Baal Strike Force 1850 List: Updated 01/05/15

Kicking around an 1850 list idea centered around Dante and making assault work with Blood Angel Marines. I would have to rely on model and unit placement to diminish flyer presence, but, I think 50 marine bodies is probably the minimum to accomplish this (especially with the new bases LOL).  I considered Archangels Sanguine Wing which offers around 400 points of free upgrades, but, I don't foresee this formation getting a pass at events b/c of those free points.

This list sacrifices obsec going all in for the formation rules to bolster marines in assault. My goal is to include enough tools to burn down and grind out an opponent's obsec units:

LOW:
Dante
220

HQ:
Priest w/VE, pistol, MB, JP
105

Elite:
Death Company (10) JPs, 2x Fists, 2x PWs, 2x Infernus Pistols
340

CS (5) 1x Power Swords, 1x P Fist, 2x SShields, 1x Melta Gun, MB, JPs
200

Troop:
Tac Squad (10) H Flamer, Flamer, MB, Drop Pod DWML,
210
Tac Squad (10) H Flamer, Flamer, MB, Drop Pod DWML,
210
Scout Squad (10); Shotguns, MB, Power Sword
130

Fast Attack:
Assault Marine (5) melta x2; combi melta, mb
Drop Pod, DWML
135
Assault Marine (5) melta x2; combi melta, mb
Drop Pod, DWML
135
Drop Pod, DWML
50

Heavy Support:
Devastator Squad (5) 4x MMeltas, MB
115


Dante is a LOW, but, he is such a beast now that he is EW and swings at initiative. Dante and Priest ride with Vanguard Vets for a precision drop: The command squad consists of a five man with a couple of stormshields to soak up wounds the turn they arrive. They are also armed with melta combined shooting with Dante to pop transports if needed. I armed the priest with the AP2 power sword relic. AP2 with that high initiative on the charge is freaking scary. Not to mention all vets sans McFister will swing at I5 on the charge giving the vet unit a leg up on the opposition. Ultimately, the command squad is just a delivery system for Dante and Priest so time will tell if divesting the unit of excess equipment is worthwhile.
Death Company are so cool now that they can score and contest. The combination of Rage and Relentless make bolters the default weapon choice in my opinion. I'm starting out light on the power weapons in favor of a couple of infernus pistols, giving the unit a tool against high AV outside of assault. Will see how I like this load out and if I need to tweak it...
Assault Squads; cheap throw-away melta units meant to threaten Knights and high AV tanks. What isn't to like? For a 115 points you get two meltas and a combi! For a 135 you get two meltas and two infernus pistols. I've ran the infernus loadout on an assault sgt (back when you got 1 melta per 5 bodies). It is devastating, but, I'd like to at least start out with the minimum investment on a toss away Sgt. If two meltas and combi don't perform well enough on the table, I'll defer to the gunslinger loadout. I purchased an additional pod to mix things up a bit; I can choose to drop the Dev squad as a melta distraction, or, the scout squad as a backfield distraction. Of course the scouts can just outflank the backfield, which may seem laughable on paper, but, FC combined with Red Thirst will give that unit some teeth.
Tactical squads with H flamer/ flamer combos to burn out any hiding infantry.
All of my drop pods have deathwind missile launchers. Just another annoying way to cause wounds on low armor OBSEC units.Pods give better flexibility allowing me to create threats as well as respond to an opponent's deployment.
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Jan 1st 2015
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Instead of clogging up the blog with posts to edit this list, I'll just keep updating this specific post. Juggling this list, I've changed it up a bit. It is a two CAD list that combines Baal Strikeforce with an standard CAD for obsec troops. Astorath, Death Company, Scouts, and Assault Squads comprise Baal Strikeforce. Librarian, Tactical Squads, and drop pod make up the standard CAD:

