Personally, I can't see it. They're different to the other Marine flavours and they're naturally better at some things. Yes, they look shootier than the other Marines with all their multi-shot guns but they're nearly all 24" range. Yes, they look assaultier than other Marine with their Power Weapons as standard but they only have one attack base.
Maybe they're just easier to play (and this coming from a guy who plays the most forgiving codex that is out there!) - Shoot with your three Dreads, drive your Raorbacks up to midfield, get out shoot and assault what's left.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it's a rubbish codex, it clearly isn't (they are Marines after all!) but I don't think it's as strong as a lot of people are making out.
(Note: I think that arguably the best and certainly the most interesting build is a Corteaz henchmen list. However, I've not talked about that here since we have some tournaments in the UK that don't allow special characters (and don't get me started on that) It could well be that many of those entrants into Nova were taking Corteaz lists so this whole post may be a bit of a knee-jerk reaction)
What do you think of GK? Too powerful or die just as easily as other Marines? Have you changed your list or tactics specifically to deal with them? Have you joined the Grey Side yourself?
Its really because they have literally so many tools in the box and ways to access them.
ReplyDeleteSome of the lists that did well were random as hell - partly think it was just peoples lack of knowledge of how to deal with 5 paladins walking towards you etc...
I think IG can beat GK just the same way as other MEQ armies. S8 autocannons and all them S7 shots from the psycannons can hurt but they generally have less stuff on the board that you have to deal with. I think it's kinda becoming a rock-paper-scissors thing with some armies.
ReplyDeleteWe all know any Space Marine army is a beginner's army! ;)
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, I think with GK (as well as the other most recent Space Marine codexes) you have access to ALL the tools you might need to counter a particular opponent.
Whereas some codexes do one thing really well (eg Tyranids excelling at CC), it seems the Grey Knights (and Space Wolves) are a really well rounded army, with reliable & effective choices in every FOC slot.
In all seriousness, Space Marines are a beginner's army. BS4 and WS4 make them pretty good in all phases and T4 and 3+ save make them durable. All this makes them a pretty forgiving army. Being an "elite" army, they're cheap to buy initially (compared to a more hoarde-y army like Orks) and they're pretty straightforward to paint.
ReplyDeleteI agree that all of the 5th edition Marines do have the benefit of having good choices in each FOC slot and I think that the Grey Knights are very cost effective when it comes to points.
The key advantage that IG have is range. Plus you have a lot of AV12 vehicles which can be difficult for S7 to break...
ReplyDeleteSounds like Paladins are the new Nob Bikers - scary to start with but eventually everyone gets to grips with them...
ReplyDelete