What have your Raven Guard done lately?

[GreyCrow]

Sad news, my Raven Guard army is going to be on hold for the time being...

 

Few reasons for that.

First, based on the models I bought over the years, I don’t have enough redundancy to have efficient armies over 500-700 points. It’s a varied collection, but not enough of the same unit type to be efficient.

 

Second, I’m looking for a space with a little bit more creativity. As much as I love the Chapter (for real!), I’d like to go with something different than a GW chapter as a modeling project!

 

Thirdly, most of the models I have were painted quickly to be tabletop ready, and I’m not feeling the aesthetics too much anymore.

 

Fourthly, I was following the Codex Astartes structure when making the army, plus a few of the 7th formations. Army was built through consecutive upgrades that make it both disjointed on the tactical side, and generic in terms of aesthetics and overall theme and dynamics.

Basically, they look like Black Marines rather than my dudes...

 

In a nutshell, it would be a tremendous investment in time to rework the army to be enjoyable at larger scales. Both purchases as well as hobby wise.

 

—

 

Good news there is ! I’m not done with the Sons of the Raven just yet !!

 

I made the call to found a new Chapter, successor of the Raven Guard !

Now that I have a pretty decent understanding of game mechanics and list mechanics, I can more freely pick models while making them work on the table top !

 

And the Primaris Bundles for Xmas are fantastic offers to get started... Yes, it’s only going to be efficient at 500 points, but it’s going to be a cheap 500 points efficient army!

 

I’m officially announcing the founding of a successor to the Raven Guard, Primaris Chapter!

 

I do not yet have a name, I do not yet have a badge, I do not yet have a color scheme in mind, but I have a direction that I want to take!

 

Rather than a professional military vibe, I want this Chapter to have a Savage/Primal vibe.

Think of it as : cavemen tribes that got power armor and bolt guns!

Visual inspiration : native Americans, Mayans, African tribes, early Europeans. Early Celts.

More Warriors than Soldiers.

More Humans than Wolves.

More Savages than Butchers.

 

We’re talking earthly colours, war paint, face masks, hunting trophies, camos, pelts, skulls.

 

Very intense warfare style, following Raven Guard principles. A mix between decisive overwhelm, and high mobility.

They keep moving, don’t get caught, until it is time to strike ! And they strike fast and quick.

 

MVP units : Intercessors (battle line), Reivers (shock troops), Inceptors (cavalry), Repulsors (high mobility gunboat).

 

It’s going to be more of a hobby project to have a cool looking army that is awesome for the opponent to play, so don’t expect a lot of quick modeling as I suck at it, but it’s going to be a cool journey for sure ! :)

[thewarriorhunter]

Sounds cool. I was in a similar position a few months ago when I decided to make my own chapter. I wish I could snap my fingers and have my RG be the new colors. Oh well, now I get to write combined arms lore into the new chapter's back story.

[duz_]

I hate it when ppl wont play because something might change

 

Only time I thought it was acceptable was end of 7th

I think everyone was fed up of the edition by then

[thewarriorhunter]

I hate it when ppl wont play because something might change

 

Only time I thought it was acceptable was end of 7th

I think everyone was fed up of the edition by then

 

I got into the hobby a year before 7th turned to 8th. It was a bloated mess. I really enjoyed the building and painting. Had I only wanted to play I might not have stuck around.

[Shadow Captain Vyper]

I hate it when ppl wont play because something might change

 

Only time I thought it was acceptable was end of 7th

I think everyone was fed up of the edition by then

 

I feel you. Same thing happens in digital games when a balance patch is en route. 

 

It's a weird phenomenon where they think/feel their actions don't "matter" because the system is changing. Same thing happens when a game announces its support is ending, which makes no sense "Oh, this game we have been playing for years and having fun won't be patched/updated, just as well quit now, whats the point"

[thewarriorhunter]

Different system but on-topic: x-wing. They converted to 2.0 so everyone is losing their minds. I went and bought a cheap 1.0 starter kit to see if I like the game for my son and me. If we do then I'll jump up to the new version.

