Blackstar Loadouts?

[SwashBuccaneer]

Debating on how I want to load my Blackstar(s) out. What seems to be the general consensus now that the Codex has been out for a bit. Las cannons/Missiles? Las cannon/Rockets? The current list I'm tinkering with has 2 of them with las cannons and the rockets with the halo launcher (despite the changes in the FAQ). Is running 2 of them even a good idea? Here is the current list I'm thinking about.

 

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium - Deathwatch) [112 PL, 1990pts] ++

+ HQ +

Primaris Librarian [7 PL, 102pts]: Bolt Pistol, Force sword

Watch Master [7 PL, 130pts]

+ Troops +

Intercessors [14 PL, 272pts]
. Aggressor: Flamestorm Gauntlets
. Aggressor: Flamestorm Gauntlets
. Inceptor
. . Two Assault Bolters: 2x Assault bolter
. Intercessor: Auto Bolt Rifle, Bolt Pistol
. Intercessor: Auto Bolt Rifle, Bolt Pistol
. Intercessor: Auto Bolt Rifle, Bolt Pistol
. Intercessor: Auto Bolt Rifle, Bolt Pistol
. Intercessor: Auto Bolt Rifle, Bolt Pistol
. Intercessor Sergeant: Auto Bolt Rifle, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword
. Reiver: Bolt Carbine, Heavy Bolt Pistol

Intercessors [16 PL, 286pts]
. Aggressor: Flamestorm Gauntlets
. Hellblaster: Bolt Pistol, Plasma incinerator
. Hellblaster: Bolt Pistol, Plasma incinerator
. Hellblaster: Bolt Pistol, Plasma incinerator
. Inceptor
. . Two Assault Bolters: 2x Assault bolter
. Intercessor: Bolt Pistol, Bolt rifle
. Intercessor: Bolt Pistol, Bolt rifle
. Intercessor: Bolt Pistol, Bolt rifle
. Intercessor: Bolt Pistol, Bolt rifle
. Intercessor Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Bolt rifle

Intercessors [12 PL, 213pts]
. Hellblaster: Bolt Pistol, Plasma incinerator
. Hellblaster: Bolt Pistol, Plasma incinerator
. Inceptor
. . Two Assault Bolters: 2x Assault bolter
. Intercessor: Bolt Pistol, Bolt rifle
. Intercessor: Bolt Pistol, Bolt rifle
. Intercessor: Bolt Pistol, Bolt rifle
. Intercessor: Bolt Pistol, Bolt rifle
. Intercessor Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Bolt rifle

Veterans [20 PL, 263pts]
. Terminator
. . Power Sword and Stormbolter: Power sword, Storm Bolter
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw (Pair)
. Veteran: Boltgun, Storm shield
. Veteran: Boltgun, Storm shield
. Veteran: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Veteran: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Veteran: Boltgun, Chainsword
. Veteran w/ Heavy Weapon: Deathwatch Frag Cannon
. Veteran w/ Heavy Weapon: Deathwatch Frag Cannon
. Watch Sergeant: Boltgun, Chainsword

+ Elites +

Primaris Apothecary [4 PL, 69pts]: Absolver Bolt Pistol

Venerable Dreadnought [8 PL, 165pts]: Missile launcher, Twin lascannon

 

+ Flyer +

Corvus Blackstar [12 PL, 245pts]: Hurricane bolter, Infernum Halo-Launcher, Twin lascannon
. 2x Blackstar Rocket Launchers: 2x Blackstar Rocket Launcher

Corvus Blackstar [12 PL, 245pts]: Hurricane bolter, Infernum Halo-Launcher, Twin lascannon
. 2x Blackstar Rocket Launchers: 2x Blackstar Rocket Launcher

++ Total: [112 PL, 1990pts] ++

[RogueApiary]

I'm a big fan of cheap as possible for the most close range shots. 2x AC, 2x Blackstar rockets, Hurricane, infernum launcher. If I wanted two Lascannons that hit on 4's, I'd ally in a LR Annihilator.

[Claws and Effect]

I'm a big fan of cheap as possible for the most close range shots. 2x AC, 2x Blackstar rockets, Hurricane, infernum launcher. If I wanted two Lascannons that hit on 4's, I'd ally in a LR Annihilator.

This.

 

The fact that the Blackstar does not have Power of the Machine Spirit has me reluctant to spend 50 points on lascannons that will only get 2 shots hitting on 4s.

 

If I need to kill armor with it I'll just use the assault cannons and rockets with the appropriate +1 to wound Strategem which will have it wounding on 4s at worst for the majority of targets in the game.

