Smoke and Mirrors, er . . . uh Transports

Here is another battlefield tactic. A quick tip, a battlefield tactic that will serve you well in your games.

The availability of cover in 5th Edition has changed the game greatly. However, if you do not take full advantage of this aspect of the game, then your opponent will have an edge on you. It is one thing to make a good army list, but you must play well on the table to win the day.

Here is the quick tip: Make cover for your transports where there is none.
You must learn to move your tanks your in a way that will provide cover.

In the first picture, you see how two rhinos traveling together are stronger than one. The first Rhino pops smoke, and the second takes cover behind the first. Make sure that you obscure the vehicle by keeping it tucked in behind the first. On the next turn, drive the rhino in the back out full speed ahead. Pop smoke, and drive the rhino which smoked on the previous turn up behind the new lead rhino.

Be sure to tuck the Rhino in behind to maximize its cover. With this method, two Rhinos can cover much more distance, and they can benefit from the smoke launchers for two turns.

In the second picture, you can see a rhino parked on an objective in the edge of a ruin. I placed the Rhino so that its side armor facing was 50% obscured to provide a cover save. Also, the Tactical Squad inside can fire the lascannon out of the top hatch. In this scenario, my opponent must either change his plans and move to another part of the table to change armor facings that he is targeting, give up on firing at the rhino, or allow me the cover save.

In the last picture, you can see another use of terrain to get that cover save. You have to think about the saves as you make your moves. Use every bit of the terrain to your advantage.

There is a right way and a wrong way to move. Hanging your transports out in the wind is the wrong way to move.

The Rhino

The Rhino. Some people think of the Rhino as fragile and weak compared to other vehicles.

Well, don't be too hard on the Rhino. If you are comparing it to the mighty armor values of the Leman Russ variants, then sure there is something left to be desired.

However, the Rhino is not a Main Battle Tank. It is designed to fill a role. It is an Armored Personnel Carrier. It's purpose is to protect troops from the battlefield small-arms fire.

The Rhino means that my Death Company or Assault Squad will not be destroyed by Guardians or Firewarriors or Guarsdmen using high rates of fire from their standard issue weapons.

The armor of the Rhino is not meant to withstand the powerful blasts of concentrated anti-tank weaponry.

I think the Rhino is the perfect vehicle for Space Marines. It is versatile and reliable, even bearing the repair ability. It adds mobility (especially if you are playing Blood Angels).

Use a Rhino to extend the life of your troops, and to get them where they need to be!!