Dante

Astorath

Librarian, Epistolary, JP

Death Company (5); Bolters, Power Fist, Power Axe, JP

Death Company (5); Bolters, Power Fist, Power Axe, JP

Tactical Squad (10); H Flamer, Melta, Combi-Melta, MB, Drop Pod

Tactical Squad (10); H Flamer, Melta, Combi-Melta, MB, Drop Pod

Scout Squad (5); B Pistol, Combat Knife, MB

Scout Squad (5); B Pistol, Combat Knife

Assault Squad (5), Melta Gun x2, Combi-Melta, MB, DP

Assault Squad (5), Melta Gun x2, Combi-Melta, MB, DP

Assault Squad (5), Melta Gun x2, Combi-Melta, MB, DP

Assault Squad (5), Melta Gun x2, Combi-Melta, MB, DP

Drop Pod
1850

Astorath's point reduction in this latest codex makes him a strong consideration if you plan to field DC, as, Astorath is now the only way to get Liturgies of Blood. I played with Astorath in 5th and enjoyed the unit, but, he was pricey back then. I broke up the DC unit from my original list into two distinct harassing units. A 10 man unit of 3+ armor that can't combat squad is a lot of eggs in one basket. As much as I love the idea of a huge mob of DC relentlessly jumping around the battlefield, Its a unit begging to be clobbered by an opponent. Breaking it up into two gives me another target consideration to throw at my opponent (at the expense of an additional kill point). I also slimmed each squad down to one axe and one fist. That gives me punching power to deal with high toughness units, and high AV vehicles.
Scout squads fall into the Baal Strikeforce CAD. Since they are part of the strikeforce, I gave both units combat knives since I'll be hiding them in combat when I'm not hiding them in ruins. The extra drop pod gives me the freedom to surgically drop a unit of scouts where I may need them most: Late game contention, line breaker, or, denying line breaker. My standard CAD will be led by an epistolary Librarian whose job is to buff Dante, and Dante's unit. I gave him a standard staff rather than Gallian's. I will have to play test whether the 10 points is worth scrubbing an HP off a 2HP unit with 3+ save just to reroll a 1. The weapon's strength modifier will allow him to scratch things with his stick. 10 man Tac squads are meant to combat squad (CS) hence each unit's diversified weapons. That gives me a total of 6 obsec units when I include their drop pods. As I mentioned earlier the sole drop pod in this CAD can be utilized by a scout squad when convenient. Finally, I have four melta assault squads that straddle both CADs meant to neutralize Knights, high AV units, and the occasional fortress.

Overall, I think this list flows better than my initial list. It lacks the ability to address flyers directly, and will rely on it's footprint to mitigate flyer presence/performance.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! Peace on earth, good will toward man.

Wishlisting Blood Angels

Wishlisting the new Blood Angels, a user on Faeit posted a compilation of codex rumors as follows:
(I will update as more rumors find their way to the internet)

Games Workshop Petition

I'm going to link this petition in case anyone would like to therapeutically comment and attach their names to it.

https://www.change.org/p/games-workshop-limited-refocus-your-business-model-on-the-sale-of-a-game-and-support-of-a-gaming-community-vice-the-pure-sale-of-collectible-miniatures

I think the petition succinctly bullet-points most of the issues that separates Games Workshop from greatness, but, I want to stress the following:

1) Well-written, competitive rules that are diligently and actively maintained. I can forge the narrative with shit rules, but, at least price them accordingly. Right now, rules are priced at a premium. The product does not reflect it's price point.

2) Support FLGS. For the love of Christ, Games Workshop stores fucking suck. One-man stores do not provide a fun place to play games- especially when there are all of these silly rules excluding aftermarket parts and figures. When ONE PERSON operates a store, where all occupants have to step out every time that person needs to 10-100, or take a break- a fun, positive, customer service experience will almost certainly NEVER be met (regardless of how nice and professional your store managers are...and they are very nice, professional people).

When I go into my local store, Olympic Cards and Comics I am greeted with plenty of tables to play, friendly, professional, service. Gabi, OCC owner, strives to keep the environment family and kid friendly which is a plus; the store doesn't stink and is clean. She lets me play with my kit-bashed figures that include non-GW parts- Wow, what a concept! There is also restrooms available for customers, and the store stays open till the last person leaves. The first step to an active gaming community is providing a clean, safe, and fun place to not only purchase merchandise, but, to model, paint, and play with said merchandise as well. Kudos, OCC.

3) After-market bits...c'mon. You slayed all of the competition and you're just going to leave that vacuum? Upcharge for the individual sprues and allow customers to tailor their purchases based on their imagination.

4) Support conventions, RTS, and GTs. There is a community that would love to interact with you, and the benefit would pay off in spades. These events are no longer relegated to highly competitive douchey WAAC players (common Jervis-Lover misconception). There are plenty of events that are offering competitive and narrative events under the same roof and its bringing the community closer together. Bay Area Open, Las Vegas Open, Nova Open, 11th Company, T-SHIFT, Adepticon, PAX West- they all run alternative events along with a 40K grande tournament.

