Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Grey Knights 1200

Coteaz List

HQ: Inquistor Coteaz (100)

Troops (x2): 3x Warrior Acolytes, Razorback (storm bolters, psybolt ammo) (130)

Heavy Support (x2: Rifleman Dread (280)

Elites: Purifer Squad (2x Psycannon, 3x halberds, Razorback with psybolt ammo) (392)

Total: 901.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Blood Angels: Mk V

HQ: Librarian (Shield of Sanguinius, +1 power, jump pack)
125 points

Elites: Elite: 2x Sanguinary Priests (1x jump pack)
125 points

Troops: Assault Squad (10, melta-gun, flamer, Powerfist)
Troops: Assault Squad (10, melta-gun, flamer, Powerfist)
460 points

Troops: Scout Squad (5, sniper rifles, missile launcher, cammo cloaks)
100 points

Heavy Support: Devastator Squad (5, 4x missile launchers)
Heavy Support: Devastator Squad (5, 4x missile launchers)
Heavy Support: Devastator Squad (5, 4x missile launchers)
390 points

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Another Blood Army List

HQ: Librarian (Shield of Sanguinius, +1 power, jump pack)
125 points

Elites: Elite: 2x Sanguinary Priests (1x jump pack, 1x lightning claw)
140 points

Troops: Assault Squad (10, 2xmelta-gun, Thunder Hammer)
Troops: Assault Squad (10, 2xmelta-gun, Thunder Hammer)

480 points

Heavy Support: Devastator Squad (5, 4x missile launchers)
Heavy Support: Devastator Squad (5, 4x missile launchers)
260 points

Total 1005 points. So, not a bad 1000 point army.

To take it 1200...
Troops: Scouts, cammo cloaks, sniper rifles and missile launcher
100 points This unit to hang out with the devastators in the back field to hold an objective in objective based games.

3x land-speeders with multi-melta and heavy flamer for 180. Although the intent of this list was to avoid having any vehicles.

A unit of sanguinary guard for 200 points.

A tactical squad with flamer and missile launcher for 170 points.




Saturday, July 16, 2011

Grey Knights... one of everything

A grey knights list that is made up of a variety of units; no two the same. The basic idea is to try to build a competitive list that is up of completely different units, rather than spamming the one unit. The idea is that the inquisitors have had to assemble a force from an ad hoc range of available units quickly.

HQ: Coteaz: 100 (of course... goes with the psyker troops)
HQ: Inquisitor (exitus rifle; 3x servo skulls): 49 (goes with the servitor troops)

Troops: 3x Servitors (with plasma cannons); 2x Warrior Acolytes (storm bolters); Chimera: 129
Troops: 8x Psykers, 1x warrior acolyte (bolt gun); Rhino: 125
Troops: 5x Warrior Acolytes (stormbolters); Razorback (with psybolt ammo): 85
Troops: 5x GKSS (psycannon); Razorback (psybolt): 160
Troops: 3x Warrior Acolytes; Razorback (Lasplas): 92
Troops: 8x Death Cult Assassins; Rhino (extra armor): 160
Heavy Support: Dreadnought (2x twin-linked auto-cannon, psybolt ammo): 135
Fast Attack: 5x GK Interceptor Strike Squad (daemon hammer and psycannon): 140
(1185)

The basic plan is to dominate the mid-field and rely on shooting. The dreadnought and the Lasplas Razorback and back field fire support. The DCA unit is counter attacking assault units. The psykers are a gamble; but could destroy any cluster of units such as a horde or a parking lot of vehicles or even a foot slogging terminator army (Str 10; AP1 large blast). The GKIS unit is to provide for some disruption and fast movement. 6 troop units will make object based games easy. The extra 15 points could give the DCA rhino extra armor or up grad the vehicle to a chimera. The WA's with the servitors could be given plasma guns. There is some fun here as the servitors and/or the psykers could easily just blow themselves up :)

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Blood Angels Jumper list... a proper one

Really, this kind of list can only be effective at this points level without Dante and some different HQ and elite choices. Really need to the Feel No Pain and Furious charge bubble going with some S-Priests. One priest to run with the jumps (jump pack and lightning claw) the other bare-bones to hang with the devastators. The librarian also goes with assault troops to provide the 5+ cover saves.

HQ: Librarian (Shield of Sanguinius, +1 power, jump pack)
125 points

Elites: Elite: 2x Sanguinary Priests (1x jump pack, 1x lightning claw)
140 points

Troops: Assault Squad (10, 2xmelta-gun, lightning claw)
Troops: Assault Squad (10, 2xmelta-gun, lightning claw)
Troops: Assault Squad (10, 2xmelta-gun, lightning claw)
675 points

Heavy Support: Devastator Squad (5, 4x missile launchers)
Heavy Support: Devastator Squad (5, 4x missile launchers)
260 points

43 space marines, with feel no pain and furious charge. It might just work, although I don't really want t buy all those assault marines.


