Real life has stopped me blogging for a couple of weeks, along with gaming and painting. I am hoping that after last nights battle of Tyranids versus Ultramarines I can get myself back on track. The battle last night was something of a surprise choice, I have not played Nids since the v4 Codex and it was only a couple of articles on Bell of Lost should that got me thinking that I should give them a game or two. They recommended playing 10 point Hormagaunts, a basic model upgraded with poison 4+ and furious charge, meaning you can re-roll failed wounds on the charge. They has also been an article on Venomthropes with their cover saving abilities, I am partial to taking a Big Mek with custom forcefield for exactly the same reason so for similar points I took two of them as a unit.
As you will have seen throughout my lists I am a fan of numbers, quantity has a quality of its own as Stalin would say. However yesterday I chose the Swarmlord to lead my army, this was because I thought it could (mistakenly) scout a Troop and would probably be able to slay Marneus Calgar in close combat. Calgar chose to sit this battle out, wisely with hindsight. I also took a 10 man squad of Ymgarl Genestealers for their ability to pop up in terrain and move/ assault as normal. The ability to change characteristics was just icing, my plan was to sacrifice them to destroy any vehicles in their firebase. Rounding the army off was a 200+ point Carnifex, armed with a Str9 Heavy Venom Cannon and regeneration as I had spare points. All in all an Elite army with just 76 models in it, I have played games with more Chaos Space Marines in the list in 1.5k points.
Half the Ultras set up on the table, the remainder were off table ready to deep strike. Myself and my Nid co-player each set-up on a flank and played refused centre as the Ultras seized first turn and got ready to open fire. At least until the Drop Pods started to fall, land in the centre of the table and block line of sight. Two turns of gunfire later I was able to hit the enemy lines, at that point I had lost two wounds on the Swarmlord (he stole one back), a wound on the Hive Guard and seven gaunts bit the dirt; from two turns of gunfire. My gaming buddy got to charge turn one due to drop pods antics his Hormagaunts charged a Tactical squad killed one and were reduced to three models due to being fearless. My worst fears of gaunts were being realised…
To cut a long story short a combination of preferred enemy when fighting Sternguard, reducing the Chaplain and his Terminator Squad to WS1, re-rolling wounds due to poison/ furious charge combo were my highlights of the battle. Squads got annihilated all over the table except those fighting the Genestealers who could not buy a rending if there was a £20 note sticking out of their back pocket. On turn 4 they finally remembered what to do and rended six Marines finishing the squad off. Turn six and the Ultramarines are reduced to one Drop Pod as their last figure, a Captain, dies in the claws of a Hive Tyrant (this after making six consecutive invulnerable saves over the course of the battle).
My losses were limited to around 20 gaunts, three Genestealers and the two wounds on the Swarm Lord/ Tyrant Guard. My Nid buddy had lost a Carnifex; the Trygon was down to its last wound and around 30 gaunts – it was a massacre. I feel inspired to make time to paint and whilst I want to put a few bits together for the Nids I will instead be painting Red for World Eaters and Pink for Emperors Children, and having a look at fixing the newly acquired Hellhammer/ Baneblade.
Friday, 29 October 2010
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Space Marine Legions (Part 1)
Whilst forming various armylists for armies that I do not yet own/ built/ painted I noticed that there was a certain synergy between the various first founding Legions. We all know that there are only eighteen of them listed, with two gone missing, so to be boring I will list them:
Alpha Legion
Black Legion (Sons of Horus)
Blood Angels
Dark Angels
Death Guard
Emperors Children
Imperial Fist
Iron Hands
Iron Warriors
Night Lords
Raven Guard
Salamanders
Space Wolves
Thousand Sons
Ultramarines
White Scars
Word Bearers
World Eaters
What I am noticing is that the Loyalist and Traitor Legions line up in two’s; either they have a commonality on their approach to the battlefield, or life philosophy, etc. I have done the deed and matched them all up and briefly why I think they are the result of the Emperor creating redundancy when he created the Primarchs.
Blood Angels vs. World Eaters
An obvious choice to start and we will ignore the fact they now both wear red armour. Both armies thrive on the battlefield up close and personal, hand to hand is were both forces see themselves being most effective. Both armies benefit from Furious Charge and bar Leman Russ who could match Angron or Sanguinius in close combat? Horus used each Legion as Vanguard when attempting tricky assaults, goading each by the exploits of the other. Curiously Angron had implants when he was a gladiator on his home planet, who knows if Angron was really as berserk as he was made out to be?
Dark Angels vs. Word Bearers
This is the first of my unusual match-ups the Word Bearers and Dark Angels. In a word secrets, the Word Bearers secretly worshipped the Emperor as a god and when he turned his back on them they embraced the Chaos gods. The Dark Angels know a thing or two about secrets: failing to mention the Chapter War, Heresy and open worship of the Chaos gods. The Dark Angels always thought that being the first Space Marine Legion made special and somehow closer to the Emperor than any other Legion, whilst the Word Bearers had the Emperor on a pedestal and encouraged others to follow their lead.
Imperial Fist vs. Iron Warriors
Both armies are proponents of siege warfare, either creating fortifications that are nigh unbreakable (the Imperial Palace), or cracking them open. Foresworn enemies, after the rebellion the Iron Warriors nearly succeeded in wiping out the Imperial Fist on Sebastus IV (Iron Cage Incident) on until the Ultramarines arrived for the save. It is rumoured that several parts of the treatise on siege craft in the Index Astartes have been written by Pertuabo. Truth be told, you get the impression that both Primarchs are boring.
Iron Hands vs. Emperors Children
I am sure you are wondering why these two have been matched up, and the reason is that both Legions have a burning desire to achieve perfection of body, if not mind and soul. The Emperors Children was reputed to have flawless geneseed and in Fabius Bile they had a master gene-manipulator who could have pushed the boundaries of what a Space Marine can achieve even further. The Iron Hands seek perfection of body by relinquishing the flesh and replacing it with technology, the flesh is weak machinery strong. This need for perfection is a common bond between Ferrus Manus and Fulgrim, at least until they played Highlander…
Alpha Legion
Black Legion (Sons of Horus)
Blood Angels
Dark Angels
Death Guard
Emperors Children
Imperial Fist
Iron Hands
Iron Warriors
Night Lords
Raven Guard
Salamanders
Space Wolves
Thousand Sons
Ultramarines
White Scars
Word Bearers
World Eaters
What I am noticing is that the Loyalist and Traitor Legions line up in two’s; either they have a commonality on their approach to the battlefield, or life philosophy, etc. I have done the deed and matched them all up and briefly why I think they are the result of the Emperor creating redundancy when he created the Primarchs.
