Since I'm wrapping up my Dark Elf modeling this week when I paint the last few Reaper Bolt Throwers, my projects will switch back to 40k and my Black Templars. I have 3 Razorbacks to assemble and paint, and I have the magnets ready to go to switch them around as needed between Rhinos and Razorbacks as needed. I haven't modeled much with rare earth magnets so this should be fun.
Since my modeling thoughts are turning towards 40k, so have my list building thoughts. To that end, I thought I'd put up a 2k list I've been brain storming. It does all the things I want a mech marine list to do well: mobile melta, long range firepower, lots of armor, and a decent close combat element. My comments after each section.
HQ:
Emperor's Champion with AAC 140
A lot of people might go with Abhor the Witch in this kind of list, but I don't see Abhor opening up any tactical options for me. AAC does give me decent close combat ability, so it is what it is.
Castellan 253
-Dual Lightning Claws
-5x Command Squad
-2x Meltagun
-Rhino with Extra Armor and Smoke Launchers
-Frag Grenades
Castellan 253
-Dual Lightning Claws
-5x Command Squad
-2x Meltagun
-Rhino with Extra Armor and Smoke Launchers
-Frag Grenades
These units give me a lot of versatility. I get a close combat punch since my Castellan gets 5 attacks on the charge with re-rolls to hit and wound, and then 13 regular str4 attacks on the charge from the command squad. I wanted to fit Furious Charge on them but I just didn't have the points and it might begin to verge on becoming a point sink. Like I said from my 'Ard Boyz semis experience, I won't ever play a firepower list that doesn't have a close combat element, and these do it nicely. They also give me a mobile dual melta bunker in tough to kill Rhino with the old Smoke Launcher rule and dirt cheap Extra Armor. Lastly, I get army-wide Leadership 9, which is nothing to sneeze at since Templars don't get Sergeants and they have to test to shoot at something other than the closest enemy.
Troops
5x Crusader Squad 186
-Missile Launcher
-Plasma Gun
-Razorback with TLLC
-Bolt Pistol/Close Combat Weapons
5x Crusader Squad 186
-Missile Launcher
-Plasma Gun
-Razorback with TLLC
-Bolt Pistol/Close Combat Weapons
5x Crusader Squad 186
-Missile Launcher
-Plasma Gun
-Razorback with TLLC
-Bolt Pistol/Close Combat Weapons
5x Crusader Squad 186
-Missile Launcher
-Plasma Gun
-Razorback with TLLC
-Bolt Pistol/Close Combat Weapons
I went with missile launchers on my now standard troop configuration in order to save points and also to possibly give me some duality as the force needs all the help it can get against hordes.
Fast Attack
Landspeeder 75
-Multimelta
-Heavy Flamer
Landspeeder 75
-Multimelta
-Heavy Flamer
Landspeeder 75
-Multimelta
-Heavy Flamer
The uses of Landspeeders are many. Good anti-horde, good Land Raider Blocking/killing ability, ability to Deepstrikeand blast vulnerable targets. They add a much needed mobile melta element to the list and also 3 very valuable heavy flamers.
Heavy Support
Predator Destructor 125
-Lascannon Sponsons
Predator Destructor 125
-Lascannon Sponsons
Predator Destructor 125
-Lascannon Sponsons
Total: 1990
A finely tuned Razorwolf list, this is not. But it isn't bad for an ancient codex. There is still some mileage left in the BT. It has 9 Rhino chassis, so it's by no means light on mech. And it has just as many heavy weapons as most Wolf/Vanilla firepower lists. And it has a decent close combat element. The EC can hang back with a Razorback squad as a countercharge element if someone infiltrates or rushes up somehow. I'm worried it is a little weak against hordes. I know a list with 15 Long Fangs has a lot of frag missiles to do the job, but I just have no way to replicate that with this codex. As far as the last 10 points goes, I know I could give Frags or something to 2 of the Crusader squads which is what I'd do if I was playing in a tourney, but I thought I'd leave them off in case anyone sees a good use for them.
Anyone see any glaring errors or omissions? Tweaks?
I haven't played 40K in many many years. I do like how you've thought about your list and picked units that compliment one another and have assigned tasks to be a cohesive force.
ReplyDeleteSince reading your blog, I've applied the same critical eye to my FOW armies.
enjoy your blog, keep up the good work!
I really like it. I personally favor bikes over Landspeeders (and I know I am probably wrong) but that's a personal problem.
ReplyDeleteAttack bikes are definitely a viable choice, Loquacious. The benefit of speeders is they can kill tanks with multimelta or kill hordes with a heavy flamer. Attack bikes can only do one or the other. So you get more versatility for your points.
ReplyDeleteI really hope they make BT bikes awesome in the next codex. I've had this fantasy of using chaos knight lances from Fantasy on BT bikers as power weapons along with storm shields and converting them to be very knightly. I think it would fit the fluff awesomely if they had this elite close combat bike unit that was like a unit of Grail Knights. OK, enough wishlisting...
Talk about wishlisting... a buddy of mine is converting his CSM attack bikes (or at least one) into a TRIKE and he was hoping somewhere he could do grenades as mines... heh.
ReplyDeleteHi Nike.
ReplyDeleteThis a bit off your topic. I have been reading your blog for a while as well as Laeroth and made an article at his website. I would like to share it with you as thanks for the great info and inspiration.
The message simply too big for here, its over at Laeroths.
ReplyDelete