What do I have to do to start BA

[real_noob]

I AM A BRAND NEW 40K PLAYER!!!!!! I am a fantasy player though so i guess i do know a thing or two. i just bought the AoBR box set and i'm just curious as to what i need to do to make my army a BA army? also, what the heck are the differences in dreadnoughts. I am really interested in dreadnoughts and i heard that this would be the best army to play if i want to use dreadnoughts. but i don't want to be cheesy i just want to make sure that i buy all the right things. and is there really anything that i can do with the models that i currently have from AoBR? i just got me a box of death company so i guess that's a start. but still, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCES IN THE DREADNOUGHTS??

[Demoulius]

first of all m8 you made 3 identical posts instead of just 1...if the website doesent respond dont bash the "post" button ok? :RTBBB:

 

that said, welcome! welcome to the blood angel army and the B&C forums :RTBBB:

 

we indeed have 3 types of dreadnoughts. namely a furioso. a close combat monster, has WS6 AV 13 front. has meltagun/stormbolter (stormbolter can be turned into heavy flamer. can be upgraded to a librarian dreadnought in which case it can fly or do or nasty stuff

 

our 2nd dreadnought is a death company dreadnought. is a troop choice (but not scoring since its a vehicle) he ignores shaken and stunned, has WS 5 and is subject to rage. meaning he has to move towards the closest visible target (must beeing the big word here)

 

our 3rd dread is a normal one has no upgrade for venerable sadly though.

 

AoBR is a good start but depending on what you want (aside from dreadnoughts) is hard to give you more spot on advice. any playtype that you want to go for?

[JamesI]

I'd recommend taking the few 40k figures you have, maybe suppliment with some fantasy stuff, and proxy some different styles of BA lists. Do you want lots of tanks, lots of jump packers?

 

This will help you find what you like so you can buy the right stuff rather than buy a whole bunch, find out what you like, then go buy a whole bunch more.

[Rybnick]

I'm a new-ish player myself so I'm not 100% sure on the fluff but if you want a dreadnought focused force don't other chapters do it better? I can't recal the exact chapter I'm thinking of (is it maybe the Imperial Fists?) but their is some other chapter out their that REALLY loves their dreads. I'm not trying to point you away from BA just saying if you go by fluff their are other chapters that can do dreadnoughts better than us (we just have the newest shiniest ones at the momment :RTBBB:)

 

Demo's synopsis of dreadnought breakdown is pretty spot on so I won't over state what we have access to. As far as the AoBR models go the tacticals are really only good as tactical marines, they are pretty hard to make into anything else (I use mine as test painting mini's personally). The dread from AoBR is fine and can easily be used as a DC or Furiosos (slight conversion or your imagination may be required to make it a libby, or give them blood talons). The captain is fine if you want to run with a captain as your HW (not my first choice but a nice option if you don't want to purchase another HQ right off the bat, or I suppose it could be a proxy for another HQ as well). Finally the temies can be very usefull (if your into termies), you can pretty easily and cheaply buy some Lightning claw and/or thunderhammer/storm shield bits from GW (I think it cost me about $15 total for 5 TH/SS and 5 LC's). Plus with a little magnetization the AoBR termies can be either assault or tactical terminators.

 

Hopefully my ramblings were somewhat useful to you, welcome to B&C. Have fun and good luck with your Blood Angels!

[real_noob]

well, i'm not too big on the tanks. i'm a fan. but i don't mind having 1 or 2 in the future. i'm more focused on close combat. currently i have 20 tactical guys (won 10 guys on ebay) and 5 terminators and 2 dreadnoughts (won a dreadnought on ebay) from the AoBR. i have seen a lot of jump infantry online and i am really into that. i know i don't want a lot of death company guys because i hear that they can't control objectives so maybe just some regular space marine assult squads? but i want to focus on fast assault and lots but not too much dreadnoughts. maybe want to run about 5 or 6 of them. is that too much? what is the regular amount of dreadnoughts people usually field without being considered cheese? and if i want to make my AoBR dreadnoughts furious dreadnoughts, do i have to change their weapons or something? usually in warhammer fantasy, they can look like anything and give them anything without the model actually having the weapon. oh, and if you're really curious. i really like BA because i can paint them black.

[Burningblood]

Actually I don't know how the fists work but we can do dreadnoughts pretty well- also our Furioso dreads are as good or better at close combat then a venerable (they are our venerable dreads btw) or an Ironclad. Here's an example of a dread heavy list around 2,500 points. This is how I would run it.

