how are you guys playing that it's possible to do things like turn flanks, rout an enemy formation, etc.? |
Author: | primarch [ Wed May 07, 2003 4:27 pm ] |
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine |
Hi! I really don't get it. I found the SM rules to bog down rapidly. There was little opportunity for a variety of tactics. When there was, it was due primarily to some extreme force selection. For example, a friend took 9 falcon hosts in several games, which works out to falcons spaced exactly 6cm apart in virtually the entire deployment zone of a 4x8 board, and put everyone on first fire, using HQ units to snag objectives. Different, but still mind-numbingly dull. |
Author: | nealhunt [ Wed May 07, 2003 5:20 pm ] |
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine |
Well, it certainly sounds as if NetEpic fixed a lot of the problems I had with SM/TL. However, I would characterize restructuring of the turn sequence (both movement and revealing orders) as a major game mechanic/engine change. At that point, we're not talking about SM vs. Epic, imho. Your post does confirm that everyone else had the same problems with SM that I did. What (aside from the lack of diverse units/weapons) was the big drawback(s) with Epic? I am also curious as to how you would beat the falcons without knowing in advance that is what he is taking. The time I played him I had a chaos horde that was cut to ribbons before they got close. |
Author: | primarch [ Wed May 07, 2003 9:19 pm ] |
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine |
Hi! Well, it certainly sounds as if NetEpic fixed a lot of the problems I had with SM/TL. However, I would characterize restructuring of the turn sequence (both movement and revealing orders) as a major game mechanic/engine change. At that point, we're not talking about SM vs. Epic, imho. |
Author: | primarch [ Wed May 07, 2003 9:22 pm ] |
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine |
Hi! Oops! Didn't cut off the quotes where I should have so there are more responses in the quote box. Primarch |
Author: | Mojarn Piett [ Thu May 08, 2003 8:09 am ] |
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine |
I made a set of suppression rules for Net Epic, which IMO were quite nice. They can be found in Incoming 9 in case anybody is interested. As of yet, nobody has sent any playtest data so I don't know whether they work in practice or not. |
Author: | nealhunt [ Thu May 08, 2003 3:33 pm ] |
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine |
Primarch: I agree that SMs are particularly well-suited for dispatching Eldar, just like Eldar are particularly adept at destroying chaos. However, I disagree that your force is a "balanced" force. 1-2 companies in Thawks, and 1-2 companis in drop pods is virtually all of your non-titan units dropping in from orbit. I consider 3000 points of virtual teleportation to be extreme. I don't think it's "beardy" or "cheesy" as it fits the fluff and generally makes sense, but it is still extreme. I think the SM army was broken for that very reason. When I had a company's worth of detachments run off the board by bloodclaws, another company's worth decimated by the same, and a company's worth of forces destroyed by drop pod company, all with miniscule damage to the SMs and before I moved, I realized it was bad. As I said, a couple detachments in Thawks and a company in drop pods is not what I would consider cheesy, but it is devastating and impossible to guard against nonetheless. Personally, I believe that even with alternating movement, there would be very little that would stop a marine player from destroying several times the number of points paid before any sort of reaction could be mounted. Not seeing orders might help, but the marines could just as easily pick units they can pin, or wait until a unit moves to assault it. Dang. I had forgotten how much I hated marines... Incidentally, the SM vs. Eldar and the Eldar vs. Chaos were exceptions to the 2 out of 3 initiatives rule. They just won. Period. But that's still not fun. |
Author: | primarch [ Thu May 08, 2003 6:17 pm ] |
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine |
Hi! However, I disagree that your force is a "balanced" force. 1-2 companies in Thawks, and 1-2 companis in drop pods is virtually all of your non-titan units dropping in from orbit. I consider 3000 points of virtual teleportation to be extreme. I don't think it's "beardy" or "cheesy" as it fits the fluff and generally makes sense, but it is still extreme. |
Author: | nealhunt [ Thu May 08, 2003 9:23 pm ] |
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine |
>> Therefore you "teleporting" forces dont reach 1000 points. 750 points in drop pods 350 points for detachment (250 deploying) in Thawk (100) Another 350 if you go with 2 That's 1450. Admittedly less than the 2 companies I thought you meant (2850). >> Swoop and scoop became RARE after players learned this counter tactic. Admittedly, most of my SM play and the two tournaments I played in were pre-flak rules (ca 1991-1993). Counter Thawks and drop pods without using flak and I will be heartily impressed. It was dicey before, but after the Space Wolves junk came out, there was no point in playing with SM forces because even someone playing, say, Dark Angels, would take a detachment of blood claws (or two or three) as allies. Also a problem in the pre-flier days was combined SM-IG forces. Cheap IG Hvy companies and artillery that were difficult to attack because of the marines. >> The point is Neal, we have been having a discussion on TACTICS, Which I really didn't want to do, so I guess I shouldn't have asked. ![]() I don't remember flak being nearly as effective as you claim, though I was happy with it at the time. I seem to recall it was a significant improvement, but still left a problem. Anyway, I can't really argue it almost 10 years after I last played it. Though I don't remember enough about the flier rules to argue it, I remember there being something I found very poor about them. Did Netepic change that, too? At this point, I would probably give NetEpic a try, but just the thought of SM/TL still gives me a bad taste in my mouth. |
