Marines Vs Nids - Tactics and List Building

The big question at the moment is how to deal with nids. They're fast, tough and almost unbeatable in close combat. The answer for marines is wound saturation. After seeing the new nids in action on Thursday night the answer seems obvious, kill them before they get near you, and if you can't, that unit is history.

There are several key attributes to note

1. Nids are tough - Many at T6

2. They have multiple wounds and can regenerate

3. They are fast. Gene steelers have fleet and can pop out of terain

4. Marines cannon beat them in close combat. Nurgle Daemons can, maybe orks, but marines might aswell be gaurd in terms of CC.

So here is the challange. How to deal out the most St5, and higher hits. I'm going to assume this is for C4 (1500 point) due to the dawning realisation that my Space Wolves may not be done in time. Lets look at the options

HQ

Captain is a good start, cheap, survivable, good variety of load outs

Librarian - Another cheap choice. Avenger, and gate could be usefull, so could vortex of doom

Lysander - Tough as nails, but I don't think even he could go toe to toe with these monsters

Pedro Kantor - Stern Guard as Scoring. A little expensive but I'll see how the points work out

TROOPS

Tactical Marines - Flamers, Heavy bolters and missiles are good. Power weapons and Fists seem like a waste

Scouts - Snipers seem like an obvious choice.

ELITES

Stern Guard - Hellfire rounds, Dragon Fire Rounds, Kraken Rounds, Great.

Dreanought - Walking fire bases. Definitely needed. Auto cannons, Heavy flamers, assault cannons

Terminators - Thunder Hammer, storm shield may work, seems a little risky. Assault cannon is a possible

FAST ATTACK

Not much here. I really want to keep my distance.

HEAVY SUPPORT

Predator - 10 shots of dakka for focussed fire

Whirlwind - A definite

Thunder Fire Cannon - Another obvious choice

Vindicator - Range is to short

Land Raider - To Expensive at 1500. Does not produce enough shots per point.

Here is the list

1500 Point - Xeno Hunters

HQ

Librarian - Gate of Infinity, Avenger - 100 Points

TROOPS

10 Tactical Marines - Flamer, Heavy Bolter - 170 Points

Rhino - 35 Points

10 Tactical Marines - Flamer, Missile Launcher - 170 Points

Rhino - 35 Points

10 Scouts - 9 Snipers, Heavy Bolter - 150 Points

ELITES

Stern Guard -2 x Heavy Flamer, 3 x Combi Melta - 285 Points

Drop Pod - 35 Points

Dreadnought - 2 x Twin Linked Auto Cannons - 125 Points

Dreadnought - Multi Melta, Heavy Flamer - 115 Points

HEAVY SUPPORT

Predator - Auto Cannon, Heavy Bolter Sponsons, Storm Bolter - 95 Points

Whirl Wind - 85 Points

Thunder Fire Cannon - 100 Points

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The Tactics are simple. Wound saturation. Stern Guard are there to take out an early target of opportunity, Snipers wound on a 4+ Hell fire shells wound on a 2+. Dreads lay some early fire and then try to hold up the assaulter's. Rhinos can be used as either a get away or as a roadblock.

Shots go on the big stuff, Templates on the small, try to hit the big stuff at the same time if possible.

Remember a wounded nid is just as dangerous as a healthy one. Shoot to kill, focus on one target at a time. In objective missions try to wipe out their troops and keep yours intact. In kill points take out big stuff first, and gene steelers. They will slaughter you in close combat so take them down quick.