 

Back on-topic: I love playing to play, system changes be damned. And the great thing about this game is that if you don't like something just agree with your opponent to house rule it.

[Dracos]

Sad news, my Raven Guard army is going to be on hold for the time being...

 

Second, I’m looking for a space with a little bit more creativity. As much as I love the Chapter (for real!), I’d like to go with something different than a GW chapter as a modeling project!

 

In a nutshell, it would be a tremendous investment in time to rework the army to be enjoyable at larger scales. Both purchases as well as hobby wise.

 

—

 

Good news there is ! I’m not done with the Sons of the Raven just yet !!

 

And the Primaris Bundles for Xmas are fantastic offers to get started... Yes, it’s only going to be efficient at 500 points, but it’s going to be a cheap 500 points efficient army!

 

I’m officially announcing the founding of a successor to the Raven Guard, Primaris Chapter!

 

I do not yet have a name, I do not yet have a badge, I do not yet have a color scheme in mind, but I have a direction that I want to take!

 

Rather than a professional military vibe, I want this Chapter to have a Savage/Primal vibe.

Think of it as : cavemen tribes that got power armor and bolt guns!

 

We’re talking earthly colours, war paint, face masks, hunting trophies, camos, pelts, skulls.

 

Very intense warfare style, following Raven Guard principles. A mix between decisive overwhelm, and high mobility.

They keep moving, don’t get caught, until it is time to strike ! And they strike fast and quick.

 

MVP units : Intercessors (battle line), Reivers (shock troops), Inceptors (cavalry), Repulsors (high mobility gunboat).

 

Look into the Thunder Warriors for inspiration. You might like the "Chapter" symbol also ;)

[GreyCrow]

 

 

Look into the Thunder Warriors for inspiration. You might like the "Chapter" symbol also

 

 

Good idea, thanks!

 

Do you guys know if there are Primaris sized Raptors pauldrons on shapeways or thingyverse? Can't find any.

[thewarriorhunter]

I believe the Primaris shoulder pads are the same size as normal Marines. I could be wrong though.

[Shadow Captain Vyper]

I believe the Primaris shoulder pads are the same size as normal Marines. I could be wrong though.

 

You are correct, they are the same for Intercessors.

 

Aggressors/Inceptors are where things start to differ (not in size, but style)

[thewarriorhunter]

Rievers also. The left shoulder fits but not the right, so if you want to put in on the left you have to do a lot of shaving/filling. I did that for a kit bash I'm working on where I am using reiver arms on a intercessor body.

[NiceGuyAdi]

This evening my Raven Guard took me on my first foray into Kill Team, against an old buddy’s Drukhari (kinky witches as he refers to them).

Me:
Tactical sergeant; combi-flamer (leader)
Tactical gunner; plama gun (demolitions)
Tactical marine x2; boltgun
Tactical sergeant; bolt pistol & chainsword (combat)
Scout x2; shotgun

Him:
Hecatrix (leader)
Wych fighter (combat)
Wych (zealot)
Wych x7

-with a few splinter pistols scattered in there, but really tooled for CQC

 

I’d figured I’d never beat him in a slugfest so tried to build my team around a mobile, shooty force that could fold inwards and draw him with me.

End of turn one almost all his models were in position to charge turn two and I thought that was it, but somehow through a few unlucky dice rolls, and a couple of bad mistakes on his part: trying to charge my combi-flamer sergeant with his combat specialist, and neither coming forward nor staying back with his Hecatrix leaving her open to a double charge from my leader and combat specialist, I managed to keep him at arms length and win on kills and objectives in the end. 12-3 to the Sons of Corax. I don’t think he’ll make the same mistakes twice, though....

 

 

[EDIT: spelling and pics]

Edited December 5, 2018 by NiceGuyAdi

[GreyCrow]

Thanks guys! Will make things super easy then!

 

Will have a test model painted/modelled over the week end. I'll share if it's any good!

