Ravenwing 1850 Battle Rep: Never Give Up!

Just a very quick one highlighting a cool game from the Sons of War Cambridge gaming club (my club..what, it's a shameless plug for my club on my blog bitches! lol) this last week..

I was getting in a test game with my Azrael/multiWing/Blob list..

Mission: The Scouring,

Deployment: Hammer and Anvil

I was playing against a very shooty (anti infantry anyway) GK foot list - loads of Psybolts! Something like:

Coteaz
Grand Master - MC Sword, Rad, Psychotroke
Paladins x 6/7 Psycannons, Psybolts, Hammers, Halberds

War Band - Jokearo, 3 HB Servitors, 2 Plasmagun douches, 3 acolyte douches (they end up with Rending.. not bad)

3 x 10 Strikes - 2 Cannons, Psybolts

2 x Psyflemen

Dreadknight - Jump, Heavy Incinerator, Sword

I'm running the IG/DA Azrael Blob.. my extra Ravenwing bikes didn't arrive in time :(

Azrael

Libbie

Primaris Psyker
2 x 5 Deathwing - Asscannons
2 x 6 Ravenwing - 2 Plasmaguns, MM Attack Bike
5 x Assault Marines, 2 Flamers, Combi Flamer - Drop Pod
Platoon Command - Autocannon
50 man Blob - 5 Power Axes, Autocannons




It's fun.. but there are some elements I just wouldn't include anymore like the Termies or the Assault Squad.
MAWR Ravenwing!

Anyway, this is the story of the Blob and 2 Bikes.

The photo is of the start of the game at deployment, so obviously I haven't got about 605 points on the board with Deathwing and Assault Squad.

I've combat squadded the Bikers because he has a small number of high output units that will maul the bike squads.. so let's let him kill off 3 men with a full Strike Squad with Psybolts..this leaves the other half to do something next turn before they die too..

Anyway, Turn 1 he goes first and just Warp Quakes really.. in his end he has the "4" and both "3" point Objectives.. why move? The Dreadknight is scoring so I think he is keeping it safe for a last minute contest and mayhem later.

My Turn 1 I've scouted the bikes and now I bring my Bikes up, but not too close.. and drop in the Termies via DWA (obviously before the bikes move) and the Drop Pod comes in and... MISHAPS.. and dies after scattering 10" into his Warp Quake net work.. balls. First blood goes to him. The blob moves up and snap fires (with Prescience) the Autocannons one of his Dreads..and pens...explodes it.
I kill all bar one dude in a Strike Squad and then.....

Turn 2 he savages my Dark Angel elite... he kills all bar one Terminator from each group and kills all the bikes except 2 - 1 in each unit. This is despite me trying to block LOS to as many bikes as possible and having a 2+ armour save on Termies.. hmm.. I think I passed... 2. Feck.

My turn, the bikes turbo boost into the back field and I take 2 turns with the blob legging it up field and dealing with the Dreadknight.. yup.. the blob slaughtered the Dreadknight over a couple of assault phases..

The Blob then killed off the Paladins and Grand Master... depsite Rad and Psychotroke Grens..

The Blob then stand in the middle of his D-Z and take a mauling from the remaining GK units, one of which then charges the blob, only to die from Azrael and then the Power Axe serges...

In my final turn.. the blob (which is now actually only 4 dudes, 4 serges, Primaris and Azrael) slaughter Coteaz and his unit to claim the "4" point objective..

Remember those bikes? yup, well each of them was position exactly 27" from the two flanking objectives.. I killed off one GK Strike squad on one (the one that assaulted me) and therefore the bike claims it, then the other bike denies on the right flank.. whilst the Platoon Command Sqaud in my D-Z ...miles away from the action.. claims a "1" point Objective.. I get Line Breaker and Warlord too..

Tactical play wins the day!

Best decision of the day? Combat Squadding the Ravenwing and taking the extra 10 men in the Blob to round out the points..

