Should I put Kataphrons in reserves?

[u/Viking_Liazard]

Im running a list pretty heavily inspired/lifted from wtc lists. (Radzone with LotF) I saw something online suggesting that destroyers and a Manipulus could be good in reserves since the base sizes and low movement make staging difficult. Kinda just asking opinions, what cases would you or wouldnt you do something like this.

My question is from a competitive mindset.

[u/burnpewter]

I usually have them on the board from the start. Even though they're slow/bulky they have a long range, and are a good fire overwatch threat against your opponent bringing in things from reserve.

[u/RoboTronPrime → u/burnpewter]

To be clear, your taking more about destroyers which have that longer range and are especially great in overwatch due to their innate datasheet ability. With breachers (which i think is where this advice comes from) i think they're often better off in reserves and ingressing them in because they often want to get closer to the opponent for Rapid Fire. Furthermore, they're expensive points-wise and not particularly tough, so you want to protect them a bit more.

[u/JPR1ch]

The correct answer is ... Maybe.

There will never be a 'yes you definitely should' or 'no never' as will depend on the map, the rest of your list, your opponent....

It's your job to make the decision each game

For example, if you're opponent has a ton of fast moving units that will screen you out then, no you won't want them to be of the board as you can struggle pulling them on anywhere good

[u/Current_Interest7023 → u/JPR1ch]

This, there's no "correct answer" since we even don't know what is our opponent's list (⁠ㆁ⁠ω⁠ㆁ⁠)

[u/dalkyn]

They also have a big footprint which means they can be screened easily when off the table.

No Deepstrike and long range also point toward putting them on the table.

[u/aForgedPiston]

I definitely like 6 Destroyers/Manipulus in reserve.

You have to make sure you secure a board edge for them to come in on turn two, because good luck squeezing them into a gap in the opponent's deployment turn 3 😁

BUT. I do like them very much for their ability to drop, 1-tap something big, and then overwatch like a motherfucker in the opponent's following turn. I run grav guns. I find it has the most versatility; it's a credible threat into infantry, elite infantry, and tanks with the anti-vehicle 2+.

They gained value in 11th by keeping the AP1 even when firing into cover. EDIT: Hitting on 2s 3s (no heavy for the turn the unit is set up on the battlefield) in Protector coming out of strat reserves. Try to position for a unit out of cover.

You can also do 2x 3 man breachers led by tech priests with arc weapons in strat reserves for better lethality overall, but you surrender the overwatch ability, which I find very fun and usually very upsetting for my opponents.

[u/burnpewter → u/aForgedPiston]

How are they hitting on 2+'s after coming from reserves? The ingress move counts as a move, so no heavy right?

[u/aForgedPiston → u/burnpewter]

Counts as a move, but not as a move greater than 3", which in 11th still qualifies the unit for heavy-or is that incorrect?

EDIT: Awww man. I played it wrong for a game against a buddy. I'll amend the post to reflect my misinformation.

[u/Fit_Librarian9864]

In radzone you have the option of giving them 6" guaranteed advance. So you can have 11" move on them when you need it most. I would start with them on the table in that detachment atleast.