The Quad Sabre Platform

o/

Some years ago I ordered a Forgeworld Sabre defense platform with quad heavy stubbers (i.e.: 2 twin-linked stubbers). It was little more than an amusing (to me) waste of a heavy support slot (why would anyone take that over a Leman Russ?). Indeed I even mentioned it way back here under that same concept, wasting points. Six S:4, AP:6, twin-linked shots with a 36 " range, and a loader with a lasgun who functions as little more than ablative wound (the Sabre uses artillery rules). When fielding a heavy weapons platoon in my Vraks army (led by a command section with another single heavy stubber team), I'd place it deep in my deployment zone, and blaze happily away at anything it could remotely hurt within range. In general my opponents would ignore it unless they'd run out of other targets, or the game was going badly for them where I'd then get the 'I'm going to kill that stupid thing just cause you like it.' type of comments.

Wanting another, my friend Screech got me a second Quad Sabre last year for Christmas (I think) as he figured it was the least worrisome thing that he'd have to face on the table. Not a bad train of thought. However, it then became twice as effective...
At some point i realized that vs. just about any MEQ army (which is to say, most armies on the table), my Sabres function the same as long ranged & accurate bolter fire. Whether a bolter or a stubber, MEQ get a save anyways. However now pumping out 12, 36" ranged, twin-linked shots, they were starting to mow down marines via the 'death by a thousand paper cuts' method. Long Fangs really don't want to split their fire @ some Sabres, but have little choice when the stubbers are all pointed at them! The Sabre battery went from an amusing diversion to something fairly high on the target priority list. I know Murl's Nids often rank these as priority target #1! Something about their ability to mow down gaunts I guess...

Then the conversation (often with Screech) turned to:

I need another one for a full battery.

No you don't.

Sure, think of it, 18, twin-linked shots!!!

Umm, no.

No really, it'll be awes-

NO. YOU. DON'T.

-but, i...

NO!

So as Christmas approached, Screech was in a quandry. Not knowing what to get me aside from a third Sabre, which he wanted nothing to do with. Asking if I wanted ANYTHING else, I asked for 'something for my Aurora scouts'. I won't ask someone to give me gift that they're absolutely loathe to have me field. So instead he gave me a Landspeeder Storm, something of a 'must have' for an all scout army! While he is curious to see what it can do, a BS:3, opened topped speeder full of scouts didn't seem to be all that worrisome to him (note his initial thoughts on the 2nd sabre...) as landspeeders are kinda rare around here for whatever reason.

Then last week I was perusing ebay looking for nothing in particular, when I spotted a quad sabre (sans the loyalist IG gunner). Just for the hell of it, i placed a bid. Becoming the high bidder (at my max bid) I bumped my bid up another $2 (which was still about $10 below retail), figured I'd lose the auction & promptly forgot about it. That is until I got the 'Congratulations, you won!' email from ebay!

So now I have both a landspeeder storm for the Auroras, AND a full sabre battery for the renegades, mwuhahaha!!!

Also I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! My Mom will be flying in Wednesday, so I'll be too busy to post till after the Holiday.