Building a tournament army

[Prototype]

I'm planning to go as Blood Angels as no one here seems to be playing the army, but there are like, five or so Space Wolf armies. Problem is I've not played competitively before with any army, so I'm not sure what I'll face, and I'm not sure what I'd take. The stakes are kind of high though, so I'm *hoping* to win.

 

I'd be very grateful if you guys could share with me some of your advice, experience, etc. on what to take, what to expect, etc. I'm pretty sure no one is going to be going easy (theres at least two Imperial Guard players I know with Leafblowers, the only type of tournament list I'm familiar with due to the hype around it), so do not be afraid to suggest things that won't "sit well" in casual games. I have a fairly sizeable collection of models: 99% of which are unpainted, 80% unassembled but I have a few months left :P .

My appreciation in advance, I'll check back soon!

-Prototype-

 

*edit as per the third post, the points is either 1500 or 2250, unfinalized*

[Donkeycow]

What is the points limit? If it is over 1000 i HIGHLY suggest you take Mephiston for your HQ. The guy is a wrecking ball on steroids. Just try not to leave him alone in the open with no cover.

[Prototype]

Terribly sorry, I somehow forgot.....

 

Well the current plan is actually 1500, but because some of the "more veteran" players are the ones with leafblowers (they have a lot of say in the community), I'm assuming they might up it to 2250 points.....

[Jakobus]

Mephy is good, I think he's worth it at 2000 points and above.

A Deathcompany with a Chaplain is well worth it, stick them in a Rhino or a Razorback and they will go hard and absorb a pile of shooting.

I have found that two Baals with assault cannons running next to each other is brilliant, they spew out an incredible amount of shots and can make entire units disappear.

I'd also consider a 10man Melta Assault Squad, they do good things when having to deal with tanks.

I would love to say Vindicators are awesome, but so far my rolls have not helped me with them.

 

I have been considering a Sniper scout squad to be added to my list, a 100point objecting holding 3+ cover save unit (2+ if a techmarine is there for the improved ruins) seem like it might be worth it. Just to free up assault marines to go chop the enemy

[Morticon]

Proto - i wrote a huuuuge reply and it got eaten by the warp :) booo.

 

 

I'll try summarise my points.

 

 

Firstly, meta-game consideration is one of the biggest aspects of tourney play (IMHO).

You need to consider what the top lists are bringing - what their armies are and what their builds are. You then need to factor your list to beat those top lists, and hope your skill and over-all build can beat the rest.

If you dont factor in to beat the top lists/gamers in your area then you're not going to do well in your area.

 

Its useless saying "take XYZ" in your list if we don't know what the meta is in your area.

If there are 100 eldar players with Runes of Warding then Mephy is gonna have a headache second to none.

 

What you need to do is find out who the top players are and what kind of list they play.

 

You say IG is big? Wolves too?

 

Wolves are a complete headache.

IG too.

 

There is one solid way to beat alpha strike guard and that's speed. The same goes for leafblower syle lists - it's speed. Attack bikers are win.

Wolves on the other hand are a nightmare. Unless we get the charge (with FC in tow) then we're boned. Theyre better than our regular marines. This is again where fast, shooty units will help. Taking down the wolf transports means we can more easily dictate the charge.

 

Anyway...rambling now...get back to us and tell us what the top 5 lists usually are and what theme/style.

 

(horde/counter-shooty/mech/alphastrike/etc etc.)

[Prototype]

From what I can gather:

1) Leafblower

2) Lots and lots of SW (possibly with Thunderwolves; I haven't seen any yet, but its a matter of time before someone converts a few models for the tourney)

3) Orks, one guy with Biker Nobz, then the other guy apparently (i.e. I haven't seen him play) likes lots of shoota boys in Battlewagons

4) Theres a tyranid player, but I haven't seen him play yet. No idea what passes as competitive for them.

5) Eldar, the guy has more or less every miniature ever made for them so no idea what it would be. Its supposedly Alaitoc, but then again since the old codex there hasn't been an Alaitoc-specific armylist. He does have tons of waveserpent models, so I expect mechanized.

[Morticon]

From what I can gather:

1) Leafblower

 

>_<;

This has now become an overused term to refer to any guard list that gives players problems. And now means different things to different people.

Leafblower is an IG mech list that runs at 2500 points. Its Troop contingent has all vets in chimeras/vendettas and a bunch of heavy tanks - usually with a mystic Inq support.

Its not as effective at 1500-2k.

Are you talking about mech guard? Or your clubs version of tough guard called "leafblower" that is something entirely different?

 

 

2) Lots and lots of SW (possibly with Thunderwolves; I haven't seen any yet, but its a matter of time before someone converts a few models for the tourney)

3) Orks, one guy with Biker Nobz, then the other guy apparently (i.e. I haven't seen him play) likes lots of shoota boys in Battlewagons

4) Theres a tyranid player, but I haven't seen him play yet. No idea what passes as competitive for them.

