Codex Space Marine army list discussion

[Dosjetka]

Hello all,

 

While I've been around on the board for about two years now, this is my first post here, so Mods, if this is the wrong place for this type of thread, please move it.

 

Anyway, for the better part of six years, I've been coming up with countless different army lists for an Space Marine army that I've never collected. I can't count the number of pages filled with lists that I have never used and that I'll probably never use. This comes down to one thing: I need to create an army list that works (I don't have the money nor the time to playtest the lists and combinations I come up with, at least, not for now) and that I will stick to.

 

But, I do not ask for the best lists being used in tournaments or other such competitive enviroments. I would like to devise a list that I can play with in a relaxed way, maybe even a fluffy way. Up till now, I have read many tacticas, but I just can't get my head around them as I get confused (maybe due to the lack of games under my belt -> 1) and find that I'm never happy with whatever I come up with.

 

So, with your help permitting, I would like to come up with a 1500 1000 point list from Codex: Space Marines. This should be guided by the fact that I believe that Astartes should strike hard and strike fast, bringing the fight to the enemy, to not leave them the time to react properly. The problem is, how could I represent all of that in an army list? I don't know! I turn to you to help me out a bit, if you would be so kind to do so.

 

Any replies are appreciated B)

 

Oh, and for those who have read this far, you have my thanks!

 

Ludovic

[minigun762]

I would like to come up with a 1500 point list from Codex: Space Marines. This should be guided by the fact that I believe that Astartes should strike hard and strike fast, bringing the fight to the enemy, to not leave them the time to react properly. The problem is, how could I represent all of that in an army list?

 

Whenenver I'm thinking of making a new list, I always think about myself first. What do I like or don't like.

 

For example I have learned the hard way that I don't play well with heavy weapons in my infantry squads as the lure to remain static to shoot is too distracting. I also know that I'm not really a fan of Terminator Armor so I prefer not to use it when I can help. For me, these things are key to making a list that I'll actually stick with and its much more important then how effective or "tournament ready" the list is.

 

With that being said, you should consider which units you like and which you don't as a starting point, as you're not going to enjoy playing with units you don't like regardless of how good they are.

 

As for the overall theme of a strike hard and fast list, my first instinct is Drop Pods. To me, nothing represents the Marine's preferred method of war better then dropping out of the sky on your enemies. Its that whole "Angels of Death" thing. Taking this a step further, we see that heavy armor would make less sense as it takes some time to deploy to the surface so we will have to look elsewhere for our big guns. Luckily both Dreadnoughts and Land Speeders are available and fit into the theme perfectly.

 

I'll stop there as I'm sure you'll want to get other (non Traitors) people's advice but hopefully that helps some.

[chaplain belisarius]

you sound like you are in the same boat as me! I like writing lists and have more armylists than ill ever be able to paint (if i was a better painter id get howling griffons or imperial fists, but im not..)

 

Surely an assault squad should be in the army somewhere? they are always good fun!

[Dosjetka]

@minigun: Thanks a lot for the reply :huh: And I'll take into consideration what you have said, seems to me like some good points to start with!

 

@belisarius: I do like Assault Squads, so I'll probably include one, maybe even too. As for painting, my only advice is practice, practice and practice more! :cuss Just as a thought, maybe these articles could help you with your painting/converting issues? (Cleaning, Preparing (& Converting) Models & Common Issues for New Hobbyists)

 

Ludovic

[chaplain belisarius]

trust me...im not a painter! :huh:

 

assault squads are fun...not very competitive (but i prefer fluff and having fun to winning, dont you?)

 

and thanks for the links but im really not that into the painting side im afraid....

[Dosjetka]

trust me...im not a painter! :D

 

and thanks for the links but im really not that into the painting side im afraid....

OK, no problem. Always glad to help though :D

 

(but i prefer fluff and having fun to winning, dont you?)

Yes, I definitely do B)

 

Ludovic

[chaplain belisarius]

thats good then! :D

 

(i love vindicators...dont you?)

[Arikel]

Hmm...I could say I'm mostly in the same boat, I've been collecting for some time now but don't really play on a regular basis(my friends have finally painted enough models we have more frequent games now though), but if you are looking for strike hard and strike fast, then maybe use scouts as troops, backed up by landspeeders, assault squads and possibly a drop pod with a dread in it? If you use khan or shrike as your captain, you can also get interesting possibilities via outflank, and fleet. This gives you the ability to be up in yer opponents face by turn 2 easily.