Thursday, June 16, 2011

Blood Angels 1200 pts

HQ: Dante
225 points

Troops: Sanguinary Guard (5, infernus pistol and banner)
240 points

Heavy Support: Devastator Squad (4x missile launchers)
Heavy Support: Devastator Squad (4x missile launchers)
260 points

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plus:

Troops: Assault Squad (5, lasplas razorback)
Troops: Assault Squad (5, lasplas razorback)
Troops: Assault Squad (5, lasplas razorback)
465 points

or

Troops: Assault Squad (10, flamer, melta-gun, thunder hammer)
Troops: Assault Squad (10, flamer, melta-gun, thunder hammer)
470

or

Troops: Assault Squad (5, melta-gun, lasplas razorback)
Troops: Assault Squad (5, melta-gun, lasplas razorback)
Elite: 2x Sanguinary Priests (1x jump pack, 1x lightning claw)
470




Blood Angels: Mk IV

I'm sticking with Dante for HQ, and a big silly deathstar unit. The rest is all shooty stuff.

HQ: Dante

Troop: Sanguinary Guard (5, infernus pistol)
Elite: Sanguinary Priest with jump packs

Troop: 5x assault squad (Lasplas razorback)
Troop: 5x assault squad (Lasplas razorback)

Heavy Support: Devastator Squad (4x missile launchers)
Heavy Support: Devastator Squad (4x missile launchers)

Fast Attack: Landspeeder (multi-melta, flamer)
Fast Attack: Landspeeder (multi-melta, flamer)

1200 point Grey Knights (again)

Trying not to build a pure Coteaz list, but a 50/50 list that is half inquisition and half grey knights. Also a non-spam army, not too cheesy army. While I subscribe to the idea to "take two of everything good", in this list that is not possible due to point size and the 50/50 rule.

HQ: Coteaz: 100

Troops: 3x Servitors (with plasma cannons and/or multimelta); Chimera: 115
Troops: 5x Warrior Acolytes (stormbolters); Razorback (with psybolt ammo): 85
Troops: 6x Psykers; Rhino: 105
Troops: 10x Death Cult Assassins; Chimera (extra armor): 205
(510 of inquisitorial troops)

HQ: Inquisitor with rad and psyotroke grenades: 75

Troops: 5x Terminators (sword, daemon hammer, 2x halberds, falchions, psycannon) 235
Fast Attack: 5x GK Interceptor Strike Squad (daemon hammer or psycannon): 140
Heavy Support: Dreadnought (2x twin-linked auto-cannon, psybolt ammo): 135
(510 of GKs)

Edit:

Tempting to find a way to add this unit:
Heavy Support: 5x GK Purgation Squad (4x incinerator): 100

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Grey Knights (1200) one of everything

Inquisitor Coteaz 100

Troops: Henchmen warband 60
Troops: Henchmen warband 120
Troops: Henchmen warband 205
Troops: Terminators 230
troops: strike squad 110

Elites: Purifier squad 130
Elites: Vindacare Assassin 145
Heavy support: psy-rifle man 135
1235

Blood Angels 1200 pts, mkIII

HQ: Dante

Troop: Sanguinary Guard (5, infernus pistol)
Troop: Sanguinary Guard (5, infernus pistol)

Heavy Support: Devastator Squad (4x missile launchers)
Heavy Support: Devastator Squad (4x missile launchers)

Fast Attack: Landspeeder (multi-melta, flamer)
Fast Attack: Landspeeder (multi-melta, flamer)

175 points left over.

Need another troop unit.
Troop: Scouts (5, 4x sniper rifles, cammo cloaks, missile launcher)
Sanguinary priest (jump pack)
--or--
Troop: Tactical Squad (10, flamer and plasma cannon; or melta-gun and multimelta)

Other items to consider:

Another Landspeeder (multimelta, flamer)
A Sang priest with jump pack?
Another unit of 5 scouts?
Company banner and a couple more scouts?


Monday, June 13, 2011

Grey Knights -- Other Units to consider

Consider some units for a mixed list. e.g. a Crowe/Coteaz hybrid list

Coteaz: 100

2x Purifer squad (5 models, 4x halberd, 1x daemon hammer, razorback with psybolt ammo): 183
2x DCA unit 205
2x Psyker unit 120

86 points left.

Blood Angels 1200 pts, mkII

A list I can field without buying new models

Dante
Sanguinary Guard (5, infernus pistol and banner)
465 points

Tactical Squad (10, flamer, plasma cannon, power fist)
Assault Squad (10, flamer, meltagun, thunder hammer)
435 points

Devastator Squad (3x missile launchers, 1x lascannon)
Devastator Squad (3x missile launchers, 1x lascannon)
290 points

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Blood Angels 1200 pts.

Thinking about entering a 1200 points tournament.

Starting with my basic 1000 pt army, need to add 200 pts:

HQ Death Star Unit:
Dante
Sanguinary Guard (infernus pistol and banner)
Sanguinary Priest with power weapon and jump pack
555 points

Assault Squad with 8 marines and thunder hammer
Devastator Squad with 4x missile launchers
Devastator Squad with 4x missile launchers
444 points

The problems are only having two troop units and so many points sunk in the Dante's death star unit.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The easy option is adding another Sanguinary guard unit for 200 points.

Another option, to mix it up a bit is to add some armor with three land speeders with multi-melta and flamer (and have 20 points left over) or even 1-2 of the above and 1-2 stock standard Predators.

Another option is a Baal Predator (plus a landspeeder), but one piece or armor is begging to get killed in turn one.

Furioso Dreadnought with blood talons and drop pod and two extra assault marines for assault squad (can now combat squad them... but seems little point).

<><><><><><><><><>

Could drop the priest from Dante's squad.

Then get Baal Predators (flame storm cannons) x2 plus land-speeder (multimelta/flamer)

Another devastator squad, 2 landspeeders, and two more assault marines.