Blood Angels vs. World Eaters
An obvious choice to start and we will ignore the fact they now both wear red armour. Both armies thrive on the battlefield up close and personal, hand to hand is were both forces see themselves being most effective. Both armies benefit from Furious Charge and bar Leman Russ who could match Angron or Sanguinius in close combat? Horus used each Legion as Vanguard when attempting tricky assaults, goading each by the exploits of the other. Curiously Angron had implants when he was a gladiator on his home planet, who knows if Angron was really as berserk as he was made out to be?
Dark Angels vs. Word Bearers
This is the first of my unusual match-ups the Word Bearers and Dark Angels. In a word secrets, the Word Bearers secretly worshipped the Emperor as a god and when he turned his back on them they embraced the Chaos gods. The Dark Angels know a thing or two about secrets: failing to mention the Chapter War, Heresy and open worship of the Chaos gods. The Dark Angels always thought that being the first Space Marine Legion made special and somehow closer to the Emperor than any other Legion, whilst the Word Bearers had the Emperor on a pedestal and encouraged others to follow their lead.
Imperial Fist vs. Iron Warriors
Both armies are proponents of siege warfare, either creating fortifications that are nigh unbreakable (the Imperial Palace), or cracking them open. Foresworn enemies, after the rebellion the Iron Warriors nearly succeeded in wiping out the Imperial Fist on Sebastus IV (Iron Cage Incident) on until the Ultramarines arrived for the save. It is rumoured that several parts of the treatise on siege craft in the Index Astartes have been written by Pertuabo. Truth be told, you get the impression that both Primarchs are boring.
Iron Hands vs. Emperors Children
I am sure you are wondering why these two have been matched up, and the reason is that both Legions have a burning desire to achieve perfection of body, if not mind and soul. The Emperors Children was reputed to have flawless geneseed and in Fabius Bile they had a master gene-manipulator who could have pushed the boundaries of what a Space Marine can achieve even further. The Iron Hands seek perfection of body by relinquishing the flesh and replacing it with technology, the flesh is weak machinery strong. This need for perfection is a common bond between Ferrus Manus and Fulgrim, at least until they played Highlander…
Death Guard
I was tidying one of the shelves that I store my W40k stuff last night on when I came across a plastic bag containing an additional ten Plague Marines, nine squad members and another Lord/ Sorcerer. I had put them to one side months ago as a potential squad for The Purge and forgotten about them. So adding them to what I already have I can now play twenty-two Plague Marine Squads so I think I will have to pick up more paint to get them all finished. The squads are very cookie-cutter due in part to the nature of the figures I own and the few options available in the Codex entry for Plague Marines. I am now aiming to put down the following for the big game:
Seven squads of:
7 Plague Marines (2 Melta Guns, Aspiring Champion, Power Weapon)
218 points
Seven squads of:
7 Plague Marines (2 Melta Guns, Aspiring Champion, Powerfist)
228 points
Six squads of:
7 Plague Marines (2 Plasma Guns, Aspiring Champion, Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon)
243 points
Two squads of:
7 Plague Marines (2 Flamers, Aspiring Champion, Powerfist)
218 points
When I added this up it comes to an eye-popping 5016 points in total. It looks like I am going to have to build two Plague Towers to try to improve the transport options of the Plague Marines along with half a dozen Chaos Rhinos. I already have two Chaos Dreadnoughts and a half-completed Defiler who needs a second to join him. Throw in a couple of Chaos Lords and Sorcerers and the points will be creeping up for 8k before I know it. Now where did I put my Rotting Flesh paint…
Seven squads of:
7 Plague Marines (2 Melta Guns, Aspiring Champion, Power Weapon)
218 points
Seven squads of:
7 Plague Marines (2 Melta Guns, Aspiring Champion, Powerfist)
228 points
Six squads of:
7 Plague Marines (2 Plasma Guns, Aspiring Champion, Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon)
243 points
Two squads of:
7 Plague Marines (2 Flamers, Aspiring Champion, Powerfist)
218 points
When I added this up it comes to an eye-popping 5016 points in total. It looks like I am going to have to build two Plague Towers to try to improve the transport options of the Plague Marines along with half a dozen Chaos Rhinos. I already have two Chaos Dreadnoughts and a half-completed Defiler who needs a second to join him. Throw in a couple of Chaos Lords and Sorcerers and the points will be creeping up for 8k before I know it. Now where did I put my Rotting Flesh paint…
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Operation 500: Week 3
Well last week certainly was the week that was. I managed to paint absolutely no figures at all taking my total of completely painted figures to zero entering my fourth week. It is not all bad news; I have many figures undercoated in their new colours and several more on their way to being built. I have discovered that nail varnish remover takes paint off plastic figures although it is a slow process, which means I may have an additional one hundred Chaos Space Marines waiting to be converted to World Eater Chaos Space Marines, but not in the Berserker incarnation. It does mean that I have two additional Dreadnoughts for the Iron Hands now giving me three of the six required.
Death Guard
Yes they have their own fancy heading because I cracked open the box containing them for the first time in two years and had a look at what it contained. I knew that I had over one hundred semi-painted figures in the old second edition colour scheme of black and dark green. I did much prefer the first edition dirty green colour scheme which was what my first Death Guard army was painted back in the early nineties. Sorting the figures out it become apparent that due to changes in weapon choices for Death Guard from 3.1 to 4.0 (no more Death Guard Havoc squads) I am in a position to field once built/ painted twenty-two seven man squads, each with champion and two special weapons. I will still have a couple of figures left for Chaos Lords and/ or Sorcerers. Somewhere there are seven part-converted Chaos Terminators and Typhus to lead them. That at a quick calculation is over 5k of Death Guard before I add any vehicles.
According to old Index Astartes fluff Death Guard preferred to fight on foot advancing slowly yet implacably across the battlefield. Squads taking Chaos Rhino transports were moved from Troop to Fast Attack. With this in mind I will hopefully manage to gather between five and seven Chaos Rhinos making nearly a third mobile and I am planning on building a Plague Tower which can transport four more squads. The vehicle is severely over pointed at 700 points, but with seven damage points it should never be destroyed in battle, should…
The new paint scheme for Death Guard will consist of Rotting Flesh over most of the armour, highlighted with Bilious Green and blended with Brown Ink. I will see if I have any of the very old Ghoul Grey, which if memory serves me is darker than Codex Grey, to add a little colour to the figures, with weapons and backpack being a mix of dark wood and Tinny Bitz. The ink will disguise all failings on the paint scheme so I should be able to paint them quickly. I need to paint them quickly as I am so far behind in completing actual models. If I can get twenty squads completed quickly I will have over 4k of models completed and be back on track for month one.
