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Again folks, please caravan over to my new blog, legion 9 studious for more info on my hobby progress and painting... new to come, working with an airbrush
The latest series of articles is and will be on basing, take a look:
http://legion9studios.blogspot.com
I am still alive and kicking, and painting more than ever. Check out my latest work (much improved) at:
http://legion9studios.blogspot.com/
I will be shutting down this one soon. Thanks
So, progress is being made! Ive completed about 25 foot slogging marines so far, and have about 6 or 7 more to go. Ive also got to wrap up the second rhino, and begin painting my first land raider. Ive got 2 more razorbacks sitting in boxes still, after I went on a buying spree when the RAZ squads were all the internet rage (and I found out I dont like using them)... You can also see the jump marines and drop pod with dread I completed earlier this year (anyone want them, make an offer, looking for orks (lootas, battlewagons)
As far as the battle rep goes, im going to have to keep it short since I dont remember much of it. I was up against an mech eldar list (2x dire a squads in wave serpents, a squad of fire dragons in a wave serpent, and a full squad of banshees in a wave serpent with a farseer, and 2 squads of warp spiders. I have 2x squads of assault marines in rhinos with priest (melta, m. pistol, power first, power weapon), a pred with las sponsons, 2x baal preds (dakka style), 10x assault marines with jump pack (melta, p. fist) all led by a Lib.
We had a pitched battle deployment with 4 objectives. A mobile assault force vs a mobile shooty army (aside from the banshees).
The game went fairly well, as it began well for me (I took down a waves serpent with the dragons and widdled the squad down to 2), while shaking another serpent. The eldar struck back by shooting the crap out of the jump marines, leaving 3 left (I loath dire avengers with bladestorm, doom and fortune). The marines then took down a second serpent and a squad of the warp spiders. The las cannon predator with autocannon is the perfect tank hunter for those of you looking for some anti tank options...
Then came the Banshees... I read all over the internet that banshees are a bad selection for eldar. HA, I disagree after loosing a 9 man squad and priest to a squad of charging, fleet o foot banshees. With doom and fortune, my marines stood no chance ( I lost the Lib stupidly earlier, should have saved him, forgot how important that p. hood was).
The game ended in a tie, with each of us contesting 1 objective, and holding none others (thank you tank shock - got those damn avengers off the objective end of turn five). With a roll of a 2, game over.
Now, do I continue with the BAs or switch over to painting the Ork Boyz for a little while.
Well, as I mentioned in my last post, ive been away from 40k gaming for about a month or so, but have jumped back in full steam ahead.
The past 2 weeks Ive gotten in a few games with the BAs, and I wanted to share my experiences and observations:
Game 1: 1500 point, 2x objectives
I played against a Nurgle Daemon army, which was composed of approx. the following:
2x Daemon princes, nurgle marked, better armor save
Papa Nurgle, the 300 point greater daemon
3 mid sized squads of nurglins, one with a herald and one with Epidemius
a squad of nurgle beast (or whatever they are called)
I ran with:
a Lib and 5x assault marines, fist, melta gun
2x 9x man assault squads in rhinos with fist, melta guns each with a Sang Priest
5x marines in a razorback w./ TL Lascannon
2x Baal Predators with H.Bolters
Predator with Lascannons
Toughness 6 Daemon Princes are a PAIN to deal with... I took one out by turn two with concentrated tank fire, but that second one caused me some pain. Unless you get off the charge against one with a full squad led by a priest and a power fist, dont expect to wipe it out. Youll get locked in combat an eventually loose. Try to take it down a wound or two with shooting before engaging it.
Papa Nurlge was also slain in this battle of good against evil. Sent back to the warp he was, and that was before he was able to do anything noticeable on the battlefield. Rather than spending 3 or more rounds of shooting at it with my companys full tank squad, I should have ignored the sluggishly slow blob... That fire power should have concentrated on the rest of the nurgle diseased on the table.
Not taking out Epidemius was a big NO NO. If you ever face a chaos demon army, he IS PRIORITY number 1. He basically counts the enemy losses his nurgle comrades have committed, and grants army wide bonuses based on the count. They got to a point where all weapons are poised and feel no pain goes off on a 3+.