<><><><><><><><><><>

Another list:

Dante
Sanguinary Guard (infernus pistol and banner)
465 points

Sanguinary Guard (infernus pistol)
Sanguinary Guard (infernus pistol)
420 points

Devastator Squad with 4x missile launchers
Devastator Squad with 4x missile launchers
260 points

(55 points left over)

<><><><><><><><><><><>

What do I have...

Dante
20+ model tactical squad
9 model assault squad
1 priest and/or another assault model
5 model sanguinary guard squad
2x 5 model devastator squad
dreadnought (but will need mods)
razorback
rhino

<><><><><><><><><><><><>

1200 Grey Knight List (Coteaz) mk II

HQ:
Coteaz
Retinue 3x servitors with plasma cannons, chimera, 2 x warrior acolyte: 223

Troops:
Death cult assassins (9 models, chimera, extra armor): 205
Death cult assassins (9 models, chimera, extra armor): 205
Death cult assassins (9 models, chimera, extra armor): 205
Psykers (8 models, rhino): 120
Psykers (8 models, rhino): 120
Psykers (8 models, rhino): 120

total: 1198

p.s. Get a couple of search lights.
<><><><><><><>

1200 Grey Knight List (Coteaz)

HQ:
Coteaz
Retinue 3x servitors with plasma cannons, chimera, 2 x warrior acolyte with plasma gun: 243

Troops:
Death cult assassins (6 models, razorback with psybolt ammo): 140
Death cult assassins (6 models, razorback with psybolt ammo): 140
Death cult assassins (6 models, razorback with psybolt ammo): 140
Psykers (8 models, rhino): 120
Psykers (8 models, rhino): 120
Psykers (8 models, rhino): 120

Total: 1023
<><><><><>

And

Ordo Xenos Inquisitor (power sword, power armor, 3 servo skulls, psychotroke grenades) 67
Retinue: Death cult assassins (8 models, Chimera) total: 242

Or

Purifiers (8 models, incinerator, 4x halberd rhino) total: 242

Or
Replace these: 3x Death cult assassins (6 models, razorback with psybolt ammo): 140
with these: 3x Death cult assassins (10 models, rhino, extra armor): 205
and have 48 points left over.


Got my math wrong...

<><><><><><><><><><>

Winning list:

HQ:
Coteaz
Retinue 3x servitors with plasma cannons, chimera, 2 x warrior acolyte: 223

Troops:
Death cult assassins (10 models, rhino, extra armor): 205
Death cult assassins (10 models, rhino, extra armor): 205
Death cult assassins (10 models, rhino, extra armor): 205
Psykers (8 models, rhino): 120
Psykers (8 models, rhino): 120
Psykers (8 models, rhino): 120

total: 1198

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Grey Knights 1200 Mordrak list

HQ:
Mordrak with 5 Ghost knights (sword, hammer, 3x halberd) 400

GKSS (10 models with 2x psycannon, 1x Demon hammer, psybolt ammo) 250
GKTS (5 models with incinerator, daemon hammer, halberd, falchions) 210

Dreadknight with personal teleporter 205

Dreadnought with twin-linked autocannon and psybolt ammo 135

Total 1200.

Notes: Needs transport for GKSS (Rhino-40; Razorback with psybolt ammo 50).

Strategy: Give Dreadknight (+1-2 other units Scout ability). Use 30' teleport move in scout phase to get into assault range. Drop Mordrak's unit close in turn one. If an objectives-based game against a close combat army could make the dreadknight and/or dreadnought troops.


<><><><><><><><><>

Other units:

Need a transport for the GKSS

Ordo Xenos Inquisitor (power sword, power armor, 3 servo skulls, psychotroke grenades) 67
With:
Death cult assassins (11 models Chimera) total: 287
Death cult assassins (5 models, razorback with psybolt ammo): 192

Ordo Malleus Inquisitor (hell rifle, power armor, 3 servo skulls) 57
With:
Retinue: 3x servitors (3 models with 3 plasma cannons) total: 117

GKIS (4x swords; 1x daemon hammer) 140

Purifier squad (4x falchions) 140 (anti-horde)

Other option: replace Mordrak with Corteaz
Two of these as troops:
Death cult assassins (6 models, razorback with psybolt ammo): 140
And retinue: 3x servitors (2x heavy bolter; 1x plasma cannon): 40

Without Mordrak and Grand Strategy, the Dreadknight is not much use.

<><><><><><><><><><><>




Sunday, May 22, 2011

Blood Angels revisited - 1000 pts

Revisiting my Blood Angel List.

HQ Death Star Unit remains the same:

Dante
Sanguinary Guard (infernus pistol and banner)
Sanguinary Priest with power weapon and jump pack
555 points

Assault Squad with 8 marines and thunder hammer
Devastator Squad with 4x missile launchers
Devastator Squad with 4x missile launchers
444 points

A different configuration on the lists below.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Dark Eldar Revisited

With the anouncement of the new Dark Eldar Boxed Army set, I though it would be worth looking at an army list that was, more or less, straight out of the box.

The army box contains units of Kabalite Warriors; Wyches; Reaver Jetbikes; and a Raider transport. So here is the army.