Death Guard
Yes they have their own fancy heading because I cracked open the box containing them for the first time in two years and had a look at what it contained. I knew that I had over one hundred semi-painted figures in the old second edition colour scheme of black and dark green. I did much prefer the first edition dirty green colour scheme which was what my first Death Guard army was painted back in the early nineties. Sorting the figures out it become apparent that due to changes in weapon choices for Death Guard from 3.1 to 4.0 (no more Death Guard Havoc squads) I am in a position to field once built/ painted twenty-two seven man squads, each with champion and two special weapons. I will still have a couple of figures left for Chaos Lords and/ or Sorcerers. Somewhere there are seven part-converted Chaos Terminators and Typhus to lead them. That at a quick calculation is over 5k of Death Guard before I add any vehicles.
According to old Index Astartes fluff Death Guard preferred to fight on foot advancing slowly yet implacably across the battlefield. Squads taking Chaos Rhino transports were moved from Troop to Fast Attack. With this in mind I will hopefully manage to gather between five and seven Chaos Rhinos making nearly a third mobile and I am planning on building a Plague Tower which can transport four more squads. The vehicle is severely over pointed at 700 points, but with seven damage points it should never be destroyed in battle, should…
The new paint scheme for Death Guard will consist of Rotting Flesh over most of the armour, highlighted with Bilious Green and blended with Brown Ink. I will see if I have any of the very old Ghoul Grey, which if memory serves me is darker than Codex Grey, to add a little colour to the figures, with weapons and backpack being a mix of dark wood and Tinny Bitz. The ink will disguise all failings on the paint scheme so I should be able to paint them quickly. I need to paint them quickly as I am so far behind in completing actual models. If I can get twenty squads completed quickly I will have over 4k of models completed and be back on track for month one.
Friday, 24 September 2010
Chaos Space Marines: Christian Byrne's Chaos Space Marine Army | Games Workshop
Chaos Space Marines: Christian Byrne's Chaos Space Marine Army Games Workshop
We have another W40K article on the Astronomican this week, this time Christian Byrnes Chaos Space Marine Army. The article is presented as the ongoing collection of a Chaos Space Marine and should be viewed as such. The miniatures are exquisitely painted with the army seemingly based around his original Iron Warriors force rather than Black Legion as talked about in the article. I can remember the army fighting against Salamanders in a battle report, about four or five years ago. He had lots of vehicles and a couple of Obliterators, what the list lacked was actual Chaos Space Marines and in the end he was all but wiped out.
Anyways the article as mentioned is more about inspiration, getting the units built and painted and collecting until you cab collect no more. If that is at all possible… The last section lists his sample armylist, there always has to be an armylist - right? I think it is supposed to be an Americanised 1750 list, as that seems to be the norm they play over the pond. We play 1500, but everything bigger over in the U.S., so they say. He will have upset them by taking 1755, he could have dropped the Heavy Flamer from the Chaos Terminators for example, but I think the idea is that he drew a list based on what he built/ painted.
The list is HQ heavy, filling all three slots with plenty of Troops, an Elite and Heavy. I have to say that whilst it is not a list I would have put together, it looks to play competitively enough amongst friends as long as they were not building tournament style lists. My only censure is when he makes the following comment:
Since the units all have Icons, my Terminators and Summoned Greater Daemon can't fail to turn up in a place where they're bound to be most useful and from there storm into battle to save the day!
I was initially confused, the Summoned Greater Daemon possesses an Aspiring Champion, icons have nothing to do with its arrival.
Anyway check the article out!
We have another W40K article on the Astronomican this week, this time Christian Byrnes Chaos Space Marine Army. The article is presented as the ongoing collection of a Chaos Space Marine and should be viewed as such. The miniatures are exquisitely painted with the army seemingly based around his original Iron Warriors force rather than Black Legion as talked about in the article. I can remember the army fighting against Salamanders in a battle report, about four or five years ago. He had lots of vehicles and a couple of Obliterators, what the list lacked was actual Chaos Space Marines and in the end he was all but wiped out.
Anyways the article as mentioned is more about inspiration, getting the units built and painted and collecting until you cab collect no more. If that is at all possible… The last section lists his sample armylist, there always has to be an armylist - right? I think it is supposed to be an Americanised 1750 list, as that seems to be the norm they play over the pond. We play 1500, but everything bigger over in the U.S., so they say. He will have upset them by taking 1755, he could have dropped the Heavy Flamer from the Chaos Terminators for example, but I think the idea is that he drew a list based on what he built/ painted.
The list is HQ heavy, filling all three slots with plenty of Troops, an Elite and Heavy. I have to say that whilst it is not a list I would have put together, it looks to play competitively enough amongst friends as long as they were not building tournament style lists. My only censure is when he makes the following comment:
Since the units all have Icons, my Terminators and Summoned Greater Daemon can't fail to turn up in a place where they're bound to be most useful and from there storm into battle to save the day!
I was initially confused, the Summoned Greater Daemon possesses an Aspiring Champion, icons have nothing to do with its arrival.
Anyway check the article out!
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Chaos Space Marines: World Eaters Tactica | Games Workshop
Chaos Space Marines: World Eaters Tactica | Games Workshop
So this past Monday a W40k article on the Astronomican, how dare they – doesn’t Games Workshop know that they can only release articles on their new 8th edition Warhammer Fantasy Battle, just like White Dwarf? Only kidding, although it was a shock so see an article for W40K on the website after nearly a month of WFB, well it feels like a month or longer, perhaps the upcoming Games Day has reminded GW that there is more than one string to their bow?
So you can catch the link to the article above my rant, and if you are curious and click the link you will end up reading how a ‘gamer’ Wade Pryce plays his well painted/ modelled World Eaters army. Lots of pics, some useful chicken nugget sized and an armylist of 2492 points, I presume for all those 2500 point games we gamers regularly play? It does look to more a case of this is what I own and have painted it costs 2492 points, which is fine but the list would struggle against a more conservative list in any arena.
