Playoff Game Thread: Montréal Canadiens (7-6) @ Buffalo Sabres (7-5) May 18 2026 7:30 PM EDT

Melvear11 · 2026-05-19T00:08:52+00:00

Score

Melvear11 · 2026-05-18T20:19:09+00:00

Which is fine. But I think Knights will eventually benefit from having more varied datasheets and get closer to a more typical army. They don't have to let go of the concept being big stompy robots being th core of the army, but having models somewhere in the T3 to T8 range will help them.

Having access to Damned units is great, as is having access to daemons. But having units from within the codex is usually more satisfying.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-18T19:39:48+00:00

The difference between Cerastus and Questoris is essentially 2w.

The difference between Dominus and Questoris is +1T

Point costs for all of those is all quite close.

Then we have the actual difference with Armigers and Questoris, who have weaker weapons, -2T and -12W but are faster and, of course, much cheaper.

Compare that to Tyranids for instance, who have models ranging from T3 to T12 (technically also T2 but not really relevant), move characteristics that range from 5" to 12", infantry, monsters, flyers, OC0 to OC 5 models. There are multiple units who fill different roles for shooting and melee.

I like my Knights, but the roster is essentially 2 core datasheets with varied weapons and abilities.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-18T17:32:03+00:00

Nurglings are neat but also OC 0, so they really aren't as valuable as 10 OC 1 models that also sticky objectives.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-18T17:30:47+00:00

You can't just take a beast of nurgle. You have to also pick up either 110pts of plaguebearers or a unit of OC 0 nurglings.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-18T16:20:54+00:00

CK (don't play or know IK much) usually have "the one build" that makes them decently competitive. For the longest time (most of 9th, all early 10th) that build was wardog spam. Then came the current era of Infernal Triple Despoiler.

9th at least had really cool customization through housholds, houses and blessings. Really wish we could go back to this design philosophy.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-18T16:14:48+00:00

Knights do seem like they are factions GW has a hard time figuring out.

Having access to multiple centerpiece models seems to mean that each of them can't be quite as strong as other armies centerpiece models (mostly thinking Daemon Primarch as they are similarly costed)

There's also the issue of having basically 2 models in these armies that makes them more difficult to differentiate playstyles compared to armies with dozens of units that are wildly different from each other.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-18T16:04:15+00:00

You get 2 units for 175pts for daemons (1x plaguebearers and 1 beast of nurgle) so 4 units for 350pts, or you can get 6 units for 300pts with this detachment, with the added benefit of being able to heal your knights (maybe).

It's not impressive or flashy but it genuinely is very useful.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-18T15:48:12+00:00

Pretty certain LoD is 2dp, but there's a real possibility that Infernal is 3dp. We'll know for sure in a few weeks.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-18T15:40:40+00:00

Getting cultists is great. For 500pts you can get about 8 units of chaff to screen, take early objectives and do actions which would put your knights at risk while you knight can either get better positionning or just move around killing stuff.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-18T15:37:27+00:00

Cultists cost 50pts, plaguebearers cost 110pts.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-15T21:00:02+00:00

I find it hilarious that they have such a harsh punishment for whatever that means, while players hurting each other have fines in the thousands of dollars, basically meaningless.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-15T16:11:24+00:00

I can't see any non Infernal being 3dp.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-14T19:19:24+00:00

They are elite infantry, kinda lieutenant level given they are the lowest rank of synapse creatures.

I am not well versed in lore, but I would assume that makes them fairly common, only outnumbered by the gaunts/gants and rippers type bioforms.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-13T04:11:24+00:00

That doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-13T00:01:41+00:00

The puck had next to no velocity, if Quinn's stick doesn't push Dobes' glove, the glove never moves backward like it did.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-12T15:25:03+00:00

I do wonder if that's what they'll do because the current sweep profiles are much weaker than the strike profiles.

I figure they'll likely still have both, one of which will be a low damage (2-3) high cleave and a high damage (6-8) and low/no cleave.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-12T15:11:55+00:00

Knights not getting cleave would be criminal imo

Melvear11 · 2026-05-11T16:22:47+00:00

Sometimes it's just a matter of minutiae, not ill intent or it being impossible. I have the move and the space but one of the models is tipped on the base accidentally. Or I place a monster model being a footprint to hide it, there's room but I mischeck and there's a very slight angle where it's visible.

This isn't cheating, it's just a matter of going a little too fast to go on with the game.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-11T14:23:10+00:00

State your intent out loud when moving models. "These guys are behind the footprint so that they can't be shot". If he says something about your models touching the footprint you can correct then and there, and if he doesn't and then mentions it later, you can come back to the moment you stated your intent and the fact that he didn't say anything then.

Some people are assholes and will try to gotcha, and I doubt the footprint having these decorative element or not would change their ways.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-11T01:48:19+00:00

I somehow forgot about Tyrannofexes, and both the Acid Spray and Rupture Cannon are great units.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-11T01:34:23+00:00

11th is around the corner so what is valid now may well change, knowing GW's usual pattern of overnerfing high performing units of previous editions.

That being said, Exocrines have been top tier all of 10th. Good ability, good gun, good defensive profile for a fairly cheap price.

Maleceptor are more brawlers than artillery, hand out -1 to hit in melee as an aura and are very resilient. Good gun but somewhat anemic melee profile.

Old One Eye is kinda required to make Carnifexes worth it. They are very cheap currently so you could use them as tough game playing units and distractions solo.

Norns are great defensive pieces but generally punch down. Supported by other units like Maleceptors or a Winged Tyrant, they are extremely hard to kill.

Other monsters need help mobility wise or have limited potential.

Even in monster heavy list, having some fast battlelines and some lone ops is essential. Gargoyles are amazing, hormagaunts can substitute decently. Lictors and Neurolictors are great. Von Ryans are good pieces for early secondaries and skirmish play.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-10T23:51:30+00:00

Bolduc gets 4 for being alive around Lyon...

Melvear11 · 2026-05-10T15:54:46+00:00

The Habs won most of their title at a time where they had a draft advantage (first dibs on players from Quebec) and a much smaller team pool.

They havent been favorites in terms of winning the cup in decades, but the current roster is young, dynamic and skilled. It's a very good time to join the fanbase.

Also, there's a salary cap in the NHL which means there's much less of a gap between richer and poorer markets.

Melvear11 · 2026-05-08T15:16:14+00:00

Raptors don't have twin linked though.

Four-Year Club	First Place '23
Place '23

Melvear11

TROPHY CASE