 

You'll get more mileage out of 12 shots that hit and wound on 4s than you will out of 2 shots that hit on 4s and wound on 3s.

 

Statistically, you'll miss one of those 2 shots on average and fail to wound on the hit 33% of the time.

 

The cannons will hit an average of 6 times and wound on 3 of them.

 

The AP isn't as good, but I'd rather have a decent chance of dealing 1 or 2 damage than a decent chance of dealing none at all.

 

Granted, sometimes you'll roll good and those lascannons will deal 10 damage, but that won't happen often enough for me to want to rely on it.

 

I use my Blackstar for anti-infantry and use more reliable options for anti-tank.

[SwashBuccaneer]

Good point on the hits. I didn't realise it was that bad factored in with the moving and firing heavy weapons. Should I just run 1 spec'd for anti infantry then and maybe grab another Ven Dread? That little sucker looks to hit on 2+ and not degrade, or still use 2 Blackstars? Trying to get this damn list ironed out but it's tough. :D

[Stiff Crayons]

I run a twin las venerable with my Ultramarines and, not counting the faction’s multiple reroll sources, it is a very reliable backfield AT platform. Toss in missiles for the DCCW and you’re solid.

[SwashBuccaneer]

I run a twin las venerable with my Ultramarines and, not counting the faction’s multiple reroll sources, it is a very reliable backfield AT platform. Toss in missiles for the DCCW and you’re solid.

Yeah it seems pretty solid and cheap. I have 1 from my SC box and it's going to find a spot in my army with that config. Now I'm not sure if I want to run 1 and 2x Blackstars or 1 Blackstar and 2 Ven dreads.

[Trollbeard]

 

I run a twin las venerable with my Ultramarines and, not counting the faction’s multiple reroll sources, it is a very reliable backfield AT platform. Toss in missiles for the DCCW and you’re solid.

Yeah it seems pretty solid and cheap. I have 1 from my SC box and it's going to find a spot in my army with that config. Now I'm not sure if I want to run 1 and 2x Blackstars or 1 Blackstar and 2 Ven dreads.

I just played a game against DE and rolled him using, 2x ven dreds w/ TLLC and ML and 2x Corvus blackstars with the black star missiles and TLLC, the dreads definitely pulled their weight, they destroyed 2 ravages and 2 void wing bombers by themselves.

 

I wouldn’t take the TLLC on the Corvus again, the lack of PotMS is too much for only 2 shots from the lascannon.

[SwashBuccaneer]

 

 

I run a twin las venerable with my Ultramarines and, not counting the faction’s multiple reroll sources, it is a very reliable backfield AT platform. Toss in missiles for the DCCW and you’re solid.

Yeah it seems pretty solid and cheap. I have 1 from my SC box and it's going to find a spot in my army with that config. Now I'm not sure if I want to run 1 and 2x Blackstars or 1 Blackstar and 2 Ven dreads.

I just played a game against DE and rolled him using, 2x ven dreds w/ TLLC and ML and 2x Corvus blackstars with the black star missiles and TLLC, the dreads definitely pulled their weight, they destroyed 2 ravages and 2 void wing bombers by themselves.

 

I wouldn’t take the TLLC on the Corvus again, the lack of PotMS is too much for only 2 shots from the lascannon.

Awesome Troll. :D My local group looks to have a couple of filthy space elf armies around so I'm glad to hear you smooshed some lol.

 

Are you running the auspex or the halo?

[Trollbeard]

 

 

 

I run a twin las venerable with my Ultramarines and, not counting the faction’s multiple reroll sources, it is a very reliable backfield AT platform. Toss in missiles for the DCCW and you’re solid.

Yeah it seems pretty solid and cheap. I have 1 from my SC box and it's going to find a spot in my army with that config. Now I'm not sure if I want to run 1 and 2x Blackstars or 1 Blackstar and 2 Ven dreads.

I just played a game against DE and rolled him using, 2x ven dreds w/ TLLC and ML and 2x Corvus blackstars with the black star missiles and TLLC, the dreads definitely pulled their weight, they destroyed 2 ravages and 2 void wing bombers by themselves.

 

I wouldn’t take the TLLC on the Corvus again, the lack of PotMS is too much for only 2 shots from the lascannon.

Awesome Troll. :D My local group looks to have a couple of filthy space elf armies around so I'm glad to hear you smooshed some lol.

 

Are you running the auspex or the halo?

I believe I was running the halo, which recently FAQ’d gives an additional -1 to hit against enemies with the fly keyword? It worked very well, his ravagers basically had to ignore it because they couldn’t hit it. One of my corvus’s didn’t even have anything to transport, just wanted it as a distraction carnifex, and added firepower.

