Help Me Get Started

**ElectricPaladin** · 08-29-2012, 01:39 PM

First of all - there's a forum for Battlefleet Gothic here? Awesome!

Secondly, I've decided to start playing Battlefleet Gothic. True, it doesn't look like anyone in my area plays... but painting the ships will be fun, and I can always evangelize the game myself.

That said, I'm trying to decide what to buy. This game doesn't have a lot of customizability - it's not like buying a box of space marines that I can magnetize, or easily buy bits for - so I want my choices to set me up for a fun, competitive list. Here's what I want to start with - any suggestions, comments, or concerns?

1,500 Points Space Marines

• Emperor-Class Battleship Venerable Battlebarge w/prow torpedo tubes, master of the fleet (3 re-rolls), terminator boarding party
• 2 Strike Cruisers
• 2 Defiant-Class Light Cruisers w/prow lances, space marine captain, honor guard
• 6 Nova-Class Frigates

Additionally, I have a question. The pdf says that the defiants have launch bays, but not what's in them. What sort of fighters do the defiants carry?

**ElectricPaladin** · 08-30-2012, 09:14 AM

So, there's been some new developments. I've learned some cool stuff about this BFG thing since I posted. My observations are:

1) Space Marines really need those Imperial allies and Venerable Battle Barges in order to be interesting. I don't know much about being competitive, but without mixing it up a little with Imperial allies, the only list you can concoct is a Battlebarge, a bunch of Strike Cruisers, and then you have your pick of small escorts. I don't think that would be a weak list, but it would certainly be a boring list.

2) Apparently I can take Chaos battleships as a Venerable Battlebarge.

3) I'm unimpressed by most of the Chaos options for VBBs, other than the Planet Killer, which I'm undecided on. Chaos doesn't have a lot of fighter bays, which limits your ability to take thunderhawks. Thunderhawks - with their hit-and-run attacks and ability to survive annihilating enemy ordnance, seem to be part of the real strength of the Space Marine fleet.

I've also placed a bid for an Emperor-Class Battleship on eBay. This is the list I will build towards if I win it.

• Emperor Class Venerable Battlebarge w/Prow Torpedoes (6), Master of the Fleet (2 Re-Rolls), Terminator Boarding Party

• Space Marine Strike Cruiser
• Space Marine Strike Cruiser
• Space Marine Strike Cruiser
• Space Marine Strike Cruiser

• Dominator Class Battlecruiser w/Space Marine Captain

• Nova Class Frigate
• Nova Class Frigate
• Nova Class Frigate

On the other hand, if I don't win that bid, I might build this list instead:

• The Planet Killer Venerable Battle Barge w/Master of the Fleet (1 Re-Roll), Terminator Assault Squad

• Space Marine Strike Cruiser
• Space Marine Strike Cruiser
• Space Marine Strike Cruiser

• Dictator Class Cruiser w/Space Marine Captain, Honor Guard

• Gladius Class Frigate
• Gladius Class Frigate
• Gladius Class Frigate

* * *

The first list seems like it's a lot more balanced. I have a good mix of firepower and ordnance. The big ships are a little heavier on the ordnance than sheer guns, so I chose novas frigates. It seems to me that they can really turn on the heat with their lances, especially squadded up.

The second list seems like it's a lot more problematic. It's smaller and has a lot less in the way of ordnance. Also, unlike the first list, there aren't as many vectors for the hit-and-run attacks that space marines excel at (that is, boarding torpedos and thunderhawks). However, the second list can unload a truly insane amount of sheer firepower, not to mention having a freaking Armageddon Gun.

So, I'm torn.

The outcome may be out of my hands, since I did place that bid on eBay before I realized I could take Chaos battleships, but if I lose the bidding war... I don't know. What do you think?

**horizon** · 08-30-2012, 01:46 PM

Hi,
this forum might see more replies:
[url]www.specialist-arms.com[/url]

Do not use the Planet Killer, while the loophole allows it, the general opinion will be wtf...

If you want to be competitive, heck want to have fun, never ever take Defiants. Never. Ever.
Crap in a box.

(What launch bays launch is listed in the stats, usually fighters & bombers. Some races add assault boats. Marine ships can launch T-Hawks).

With no one to play it might be more interesting for you to build two 1000pts fleet of different races. Nice rounded/balanced. So you can introduce people using your own fleets.

Actually a Desolator vbb brings something which Marines do not have (a lot): lances. At long range. Plus it has good speed to keep up with the Strike cruisers.

A standard Barge might fit your needs best I think.
But an Emperor vbb is nothing to sniff at. Fire magne, which is good for the rest.

**ElectricPaladin** · 08-30-2012, 02:01 PM