Converting a tactical squad kit to two assault squads.

[dread05]

As in the title, im planning to buy a blood angels tactical squad and make 2 assault squads out of it. There are two reasons for doing that. First, the assault squad kit its really expensive just for 5 models, 37 euros compared to a tactical squad which is 34 for 10 models, plus 13 for 10 jumpapcks. The second reason is that the assault squad has older bits, without BA iconography.

 

So, its gonna be 2 assault squads with jump packs, each will have 2 plasma guns, one sergeant will have a combi plasma, the other a plasma pistol plus not sure what yet (maybe a hammer?) . 

 

What I will need

 

1) 10x legs 10x torso's 10x heads, all found within the tactical kit

2) 10x jump packs, two 5x sets from GW

3) 4x plasma guns, the 5x set from GW

4) 1x combi plasma, from the tactical kit

5) 4x chainswords, I think I have 3 from an old command squad, 2 right handed 1 left handed attached to arms. I will need one more, there is an arm and a chainsword in the tact kit.

6) 4x bolt pistols. I will probably have to order a couple from ebay, cause I only have two at the moment, a left handed and a right handed both attached to arms. There will be pistols in the tactical kit, but I wont have enough shooting hands, the only shooting hand I will be using for the plasma pistol.

7) a plasma pistol from the command squad, with the shooting hand from the tactical squad. (on a second thought, I think there are 2 shooting hands om the tactical kit).

8) the power weapon for the second sergeant, I dont know what it will be, but I'll probably need a second arm for that.

 

The question is, what am I forgetting?

Edited January 24, 2018 by dread05

[ixzion]

I don’t think you are missing anything except that your assault squads will be looking static compared with the assault squad kit. Nothing wrong with that, but it’s something to keep in mind.

[dread05]

Ohh i know that, but they're more shooty than melee so I guess its fine. My company vets also have the standing legs, and they're also shooty. They wont have straps on their torso's also, but I guess I'll live with that.

[Kierdale]

Could you do a push-mould of a torso front that does have the straps?

[Halandaar]

It feels like it would be cheaper overall to buy 2 Assault Squad boxes from a third-party retailer (where you can easily save around 20% versus GWs pricing) and get the extra plasma guns you need from eBay, if you're going to be using it anyway.

[Major_Gilbear]

I'd also point out that whilst the Assault Squad isn't BA-specific, the kit has been updated and is therefore quite "new".

 

Despite being static, the torsos not having the jump-pack straps, and the GW plasmagun set being made of bendy pencil rubber Finecast resin, I don't see anything that would be "wrong" with your plan - it would save you a few Euros, but you will get a more static-looking squad.

 

I'd still be tempted to get at least one Assault Squad box to mix into the Tactical squad, and just get some extra jump packs, torso-fronts, and plasma guns from a bits seller. That that would help to mix the poses up a bit more, and also give you extra parts for characters and choppy Assualt troops in future.

 

And, as Halandaar says, you can often get some pretty good online deals if you shop around, which would still be a worthwhile saving even if you just get two Assault Squads anyway.

[dread05]

The problem with what you're saying is that greece doesnt have bits sellers, or many third party retailers. The only things available to me are GW website, ebay and a couple of greek retailers that sell at the exact same price as GW, or a couple of euros higher. Maybe you could recommend me some europian retailers that sell cheap? : )

[Major_Gilbear]

Triple Helix, Dark Sphere, and Element Games are all good, and ship all over Europe. (You can use my discount code JAM380 on Element Games to earn extra reward points as well if you want to - the reward points can then be used as a cash discount next time you buy from them.).

 

For bits-sellers, BitzBox and Bitzarium have worked well for me, and ship all over Europe. Let the Dice Decide is also good, but is slow to restock. If something is out of stock, you can register an alert request to email you when it's back in stock (this is usually worth doing).

 

On eBay, it's worth changing the search parameters to include the whole world, and then sort by Price+Postage to get the best deals. Often, if you buy several lots from the same seller, you only pay postage for one item and all the others ship with it for free which lowers the cost quite significantly.

 

Hope that helps you! :)

[Rammael]

I would buy a box of death company you have plenty of bits in there. I bought a death company box and a ba tac squad and made three squads. However I would say that even if you want a short squad they look very odd without running legs. Just look at the SW skyclaw box. Just doesn't seem right.

[Xenith]

How much does 2x death company boxes go for? In GBP, 2x assault squad box = £50, Tactical squad + 10x jump packs = £36 (+ cost of chainswords), 2x death co = £41. For the extra fiver you get bolt pistols and chainswords that you lack in the tactical box, but then have to buy the plasma guns.

 

Also of note, your assault squad sergeant can no longer have a combi weapon, I think, nor can they dual wield pistols. Plasma pistol and power weapon are a cheap combo.

[dread05]

I would not use death company bits for assault squads for a couple or reasons. I wouldnt want Saltires on my assault squads, thats a DC marking. And most importantly, I have yet to build my first real DC squad. But I think you're convincing me to buy proper assault squads. I still miss the plasma guns tho.

[Xenith]

Crosses are the codex designation for an assault unit - just paint the crosses a different colour. A cross is also the unit marking for the 5th/6th (and now 15th/16th) squad of the company, in case your assault marines came from the 8th company.