5) Oh shit, sorry to do this to you but; welcome to the digital age and social media. Embrace it. Even forums are a little dated these days when you have twitter, facebook, google circles, etc. Oh, you don't want big, mean internet trolls bullying your pages and posts? Step over to Neverwinter's forums for a lesson in Nazi forum moderation. Their forum mods run such a tight ship that Captain Bligh blush with jealousy. Surprise: the Neverwinter mods work for free. Volunteers that take it upon themselves to tirelessly regulate the NW forums and eradicate any post that even hints at breaking the TOS.

6) Price point. How do you expect to bring in new blood (btw, you need new blood) if you price the majority of your product so high? Your games are fucking nerdy to begin with- how are you going to attract the teenage demographic you have been focused on? Mom and Dad's checkbook only goes so far, and you're competing against a lot of other media entertainment syncs (you may not like it, but, you are competing against video games). You need to figure out how to competitively price your product to attract new blood and hook them in. You need to competitively price your product to combat all of those alternative game companies that you have allowed to grow and bloom in your garden...so many weeds that have taken root over the last 10 years- so many options for a spending conscious consumer to deter them away from your overpriced, big, clunky, shit rules, games.

These days, young people want to compete. Give them clear concise rules to hook them in. Price an entry level set- the price of a video game (40-70 bucks) so that the curious can find out if they like your game or not.

Anyways, check out the petition- there are some very good points. Rant off.

Competitive Blood Angels in 7th Edition 40K

In light of 7th edition, I have been bouncing around ideas for a competitive Blood Angels list. Some of my initial considerations- not all encompassing:
Assault is still weak with regard to jump pack Blood Angels- they're just too expensive and lack oomph.
Psychic powers are a lot less reliable to cast this edition and require a significant amount of point investment to work.
AV 11 is still weak, but, I am interested to test fast Rhinos and Razors. I don't think they will hold up, especially as armies transition to take on high AV.
Object Secured (OBSEC) Land Raiders...

Happy Independence Day!

Take a moment and honor those that have fought and sacrificed for this great Country. Enjoy this holiday, God bless, and be safe.

Team Stomping Grounds: Twitch Channel

TSG has posted video bat-reps of 7th Edition games 40K for anyone interested:

http://www.twitch.tv/sgvideo/profile

Memorial Day

 Happy Memorial Day. God Bless.

7th Edition 40K: Ask Someone with the Book Live!

Kirby, over at 3+ is the New Black got his 7th edition rule book and is answering questions here: http://www.3plusplus.net/2014/05/7th-edition-rulebook-in-hand-live-post/

7th Edition and 2014 Tournament Circuit

Now that 7th Edition is confirmed for release on the 24th of this month, I wonder which GT will be the first to utilize the new rule set? When 6th dropped in June of 2012, Brandt and the Nova Open team hit the ground running, and were the first US GT to utilize and incorporate 6th edition into a Grand Tournament. That year, Wargames Con (now dubbed, 'Texas Games Con') dodged the bullet due to that late June release date in correlation to their GT schedule. Brandt and team had to make some tough decisions with the minimal amount of play testing afforded to them due to time constraints. I didn't agree with all of the decisions that were ruled, but, under the circumstances I completely understood why certain rules and limitations were set in place for the 2012 GT.  Brandt succeeded, and in the process set the standard for the US GT circuit with regard to 40K.

Forge World: Death Korps of Krieg Availability

With the release of the new IG Astra Militarum codex, I wanted to expand the small allied force of DKOK I have accumulated over the last couple of years. Unfortunately, many of the DKOK kits are not available for purchase on the FW website. I inquired about said units, and if/when they would be made available. Here is the response I received, and I wanted to share it with anyone else that may be in the same boat:

Hi,
         Thank you for your email.  New moulds are being made for these models, the work will take several weeks but we intend to have them back on sale as soon as possible. 

Periodically master models need some work so we can continue to produce moulds, this means we have to take the products of sale for a short time to replace and repair the master models and then produce new moulds. The amount of time this takes depends on many factors including the level of detail in the model and the level of work the designers and mould makers already have scheduled. Unfortunately this means we can not give an accurate estimate of how long they will be unavailable for but we will have them back on sale as soon as we can.

If there is anything further we can do to assist you, or if you have any queries about the information we have requested or provided, please telephone us.

Regards,

Forge World

 

2014 State of the Game

I'm going to be honest. I am fed up with the current state of 40K. It isn't the rapid release of codices, or the inclusion of supplements. It isn't the dataslates, or Escalation, or Stronghold Assault. I think all of those things are compelling. It wasn't ADB attempting to convince 3++ that all Forgeworld is approved by Games Workshop because Games Workshop has never stated 'it wasn't'