Break it down...and Stop! Hammer Time.

My friend Ryan and I had a great game Tuesday night, one which will be the subject of another post when I get a chance to mock up some Vassal Maps for a BatRep, since I forgot my camera.  Anyway, he had been thinking of starting Tau, being somewhat disillusioned with Marines, but had a lot of fun, and is now looking for advice on expanding/optimising his Vulkan army.



Against me, he used:

Vulkan

Tac Squad [Flamer, MM, Rhino]
Tac Squad [Flamer, MM, Rhino]
Tac Squad [Flamer, MM, Drop Pod]

Dreadnought [MM, HF, Drop Pod]
5 Termies [TH/SS, Redeemer{MM, EA}]

2 Speeders [MM/HF]
2 Speeders [MM/HF]

10 Devastators [4 Heavy Bolters]

I think that was everything...it was 2k.  Now, he knew it wasn't fully optimised, and is presently thinking of getting some Dakka Preds or Riflemen to replace the Devastators.  Overall, an excellent idea.  What I want to do with this post though, is show the breadth of Vulkan-themed lists...while I won't pretend this is in any way an exhaustive breakdown, it's going to make a decent fist of it.  Hopefully.

Okay so, the first type of Vulkan list is simply putting him in Stelek's Best Of Marines (the triplicate version).  This list looks roughly like this:

Vulkan
Tacs [MM, Fl, Rhino]
Tacs [MM, Fl, Rhino]
Tacs [MM, Fl, Rhino]
Scouts [Telion, Sniper, Cloaks, ML]
Dread [MM]
Dread [MM]
Dread [MM]
Dakka Pred
Dakka Pred
Dakka Pred
2 Speeders [MM, HF]
2 Speeders [MM, HF]
2 Speeders [MM, HF]

That's 1935, so we have 65 points to burn somewhere.  Perhaps Combi-Melta for Sergeants, perhaps Dozer Blades, perhaps Flamers on Dreads...whatever.  That's one way to do it.

How about Vulkan Pods?

Danny Internets has an excellent post discussing the theme - but let's ignore hybrid for now, and write a full DP* army...

Vulkan - 190
Tacs [MM, Fl, Pod, Fist] - 230
Tacs [MM, Fl, Pod, Fist]
Tacs [MM, Fl, Pod, Fist]
Dread [MM, HF, Pod] - 150
Dread [MM, HF, Pod]
10 Terminators [TH/SS] - 400
2 Speeders [MM/HF] - 140
2 Speeders [MM/HF]
2 Speeders [MM/HF]

2k exactly, and it uses all the lovely components of the list - the things that make it great.  Terminators will, ofc, usually Combat Squad.  It's a shame there's no ranged support, but Drop Pods mitigate the need for it somewhat, and DS'ing Speeders are a pita to defend against when Dreads and TH/SS are trying to tear you a new one.

Okay, next up, Vulkan Bikers...Slightly different, as it requires 2 HQs.

Vulkan
Captain [Bike, Thunder Hammer, Combi-Melta] - 175
8 Bikes [2x Meltagun, Combi-Melta, MM Attack Bike] - 295
8 Bikes [2x Meltagun, Combi-Melta, MM Attack Bike]
8 Bikes [2x Meltagun, Combi-Melta, MM Attack Bike]

...At this point, two real divergences.  Either, go for the ranged support, or go for the rock.1250

ROCK:
7x TH/SS - 280
Crusader [MM, EA] - 275

Speeder [Typhoon, HB] -90
Speeder [Typhoon, HB]

Leaves 15 points, so some Melta Bombs for Bike Sergs.

OR, RANGED SUPPORT:

Rifleman - 125
Rifleman
Rifleman
Dakka Pred - 85
Dakka Pred
Speeder [Typhoon, HB]
Speeder [Typhoon, HB]

Leaves 25 points.
For variation, either drop a Combi-Melta and take 3 HF/MM Speeders over the Typhoons, or feel free to spend the 25 points on MBs or something.

Finally, for now (I will edit in more variants I think of later, but it's time for work...) we have the Vulkan Rock army - one that takes full advantage of the MC Hammers ...

Vulkan
Librarian [Terminator Armour, Null Zone, Vortex, SS] - 140
10 TH/SS [Crusader{EA, MM}] - 675
Crusader [EA, MM] - 275
5 Tacs [Combi-Melta, Razorback{Las/Plas}] - 175
5 Tacs [Combi-Melta, Razorback{Las/Plas}]
5 Tacs [Combi-Melta, Razorback{Las/Plas}]
5 Tacs [Combi-Melta, Razorback{Las/Plas}]

At this point, add MBs to the Sergeants.  Makes exactly 2k.  Probably not the best Vulkan Rock, but not bad for 7 mins work.

Bleh...Not entirely happy with this post, but nothing's gone up since Monday, so...

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* - 'Normally' Vulkan Pod armies take a MotF and get as many Dreads as possible, but that works a lot better at 2500 than even 2k.  I tried to go a slightly different direction to use the force multiplier of Vulkan as well as possible, and giving all the units some punch whatever order they arrive in.  Admittedly, Locator Beacons instead of Fists may prove more useful - spare points can go onto Combi-Meltas.