Deathwing: Reloaded

Yes, I know the Dark Angels and the Inquisition do not get along and to include them in army together would be considered unfluffy, but Ork players run around with 2 Warbosses on bikes sometimes attached to the same squad. My army as it stands now is lacking in the psychic defense department.

I played a game a few weeks ago against a Tyranid list that included a Swarmlord. The Swarmlord cast a power (I think it was Paroxysm) making one of my squads fight at WS1 & BS1 until the begining of the Tyranid players next turn, effectively making me hit on 5's in the assault phase. Even though the game ended in a draw, nothing is more demoralizing than hitting on 5's vs Termagaunts.




To combat the sudden uprise in the use of psychic powers and GW's push for something somewhat like the magic phase in fantasy for 40k, I have thought about adding a Grey Knight Hero to the list and dropping the Chaplain. I figured the cheaper Brother-Captain can fill the role with a psychic hood that covers the whole board with an Ld of 10. I would use a Dark Angels Librarian, but they are only Ld 9 and most psykers out there nowadays are Ld10. I want to at least be on even footing.




Dropping the Chaplain will somewhat lessen my damage potential in the assault phase (got to love those re-rolls), but it is a change I must make. To make up for the loss of the re-roll, I have been looking for ways to increase the number of attacks the squad can put out.




The first option is taking a chapter banner giving the squad containing the banner bearer +1 attack. Another option is taking an Inquisitor with a Holy Relic. It is a bit pricey, but gives all friendly units within a 2d6" radius plus one attack. I can also give the Inquisitor a Null Rod which protects the squad containing the inquisitor from the effects of psychic powers such as Doom, Lash. The players in my area are beginning to play at higher point totals giving me some more points to play around with.



Belial 3 base + 1 (2 close combat weapons, usual load out of Twin Lightning Claws) + 1 (via the chapter banner) + 1(via the holy relic) = 6 attacks (7 if you charge) and that is just one guy.



The Inquisitor will also be in terminator armor to stick with the theme.






-Thoughts, advice and/or criticism are welcome

Its About Time

After playing a few games with the current incarnation of my list I have come to the conclusion that I just don't get the same pleasure from playing a multi-wing list, that I get from playing my pure Deathwing list. I guess I'm a purist when it comes to these things (either all my eggs in one basket or none at all) and there is something about winning a game knowing I am behind the 8-ball from the start that keeps me playing this list and army. This list seems to suprise people if thy are not ready for it. If you can play a list using the models you love and still win games, by all means do it.


The one thing I love as much as Terminators and Land Raiders, are dreadnoughts. I recently found out that GW is releasing a plastic Venerable Dreadnought kit and it is the only thing I am looking forward to (a new codex would be nice, but I don't see that happening anytime soon).


I may drop one land raider and one squad of terminators in favor of 2 Venerable dreadnoughts with multi-meltas and heavy flamers in drop pods. I do realize that with only two troop choices I am at a major disadvantage and that it only takes one lucky shot to destroy one of my land raiders (especially now, with players starting to switch back to long range fire with lascannon and missile launcher spam), but that is why I play this game, the thrill of the challenge.

A Multi-Wing Approach

I apologize to all my followers and want to let you all know that I am still breathing. I just have not had the time to to enjoy this hobby as the real world is gradually catching up with me and graduation is right around the corner.

I have seen the space wolves codex and am not happy that they have the ability to field an all terminator army.


My fellow Dark Angels players do not worry I refuse to switch codexes and will be taking many of the things that still remain somewhat unique to the Dark Angels Codex and draw up a list.


My Deathwing will still be an option, but I believe in order to stay competitive I must mix in elements from the rest of the codex.


Here is the list:


HQ

Belial- 130
w/twin lightning claws

- makes the Deathwing terminators in the army count as troops and will be attached to that squad and ride in the crusader. Twin lightning claws gives Belial the best load out in my opinion as he will have 5 attacks on the charge (6 attacks when you factor in the +1 from the company banner)



Sammael (in his landspeeder) - 205
yes this is the armor 14 landspeeder


-makes the Ravenwing bikers in the army count as troops. He has an assault cannon and heavy bolter that are both twin linked at BS 5 making him effective at taking out infantry. Most opponents will not be able to ignore a fast moving armor 14 vehicle that can put out that number of shots. He will zip around guns blazing and zoom in to contest objectives on turn 5 (Fritz and Jawaballs this one is for you guys).




Troops

Deathwing- 280
2 terminators w/twin lightning claws
2 terminators w/thunder hammers and stormshields one will carry the company banner
1 terminator w/a chainfist and heavy flamer upgraded to an Apothecary



-This is the hammer unit of the army. The squad will ride in the crusader and will spearhead my assault. This unit will most likely be sent in to claim the objective most heavily guarded by my opponent or if needed will go after my opponents hardest unit. The apothecary helps when they win combat and are vulnerable to shooting allowing me to ignore one failed save a turn (if he saves at least one terminator a game he has made up his points). The company banner gives everyone in the squad +1 attack (Belial will receive this bonus when he joins the unit).





