How is GSC holding up since release??

[royalecheez]

Since the codex dropped I have been very interested in the GSC. Our gaming group is in some desperate need of fresh meat for the grinder to switch some stuff up. So I've been thinking about starting to collect again and the GSC have been at the top of my list. We are a group all about fun but we do play at local stores and tournies occasionally so I don't want a pushover army either. I want something that can be fun, thematically, and also competitive if I need it to be.

So I'm just wondering before I start pumping out some cash how have they been holding up since their release? Any major flaws cropping up? Any armies that just totally decimate them? Figured I would ask the experts.

Thanks In advance!

[kazetanade]

If you're playing in ITC format, then GSC is extremely strong and very flavourful. It's complex and difficult to play, and can punish bad play extremely easily.

If you're willing to put in the time and effort to learn the army then it will be very rewarding and although it is an uphill climb due to how easily punished you can be, it will never be a situation where you feel like Nids "I cant do anything about this at all.". There is always something you can do about the situation with this army.

For competitive though it is NOT a top tier army - it is too inconsistent to achieve that level of performance, and is too easy to delete for someone with a strong alphastrike or just Tau in general. If you are looking for a good mix of both then this army is great, if you're looking for pure domination then this army can perform but it will be unlikely to win major tournaments just because it's a little random / inconsistent / luck based.

[royalecheez]

Apr 9, 2017 16:41:10 GMT kazetanade said:

If you're playing in ITC format, then GSC is extremely strong and very flavourful. It's complex and difficult to play, and can punish bad play extremely easily.

If you're willing to put in the time and effort to learn the army then it will be very rewarding and although it is an uphill climb due to how easily punished you can be, it will never be a situation where you feel like Nids "I cant do anything about this at all.". There is always something you can do about the situation with this army.

For competitive though it is NOT a top tier army - it is too inconsistent to achieve that level of performance, and is too easy to delete for someone with a strong alphastrike or just Tau in general. If you are looking for a good mix of both then this army is great, if you're looking for pure domination then this army can perform but it will be unlikely to win major tournaments just because it's a little random / inconsistent / luck based.

Great thanks for the feedback! I think this would be a good fit then. I have no problem putting in the time to understand an army. I've been using my grey knights for years and am just now starting to collect another. The mechanics I've been reading just seem really fun but I can also deifnently see how ya need some luck occasionally to really do some damage.

[royalecheez]

I probably won't be going to any major competitive tournaments anytime soon. Just pick up games at my local GW store and a few odd local tournies here and there.

[muggins]

Apr 9, 2017 16:41:10 GMT kazetanade said:

If you're playing in ITC format, then GSC is extremely strong and very flavourful. It's complex and difficult to play, and can punish bad play extremely easily.

What is it about ITC that does this?

[almostmercury]

Apr 9, 2017 16:41:10 GMT kazetanade said:

If you're playing in ITC format, then GSC is extremely strong and very flavourful. It's complex and difficult to play, and can punish bad play extremely easily.

If you're willing to put in the time and effort to learn the army then it will be very rewarding and although it is an uphill climb due to how easily punished you can be, it will never be a situation where you feel like Nids "I cant do anything about this at all.". There is always something you can do about the situation with this army.

The good news is that it is so unlike other armies that your opponents will likely have a steep learning curve as well. Because you're playing the army every time and they're only playing it when they play against you, your experience should outstrip theirs.

Apr 10, 2017 15:13:44 GMT muggins said:

Apr 9, 2017 16:41:10 GMT kazetanade said:

If you're playing in ITC format, then GSC is extremely strong and very flavourful. It's complex and difficult to play, and can punish bad play extremely easily.

What is it about ITC that does this?

The style of progressive scoring and the lack of Purge the Alien. There are a different set of objectives than maelstrom and kill points only count toward scoring progressive objectives.

[purestrain]

I get the "I can't do anything about this" all the time. Failed CA rolls, flamers and massed bolter fire are all things you can't do anything about. If the words "ignores cover" comes out of their mouth, you'll feel JUST like Tyranids

[kazetanade]

Apr 10, 2017 18:13:07 GMT purestrain said:

I get the "I can't do anything about this" all the time. Failed CA rolls, flamers and massed bolter fire are all things you can't do anything about. If the words "ignores cover" comes out of their mouth, you'll feel JUST like Tyranids

Then quite frankly this army is not for you. I didn't feel anywhere near as bad as I do on Nids when faced with a bolter drill gladius just by the fact I could reach him and I could hurt his vehicles. There were things I could do to mitigate the situation and play better.

And I live in a meta with 0 progressive scoring, which eliminates one of cults strongest advantages. That says something about either the type of games you get or the type of players you have.