BA Jump Troops are very easy to take out in shooting, I lost my lib and squad by turn two, after they failed a leadership test and ran off the board... Be sure to support them.
Fast Vehicles are amazing... The ability to go all Eldar and jump onto an objective last turn will win you more games than your games combat resolution. DOnt forget about tank shocking!!!
So, the game ended up being an even match, even though I think a more veteran BA player and a slightly more tuned list would have taken down the Chaos army. My shooting in the first two turns was big, taking out a D. Prince and hurting papa nurgle ended up saving my the game. I do love assault cannon Baal preds... However, during the same first two turns, my lib and his assault marine jump squad fled off the table.
By about mid game, I was actually sitting pretty. Despite loosing that BA jump unit early, I made it back with some assaults over nurglings to bring the tide back to the BAs. I also took down the first DP with shooting by the end of round 2. I however got locked up in combat, and the second deamon prince came in from behind my lines and tore through the assault marines who were up till then slashing through nurglings.
By the end of the game, we both sat on his objective, and mine was empty. A better player would have contended his objective, and claimed mine (as we took out papa nurgle on turn 5, as he was basically sitting on my objective). I was able to zoom up with the razor squad to contest his objective.
I ended up killing Papa Nugle, 1 Nurlge DP, A Herald of Nurgle, and about 16 nurglings
I lost 18x assault marines (who were in the rhinos), a priest, a rhino, and the lib with his jump marine squad.
From a Victory points perspective, we both list around a little over half our armies exactly (I think within 30 of each other). A very very even game. Till next time, when I talk about my game against eldar, and my new 1750 list.
BA Words of Wisdom... No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth, but I did travel far from the midwest. Im now back from a few weeks on a nice vacation, however Im ready to jump back onto the BAs!
Up Next, my experiences with the BAs the past few games the past two weeks, and some high level battle reports to share (along with plenty of painting pics).
So, after playing a couple of games with the BAs, ive determine that all the new toys cant substitute for a horde of assault marines with FNP and F.Charge. I played a few games with the web famous RAZ squads, and they arent as great as I thought they would be. While they are nasty on the charge against other marines, they still get chewed up by any assault eldar unit or a mob of boys. So, with that said, my tournament list is evolving. Below is what I have thus far (for the 1850 tourney). As you can see, I have 130 points left. Im thinking of beefing up the sqauds and adding 2x attack bikes with multi meltas.
HQ
125 Librarian w./ Jump Pack
Unleashed Rage, Blood Lance
Troops
227 9 Man Assault Squad in Rhino; Powerweapon, Meltagun, Inferno Pistol
227 9 Man Assault Squad in Rhino; Powerweapon, Meltagun, Inferno Pistol
235 10 Man Assault Squad w./ Jump Packs, 2x Melta, Powerfist
175 5 Man Assault Squad in Razorback w./ TL Las; Flamer, Powerweapon
175 5 Man Assault Squad in Razorback w./ TL Las; Flamer, Powerweapon
Elite
65 Sanguinary Priest w./ Power Weapon
65 Sanguinary Priest w./ Power Weapon
*They join the 9man squads in rhinos
Heavy
135 Predator - Lascannons
Fast Attack
145 Predator - Baal - Ass Cannon, Bolters
145 Predator - Baal - Ass Cannon, Bolters
1719 total 131 left
So, im going to be asking the 40k community for assistance on two fronts...
1.) What one tip would you give someone going to play their first tournament? My guess is playtest your list well, but with that in mind, what else? What tips should I remember when playing against the green tide, or the dark eldar lance list?
