Advice wanted for 1750 pts against BA

[Bergelmir]

Hi everyone, I'm going to have a 1750pts game coming up. While I'm into the 'having fun' aspect of the game, I want to bring a tailored list to the table for this game. The enemy is a Blood Angels army as follows:

 

HQ:

1. Sanguinor (275)

2. Libby w/ JP, FW, StrmBltr, sanguine sword, blood lance, (128)

 

Elites:

1. sang guard sqd w/ chptBnr, 1x inf pistol, 1x powerfist (250)

2. 2x sang priest w/ JPs, power weapons (180)

 

Troops:

1. 10man ass sqd w/ 2x meltaG, 1x handflmr, 1x PF (245)

2. 5 man ass sqd w/ 1x meltaG, 1x handflmr, 1x PF (145)

 

Fast A:

1. 5 man vang vet sqs w/ 1x TH, 1x PF, 3x PW (250)

2. 1x Baal pred w/ ass cnn, HvyBltr spnsns, strmBltr, XA (170)

3. 1x land speeder w/ multi melta, ass cnn (100)

[Bergelmir]

I was thinking of bringing the following to the table:

 

HQ:

1. Rune Priest (WTT, Murderous Hurricane, Storm Caller)

2. Bjorn Fell Handed (plasma cannon)

3. Wolf Priest (Runic armour, WTT)

 

Elites:

1. Wolf Guard x3 (Combi-melta & Wolf claw, Combi-melta & Power fist, Combi-melta, Frost axe)

2. Wolf Scouts x5 (Meltagun)

3. Lone Wolf (Fenrisian Wolves x2, Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield)

 

Troops:

1. 2 squads (8 GH) 1 Meltagun, Wolf Std, MotW, Plasma pistol, Powerfist, Rhino

2. 1 squad (10 GH) 2 Plasmagun, Wolf Std, MotW, Plasma pistol, Powerfist, Rhino

 

Heavy Support:

1. Two Vindicators

 

Strategy

- Psychic: The Rune Priest and the spread of WTT on the Wolf Priest would help nullify the Librarian.

- The Rune Priest's Storm Caller is to provide cover saves for the advancing armour and Murderous Hurricane to make things difficult for advancing BA. MH will whittle down the BA numbers before the charge (with some luck) and will allow the Grey Hunters more time to shoot.

- Plasma: Bjorn can tie up a squad in CC, or devastate them off with plasma shooting. In addition to Bjorn, there is more plasma spread out in all the GH squads to reduce the numbers of the Blood Angels before the charge. I am not sure whether to screen Bjorn behind the Rhinos or let him lead the advance.

- I have opted for a Wolf Priest rather than a 2nd Rune Priest to ensure the 1 squad of Grey Hunters has more CC punch.

- The Wolf Guard will be distributed amongst the Wolf Scouts and the first 2 Grey Hunters to give them additional punch in CC

- The Wolf Scout priority would be to attempt to destroy his Baal Predator or Land Speeder before tying a squad

- The Lone Wolf will seek out the Sanguinor rather than the BA squads armed with PW. For fluff reasons, I have provided him with PA rather than the favoured TDA but have given 2 F. Wolves as ablative wounds to help out.

- The Vindicators will advance with the Rhinos to provide multiple targets for his Meltas and to drop S10 templates

 

Thank you all for reading the post! I understand many people are not fans of tailoring lists, or blatant asking for advice. To this end, I would like to emphasize that I am specifically seeking to tailor a list solely for this game only. In addition, I have attempted to explain my strategy above. Thank you all once again for your understanding!

[Stormshrug]

I'd say Tempest's Wrath instead of Storm Caller on the Rune Priest. He doesn't have much low AP fire that a cover save helps against (no cover against the Flamestorm Cannon, sadly), and Tempest's Wrath can brutalize Jump Infantry, which is pretty much his whole army. You should also look up beforehand whether FNP works against Dangerous Terrain tests.

 

-Stormshrug

[dswanick]

I'd say Tempest's Wrath instead of Storm Caller on the Rune Priest. He doesn't have much low AP fire that a cover save helps against (no cover against the Flamestorm Cannon, sadly), and Tempest's Wrath can brutalize Jump Infantry, which is pretty much his whole army. You should also look up beforehand whether FNP works against Dangerous Terrain tests.

 

-Stormshrug

I'd second the Tempest's Wrath over Storm Caller in part because FNP does not work against failed Dangerous Terrain tests (it says so right in the USR text on Pg.75). Also, I would strongly consider freeing up 50pts to give your RP Master of Runes, allowing him to cast Tempest's Wrath every turn in addition to Murderous Hurricane or using his Runic Staff.

[Bergelmir]

Thank you everyone for all the replies. I will look for some way to shave points to give the RP Master of the Runes (maybe removing RA for the Wolf Priest, WTTs and the 2 F. Wolves)

 

I would then run the RP with Tempest's Wrath to deny the BA movement charge and use Living Lightning when they are not within range.

[IamCaboose]

I'd drop the powerfists in your grey hunters for the points needed for Master of Runes. They're only 1 attack after the first round of combat and 25 pts a pop, not really worth it. And he has no dreads so you dont need to worry about getting stuck in CC against walkers. If you drop all three GH powerfists you can give your RP runic armour and master of runes.

 

Caboose

[Grimtooth]

One part of your tactics I don't really agree with is adding extra punch to cc. His plan and build is too get into cc as soon as possible with the JP and rely on the Sang Priest bonuses.

