Spore Mine Clusters....when?

[omnivore]

So I was thinking that spore mine clusters might be useful if you could deep strike them behind an Aegis Defense Line. I've been seeing a lot of these lately (even DE are using them ) so I thought it might be an idea.

On page 48 of the codex it states that "After both sides have selected their deployment zone, but before any units are deployed, all of your Spore Mine Clusters must deep strike onto the board."

On page 4 of the FAQ it states that mines are deployed after objective markers are placed.

On page 118 of the main rulebook it gives the prep sequence for battles as:

1) Pick armies
2) Pick mission
3) Pick deployment type and then roll for table halves.
4) Place fortifications
5) Place terrain
6) Place Objective Markers
7) Pick Warlord Traits
8) Deploy Forces

It seems to me that given the sequence, you can indeed plop a mine cluster right in a defense line...provided you don't scatter. This might be nice versus guard or other GEQ's.

[ravengoescaw]

As far as I understand it, the FAQ is talking about mine fields. where as spore mines operate under orbital deployment rules.

[coredump]

Nids don't have mine fields....

[Deleted]

I only have my codex with me and can confirmthey use Orbital Deployment. If they do indeed deploy after forts and before troops, only one spore mine would be necessary to keep your opponent from being able to use the gun for the first turn. Whether 30 points is worth a 1/3 chance to do so is up to you though. If you have FMC you plan on gliding the first turn it can definitely help. If you run a Harpy w/STC it could be great, keep them off the QC first turn and pie plate any troops close to it to keep them off it second turn. By third turn you should have to much buggery in their face for them to worry about recovering the QC giving your FMC the skies back. Obviously far from a failsafe tactic but, if legit, sounds very promising. Great catch man!

[ranmafan]

A tactic I heard from a fellow Nid player is to deploy Spore Mines near the table corners so the opponent can only deploy within a narrow band on the table. Seems a little unreliable but good fun if it works.

[coredump]

I don't understand why it would work that way?

[swarmy]

Aug 22, 2012 14:26:53 GMT ranmafan said:

A tactic I heard from a fellow Nid player is to deploy Spore Mines near the table corners so the opponent can only deploy within a narrow band on the table. Seems a little unreliable but good fun if it works.

Didn't they FAQ that one away from us? I thought they made a change somewhere that denied us the ability to deny deployment. Like they can place their models however close or far they want to from them...I'm going to fish around for that. If my memory is wrong then I might look into those again.

[rhawin]

Don't you need to put all sporemine clusters i a standard Deep Strike clump? That's why I've never used them, since if you get second turn,
they never get to do anything... and not really good for denying areas of the deployment zone

[ravengoescaw]

rhawin I think that tatic is to take a couple groups of three mines. That way you can cover more area. If I am wrong please someone say so I have n interest in this tatic.

[Talonis]

You could use spore mines to limit areas Infiltrators can deploy to,

Also if they do come in after Fortifications, would it then be possible to Deep strike them upon the battlements of a bastion or even in a skyshield landing pad to deny your opponent to set up there?

Also just remember there is nothing stopping your opponent deploying a Rhino right next to them and making them explode 1st turn, completely ignoring any effect as the rhino's ( or most vehicles really) AV is too high for the spores to hurt.

On a another note, if your mines are upon a battlement, and roll a Hit for its movement, could you then move inside the bastion if its un occupied?