2.) My army list. I cant finalize my 1850 blood angel list, but I cant seem to wrap it up. I have what I believe is a strong 1750 list, however this is an 1850 tournament, so I need help in analyzing the strength and weaknesses of my list. The core 1750 points of my list are:
Blood Angels
HQ
125 Librarian with Jump Pack
Unleashed Rage, Blood Lance
Troops
200 10 man Tactical Squad w./ Lascannon, Plasma gun, Combi Plasma
180 5 man Assault Squad in Razorback w./ Lascannon; w./ Power Weapon, Meltagun
180 5 man Assault Squad in Razorback w./ Lascannon; w./ Power Weapon, Meltagun
225 10 man Assault Squad w./ Jump Packs, Powerfist, 2x Flamers
Elite
65 Sang Priest w./ Power Weapon (w./ Raz Squad)
65 Sang Priest w./ Power Weapon (w./ Raz Squad)
Heavy
135 Predator - Lascannons
135 Predator - Lascannons
150 Dreadnought with MM and H.Flamer in Drop Pod (aka DDM)
Fast Attack
145 Predator - Baal - Ass Cannon, Bolters
145 Predator - Baal - Ass Cannon, Bolters
With the last 100 point, do I add a Sang Priest to the Assault marines squad with lib, or throw in a 5 man scout squad with fist, or 2x MMelta Attack Bikes, speeders???
So, first of all, take a moment and read through these killer lists posted on BoLS. They are some very serious tournament lists poster in this article. Certainly something not made for friendly games.
Click this link to read the article
So, as im going to my first tournament in late June, Im certainly "meta-gaming" the crap out of my army list (I just need to hit the table top more now). After reading this article, my response to the following army lists is:
1. Da Ork Mob
With over 150 orks on the table, and my 1850 list built for taking down tanks, this would be an interesting one. I believe that however, I have enough firepower to thin out the hordes with the twin ass cannon baals and a 10 man librarian led sang priest assault squad should be able to each take out a horde a turn. I do believe I can take on this lists, but Ive never faced a horde like such (and I assume at 1850 he would drop down the horde sizes a bit). Taking out the Tank Busters would be a priority to keep them off my Baals. The two lascannon preds would be near worthless this game after taking down the biker warboss outside of tank shocking. My mobility should help me as stated in the article. The list player says he wins 85% of games with this list though, so Im sure he is a much stronger player than I am.
2. Leaf Blower IG
This list scares me the most except if I get to go first... Im not sure I have much to counter this list when it goes first. The amount of fire power it can hit me with would likely cripple me... I would consider reserving everything if I had to go second here so I wouldn't get alpha striked. The problem is if I come in piecemeal I can still get taken apart. If i went first however, I think I could take out a lot of the armor with my 1850 list, as I have 2 lascannon preds, a DDM (drop pod dreadnought with multimelta), 2 lascannon predators and a lascannon tactical squad (with enough meltas to take out more armor). In the assault, I would have no problem taking this out. My jump pack assault marines with power fist, 2x melta and blood lance lib would certainly be key in this battle.
3. Hybrid Space Wolf
The longsfangs in this list do scare me, however I feel good in the assault given the smaller sized grey hunter squads. Target priority #1 is getting this longfangs to concentrate their fire on anything but my transport, and the DDM may help me do that. The wolfguard here are scary too, with those cyclone launchers.
I think if I play well, its probably a 50:50 between BA and SWs.
The key here of course is making sure im on top of my game for these types of matches... What do you think?
So, after hearing more and more about how the BAs are playing out, Im glad my lists is as follows:
HQ
125 Librarian with JumpPack
Troops
180 10 man Tactical Squad w./ Lascannon,
Flamer
180 5 man Assault Squad in Razorback w./ TL Lascannon; w./ Power Weapon, Meltagun
180 5 man Assault Squad in Razorback w./ TL Lascannon; w./ Power Weapon, Meltagun
125 5 man Assault Squad w./ Jump Packs, Powerfist
Elite
65 Sang Priest w./ Power Weapon
65 Sang Priest w./ Power Weapon
Heavy
160 Dreadnought w./ Assault Cannon & Heavy Flamer in Drop Pod
135 Predator - Lascannons
Fast Attack
145 Predator - Baal Ass Cannon, Bolters
145 Predator - Baal Ass Cannon, Bolters
It actually comes in to 1505, so hopefully my opponent will go with the flow.