I will first comment on the four sound bites of advice he makes in reference to his army:
Footsoldiers of Khorne, charge the enemy as quickly as possible in ranks rather than columns so that the squads can screen each other. All sensible advice, however I do find that the first rank which is closest to the enemy is normally targeted first in preference to the rear rank, and it is normally targeted until it either dies or makes contact with the enemy. I would have thought advising stringing out the units across the board creating multiple targets that all cannot be eliminated and have more chance of hiding would be beneficial. In rows you are just lining up casualties for the blast template gods!
Exalted of the Blood God, a Daemon Prince with wings hides behind a squad of Berserkers to gain a 4+ cover save? The ruling for Monstrous Creatures is that they need to be 50% covered in order to gain a cover save; it was 4th edition that ruled cover just needed to be up to their knee. The Chaos Rhino he refers to as being cover for the Khorne Berserkers is more useful, although it would be even more useful if there was more than one.
Deep Striking, there are a total of three squads that deepstrike in this list, two Terminator squads with Khorne Banner and one Obliterator. Given the lack of firepower in the list the Obliterators should always start on the table, if they roll poorly and do not turn up until turns three or four the battle could already be over at this point. They can advance using their lascannons if needed in order to get in multi-melta range, better yet hide them in terrain and hope to immobilise or destroy a vehicle each turn. The Terminators are expensive and the tactic of deep striking in the right spot due to the icons so they can unleash hell is pretty until you realise that anything with a template is going to have a field day, especially an AP2 template. I always find that Deep Striking squads need to move on the turn they impact otherwise they quickly leave the table.
Fire Support, a Chaos Dreadnought and two tanks is the sum of fire support. Only one of the tanks has lascannons, the first weapon destroyed result against either tank and they are just moving scenery. For a themed 2.5k list the firepower is poor, surely Khorne would see fit to arm a couple of Defilers and take one of the two firepower weapons off the Chaos Dreadnought to that it can collect skulls in the more traditional manner, close combat.
The complaints over tactics lead us onto the armylist itself:
HQ
Despite being told that the Daemon Prince is a beast in close combat, the listed Chaos Lord could have been given a Juggernaut giving a potential seventeen strength five attacks on the charge, it will kill on average over five Space Marines on the charge compared to over two off the beast.
Elite
For a themed list the Chaos Dreadnought needs to be armed either with two close combat weapons, or one and a good gun. The listed Chaos Dreadnought feels unnatural with two shooting weapons.
I like Chaos Terminators; I like them even more with an Icon of Khorne; however the mix of additional weapons is here and there. They should be kitted out to fight in close combat so a sprinkling of lightening claws can be added along with an anti-vehicle (Dreadnought) element, so a couple of combi-meltas and/ or chainfists. Everything else is just gravy and there is too much gravy in this army.
Troops
I have no complaints about the make-up of any of the Berserker squads, eight dudes with a champion. The Champion has a powerfist or melta bomb/ power weapon combo, along with an icon bearer in each squad. One squad has a Chaos Rhino for transport, why? The Chaos Spawn taken as a Fast (see below) could have been traded in for a second Chaos Rhino. Four in total is better, each allowing a potential second turn charge. And while I am ranting, if the points were better co-ordinated throughout this list I am sure we could have seen a fifth Berserker squad, even if it is sans Chaos Rhino.
Fast Attack
A Chaos Spawn, why? One is going to add nothing to the army and the points could be spend batter on anything else.
Heavy Support
Obliterators are a great option, having Deep Striked them in several battles I have come to the conclusion that unless you have other firepower available for the first couple of turns set them up on the table from the start. Each tank is effectively destroyed on a 3, 5 or 6 as they only have a single weapon. Sponson lascannons are expensive, but points better spent than on extra armour.
To conclude the army is pretty, but please…
So this past Monday a W40k article on the Astronomican, how dare they – doesn’t Games Workshop know that they can only release articles on their new 8th edition Warhammer Fantasy Battle, just like White Dwarf? Only kidding, although it was a shock so see an article for W40K on the website after nearly a month of WFB, well it feels like a month or longer, perhaps the upcoming Games Day has reminded GW that there is more than one string to their bow?
So you can catch the link to the article above my rant, and if you are curious and click the link you will end up reading how a ‘gamer’ Wade Pryce plays his well painted/ modelled World Eaters army. Lots of pics, some useful chicken nugget sized and an armylist of 2492 points, I presume for all those 2500 point games we gamers regularly play? It does look to more a case of this is what I own and have painted it costs 2492 points, which is fine but the list would struggle against a more conservative list in any arena.
I will first comment on the four sound bites of advice he makes in reference to his army:
Footsoldiers of Khorne, charge the enemy as quickly as possible in ranks rather than columns so that the squads can screen each other. All sensible advice, however I do find that the first rank which is closest to the enemy is normally targeted first in preference to the rear rank, and it is normally targeted until it either dies or makes contact with the enemy. I would have thought advising stringing out the units across the board creating multiple targets that all cannot be eliminated and have more chance of hiding would be beneficial. In rows you are just lining up casualties for the blast template gods!
Exalted of the Blood God, a Daemon Prince with wings hides behind a squad of Berserkers to gain a 4+ cover save? The ruling for Monstrous Creatures is that they need to be 50% covered in order to gain a cover save; it was 4th edition that ruled cover just needed to be up to their knee. The Chaos Rhino he refers to as being cover for the Khorne Berserkers is more useful, although it would be even more useful if there was more than one.
Deep Striking, there are a total of three squads that deepstrike in this list, two Terminator squads with Khorne Banner and one Obliterator. Given the lack of firepower in the list the Obliterators should always start on the table, if they roll poorly and do not turn up until turns three or four the battle could already be over at this point. They can advance using their lascannons if needed in order to get in multi-melta range, better yet hide them in terrain and hope to immobilise or destroy a vehicle each turn. The Terminators are expensive and the tactic of deep striking in the right spot due to the icons so they can unleash hell is pretty until you realise that anything with a template is going to have a field day, especially an AP2 template. I always find that Deep Striking squads need to move on the turn they impact otherwise they quickly leave the table.
Fire Support, a Chaos Dreadnought and two tanks is the sum of fire support. Only one of the tanks has lascannons, the first weapon destroyed result against either tank and they are just moving scenery. For a themed 2.5k list the firepower is poor, surely Khorne would see fit to arm a couple of Defilers and take one of the two firepower weapons off the Chaos Dreadnought to that it can collect skulls in the more traditional manner, close combat.
The complaints over tactics lead us onto the armylist itself:
HQ
Despite being told that the Daemon Prince is a beast in close combat, the listed Chaos Lord could have been given a Juggernaut giving a potential seventeen strength five attacks on the charge, it will kill on average over five Space Marines on the charge compared to over two off the beast.