Love games like this. The Blob ate everything. Brilliant.. Ravenwing needed more of them and a dakka banner..just so they can play support role with the blob rather than sweeping in and putting pressure.. if that pressure can come from range, then so much the better it is..

Going to try this...maybe tonight vs Bringer and his Demons/CSM with just 2 Heldrakes... lol:

Azrael
Libbie - Bike
Ravenwing Command - Bolter Banner, Grenade Launcher
4 x 6 Ravenwing w Bolters, MM Attack Bike
6 x Ravenwing w Bolters

Primaris Psyker (Biomancy) Force Axe
PCS
4 x 10 man Blob, 4 Force Axes

Less dakka in the Blob, but more bikers who can apply that pressure from afar.. although it is a funny one.. I kinda want to throw the RC forward to make use of the RGL's Rad Shell.... but that means putting everyone forward! And that'll end up like the above game! I coudl go Sammael in this list.. but then the Blob wouldn't have a 4++ and Furious Charge lol! Or potential FNP from Biomancy dude.. Plus, if he gets Enfeeble... I can do it from further afield..

Ravenwing 1850

Before I finish my battle reports for Caledonian Uprising (just the final game on top tables to decide the tournament to come!), I really want to get some ideas down on here for the new Dark Angels book.

I am a little disappointed in the "green" section of the book, despite being flexible it is also a little dull. However, the Ravenwing and even Deathwing elements are utterly excellent, plus granted allies as well.. Wow, we can have some very 'balanced' armies on the tabletop that look and feel fluffy, representing a combined arms approach to Dark Angel warfare, whilst also being competitive.

I want to share 3 lists today. I want to share the list I've played twice now and enjoyed, my "Combined Arms DA" and then talk through some options for progression.

To start off with, I (like everyone else in the blogosphere!) loved Azrael and saw the potential behind Allied IG blob plus stuff.
Like everyone else I initially thought that the Warlord trait 'hold at any cost!' Granted FNP to friendly units, but the important distinction is between the shorthand version in the reference section and in the main trait table... It only works on DA units.
So Azrael grants 4++ to his unit, but not FNP. Still furious charge etc makes them damn decent.

But these needed time to get into the middle of the board for some orders fun and charges.. So you put pressure on early and keep the opponent pinned back/busy for a couple of turns.

I applied this pressure with Ravenwing and Deathwing entering via DW Asault off of the Teleport Homers on the Ravenwing.
The 12" scout redeploy move combined with 6" for no scatter deep strike is perfect for two deployments, wit only hammer and anvil providing respite for the pressure. Even then, I have been using assault cannons on my DW which as been great. TL on the turn they DWA is very cool and doesn't require them to be too close...but generally, a turn two charge is nice.
The Ravenwing provide support in the form of fast moving MM attack bikes and then TL bolter action. This takes care of a precise infantry strike, using speed to select a section of the army to target.
Anti infantry is shored up with a basic assault squad in free drop pod wielding 2 flamers and a combi flamer.. It's been great fun playing with these.. So cheap.. Even score sometimes too!
In this version, I've not been using the bolter banner, but I do try it out in later lists. I find getting the bikes into rapid fire range is strong, but it puts the bikes too close to the action.. Anyway..improvements after the first list:

Combined Arms DA 1850
Azrael 215
Libbie 65
2* 6 Ravenwing  -2 Plasmaguns & MMABIke =246*2
2* 5 Deathwing w 2 th/ss, Ass Cannon 250*2
10*Tactical Marines 140
5*Assault squad w 2 flamers, combi flamer, drop pod 105
IG CCS w Autocannon 60
PCS 30 w Autocannons
4*10 infantry platoon squads w 3 Autocannons 230

The tactical squad does bugger all in this list. I'm not really sure what I was thinking to be honest. If I was tweaking this list, they'd be the first to go.
I really liked the DW units, the ability to drop, shoot then soak some fire and charge turn 2 is
excellent. Especially as a deterrent to charging the bikes.. With termies around, is it worth doing? It's a dangerous prospect.