HQ- Dante

Elites: Furioso Librarian =wings of sanguinius, blood lance

Furioso Dreadnought

Furioso Dreadnought

Troops: Deathcompany: x15 DC w/jump packs, Lemartes, x3 power weapons, power fist, x3 Inferno pistols

DC Dreadnoght- drop pod

DC Dreadnought- Drop pod

DC dreadnought- Drop Pod

Heavy support:

Dreadnought- Multimelta, autocannon, Drop pod

Dreadnought- Multimelta, heavy flamer, drop pod

Dreadnought- Autocannon, Assault Cannon- Drop Pod

 

Now THATS how we can do a dreadnought list.

Note that you can have one DC Dread per 5 Deathcompany marines.

This list is designed to anihlate the opponent's list. There are no scoring units, which most people don't agree with whatsoever, but its a viable list to just splatter your opponent's filthy, xeno models all over the table.

Hope this helps and have fun!

 

Hey, when did I become a veteran at this game?????

[bushman101]

I re-started 40k with BA using the AoBR set and don't regret the buy.

 

The Captain is a decent (but not optimal) HQ choice

The Dreadnought is handy

The Tac Squad is good for baby sitting objectives

Terminators are kinda meh

The rule book, templates and scatter die are a must

 

The catch with AoBR is your not getting anything that distinctively makes your army a BA force.

I would recommend a Sanginary Priest, Baal Predator or a Assault Squad as your next purchase

 

I re-started 40k with BA using the AoBR set and don't regret the buy.

 

The Captain is a decent (but not optimal) HQ choice

The Dreadnought is handy

The Tac Squad is good for baby sitting objectives

Terminators are kinda meh

The rule book, templates and scatter die are a must

 

The catch with AoBR is your not getting anything that distinctively makes your army a BA force.

I would recommend a Sanginary Priest, Baal Predator or a Assault Squad as your next purchase

[Twin .44]

Hey, when did I become a veteran at this game?????

 

Just now with that epic list. Yeesh bucko! But I'd get the pods for the other three dreads myself.

[TrentL]

if I was doing a Dread-Pod list I'd put some Frag Cannons the Drad's I love those ... nothing clears out a horde of boyz or a blob of guard like a STR 6, AP-, Template ASSAULT 2 weapon....

 

Yeah that + a heavy flamer and your clearing the path!

 

To the Original Poster...

 

I'm new to the Blood Angels as well and I never wanted to use tanks... but once you start fielding forces and seeing what Fast Vindicators and Outflanking Baal Predators are doing to your enemy (Or you for that matter) you might change your mind like I did.

 

Failing that, Snag a Death Company Box, and a Assault Marine box and make some some really good looking Assault troops, magnetize their backpacks and you can run them either in Rhino's or Jump packs.

[rodgambit]

If you like jump troops, dreadnaughts and close combat then you can build a force around the following:

 

Drop pod dreadnaughts into your opponent's lines with locator beacons. Hold the jump troops in reserve; this also works very well with vanguard veterans and then deep strike them within 6" of a locator beacon on a drop pod. If I was using this tactic I would buy at least 3 drop pods, 2 death company boxes and 2 assault boxes. You can make some really awesome looking jump pack marines out of the mix of DC sprues and assault sprues and you'll want at least 3 drop pods so that 2 hit the table first turn with locator beacons.

 

I do however agree with one of the above posters that suggested you proxy some things first to figure out what you like and what you don't like. There are several different ways to play Blood Angels and you don't want to invest too much money before you know which direction you want to take your army.

[real_noob]

okay. so what i'm understanding right now is that i should get at least 2 DC boxes and 1 assult box? and for the models of marines i have currently, i could just use them for claiming objectives right now?

 

as far as the dreadnoughts go, the 2 i have from the AoBR, i need to change them to furiouso dreads? how do i do that? or can i just keep them looking the same and call them furiouso dreads? is there a particular look they need? i am getting the codex today so hopefully i can get some more understanding of the terms and different dreads.

[Rybnick]

Your AoBR dread's are fully capable of being considered furioso dread's as they are right now. The only thing that they are missing really is the force weapon if you make them a furioso librarian, which would require some converting as they don't have an official arm being produced (or at least not one I'm aware of). Also you would have to model a frag cannon arm or blood talons if you wanted either of those options as well, but other than that the AoBR Dread's have the requisite dual blood fist w/ melta and storm bolter arms the same as a regular Furioso would.

[real_noob]

well thanks!! that does clarify some stuff. so i guess when i want that librarian furioso, then i'll just buy a new model so i can convert stuff then. and i suppose that out of that box i could probably find some stuff that i can convert my models right now to have a frag cannon or blood talons right?

thanks for all your help, and if anyone else wants to add in information i'll be happy to take them :D

[Devilmixer]

Well dont rember what the AoBR Dred looks like, but the furioso dread has two close combat arms, with a stom bolter on one and a melta on the other, but other than that they look like regular dreads

[angel of justice]

welcome brother just some general advice

 

Forgeworld has good examples of close combat weapons that most people use for Blood talons, The multi melta from the Black reach dread can be pretty easily converted to a frag cannon as well if your interested.