Author: | primarch [ Fri May 09, 2003 12:48 am ] |
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine |
Hi! 750 points in drop pods 350 points for detachment (250 deploying) in Thawk (100) Another 350 if you go with 2 That's 1450. Admittedly less than the 2 companies I thought you meant (2850). |
Author: | Robilus [ Sun Nov 07, 2004 9:34 pm ] |
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine |
I attended the Veterans Openday at GWHQ in Nottingham today. I bought a few of the new epic minis there, all of which, in my opinion are excellent. ?Here is a review of the Epic minis I purchased: The Ragnarok tank: An absoloutely brilliant tank mini. ?Its models like this that just go to show how cool Jervis is getting this sort of stuff produced for Epic. ?It looked good in the pictures I have seen on the net, but it looks even better close up. Size-wise it is quite pleasing. ?The hull is longer than that of the Leman Russ (ignoring the Lascannon poking out of the LR) and about the same width. ?With the turret on the mini it is much taller than the Leman Russ, and just slightly taller than the Land Raider. ?Its got a nice heavy, slab-sided feel to it. Also, the turret is set slightly off centre, to the right (looking at the tank from the front), something I didn't notice in the pictures. ?Each tank is in 4 pieces (hull, turret, and two small stubber turrets). I bought 2 blisters (3 tanks per blister) and all 6 tanks are nicely molded, with minimal flash, and no covering of details or warping. ?Excellent. Space Marine Character Pack: This is very nice. ?There are a lot of characters in the pack. ?You get: 4 Captains (1 on bike, 1 with jump pack, 1 in Terminator armour, 1 normal) 5 Chaplains (1 on bike, 1 in Terminator armour, 1 with jump pack, and 2 normal) 6 Librarians (1 on bike, 1 in Terminator armour, 1 with Jump pack, 3 normal) 2 Sergeants 3 Standard Bearers (2 normal, 1 on bike) 1 Medic 1 Techmarine 1 Servitor Some of the models in the pack are straight copies of the old plastic characters and marines, most are based on the old plastic characters with new bits sculpted. ?The new servitor appears to be the only new fig, though his legs look supisciously like those of the scout model. There are only two bad models in this set, IMO, the rest are OK to brilliant. ?The Cheif Librarian is based on the standard one, but has the librarian horned skull on his shoulder pad and a cloak. ?The bike and terminator librarians are good too. ?One standard bearer has a powerfist, which he is holding the standard up with. ? The highlight of the set is the Commander on foot. ?It is based on the plastic Chaplain body, but with new torso, head and powerfist arm, and just looks huge and imposing, like a marine captain should. Forgeworld Grey Knights: These are just brilliant, Will Hayes is a sculpting genius. ?I looked at them up close with my handloupe that I use at work, and can clearly make out all the details. ?Things like purity seals, the chapter symbols, icons, skulls, the shoulder shield on the terminators, etc. ?The Brother-Captain/Grand Master model is just the best. The power armour Grey Knights come 20 to a pack and there are 4 individually variant models. ?2 normal GK's in different poses, a Justicar, and a GK with an Incinerator. The Terminator Grey Knights come 10 to a pack, and there are 6 Individually variant models. ?3 normal in different poses (one has a sword rather than a halberd), 1 with a Psycannon, 1 with an Incinerator, and the Brother-Captain/Grand Master. The GK Land Raiders are 9 pieces per model. ?They are a bit smaller than the SG Epic Land Raider, and have greater detail, particularly in the sponson area. ?A nice feature of this model is the opened rear top hatch with a Grey Knight manning the Storm Bolter ? ![]() In my opinion, the Grey Knights are the pinnacle of Epic minis. Rob |
Author: | iblisdrax [ Sun Nov 07, 2004 9:39 pm ] |
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine |
How much did you pay for each, if I may ask? my 2cents, iblisdrax |
Author: | Robilus [ Sun Nov 07, 2004 9:54 pm ] | ||
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine | ||
Ragnarok Blister: ?10 Space Marine Character Blister: ?7 Power Armour Grey Knights pack: ?12 Grey Knight Terminators pack: ?7 Grey Knight Land Raiders pack: ?10 Rob |
Author: | primarch [ Sun Nov 07, 2004 11:43 pm ] |
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine |
Hi! I agree about the Grey knights, got mine over a week ago. They are absolutely gorgeous! I hope beyond hope that FW is the true heir to epic minis in the future. Primarch |
Author: | Legion 4 [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 1:39 am ] |
Post subject: | SM vs. Epic Rule Engine |
Wow !!! Great report ! That is the kind of useful information we can use ! Thanks ! ![]() |
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