[SwashBuccaneer]

Nice. I only have 1 veteran kill team for transporting but was looking at 2 Blackstars as well for more firepower as well and because they're nice looking models. :)

 

List building is tough lol

[Mobius0288]

I may try the cheap way of running the blackstar to see if that makes a difference. I think the infernum halo launcher is the better all-around way to run it for sure, especially against all those hover/fly vehicles.

 

I run mine differently and works for my list... I run twin assault cannon, hurricane bolters, stormstrike missiles and the auspex array. I prefer to have my mine re-rolling 1's on turn 1 (because I always get so many 1's), i spray infantry and prep for a 2 turn disembark. Once I disembark, I set it to hover and unleash everything. Sometimes I even put the watchmaster in there. In either case, it becomes less of a focus because the troops I drop off are the bigger threat or I brought enough other threats to their front line.

[mel_danes]

"I just played a game against DE and rolled him using, 2x ven dreds w/ TLLC and ML and 2x Corvus blackstars with the black star missiles and TLLC, the dreads definitely pulled their weight, they destroyed 2 ravages and 2 void wing bombers by themselves."

 

Brothers where do you source Dreadnought Missile Launchers, without buying the whole Dread? I have 2 venerable's a forgeworld dread, and a couple plastic dreads, but absolutely no missile launchers. I'm in the states buy the way.

Thanks

[Trollbeard]

"I just played a game against DE and rolled him using, 2x ven dreds w/ TLLC and ML and 2x Corvus blackstars with the black star missiles and TLLC, the dreads definitely pulled their weight, they destroyed 2 ravages and 2 void wing bombers by themselves."

 

Brothers where do you source Dreadnought Missile Launchers, without buying the whole Dread? I have 2 venerable's a forgeworld dread, and a couple plastic dreads, but absolutely no missile launchers. I'm in the states buy the way.

 

Thanks

Tbh, my group allows a lot of proxies, this is an expensive hobby, and it’s nice to try a unit out before pulling the trigger and buying it lol. So my dreads don’t have a missile launcher on them lol. I’d like to get some though!!

[Delta.Skies]

"I just played a game against DE and rolled him using, 2x ven dreds w/ TLLC and ML and 2x Corvus blackstars with the black star missiles and TLLC, the dreads definitely pulled their weight, they destroyed 2 ravages and 2 void wing bombers by themselves."

 

Brothers where do you source Dreadnought Missile Launchers, without buying the whole Dread? I have 2 venerable's a forgeworld dread, and a couple plastic dreads, but absolutely no missile launchers. I'm in the states buy the way.

 

Thanks

If you can't find bits through Ebay, try overseas bitz site. Then sometimes can't find it on there there's a couple of Ebay sellers that put up used models for bids. One seller has bidding that end on sunday. Got a dread, company champion, 3 bikes, 2 4 tanks for under 1oo bidding.

[SwashBuccaneer]

Uh oh...theres no missile launcher in the ven dread kit or in the start collecting box?

[Vel'Cona]

You may have more luck starting a new topic to address this issue.  Anyone who may have advice is more likely to see it in an appropriately-titled post :)

[mel_danes]

You may have more luck starting a new topic to address this issue. Anyone who may have advice is more likely to see it in an appropriately-titled post :)

What would be the appropriate forum?

It felt so trivial to ask in a thread of its own, sorry to hijack this one.

[Stiff Crayons]

"I just played a game against DE and rolled him using, 2x ven dreds w/ TLLC and ML and 2x Corvus blackstars with the black star missiles and TLLC, the dreads definitely pulled their weight, they destroyed 2 ravages and 2 void wing bombers by themselves."

 

Brothers where do you source Dreadnought Missile Launchers, without buying the whole Dread? I have 2 venerable's a forgeworld dread, and a couple plastic dreads, but absolutely no missile launchers. I'm in the states buy the way.

 

Thanks

Terminator death wind missile launchers are perfect scale for a dreadnaught arm. I magnetized mine to my dreadnaught and it looks very natural.

[Vel'Cona]

 

You may have more luck starting a new topic to address this issue. Anyone who may have advice is more likely to see it in an appropriately-titled post

What would be the appropriate forum?

It felt so trivial to ask in a thread of its own, sorry to hijack this one.

 

 

You can start it here in DW if you like, or in greater Adeptus Astartes forums if you want to get more feedback from a "generalized" audience.  I just want to make sure you get as many responses/ideas as possible.