I used to play second edition, gave up a long time ago (well, actually I just had no opponents). I picked up E:A again a few months ago and myself and a friend have been playing, starting with 1500 point games with only basic rules and working our way up to the full game. we've now played a few 3000 point games and are planning on having a 5000 point game this weekend. The point of all this is I would like some advice on my army choice. My friend will be playing orks, and I expect fort mobs and large amounts of fighta-bommas. I have no idea what else he will be bringing. I intend to play either IG or SM, and these are the armies I have chosen for each:
IG
Tank company (9 Leman Russ, 1 Vindicator)
+tank squadron (3 Leman Russ)
+flak (1 Hydra)
Super Heavy Tank Company (3 Stormswords)
+tank squadron (3 Leman Russ)
+flak (1 Hydra)
+fire support squad (4 fire support)
Artillery Company (9 Basilisks)
+flak (1 Hydra)
Storm trooper platoon+valkyries (8 storm troopers, 4 valkyries)
Rough rider platoon (6 rough riders)
Rough rider platoon (6 rough riders)
Flak Battery (3 Hydras)
Flak Battery (3 Hydras)
Warlord Titan (Mars pattern)
Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts
This leaves me with 300 points to spend. Possibilities include more flak, more thunderbolts, a marauder squadron, or a regimental HQ at the expense of one of the tank squadrons.
The plan here would be to have the LRs, Stormswords and Basilisks pounding his forces from out of range (Stormswords in particular are to take out the forts). The flak batteries will be placed to protect them (to some extent) from his fighta-bommas, and the thunderbolts will be on CAP/interception. Hopefully like this I can severely reduce the effectiveness of his fighta-bommas before he gets to use them too much.
SM:
Assault detatchment+chaplain
Assault detatchment
Assault detatchment
Devastator detatchment+ 4 razorbacks (AT)
Devastator detatchment+ hunter + rhinos
Devastator detatchment+ hunter + rhinos
Whirlwinds + hunter
Whirlwinds + hunter
Marauder bombers
Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts
Warlord Titan (Mars pattern)
Thunderhawk gunship
Thunderhawk gunship
Tactical detatchment+supreme commander+hunter+rhinos
land speeders
The plan here is to have the whirlwinds and warlord pound his mobs while the devastators take up positions and go on overwatch (his long range guns are mostly around 45cm, so I should get a free shot before he can hit them)
The assault detatchments will advance under cover and try to attack as a group, force him to either delay all his troops for the mob near them or break up his attack.
The thunderhawk gunships (and this might be really silly) will do ground attacks every turn, flying in as far as high value things i want protected (whilwinds, SC, warlord), firing off their battlecannon at anything handy. The point is that the'll provide some much needed flak for these targets when his fighta-bommas come.
The land speeders are just throwaway units, intended to distract him and fall on his flank at an inconvenient time. Not expecting to do lots of damage, more to screw up his plans.
Well, that was a lot longer than I intended/expected. Comments/criticisms would be appreciated.
