3.5k deathguard-first ever list

[binary]

Hey guys,

So I'm finally taking the plunge into the heresy and after much thought and badgering I've picked mortarion's boys as the legion for me. Consequently this is the first list I've written for the Age of Darkness and I need some feedback from wiser heads.

 

HQ:

Praetor in Tartaros armour with Power Scythe and combi bolter (Rite of War -"The Reaping")

-Deathshroud squad (4)

-Land raider Phobos

 

TROOPS:

Legion Tactical squad (20) Vexilia

Legion Tactical squad (20) Vexilia

Legion Breacher squad (10) Vexilia, power scythe

Legion Heavy Support squad (10) Heavy Flamer (chem munitions) Rhino

Legion Heavy Support squad (5) Plasma Cannon

Legion Heavy Support squad (5) Volkite Culverin

 

ELITES:

Contemptor 2xCCW with Heavy Flamers (chem munitions)

Contemptor CCW with Heavy Flamer (chem munitions) Kheres Assault Cannon

 

HEAVY:

Deredeo with AutoCannons and Missile System

Grave Warden squad (5) Heavy Flamer (chem munitions)

-Land Raider Proteus with Heavy Flamer (chem munitions)

Grave Warden squad (5) Heavy Flamer (chem munitions)

-Land Raider Proteus with Heavy Flamer (chem munitions)

 

Thought I'd play up the whole chem munitions and harde of foot sluggers side of the Death Guard and would really appreciate what you guys think.

 

-Binary

[undeadsoldier]

Looks really fluffy and cool.

[Caillum]

Agreed, it's a very thematic list. No Fast Attack! I love the maxed-out Troops as this fits Death Guard to the letter. And with that much chem-munitions, you're pretty set on anti-infantry.

 

Thoughts:

- the Deathshroud power scythe is cool, but a bit meh - Paragon blade is infinitely better, as you strike at initiative with the same +1 strength AP 2. You can still have the model wielding a scythe, as they come in all shapes and sizes.

- Apothecaries would do wonders for those Tactical blobs.

- a 10-man Breacher squad might be a bit underwhelming - bumping the Heavy Support Squads to 10 each would be much better.

- maybe take dual Graviton guns on the Dread for some anti-tank, as you can afford to take less chem-munitions.

- Land Raider Proteus is nice and cheap, and if you're not assaulting with the Grave Wardens, fine. Bear in mind that they don't have Assault Vehicle on them, so if you do plan to assault, they'll be at a disadvantage.

- at 3.5k, you will likely face a Super-heavy, so a counter-unit like a Sicaran Venator would be helpful.

- finally, The Reaping unlocks rad grenades for all characters, including Sergeants. They're very nice in assault!

[Carnivore]

Welcome to glorious Age of Darkness, mate! It's a whole different animal from 40K, but I guarantee once you figure out your legion's play style you'll love it. And you picked a good one to go with - Death Guard are hard as nails and nasty in close quarters AND at range, so no matter your preference you can build a highly competitive force.

 

I really like the list you put together - you've captured the spirit of the DG and that is excellent. Caillum gave you some great feedback, and I'd strongly encourage you to take it to heart. I'm relatively new to 30K myself, having started my Night Lords within the past year, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but I saw a few things in your list I could offer some tips on:

 

1. Paragon blade on your Praetor. It's a cheesy weapon, but there's a reason for that: it works. As Caillum said, you can still model it as a scythe, but call it a paragon blade. Barring that, give your Praetor a chainfist, because...

 

2. CHAINFISTS ARE A GODSEND IN 30K. Armoured Ceramite is everywhere, and with melta weakened you need something heavy-hitting to punch through all that armour. This is what the chainfist was born for. Any unit that has the option should have at least one in it. Grave Wardens are a perfect example. With their chem weapons they are arguably one of the hardest units to charge in 30K. You know that anything able to survive traveling through the blanket of poison gas they lay down is going to be heavily armoured and dangerous in cc. Throw two or three chainfists in each Grave Warden squad and you'll be able to put the hurt on anything and everything. You might also want to drop the transport for at least one of your Wardens and just park them in front of your Deredeo to deter anyone thinking of taking it out at close range. My buddy does this with his, and it is an extremely effective tactic. Also frees up points for more bodies or more toys for your squads.

 

3. As Caillum said, apothecaries are a must for your big tactical squads. Drastically improved their survivability, and cheap for what they do. Also, consider giving the Sergeants powerfists, or at least melta bombs. Gives them a lot more range in terms of what they can threaten if they're charged.

 

4. Breachers are overrated - max out your Heavy Weapons squads instead.

 

5. Chainfists on one or both of your Contemptors. You won't regret it.

 

6. It's not fluffy, but give the Xiphon Interceptor a look for your Fast Attack slot. The Deredeo is more that capable of handle AA duty, but with the Xiphon handling anti-air your Deredeo can focus on dominating the actual battlefield and punishing your opponent's vehicles.

 

7. Rad grenades for the Sergeant of every squad that could find itself in hand to hand combat. They can tip the scales in your favor more often than you'd think.

[Terminus]

3500 points and all you can kill is infantry. At that point level you are going to face a lot of weapons that will simply delete your foot-slogging units. The only thing I'd be concerned with is the Deredeo, everything else I have all day to kill before it gets near me.