 

To be perfectly Frank, I'd avoid the new assault suad like the plague. The legs on the models are horrible and squat. It's like the designer tried to make them the same height as a normal marine, but forgot they were running and jumping. I'd buy the vanguard box set - same price, but 1000x nicer models and you get millions of bits. I wouldn't object to dual wielding plasma pistols counting as a plasma gun.

[Arkhanist]

The UK is a good place to buy from resellers - the brexit vote crashed the value of sterling vs the euro and it hasn't recovered since. GW haven't changed their pricing to reflect that, so converting euros to sterling should get you a better price than buying in euros direct. The three shops Major_Gilbear linked above are UK based and I've happily bought from all 3 in the past, depending upon what they had in stock.

 

For example; element games BA tactical squad, £22.10 = €26.08. GW price, €34.

BA assault squad, £23.80 = €28.08 vs GW €37 - and the best price I can find from an EU resident reseller so far is €35.

 

Depending upon your bank you might pay a little more for currency conversion, but you should still come out significantly ahead - and element games I think will bill directly in euro, so you won't even have that issue.

Edited January 24, 2018 by Arkhanist

[dread05]

Update.

 

I ended up buying Start collecting Blood Angels. From the 10 man tac squad, I decided to build a 5 man tac squad and a 5 man assault squad on foot, both loaded with plasma. It took me like 2 weeks of thinking about it, but in the end I couldnt get myself to buy the assault squad kit.

[Xenith]

I couldnt get myself to buy the assault squad kit.

Wise choice. I bought one, and beyond the eviscerator, it's not great. The legs really kill the rest of the kit (see below for a diddy death co)

The VanVet kit is 1000x better. Go for that every time.

[dread05]

At the begining I had changed my mind completely about assault squads cause I wanted to focus on plasma shooty squads and I was just gonna do 2 tacticals with plasma gun and combi plasma's, but in the end an assault squad can fire 3 plasma shots and by doing one and one, I ended up with 5 plasma shots overall.

[Xenith]

Yup, although you get 4 shots at over 12", but 9 shots within 12" - such is life. If you give the assault squad a rhino they can get in range faster, and it can take 2x storm bolters for an extra 8 bolter shots at 12".

[dread05]

Rhino or Razorback? Since its a 5 man squad? :p

[Xenith]

Depends on the points. Razor can still take twin heavy bolters and storm bolter combo giving you 10 shots at 12" for 22 pts.

[dread05]

Its not like I have any of them :) My vehicles currently are 1 baal predator. I was looking yesterday for transpors, but they're far behind on my to buy list. After Im done with the start collecting, I'm gonna buy assault terminators, and after those some devastators. On a side note, I have no idea how to paint yellow helmets. Given that I only have access at GW paints here, what should I get my hands on?

[dread05]

Quick question, can our tacticals take plasma cannons? I thought this was a dark angel thing only, but maybe I'm mistaken. Maybe I should take a plasma cannon on the tacts instead of a plasma gun? (I dont own the codex, since I dont actually play yet. Just modeling).

[Panzer]

Plasma is one of the most basic special weapons for Marines. So yes our tacticals can take Plasma cannons as well as Plasma guns. ;)

Plasma cannon has the disadvantage that it's a heavy weapon so it gets -1 to-hit if you moved and has a random amount of shots (1d3) while the Plasma gun is a Rapid fire 1 weapon so no negative to-hit modifier for moving and 2 shots at half range (12").

 

However since you aren't playing those aren't exactly things you should be concerned with. Just use whatever looks best. ^^

[Xenith]

Quick question, can our tacticals take plasma cannons? I thought this was a dark angel thing only, but maybe I'm mistaken. Maybe I should take a plasma cannon on the tacts instead of a plasma gun? (I dont own the codex, since I dont actually play yet. Just modeling).

 

Only DA tactical could take plasma cannons...in 3rd edition 

 

The codex lists the heavy weapon options, and the unit dataslate indicates which weapon lists models can choose from unless otherwise noted 

[dread05]

I'd also point out that whilst the Assault Squad isn't BA-specific, the kit has been updated and is therefore quite "new".

 

 

 While I was waiting for 2 plasma guns from ebay, I couldnt resist and bought the assault squad kit as well. I have to agree that the quality is super good. As good as the tacticals in fact. After buying 1 command squad, I was really afraid to buy anything old. 

 

Also, I really enjoyed the fact that there was a complete MK VI armor inside. I did the footslogger assault squad with a couple of beakies, and it was a nice addition to it.

Edited February 28, 2018 by dread05

[dread05]

 

To be perfectly Frank, I'd avoid the new assault suad like the plague. The legs on the models are horrible and squat. It's like the designer tried to make them the same height as a normal marine, but forgot they were running and jumping. I'd buy the vanguard box set - same price, but 1000x nicer models and you get millions of bits. I wouldn't object to dual wielding plasma pistols counting as a plasma gun.

 

Now that I got the kit on my hands I see what you mean. They're as tall as my tacticals, while they should be as tall as my sanguinary guards. Still, the kit is really nice and I had fun building two of them last night. I didnt want to go for the vanguard vets kit cause when I will build a vet squad, I want them to look cooler than a simple assault squad. For the same reason, I used vanguard vet jump packs on a company veterans squad, and not  assault marine jump packs. They do lack iconography, but between the upgrade pack shoulderpads and the tactical leftover sprues, I'll make them more blood angely :P