Getting into 30K 1000 Point List

[Rainbow Frog]

Hi all.

I'm interested in starting 30K due to the fresher rules, cooler toys and (so I've heard) more balanced environment.

Having only got the Legion Astartes army list and legions book I thought it best to give them a look through before committing to any one legion.

Based on my personal preferences for play (small elite forces, deep striking and close range firefights) I feel like the Sons of Horus best fit my playstyle and are currently interesting me at the moment (other contenders were Night Lords and Raven Guard) though nothing is set in stone.

The biggest plus is that I feel I can make a relatively effective small force with the Betrayal at Calth stuff and minimal forgeworld investment. This is important to me seeing as I'm not a crack dealer.

Anyway, onto the list:

HQ:

Maloghurst the Twisted: 140 Points (Rite of War Orbital Assault)

Elites:

Justernian Terminators: 310 Points

4x Power Fists

Multi-Melta

1x Chainfist

Troops:

Legion Veterans: 270 Points

10x Veterans

2x Plasma Guns

Legion Vexillia

Sarge with Artificer Armour, Plasma Pistol and Power Axe

Drop Pod

Legion Veterans: 270 Points

10x Veterans

2x Plasma Guns

Legion Vexillia

Sarge with Artificer Armour, Plasma Pistol and Power Axe

Drop Pod

Total 990 Points

I already have two drop pods and I would only need to get Maloghurst (I hear the guy from the SoH command set is a good base for conversion, plus he comes with a banner guy) and the Justernian bits (or if I don't take the Multi-Melta).

Anyway, I feel this would be a good core, both fluffy and solid in small games. Mal would footslog with the Termis (considering the fact that they cannot run or sweep anyway, his Crippled in Body doesn't matter) while the other two pods pose a formidable Alpha Strike at such a low point level. The Vets would likely take sniper, the first pod getting within twelve of a high-priority target for the Death-Dealers bonus while the second pod mops up.

That said, I'm not entirely sold on just fifteen guys + Mal. While the Termis do have two wounds a piece and fearless thanks to the Banner it may not be enough board presence/they die to weight of fire. Secondly, I'm not really taking advantage of Merciless Fighters with some of my war-gear choices (correct me if I'm wrong, but the way I read it you don't get to make extra attacks if you go at the I:1 step) and lack of bodies.

So, a couple of questions.

• Are Plasma Pistols worth it on the Sarges? My gut 40K instinct says not, but I feel another Plasma shot could be good for the Alpha damage. That and the artificer Armour further reduces the chance of offing the poor sarge.
• What power weapon (if any) should the Sarges take? I understand that the Axe doesn't stack with Merciless Fighters but my rationale is that everyone and their nan is going to have Artificer sarges so I need a way to kill them in a challenge.
• Are the Termis are too slow footslogging? I was thinking of dropping a single Vet (and thus loosing a Plasma Gun) and sticking Mal in a drop pod with a Vet squad while the Termis Teleport in.
• Should I make the Justernian regular Cataphractii? I realize they are super expensive and if you feel I should, where should I spend the points (maybe a Contemptor Cortus)?
• What would be a good way to build off of this list to something like 2000 points?

Sorry for the long post. I'm sure you veteran SoH players will tell me I've done everything wrong, but I'm willing to take advice. Just be aware I'm not made of money, so try limiting the Forgeworld stuff a little and stick to what I could get in Betrayal at Calth.

Thanks in advance

[Jarkaira]

Pretty much every list in 1000K except for some RoWs will fall into a category of HQ + two veterans + some nasty unit or HQ + two tacticals + even nastier unit because the points level is quite low still.

 

All the points you made are valid but you don't have to overthink as you are playing 30k :)

[Rainbow Frog]

Pretty much every list in 1000K except for some RoWs will fall into a category of HQ + two veterans + some nasty unit or HQ + two tacticals + even nastier unit because the points level is quite low still.

All the points you made are valid but you don't have to overthink as you are playing 30k

I see, so most other lists at this point level would be similar? That would indicate that plasma spam may be a good choice to me.

[Jarkaira]

I've noticed that the mentality is quite different amongst 30k players than 40k players and plenty of 30k players just pick units they think are cool or a list they would like to play and don't think about power levels.

 

At 1000pts it is also pretty much about sportmanship (even more than usually) as you can include for example Leviathan and ruin most peoples evening with it.

[Rainbow Frog]

That's great to hear, I was getting a little tired of everyone using Necrons/Eldar/Tau cheese builds.

There's a small meta of 30K players where I live and a friend convinced me to check it out so here's hoping I have more fun.

[Jarkaira]

I am sure it will be fun.

 

I used to build ETC level lists in 40k and it takes some time to get used not to think too much about power levels when building lists for 30k :)

[Rainbow Frog]

You play Iron Hands right? They're one of the stronger legions in my estimation due to that toughness strength reduction thing.

Is there really strict power-grading for the Legions or is everyone more or less viable?

[Jarkaira]

At the same time we get restrictions so it is not over the top.