Tactical Squad 1 - 115
Sgt w/a power weapon and melta bomb
3 marines w/bolters
1 marine w/a flamer


Rhino transport-50
w/extra armor


Tactical Squad 2 - 120
Sgt w/a powerfist
3 marines w/bolters
1 marine w/a flamer


Rhino transport - 50
w/extra armor

- Both squads will remain inside of their rhinos as long as they are still up and running. They will move out and claim objectives. The squads are equipped to deal with infantry likely to be sitting on these objectives if I cannot tank shock them off.

I might switch out the flamers for meltaguns





Ravenwing Attack Squadron 1- 160
Sgt w/a power weapon and melta bomb
2 bikers w/meltaguns




Ravenwing Attack Squadron 2 - 170
Sgt w/a power weapon
2 bikers w/meltaguns one upgraded to an Apothecary


-these guys will act as a distraction. They will outflank to get into better position to pop my opponents big tanks and give my opponent an immediate threat to deal with. I do not expect them to survive the whole game but if they do they have the ability to claim objectives.



Heavy Support


Land Raider Crusader - 270
w/ extra armor and pintle mounted stormbolter

-this will carry Belial and his squad. The Dark Angels codex uses the old smoke rule where all hits scored upon a vehicle that pops smoke can only glance making the land raider almost indestructible the turn it pops smoke.



Predator 1 - 100
w/autocannon, heavy bolters and a pintle mounted stormbolter



Predator 2 - 100
w/autocannon, heavy bolters and a pintle mounted stormbolter


-These have been showing up a lot lately with the shift to 5th edition and mechanization of armies. The autocannons on the Predators are good at popping light transports such as Rhinos, and Ork trucks. The two tanks are well equipped to lay out a decent amount of fire power to deal with those horde armies as well.



Overall a balanced list. I have all the tools needed to handle most situations. The squads are small but have some kind of protection (terminators ride in the land raider, the tactical squads are mounted in rhinos to protect them from incoming fire and the bikers turbo boost to claim a cover save or to get behind cover when there is nothing for them to shoot at).




-comments and/or criticism are more than welcomed

Terminator Librarian

After seeing Ron Saikowski's Terminator Librarian( seen here http://fromthewarp.blogspot.com/2009/05/terminator-librarian-finished.html ) over at http://fromthewarp.blogspot.com/, I have been motivated to make a terminator librarian and give it a try. Before I go on and convert one I want to get people's thoughts and opinions of the Dark Angels Librarian.


Dark Angels Librarians have 2 powers, force barrier and hellfire. Force barrier allows the Librarian (when he takes a wound) to take psychic test and if he passes is treated as if he has made an invulnerable save. This could be very useful, especially when used together with an Apothecary (gotta love that Apothecary)to help shrug off some of those AP2 weaponry. His second power, Hellfire, is a shooting attack with the following profile: Template, S2D6-2, AP D6, Assault 1. Pretty random to be counted on, but it can possibly be a S10, AP1 flamer template. It will probably have games where you wish you took something else and games where you will be glad you took the librarian.


The Librarian also has the old psychic hood that covers the whole table, but at leadership 9 it might not be as effective since most psykers used in tournaments are leadership 10. He is also no slouch in combat with 3 attacks and a force weapon at an initiative of 5.

Tournament Results

Sorry all, I have no pictures from the tournament (since I lent my camera to my sister and didn't get it back in time). The tournament was fun and enjoyable. I had a loss, a draw and a win not bad for my first tournament. My loss came against a Tyranid player (Nidzilla is actually more appropriate) and though I should have been able to take this list on the dice gods thought otherwise (immobilized two of my own Land Raiders throughout the course of the game). Overall I claimed 34 battle points out of a possible 57 and 63 overall points placing me 14th overall out of 30.

The Deathwing Mantra

Here are a few things to keep in mind when playing Deathwing




1)Use cover

-Cover is your friend, use it to block line of sight or to grant yourself cover saves. Playing such an elite force we must utilize cover to keep the number of units shooting at us to a minimum or to make sure we get some kind of save against all weaponry (its better to take a 4+ cover save than a 5+ invulnerable save VS a plasma shot)



2)Keep moving
-Always keep moving especially if you are playing an all infantry force. Move to get into better firing position or to stay out of line of sight. Our storm bolters have 24'' range (30'' if you count the 6'' movement) and are assault2, use that to your advantage.



3)Concentrate your fire
-We don't have enough shots to spread our firepower. If you shoot at something, shoot it until it is gone or forced to take a leadership test. At the very least, two squads should be firing at a single target.



4)Assault on your terms
-Pick and choose your battles wisely and avoid getting charged. Getting charged may be fatal as those extra attacks may make a difference, especially if charged by Orks). Assault units that you know you have clear advantage against and can likely take out in a turn or two. Finishing the assault on your opponents turn is a plus as you are free to do whatever you please on your turn.




5)Have faith in your wargear
-This game is not just based on tactics and luck, there is also a psychological element to the game. How many times have you picked up a die thinking you are going to roll a one and sure enough you roll that one? Think positive thoughts and good things will come.
Faith is a powerful tool, use it

Upcoming Tourney

I know I have not posted in weeks, I've just been busy juggling school work and painting my models to get ready for the upcoming Battle For Salvation Tournament (which is this Saturday). This will be the first tournament I compete in. I will be bringing my Deathwing with the same configuration as the post below except that the last terminator squad will not have a chainfist as I do not have a third, so to make up the points I've given the Chaplain a combi-melta just in case I need to pop a tank after the squad disembarks.