 

Some people may call for a bike army, and while that is cool, it is not only expensive points wise, but also money wise, so on a tight budget i wouldn't recommend em.

[Arikel]

Got a lil time off work so i made a 1k list for ya, just to get ideas going.

 

Hq Shrike 195

 

Troops 2 x 10 man ccw scouts, sarge has pf and combi of choice 175 x 2

 

Elite Dreadnaught with mm and hf, droppod 150

 

Fast Attack 10 man Assault squad 2 x flamer, sarge has pf 235

 

Fast Attack Landspeeder with mm and hf 70 points

 

You could switch out upgrades and the hq for more units, but shrike allows the assault squad to infiltrate with the scouts.

[minigun762]

To take Arikel's point a bit further, if your budget is a limiting factor, there are cheaper armies you can build. The drawback of the standard mechanized army is that you need both the unit and the transport for each selection and that can add up quickly. Instead focusing on non-mechanized infantry with expensive (point wise) units like Venerable Dreadnoughts or Land Raiders or units that can be heavily upgraded like Command and Vanguard squads, will help keep your cost down.

[DarkGuard]

@belisarius: I do like Assault Squads, so I'll probably include one, maybe even too. As for painting, my only advice is practice, practice and practice more! :) Just as a thought, maybe these articles could help you with your painting/converting issues? (Cleaning, Preparing (& Converting) Models & Common Issues for New Hobbyists)

 

Ludovic

 

If you like Assault squads have you considered Blood Angels? You can take them as Troops, wider range of special weapons available, and the ability to stick Sang Priests with them giving them Furious Charge and FnP, which will make them hit hard and hard to shift. Plus they have a wide array of specialist jump troops. Just an idea, but if you centre the army around Assault squads then you'll get usage out if it if you like them.

 

As an example, I really like Tactical squads, so I like to ensure I have at least two 10 man squads in my army, normally supported by a Sternguard squad. I then build support around it, keeping away from 1st Company stuff and bikes which I dislike. This gives me a list I can still adapt to fit in things I like, but the core of which I will continually play with.

[celc2004]

Before I ever built my first army list I read a ton of SM fiction, so when I went to make a list I wanted it to be true to the source and fluffy. This isn't always easy when faced with what is "Tournament Ready" or the best option, and in my opinion may not be true to the story of a codex chapter.

 

I recalled reading a collection of short stories (might have been in Let The Galaxy Burn, but I don't remember) of 3 space marine squads destroying an army of tens of thousands of cultists. So when I started making a list I wanted to be that awesome. Of course, it's a game and supposed to be more or less balanced, so as much as a fanboy would like, a few dozen space marines aren't going to (most likely) lay waste to such a vast army. Irregardless though, I know in my first army I went with about 1000 points, two 10 man Tactical Squads, a Devastator Squad and an Assault Squad with an attached jump-pack Chaplain.

 

I walked in, considering to my story that marines could huff it quite a ways, and perhaps they were dropped in thunderhawks or drop pods but off the board.

[Commander Sasha]

I know you said money and time are limiting factors, but I'm afraid the only way to develop your own list is to play, play, play. The best list in the world won't give you an auto-win, and if it doesn't match your playstyle, won't even feel good when you do.

 

Rather than answering with list ideas, may I make some suggestions?

 

1 Getting opponents: Are you a member of a gaming community? Mates, local GW or independent store, school club, evening club etc. If not, use this boards community section to search for local players. I have a new gaming circle that play during weekdays, as we all work in bars/nightclubs, thanks to this board!

 

2 Getting games: Don't be shy about asking for games, introduce yourself, ask to play beginners games, the gaming community has the odd freak, but is largely made up of people like you, who were new once! Explain you need intro games, a nice opponent will be flattered you are asking for their wisdom. If you are lucky enough to have a GW store near you, their entire frontline business model is there to ensnare encourage you to play and purchase!

 

3 Learning your preferences: Start small, 500-1000 points, simple army lists, don't worry about losing, just practice the mechanics, and see how some units win whilst others lose. Ask your opponent, and yourself, what went well that game, and what failed. Keep a notebook, and keep your lists. Try keeping choices for several games, maybe they were just unlucky the first time.

Did you thrill at the speed of the bikes, or cheer as the Terminators battered the Carnifex? Was it the look on your opponents face when the droppod landed by his objective, or his dismay as your Lego Thunderfire cannon wiped a whole mob of Ork Boyz?