5) Eldar, the guy has more or less every miniature ever made for them so no idea what it would be. Its supposedly Alaitoc, but then again since the old codex there hasn't been an Alaitoc-specific armylist. He does have tons of waveserpent models, so I expect mechanized.

 

Okay -

 

tough spread here.

Mephy will help with 4 of those 5.

Attack bikes will be golden for all of them.

 

I recommend whatever you do you take 2 squads of 3 Attack bikes- 140 point squads (2mm, 1hb).

Then a Baal - to provide mobile fire support.

A las sponson auto pred is great against most of these lists too.

I would strongly, strongly consider a dread (talons). Mounted in a pod if you play all out speed, unmounted ONLY if you play heavy shooty/counter (which wont work too well against Guard- but will work very well against the others).

This dread will help in an epic way against the wolves, nids of any type, ork nobs and horde orks - but less so with eldar.

[Prototype]

>_<;

This has now become an overused term to refer to any guard list that gives players problems. And now means different things to different people.

Leafblower is an IG mech list that runs at 2500 points. Its Troop contingent has all vets in chimeras/vendettas and a bunch of heavy tanks - usually with a mystic Inq support.

Its not as effective at 1500-2k.

Are you talking about mech guard? Or your clubs version of tough guard called "leafblower" that is something entirely different?

 

Its more or less a cut-and-paste from the BoLS article. I'm assuming people would make some tweaks, but the general idea is the same.

[Morticon]

I had a batrep (unfinished) of my BA vs. Coles (current Chicago area champ) "leafblower" style IG. He came 4th last year and 1st this year- with the same army. (maybe searchy will help - lots of pics).

 

I had him on the ropes quite substantially by the end of 4th.

Attack bikes were key !!!

[Prototype]

Wow its been almost a month? Man time flies......anyway, I'm bumping this old thread since it turns out its going to be 1,000 points, a far smaller game than I expected.

 

I was thinking of going with Mephiston, simply because at 1,000 points I'd imagine he is practically invincible, but I'd be concerned that there is a chance they would ban named characters. Given that, should I just spam Jump Pack RAS (with meltas, powerfist), attack bikes, a sang priest and a reclusiarch?

[Joasht]

Crazy random thought, but this could fit in 1000 points. Will it be good? Maybe, maybe not. Would be fascinating to play though.

 

2x 3 Attack Bikes (2MM, 1HB) - 280

3x Furioso's (Blood Talons) - 375

 

Leaves you with 345 for 1HQ + 2 Troops. Could easily drop one squad of bikes or one Furioso for more Troops, but I think 3 Furioso's would make for a fairly tough fight at 1000 points. And frankly even if you TOTALLY skip the attack bikes you could just take the three Furioso's and play around with 625 points :/

[dekyr]

At 1000 points Mephi isn't worth it. It's a 4th of your points that could easily get killed by a small troop choice. In larger games, he has alot of cover from potentially more dangerous units giving him time to get to key targets.

 

Definitely go with Assault squads with Meltas. At low point games, I've thought that PC Dev squad with Priest could be dangerous to opponents. PC are great vs Eldar and horde armies like Orks. A 5man DC with a power fist will definitely make their points back.

 

At 1000pts my list might look like this.

 

HQ

Reclusiarch /w JP 155pts

 

Elites

2Priests (1 joined with Dev squad and 1 with Assault sqaud) 100pts

 

Troops

5man DC with JP and 1 PF 200pts

DC Dread with Talons 125pts

5man assault squad with Razorback 120pts ( for objective holding)

 

Fast attack

3man attack bike squad /w multi metas 150pts

 

Heavy Support

5man Dev squad /w PC 200 pts

 

You could opt to have one attack bike with HB and take a flamer with AS and melta bomb with Reclusiarch. Reclusiarch should travel with DC for re-roll to Hit and Wond

[Hiro_Protagonist]

What kind of missions you'll face can also be a factor. Unless you plan on tabling your opponents you will need troops who can hold objectives. As a side thought, I've noticed (at least where I play) that DC in Rhino has more survivability plus a longer range turn 2 charge. 18" move (turn 1), smoke, 2" deploy + 6" move, 6" charge = 32" range to target! :D

[Stormbrow II]

I was going to throw in some generic advice for you too but I'm just wondering what models you have available and whether you prefer mech-heavy or JP-heavy as it does make a difference.

 

E.g. Taking Mephiston isn't the be-all and end-all as he can get pucked around depending upon what else you have in your list. He works better in Mech-heavy lists and has to avoid dedicated combat units like the Plague from what I've seen and read.

 

I wouldn't take him in a 1k game because winning will depend almost solely on whether he lives or dies. Spread the threat from the units in your army and make sure that you have at least 2 Troops as you'll need them for objective games.