Now, as far as the tactical squad is concerned, everyone say it at the same time... WHY??? Well, for one, I like the additional lascannon in my list. That isnt the reason for taking that squad though. If you read anything about the BAs online, youll likely hear that can be a little fragile and are a finesse army. Well, given im not the most finesse player I needed a rock hard unit to sit back and hold that ever important objective. In 2/3rds of the games in likely to play, this squad will be holding an objective, and because of that I feel confident in my ability to use the rest of my army to forge ahead and strike the enemy.
Your thoughts? I for one dont think ill be dropping my tactical squad. As for the dreadnought, I love that unit but Im not yet sold on it.
So, Ive made some more progress on the 1500 point BA, getting so so close to completing it, as I will soon be able to taste the defeat of any foe willing to challenge my generalship (duh duh duhhhhh).
So, as you can see I really wanted a jump pack librarian, yet GW makes no such model Im aware of. I decided to attempt to "scratch" build a BA librarian. No talk about him not being in blue armor thought (why are most Libs in Blue Armour?)... I did however try to use some green stuff to craft the physic hood (and cables running up the body), mold the BA and skull symbols on the knee pads (very easy to mold the BA blood drop, give it a try), and did a little hood work on the head as well. I need to do some custom paint work on the jump pack, but that will come later (perhaps use a Death Company Sprue jump pack)
This was also my first attempt at painting my power weapons with lightning. I love the way it turned out, but more on that later. Here is my second attempt:
So, with all the goodies in the new BA codex, amongst all the golden armored jump troops and shock assault fast vehicles, lies one of the more important strategic assets in the game - Brother Corbulo.
So, its turn 6 and your up one objective in a tournament match, and your opponent rolls to continue onto turn 7... damn if the game would have ended here I would have won. Wait wait, what do we have here. Ill be using Corbulos ability to reroll any one die roll in the game. Ohh, you rolled and this time the game ends, wow, I just won... Ohh no, I just failed that leadership test with Mephiston because he isnt fearless. Ill go ahead and reroll that that 6...
So, with a little strategy as outlined above, I find that Corbulo bring something to the game no other character is able to (outside perhaps the SW HQ that can become a kill point), the ability to attempt to change the ever important game length. This is a very bizarre move by GW considering they claim to want to streamline the game. I noticed a number of things in the BA codex that seem to go counter to that philosophy. Continue to debate!
Also, feel free to click on an add for me, get me an extra 50 cents or so for my modeling fund :-)
With all of the RAS razorback spam list builds out there (and yes, it is the list I run too), I decided to try and craft a another competitive list which will be very different on the table top. It goes as follows:
HQ
Astorath the Black - He will grant any of my units furious charge on a 1-3 roll of the dice (as opposed to a 1).
Troops
6 man Assault Marine Squad - Power First and Melta Gun (accompany Astorath)
10 man Scout Squad - close combat blade and pistols, power first and combi melta sergeant
10 man Scout Squad - close combat blade and pistols, power first and combi melta sergeant
10 man Scout Squad - close combat blade and pistols, power first and combi melta sergeant
10 man Scout Squad - close combat blade and pistols, power first and combi melta sergeant
Fast
Baal Predator - Assault Cannon, Heavy bolters
Heavy
Predator - Lascannons/Autocannon
Predator - Lascannons/Autocannon
This list comes in around 1500 points or so, and includes up to 9 scoring units, of which 8 can infiltrate/scout. If your lucky with Astorath, your going to get furious charge for 4 or 5 or the scout units. This list wont be as "competitive" as some of the other builds out there, however It will be very different than anything else youve likely ever played, and will cause some chaos on the table top. Your opponent wont know how to defend against this... Give it a try sometime (im sure you can proxy in some marines for scouts to just give it a run, as im guessing you dont have 40 scouts).
So, the more and more I absorb the BA codex, the more and more I find its advantages over the C:SM codex... As someone who converted to the BAs a few months back (yes, 4 months before the codex was released) I am begining to be a bit shocked at how strong the BA dex is. Now, Im not stating its overpowered, but I cant really find a weakness in the army... When I compare it to the C:SM, I know the C:SM has awesome special characters who change the dynamic flavor of the army, however I dont know what else it can bring against the BAs.
