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| Submitted By: Black Hawk Date: August 10, 2010, 07:49:35 PM Views: 2320 | ||
| Summary: A description of the various pros and cons of Basilisk and it's various uses. Original Goyder article updated and refurbished by Cpt. Haller and Major Tuesday for 5th edition. | ||
This tactica will focus on the Basilisk alone. I'm simply updating Goyder's Basilisk tactica to 5th edition and the new IG codex. Tactica: Basilisk If the Leman Russ variants are the favoured children of the Imperial Guard heavy support, then the Basilisk is most definitely the forgotten child. It cops a lot of flak, primarily because Imperial Guard veterans also have the artillery such as the Medusa, Colossus, and Griffon at their disposal. However, the Basilisk is still an awesome tank and Heavy Support choice in its own right.The Basilisk is a glowing reminder of the sheer brute force of the Imperial Guard. Its range is massive and its firepower is bordering on the horrendously scary. Indeed, the Basilisk is the poster boy of how things are done in the Imperial Guard; explosive, deadly, and if possible, far, far away from the enemy. This guide will show you several ways in which you can use the Basilisk to its utmost potential, and bring victory to you, and the Emperor. However, do not forget that this is a guide, and there are many different Imperial Guard armies out there and you may not find what I say to be accurate for your army. Remember it's your game, and you're the one who's supposed to be having fun. What should I give a Basilisk? You can purchase optional upgrades such as ‘Extra Armour’ and the like, but my advice to you is not to bother. The Basilisk is an extremely cheap Heavy Support option, but it has its flaws. It has an extremely low Armour value, and can be destroyed by most weapons, even a rather strong Orkish fart. Even the Armoured Crew Compartment is not really worth it, because if the Basilisk is being shot at, it's generally going to be hurt. Also, the Basilisk will also attract TREMENDOUS amounts of firepower (it has a very, very nasty reputation), and unless you're extremely lucky, it will eventually get hit. So, my mantra for most Imperial Guard tanks; “Keep it cheap” applies doubly for the Basilisk. How do I use the Basilisk? The Basilisk is a very straight forward tank because it's capable of both direct fire and indirect fire. Indirect Fire is just what it sounds like; it allows the tank to shoot at targets it has no Line of Sight to. However, do not forget, that you do not have to fire indirectly. You can choose to fire directly if you so wish, using the Basilisk as an underpowered Medusa. This allows for greater accuracy, but it exposes the Basilisk's weak armour to the enemy. As I have used the Basilisk over the years, I have eventually worked out a few good little ways to use our tank friend. And one of those ways doesn't even require it to fire a single shot! Please don't forget, you may have a different way of using the Basilisk, and if it works for you, that's great. Keep it that way, because you are under no obligation (unless the death penalty is counted as an obligation) to listen to what I say. The ‘Invisible Wall’ This way of using your Basilisk means you don't need it to fire a single shot. Before you start saying “Get the gun! Goyder has gone stark raving mad again!” think about it. Because you generally place Heavy support choices down first, you can effectively direct where YOU want the enemy to deploy, because you force them to keep out of Line Of Sight of your Basilisk (hence, the ‘Invisible Wall’). When you use your Basilisk like this, you are investing a little over 100 points in you dictating your opponent's deployment. Generally, it helps if you get to deploy first, but even if you have to deploy second, you can still stop your opponent from deploying elsewhere. This tactic works primarily because of the fear of the Big Bad Basilisk, and most sane people do not want to start the game with a strength 9 AP 3 shell staring down at them. Deployment This is where it's all at. Even though the Basilisk has incredibly bad armour (it is also open topped which can compound the problem), the best place for it to be for this type of play is smack bang in the middle. If you have good Line of Sight throughout the middle of the board, you will force your opponent to deploy on either one of the flanks, or split his forces up. You don't have to deploy in the middle of the board really, just anywhere that has a good Line of Sight, and somewhere where you do not want them to deploy. Either way, you're in control of where they deploy their forces from now on. Now, to me, this is worth the small amount of points you are paying for the Basilisk. You can bend the enemy forces to your game