I'd also switch Autocannons on blob for Power Axes (to fall in line with more conventional online wisdom)

I would replace the assault squad. Whilst excellent fun, they are selective in their effectiveness. Versus many armies they struggle to impact before dying and whilst I don't care if they die...I need to up their effectiveness .. Rad grenades on their target perhaps...hmm..

 Ravenwing below...

Dark Angel Codex - Run down and Knee Jerk Thoughts

Ok - you know the score - ill review the book with initial thoughts and any combo's that come to mind. I wont cover all the items but ill note ones that seem to be pretty good and usable.

One caveat -  I hear there is an faq already in the works for monday as the 11th hour amendments didn't go in and so there are a few odd things in there - so if I rage or skip past something important its probably due to be changed.

Any way on with the show:

Judging the Mood: New Dark Angels models out!

This is all over the internet and I am very, very happy!
I have prepared for this and am so pleased! I have 60+ marines of various types ready to roll.. vehicle support from all the typical Marine stable - from Rhino's to Land Raiders and everything in between..
Aegis Defence Line, FW AA Missile platform..
DW and RW forces ready..

Now, just need to await the new models and plug a few in to the force!

My purchases will no doubt include the new fliers - if they are nicely costed (points) and effective..
I anticipate great things for the new Deathwing Knights and for the Ravenwing..
I have an army of each ready to roll and I must say that I am incredibly excited to add the new Speeder and Fliers to my Ravenwing and that running a 'niche' army is going to be a real possibility once again.
Let's face it, bike armies are the coolest thing since the other side of the pillow, so I look forward to rocking them again.. perhaps this time with some IG platoons to bulk up the numbers and make up for the small scoring bodies.

As for Deathwing - very excited to simply have a greater variety of units available in the army other than plain ol' DW. It'll be great to have a unit of Deathwing Knights and Command Squad dudes alongside the regular DW. Add in a platoon or too and once again we can make up for some of the limitations of a terminator army.

Now, neither the DW or RW is going to be a full on hardcore army.. unless the DW Knights are Paladins on crack and regular point price termies! Broken! But this will not be the case, so both niche armies will be just that. They will both suffer from the same frailties that niche armies do and will not drop the big boys of early 6th - Crons, Demons or Nids.

How it all fits together across a more balanced Dark Angels force remains to be seen.. and to be totally honest - I'll be waiting to get the codex into hand for a vigourous pumping of information before I commit to any purchases!

What are your thoughts on the new models? I love the DW Knights, the Fliers and the Ravenwing with Plasma 'Talons'.. not sure about the new speeder, but will ce rtainly convert one up from an old Land Speeder Storm.. unless of course that is a dedicated transport for Scouts.. and useful lol!

Dark Angels WIP - 60 marines airbrushed!

I've been digging out all my unclassified space marines over the last 2 weeks.
You know what I've found?
About 3000 points worth of stuff that is not part of my Blood Angels, Grey Knights or Space Wolves armies.
All miscellaneous Space Marines.
This is mainly made up of 60 Tactical Marines, almost half of which (25) are robed Dark Angel Vets.
I mixed these guys with BA bits to get wings and baroque bling into the models back when I was trying out my "Band of Brothers" Sisters counts as army.
I felt pretty bad about doing that..

Anyway, I also have 20 Ravenwing Bikers, some MM Attack Bikes.. and the coup d'grace.. about 40 Deathwing Termies.. including 2 of the new squads from Dark Vengeance.
I grabbed the Libbie and Chapter Master off of fleabay and now I have a full blooded DA army.

So where is the painting and modelling at?
I see an airbrushed army coming here..

Tacticals 

Just really old tac marines I put together when I got into the hobby again at the start of 5th.. plus 2 sets of Black Reach dudes .. still..they do the job.