Elite
For a themed list the Chaos Dreadnought needs to be armed either with two close combat weapons, or one and a good gun. The listed Chaos Dreadnought feels unnatural with two shooting weapons.
I like Chaos Terminators; I like them even more with an Icon of Khorne; however the mix of additional weapons is here and there. They should be kitted out to fight in close combat so a sprinkling of lightening claws can be added along with an anti-vehicle (Dreadnought) element, so a couple of combi-meltas and/ or chainfists. Everything else is just gravy and there is too much gravy in this army.
Troops
I have no complaints about the make-up of any of the Berserker squads, eight dudes with a champion. The Champion has a powerfist or melta bomb/ power weapon combo, along with an icon bearer in each squad. One squad has a Chaos Rhino for transport, why? The Chaos Spawn taken as a Fast (see below) could have been traded in for a second Chaos Rhino. Four in total is better, each allowing a potential second turn charge. And while I am ranting, if the points were better co-ordinated throughout this list I am sure we could have seen a fifth Berserker squad, even if it is sans Chaos Rhino.
Fast Attack
A Chaos Spawn, why? One is going to add nothing to the army and the points could be spend batter on anything else.
Heavy Support
Obliterators are a great option, having Deep Striked them in several battles I have come to the conclusion that unless you have other firepower available for the first couple of turns set them up on the table from the start. Each tank is effectively destroyed on a 3, 5 or 6 as they only have a single weapon. Sponson lascannons are expensive, but points better spent than on extra armour.
To conclude the army is pretty, but please…
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Ebay Purchases: Part 2
The Forces of Disorder have been slacking this past two months; however most of the purchases have been for Emperors Children or their successors.
Emperors Children
An undercoated Chaos Spawn has already been added to my Flawless Host as a sign to all of the consequences of weakness. I will need to add purples and pinks to blend in with the colour scheme and then watch all my opponents ignore them on the battlefield.
Four Chaos Bikes have been put to one side for the Emperors Children, as I want a small biker bodyguard for Doomrider. Space Marine Command Retinues are five models strong and this seems a goodly number with Doomrider making six. I do not expect to see them often on the table, but they will be in my next Apocalypse game, which should be a straight-up fight of Emperors Children versus World Eaters.
Two more Sonic Blasters and a Blast Master have been added to eleven more recruits to Slaanesh. One of these is now on his way to becoming a Flawless Host Chaos Lord as the numbers of regular troops owned now allow me to build all four armies that I had planned, the two mirror armies from White Dwarf – one of which I have already talked about, a Flawless Host and my own Emperors Children warband. They should total five or six thousand points when they are all built and painted.
I have nearly finished a squad of six Chaos Terminators in Emperors Children colours. I have held off adding a Banner of Slaanesh due to numbers of powerfists and chainfists in the squad. They are intended to destroy Dreadnoughts in close combat and with their three combi-plasma guns heavy infantry (yes you loyalist Terminator scum).
I have finally managed to pick up one of the two Chaos Predators needed for my mirror Emperors Children army. Along with a Chaos Rhino for the Subjugators I should soon have all the pieces needed to get the two mirror armies built, if not painted.
Chaos Space Marines (Misc)
I have won a classic second edition World Eater armed with powerfist and chainsword; he will be accompanying a Chaos Rhino and looking for seven brethren to die for him. I really do need to sort out Khorne, or rather the World Eaters. There does seem to be one or more models in every box of W40K I have – who knows how many I actually own, who knows…
The second edition Chaos Champion with powerclaw was and still is my favourite miniature. Accompanied by nine brothers, five of which are second edition Chaos Space Marines I have another squad for the Black Legion which is just as well as I thinned their numbers quite recently to make The Purge. They have the ubiquitous Chaos Rhino to more them around the battlefield, and I think I will take the Havoc Launcher from the Chaos Predator and upgrade the Chaos Rhino.
The last two items I garnered are a Chaos Sorcerer, bought because it was converted with a plastic powerfist that will now go into the bits box and a Chaos Rhino. The Thousand Sons are always lacking resources in my collection, I think I have enough for three squads and that’s about it. The Sorcerer can become a squad leader as I downsize the squads from nine to a more manageable six. The Chaos Rhino will give them some much needed speed as one of my fellow gamers has squads of nine jumping out of a Chaos Rhino and rapid firing them. He always scores above average on his kills, but an average of five 3+ save models die in one volley, more if the Sorcerer has Winds of Chaos. The problem he has is that the squads never support one another; they kill a squad and then die in close combat. They could do with a ghostly fallback or teleport from close combat.
Emperors Children
An undercoated Chaos Spawn has already been added to my Flawless Host as a sign to all of the consequences of weakness. I will need to add purples and pinks to blend in with the colour scheme and then watch all my opponents ignore them on the battlefield.
Four Chaos Bikes have been put to one side for the Emperors Children, as I want a small biker bodyguard for Doomrider. Space Marine Command Retinues are five models strong and this seems a goodly number with Doomrider making six. I do not expect to see them often on the table, but they will be in my next Apocalypse game, which should be a straight-up fight of Emperors Children versus World Eaters.
Two more Sonic Blasters and a Blast Master have been added to eleven more recruits to Slaanesh. One of these is now on his way to becoming a Flawless Host Chaos Lord as the numbers of regular troops owned now allow me to build all four armies that I had planned, the two mirror armies from White Dwarf – one of which I have already talked about, a Flawless Host and my own Emperors Children warband. They should total five or six thousand points when they are all built and painted.
I have nearly finished a squad of six Chaos Terminators in Emperors Children colours. I have held off adding a Banner of Slaanesh due to numbers of powerfists and chainfists in the squad. They are intended to destroy Dreadnoughts in close combat and with their three combi-plasma guns heavy infantry (yes you loyalist Terminator scum).
I have finally managed to pick up one of the two Chaos Predators needed for my mirror Emperors Children army. Along with a Chaos Rhino for the Subjugators I should soon have all the pieces needed to get the two mirror armies built, if not painted.
Chaos Space Marines (Misc)
I have won a classic second edition World Eater armed with powerfist and chainsword; he will be accompanying a Chaos Rhino and looking for seven brethren to die for him. I really do need to sort out Khorne, or rather the World Eaters. There does seem to be one or more models in every box of W40K I have – who knows how many I actually own, who knows…
The second edition Chaos Champion with powerclaw was and still is my favourite miniature. Accompanied by nine brothers, five of which are second edition Chaos Space Marines I have another squad for the Black Legion which is just as well as I thinned their numbers quite recently to make The Purge. They have the ubiquitous Chaos Rhino to more them around the battlefield, and I think I will take the Havoc Launcher from the Chaos Predator and upgrade the Chaos Rhino.
