292 replies to this topic

[Killax]

Well its a risk you can sometimes thake. Provided you start with DPA to make sure you win the initial battles and thus win more that way.

But I do agree, Catos command presence is less than AM and Eldar. In other match ups its less of an issue however.

[Minute]

 

He is still used and still a perfect example of a Tier 1 Warlord. I just don't know why most people here seem to shy away from him.

I think there's just not that much to discuss.  Cato is very easy to play and noone's going "help, I can't make Cato work"

[Killax]

I think there's just not that much to discuss.  Cato is very easy to play and noone's going "help, I can't make Cato work"

I cant say hes that easy to play good. Imho it is still a skilltester however watching Worlds helps you understand the deck much quicker.

[Asklepios]

Cato/tau is - in strict absolute terms - stronger now than he has been historically, as White Scar Bikers are great DPA fodder (directly replacing Blood Angels Veterans for the most part) and Bork'an Recruits have made their combat slightly more efficient, adding a much needed quality 2-cost.  Meanwhile the staple pieces remain as strong as ever: ECT, Iron Halo, Drop Pod Assault, etc.

 

Some things have grown more difficult for Cato - an increase in direct damage and non-attack single target control has made Honoured Librarian slightly weaker, and made Ion Rifle on the same much riskier as an investment. Likewise, a general strengthening of command across the faction wheel has exacerbated this deck's command weakness.

 

On the upside, Iron Halo and Indomitable remain an excellent answer to Armourbane.

 

Right now, I'd say that while Cato remains a strong and excellent deck, he's no longer as dominant  as he was in Core, and is now sharing T1 with almost everyone else. So while the deck is better in absolute terms, its worse off in relative terms.

[Sokhar]

Well said. The deck is still strong, it just hasn't gained a lot whereas other factions have. Honestly, while I jumped at putting them in initially, I'm not really sure White Scars are automatic over BAV. Scars are conditionally 1 attack higher, but can be weaker alone at first planet, and have no other ability. Love Borkan Recruits, but Straken and Ragnar get more mileage out of the Bikers.

[WarFather]

I don’t think Cato needs Bork'an Recruits or White Scar Bikers.

I won yesterday at a store championship in Franklin, WI. I used the following deck list.

 

Total Cards: (50)

Warlord:
1x Captain Cato Sicarius (Core Set)

Army Unit: (33)
4x Sicarius’s Chosen (Core Set) +
3x Blood Angels Veterans (Core Set) +
2x Daring Assault Squad (Core Set) +
3x Eager Recruit (Core Set) +
3x Earth Caste Technician (Core Set) +
3x Honored Librarian (Core Set) +
3x Tactical Squad Cardinis (Core Set) +
3x Vash’ya Trailblazer (Core Set) +
1x Veteran Brother Maxos (Core Set) +
3x Vior’la Marksman (Core Set) +
3x Void Pirate (Core Set) +
2x 10th Company Scout (Core Set) +

Attachment: (5)
1x Tallassarian Tempest Blade (Core Set) +
1x Ion Rifle (Core Set) +
2x Iron Halo (Core Set) +
1x Promotion (Core Set) +

Event: (11)
2x The Fury of Sicarius (Core Set) +
3x Crushing Blow (Gift of the Ethereals) +
3x Drop Pod Assault (Core Set) +
3x Indomitable (Core Set) +

Support: (1)
1x Cato’s Stronghold (Core Set) +

 

There was only six of us playing, 2 Cato, 2 Blackmane, 1 Kith and 1 Shadowsun.

I played vs:

1) Shadowsun

2) Rangar Blackmane w/ Imperial Guard

3) The other Cato, who was using Bork'an Recruits. I didn't see any White Scars, but my opponent said he doesn't play Blood Angels. I think he said he played 3 promotions and I did see one Exterminatus (used as a shield).

 

I won all three games with planet icon victories. I was able to "bloodied" both Rangar and the other Cato.

 

A little about my deck.

After playing Cato for a bit, I've come to the conclusion that Promotion is not that strong of a card. I hate drawing it late game and having more than one in the opening hand is just no good. So now I only play one and I have no issue winning command. Plus it gives me room for all three Crushing Blows. Crushing Blow was the MVP in all three of my games. Space Marines strongest point is combat tactics (tricks), the more the better. 

The second best card was Sicarius’s Chosen. Controlling the playing field or often killing a 1 HP capping unit was just great.

Blood Angels was great at fighting at planets where I didn't have initiative.