HQ: Archon with agonizer, ghostplate armor and clone field (or shadowfield), and drugs (120 pts)
Troop One: Kabalite Warriors x10 with blaster and dark lance (125 pts)
Troop Two: Wyches x7, haywire grenades, hekatrix with agonizer (114 pts)
Fast Attack: 3x Reaver Jetbikes with blaster (81 pts)
Transport: Raider with dark lance (60 pts)

This list certainly has weaknesses, but it can be achieved through buying just the army box and the Archon HQ (or, just the box if your opponent will let you proxy the HQ from a spare Wych model). I is a good, cheap start. The list is neat and tidy and should perform well.

Blood Angels: an Army that Grows -- 750 --> 1000 --> 1500

The list begins at 750 points:
Dante
Sanguinary Guard with infernus pistol
Devastator Squad with 4 missile launchers
Assault Squad with 8 marines and thunder hammer

The list is added to to make 1000 points:
Tactical Squad with missile launcher, power fist, flamer and rhino

The list is added to again to make 1500 points:
Furoso Dreadnought with blood talons and drop pod
Sanguinary Guard with infernus pistol
Devastator Squad with 4 missile launchers

Given models already owned, this is the cheapest list to develop up to the 1000 point mark. I only need to buy: Dante, Sanguinary Guard, Devastator and Army boxes to achieve this.

I'm missing the Sanguinary Priest in this set-up; also the chapter banner I'm not sure how important that is, or if the priest and/or banner are worth the points anyway.

This will be my fun list/army.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

1000 Point Blood Angels Army

Here the start of a 1000 point army.

The following three units go together as the death star unit for the army:

Death Star Unit
HQ: Commander Dante
Troops: Sanguinary Priest with Power Weapon
Elite: Sanguinary Guard with Infernus Pistol and Chapter Banner

Total of 555 points. Now, how to spend the remaining 445 points?

Option One:
Sanguinary Guard with Infernus Pistol
Tactical Squad of 5 Marines with Melta-Gun
Devastator Squad with 4 Missile Launchers

This list gives a second sanguinary guard as troops and a devastator squad for some heavy support. However, it leaves me with 100 or so points, which is hard to fill anything exciting. The extra troop will help to hold an objective in objective games I guess.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Option Two:
Landspeeder with Multi-Melta and Heavy Flamer
Landspeeder with Multi-Melta and Heavy Flamer
Devastator Squad with 3 Missile Launchers
Tactical Squad of 5 marines with Melta-Gun and Razorback with Twin-Linked Lascannons

This list gives some fast moving attack options and snuggles the 5 man tactical squad inside a vehicle. the Razorback can provide some long range support. This is intended as an anti-tank/vehicle list.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Option Three:
Devastator Squad with 4 Missile Launchers
Landspeeder with Typhon missile launchers
Assault squad with ten marines, thunder hammer and flamer

It has a strong assault squad (but could be a little stronger) and reasonable long range support.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Option Four:
Devastator Squad with 4 Missile Launchers
Devastator Squad with 4 Missile Launchers
Tactical Squad with five marines and Razorback with twin-linked lascannons.

Missile spam!

In this option could substitute the tactical squad and Razorback for an Assault Squad with 7 members, thunder hammer and a flamer/meltagun.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

These last two options will require the minimum purchase of new models :)

Option Five-I
Devastator squad with 4 Missile Launchers
Tactical Squad with 10 marines, flamer, Missile Launcher, and power fist and Rhino
Landspeeder with Multi-Melta and Heavy Flamer

Option Five-II
Devastator squad with 4 Missile Launchers
Tactical Squad with 10 marines, flamer, Lascannon, and power fist
Baal Predator with flamestorm cannon

Thursday, May 5, 2011

A big fun Grey Knights List

A big army that is approximately 50/50 Grey Knights and Imperial Inquisitors.

HQ:
Mordrak with 5 ghost knights (4 x halberd; 1x daemon hammer) (400)
Inquisitor Coteaz (100)

Elites:
Tech Marine with Conversion Beamer (110)
Vindicare Assassin (145)

Troop:
Inquisitorial Henchmen Warband (12): 10x Death Cult Assassins; 2x Warrior Acolyte with melta guns; Chimera with Extra Armor and searchlight (249)
Inquisitorial Henchmen Warband (12): 10x Death Cult Assassins; 2x Warrior Acolyte with melta guns; Chimera with Extra Armor and searchlight (249)
Inquisitorial Henchmen (9): Warband 6x Psykers; 3x Servitors with plasma cannon; Chimera with Extra Armor and searchlight (191)
Terminator Squad (6): 1x halberd, 1x halberd with psycannons, 1x 1x falchions, 1x brotherhood banner, 1x daemon hammer; 1x Justicar with master crafted daemon hammer (300)
Troops: Terminator Squad (6): 1x halberd, 1x halberd with psycannons, 1x sword, 1x falchions, 1x daemon hammer; 1x Justicar with master crafted daemon hammer (275)

Fast Attack:
Interceptor Squad (5): Justicar with master-crafted daemon hammer (145)

Heavy Support:
Dreadnought with 2x twin-linked autocannon and psy-bolt ammunition (135)
Dreadnought with 2x twin-linked autocannon and psy-bolt ammunition (135)
Nemesis Dreadknight with Nemesis Daemon Hammer (140)


Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Bog Standard Space Marines list

HQ: Not important ATM... any 100 pt choice.

