Vanilla Marine Player: Should I switch to the DA Codex?

[Cobalt Scars]

Hi all, this is a pretty simple question and I apologise if this gets answered a lot;

 

I am mainly a Vanilla Codex Player and from looking over a DA codex, it looks like I gain a lot for little loss; 

Lose - Ironclad Dreads, Stormnugget, LandSpeeder Storm, Thunderfire Cannon.

Gain - Better Points Balance, Nephilim/Darktalon, 5man Tac squads with a heavy weapon*, Shiny new wargear.

 

(*I noticed I can give 5-6man Tac squads a heavy weapon in my copy of army builder, is this correct? If so; YEAH!)

 

In short, I never used Stormnuggets, Ironclads or Thunderfires and I'm really loving the Nephilim- Should I put my money down and get myself the Codex?

 

Do you, (people who have played using the DA codex), think it would replace the vanilla 'dex well?

 

Thanks!

[Tiger9gamer]

Well, how do you play your 'nilla marines?

[Cobalt Scars]

Well, how do you play your 'nilla marines?

 

I'm a fan of Mechanised infantry, or bikers backed up by fancy vehicles. I don't like to footslog or melee (primarily). I also figured that if I ever really wanted a Thunderfire or similar if I get fortifications, I could simply ally them in, too.

[mmaarrkk]

If you want a varied marine army yes, I run my marines as vanilla or blood angels but have recently spent a chunk of money on DA stuff, now have 50 bikers and added a few more termies (around 60 now :~) but I have had so much fun using pure RW and dual wing lists, they take a bit of getting used to as you usually have  a lot lower bodycount but when used right they are very fun to use ime

[elmo]

The DA are not just about the playability - its the whole backstory that kept lots of us loyal to the Lion whilst others got new Codicies.

 

If you are keen on the gothic warrior monk with a secret then go for it - don't just commit cause we have a new, stronger codex ;)

[Cobalt Scars]

The DA are not just about the playability - its the whole backstory that kept lots of us loyal to the Lion whilst others got new Codicies.

If you are keen on the gothic warrior monk with a secret then go for it - don't just commit cause we have a new, stronger codex

I always play my marines as a unique chapter, never have I ever used a special character or painted a marine to match a Codex Chapter; I'm really just interested in the DA codex because it seems like it can do flexibility even better than the Vanilla 'Dex; I want to know if this is true. ;)

[elmo]

No problems ;)

 

It is a nice codex but pricey, the units are very flexable but as you said earlier there are always + and - points.

 

Have you had a chance to look through it yet - it may be worth going to your local GW to get hands on.

[Cobalt Scars]

No problems

It is a nice codex but pricey, the units are very flexable but as you said earlier there are always + and - points.

Have you had a chance to look through it yet - it may be worth going to your local GW to get hands on.

I don't doubt the quality, as I have the latest Chaos 'dex here and I must say it's an excellent print; I don't often get to leave my house (disability) thusly I get to go to the FLGS very little (hope to change that later)- Hands on aren't much of a possibility for me. Been looking for a .pdf to 'try before I buy' (But don't worry, I ALWAYS buy the book if I like it, see why I own the Chaosdex xD).

[Tiger9gamer]

 

Well, how do you play your 'nilla marines?

 

I'm a fan of Mechanised infantry, or bikers backed up by fancy vehicles. I don't like to footslog or melee (primarily). I also figured that if I ever really wanted a Thunderfire or similar if I get fortifications, I could simply ally them in, too.

I found The DA can do mech infantry really well . We can make a nice tactical squad of 5 marines with special weapon and combi-weapon in a razorback for 170pts!

[Cobalt Scars]

 

 

Well, how do you play your 'nilla marines?

 

I'm a fan of Mechanised infantry, or bikers backed up by fancy vehicles. I don't like to footslog or melee (primarily). I also figured that if I ever really wanted a Thunderfire or similar if I get fortifications, I could simply ally them in, too.

I found The DA can do mech infantry really well . We can make a nice tactical squad of 5 marines with special weapon and combi-weapon in a razorback for 170pts!

 

I'm a fan of missile launchers AND razorbacks, so if I can put a missile launcher in a Razorback squad; hooray!

[Tiger9gamer]

That's the same as a plasma gun (w/o flakk) so yup!

[Cobalt Scars]

That's the same as a plasma gun (w/o flakk) so yup!

 

Beautiful - Also, Flakk missiles. Aww Yiss!