 

In all three games I would draw into Daring Assault Squad and they never got played, even though I had the money. I would just end up playing two to three units instead. Not sure what I would replace them with. Maybe the next pack will show was some new options. 

 

Even though it was a small pool of players, everyone played well. The other Cato and the Kith player won 1st and 2nd place in the Netrunner store championship the day before. So I was up against skilled gamers.

 

Final words, Cato is defiantly Tier 1.

[WarFather]

The main deck I get to practice against is Packmaster Kith. Its the deck my wife plays and she does win against me.

 

Daring Assault Squad which on paper seems like it would be great against her deck still doesn't see much action. Drawing into him, having the money and avoiding Archon's Terror is a rare thing. Daring Assault Squad is for sure next on the chopping block once a better card shows up.

[HidaHonk]

Yep, i am thinking the same. On paper the daring assault squad is awesome, however the only matchup were it shines is the mirror or against ragnar. Eldar bow the unit or rout it, dark eldar just rout it. I play 2 white scar bikers instead. 

[Asklepios]

Think I just commented on your deck on the deck thread, so I won't repeat myself here.

 

Broadly though, I like the deckshape, but I think ECT doesn't work too well with a low hit chance, and would be better replaced by Rogue Trader. Other comments are just throwing thoughts out there.

 

But yes, I agree, Cato absolutely remains Tier 1.

[WarFather]

Yep, i am thinking the same. On paper the daring assault squad is awesome, however the only matchup were it shines is the mirror or against ragnar. Eldar bow the unit or rout it, dark eldar just rout it. I play 2 white scar bikers instead. 

 

I'll have to play some more games, but I agree that White Scar Bikers could replace the Daring Assault Squad. I think I'll start with taking those two out and adding one Biker and the final 10th company in.

[Asklepios]

It definitely helps the Drop Pod Assault hit rate... Hmm

 

Going to build a deck and come back here...

[LordVampire]

I'll have to play some more games, but I agree that White Scar Bikers could replace the Daring Assault Squad. I think I'll start with taking those two out and adding one Biker and the final 10th company in.

 

I played SM yesterday and did indeed replace Daring Assault Squad with the Bikers. It was a Ragnar deck, but I'd do it in a Cato deck as well. Cheaper unit, and because of Drop Pod Assault, it's the second best unit after the Librarian you can draw in a lot of battles (one or both warlords present). Also, if you happen to play Ion Rifles, which I do, they work better with the Bikers than they do with DAS.

[Liyan]

Hooray for the revival of this thread! Ill test the bikers tomorrow.

[Killax]

Hooray for the revival of this thread! Ill test the bikers tomorrow.

 

Go for it!

 

More than anything I feel Cato's biggest strenght is having the most amazing Drop Pod Assaults, an Event that allready is incredible. The additional WSB's allow for even more punch where Indomitable is also even better when used on large bodies that allready need multiple attackers to go down.

 

In my opinion Cato is the best Midgame deck Conquest LCG currently offers. Which means they have a good optional game against both Aggro and 'Control'.

[yankeefan1355]

I agree with you Killax.  Drop Pod Assaut is a great card.  I've been allying Cato with IG for the Iron Guard Recruits and Catachan Outpost (still one of my favorite cards) and with the two hammers I've pretty much dropped Promotion and Traders from my deck.

 

I've been loving the Bikers and Crushing Blow as well.

[LordVampire]

Same here for the Bikers and Crushing Blow. I didn't think Crushing Blow would be in my deck at any time at first, but it does often occur that your opponent shields just enough damage on a unit or warlord to have just 1 HP left, thinking to kill your unit or in order to be able to retreat. Play Crushing Blow and their strategies will fall to pieces.

[VonWibble]

And the best thing imo is that soon they will learn this, and they then have to start thinking about shielding all damage, or even retreating earlier. Even if you don't have CB in hand. At cost 0 a great card for mind games.

[LordVampire]

Yeah, you might even have 2 in your hand....

[Killax]

Agreed. It still is good to keep it somewhat under the radar.

Regarding Crushing Blow I agree it has good implications for Cato. Altough I do still think it isnt needed for a great Cato deck it does help getting a bit more out of aoe and chosen.

[yankeefan1355]

So after all the new expansion packs is Cato or Ragnar the best SM Warlord?

 

I was thinking Ragnar after the first pack but now that the other two have been released I think that Cato is the better Warlord for SM.  All the new cards just seem to synergize better with him.  Just my opinion.