The Melta and Armoured Ceramite Conundrum in 30k

Overview.
I think there is a conundrum in 30k around Armoured Ceramite and Melta weaponry. It also connects to game theory very nicely. Let me explain.

Background.
In 30k, Armoured Ceramite is a reasonably common and very available upgrade to vehicles in legion (and other armies, such as the Solar Auxilia) armoury. In brief, it negates the special melta weapon rules that provide an extra die for amour penetration.

The Conundrum.
Let's see if I can explain this using a logical chain.
(i) Because Armoured Ceramite is available, players are going to take it to negate against melta weapons.
(ii) Because players are taking Armoured Ceramite, it logically follows that players will respond by not bothering with melta weaponry. They'll take something like lascannons to deal with heavy AV armour instead.
(iii) Because players are no longer bothering with melta weapons, it logically follows that players do not need to invest the points sink in Armoured Ceramite.
(iv) Because players are not purchasing Armoured Ceramite, one should take melta weaponry to exploit them.

And therein is the conundrum, the contradiction, and (if nothing else) a downright paradox!

In some games that I've played, its clear that the meta is somewhere in the region of step (i) or step (ii). Armoured Ceramite is very popular (and probably rightly so). And this is leading to a decrease of melta weaponry in accord. I've not heard anyone reach the logical step of (iii) just yet, but it does follow quite naturally. I just don't think folks are thinking that far along the logic chain to be honest. And that's completely understandable if everyone is still salivating over Armoured Ceramite's ability.

But, being slightly twisted, and playing the Alpha Legion in 30k, I'm totally taking melta weaponry in the form of a melta support squad. Because my Alpha Legion force is rightly already at step (iv)!

Or at least that's what I keep telling myself. The reality is far removed from this, naturally, as most folks are still at step (i). But I will keep on taking the melta just to exploit folks who are not taking the Armoured Ceramite. That, and I think that melta guns are very powerful weapons if you're able to get in range of an enemy, and can cause significant damage to even terminator squads with the right positioning (which I plan on achieving with Armillus Dynat's warlord trait).

Horus Heresy Review: Auxilia Stormsword Super-Heavy Tank

Background
The storm sword is essentially a modification of any number of super heavy tanks. Rather than try to fully repair a broken superheavy like a Shadowsword, some forces opt to repair it by simply fitting a siege cannon on to the patched up shell. Thus the stormsword is born.

Strengths
The strength of this beast is in its primary weapon. Although it is not a D class weapon, it certainly packs a punch and is (in my opinion) well worth the points cost associated with the vehicle. Firstly, its a short range weapon. But with S=10 and very low AP, its going to be dangerous to anything in the game. What makes it truly shine though, is the absolutely humongous template associated with it - a full apocalyptic blast no less. Better yet, it ignores cover!

Weaknesses
The tank is a close range tank, and therefore must be carefully treated to ensure it gets in to the optimum firing position before being hit by enemy class D weapons, or knights in close combat and the like. Additionally, the rear armour is going to be a prime target on this tank, like its cousins, but perhaps even more vulnerable due to the need to manoeuvre in to position more acutely.

Builds
Two builds for this super heavy -- a baseline build and something a little bit more upgraded.

Stormsword, armoured ceramite (510 points)
Armoured ceramite is almost a given in the 30k environment. I deliberately take melta guns to face down enemies who don't pay the points for this upgrade, because that's how I roll.

Stormsword, armoured ceramite, two pairs of lascannon sponsons, pintle mounted multi-laser (625 points)
Very pricey here, but also very versatile and effective, so long as the range is kept to 48" and under (preferably 36" and under!). Upgrade to a command tank to taste.

Horus Heresy Review: Auxilia Shadowsword Super-Heavy Tank

Background
Of all the Baneblade style chassis, my personal favourite to fields is the Shadowsword. Largely, this is because of its reputation and ability as a tank killer.

Although at the turn of the Heresy, this tank was rarely used, it became a staple of the Auxilia and the like as they were pressed in to service to counter enemy titans.

Strengths
The Volcano Cannon is a D-class weapon with an absolutely huge range, low AP, and large blast radius. For a superheavy, and for a Lords of War slot, this beast really does the job very well.

But to be sure, I would certainly advocate taking more lascannons on the sponsons to get some shield generators down and inflict additional hull point damage on enemy targets.

