Seeing Anvils Longstrike list doing well at Adepticon is thought provoking.
What was the list's final placing?
It is a pity that most of the Adepticon 2019 results only show lists' grand alliance and not the specific faction.
Thus it is very difficult to figure out how factions under each grand alliance performed.
I have used Anvils Longstrike list for a few times, but with Vanguard Justicar Conclave. Below is the list I just wrote this weekend.
- Heroes
Lord-Aquilor(General, Command Trait: Deathly Aura, Artefact: Ignax's Scales, Mount Trait: Wind Runner)
Knight-Heraldor(Artefact: Soulthief)
Knight-Incantor(Spell: Lightning Blast)
- Battleline
5 Liberators
5 Liberators
5 Vanguard-Hunters
- Others
6 Vanguard-Raptors with Longstrike Crossbows
3 Vanguard-Raptors with Longstrike Crossbows
3 Vanguard-Raptors with Hurricane Crossbows
3 Aetherwings
3 Aetherwings
3 Aetherwings
5 Evocators(Spell: Speed of Lightning, Grandstaves)
- Warscroll Battalion
Vanguard Justicar Conclave
- Endless Spell
Celestian Vortex
Total: 1,950pts
The battalion rule is decent, and I found out reducing the number of deployment drops(and thus increasing the likelihood of choosing who goes first or second) is more important for Anvils Longstrike.
This is because longstrike raptors only get to shoot at 24" when using Anvils command ability, since it happens before the movement phase. In this case, going second is even more valuable as raptors are more likely to use command ability more efficiently against approaching enemy units.
As for the odd unit of vanguard-hunters, I wanted to give it a try since it can be set up closer to the enemy than other stormcast units. They can charge the enemies near the objective more easily, although I have to be careful when selecting targets. Boltstorm Pistols, while not the best ranged weapons in Stormcast arsenals, can put some dents on isolated low-tier units guarding the objective at the rear. Even in Total Commitment mission, they can still perform as bodyguard unit for stalling the enemy advance at just 20 more points than 5 liberators. But perhaps I might be too optimistic.
I included the Celestian Vortex because I had spare points, but also because I wanted to inflict damages to enemy units should I get double-turned. Since I have trouble against Chaos lists mostly, the increased damage output of Celestian Vortex against Chaos units is a welcome addition. I know quicksilver swords have exactly the same function at half the price, but I had little choice as I do not have malign sorcery set at the moment.
However, I do find lack of bodies worrisome while reviewing my list. Especially more so since I often play against Skullcrushers heavy Khorne list that includes 27 skullcrushers and two bloodthirsters of insensate rage. I expect the liberators and aetherwings to block delay skullcrushers' advance, but you never know until you play multiple times.