 

I think I might have to buy that Codex. ;)

[John_f]

Mech infantry is really strong in the DA codex. Use force field generators to keep your tanks alive. The predator with las cannon sponsons is fairly cheap.

[Cobalt Scars]

Mech infantry is really strong in the DA codex. Use force field generators to keep your tanks alive. The predator with las cannon sponsons is fairly cheap.

 

Forcefields sound interesting. I will learn more of this later! :)

[facmanpob]

The DA are not just about the playability - its the whole backstory that kept lots of us loyal to the Lion whilst others got new Codicies.

If you are keen on the gothic warrior monk with a secret then go for it - don't just commit cause we have a new, stronger codex

I always play my marines as a unique chapter, never have I ever used a special character or painted a marine to match a Codex Chapter; I'm really just interested in the DA codex because it seems like it can do flexibility even better than the Vanilla 'Dex; I want to know if this is true.

DA are the most flexible of the Astartes, we are still a Legion after all ;)

We can run Deathwing (all Terminator), Ravenwing (all biker), Greenwing (all Marines), Ironwing (Mechanised Marines), Dualwing (Deathwing/Ravenwing) and Multiwing (combinations of all 3 wings). So far, all of the options appear to have fluffy and competitive builds. Just be aware that to make full use of the DA codex you will have to learn to love our special characters :)

[Cobalt Scars]

The DA are not just about the playability - its the whole backstory that kept lots of us loyal to the Lion whilst others got new Codicies.

If you are keen on the gothic warrior monk with a secret then go for it - don't just commit cause we have a new, stronger codex

I always play my marines as a unique chapter, never have I ever used a special character or painted a marine to match a Codex Chapter; I'm really just interested in the DA codex because it seems like it can do flexibility even better than the Vanilla 'Dex; I want to know if this is true.

DA are the most flexible of the Astartes, we are still a Legion after all

We can run Deathwing (all Terminator), Ravenwing (all biker), Greenwing (all Marines), Ironwing (Mechanised Marines), Dualwing (Deathwing/Ravenwing) and Multiwing (combinations of all 3 wings). So far, all of the options appear to have fluffy and competitive builds. Just be aware that to make full use of the DA codex you will have to learn to love our special characters

Hey, I don't mind the special characters, I just won't ever field them. ;P

[facmanpob]

Hey, I don't mind the special characters, I just won't ever field them. ;P

And therein lies the problem - in order to run pure Deathwing you HAVE to field Belial or Azrael. In order to run pure Ravenwing you HAVE to field Sammael or Azrael. Those characters are the only way of getting Terminators and bikes as troops. If you don't use the special characters then you might as well stick to the vanilla dex to be honest, as you end up missing a lot of the beauty of the DA dex

[Cobalt Scars]

Hey, I don't mind the special characters, I just won't ever field them. ;P

And therein lies the problem - in order to run pure Deathwing you HAVE to field Belial or Azrael. In order to run pure Ravenwing you HAVE to field Sammael or Azrael. Those characters are the only way of getting Terminators and bikes as troops. If you don't use the special characters then you might as well stick to the vanilla dex to be honest, as you end up missing a lot of the beauty of the DA dex

It is a shame, but as I can't do terminators-as-troops in the vanilla dex, I'm only losing out on bikes-as-troops, which I can always use the vanilla list for, if I'm playing a bike list.

I think that everything apart from the special characters looks really fantastic, however. As much as I like terminators, I don't care enough about Deathwing to miss using them. ;)

I like my terminator squads to be small and specialised! :)

[Tiger9gamer]

you can still make a ravenwing and deathwing centric-ish lists, but they won't be troops. still, they can provide enough punch while your Tacticals and scouts grab objectives and support!

[Cobalt Scars]

you can still make a ravenwing and deathwing centric-ish lists, but they won't be troops. still, they can provide enough punch while your Tacticals and scouts grab objectives and support!

 

Abso-tively!

 

Also; thinly related, I'm drawing up details for my chapter; How does 'Equis Adamas' (Essentialy Diamond Horses, Latin (Don't ask, My little pony. ;P)) sound for a chapter-name?

[notmattlythgoe]

Butt Stallion?

[Cobalt Scars]

Butt Stallion?

 

Reference gotten, friend. I did chuckle heartily.

[Deathwing70]

Our previous codex (end of 4th edition) was the base for the new Space Marine codex (start of 5th edition), only everything seemed to get improved for the vanilla marines, in some cases leaving us with wargear and squad options that had worse stats for a higher cost than the vanilla's got.

