The following is a proposed update for discussion:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/m0tfaf8txjehzbs/Cadians%20ver2.0.pdf?dl=0It’s quite a change to the 1.x series which is why it’s a discussion piece only.
The perceived issues with Cadia 1.5:
1) Activation span taking advantage of a 175pt core formation
2) Internal balance - there are choices which are simply not worth taking, i.e the Ordinatus and more expensive core options.
3) Poor list flavour with common builds - lots of Kasrkin make the army more like a Tempestus Scions/Inquisition/or niche heavy infantry list. The aim is that the Cadian list can be an alternative, balanced, all arms standard Guard list which can be an alternative to Steel Legion. Being one of the original 3 lists everyone is very familiar with, there is appetite for something a bit different without going for something niche and specialised, like all tanks, airborne, or siege.
Features of 2.0 to address perceived issues:
1) Kaskin are elite troops wearing heavy armour, they don’t walk! All core Kasrkin are mechanised, a support Kasrkin formation can Teleport (Grav-chute). This helps with coatings and flavour.
2) Whiteshields are no longer a cheap 0-1 no brainer formation, they can be included in a variety of ways more than once but don’t allow access to support formation. Their inclusion presents an interesting dilemma as they reduce the initiative of the formation they’re added to.
3) The Ordinatus is cheaper and the crit not as bad, it has also lost Inspiring... the rationale is that it was/is rubbish, the explosion was bigger than a battle titan's but the unit only has a fraction of the firepower, and Cadians do not revere Ordinatus like the Mechanicus so won't find it Inspiring or its loss so hard.
4) The Leman Rus support formation cheaper as there are just better options at 400pts.
5) The Cadian list requires some deviation from Guard pricing norms to get the internal balance right which has always been a difficulty with Guard lists, there are some cheaper than normal upgrades.
I'm tempted to suggest taking Shadowswords out to further differentiate the list from the Steel Legion, it shouldn't be crippling as Cadians are not short on heavy firepower! But this is a discussion for another day.