Weaknesses
Arguably the low BS of the tank is an issue. But this could be mitigated a little by sacrificing some lascannons for targeters to boost the BS. For additional lascannons this could be important. Equally, if one is taking additional lascannons, then its likely that some will hit regardless. The rear armour is just as much a concern here as it is for other tanks of its ilk.

Builds
Just two builds from me for this one. A baseline style build and a more upgraded one.

Shadowsword, armoured ceramite (480 points)
This is probably the baseline. That said, I'd be sorely tempted to add on extra lascannons from my experience of fielding these tanks in Apocalypse games.

Shadowsword, armoured ceramite, two pairs of lascannon / heavy bolter sponsons, multi-melta on the pintle (600 points)
A very upgraded version of the tank that I would favour. I'm a fan of taking more las cannons over improving the BS (because dice gods favour the bold!), but clearly that's still an option. The multi melta is just to add extra low AP weapons to the arsenal; and hoping people didn't have the points for armoured ceramite. 

Potential Plot Flaw in Fulgrim?

I was re-reading Black Library' Fulgrim by McNeill recently. I found a little inconsistency, well major plot flaw to be honest, therein on my re-reading.

In the encounter between Ferrus Manus and Fulgrim, the primarch of the Emperor's Children tells Ferrus that "Lorgar and Angron are ready to strike, and Mortarion will soon be with us."

Later on, on the sands of Istvaan V no less, Ferrus Manus is well-pleased to see his brothers, Lorgar included make landfall to apparently help the loyalist cause.

So, what could be the cause of this?

Clearly it could just be an overlooked facet.

Or, alternatively, perhaps Ferrus just thought Fulgrim was flat-out lying. Indeed, later on, Dorn's orders simply state that the traitors are Horus, Fulgrim, Mortarion and Angron. Nothing about Lorgar. Hence he has no reason to yet doubt that Lorgar has turned traitor.

Anyway, I just caught this today, so thought I'd jot it down here!

Horus Heresy Review: Auxilia Stormlord Super-Heavy Assault Tank

Background
Continuing on from the Baneblade, the Stormlord superheavy is one rolling fortress designed for transporting a surprisingly large number of troops.

Strengths
Forty personal can be carried, and fully half of them can shoot from its troop platform. This is incredible and should not be underestimated. A heap of plasma fire from this is enough of a tactic to be treated seriously.

As if that were not enough, there's also a Vulan Megabolter to contend with. That's a heavy 15 bolter at S6 and AP3. And if the tank stays still, it can fire it twice. Twice! That's a lot of dead space marines.

Weaknesses
Like the Baneblade, the Stormlord does not carry a D-class weapon. Given that Lords of War are in play, one has to be concerned if your opponent is wielding one.

Builds
Two builds here, one a baseline one, and the other a more upgraded and costly one.

Stormlord, armoured ceramite (515 points)
This is a baseline build with the armoured ceramite that is ubiquitous in 30k.

Stormlord, armoured ceramite, two sponson pairs, pintle heavy flamer (630 points)
A heavy flamer pintle weapon here as a charging deterrent, and two sponsons for their lascannon punching power. Add the command tank upgrade to taste.

Horus Heresy Review: Auxilia Baneblade Super-Heavy Battle Tank

Background
And now we turn to the super heavies for the Lords of War entries in the Solar Auxilia Army List. These entries are based around the bane blade and shadow sword chassis and are exactly what you might have come to expect from Apocalypse for the main part.

Strengths
A baneblade, fundamentally, is a rolling tank fitted out with a whole heap of nasty guns. The bane blade cannon is an excellent S=9 apocalyptic blast that few other things in the game can match. Added on to this are the demolisher cannon, heavy bolters and possibly additional armaments. This tank is a real contender on the battlefield!

Weaknesses
I'm always torn on whether to go for this one, or one of its sister tanks - such as a shadowsword. Fundamentally, this probably depends on one's play style. The one thing I will mention here though is that lack of D-class weapons. If you're allowed Lords of War, then presumably one has to think your opponent has opted for a D-class weapon somewhere.

Builds
I'll do just two builds here - a baseline one first, and then a bit of an upgraded one.

Baneblade, armoured ceramite (560 points)
The baseline with additional armoured ceramite to negate all those melta toting squads.

Baneblade, armoured ceramite, 2 additional sponsons, pintle multi-melta (680 points)
Take a command tank upgrade to taste. And / or hunter killer missiles. Team up with a tank commander just for additional fun.