Troops:
Troop One: Scout Squad: 5 scouts, 3 with sniper rifles; one with heavy bolter (and hellfire shells!); camo cloaks (does Telion stop camo cloaks working?); Sergeant Telion (150 pt)
Troop Two: Scout Squad: 5 scouts; combat blades; sergeant with power fist; and razorback (140 pts)

Fast Attack:
Landspeeder with multi melta (60 pts)
Land Speeder Storm (50 pts)

Obviously, stick the CC squad in the Storm. The HQ should join the other scout squad. Need to look at HQ choices for a good ranged HQ.

The idea on this one will be to maximize the advantage of scout and infiltrate moves to get troop two into combat quickly and troop one into a good, covered, position where they can shoot at stuff.

This is a neat list.

Space Marine (Salamander) Army List

This one is hard because Vulkan He'stan is 190 points. I will do it as a 1,000 point army due to cost of the HQ. I like the Vulkan's special rule, which is why I have settled on this one.

HQ: Vulkan He'stan (190 pts)

Troops:
Tactical Squad: 10 marines with flamer; multimelta; Sergeant with combi-flamer and powerfist and melta bomb, rhino (245)
Tactical Squad: 10 marines with flamer; multimelta; Sergeant with combi-flamer and powerfist and melta bomb (245)

Elites:
Terminator Assault Squad: 5 storm shield and thunder hammer terminators (200)

Fast Attack:
Landspeeder with heavy flamer and multi-melta (70 pts)
Landspeeder with heavy flamer and multi-melta (70 pts)
Landspeeder with heavy flamer and multi-melta (70 pts)

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

However, here is an interesting idea for a 500 pointer:

HQ: Vulkan He'stan (190 pts)

Troops:
Scouts Squad: 5 Scouts with Sergeant with multi-flamer (85 pts)
Scouts Squad: 5 Scouts with Sergeant with multi-melta (85 pts)

Fast Attack:
Landspeeder with heavy flamer and multi-melta (70 pts)
Landspeeder with heavy flamer and multi-melta (70 pts)






Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Grey Knights

The grey Knight codex looks like a lot of fun and my son is dead keen on getting some of them.

Here are some quick Grey Knight 500 point army lists.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

List One - Terminator foot-sloggers

HQ: Brotherhood Champion (100 pts)
Troop One: Terminator Squad (4x Nemesis Force Halberds and Justicar with Daemon Hammer) (200 pts)
Troop Two: Terminator Squad (4x Nemesis Force Halberds and Justicar with Daemon Hammer) (200 pts)

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

List Two - Purifers

HQ: Castallan Crowe (150 pts)
Troop One: Purifer Squad (Knight of the Flame with Master Crafted Daemon Hammer) (130pts)
Troop Two: Purifer Squad (5x Nemessis Force Halberds) (130 pts)

Dedicated Transports: 2x Razorbacks (90 pts)

Notes: not a fan of the purifers, but a tidy little army with a bit of mobility.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

List Three - Grey Knight only; Maxing models with some movement options

HQ - Brotherhood Champion (100 pts)
Troop One - Grey Knight Strike Squad with Psycannon (110 pts)
Troop Two - Grey Knight Strike Squad with Razorback (psybolt ammunition) (150 pts)
Troop Three - Grey Knight Interceptor Squad with Justicar with Nemesis Daemon Hammer (140 pts)

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

List Four - The Spanish Inquisition

HQ - Inquistor Coteaz (100 pts)
HQ - Ordo Malleus Inquisitor with Hellrifle (40 pts)
Troop One - 7x Death Cult Assassins and 3x Crusaders (150 pts)
Troops Two - 6x Psychers (60 pts) (Note! --> Psychic Barrage: range 36"; Str 8; AP 1; Assault 1, Large Blast)
Troop Three - 3x Inquistorial Servitors 2x Heavy Bolters; 1x Plasma Cannon (40 pts)

Dedicated Transports - 2x Inquistorial Chimeras (110 pts) for troops one and two.

Put Ordo Malleus Inquisitor with the servitors. The Chimeras are open topped vehicles, so troops can fire from them.

Note: Ordo Xenos Inquistor with Conversion Beamer (70 pts) is a very interesting option. Troops two and three could be combined into one troop.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

List Five - Grey Knight only; Mix and Match

HQ - Brotherhood Champion (100 pts)
Troop One - Grey Knight Strike Squad (100 pts)
Troop Two - Grey Knight Terminators (4x Nemesis Force Halberds and Justicar with Daemon Hammer) (200 pts)

100 pts left.

Could use these points to turn HQ into a Librarian (150 points plus some extras for Psyker abilities; Digital and Master Crafted Weapons) and a Psycannon for the Strike Squad.

Could use them to turn the HQ unit into a Grey Knight Grand Master (175 points) with some upgrades.

Could add Justicar Thawn (75 pts) to the Terminator Squad

Could use them to get a Razorback Transport for the strike squad.

Not a compelling list. the problem with trying to get terminators in an army list of this size is that they end up foot-slogging it.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

List Six

HQ - Brotherhood Champion with Digital Weapons (105 pts)
Troop One - Grey Knight Strike Squad with Psycannon (110 pts)
Troop Two - Grey Knight Strike Squad with Justicar with Nemesis Force Halberd (105 pts)

Heavy Support - Dreadnought with 2x Twin-linked Auto Cannons (Range 48"; Str 7; AP 4; Heavy 2) and Psybolt Ammunition (+1 Str) = 4x twin linked Str 8 shots (135 pts)

Dedicated Transport: 1x RazorBack (45 pts)

<><><><><><><><><><><><>

Other thoughts and tasty choices:

A Razorback with Twin-Linked Assault Cannons and Psybolt Ammo (Range 24"; Str 7; AP 4; 4 Heavy, Rending) for 85 points seems very tasty. Taken with a Standard Grey Knight Troop choice; 185 points.