The last two items I garnered are a Chaos Sorcerer, bought because it was converted with a plastic powerfist that will now go into the bits box and a Chaos Rhino. The Thousand Sons are always lacking resources in my collection, I think I have enough for three squads and that’s about it. The Sorcerer can become a squad leader as I downsize the squads from nine to a more manageable six. The Chaos Rhino will give them some much needed speed as one of my fellow gamers has squads of nine jumping out of a Chaos Rhino and rapid firing them. He always scores above average on his kills, but an average of five 3+ save models die in one volley, more if the Sorcerer has Winds of Chaos. The problem he has is that the squads never support one another; they kill a squad and then die in close combat. They could do with a ghostly fallback or teleport from close combat.
Ebay Purchases: Part 1
Well my Ebay purchases have well and truly coming to an end until November when I will be returning to Games Workshop for Codex: Dark Eldar and Forge Worlds Badab Wars books. I thought it would be retrospective to look at what happened during the past couple of months and see what I have managed to get in my sticky paws and what I plan to do with them. Who knows, perhaps I may have even repainted all the items by the time I make my next purchase, good luck holding your breath for that one…?
Given the quantity of stuff acquired I will split this into the Forces of Order and Disorder, it will help focus on what I have been wasting my money on:
Grey Knights
With Grey Knights coming out next year I have made a quick purchase or more likely hoover of various bids on EBay. Twenty-one basic Grey Knights with a couple of Incinerators and a Psycannon make up my bulk purchase and now give me four ten-men squads adding to my purchases last year. I think there are enough Imperial Storm Troopers to ensure I have all six Troop slots covered in a larger battle now. I will have to pick up a blister or two of spare arms from the GW website to make sure all the Grey Knights have two arms.
Next up are a pair of Space Marine Dreadnoughts, each with Assault Cannons. I have a spare twin-link Lascannon that I will upgrade one with and the other will have a converted twin-link Autocannon as they provide all the heavy firepower for my Grey Knights.
Added to the Grey Knight experience are three Terminators including two with Incinerators, I will have to see how many Terminators I already have and make sure I have no more than two squads worth in total. Currently I can do five man squads and I am hoping the new Codex keeps the same number.
With the new codex out next year I hope to paint-up what I currently have in readiness for the occasion. Perhaps even having a small battle or two with them and their third edition rules to see how they play. I have fought against them many a time with Lost and the Damned (back in third edition days), securing a win rate of around nine out of ten against them. My opponent suffered from their lack of numbers and minimal Incinerators being criminal against numerous squads of Mutants. They did have success against Chaos Daemons a couple of weeks ago, but the scenario they fought in would have seen an army of Gretchin kick Chaos Daemons butt.
Sisters of Battle
Another army that I acquired last year that has barely seen the light of day, the last time they fought I managed to immobilise four out of their five vehicles in difficult terrain. I have now added another Immolator with Heavy Flamers to the list along with two Sisters armed with flamers. For such an unloved army I do not understand why the figures go for so much on EBay and with no mention of an Armybook next year it will be at least 2012 before we see plastic Sisters. Most of this army is in three colours, black, grey-shading and boltgun metal. I think it is time I got around to painting the ladies robes red and unleashed the gold.
Black Templars
Soon to be the oldest Space Marine Codex out there and they have to roll for target priority just like in Third edition. Saying that I now have all the figures needed to build a 1k list less the Landraider Crusader. Additions so far include five regular Marines with boltguns along with six adepts armed with close combat weapons. I have a Rhino in need of Black Templar doors and half a dozen jump pack Templars. My main fast attack choice is going to be the two Attack Bikes hopefully armed with multi-meltas, I need to acquire a second multi-melta. I should have at least 1.5k of Templars; they just lack a Landraider or two before they can hit the 2k limit.
Angels of Vengeance
Just two purchases to keep them ticking over, a first edition Chaplain that I have since given a new storm bolter arm and a classic Dark Angel Captain armed with a large sword that I am sure will become a relic blade when I come to re-arm him.
Space Marines (Misc)
I have just acquired somehow, a third Dreadnought yesterday with my last ever bid, for a while at least. This bad boy armed with Missile Launcher and Assault Cannon will be the first of my Iron Hand Space Marines, I plan to sit down and make a list containing six Dreadnoughts in 2k points, two firepower Dreadnoughts a Veteran and hopefully three Ironclad. If I think big I can always fallback into reality later with a bump.
I do not own the new Blood Angels Codex but that did not stop me acquiring ten naked Death Company Marines, well nine and a Chaplain. They are armless and backpack-less, but they will go into the quiet corner where I am storing a mint second edition boxed set of Death Company. Back in third edition I had a small Flesh Tearers army that I am now contemplating rebuilding, when I gain the new Codex I will see what the other successor chapters look like.
Ten Tactical Space Marines have been repainted in Salamander colours, or my version of them. I think the Codex colour is too bright for them and can remember back in the day when they were black, so mine are a dark green, but not Dark Angel Green.
Six Space Marine Bikes will be added to the Crimson Fist Chapter to match the Ork Warbikers they often face. They still suffer from one attack each however I am hoping to rely on speed and T5 for them to survive the rigours of the battlefield.
Misc
Just two small purchases 4 Warp Spiders, you can never have too many Warp Spiders with their Strength 6 shots at rear armour and 3+ save. I also picked up half a dozen Cadians armed with lasguns. I am hoping to punch through the 100 figure barrier with them so I can safely put together a 3k for them with lots of vehicles.
Given the quantity of stuff acquired I will split this into the Forces of Order and Disorder, it will help focus on what I have been wasting my money on:
Grey Knights
With Grey Knights coming out next year I have made a quick purchase or more likely hoover of various bids on EBay. Twenty-one basic Grey Knights with a couple of Incinerators and a Psycannon make up my bulk purchase and now give me four ten-men squads adding to my purchases last year. I think there are enough Imperial Storm Troopers to ensure I have all six Troop slots covered in a larger battle now. I will have to pick up a blister or two of spare arms from the GW website to make sure all the Grey Knights have two arms.
Next up are a pair of Space Marine Dreadnoughts, each with Assault Cannons. I have a spare twin-link Lascannon that I will upgrade one with and the other will have a converted twin-link Autocannon as they provide all the heavy firepower for my Grey Knights.