The Green on these guys is worked up from Caliban Green to umm...Moot Green, yeah that's it.. although it is never PURE Moot Green, always at least part mixed with CG.. The next stage for these boys and all the miniatures you see here is a Thraka Green wash to bring the tone together a bit and then a devlan mud wash to certain parts.. I am thinking of using dust pigments to give them a real 'in action' look..


Sternguard
These guys are the robed bad asses we need in a DA army.. plus a few traditional sternguard which will form the veteran sergeants in the normal tactical squads.. I think this is a great way of getting some flavour into the tact squads..





Bikes & Termies

So this is a big ass pile of stuff... An entire Deathwing army plus 2 new Dark Vengeance squads.. 20 odd Ravenwing bikers..

Whilst the Deathwing are ready to roll as a complete force, the Ravenwing do not have enough bodies to form a true force, but with Allied Guard or something they may be viable.

I'm thinking Speeders and Fliers (if they materialise in the new book), 2 max Bike squads for troops, Drop Pod Sternguard and then IG Allies for bodies..

Special Characters - these guys are just Libbies.. I wonder what the Dark Angel psychic powers are going to be like?? Exciting! But even if they are just Marine ones re-hashed.. I can deal with that!


Inner Circle (Rumour mill unit) - when I heard about a big pimping, closed group of fanatical Inner Circle morons who DUAL WIELD PLASMA PISTOLS I had to have some! So I ordered myself some extra left handed plasma pistols, which I struggle to find for some reason amongst my collection and boom.. off we go!  To be honest, even though this is a cool ass idea for a unit, if they don't materialise in the new DA Codex, then I'll just grab me these dudes as Sergeants for my squads, I love a dual wield and PP will be the new black.. especially if the rumoured "Rites" come into play for DA, one of which supposedly allows rerolls for gets hot! - how sweet? Very.

These are the next project for the weekend.. plus hopefully a scratchbuilt Thunderfire for my Techmarine to use! Speaking of which... over the weekend I'll post up my scratchbuilt techmarine with a full servo harness.. I am really pleased with him and best of all..every part of him was something I already had somewhere in my massive garage-sized bitz box! lol

Blog Wars Game 1: Bully vs Blood Angels

Righto chaps, my first report up from Blog Wars. For those that don't know - it was the event held by From the Fang inviting over pretty much most of the UK's bloggers for a rumble in Mansfield with their pretty Special Characters!

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, and I say weekend as I got to meet Andy from Iron Wolves on the Saturday by happen-stance on the table beside us! I had an awesome doubles game with him vs Atreides and then some dinner and a trip around the Warhammer Hall of Fame. There's been a good bit of banter since the weekend, largely positive, while it is a little disappointing to see a couple of the comments, it can all be taken in good nature. But I think on the whole most people are really geared up for the second one, and really have a good idea of what they want to do (Ezekiel will be trying to Mind Worm Draigo in our rematch on Table 1 next time Marc!!).

Anyway, onto my report. I plan to do a mini-user profile of the guys I faced up against and spread the love a bit, all 3 rank up there with some of the nicer guys I've had the pleasure to play against.

GAME ONE: Capture and Control - Spear Head

I faced up against Andy (Fudal) from Claws and Fists and the first thing that struck me was how much more organised they were than us. With Ven failing to get us our T-Shirts, the C&F guys turned up with both the tee's and dice! 

Hybrid Deathwing List Thoughts plus some hobby shots!

So I was going to take inspiration from Venerable about posting my entire Blog Wars thoughts, but in honesty - the other lists I am looking at taking require me to finish off painting a few tanks plus 30+ marines (couple of IC's in there at the very least will require some loving), and while the temptation is there to speed out another army - I really want to finish off the details on my Deathwing and get a few tanks done to a standard bit better than my rush level.

Incidentally - the image there on the left is one of the testers for my mechanised part of my force - to be used with both my Deathwing Hybrid lists and my Blood Angels / Grey Knights. I've since "honed" the technique, and also discovered another way of doing marble on models (trial and error, gotta love it!) - In fact, it will do me a favour to get peoples opinion on this - here's the Vindicator I've done as a test in "the other" style of marbling.