 

 

On the system change topic.

I work in the video games industry now, and we see the same behavior. Players freak out when changes are announced. The best you can do is just changing without announcing, and make sure the changes are interesting for the players.

Edited December 6, 2018 by GreyCrow

[duz_]

Terrain and models look great NGAdi!

 

 

In a bit of a painting lull so built my first 5 man Intercessor squad and a couple of Carbine Reivers :D

 

Also pre ordered the UM:BF box because who doesnt want a 2nd Repulsor! :D

[thewarriorhunter]

Those pictures look great! I love me some good overwatch photos.

[thewarriorhunter]

Also pre ordered the UM:BF box because who doesnt want a 2nd Repulsor!

 

Sadly I won't be able to order a box (plus I'd probably take one of the Quest boxes first) but if I had to choose I'd probably take the IF box. I think I want to try and stay away from armor for the time being (pushes WIP drop pod behind some clutter to hide) to work on units that can take advantage of our CT. With the IF box I'd the Redemptor and Aggressors, both of which I don't have any.

[duz_]

The IF box is definitely the better option for all around utility!

 

I already have 2 Redemptors though... 
I do wish the UM box didnt have 10! Reivers.... I will have 25 shortly 

[Race Bannon]

*sigh*

 

Will have to look at the BF box then

[Shadow Captain Vyper]

I'm so torn on the two boxes.

 

One one hand, I love Dreads, but the Redemptor is pretty much hot garbage right now. While I know its getting better and/or cheaper in Chapter Approved, the question is how much? I already have one thats unassembled from Tooth and Claw.

 

I don't have a Repulsor yet (in fact its the only model among both boxes I don't have), but again, its kinda like the Redemptor in terms of cost efficacy.

 

More Hellblasters and Aggressors = always a good thing, love these shooty bois. More Reivers = *cat hairball noises*.

 

Rumor says it could be 6 months before the IF Upgrade Frame becomes available solo, I'm thinking that translates to at least $35 for the 3 upgrade frames in the IF box (if sold on eBay to aspiring Sons of Dorn).

 

Decisions, decisions...

[thewarriorhunter]

I have a set of Reivers but I've butchered them for my kill team. I will probably buy some of the heavy bolt pistol bits at some point because they look so good. I much prefer them over regular bolt pistols and will probably use those as often as I can on models. I'm not worried about the gun looking different since the model dictates what can be used, I think that will be apparent to help eliminate confusion.

[9x19 Parabellum]

Have you actually played with Redemptor as Raven Guard?  I've used mine a lot, and it's not hot garbage.  It's best suited with our chapter tactic, and that guy almost always gets work done.

[duz_]

I tried the Redemptor a couple of times

Usually as the pure dakka version :D

Unfortunately unless you can keep it hidden until a threat comes into range it gets targeted pretty quickly and once it degrades its fairly useless
Which is the same issue as the Repulsor once they drop a profile their movement is so limited they're not effective at all IMHO

They are both awesome looking models, just like Reiver with combat knives and pistols ;) 

[9x19 Parabellum]

I use the Macro Plasma.  the 36" range, combined with our chapter tactic, combined with the ability to put him in cover, keeps him alive most of the game for me. 

[Dracos]

Any new rumors on a Primaris Codex? I have 20 Reivers looking to get converted to Bolter Scouts if Pop Goes the Monkey can answer a request for a samll rucksack and rolled camo cloak bitz. I still have this fantasy Reivers will be a Troop choice in their own Codex.

 

More Hellblasters and Aggressors are always good but I’d look at Inceptors for a element the Primaris really lack ... movement. I still think until we get Character upgrades Shrike is nice compliment to 5 Plasma-inceptors.

Edited December 6, 2018 by Inquisitor Dracos

[duz_]

I have had zero luck with PgtM replying to messages before

Good luck though because that's an awesome idea!

 

The Reliquary I've had more success with and he's excited to do new kits.

I think he's Italian though so language can be an issue sometimes.