Space Marine Fleet: Astral Claws

[Hushrong]

Hey everybody. I have been wanting to build a SM fleet for a while and could use some help if you're willing to spare some.

I want to start by making a small (500pt) fleet for the Astral Claws. If I keep this fleet going I would like to add their Badab War allies when I expand (Most notably the Night Hag of the Executioners). I am looking to start off with 1-3 strike cruisers (with additional shields and replace launch bay) and fill the rest of the points with escorts. Wondering if there are any suggestions to try out and possibly what I should be doing in regards to strategy. Sorry if its weird at 500pts but I am going to start small due to time and money.

If you're more informed about the fleets involved with this war or have come across others who have done a project like this please share .

[Grimmeth]

I don't know masses about Battle Fleet Gothic, so can't help with the tactics but the Badab War books (from Forge World) are your friends here for background.

Huron and the Astral Claws directly had access to:
2 "Powerful" battle barges
an ancient Cardinal Class heavy cruiser - recaptured as a wreck from the Maelstrom.
7 Strike Cruisers
over 30 escort vessels of various classes (some of these were captured vessels taken from the Maelstrom)

From Imperial Armour Volume 9 - The Badab War Part I

They also had access to the Imperial Navy detachement stationed to cover the Maelstrom Zone as well as the fleets of the other Secessionists.

[Hushrong]

Thanks Grimmeth. I had seen some of that info before, which is why I do not want to have more than 1 AC battle barge and no more than 3 AC strike cruisers (which appears to be half their fleet). I think representing some of the other secessionists will allow me to field another BB and more SC without representing a huge fleet solely of AC ships.

I didn't think about the IN of the Maelstrom Zone. If I use the Dominion Fleet rules I could bring such ships as well (maybe a Mars class?). This would also allow me to bring the Night Hag if I make it as the Rogue Trader vessel it is.

Thanks bud, this has given me some info to think about.

[fracas]

3 strike cruisers and one battlebarge

[Hushrong]

So that with a Master of the Fleet and a captain at around 1000pts?

With that kind of a fleet I have to close in and obliterate priority targets pretty fast then huh?

[Grimmeth]

Thanks Grimmeth. I had seen some of that info before, which is why I do not want to have more than 1 AC battle barge and no more than 3 AC strike cruisers (which appears to be half their fleet). I think representing some of the other secessionists will allow me to field another BB and more SC without representing a huge fleet solely of AC ships.

I didn't think about the IN of the Maelstrom Zone. If I use the Dominion Fleet rules I could bring such ships as well (maybe a Mars class?). This would also allow me to bring the Night Hag if I make it as the Rogue Trader vessel it is.

Thanks bud, this has given me some info to think about.

Imperial Armour Volume 10 has got a fleet list for the Secessionists in it (complete with rules for the Night Hag) if you haven't seen it.

Not got it to hand but it looks like a mix of SM, IN and a smattering of Chaos vessels in there.

[fracas]

The list is flexible and fluffy for any games up to 1000 pts

And give you enough experience to go to 1500 with:
1. A second barge
2. More strike cruisers
3. IN allies for something completely different


Btw, strike cruises are best in squadrons of 2 or 3

[Hushrong]

Imperial Armour Volume 10 has got a fleet list for the Secessionists in it (complete with rules for the Night Hag) if you haven't seen it.

Not got it to hand but it looks like a mix of SM, IN and a smattering of Chaos vessels in there.

I really need to get my hands on those books. Where there any pics of the Night Hag by chance? I know its an RT ship but I am interested in seeing something to go off of.

The list is flexible and fluffy for any games up to 1000 pts

And give you enough experience to go to 1500 with:
1. A second barge
2. More strike cruisers
3. IN allies for something completely different


Btw, strike cruises are best in squadrons of 2 or 3

I hadn't gotten much BFG gaming in before but I do need to start putting my ships into squadrons. I'll definitely be doing that for SC. Thanks for the heads up. The addition of another BB and SCs is tempting as I could paint them up as allied chapters. Are there any good harmonies with SM and IN ships or does that throw a wrench into the engine?

Hoping that I can game this weekend and I will be giving your 3 SC and 1 BB a shot (proxying with 3 CSM cruisers and a despoiler). Those should be close to around the same size to their counterparts right?

[Grimmeth]

I really need to get my hands on those books. Where there any pics of the Night Hag by chance? I know its an RT ship but I am interested in seeing something to go off of.

I don't think so, there's a description of it in there, might be some artwork but I can't remember seeing it unfortunately.

[andrewchristlieb]

Are there any good harmonies with SM and IN ships or does that throw a wrench into the engine?

Using IN to fill the holes in a Space Marine fleet works pretty well. Gothics bring plenty of lances, Retribution or Apocalypse bring some long range firepower, Emperor brings a bit of firepower and can take the pressure of screening the fleet off of your Thunderhawks allowing them to make more hit and runs, just about any of the battlecruisers would be helpful (Overlord:range; Mars; nova and fighters; Armageddon: range and lances; Dominion: range fighters and lances).

[fracas]

iN can plug holes in SM list, IMO the larger holes might be lack of bombers and long range lances

[muz]

One thing I find important to remember is that the ships used in BFG are from different ship yards and at different times - so with the SM fleet I’m currently making I’ve got 2 GW light cruisers, 2 forge world cruisers and I’m planning on getting two fitted dauntless light cruisers or two of these: http://www.resinaddict.com/blog/2011...onversion-kit/ .

It’s also worth taking a look through Gothicomp entries for inspiration for converting a battle barge as two identical ships again look silly to me. http://www.forum.specialist-arms.com...php?board=57.0

In one of the IA:B books (the second one I think ) The space sharks chpt (carch something’s :S) use that special grand cruiser as a battle barge which would then imply as mentioned above that IN ships can be added to SM fleets in a fluffy manner. Just some food for thought If you plan on expanding your fleet.

I’ve never seen the Night Hag in a picture but the Rogue Trader Role Play Game has a TONNE of space art - especially in the 'Rogue Trader: Battlefleet Koronus'.
Here’s some free stuff from their website http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ff...20Quality).pdf –
and the first page on this link is what I imagine the Night Hag to look like: http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ff...20quality).pdf

Hope that helps

[Cneo]

Hey everybody. I have been wanting to build a SM fleet for a while and could use some help if you're willing to spare some.

I want to start by making a small (500pt) fleet for the Astral Claws. If I keep this fleet going I would like to add their Badab War allies when I expand (Most notably the Night Hag of the Executioners). I am looking to start off with 1-3 strike cruisers (with additional shields and replace launch bay) and fill the rest of the points with escorts. Wondering if there are any suggestions to try out and possibly what I should be doing in regards to strategy. Sorry if its weird at 500pts but I am going to start small due to time and money.

If you're more informed about the fleets involved with this war or have come across others who have done a project like this please share .

Hi Brother-Captain,

To begin with SM I recommend you:

2 Strike Cruisers
1 squadron 2 Gladius
1 squadron 3 Hunter

These ships give you a good firepower, some thunderhawks and torpedoes.

Later, if you decide to buy more ships, according to the fluff the Cardinal is a nice choice, as Grimmeth wrote, and gives you more Hitpoints (8) and Lances, always needed in a SM fleet.

I always played my Space Marines with lots of SC, Escorts and no more than one Battlebarge for less than 1500 points.

Good luck and may the Emperor light be with you

[One Man Assault]

or two of these: http://www.resinaddict.com/blog/2011...onversion-kit/

Wow, amazing. Are these things for sale? I've clicked through the link and can't find any mention of how to buy them.

[muz]

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