 

Each legion have different kind of loadouts which work for them and they seem much more balanced than 40k races. If a list is built using strengths of legions they'll each end up having the same power level but of course some would be harder match-ups.

 

For example I am having next match against Iron Warriors which is quite self negating match-up. Iron Hands want to shoot so they can be out of melee and get bonus from their Inviolate Armour but Iron Warriors don't take Ld tests from shooting attack based losses. Iron Warriors have pinning heavy bolters but since Iron Hands can't voluntarily go to ground they'll automatically pass pinning tests and so on :)

[Rainbow Frog]

Ah yes, that's why I shied away from Night Lords. As much as I love them their Fear is useless against Death Guard and Sallies. I know they have all the Night Fighting stuff and "A Talent for Murder" (which I think is the coolest name for a rule I've ever seen) and their RoW is pretty good, but I'd like to have the full capability of my chosen Legion be brought to bare in every match up.

 

SoH bonuses are very simple (the + to BS and reserve boosting) and downsides minimal (can't use allied Ld/Warlord trait....pffft) which appeals to me as an "All comers" legion. I had an eye on Fists, but I hate painting yellow and Ultras but they were (as usual) being Mary Sues.

 

Can't have everything I guess.

 

Here's an updated list that fits in a Contemptor Cortus (and also frees the Termi's from Maloghurst):

 

HQ:

 

Maloghurst the Twisted: 140 Points (Rite of War Orbital Assault)

 

Elites:

 

Legion Terminators: 205 Points

• Cataphractii Armour

• 4x Power Fists

• 1x Chainfist

 

Contemptor Cortus Talon: 150 Points

• Kheres Assault Cannon

Troops:

 

Legion Veterans: 270 Points

• 10x Veterans

• 2x Plasma Guns

• Legion Vexillia

• Sarge with Artificer Armour, Plasma Pistol and Power Axe

• Drop Pod

 

Legion Veterans (Mal Goes Here): 233 Points

• 9x Veterans

• 1x Plasma Gun

• Sarge with Artificer Armour, Plasma Pistol and Power Axe

• Drop Pod

 

Total 998 Points

[Emperors Teeth]

Well done for squeezing the Contemptor in, but he will need a Dreadclaw or Dreadnought Drop Pod as you're running Orbital Assault. 2nd bullet point of the Rite. 

I worry also as on Turn 1, you will only have a single Pod coming in (not counting the Dread yet). If you manage to get another unit in a Pod, at least you'll be putting some numbers down. That single unit won't last long, even at 1000pts.

[Rainbow Frog]

Well done for squeezing the Contemptor in, but he will need a Dreadclaw or Dreadnought Drop Pod as you're running Orbital Assault. 2nd bullet point of the Rite. 

 

I worry also as on Turn 1, you will only have a single Pod coming in (not counting the Dread yet). If you manage to get another unit in a Pod, at least you'll be putting some numbers down. That single unit won't last long, even at 1000pts.

 

Ah yes, you are absolutely correct about the dread. Technically (as I read it) I could have the Terminators on the field turn one as Orbital Assault only says the models need to be capable of deep-strike but don't actually have to which gives you some flexibility (while ultimately defeating the purpose of the RoW but oh well).

 

I'm now considering Alpha Legion with Skorr (given how much I like their color scheme, fluff and Skorr's lovely model) and mocked up a thousand point list for that too:

 

 

HQ:

 

• Autilon Skorr: 125 Points (Rite of War: Chosen Duty)

 

Troops:

 

Legion Veterans: 230 Points

• 10x Legion Veterans

• Legion Vexilla

• 2x Heavy Bolters with Suspensor Webs

• Sargent with Artificer Armour and Power Axe

 

Legion Veterans: 230 Points

• 10x Legion Veterans

• Legion Vexilla

• 2x Heavy Bolters with Suspensor Webs

• Sargent with Artificer Armour and Power Axe

 

Fast Attack:

 

Legion Seekers: 415 Points

• 5x Legion Seekers

• 5x Combi-Plasmas

• Sargent with Artificer Armour

• Land Raider Proteus Transport with Armoured Ceramite

 

 

The idea is to use Skorr's Warlord Trait pick to get Master of the Ambush and Mutable Tactics to grant scout, allowing for the three squads to infiltrate and scout. The Seekers have enough Alpha damage to confidently kill most things I would expect to see at 1000 points and the Vets would likely take Snipers to blat whatever else is there.

 

Does this seem solid/fluffy?

How does this look for a 1000 Point List?

[Izzinatah]

 

 

• Are Plasma Pistols worth it on the Sarges? My gut 40K instinct says not, but I feel another Plasma shot could be good for the Alpha damage. That and the artificer Armour further reduces the chance of offing the poor sarge.

 

I don't think they are worth the points cost and inevitable Gets Hot! losses. They are quite pricy, compare to the other Plasma Guns you have for example - I tend to have a better use for the points (albeit in larger games with more little upgrades to choose from here and there).

[lionofjudah]

I'd honestly take a 3rd get squad rather than seekers for the points. With the savings you could maybe grab an apothecary to run with a vet squad