So, here are things I think should be changed in the BA dex:
The Devastators in the BA dex should NOT be cheaper than C:SM. BAs are an assault army and the C:SM are a shooty army, so why does this work?
BAs should NOT have sternguard veterans... They are one of the benefits to the C:SMs that is no longer unique.
The Furioso dreadnought should NOT be front armor 13. Thats the place of the ironclad, which is no longer "that" dreadnought. The furioso dreadnought also should not have "blood talons" either, they kinda lame in how good they can be... Give them lightning claw rules, fine, but the stacking attacks. You could take out a squad of marines a turn with that.
Here is what I think the C:SM has to offer over the BAs:
- Null Zone Librarian power
- Troops that can take a land raider (notice in the BA codex most units can take dedicated transports on pg. 90 only!)
- Special Characters which change the play style of the army
- Cheaper TH/SS Terminators
So, with that said, please leave your comments! I would love to hear what advantages the C:SM can bring that im just not thinking of (and dont say land speeder storms or thunderfire cannons).
As a new blood angels player (though a decent C:SM player), Ive began to really investigate the new BA codex and officially getting my hands on my copy yesterday (along with my death company box set, which will be used to spruce up the army - if your interested in bitz go on ebay now, more BA bitz than you can shake a stick at).
While Ive was able to glance over the BA codex to get my next purchases lined up, I hadn't yet fully thought through the meta game strategy behind my army. While my army consist of a few RAS teams (again, razorback assault squads - 5 man assault team with sang. priest with melta gun, 2 power weapons, twin linked lascannon on razorbac), a baal pred or two, a lascannon pred and so on, I now think more people are overlooking the finesse style you should play with when running the BAs.
The codex is certainly a stronger codex, and while I contend all new 5th edition codexs out are just about equal in strength (though that IG codex is still #1 in my book), most people see the BAs as a smash mouth army. I think there true power lies in having fast vehicles and there reserve abilities (though, having the ability to smash along with the finesse aspect is powerful). In my 1500 point army, im going to be using at least 2 twin linked lascannon razorbacks and 1 baal predator. While the razorback is a nible piece of armour, the fact all BA tanks are fast means ill have the ability to come off the board edge 12 inches and still be able to fire. So going forward, unless I like what I see, I will be holding my razorbacks in reserve if I dont get to go first. So I will hand my opponent nothing to shoot at except rock hard units so I dont get alpha striked to death.
Now, as for the ability to re-roll my failed reserve roll on my jump pack marines means I can be (for all intent) much more confident I can get that unit in round 2 if I want, or choose not to reroll and keep that squad aside for another turn. The power in this is depending on the battle field situation, Ill be in more control about how I want to dedicate my army (or not...). The ability to further influence my deep striking units when I choose is something I again see being overlooked as everyone goes for the deep striking land raiders and 15 man death company squads.
Ill continue to ponder these thoughts the next few days as deep striking hasnt been a preferred means of deployment before...
And finally, one last thing to note, why dont I see Blood Angels scout heavy bolters carrying the hellfire rounds??? Did I just miss it?
As I continue to paint and play more and more, I have a question to the 40K community... How do you find out and register for local 40k tournaments? Tournament gaming is naturally the next step in my gaming career, yet I know so little about it. I know the local GW store host a game from time to time, however I know there has to be more out there... Outside of googling it and searching obscure forums, any central location that hosts all of this info? How do you find out about local (within 2 hours drive) 40k tournaments?
So, Im selling of some of my stock, so here are some TH/SS Termies for sale:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180486582603&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
I think they would go well as Death Company Termies or Ravenguard/Templars.
So, I decided to tackle the first of my two Sanguinary Priest this weekend, and here is it (thought I did fix the bent helmet antenna - i still have to paint the power weapon too). Now, as youll notice, I didnt use all the components from the apothachary which comes in the SM command squad. Im hoping to stretch the components to make a second Sang. Priest.
Sang Priest 1 (above) - Apoth backpack and torso with company champ shoulder pad and commander helmet
Sang Priest 2 - Apoth backpack (got that off ebay), apoth arm, apoth helmet and apoth shoulder pad, company champ torso and shoulder pad. Hopfully the second Sang Priest will look similar to the first, so they are congruent in appearance (thought not exactly the same). They will share red bodys with white helmets and company champ should pads. I should have the second priest up soon so youll be able to take a look at that.