[purestrain]

Apr 11, 2017 1:38:56 GMT kazetanade said:

Apr 10, 2017 18:13:07 GMT purestrain said:

I get the "I can't do anything about this" all the time. Failed CA rolls, flamers and massed bolter fire are all things you can't do anything about. If the words "ignores cover" comes out of their mouth, you'll feel JUST like Tyranids

Then quite frankly this army is not for you. I didn't feel anywhere near as bad as I do on Nids when faced with a bolter drill gladius just by the fact I could reach him and I could hurt his vehicles. There were things I could do to mitigate the situation and play better.

And I live in a meta with 0 progressive scoring, which eliminates one of cults strongest advantages. That says something about either the type of games you get or the type of players you have.

Maybe you shouldn't go around telling people what they can do with their money just because you vs different people.

You know what doesn't work. Assault units vs tau. Or trying to beat out space wolves in any contest. That's my meta bro. My Eldar buddy doesn't bring his wk anymore because it's just bs with eldari

[mattblowers]

GSC holds up OK. Their main problem is that they have really hard counters. Deathstars are a problem. Daemons will walk right through you. It has no answer at all for Magnus or FMC spam. You had better go first against Tau and roll a bunch of 6s on CA or risk being tabled. Other than that they are golden. Which means that they are a top 3rd codex, but will struggle to get to the top tables because of all the hard counters.

[kazetanade]

Apr 11, 2017 13:16:51 GMT purestrain said:

Apr 11, 2017 1:38:56 GMT kazetanade said:

Then quite frankly this army is not for you. I didn't feel anywhere near as bad as I do on Nids when faced with a bolter drill gladius just by the fact I could reach him and I could hurt his vehicles. There were things I could do to mitigate the situation and play better.

And I live in a meta with 0 progressive scoring, which eliminates one of cults strongest advantages. That says something about either the type of games you get or the type of players you have.

Maybe you shouldn't go around telling people what they can do with their money just because you vs different people.

You know what doesn't work. Assault units vs tau. Or trying to beat out space wolves in any contest. That's my meta bro. My Eldar buddy doesn't bring his wk anymore because it's just bs with eldari

I'm not telling you what you can or can't do with your money. I'm just telling you the army may not be right for you. Unless you're dealing with eternal war meta like me where you kill or you die and score nothing, where the standard GSC play is roll 6 or dont go near them, there should always be something you can do to improve your situation. Its 150 bodies, disposable bodies mind you, to do stuff with. If you can't find a use for them, something is very wrong somewhere.

Mind you. Soulburst is strong, but it's not OP. Unless they are dying, they have to be within 7" of your dying unit to trigger. How many Elder want to be in this range of any army? So no, not bringing an easy to kill with grav GMC because "eldari is stupid" isn't much more than anecdotal evidence. Similarly, space wolves have 1-2 killer contest units. The rest of it isn't all that different from standard marines, which GSC can pressure and eat up.

Demons though, I'll grant that one as crazy to handle. Princes and bloodthristers and seekers and nettes just plow through everything. With more incoming every turn. Bloody nuts.

[nikh]

I have Cult models but I'm terrified of setting them up on the table. I can see a lot of ways they have the same issues Nids have and I know the first few games will be brutal, I also don't know if I can make them work effectively in the long run. Bit of a bummer since I really want to use them to compliment Nids, but if I can't get them working, it'd be pretty pointless.

[mattblowers]

Apr 11, 2017 16:04:52 GMT nikh said:

I have Cult models but I'm terrified of setting them up on the table. I can see a lot of ways they have the same issues Nids have and I know the first few games will be brutal, I also don't know if I can make them work effectively in the long run. Bit of a bummer since I really want to use them to compliment Nids, but if I can't get them working, it'd be pretty pointless.

If you are used to playing 'nids, then GSC is definately the game on an easier mode. I think GSC with Flyrants is a pretty strong build. I took them to a few tournaments, had some success. They are very unforgiving for making mistakes and if your opponent knows how to keep you from RTS you can have a really long day. Rhehati warsect with Magnus is a real demoralizing thing to face as they can fly close and prevent you popping out and then use the Change Nova powers to simply nuke you whilst you can basically do nothing in return. Magnus is a rough matchup for anyone, in which case you have to just try to win by outscoring on objectives.

[nikh]

That's good to know, I know I gotta bite the bullet and set up some time. Maybe I'll wait until I've got too many models painted to back out

[mattblowers]

Apr 11, 2017 18:41:04 GMT nikh said:

That's good to know, I know I gotta bite the bullet and set up some time. Maybe I'll wait until I've got too many models painted to back out

Just go for it. It's just a game after all. If you wait too long the edition will switch over and you will have missed the chance to play them in their current state. Their is no guarantee they will continue to be as good as they are now.