There seems to be little worthwhile value for points upgrades to the standard troop choice of GK Strike Squad.

The Terminator Troop choice with 2x Nemesis Halberds and 2x Demon Hammers and Justicar Thawn (275 pts).

Heavy Support - Dreadnought with 2x Twin-linked Auto Cannons (Range 48"; Str 7; AP 4; Heavy 2) and Psybolt Ammunition (+1 Str) = 4x twin linked Str 8 shots (135 pts)

Nemesis Dreadknight with Nemesis Great Sword and Personal Teleporter and Gatling Psilancer (240 pts): 30" teleport and moves like jump infantry (12").

Grey Knight Inceptor Squad with 4x Nemesis Halberds and Justicar with master crafted Dameon Hammer (155 pts). Again with the 30" teleport and jump infantry movement.




Friday, April 1, 2011

Space Wolves Revisited

The Psychic ability "Jaws of the World Wolf" looks very overpowered. I think this is a definite selection. However, it may not perform very well in small 500 point battles.

1000+ points of Bolod Angels

Blood Angels have a number of awesome units that cannot be fitted into a 500 point army. These are units I would definitely take for larger armies or for just pwning at the local Games Workshop store.

Commander Dante (225 pts)
Sanguinary Guard (200 pts) Note Commander Dante makes Sang. Guard a troop choice. Plus 1-4 Infernius pistols and if some points to spare, Banner.

The above two units can be combined to produce a fearsome deep strike unit. Dante does not scatter, so can lob in with Sanguinary guard next to command vehicles etc. and knock them out.

Furisoso Dreadnought (125 pts). Replace both Blood Fists with Blood Talons (free). This dreadnought is now a close combat monster.Add a drop pod for 35 pts; or manage to buy a Storm Raven (200 pts).

I rally want to run with Predator tank... but for the points cost, I'm not usre it is worth it; unless it is a Bael Predator against swarm type armies.


Blood Angels

OK, enough faffing about. Here is the Blood Angels list.

HQ: Librarian with jump pack (Psychic abilities: TBA, but probably include The Sanguine Sword) (125 pts)
Troop: Assault Squad with meltagun plus Sergeant with Thunder Hammer (140 pts)
Troop: Scouts Squad with snipe rifles and missile launcher (85 pts)
Fast attack: Land Speeder with multi-melta (60 pts)
Fast attack: Land Speeder with Typhoon Missile Launcher (90 pts)

Total: 500 pts.

Basic strategy: Librarian with assault troops. Scout Squad to hold objectives, hang back and shoot at stuff. One land speeder to to kill tanks. Second land speeder to lob missiles at enemy.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Blood Angels

Jut some doodles to start.

HQ - Librarian with two powers depending on opposition (100 pts)

Troop One - 5x Tactical Squad 5 man (90 pts) with Razorback (55 pts)

Troop Two - 5x Tactical Squad (90 pts) with Razorback (55 pts)

Heavy Support - 5x Devastator Squad with 4 missile launchers (130 pts - but not as good as Space Wolves equivalent as can shoot at one target)

Total: 520 pts and as not as effective as the Space Wolves army.

Sub the Devastator squad for a Baal Predator (115 pts) and still 5 pts over.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

HQ - Librarian (100pts) with Jump Packs (25 pts) 125 pt

Troop One - Assault Squad with jump pack and lightning claws for Sargeant (115 pts)
Troop Two - Assault Squad with jump pack and lightning claws for Sargeant (115 pts) (relentless plus other special abilities)
Elite - Sanginary Priests with jump packs (75 pts) and lightning claws (90 pts)

Total: 445

Option one
- upgrade Sergeants and Priest's lighting claws to to power fists for 10pts each and/or add melta bombs or meltas to each of the troop units.
Option two - Take Wings of Sanguinius as one of Librarian psker power add meltas or melta bombs to both troops and take Predator.
Option three - One troop takes no jump packs and a dedicated Razor Back as troop transport; get rid of Priest and Librarian's jump packs; Predator. Up grade a Lightening Claw.
Option four - One troop take no jump packs, a dedicated troop transport such as a Razor Back; priest or Librarian also ditch jump packs (total points 440); and both troops up grade their Sergeants' weapons.

<><><><><><><><><>
HQ - Librarian - 100 points
Troop One and Two - 10 man Tactical Squad (2 squads) with missile launcher and plasma gun and Sarg with melta bomb and storm bolter (198 pts)
Storm Raven (200 pts)

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Heavy Support - Baal Predator (115 pts)

Total points: too many points, doable with normal Predator or if removing some of the upgrades.

<><><><><><><><><><><>

1000 point ideas

Librarian - 100 points
Tactical Squad - 190 point
Storm Raven - 200 pts
Baal Predator - 115 points
Assault Squad - 200 points
Brother Corbulo 1o5.
Terminator Assult Squad with Priest (285)

<><><><><><><>

Also tempting - Storm Raven (Fast, Skimmer, Assault Vehicle. 21-26" asault distance is what attracted me to Dark Eldar with Fleet. Without Fleet special rule)

Sanginary Priests (50 pts each, 1-3, confer Feel no Pain and Furious Assault on units within 6"; can take Brother Corbulo for 105 pts for each abilities and toughness)

Death Company (60 pts for 3; 20 pts each for more); Feel No Pain, Furious Charge, Rage, Relentless, and Fearless

Predator (fast, tank) for 70 points! But would probably want to upgrade the gun and/or add side sponsons

A Terminator Assault Squad with a Priest in Terminator Armor with power sword (200 + 85 pts) looks almost unstoppable against most troops and infantry. Pity it cannot be mounted in a Storm Raven.

