The new Tidewall Rampart is here and its shaking things up: Come see some great tips for how to play it better in your game of Warhammer 40k!
First of all the rules are here:
Some things that stood out:
– It looks like the default set according to the rules is: 2 Shieldlines, 1 Gunrig, 1 Droneport
Additionally you can add a maximum of 1 Gunrig, 1 Droneport, any number of Shieldlines
Assembly
If you look at the models you can see the Gunrigs and Droneports have segments cut out for the Shieldlines to attach, but the rules say they only need to be touching.
This is key as the “default layout” of the Tidewall has serious problems.
If you deploy your tidewall in a linear format it is long and has a clear front and back. It is open to rear assault or DeepStriking and worse it a large lanky model that can’t take advantage of it’s ability to move on most boards.
Instead what you want is a compact configuration that minimizes tabletop footprint, more easily allows movement and rotation, and presents no “back” and makes deepstriking into the rear difficult.
Observe the “Tidewall Pinwheel”
This configuration makes deepstriking a unit inside the pinwheel outside of 1″ from enemy models tricky if you load up the Tidewall with Tau. You basically eliminate any “rear” and maximize the ability of units on the Tidewall to use the Shieldline defensive ability compared to a linear layout. It also can be rotated as needed to get occupants (who won’t be moving) where they need to be, and position the dual Gunrigs and Droneport where you want them. It is also about 1/3 narrower than the linear layout and easier to deploy and move on most boards.
You can fill in any of the unattactive “holes” in the circular pieces with the circular endcaps the Shieldlines come with.
~How are you planning on using the Tidewall?
Honest 40k Solutions – Episode 22
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at the Las Vegas Open, each of which attracts thousands of players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the 2011 Adepticon 40k Team Tournament. He was even featured for his painting in issue #304 of Games Workshop’s White Dwarf Magazine.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
