Help – New to Votann and struggling to actually kill stuff

Hi all, relatively new to the game and to Leagues of Votann. I’ve played about 10 games so far, mostly against CSM because that’s who’s free in my gaming group. I’m definitely learning the rules/codex well and getting better, but I feel like I’m missing something with Votann.

Right now I feel like I just struggle to actually kill things. I’ll post my list below, but I’m almost certain I’m doing something wrong.

My Hearthguard brick is probably the most reliable part of my army. I deep strike them, they usually delete whatever they shoot, sometimes get a charge, or at least threaten a strong overwatch. But then they just… melt. Whatever looks at them seems to kill them right after they drop.

Steeljacks and Thunderkyn are hit-or-miss for me. I usually only get 1–2 rounds of shooting out of them. Sometimes they pop off, sometimes they do almost nothing, but there's usualy chosen or possesed etc bearing down on them

Hekaton Land Fortresses feel super swingy too. Weirdly, the bolt cannons seem to be my most reliable damage source.

Overall, I’m scoring points fine and most of my games are close because I play aggressively on objectives early. But I just can’t seem to kill things or stay alive. CSM in particular feel absurd – every detachment they run seems to advance, move and shoot, get sustained hits, and hit on 2s or 3s all game. They’re amazing in combat, amazing at shooting, and super tough. Meanwhile my stuff is hitting on 4s and falls apart way too quickly. Am I missing something fundamental?

I keep thinking I need to cut some characters and squeeze in another damage-dealing unit, but the points are awkward. If I ditch the Grimnyr and Ironmaster I still don’t have quite enough for a meaningful new unit. Maybe another 5 Hearthguard? Not sure that would have enough impact though.

Would love any advice from experienced Votann players – list building, unit roles, detachment choices, or just general playstyle tips. Thanks in advance!

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+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - Leagues of Votann

+ DETACHMENT: Needgaârd Oathband (Martial Leverage)

+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts

+

+ WARLORD: Char1: Ûthar the Destined

+ ENHANCEMENT: Oathbound Speculator (on Char3: Einhyr Champion)

& Dead Reckoning (on Char5: Memnyr Strategist)

+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 16

+ SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (2x2) + (2x4) - Assassination: 5 Characters

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Char1: 1x Ûthar the Destined (95 pts): Rampart crest, Warlord, Blade of the Ancestors, Volkanite disintegrator

Char2: 5x Brôkhyr Iron-master (75 pts)

• 3x E-COG

1 with E-COG, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon

1 with Plasma torch

1 with Manipulator arms

• 1x Brôkhyr Iron-master: Graviton hammer, Graviton rifle

• 1x Ironkyn Assistant: Close combat weapon, Las-beam cutter

Char3: 1x Einhyr Champion (100 pts): Weavefield crest, Autoch-pattern combi-bolter, Mass hammer

Enhancement: Oathbound Speculator (+30 pts)

Char4: 3x Grimnyr (65 pts)

• 1x Grimnyr: Ancestral ward stave, Ancestral Wrath

• 2x CORV: 2 with Autoch-pattern bolter, Close combat weapon

Char5: 1x Memnyr Strategist (55 pts): Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon

Enhancement: Dead Reckoning (+10 pts)

10x Hearthkyn Warriors (100 pts)

• 9x Hearthkyn Warrior

7 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter, Close combat weapon

1 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, L7 missile launcher

1 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Magna-rail rifle

• 1x Theyn: Weavefield crest, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Theyn's melee weapon, Autoch-pattern bolter

6x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (160 pts): 6 with Close combat weapon, SP conversion beamer

10x Einhyr Hearthguard (270 pts)

• 1x Hesyr: Teleport crest, Exo-armour grenade launcher, Graviton hammer, EtaCarn plasma gun

• 9x Einhyr Hearthguard: 9 with Exo-armour grenade launcher, Concussion gauntlet, EtaCarn plasma gun

10x Hernkyn Yaegirs (90 pts)

• 1x Yaegir Theyn: Close combat weapon, Bolt shotgun

• 9x Hernkyn Yaegir: 9 with Bolt shotgun, Close combat weapon

6x Ironkin Steeljacks with Heavy Volkanite Disintegrators (180 pts)

• 1x Steeljack Theyn: Preymark crest, Heavy volkanite disintegrator, Plasma knife

• 5x Ironkin Steeljack: 5 with Heavy volkanite disintegrator, Plasma knife

3x Hernkyn Pioneers (80 pts)

1 with Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife

1 with Comms array, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife

1 with Pan-spectral scanner, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife

3x Hernkyn Pioneers (80 pts)

1 with Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife

1 with Comms array, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife

1 with Pan-spectral scanner, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife

1x Hekaton Land Fortress (240 pts): Pan spectral scanner, Armoured wheels, MATR autocannon, Heavy magna-rail cannon, 2x Twin bolt cannon

1x Hekaton Land Fortress (240 pts): Pan spectral scanner, Armoured wheels, MATR autocannon, Heavy magna-rail cannon, 2x Twin bolt cannon

1x Kapricus Carrier (75 pts): Smoke launcher, Armoured hull, Magna-coil autocannon, Twin magna-coil autocannon

1x Sagitaur (95 pts): Armoured wheels, Twin bolt cannon, Lmissile launcher, Sagitaur missile launcher