As the title states, I've started playing Kazaks in anticipation (hopefully) of TAK coming out this year. I've only played one game of Frontline, but it went quite well due to some really unlucky dice on my opponents side and the fact that I got first turn. If iihad second turn I think my ARO game would have been pretty shitty though. The Spetsnaz and my warbands were the standout performers, so I'd love to get another dog warrior in there if possible but it's tough to find the orders to fuel them all without gimping my main pool where the Spetsnaz sits. I also went with a scout lt, though I'd love to make him another FO as I feel like I'm a bit light on for specialists so any advice there would be good! Also I'm aware I don't have a Vet Kazak, I just don't have a model for one yet as the current sculpts are too bad to warrant buying the starter box. Anyways, any advice would be greatly appreciated! Ariadna──────────────────────────────────────────────────GROUP 1 9 1 TANKHUNTER AP HMG, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | 35) SPETSNAZ (CH: Ambush Camouflage) HMG / Pistol, CCW, Knife. (1.5 | 38) SPETSNAZ (CH: Ambush Camouflage) HMG / Pistol, CCW, Knife. (1.5 | 38) SCOUT (Forward Observer) Ojotnik, D-Charges, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 30) SCOUT Lieutenant Ojotnik, D-Charges, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 29) DOZER (Traktor Mul Control Device) Rifle, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 14) TRAKTOR MUL (Minesweeper) Electric Pulse. (0 | 5) TRAKTOR MUL (Minesweeper) Electric Pulse. (0 | 5) ASSAULT PACK undefined. (0 | 25) HANDLER Rifle, Smoke Light Grenade Launcher / Pistol, Knife. (- | 10) x3 ANTIPODE AP CC Weapon. (- | 15) GROUP 2 3 3 3 WARDRIVER Hacker (Hacking Device) Boarding Shotgun / Pistol, Knife. (1 | 19) LINE KAZAK Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 9) LINE KAZAK (Forward Observer) Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 10) DOG-WARRIOR 2 Chain Rifles, Grenades, Smoke Grenades / AP CCW. (0 | 27) IRMANDINHO Chain Rifle, D-Charges, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, AP CCW. (0 | 8) IRMANDINHO Chain Rifle, D-Charges, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, AP CCW. (0 | 8) 5.5 SWC | 300 PointsOpen in Infinity Army
Basic question : what's the use of the wardriver ? If it's just for classified, you should replace it with something else or find him some use (like taking an offensive remote)
Yep just for classifieds. Whilst I understand how ITS missions work, and for tournaments will take tailored lists, it's pretty common for my local gaming group to come up with an "all comers" list, particularly when trying out or buying into a new army. The idea is to have a list that will perform reasonably well at every mission (I know it's hard to do that, and I know missions aren't designed for that to be optimum). But I think you're right, I've since played another game with the above list and the Wardriver just isn't worth the points. The only missions where she is almost mandatory is highly classified and even then I think you can win without her.
Wardriver can help keep your Antipode Control Device and Traktor Mul controller from getting hacked. Though that ends up taking a lot of coordination to keep the them booth in sphere of control. Useful, but I think generally corner case. Personally I would take another Line Kazak FO and a Warcor. Two order for the same price and you still have a button pusher. Not a bad tradeoff in my book. Other than that I don't think Irmandhinos are going to be in Kazak sectorial? Lastly, no Vet Kazak? Any particular reason you opted out of such a nice option?
The Irmandinhos are a pretty safe bet for the kazak sectorial, since they operate a lot in Tartary smuggling luxuries to farmers and such, plus they're not in any of the others....
Oh my bad, I constantly mix up Desperados and Irmandinhos (I have yet to field either so havent seperated them in my brain) Neat I will have to start looking into them.
The lack of a Vet Kazak was largely because I didn't have a model for him as I really don't like the current sculpts, and I wanted to play with the models I had to start out. I will probably use the Tankhunter model as a proxy moving forward. Also the profiles I like the most are either the LT APHMG option, or the T2+ X visor or paramedic. With the LT profile, I am really concerned about the lack of CoC with Kazaks, so I was worried about losing an an aggressive LT early in the game. Especially with so many marker state LT's available. The other profiles are amazing, but don't use SWC. Because Kazaks are so expensive (compared to the rest of Ariadna) I struggled to use up my SWC allowance without really limiting my order pool if I went with an SWC-less Vet option. The Spetsnaz is probably my favourite model/profile in the game which is why I took two of them. Then once I added in some warbands, the Antipodes, and some midfield specialists in the scouts I'm usually out of points! I could drop a Spetsnaz but that usually leaves me at a really low SWC count as well and I like having redundancy for when my first one goes rampaging across the board and cops a dirty crit. From what I can tell, the Vet Kazak is amazing, but I just don't know what to change out to fit him in.