Added to the Grey Knight experience are three Terminators including two with Incinerators, I will have to see how many Terminators I already have and make sure I have no more than two squads worth in total. Currently I can do five man squads and I am hoping the new Codex keeps the same number.
With the new codex out next year I hope to paint-up what I currently have in readiness for the occasion. Perhaps even having a small battle or two with them and their third edition rules to see how they play. I have fought against them many a time with Lost and the Damned (back in third edition days), securing a win rate of around nine out of ten against them. My opponent suffered from their lack of numbers and minimal Incinerators being criminal against numerous squads of Mutants. They did have success against Chaos Daemons a couple of weeks ago, but the scenario they fought in would have seen an army of Gretchin kick Chaos Daemons butt.
Sisters of Battle
Another army that I acquired last year that has barely seen the light of day, the last time they fought I managed to immobilise four out of their five vehicles in difficult terrain. I have now added another Immolator with Heavy Flamers to the list along with two Sisters armed with flamers. For such an unloved army I do not understand why the figures go for so much on EBay and with no mention of an Armybook next year it will be at least 2012 before we see plastic Sisters. Most of this army is in three colours, black, grey-shading and boltgun metal. I think it is time I got around to painting the ladies robes red and unleashed the gold.
Black Templars
Soon to be the oldest Space Marine Codex out there and they have to roll for target priority just like in Third edition. Saying that I now have all the figures needed to build a 1k list less the Landraider Crusader. Additions so far include five regular Marines with boltguns along with six adepts armed with close combat weapons. I have a Rhino in need of Black Templar doors and half a dozen jump pack Templars. My main fast attack choice is going to be the two Attack Bikes hopefully armed with multi-meltas, I need to acquire a second multi-melta. I should have at least 1.5k of Templars; they just lack a Landraider or two before they can hit the 2k limit.
Angels of Vengeance
Just two purchases to keep them ticking over, a first edition Chaplain that I have since given a new storm bolter arm and a classic Dark Angel Captain armed with a large sword that I am sure will become a relic blade when I come to re-arm him.
Space Marines (Misc)
I have just acquired somehow, a third Dreadnought yesterday with my last ever bid, for a while at least. This bad boy armed with Missile Launcher and Assault Cannon will be the first of my Iron Hand Space Marines, I plan to sit down and make a list containing six Dreadnoughts in 2k points, two firepower Dreadnoughts a Veteran and hopefully three Ironclad. If I think big I can always fallback into reality later with a bump.
I do not own the new Blood Angels Codex but that did not stop me acquiring ten naked Death Company Marines, well nine and a Chaplain. They are armless and backpack-less, but they will go into the quiet corner where I am storing a mint second edition boxed set of Death Company. Back in third edition I had a small Flesh Tearers army that I am now contemplating rebuilding, when I gain the new Codex I will see what the other successor chapters look like.
Ten Tactical Space Marines have been repainted in Salamander colours, or my version of them. I think the Codex colour is too bright for them and can remember back in the day when they were black, so mine are a dark green, but not Dark Angel Green.
Six Space Marine Bikes will be added to the Crimson Fist Chapter to match the Ork Warbikers they often face. They still suffer from one attack each however I am hoping to rely on speed and T5 for them to survive the rigours of the battlefield.
Misc
Just two small purchases 4 Warp Spiders, you can never have too many Warp Spiders with their Strength 6 shots at rear armour and 3+ save. I also picked up half a dozen Cadians armed with lasguns. I am hoping to punch through the 100 figure barrier with them so I can safely put together a 3k for them with lots of vehicles.
Monday, 20 September 2010
Operation 500: Week 1
So what I should be writing today is a list of all the models I have been busy painting this week and have now completed. However for one reason or another (a child under one and the internet) I have slacked during the first week of my painting challenge. 400 points should have been completed at a minimum, 800 points is the aim. I am on holiday for a week next week so ideally I will be making up the 400 or 800 points I miss that week this week and last, worst case I am 1200 points under on my painting schedule, best case scenario only 600 points.
So the gloves are coming off this week and I will get miniatures painted to try and claw back some of the lost ground, I may even try to sneak some paints and miniatures into my bags for next week. I have started painting the Salamanders and sorted out a number of figures to start putting together a Crimson Fist force. I have been digging out various Black Reach Space Marines so they will have a Captain, two Tactical squads and a Dreadnought. I do have additional Terminators somewhere however I want to add a third ten man squad to the Angels of Vengeance.
Having checked my bank account last night I will be making no new purchases from Games Workshop or EBay until November, six long weeks – how will I survive? In regards to loyalist Space Marines I have enough bikers for two full squads and several Land Speeders that I will have to start painting white over the black undercoat to get the White Scars up and running. I envisage a full force consisting of Scouts, Bikes for Troops, deep striking Terminators and Land Speeders for anti-tank support. The Scouts are going to be divided between White Scars and Angels of Vengeance so I will have to have a rummage and see how many I can produce. The metal Scouts will end up being Black Templar Adepts.
For the Forces of Chaos I am continuing work on all things Slaaneshi, which are two successor forces and two Emperors Children armies. The Alpha Legion will need to be sorted and work continues on the numerous Chaos Rhinos I have built and part painted a couple of years ago. I also want to finish The Purge either 1k, 1.5k or 2k depending on what I have already gotten built; I think it is closer to the 2k.
I will have to see what I have picked up during the past two weeks and ensure that I get that painted as quick as possible, the last thing I need is more unpainted items gathering dust hidden somewhere in the house. Hopefully everything will arrive before Friday when I am off to cloudy, grey, wet Wales.
So the gloves are coming off this week and I will get miniatures painted to try and claw back some of the lost ground, I may even try to sneak some paints and miniatures into my bags for next week. I have started painting the Salamanders and sorted out a number of figures to start putting together a Crimson Fist force. I have been digging out various Black Reach Space Marines so they will have a Captain, two Tactical squads and a Dreadnought. I do have additional Terminators somewhere however I want to add a third ten man squad to the Angels of Vengeance.
Having checked my bank account last night I will be making no new purchases from Games Workshop or EBay until November, six long weeks – how will I survive? In regards to loyalist Space Marines I have enough bikers for two full squads and several Land Speeders that I will have to start painting white over the black undercoat to get the White Scars up and running. I envisage a full force consisting of Scouts, Bikes for Troops, deep striking Terminators and Land Speeders for anti-tank support. The Scouts are going to be divided between White Scars and Angels of Vengeance so I will have to have a rummage and see how many I can produce. The metal Scouts will end up being Black Templar Adepts.
