Karhedron

I think Valrak mentioned that Wolf Scouts were also a possibility but we will need to wait and see.

Space Wolves have a slightly tricky problem here (albeit one of GW's own making). Space Wolves don't wear the Chapter emblem on their should pads but their Great Company emblem. I model Blackmanes (as I suspect many do) but it would be a shame to spoil it for players who model Iron Wolves, Fire Wolves etc. GW have rather painted themselves into a corner with this one and I suspect that flat shoulder pads is a necessary evil.

It was as if a million wallets cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced! Seriously, those releases look amazing and were everything I had been hoping for from the new elite wave. I will be interested to see if the rules change at all.

What is about GW's approach to balance that spoils this edition for you? Personally I like the approach of quarterly MFMs to keep points fair because it means if something shoots to the top of the meta, you know if will be reeled in before too long. I remember the 8th edition SM 2.0 codex where Iron Hands dominated the meta for over a year which I don't think was fun for anyone.

You have hit the nail squarely on the head but you have also illustrated why the sort of balance you are after cannot be part of the game design. How do you create rules for etiquette?

I agree to some extent but I think you cannot separate fun and balance like that. If the game is competitive in any way then it is very hard to make it fun if it is not balanced. Both players need a fair chance to win for the game to be fun. No one likes be kerb-stomped by unbeatable killer combos and it is not much fun to delete your opponent's army on easy mode either. It is not a choice between fun and balance. Balance is part of the foundations on which a fun game can be built.

Poor Sternguard are stuck in an awkward design space between Intercessors and Hellblasters. They can't make them too good or they invalidate Hellblasters but if they are not good enough, there is no point taking them over Intercessors. Speaking of which, Hellblasters are going to remain a solid call against DG.

I haven't seen any FAQs so I would assume RAW apply. The best place for a Darkshroud is protecting units with a 2+ save (Land Raider, Dreads, Vindicator) as your opponent will really need to higher AP weapons to crack these targets. Dark Angels Ironstorm with a Darkshroud or two shielding and armoured spearhead was quite a popular build last year IIRC. Add in Azrael as a CP battery and chuck in just enough infantry to hold Objectives and counter-charge any melee threats.

Depends on the range. On the Land Raider for instance, RF2 at BS4+ is worse at 24-48" range but within 24" it is whopping 66% better. A WE LR within 24" will score on average 4 hits. A regular SM/CSM LR at the same range will score an average of 2.33 hits.

Deathshroud are also 4 Wounds apiece now.

Big squads have the advantage that they get more value out of stratagems and attached characters.

Mephiston is not allowed to join any squads, he must operate on his own. Aside from that it looks like a fun and solid army.

The Ballistus is a good choice with great all-round firepower and a good special rule. The Repulsor Executioner is more expensive in terms of points. While it has good firepower, its special rule only kicks in against heavily damaged targets. For a few more points you can get a Land Raider which I think will do more work and can carry your Assault Intercessors.

Same with regular Marines, almost no one buys Ancients. But overall I agree the points costs look promising.

Predator Destructor. The Autocannon has 4 attacks (6 attacks within 24") at S9, AP-2 D3. That will clear both Plague Marines and Terminators pretty efficiently. The Heavy Bolters will struggle as they will need 5s to Wound but every bit helps. Or just put on Lascannons.