 

4 Getting the models: Proxy whatever you like, a squad of 10 Marines can be so many different things: Blu-tac wargear, a dab of paint on the base etc. As long as the unusual models are identifiable to you and your opponent, and you've got a clear, descriptive list, you shouldn't feel guilty.

 

5 Choose, collect and paint YOUR army, not someone else's. I have extensive fluff for my female Marine Captain and her band of pirates, and my second army is Skaven (Rat men from WHFB), count-as Tyranids. Everytime someone tells me Gurlz Can't Have Geneseed, or 40K rats should be called Hrud, and they got wiped out by so-and-so legion in M40something, I can argue back that they are MINE, and I am proud of them. By the time they have seen my pole-dancing Rhino crew, and my Mycetic wooden packing crate, they are smiling, and I have won the argument!

[Dosjetka]

First of all, thanks to all who have replied to this thred, really, it's greatly apreciated! :D

 

Now, for the replies:

(i love vindicators...dont you?)

I do enjoy them, though I doubt that I'll be using them in the army list I'm building up.

 

Hmm...I could say I'm mostly in the same boat, I've been collecting for some time now but don't really play on a regular basis(my friends have finally painted enough models we have more frequent games now though), but if you are looking for strike hard and strike fast, then maybe use scouts as troops, backed up by landspeeders, assault squads and possibly a drop pod with a dread in it? If you use khan or shrike as your captain, you can also get interesting possibilities via outflank, and fleet. This gives you the ability to be up in yer opponents face by turn 2 easily.

 

Some people may call for a bike army, and while that is cool, it is not only expensive points wise, but also money wise, so on a tight budget i wouldn't recommend em.

Hum... interesting stuff... I'll give it a thought and see what I can come up with. Thanks!

 

Got a lil time off work so i made a 1k list for ya, just to get ideas going.

Thank you very much!

 

To take Arikel's point a bit further, if your budget is a limiting factor, there are cheaper armies you can build. The drawback of the standard mechanized army is that you need both the unit and the transport for each selection and that can add up quickly. Instead focusing on non-mechanized infantry with expensive (point wise) units like Venerable Dreadnoughts or Land Raiders or units that can be heavily upgraded like Command and Vanguard squads, will help keep your cost down.

Hum... yes, money, while not being inexistant, comes quite hard and I can't spend it all on GW. Thanks for the tips though :)

 

If you like Assault squads have you considered Blood Angels? You can take them as Troops, wider range of special weapons available, and the ability to stick Sang Priests with them giving them Furious Charge and FnP, which will make them hit hard and hard to shift. Plus they have a wide array of specialist jump troops. Just an idea, but if you centre the army around Assault squads then you'll get usage out if it if you like them.

 

As an example, I really like Tactical squads, so I like to ensure I have at least two 10 man squads in my army, normally supported by a Sternguard squad. I then build support around it, keeping away from 1st Company stuff and bikes which I dislike. This gives me a list I can still adapt to fit in things I like, but the core of which I will continually play with.

Ok, well I've checked out the Blood Angels 'dex and I've come up with a 1000 point list that I like. I'll post it in the army list area and put a link here too.

 

As for the "core" of the army, I'll see what I like, but I know that, like you, I want at least two Tactical squads!

 

Before I ever built my first army list I read a ton of SM fiction, so when I went to make a list I wanted it to be true to the source and fluffy. This isn't always easy when faced with what is "Tournament Ready" or the best option, and in my opinion may not be true to the story of a codex chapter.

 

I recalled reading a collection of short stories (might have been in Let The Galaxy Burn, but I don't remember) of 3 space marine squads destroying an army of tens of thousands of cultists. So when I started making a list I wanted to be that awesome. Of course, it's a game and supposed to be more or less balanced, so as much as a fanboy would like, a few dozen space marines aren't going to (most likely) lay waste to such a vast army. Irregardless though, I know in my first army I went with about 1000 points, two 10 man Tactical Squads, a Devastator Squad and an Assault Squad with an attached jump-pack Chaplain.

 

I walked in, considering to my story that marines could huff it quite a ways, and perhaps they were dropped in thunderhawks or drop pods but off the board.

To me, the fluff is very important, so it's nice to see someone with similar tastes :) So I'll definitely be keeping the fluff in mind when choosing the units I use!

 

I know you said money and time are limiting factors, but I'm afraid the only way to develop your own list is to play, play, play. The best list in the world won't give you an auto-win, and if it doesn't match your playstyle, won't even feel good when you do.

