Tempestus Militarum Scions aka Storm Troopers

While trying to decide whether I should play blob-mech or pure mech, I came across another idea. No matter what the list, I'm going to get Chimeras, no question about that. They are absolutely necessary for a mechanized infantry (mech) list, mech-blob or even just blob. I think only air calvary doesn't need them and I can't afford to play air calvary (Vendettas are really expensive, each one of mine cost almost $150 and I can buy 2 Leman Russ tanks or 2 Wyverns with that!).

But then something struck me. Well, I deleted my old blog a very long time ago but last year, before I went and bought my Imperial Knights, I was interested in creating a Militarum Tempestus army. I was experimenting with the Airborne Assault Formation, a few Militarum Tempestus Combined Arms Detachment, but eventually they never came to fruition because I wanted an Imperial Knight army and Militarum Tempestus just didn't cover the weaknesses of Imperial Knights, even as allies. I mean, both Militarum Tempestus and Imperial Knights had no decent air (this was before the Imperial Knights codex and even then I'm not sold on the twin Icarus autocannons). And while Valkyries make awesome flying transports, I very much prefer Vendettas. No, seriously. Three twin-linked lascannons that can provide both anti-tank and anti-air support is invaluable to my Imperial Knights. As you can see, my Imperial Guard army was originally built as intended allies for my Knights.

Hmm. It doesn't seem to be working out, though. Oh well. As it turned out, I really like my Imperial Guard and I want to build on my current collection of 2 Leman Russ Executioners, 25 infantry soldiers, 2 Vendettas and 1 super-heavy tank. I'm beginning to think it's more optimal to place bodies on the table than investing massive points into a single super-heavy unit. Oh well, a Doomhammer is cheap and I should really stop messing around with my list and creating Stormsword or Shadowsword lists. Super-heavy tanks are nice but they really limit my options and what I can take. Anyway, we'll see. I managed to squeeze 2 Wyverns into my lists because I was advised that they are absolutely necessary. Awesome. So I'll need to get 2 Chimeras and 2 Wyverns.

Anyway, back to my Militarum Tempestus. I had the idea to field them as elite surgical strike squads, either parachuting (grav-chute) down from Vendettas or deep-striking behind enemy lines. They target high-value targets and destroy them with extreme prejudice. Most likely they would die from the enemy's retaliation, but that's fine. They have fulfilled their mission. The reason why I'm running them as a separate detachment is so that I can get 2 Militarum Tempestus command squads for 4 special weapons AND the specific Militarum Tempestus orders. Best of all, the command squads can issue orders to themselves, making them that much more potent. Stormtrooper command squad kitted with 4 plasma guns? Don't worry about getting hot, I'll just issue the order that gives them Preferred Enemy (Autonomous Fire Sanctioned). Gargantuan Creature/Monstrous Creatures or armored vehicles including super-heavies bearing down on my defensive position? No problem, I'll have my Stormtrooper command squad with 4 hot-shot volley guns issue themselves the order to get rending (I think it was Elimination Protocol Sanctioned, my favorite). Defensive means they're stationary (I have 3 other suicide squads running around) so I can fire 4 salvo shots each - 16 S4 rending shots in total. At least 2 or 3 should wound the Gargantuan Creature (I'm looking at you, Wraithknight) or glance the armored vehicle. It also works for my plasma gun command squad so that S7 can penetrate vehicles but obviously I won't use it for Monstrous Creatures.

They basically are my anti-monster, anti-vehicle specialists, with the normal 5-men Militarum Tempestus squads with 2 meltaguns sent to take out artillery or other high-value targets lying at the back of my opponent's deployment zone. They can even be used to take out Terminators or something. Even if they die from the retaliation, the measly 90-point squad has successfully taken out more than its points worth of units. I hope. And I have 2 of them.

The rest of my Imperial Guard provide the armor and artillery, particularly anti-infantry. That's why I need the Wyverns. While my Militarum Tempestus Scions deep-strike or parachute from Vendettas eliminating high-priority targets like tanks, vehicles, Monstrous Creatures or Gargantuan Creatures, the Wyverns will be needed to clear the hordes. I think I need my mechanized infantry or blobs to secure objectives or something. With so much plasma in the list provided by my Stormtroopers, I'm not sure if I need my Leman Russ Executioner. Well, having one of the table as a distraction Carnifex might be a good idea.

It's so tempting to ally Militarum Tempestus to my Imperial Guard, even if it means I have to spend more. Oh well. We'll see.

Another option is for me to get the Cadian Defense Force, ditch the Leman Russ Executioners and go with blob. Hmm. I don't know if that will work.

Anyway, I wrote the fluff for my Stormtroopers in my story War Convocation. According to the Draconis Imperial Guard, they have an elite military branch trained in the Schola Progenium called the Draconian Dragons. They are basically the stormtroopers of the Draconian Armored Defense Force (Draconis Imperial Guard), and while known to other Militarum Tempestus regiments as Draconian Dragons, their official name is the Draconian Special Forces Group. Yeah, it's based off the Japanese Self Defense Force. Hell, the Draconis Imperial Guard is also based off the Japanese Self Defense Force, just look at the name! Draconian Armored Defense Force!

As a joke, the Draconian Special Forces Group is known to the rest of the Armored Defense Force as the Kamikaze Troopers because that's what they do, essentially. They charge straight into the heart of the enemy's base, take out the high-value targets, and then die from the retaliation. Essentially suicide squads. So yeah, they're Kamikaze Troopers. Get it? :D OTP

Anyway, we'll see what happens. I know I need the Chimeras and Wyverns no matter what. The next step is mech, blob-mech, Militarum Tempestus allies, or a mix of mech-Militarum Tempestus or blob-mech-Militarum Tempestus.

I wonder if I'll get any advice or suggestions......