 

While starting a new army you might consider just painting a shoulder pad of your tac squad blue, white, black etc to represent Librarian, priest or chaplain before you go off and make some purchases and play a few games to find out what style of army you like to play. Blood angels can play assault very well but on the other side of the coin can play a very resilient long range fire-power support that can still destroy stuff when it comes to assault you.

 

If you intend to tournament or play semi pro the idea when modelling and crafting your force is Wysiwyg Whatyouseeiswhatyouget. Friends this doesn't really make a difference but most competive play there are rules about it no the same as fantasy but very different style.

 

Take most of the tactics and opinions of units with a grain of salt, Death company has drawbacks sure but the fact is they are a very deadly fire sync that smart opponents will dedicate 2 units to kite, which they might not be killing but effectively neutralising for the rest of your army and put pressure on the opposing player they are a fun unit and dont get the recognition they deserve.

 

Also sanguinary priests in every squad you can FEEL NO PAIN + FURIOUS CHARGE = AWESOME.

[Demoulius]

Actually I don't know how the fists work but we can do dreadnoughts pretty well- also our Furioso dreads are as good or better at close combat then a venerable (they are our venerable dreads btw) or an Ironclad. Here's an example of a dread heavy list around 2,500 points. This is how I would run it.

HQ- Dante

Elites: Furioso Librarian =wings of sanguinius, blood lance

Furioso Dreadnought

Furioso Dreadnought

Troops: Deathcompany: x15 DC w/jump packs, Lemartes, x3 power weapons, power fist, x3 Inferno pistols

DC Dreadnoght- drop pod

DC Dreadnought- Drop pod

DC dreadnought- Drop Pod

Heavy support:

Dreadnought- Multimelta, autocannon, Drop pod

Dreadnought- Multimelta, heavy flamer, drop pod

Dreadnought- Autocannon, Assault Cannon- Drop Pod

 

Now THATS how we can do a dreadnought list.

Note that you can have one DC Dread per 5 Deathcompany marines.

This list is designed to anihlate the opponent's list. There are no scoring units, which most people don't agree with whatsoever, but its a viable list to just splatter your opponent's filthy, xeno models all over the table.

Hope this helps and have fun!

 

Hey, when did I become a veteran at this game?????

dreadnought list? yes....effective? highly unlikely...at 2500 pts your opponen will have PLENTY of anti tank weapons to take out your dreadnoughts... and then what do you have? a few death company running around kicking his heels? :wub:

 

also it comes across as somewhat arrogant to proclaim yourself a veteran after suggesting 1 list m8...when youve been around prowling the forums and playing games on a regular basis can you call yourself that :P

 

not sure if your post was in gest but please keep the OP in mind, hes new to the hobby and i doubt a rist that has 0 scoring units will be one that will improve his gaming quality any :P

 

back on topic....i agree on what the rest say. if your group is willing; proxy alot before you make a final choice. if you have a good gaming group(or proper GW) im sure you can borrow some models to proxy with until you find something that you like! 2 boxes of DC and/or SG backed up by assault squad box will mean you can customize to your hearts content :)

 

and:

Also sanguinary priests in every squad you can FEEL NO PAIN + FURIOUS CHARGE = AWESOME.

i second this...this man speaks the TRUTH! :wub:

[real_noob]

well thanks for the welcome. everyone here seems to know exactly what they are talking about which is real nice. i do plan on maybe starting off with 1 or 2 units of DC so we'll have to see where that goes. i want to get in some games to see what i like most in 40k but i know in fantasy i love fielding fighting blocks. so i know that assult would be more of my taste. i will look into the dreadnought thing and yes i do plan on getting to tournment status someday so i really do want to do the WYSIWYG look. so thanks for that website. i'll look into it. and as far as i go with the painting. i've already painted my guys from AoBR black with red trim and i painted the arrow white so that i know what unit it goes to. once i get the assult guys i will use different symbols to go with them. thanks guys!!

[Priest33]

Keep in mind mate that you can only take one unit of DC in a normal list unless you take Astorath who removes that limit. :wub:

 

My advice is to get more assault troops then work out a theme to your army. BA have some great list choices and having the majority of your army moving atmeast 12 a turn is amazing.

 

Other then that have fun with the codex, whilst i believe there are a few trap units and options our codex in general is a good to awesome codex, highly competitive and in the top 5 codex's. (I still personaly feel SW's build stronger lists overall but that doesnt mean we can't destroy them. Its all up to the dice and your tatics after all!)