Thanks for dropping by Com' Sasha :)

 

And I will definitely be playing quite oft(I've just discovered a local gaming group and I've got three new people into the hobby, so I won't be alone ;)).

 

Also, thanks for all the tips, they really are helpful and appreciated :)

 

Ludovic

 

Edit: Here's the army list is was talking about. If you could check it out, it would be great! :)

[DarkGuard]

I only mentioned Blood Angels because you said you liked Assault squads a lot, so it seemed to be the best fit. If you'd prefer a core of two Tactical squads than C:SM may be a better bet.

[Fatuous]

If you are on a tight budget, then the base starter kits from black reach are gold!!!!! And usually you can find some one to trade parts with.......

 

If you can get your self 2 of the marines forces from black reach, you already have a reletively good start to an army. This is what I did, with a few other bits ands bobs (I picked up termie heavy weapons from a buddy).

 

I started out planning to go dread heavy so getting 2 to start with, at a reasonable cost really helped. Ven dreads are worth the points if you don't have another dread (3 regular dreads cos about the same as 2 vens) and will use up a good 1/4-1/3 of a 1.5k list and get u on the table playing. The ven rule really helps them stay alive (more so if you have an MOF, but they are not cheap to get hold of).

 

Sooner or later u just have to get some plastic doods on the table and play, till u do, it is rather hard to work out what does work for you and what doesn't.....

 

With BR kit as a starter, 1 tac squad and a captain kit, u can kit out some nice sargents or kit bash a few stern guard............ will give you enough guys to hit the table with, and then u can add things to that core.... speeders, or rhinos for ur tacs... scouts.... what ever u feel ur missing, and want to play with.

[DarkGuard]

If you are on a tight budget, then the base starter kits from black reach are gold!!!!! And usually you can find some one to trade parts with.......

 

If you can get your self 2 of the marines forces from black reach, you already have a reletively good start to an army. This is what I did, with a few other bits ands bobs (I picked up termie heavy weapons from a buddy).

 

This is a very good idea. My brother did this, giving him a base force of two Captain's with relic blades and hellfire bolters, 2x 10 man Tactical squads with flamers and missile launchers, 1x 10 man Terminator squad and 2x Dreads with multi-meltas. Not a bad start to an army.

 

The other things that's worth doing is proxying models before deciding to do them. Better to test a Scout squad out with Tactical Marines for a few games rather than buy them and realise you don't like them.

[Brother_Fatiswon]

If you are on a tight budget, then the base starter kits from black reach are gold!!!!! And usually you can find some one to trade parts with.......

 

If you can get your self 2 of the marines forces from black reach, you already have a reletively good start to an army. This is what I did, with a few other bits ands bobs (I picked up termie heavy weapons from a buddy).

 

This is a very good idea. My brother did this, giving him a base force of two Captain's with relic blades and hellfire bolters, 2x 10 man Tactical squads with flamers and missile launchers, 1x 10 man Terminator squad and 2x Dreads with multi-meltas. Not a bad start to an army.

 

The other things that's worth doing is proxying models before deciding to do them. Better to test a Scout squad out with Tactical Marines for a few games rather than buy them and realise you don't like them.

 

only thing that army needs, is a couple of rhinos and a couple of drop pods...

[DarkGuard]

If you are on a tight budget, then the base starter kits from black reach are gold!!!!! And usually you can find some one to trade parts with.......

 

If you can get your self 2 of the marines forces from black reach, you already have a reletively good start to an army. This is what I did, with a few other bits ands bobs (I picked up termie heavy weapons from a buddy).

 

This is a very good idea. My brother did this, giving him a base force of two Captain's with relic blades and hellfire bolters, 2x 10 man Tactical squads with flamers and missile launchers, 1x 10 man Terminator squad and 2x Dreads with multi-meltas. Not a bad start to an army.

 

The other things that's worth doing is proxying models before deciding to do them. Better to test a Scout squad out with Tactical Marines for a few games rather than buy them and realise you don't like them.

 

only thing that army needs, is a couple of rhinos and a couple of drop pods...

 

Definitely. He's now got a couple of assault cannons on the Termies, three Rhinos, two of which can become Razorbacks, one with assault cannons, one with lascannons, a whole host of HQ choices, Sternguard, another Dread, a small Assault squad and a Bike squad with Bike Captain, plus an unassembled Drop Pod. A good army all built around a solid dependable core of the Black Reach set. Of course he's still developing as a player, so I'm not worried.... yet.