Dauntlesses - Lance or Missile

[ElectricPaladin]

I'm about to put together my mechanicus dauntless, and I just want to be sure of your opinion - you haven't steered me wrong yet, and I've always regretted ignoring your collective advice so far - if I'm going to own two dauntlesses, I should make one a torpedo dauntless and fly it around with a bunch of cobras and make the other a lance dauntless and fly it around with firestorms.

Is that the accepted wisdom of what to do with one's first two dauntlesses? They're so little... it's not like I need two dauntlesses doing the same thing to be effective, or anything, right?

Thanks in advance.

[Vaaish]

I would take either 2 lance or 2 torp and squadron them.  Fast s12 torps can ruin a packed fleets day. Lance version if you think you'll see high armor, have plenty of wb to strip shields or like to brace a lot since you'll still have s4 lances you should be able to pepper a unshielded ship with.

[AndrewChristlieb]

Ya I would pick one type and get a pair of them, for Admech I would get two torp versions. Its doubtful you will be lacking in lances and you can get the special torps on them, it doesnt hurt that they will help boost your number of torps if you decide to grab a couple novas too.

[ElectricPaladin]

Oddly, I thought about it and decided to go with one of each. It seems like it would be good to use dauntlesses as super-escorts alongside firestorms and cobras. Since I have some of each escort, it makes sense to have one of each dauntless.

[horizon]

Mechanicus Dauntless?

[ElectricPaladin]

The lance one, yes. Should I do it the other way 'round?

[horizon]

But there is no Adeptus Mechanicus Dauntless.

[ElectricPaladin]

I uded an admech light cruiser kit. Isn't it basically the same thing?

[afterimagedan]

Using one of each has some downsides because either you don't squadron them and you have to attempt a second special order, or you squadron them and have to worry about whether to lock-on or re-load them.

[horizon]

I uded an admech light cruiser kit. Isn't it basically the same thing?

No. The Dauntless has a much different hull. However if you build it as a Dauntless with a lance on the prow and tell it to your opponent(s) I don't think many would have issues with it.

On the Dauntless lance vs torp:
* lance is easier to use : lance shot on a 4+, 2 left when on BFI, always functions
* torpedo is harder to use bhut more destructive : ReLoad needed, but bypasses shields.

Token; 1 torpedo Dauntless can destroy a full healthy Battleship, 1 lance Dauntless will not even scratch the hull of the battleship.

[ElectricPaladin]

So are there stats for admech light cruisers? I thought the mechanicus just used Imperial ships so the mechanicus might cruiser would be one of the Imperial light cruisers - ie. a dauntless, or one of the others.

Also, which dauntless do you prefer? If I were to stop at two, would you recommend two torpedo boats or two lance boats?

[horizon]

AdMech CL (or normal cruisers for that matter) are indeed the patterns of the IN vessels but with added things (extra dorsal lance, extra repair dice, gifts etc).

However in the AdMech list only the Defiant, Endurance and Endeavour are available as light cruisers, the Dauntless is not. Just as the Dominator, Mars aren't available either.

What I'd advice is depending on what the rest of the fleet has. Are you low on torpedoes add them, do you have enough torpedoes at lances.
Just try them before you make up your mind I think.

[afterimagedan]

I wrote up my own little tactica on IN that may be helpful. There are some comments in the end from others too. Hope it helps!

Imperial Navy Tactica

[ElectricPaladin]

I only get to play once a week so let me post a list of my collection and you can tell me what weapons you would build them with:

Emperor class battleship
Mars class battlecruiser
Tyrant class cruiser
Gothic class cruiser
Three sword class frigates
Three firestorm class frigates
Four cobra destroyers

I'm going to have to check the options for mechanicus light cruisers. I want to own a mechanicus fleet some day, so I don't want to waste this kit by building it in such a way that its *only* useful as an Imperium counts-as.

[ElectricPaladin]

So, it looks like I can build the admech light cruiser kit in such a way that it can be used as either an endeavor or a torpedo dauntless. Good.