Blood Angels 5E First Thoughts...

Having the opportunity to skim through the Blood Angels codex, fifth edition (5E), there were a few changes that surprised me (and some that weren’t so shocking).



First of all the tweaks to different army units’ designation was very welcome. Chaplains are no longer HQ, Death Company, Scouts and Dreadnoughts are no longer elite units (duh), and the Baal Predator originally heavy support, was designated fast attack! Sanguinary Priests were included in this latest edition which confers similar AoE benefit(s) as Brother Corbulo did solo, in the previous codex. In reference to Corbulo, he is now an elite troop choice, rather than an HQ unit. Dante was tweaked and slightly toned down in comparison to his previous incarnation. LeMartes has succumbed to the Black Rage in 5E which has knocked him from an HQ unit to an add-on unit that may be taken with a Death Company contingent for 150 points. There are quite a few new offerings in the HQ section in 5E to counter these changes. Over all, units found in the prior codex have had their costs increased across the board by an average of 25 points.


What does this mean?


To be honest, I can’t answer this question as I have yet to play a game of 40K. However, comparing 5E to its predecessor I have to say that the Blood Angels have been granted more tools to succeed in assault. Further, 5E has made mechanized lists much more seductive by moving Baal Predators into the “fast attack” category; however the Land Raider and its variants were shoved from heavy support to dedicated transport! Blood Angels were granted a formidable skimmer in the heavy support category which can carry a number of troops and a dreadnought.


I generated my first list which is a 1500 point mechanized assault force led by Mephiston:


HQ: 250

Mephiston


Elite(s): 195

3x Sanguinary Priests

3x Infernous Pistols


Troop 1: 190

Assault Squad

1 Melta Gun

1 Power Fist Sgt

Razorback

Twin-linked Assault Cannon


Troop 2: 195

Assault Squad

1 Infernus Pistol

1 Power Fist Sgt

Razorback

Twin-linked Assault Cannon


Troop 3: 195

Assault Squad

1 Infernus Pistol

1 Power Fist Sgt

Razorback

Twin-linked Assault Cannon


Fast Attack: 280

2X Baal Predator

2X Hvy Flamer


Heavy Support: 155

Vindicator

Siege shield


…with 40 points to spare. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with those points, or if I’m going to further tweak my list.