Spacecurves’ Tactics Class : Hide the Fist
Welcome to another Spacecurves’ Tactics Class, where you learn practical tactics you can use in your games.
Today’s article will discuss an assault tactic that can be used to kill enemy independent characters and keep yours alive.
Hide the Fist
“Hide the Fist” is a tactic that ensures your heavy hitting sgt. or character gets to fight who they want when you are charged by an enemy squad. In picture 1 we see my salamanders about to be charged by a Dark Eldar squad, who has a nasty Archon with them.
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Picture 1: Hide the Fist Scenario
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Let us assume for this scenario that the Archon does not have a shadow field, and that my power first Sgt. has a good chance of squishing him. In my previous movement phase I could tell this squad would be charged this turn, so I positioned my models accordingly. I have the power fist wielding Sgt. in the back rank, and the front rank is spaced tightly enough so that a model can’t fit through the gaps. This ensures that the enemy squad members can’t pass through my lines to get into base contact with my Sgt., and that my Sgt. isn’t obligated to move up and engage an enemy trooper.
Picture 2 shows the board after the enemy has charged my squad.
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Picture 2: Dark Eldar Assault, no one can reach the Sgt.
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Now I have to pile in my unengaged models. I move the normal marines on the ends in first, ensuring that there are no gaps between them big enough for a model to get through. This means that my Sgt. can’t get into base contact with any enemy models.
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Picture 3: SM Pile in, the Sgt. can’t get into base to base, so is free to stay in the back to attack the Archon
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The Sgt. is therefore free to stay in the back, within 2 inches of the marine in base contact with the Archon. My Sgt. will be able to attack the Archon, and likely assassinate him.
This idea can also be used to protect your own characters. If my Sgt was instead a Librarian, I could have used this idea to ensure the librarian couldn’t be attacked at all, or that he would only fight the basic dark eldar warriors while staying out of reach of the enemy character. Using this tactic to protect your own characters and assassinate enemy leaders is very common on the top tables of major tournaments.
Homework Assignment #1: How could the Dark Eldar player have acted differently in his turn to protect his Archon?
Class dismissed!
I hope this class has taught you something you can use in your next 40k game. Please post your answers to the homework assignments in the comments below.
-Spacecurves