<><><><><><><><><>

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Space Wolves

I found some 500 point proposals for Space Wolves 500 point armies on a discussion forum called dakadaka (or something like that). Apologies for my newbieness and apologies for not being able to attribute my design appropriately.

I hybridized the two with some advice from a third and here is my 500 point Space Wolves Army.

HQ: Rune Priest with Living Lightning and Tempest Wrath(100 pts)
Troops One: Grey Hunters x5 with Melta Gun (80 pts)
Transport One: Razorback with Twin Linked Assault Cannons (75 pts)
Troops Two: Grey Hunters x5 with Melta Gun (80 pts)
Transport Two: Razorback with Twin Linked Assault Cannons (75 pts)
Heavy Support: Long Fang x4 with 3x Missile Launcher (90 points)

Basic operational idea: team the Rune Priest with the Heavy Support Unit. The two troop units to push forward and to take objective; Long Fang in support.

To be honest, I think this spends too much on the Razorback Transports. They will die early, but at least there is two of them so it should take a couple of turns.

Space Wolf Option Two

A min/max missile launcher spam approach, might look like this:

HQ: Rune Priest with Living Lightning and Tempest Wrath(100 pts)
Troops One: Grey Hunters x5 with Meltagun (80 pts)
Troops Two: Grey Hunters x5 with Meltagun (80 pts)
Heavy Support: Long Fang x5 with 4x Missile Launcher (115 points)
Heavy Support: Long Fang x5 with 4x Missile Launcher (115 points)
Total: 490 points

This leaves 10 points for minor enhancements. To be honest, the Grey Hunters' Meltaguns are not need given the two Long Fang units. Removing the Meltaguns leaves 20 points to play with.

I find the above set-up hard to beat. I think it is the one I would play as a Space Wolf. However, finding all the necessary Missile Launcher bits to build this micro army will be extremely difficult, or extremely expensive $$$-wise.
I've been playing about with the Dark Eldar list again, but cannot make a decision.

This is probably why I'm obsessing about 500 point armies; the design space is so constrained there is little room for choice. And yet... that is where it becomes interesting. Design is about constraints. However, in WH 40k, as in many other games, there is amble opportunity to min/max, or be "cheesey"... as my upcoming lists will show... well, I think they will.

My previous lists were a little obsessed with worried about armor. However, after a bit of research I release that in the 500 point space there will not be much armor to worry about other than low armor level transports and the like. Sure an Imperial guard player could min/max to get a Leman Russ Battle tank; but a little anti-armor melta insurance should take care of that.

One idea is to switch the Dark lances on my original idea to change the Ravager's Dark Lances in my original (1.0) list to Disintergrators (and maybe the Raiders the other way) to up the anti- infantry and anti-swarm capacity. In this philosophy some Melta gun type stuff needs to be retained somewhere just in case.

The problem with my Dark Eldar list arises from countering the 500 point army I will post next. There are probably many more problems, but the problems of countering Space Marines has to be high on one's list of concerns. The problem really is how to counter Space Marines (of what ever flavor) that takes one or more Devastator Squads armed with multiple missile launchers. Those missile launchers will make short work of ANY Dark Eldar Vehicle on the field of play.

My [maybe] final Dark Eldar list for fighting space marine units is:

HQ: Archon with Agonizer, Ghostplate Armor and Clone Field*, and drugs (120 pts)
Troop One: Wyches x7: with Shardnet and Impaler (80 pts)
Transport: Raider with Dark Lance Cannon (60 pts)
Troop Two: Wyches x7: Hekatrix, Agonizer (100 pts)
Transport: Raider with Dark Lance Cannon (60 pts)
Fast attack: Reavers x3 (66)

The idea here is to use the Reavers to shut down the Space Marines Devastator Squad early. The Reavers are both a distraction (flies buzzing around) and able to take out a small unit with concentrated fire power.

Actually, this list sucks... no anti tank.

The problem with Dark Eldar is this... they need transports, but transports cost too much. The Dark Lance (or Disintegrator Cannon) is great, but only if you expect the Raider to last more than the first round of shooting. Rhino's cost 30 points. Take away the Dark Lance, maybe replace it with a twin linked splinter rifle and give the raider a base cost of 35-40 points (with a Dark Lance or Disintegrator Cannon upgrade for 20-25 points) and you have a winning transport option on par with the Rhino or Razorback. As it stands, Raiders suck in terms of price, and this kills Dark Eldar as a viable option.

My list... with Raiders costing 35 points will be forthcoming :)

* Shadow Field is an equivalent point option to Ghostplate Armor + Clone Field but I have come to the conclusion that Clone Field, buffed a bit with Ghostplate is the the best option in low point set-ups.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Dark Eldar

My second 500 point army design is for Dark Eldar. Dark Eldar offers more flexibility in terms of army design.

I came up a few options. My criteria was to avoid investing too many points in any one unit and to maintain some target diversity.