For the Forces of Chaos I am continuing work on all things Slaaneshi, which are two successor forces and two Emperors Children armies. The Alpha Legion will need to be sorted and work continues on the numerous Chaos Rhinos I have built and part painted a couple of years ago. I also want to finish The Purge either 1k, 1.5k or 2k depending on what I have already gotten built; I think it is closer to the 2k.
I will have to see what I have picked up during the past two weeks and ensure that I get that painted as quick as possible, the last thing I need is more unpainted items gathering dust hidden somewhere in the house. Hopefully everything will arrive before Friday when I am off to cloudy, grey, wet Wales.
Friday, 17 September 2010
The Green Hurts My Eyes
Well I finally started the first figures of Operation 500, a squad of Salamander Space Marines. I was using a standard boring configuration of flamer and missile launcher because that is what they are armed with. I dig out my guides to painting Salamanders and boy are they bright. Painted Snot Green with minimal shading/ highlighting – which is good. The figures looked too bright for me so I researched my Index Astartes article and they are pictured in a pre-heresy green colour of something less painful on the eyes. I still own a bottle of Salamander Black with a faint residue remaining, their original colour back in first edition. So in the end I have chosen what I would describe as Battle Green or Jungle Green from the early 1990’s when I was painting my Epic Imperial Guard army. It was bought as part of a boxed set of colours and the homemade label has come off…
So I plan to continue the minimal shading on the models and avoid inking the green as my usual brown/ chestnut wash will just make it look dirty. Now having ten figures to complete I should look towards making a quick 1k list to see what else I require. Both the Index Astartes article and the armylist in the Armageddon supplement limit Salamanders Fast options to one of each, it is also noted in the Index Astartes that they do not have many Scouts but the Company is larger than a traditional 1000 Space Marines.
Space Marine Captain (Combi-melta, Relic Blade)
140 points
I wanted cheap and effective, whilst giving the appearance of affluence and wealth. Hoping the combi-melta claws back the points because three attacks hitting on 3’s and killing on 2’s are going to take an awful long time to get a return. He will hopefully be rising with a combat squad in the Rhino, at least until he has a Command Squad in the next thousand points.
5 Assault Terminators (Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield)
200 points
I was originally going to take regular Terminators with a Heavy Flamer however the list does not have anything resembling a fighting force so I changed my mind. Past experience with the 2+/3++ guys has all been bad, I never seem to be able to effectively get them to where they are needed. With a more shooting list I will deepstrike and put my faith in the Emperor, and buy some new dice.
10 Tactical Space Marines (Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon)
200 points
I bought a standard squad hence I have taken one in the list. Only changes will be to the Veteran Sergeant who will be upgrading his chainsword and bolt pistol. These are simple conversions for a simple converter.
10 Tactical Space Marines (Lascannon, Powerfist, Rhino)
240 points
With the only transport vehicle in the army I thought it wise to upgrade the squads’ heavy weapon as there is now a glut of Ironclad Dreadnoughts hitting the table at the moment. With the combat squad leading the Captain I thought it prudent to add a fist to the list in case I find myself fighting something with armour greater than 12.
Whirlwind
85 points
It is cheap and will hide at the back of the table. Whilst I do not expect it to be very effective against my 3+ save compatriots it always holds a fear factor that the player will be forced to make several saves and fail them all. I have seen how effective three of these can be even against 3+ save armies.
Predator (Sponson Lascannons, Extra Armour)
135 points
I need something that is anti-tank hence the Sponson lascannons. As long as it survives long enough to take out anything big and nasty it can blow up. If I am facing nothing big and nasty then they will focus on 2+ save units, hopefully providing a distraction from other units that I will have to rely on, yes you Terminators…
Looking to the future I see a Land Raider for my last Heavy, a third Tactical unit with lots of melta, Command Squad and transport, with my last choices hopefully being Sternguard and Vanguard veterans as my only Fast choice.
So I plan to continue the minimal shading on the models and avoid inking the green as my usual brown/ chestnut wash will just make it look dirty. Now having ten figures to complete I should look towards making a quick 1k list to see what else I require. Both the Index Astartes article and the armylist in the Armageddon supplement limit Salamanders Fast options to one of each, it is also noted in the Index Astartes that they do not have many Scouts but the Company is larger than a traditional 1000 Space Marines.
Space Marine Captain (Combi-melta, Relic Blade)
140 points
I wanted cheap and effective, whilst giving the appearance of affluence and wealth. Hoping the combi-melta claws back the points because three attacks hitting on 3’s and killing on 2’s are going to take an awful long time to get a return. He will hopefully be rising with a combat squad in the Rhino, at least until he has a Command Squad in the next thousand points.
5 Assault Terminators (Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield)
200 points
I was originally going to take regular Terminators with a Heavy Flamer however the list does not have anything resembling a fighting force so I changed my mind. Past experience with the 2+/3++ guys has all been bad, I never seem to be able to effectively get them to where they are needed. With a more shooting list I will deepstrike and put my faith in the Emperor, and buy some new dice.
10 Tactical Space Marines (Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon)
200 points
I bought a standard squad hence I have taken one in the list. Only changes will be to the Veteran Sergeant who will be upgrading his chainsword and bolt pistol. These are simple conversions for a simple converter.
10 Tactical Space Marines (Lascannon, Powerfist, Rhino)
240 points
With the only transport vehicle in the army I thought it wise to upgrade the squads’ heavy weapon as there is now a glut of Ironclad Dreadnoughts hitting the table at the moment. With the combat squad leading the Captain I thought it prudent to add a fist to the list in case I find myself fighting something with armour greater than 12.
Whirlwind
85 points
It is cheap and will hide at the back of the table. Whilst I do not expect it to be very effective against my 3+ save compatriots it always holds a fear factor that the player will be forced to make several saves and fail them all. I have seen how effective three of these can be even against 3+ save armies.
Predator (Sponson Lascannons, Extra Armour)
135 points
I need something that is anti-tank hence the Sponson lascannons. As long as it survives long enough to take out anything big and nasty it can blow up. If I am facing nothing big and nasty then they will focus on 2+ save units, hopefully providing a distraction from other units that I will have to rely on, yes you Terminators…
Looking to the future I see a Land Raider for my last Heavy, a third Tactical unit with lots of melta, Command Squad and transport, with my last choices hopefully being Sternguard and Vanguard veterans as my only Fast choice.
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