Ok so I toyed with your list. I tried to keep it in the spirit of what you had and the direction I think you are trying to go (lots of HMG ARO) but I also tried to expand your tactical options. Vet Kazak AP HMG - Going to be shooting better than you Tankhunter, 2 points more. I really think this is worth it. Also since its the same profile as the LT option here begins the fun Kazak LT shell game you can play. Spetsnaz - I switched out one of your HMG guys for the parachutist. Partially for some points savings but also if you can utilize him well at least in having the option of applying pressure your opponent will have to handle him or ignore him and risk getting hit when he doesn't want to. If you can put him in a good spot where it would take your enemy a while to get to him but from which he could come out screaming bloody murder very quickly. Scout- No changes. I like them. Though I like the boarding shotgun option as well. Also if you leave these guys in camo state as order generators a whole other level of Kazak LT shell game begins. Assault pack - definitely useful. If nothing else the SLGL is super helpful. Line Kazak- Order gen and some more LT shell game shenanigans. covers the back field Irmandinho- order gen but also if you can maneuver him into a good spot his smoke grenades are useful as well as the D-Charges for blowing up objectives. And whatever booty gives him. Wardriver- why is he/she here? Great question! In conjuction with your other smoke generators to create safe paths to move your wardriver into an advantageous but safe position. When units come into range Use the program Spotlight on them. They are targated, and thats when you start punching them with the LGL on the Kazak in Group 2. This works for the removing of pesky ARO pieces as well. You can of course do a similar thing with any of your FO units in the list but I like the wardriver because it isnt expected and at worst its got a Boarding Shotgun. Dozer- for the objectives if need be. Dog Warrior- You know what to do with this Any way that is my 2 cents. Not sure what the local game meta is like so maybe this list can't/won't work for you but there might be some good ideas in it :D Possible Kazak ────────────────────────────────────────────────── GROUP 1 8 2 1 VETERAN KAZAK AP Rifle, Light Flamethrower / Heavy Pistol, Knife. (0 | 37) SPETSNAZ (CH: Ambush Camouflage) HMG / Pistol, CCW, Knife. (1.5 | 38) SPETSNAZ (CH: Mimetism, AD: Parachutist) Boarding Shotgun, Grenades / Pistol, AP CCW, Knife. (0 | 33) SCOUT (Forward Observer) Ojotnik, D-Charges, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 30) SCOUT Lieutenant Ojotnik, D-Charges, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 29) ASSAULT PACK . (0 | 25) HANDLER Rifle, Smoke Light Grenade Launcher / Pistol, Knife. (- | 10) x3 ANTIPODE AP CC Weapon. (- | 15) LINE KAZAK Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 9) IRMANDINHO Chain Rifle, D-Charges, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, AP CCW. (0 | 8) WARDRIVER Hacker (Hacking Device) Boarding Shotgun / Pistol, Knife. (1 | 19) GROUP 2 3 2 2 LINE KAZAK (Forward Observer) Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 10) LINE KAZAK Rifle, Light Grenade Launcher / Pistol, Knife. (1 | 13) DOZER Rifle, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 13) DOG-WARRIOR 2 Chain Rifles, Grenades, Smoke Grenades / AP CCW. (0 | 27) IRMANDINHO Chain Rifle, D-Charges, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, AP CCW. (0 | 8) 3.5 SWC | 299 Points Open in Infinity Army
You will spend 1 to 3 orders trying to spotlight on 10's while your oponnent will reset on 12's to 15's. Then, you will have to advance your line kazak or shoot in the -3 rangeband. At the end, you are likely to spend 3 to 5 orders (at least, likely more) to roll a single hit with damage 13. I'm not sure it's a very order efficient strategy. This being said, without any Vet, I would go with something like this : Ariadna ────────────────────────────────────────────────── GROUP 1 8 2 1 SPETSNAZ (CH: Ambush Camouflage) HMG / Pistol, CCW, Knife. (1.5 | 38) TANKHUNTER AP HMG, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | 35) SCOUT (Forward Observer) Ojotnik, D-Charges, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 30) SCOUT (Forward Observer) Ojotnik, D-Charges, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 30) SCOUT (Forward Observer) Ojotnik, D-Charges, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 30) ASSAULT PACK . (0 | 25) HANDLER Rifle, Smoke Light Grenade Launcher / Pistol, Knife. (- | 10) x3 ANTIPODE AP CC Weapon. (- | 15) LINE KAZAK Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 9) IRMANDINHO Chain Rifle, D-Charges, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, AP CCW. (0 | 8) LINE KAZAK Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 9) GROUP 2 4 SPETSNAZ (CH: Ambush Camouflage) HMG / Pistol, CCW, Knife. (1.5 | 38) TANKHUNTER Missile Launcher / Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | 29) LINE KAZAK (Forward Observer) Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 10) LINE KAZAK Lieutenant Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 9) 6 SWC | 300 Points Open in Infinity Army
No its not very effecient. I dont think you shold always use the Wardriver/LGL combo either. I just think it provides additional tactical options as well as being able to complete objectives especially if it is going to be up at the front pushing buttons anyway. Either way Vet Kazak or Scout shooting against an enemy in the Targeted state is that much better. To each his own though!