 

I'm sure many of the options available to us now will end up making the new Space Marine codex aswell (the heavy weapon combat squad in a Razorback for example), whenever that gets released offcourse.

[Brother Immolator]

Two things to consider m8y. The new vanilla codex cant be far down the pipes.

And you can get past your dislike of special characters by modeling your own. Especially if you have a custom chapter and crescent it a successor of the DA.

I would stand on the first point I raised for a second. By all means right now the DA seem to have the best marine codex all around, however we dont know what the new nilla dex will throw to the mix. Certainly it will have many strengths that will outcompete us (in certain areas at least).

So what I propose: If you are not in a hurry build up your play style (strategies) and find about your taste (fluff / models). You can sit it out till the new dex arrives building what you have and then either make the jump to the DA or stay on the marine one.

Another possibility is to use both since you will be using a custom chapter but remember some people see that as codex creep (using the better one at a time).

And a warning: Think about your venture into the unforgiven very carefully: Once a Dark Angel always a Dark Angel. I fear the watchers in the dark are real and by the first instance we paint our first model they slip us something in the water and we get stuck. I my self pretty much hated the chapter when I picked it up. Couldnt stand green armor. Now if anyone tells me anything about it I throw them the metal samael in the head.

P.S. and personal musing: How the mighty have fallen...To think that it was two months ago that many of us used the marine dex.

The
DA are not just about the playability - its the whole backstory that
kept lots of us loyal to the Lion whilst others got new Codicies.

If you are keen on the gothic warrior monk with a secret then go for it - don't just commit cause we have a new, stronger codex

Grinding teeth, tears in the eyes, pain in the soul. And the warcry: Repent for tomorrow you die! Even though you were been steamrolled at 1000pts because the opponent had the new shinny that did it better and your stormshields for some reason where still 4++. Le sigh.

Regardless Cobalt Scars , whether you make the jump or not welcome among us. And forgive my blathering.

[Cobalt Scars]

Two things to consider m8y. The new vanilla codex cant be far down the pipes.

And you can get past your dislike of special characters by modeling your own. Especially if you have a custom chapter and crescent it a successor of the DA.

I would stand on the first point I raised for a second. By all means right now the DA seem to have the best marine codex all around, however we dont know what the new nilla dex will throw to the mix. Certainly it will have many strengths that will outcompete us (in certain areas at least).

So what I propose: If you are not in a hurry build up your play style (strategies) and find about your taste (fluff / models). You can sit it out till the new dex arrives building what you have and then either make the jump to the DA or stay on the marine one.

Another possibility is to use both since you will be using a custom chapter but remember some people see that as codex creep (using the better one at a time).

And a warning: Think about your venture into the unforgiven very carefully: Once a Dark Angel always a Dark Angel. I fear the watchers in the dark are real and by the first instance we paint our first model they slip us something in the water and we get stuck. I my self pretty much hated the chapter when I picked it up. Couldnt stand green armor. Now if anyone tells me anything about it I throw them the metal samael in the head.

P.S. and personal musing: How the mighty have fallen...To think that it was two months ago that many of us used the marine dex.

The

DA are not just about the playability - its the whole backstory that

kept lots of us loyal to the Lion whilst others got new Codicies.

If you are keen on the gothic warrior monk with a secret then go for it - don't just commit cause we have a new, stronger codex

Grinding teeth, tears in the eyes, pain in the soul. And the warcry: Repent for tomorrow you die! Even though you were been steamrolled at 1000pts because the opponent had the new shinny that did it better and your stormshields for some reason where still 4++. Le sigh.

Regardless Cobalt Scars , whether you make the jump or not welcome among us. And forgive my blathering.

Rest your worries, Battle Brother, for I intend to use both codexes! Be that for Vanilla-marine Allies or for codex changes. I am absolutely happy to make use of either or; What I can honestly say, however, is that I love the current DA rules (I got them for BattleScribe) and they should be perfect for the kind of force I want to play (and portray) on the battlefield!

As for my characters; as I design all of my own, I can't bring myself to use the 'named' characters rules, because they use rules designed for a different character; it feels like a masquerade.

Edit: And by no means consider me to be jumping ship for the 'stronger codex'. I could care less about my wins (losing is fun!), what's important to me is that the rules allow me the flexibility to play what I think is cool.