| Tactics and styles in this game are debateable, | | | | Counter Attack Neutral - Able to become either |
| some people say they do exist, and some say | | | | Counter Attack Offensive, or Counter Defensive |
| they don't exist. One fundamental that we all | | | | and may interchange during a game. |
| should learn in my opinion is that All war is as the | | | | Styles or types of forces, how we build our |
| sword and the sword is as all war. Where you | | | | forces, what we include and how we play em, |
| have a feint, parry and deflection you have in | | | | sometimes we have it right and sometimes we |
| sword work you have that in the tactic you | | | | don't. I feel that they are at least three |
| choose for a force. | | | | catagories of styles and I will attempt to explain |
| We all all have our own versions of tactics and | | | | them below. If you can think of some more place |
| styles, and they generally fit into these catagories: | | | | em as comments. |
| All out offensive - Designed to wipe the enemy | | | | Mechanised - Carrying five or more units with an |
| out from the first turn through a combination of | | | | armour value, and maximising the value of the |
| firepower(both direct and indirect) and close | | | | vehicles and dreadnaughts over the infantry. |
| combat. Space Marine and Chaos Space (and | | | | Mechanised Infantry- May have a large number of |
| other MEQ's) lists tend to be in this field. Killing the | | | | armour units, which are often mainly transports, |
| enemy is the only real goal, terrain can be | | | | with some heavy vehicles. Something close to a |
| secured when it can't be retaken. | | | | Combined Arms approach, although not quiet |
| Offensive - The army is offensive in nature, a | | | | there. |
| number of mobility assets are able to sieze and | | | | Light Infantry |
| hold table quarters, vehicles hunt other vehicles, | | | | Infantry of any and all types are used. This type |
| infantry killers do their work and you goal is | | | | only applies to Infantry of a 4+ save or lower. So |
| terrain and models, not just models. | | | | your Imperial Guard Infantry lists go in here. |
| Static Defensive - Designed for you to stay put | | | | Heavy Infantry |
| and your opponent to be eaten away by massive | | | | Anything with a 3+ Save or better, Deathwing |
| ammounts of firepower. Almost Imperial Guard | | | | Ravenwing, codex Space marines or Chaos Space |
| only, only Iron Warriors and just maybe, | | | | Marines in here, same for the MEQ's, able to be |
| Thousand Sons, can come close to equaling the | | | | used in any tactic to a degree of success. |
| firepower. | | | | Combined Arms |
| Mobile Defensive - Elder and Tau only, able to | | | | Where there is no clear primary element. Equal |
| have massive mobility while staying in the one | | | | spending on vehicles and infantry, both working |
| place and causing massive headaches for the | | | | together and perhaps the best way to get a |
| opponent. | | | | Counter Attack Offensive tactic into a force. |
| Counter Attack Offensive - Army is in a primarily | | | | While understanding these styles and tactics you |
| offensive position(controlling 2 or more quarters | | | | have to understand that they work together. A |
| at the start of a game), yet the army is of a | | | | Heavy Infantry force has a style of Combined |
| counter attacking formation, consider two duelists | | | | Arms and a Tactic of Counter Attack Offensive |
| in Akido and you will understand. Can be used by | | | | is the mechanised Dark Angels I played for a |
| all armies. | | | | while. The Ranger list I have in mind would be a |
| Counter Attack Defensive - Initial defensive | | | | Light Infantry Counter Attack Neutral, possibly |
| formation (controlling one quarter instead of two), | | | | even Counter Attack Offensive. |
| however with the combination of mobility assets | | | | The final point I wish to make is if you can |
| and a large ammount of firepower, both direct | | | | understand your force, and the force you face, |
| and indirect, you are able to launch offensive | | | | then victory is almost assured, after all Sun Tzu |
| actions straight from defensive positions and take | | | | never had to deal with battles determined by a |
| the fight to the enemy in no time what so ever. | | | | die roll did he? |