Kazaks are kind of expensive, and you always have the issue of balancing incredibly useful Irregular units against Regulars in a single order pool. One approach you can use to mitigate this is to split two order pools so they're more or less balanced for your attack pieces. It might look something like this, Ariadna ────────────────────────────────────────────────── GROUP 1 6 2 1 SPETSNAZ (CH: Ambush Camouflage) HMG / Pistol, CCW, Knife. (1.5 | 38) ASSAULT PACK . (0 | 25) HANDLER Rifle, Smoke Light Grenade Launcher / Pistol, Knife. (- | 10) x3 ANTIPODE AP CC Weapon. (- | 15) TANKHUNTER AP HMG, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | 35) IRMANDINHO Chain Rifle, D-Charges, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, AP CCW. (0 | 8) LINE KAZAK Lieutenant Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 9) DOZER (Traktor Mul Control Device) Rifle, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 14) TRAKTOR MUL (Minesweeper) Electric Pulse. (0 | 5) GROUP 2 6 2 2 SPETSNAZ (CH: Ambush Camouflage) HMG / Pistol, CCW, Knife. (1.5 | 38) DOG-WARRIOR 2 Chain Rifles, Grenades, Smoke Grenades / AP CCW. (0 | 27) IRMANDINHO Chain Rifle, D-Charges, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, AP CCW. (0 | 8) TANKHUNTER Portable Autocannon, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | 34) LINE KAZAK Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 9) SCOUT (Forward Observer) Ojotnik, D-Charges, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 30) LINE KAZAK Paramedic (MediKit) Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 11) LINE KAZAK Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 9) 6 SWC | 300 Points Open in Infinity Army This is something I just slapped together quickly based on the models you mentioned, and could do with some revision. The basic gist is this: Each pool can function somewhat independently. Each pool contains long-range attack pieces (Spetsnaz & Tank Hunter HMG). Each pool contains assault pieces (Antipodes or Dog Warrior). Each pool contains 2 sources of smoke. Each pool contains at least 2 specialists. Each pool takes a flank. One pool is set up more for ARO duty, with the Scout (shoot people in the back, tovarisch blaat!) and the Autocannon. The other is set up for long-ranged aggression with the added Tank Hunter APHMG. Both pools contain a Spetz HMG, our best generalist killing machine - shoot TR bots out of their 32" band to put them at -12, and you're rolling 9s for free Broski! At PH garbage, they will probably not dodge. If you see an opening, exploit it with smoke and your assault piece after blowing away overwatching units with the other pool deployed on the opposite flank. Another note - with a list like this, you aren't using command tokens to reform links, reroll failed doctor / engi checks and stuff like that. You use them to turn Irregular orders into Regular orders. You have an effective 7 orders per model in each pool, plus Impetuous, but more if you convert some Irregulars into Regular orders. Honestly I think that until the sectorial comes out, you're unnecessarily handicapping yourself by focusing on Kazaks. The inability to field a Core link team of Line Kazaks really hampers this type of build, since that would really help the board control issue (AROs) and fluff up a primary order pool worth filling with heavy hitters. But if you want to stick with the Kazak theme, give split pools a try. I've had a lot of luck running similar lists...they're surprisingly resilient and threatening. The ability to pump a bunch of orders into one flank advancing, then pump orders into the other killing pieces from long range, is reeeeeally nice.
Cheers TriggerPuller! The point you raised is actually something I've been considering a lot lately. I've been so accustomed to making sure my first group was a full ten orders before moving to a second pool that I've not really considered two smaller, but still healthy pools. Even with 7-8 orders in both groups, and (for example) a Spetsnaz in both groups, there is very little my opponent can do to reduce my first turn effectiveness, and if I lose a lot from one group, the other is still quite strong. I think with the massive amount of Camo markers on the board, it's hard for an opponent to target a particularly nasty active turn piece with strategic use of command tokens anyways. Plus it seems to give me a bit more versatility. If I put a Dog Warrior in each group, and it's more appropriate to pump orders into them instead of a HMG model, I can do so. Also, I'm well aware that I'm making life hard for myself by restricting myself to Kazaks, but it makes the game fun for me. I don't have any real interest in being hyper competitive, it makes the game too serious, and I feel like I can be reasonably competitive with just Kazaks anyways. I am looking forward to fielding a fireteam of five sniper rifle line Kazaks though.