 

So the advice given on reducing his mobility via Tempest Wrath is a great one. His VGV are almost guaranteed to Heroic Intervention, that will be disupted at the possible loss due to TW. Murderous Hurricane further disrupts that planned mobility.

 

Bjorn is nice, but he will be a Infernus Pistol target priority. Screen him with Rhinos as planned but keep him in that Tempest Wrath, Murderous Hurricane bubble. Imagine the Bjorn counter-attack if he fails to get close enough to Infernus Pistol him.

 

Short version: Reduce his mobility to reduce his ability to get off the charge he is depending on.

Good list and good advice given here. Good luck.

[the jeske]

A question why can you run a cheaper normal dread instead of bjorn or better yet a rifle man and not pay the cost of a LR for one walker ?

 

I hope for the BA dude that you guys are playing kill points because , because with 15 scoring models he aint going to take a lot of objectives .

 

 

why a wolf priest and not a lord or a second rune priest ?

[jjfelber]

the reason wolves win is because we are balanced. I would drop some HQ points and bring more models. More Guns!! shoot him to bits before he arrives. Make him come to you. Then when his numbers are weakened get into CC. The vindicators are good if he is coming too you, but not so great for strategy. You dont want to shoot at his units if they are close to yours. I would go 10 MLs.

[Bergelmir]

Hi guys, thanks for the advice in refining my list. I'll be warring with my opponent once I return back to my home country in January. I miss my Great Company!

 

I'll be dropping the Fenrisian Wolves from the Lone Wolf as they cannot be used as ablative wounds. Basic attacks against the Sanguinor or MEQ would most probably be useless in my opinion. This will free up 20 points. An additional 30 points will come from changing the power fists to power weapons instead. I won't need to drop the WTT or the RA for the Wolf Priest. However, I will give the RA to the Rune Priest instead, as the Wolf Priest already has a 4+ invulnerable.

 

I'd drop the powerfists in your grey hunters for the points needed for Master of Runes. They're only 1 attack after the first round of combat and 25 pts a pop, not really worth it. And he has no dreads so you dont need to worry about getting stuck in CC against walkers. If you drop all three GH powerfists you can give your RP runic armour and master of runes.

 

Caboose

 

Thanks Caboose for this idea. Converting all 3 powerfists to power weapons will give me an additional 30 points. It will still also allow me a chance to hit back hard.

 

One part of your tactics I don't really agree with is adding extra punch to cc. His plan and build is too get into cc as soon as possible with the JP and rely on the Sang Priest bonuses

 

Hail Brother Ramses. (just wanted to say that I always liked your signature about Old Spice) I have decided upon some extra punch in CC because no matter how many delaying tactics I use, it will definitely come down to a CC battle...

 

A question why can you run a cheaper normal dread instead of bjorn or better yet a rifle man and not pay the cost of a LR for one walker ?

 

I hope for the BA dude that you guys are playing kill points because , because with 15 scoring models he aint going to take a lot of objectives .

 

why a wolf priest and not a lord or a second rune priest ?

 

I am opting for Bjorn for his WS and BS. I don't want a rifle man because I dislike seeing Dreads sitting back and firing. I envision Dreads getting into the thick of things. Also, I like the thought of Bjorn - he's rarely seen...

 

The Wolf Priest for CC punch and points consideration. Though I might replace him with a 2nd Rune priest, just to create more trouble for him.

[the jeske]

if you want to do hth with an HQ take a lord and dreads suck as hth units , not enough attackes to break even basic units . And as extra bs and ws goes . one doesnt help much[rifle man are twin linked] and the other is tied to the low number of A dreads have . Even if bjorn could have 2 ccw he would still be a foot slogging hth unit and that is realy bad without fleet and/or cavalery.

[elithren]

Your enemy has the ability to completely tie up Bjorn with the VV squad. BA Vans get the heroic every time(almost) and the way they are setup, they are all about dropping something heavy. Dreads are great but it would really suck to have Bjorn dropped in the second turn because the TH went WHAM on his front casing. Overall, I second the shooty because BA is all about CC so they lack in the range department big time. Lastly, I highly doubt your scouts are going to be as effective as you want because if you do behind the lines, that Baal is going to long gone from his deployment. Since he's all about speed, let him come to you and blow it up with 4 ML for the cost of the scouts(ish, give or take 20 pts).

[Simo429]

Too much on your HQ, if you want to take a dreadnought don't take bjorn.

[JMac]

Hey, hope I'm not too late and can help with your list.

 

Bjorn, although expensive, a great choice. You really want to go first against BA and he will help. However at this point cost, you might be better leaving it up to chance and falling back on strategic deployment if you go last.

 

I would drop the scouts. Seeing as his army list (BA in general) is a very mobile army and knowing you have scouts as a threat, he will take that shock unit by staying away from table edges if he is smart. Another option instead of the scouts would be to take a 2nd Rune Priest for more psychic defense and you could utilize Storm Caller as well as Murderous Hurricane as planned.

 

The Vindis are fantastic support and great infantry killers. Although, I am beginning to see more and more that "all jump infantry" armies set up in a straight line with all models 2 inches apart as to escape the large blast template. Maybe Long Fangs would be better as they can fire out more shots and split they're fire as needed.

 

Lastly, the more plasma shots the better! FNP does not work against AP2.