Bully's Deathwing - List & Discussion

Let's take a ride aboard the Bully Train...with one week to go before Brighton Warlords 1500 singles tournament, where is Bully at? Ed. 

Deathwing - My Tourney List + Option Discussion

So I've done a couple of WIP posts - with another 2 or 3 to come before the army is done (Tourney is at the start of April - my WIP currently is essentially detailing the entire army, with very little "bulk" painting left so to speak, other than the arms/shoulders of the terminators). But since lists and discussions on units seem to always been reader favourites - other than battle reports, I thought I'd chime in with my Deathwing list and discussion points.

So I'll go through the main unit's that you can use / look to see in Deathwing armies. Right off the bat I am going to discount some units - and I'll give the reason why.

This is a Deathwing force - meaning Belial and DW Terms as the core - at 1500 you shouldn't really be seeing any less than 3 units + Belial - which is the better part of 900 points, your using these to replace tactical marines available in the codex (the only troop choice), rather than support.

Additionally the likes of bikes as troops with Samael is something we're not looking at - as thats a different army entirely in my eye's (also if you want a Ravenwing Army, I seriously do suggest the vanilla codex - it represents the force much better with a command squad and better options all round).

Deathwing WIP: An Army in 5 weeks! Part 2!

So here's the follow up post to http://sanguinesons.blogspot.com/2011/03/deathwing-wip-army-in-5-weeks.html?showComment=1299446643308#c2834650141944289548 - which showed the first week of my under taking of this task to get to Brighton with a brand new army. This work (bar a couple of the later pictures which were done a bit later) was done pretty much all in the same week as the first post - but I felt it would read better if I separated the Deathwing and Ravenwing - or at least to start with!

So the bikers, these pretty much provide the support and mobility, and another threat value to the force. 20 Terminators are scary, outflanking, scouting or turbo boosting fearless melta is quite scary in its own right. Not to mention using that T5 as combat support and so on.

Again, I wanted something slightly unique to the Ravenwing bikers, and was looking to continue the semi-Grey Knight theme to the force - and with these being the only variant in models - I felt style wise this is where I needed to try and break out something a little special. Now, I am a stratosphere apart from the level of conversion of Atriedies, he runs rings around people with his work (seriously can't wait to see his next army), but I have the experience at least to put something together. So without further ado, here's the WIP on the Ravenwing:

Deathwing WIP: An Army in 5 weeks!

 So Ven generously offered to put up my WIP of my Deathwing army over the next few weeks in preparation for Brighton Warlords. This is the first instalment, and will cover the first week or so of work focused on the Deathwing bods themselves, the second instalment (hopefully in a couple of days) will link up with the other part of the army - the Ravenwing!

Before we get into the WIP, I think a bit of an introduction to the circumstances to why I chose to "start" an entire army for Brighton, rather than continue with my Blood Angels Mech force. Also I'll throw in a slight little bit of "background" to the thought process behind the creative side of the army - which will hopefully join the dots when people actually look at the models - spoiler/warning - my "fluff" if you want to call it that is complete justification and really has nothing to do with cannon!

Bully’s Deathwing? 1750...thoughts

Bully emailed in asking for some thoughts on a 1750 Deathwing force.

I have my own Deathwing force from back in the day…well about 2 years ago, from when I just loved fielding an all terminator force…at the time, this was my only option… BUT, it will continue to gather dust on the shelves in the games room, I’m not jumping on the Deathwagon…

Bully is though… ;)

He emailed in with this:

“…Yo Ven, Bully here,
Really this is just thinking out loud, had a bit of feed back from a couple of people, but I have a fair thought of the way the list would play out. As I said I didn’t want to side track any posts, as a former gaming writer I know how sometimes it can get annoying even if it ups the comments (quality > quantity!).