Option One (going for a balanced approach):
HQ: Archon with Agonizer, Shadow Field (or Ghostplate Armor and Clone Field), and drugs (120 pts)
Troop One: Kabalite Warriors x10 with Blaster and Dark Lance (125 pts)
Troop Two: Wyches x7 with Shardnet and Impaler (80 pts)
Transport: Raider with Disintegrator Cannon (60 pts)
Heavy Support: Ravager with 3x Dark Lance and Night Shields (115 pts)

Operations: Load Archon and Wyches in the raider and move them forward to get up close and personal with enemy infantry. Kabalite Warriors and Ravager hang back to offer fire support and deal with any armor.

Option 1.2
An interesting and fun variant might be to replace the Ravager with a unit of Reavers (3-5 Reavers for 66-110 points); replace the Raider's Disintegrator with a Dark Lance. The basic idea with this set-up is have the Reavers continually turbo-boosting and moving flat-out (36") and flying over enemy ground units using Bladevanes (d3 S4 attacks from each Reaver on each flyover of a unit) The Reavers maintain a 3+ cover saves. This would probably only work on a large board. It also seems like the only way to ever get the very cool looking Reavers into an army.

I think I would go for the following set-up: 3 Reavers (66 pts). That way I only need to buy one pack of three reavers, which $$$-wise is very desirable. This leaves 49 points to play with. I think equipping a Reaver with a Blaster Cannon (15 pts) is a good option. This frees up 34 points that could be spent to give the Archon a Blaster (15 points) and the Wyches Haywire Grenades (14 points). Alternatively, skip the Reaver's Blaster Cannon; get two more Wyches (20 pts) and give them and the Archon Haywire Grenades (23 pts). Or again: equip one Reavers with Grav-talon (10 pts; pinning) and one with Heat Lance (12 pts); one extra Wych (10 pts) plus Haywire grenades for Wyches (16 pts). This might be the better, more fun option.

Option Two (min/maxing for heavy support):
HQ: Haemonculus with Liquifer gun (60 points)
Troop One: 5 Kabalite Warriors (45 pts)
Troop Two: 5 Wyches with Hekatrix and Agonizer (80 pts)
Heavy Support: 3 Ravagers with Dark Lances (315 pts)

Operations: Hang back and blast everything that approaches with the Ravagers. Troops are the infantry screen for any deep strikes etc. Join Haemonculus with Wyches to give them the pain token and to make a reasonably tough CC unit. Another version of this approach could replace the 3 ravagers with 2 Razorwing Jetfighters with Night Shields (310 pts) if the models were available.

Option Three (Focusing on close combat but trying to retain a little anti-armor capability):
HQ: Archon with Agonizer, Shadow Field (or Ghostplate Armor and Clone Field), blaster pistol and PGL (140 pts)
Troop One: 5 Wyches with Hekatrix and Agonizer and Haywire Grenades and Raider with Dark Lance (150 pts)
Troop Two: 5 Wyches with Haywire Grenades (60 pts)
Elites: 4 Incubi and Raider with Dark Lance: (148 pts)

Operations: Put the Archon in a team with the Incubi. Move to CC as quickly as possible. This group feels weak against armor and ranged heavy armies. It will all depend on getting into CC fast. Does anybody have a better idea for a CC focused build?

I think some variant of option one is what I would go for. I think one of the Reaver variants, played on a large board, would be great fun. Buzzing enemy troops and drawing their fire while closing in with Wyches and the Archon would be awesome.




Monday, March 21, 2011

First Army - Necrons

My son has started collecting Necrons. It has how I got into this damned Warhammer mess... er... hobby.

A 500 point army for Necrons is very straightforward. By straightforward I mean there are very few choices to make.

Let's look at the requirements for a legal army. It has to have a minimum of two troop units and one HQ unit.

Necrons only have one choice of troops - Necron Warriors - and one choice of HQ - Necron Lord.

Necron warriors
* unit size 10-20
* basic cost: 18
= 2 troop units of 10 Warriors for 360 points

Necron Lord:
* independent character
* basic cost 100
= one HQ unit for 100 points.

That leaves us with 40 points. There are two viable options for these remaining points, and both are an upgrade to our Necron Lord. Before discussing those, it is worth mentioning I have ruled out buying two more warriors (for 36 points) and equipping the two Warrior units with disruption fields (for 40 points). Two more warriors does not add much interest or diversity to the army; disruption fields seem unnecessary give the anti-tank capabilities of the warriors' guas weapons.

Upgrade One:
* resurrection orb: 40 points.
* benefits: helps with "we'll be back" roles and that helps prevent fade out.

Upgrade Two:
* Warscythe: 10 points
* Destroyer Body: 30 points
* Benefits: Agile, jet bike movement for the Lord; improved +1 toughness; strong CC weapon, able to chop-up vehicle armor, or take out the enemy's HQ unit.

Well, there they are. Any thoughts?

Edit: There is a third option for the last 40 points: three scarab swarms with disruption fields for 36 points. This creates more target opportunities; a way to tie up units and even armor while warriors advance.

500 Point Army for Warhammer 40K

I've recently become fascinated with Warhammer 40K.

Living in Australia it is a very expensive hobby.

I'm also interested in design. By design, I roughly mean working within sets of understood constrains and rules to arrive at the best, or optimal solution to a problem.

So, I've been playing with the various Warhammer codex to see if I can design small, capable armies; 500 point armies.

This is what this blog will be about. Hopefully other Warhammer 40K enthusiasts will find this blog and also post their ideas.