Model Tactics: Epicurus-Class Sky Fortress

Alrighty, now that we're done with the new units and requests, it's time to dabble in some of the Covenant's more standard units and their general use. We'll start with the Epicurus-Class Sky Fortress, which is one of the strongest in the game.

Compared to the standard Sky Fortresses of other factions, the Epicurus is an oddity- It's the most expensive (Excluding things like HQ Sky Fortresses and the like) at 150 points, and has the least HP, with only 8, compared to the standard 10, or 9 of the Blazing Sun Tenkei. And, par for the course with the Covenant, it has weak AA and AP values- 7 and 6 respectively, where other sky fortresses see AA of 8 or even 9 with some regularity.

So what does the little Epicurus have going for it? Why is it so expensive? Let's start with something minor: CC 6, the best in the fleet, so it can give subs something to worry about. And it has that staple of Covenant models, a Shield Generator and Inventive Scientists, giving it a surprising level of survivability despite the low HP count, especially when you consider that it can fly obscured. Don't let me understate how tough it is- I take my Epicurus, the CAS Andraste, in every game I play. And she always survives. She's never been killed. Ever.

Next up, Quick Launch. In conjunction with ditching drones, the Epicurus can be throwing out a squadron of dive bombers every turn. This is one of the best carrier MARs in the game, and is only overshadowed by the other reason the Epicurus is fantastic- the sheer weight of guns she brings to the table. While most Sky Fortresses bring some bombs (Nigh useless due to the speed of these flying juggernauts) and a faction specific weapon (Britannian turrets, Blazing Sun rockets, etc.), and sometimes some broadsides, the Epicurus skips the bombs and brings more of everything else. Equipped with two of the Covenant's high quality long range turrets, each with a 270 degree arc of fire, the Epicurus can start firing early and effectively. Alongside the turrets, there are some broadsides- although weaker than the turrets, it is with the final weapon system that these shine. As the Epicurus is not a conventional carrier, she uses a large turret to fire drones into the sky, and is able to turn this into a powerful, if short ranged, turret. With linked turrets and linked broadsides/launch turret, the Epicurus can put out one 12AD and one 13AD shot at RB1 (And another broadside shot, if you can position it right). For 150 points, on something so tough, and is a fantastic carrier, that's a lot of firepower.

So, the question is, how do we get this flying gunboat into range of the enemy?

Pincer Movements- Not Just for the Archimedes

First, give your Epicurus some room to play. Situating it on a flank and moving forward will often avoid the enemy's biggest guns, and there will often be some medium or small models for the Epicurus' multitude of guns to remove- Even at RB3, the Epicurus can be causing damage to a lot of enemy models, and fire across into the heart of the battle. By avoiding the main enemy force, there's suddenly a very large and tough target dishing out long range firepower, which your opponent will be hard pressed to deal with.

Bring a playmate

If there's anything more fun than shooting up your opponent's stuff, it's making them make hard decisions while you do it. Pair the Epicurus with something else big, such as an Aristotle- suddenly the Epicurus is a less valuable target for your opponent, and they have to decide which target to bring down. Either they stay at range, where the Covenant shines, or they close in- towards a lot of firepower.

Bloody Minded Determination

The Epicurus is a lot of scary for the price- just send it forward to a good firing position, and watch your opponent's attacks bounce off. Beware of boarding, but the Epicurus won't need much shepherding to see the battle through. If they're expending resources on the Epicurus, they're not going to be focusing on everything else- and the Epicurus requires an inordinate amount of resources to take out of the fight.

Why Bother? Let Them Come to You

If you're facing a close range opponent, hang back and use the Epicurus' drones to bomb anything that gets close enough- the expendability of drones, combined with the Sky Fortress' Quick Launch means you can throw out a lot of drones, worry the enemy with them, and not worry if they die. Then, when the opponent closes in, you have a mostly intact Epicurus to bring the hurt.

Wrapping Up

All in all, the Epicurus is a damn fantastic choice in any list, and does so much for the cost- there's a reason the old Daedalus was always heard of with the phrase "Yeah, but why don't I have an Epicurus instead?". If you don't have one in your Covenant fleet, you're missing out on one of the strongest models in its class, and one of the strongest Covenant options.