So here is the official RAS #1 (I will however be replacing some of the components with those from the death company sprues I ordered last weekend - such as the helmets, torsos, shoulder pads, chain swords... yeh, go get yourself a d.company box set if your a BA player (has like 18 shoulder pads in it! - see in white dwarf)).
Next Up - begin my freehand work on the transports - jawaballs style!
Well, I just finished painting what will be the first of either 2 or 3 of these "RAS" squads (Razorback Assault Squad). And if your a blood angels player, I suggest you do the same. For the price of about 175 points (get the codex to see the actual cost), you get yourself a 5 man squad with a power weapon sergeant, a melta gun, in a fast razorback with a twin linked las cannon!
Now, it only gets better from here... Why did I make it a 5 man squad instead of a 6 man squad you ask? Well, I need to leave room for a Sang. Priest of course. From what I gather, a solid 50 points buys me a Sang Priest (elite, indep char.) which grants my squad Furious Charge & Feel no Pain... Throw on a Power Weapon for a Sang Priest and I have myself a nice little unit it.
The next best part - Starting these fast tanks from reserve. Move on 12" and still fire the Lascannon.
More to come next post with how I will be building my BA Army, How I will use Reserves with this Army (think Razorback w./ Lascannon, Baal Pred), and why I think perhaps I may use Astorath the Grim as my HQ (over Sang Priest units)
Im hoping that the release of the Blood Angels revives my favorite HQ unit in the 40k universe - The Chaplain. Im just begining to read "Rynn's World" (The Black Lib novel about the assault on the Crimson Fists home world by an Ork Waaagh), and the first few pages starts out with a Fist Chaplain inspiring his chapter, enraging them for battle.
Nothing says blood angels to me like a skull helmeted jet packed vampire preaching litanies of battle (as it is the coolest model out there too).
Unfortunately, I just never, ever see the Chaplain anymore. ever. never ever. While Im new to 40K, I know the chaplain was nerfed in the new SM Codex, and will likely be in every oncoming marine codex. I for one, am going to try very hard to find a place in my army for one, as I just think it fits the fluff sooo well (same for you Black Templar players - thought I guess you dont need to re-roll). I for one think that would be a great HQ choice leading my 10 man assault marine squad... I wonder if the black templars will get a Chaplain Dreadnought as the BAs got a librarian dread, hmm....
Well, first and foremost, I did put up a few of my Ravenguard units up on eBay, so if your interested check them out. I think youll be able to get them for a great price:
My Beloved Ravenguard Dreadnought:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180479229816&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
A Ravenguard Rhino:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180479231050&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
Now, as for the blood angels, progress is resuming. Without seeing the codex, Ive painted up a nice base army which I will likely use and my backbone to expand upon once I get my hands on the codex. At this point, I have 10 assault marines with jump packs, 10 tactical marines, a drop pod, rhino, razorback, predator and dreadnought ready to rock (still need to paint dreadnough and predator).
Now, with those core I plan on running:
10x Tactical squad - Combat Squad with Lascannon; Sergeant w./ Powersword, combi melta, meltagun, razorback (may switch to flamers from meltas)
10x Assault Squad - Powerfist, Meltagun
Dreadnought in drop pod - No idea what variant I will run
Predator - Las/Autocannons
2x Attack Bikes - H.Bolters or Meltaguns (not sure, but they hang back with the predator to provide cover)
I think this puts me at about 825 points or so, then again Im not certain without yet seeing the new codex...
So, I have about 1025 points left for goodies... Im thinking assault termines, more assault marines or veterans/d.company, 2 baal predators(maybe), another Dread in pod, and finally an HQ... For those of you who have seen the codex, share with me your thoughts... Where do these new marines strengths land? How good are the furioso dreadnoughts over a standard one with multimelta? Will a librarian lead my army? Are veterans really better than their scoring assault marine counterparts (I know Dante makes them scoring, or so I heard, but I don't think ill run a a uber character)?
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