plan, force them to spread out, or force them away from deploying near an objective. Don't worry if gets destroyed in the first turn, because it has already completed its mission, its made things easier for you. This type of deployment will attract a lot of Infiltrators or Deep Strikers, and although keeping this tank alive is not essential after the deployment phase, be wary that there could be some very nasty units very close to your front line. Schematics For me, one Basilisk has generally always been enough to force my opponent into deploying on my terms. However, on a larger board, or in games where deployment is more paramount than usual, two Basilisks will DEFINITELY get the job done. The only problem with this is that I feel you now begin to waste points. While paying a little over 100 points to control the opponent's deployment is a good deal, I feel that 250 points is getting a bit too much, especially in 1000 – 1500 point games. Double especially because they will most definitely bite the bullet. However, because of the suicidal nature of this deployment, it will most likely not get to fire more than twice, so in the end, it's all a personal choice.<br><br> Pros
Cons
Overall A sneaky, downright dirty and nasty (if not somewhat wasteful) way of using the Basilisk, which is why I love it so! The ‘Artillery Barrage’ This is the stock standard way of using your Basilisk. It involves using its deadly long range touch, far away from danger. The role of this Basilisk is to simply provide devastating support to where it is needed the most, when you need it. Again, this tactic will force the enemy to deal with the Basilisks, forcing them to divert forces to stop the incoming barrages. Either way, you are generally coming up on top, with shells being placed on top of the enemy, or their forces being split up. Deployment The best way to take advantage of people's fear of the Basilisk, is to deploy it on one of the far flanks, tucked away in the corner, and, of course, hidden out of Line of Sight, and because of the Basilisk’s long maximum range you should be able to hit the majority of the enemy most of the time, except perhaps the endgame, where forces will be rather close. Placing them the far away from objectives, preferably still in range or Line of Sight so they can shoot, means that they will be at their maximum efficiency for the entire game, allowing them to rain death against forces going for the objective. Some people also like to deploy a small “protection” squad around the Basilisk. I find this to be a pointless episode, as that squad will be nothing more than a very quickly stopped speed bump, however, it will increase the longevity of your Basilisk, especially if Infiltrators or Deep Strikers are brought in to bear against it (which is highly likely); once again, it's up to you. Schematics This tactic works fine with just the one Basilisk, the constant pain of a very nasty shell landing on your opponents head every turn will make them want to cry. However, in larger games, try and go for 2 Basilisks. This may give you the cry of “Cheese!” but honestly; the Basilisk is too fragile to be called cheese. However, once again, putting your faith into some very easily destroyed 250pts, and using up 2 Heavy Support choices can be seen as a waste. Remembering back to the days when I played a mixed armour/infantry army, one Basilisk used to be enough, but it's up to you in the end. Pros
Cons
Overall A very easy way to use the Basilisk. It ensures that the enemy is always being pounded by its incredibly powerful shells, and provides you with support when you need it, and where you need it. However, their deployment can sometimes leave them open to easy enemy retribution. All Batteries! Fire on my signal… The Basilisk is most definitely a very, very frightening machine, and it most certainly does deserve the reputation it has before it. It's even more frightening when you put them into batteries. Staring down the 9 Earthshaker cannons in a battle can be very scary. It's a superb Heavy Support choice, and while the Basilisk alone will never bring you victory, its' support alone will help turn the tide if you're smart. And when all else fails, use the reputation of the Basilisk to your advantage, make the enemy send forces out to destroy it, but play on this mistake, and smash the enemy into the ground. If you're still confused, lost or just plain awe struck, simply visit the Imperial Guard boards. There are plenty of Imperial Guard commanders willing to assist you, and hopefully, I shouldn't be too far away. Just mention the word ‘Tank’ in your subject line, and it’s guaranteed that I’ll see it! Good luck, And may the Emperor protect you always! Credits: Goyder Cpt. Haller Major Tuesday |
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