My 1st BA Battalion/Brigade 2020 goal - troop comp' questns

[Thalidar]

Hi guys

 

I'm currently pulling together all my old SM kits for next years resolution of having a Brigade strength force by the end of 2020, and at this stage believe I have enough to build a very basic battalion. However I'm trying to work out if they'll be worth the effort of actually including/painting up for it for my first proper force composition. In the past I've painted vs played, so real force composition is a bit of a steep learning curve. 

 

Basically I don't want to waste paint/time and effort onto units that don't work together within the initial Battalion which is my initial goal. 

 

Currently I've dug out and are ready to make/paint;

 

1. 1x Scout squad.
2. 1x Tactical squad (non - BA version, but I could 2x 5 man it).
3. 1x Assault squad.
4. 1x Razorback.
5. 1x pretty sure that's it, but too scared to keep looking just in case the wife decides I don't need anything else for a while... 

 

If I add an HQ or 2, this should be good to go, but are they worthwhile/usable together within the Battalion, and ultimately would they also be of use within the Brigade, or would they be better off being their own Battalion. Also, any pointers on HQ choices to assist the Battalion?

 

I also have started making my Xmas pressie - a BA Stormraven gunship, so naturally I made sure to also pick up

1. 1x BA Chaplain with Jump Pack.
2. 1x DC squad. 

 

So if the initial models I have available doesn't work for a Battalion, what would? would grabbing the BA intercessors box set help, maybe swap in more Scouts or Tact Marines, or even the addition of the BA Battleforce box set be a better fit for it?

 

I've considered the start collecting set for the tact' Marines and the Baal, but knowing I'd never use the Term captain it'll be more expensive than buying them separately. (Especially here in Australia). The B/F seems more sensible, but only if I factor in the Baal as a valuable piece, as it and the term' captain make 1/3 of it's price, but of course I get the Intercessors in it as well.

 

Lastly - Shoulder pads vs Decals? What's the best approach for BA's?

 

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

PS: Why the heck do Lieutenants have such a poor weapons choice/ Seems crazy that BA don't have access to the Axes, as I'd really like to scratchbuild them with the Sang' Guard Axe instead of the Powersword. 

 

Cheers

 

Thal'

 

[AngelofRedemption]

Sounds like a good start. A battalion requires 3 troops choices, so you'll want to build the scouts and 10 tacticals for sure (or get some intercessors). The scouts are best built with pistols and knives.

 

Razorbacks are always gravy, if you can get a twin assault cannon turret from forgeworld or kitbash one they are the best weapon option.

 

Assault squads sadly aren't that great. The best bet would be to spread around the death company bits onto them and make 10 death company. Definitely give them jump packs, and magnetize weapons and backpacks as much as possible!

 

Definitely magnetize the stormraven so you can switch weapon options (it's not too tricky).

 

The only other thing you'll need for a battalion is a second HQ choice. Librarian dreadnougts are excellent, as are most of the special characters. New Mephiston, Astorath, Sanguinor etc. Probably the best is Lemartes but you already have a Chaplain. I'd go for a Lib Dread or new Mephiston

 

The following with weapon options gives you about 1000 points, a solid start, without spending a whole lot more money.

 

The battle force is pretty decent, especially if you can get it discounted through a 3rd party retailer. The captain and Baal are the weaker links, and you already have the chaplain and enough bodies for 10 death company, so it probably hinges on how much you want to use the Baal Predator. You may just want to get the intercessors and sanguinary guard separately. Its definitely better value than the Start collecting set though.

 

List (approx 1000 pts depending on wargear)

 

Lib Dread

Chaplain

 

5 Knife Scouts

5 Tacticals (heavy weapon)

5 Tacticals (special and sergeant) ride in dedicated Razorback

 

10 Jump Death Company

 

Stormraven

 

P.s. I wouldn't bother with a bog standard Lieutenant.

Edited December 28, 2019 by AngelofRedemption

[Dont-Be-Haten]

What are you wanting to accomplish with your list?

 

Scout load outs are debatable. Combat knives are better if you're driving them up the field told hold middle objectives, harrass gun lines. Bolter scouts are better as backfield objective holders.

 

Lieutenant's are a must have for certain armies. In BA they are better in combination with a sanguinary priest as they maximize damage output. Because on the turn you charge with your units, you wound MEQs on 2s with re-rolling 1s.

 

I have a battle company worth of tacticals and assault marines. With the new buffs they are better than other astartes assault marines.

 

I believe if you're going for dedicated transports you need to run 2~4 Razorbacks for them to be effective. Or 2 backs 2 rhinos +

 

DC or VanVets are both solid options. You can build a smash captain for 7 points cheaper than Dante or you can take Tycho at a solid price point.

[Thalidar]

Cheers guys, the list is mainly for semi comp' fun.

 

I didn't want a gunline which my home brew faction now seems to be, as I know I'll lose interest. (I'm not a meta player and BA's have such a varied array of troop types, that I feel it's really uniquely placed with it's variety).   

 

The Brigade's aim is to be a highly mobile rapid response team (not concerned about best in slot), and the initial battalions all about me having a small aggressive force I can create whilst learning the ropes from, then hopefully integrate into the Brigade. (If possible). 

 

I'm hoping I can work in a 2000 pointer for the Brigade, but if I can't, I'd still like to be able to run at least 2 workable battalions out of the Brigade. 

 

NB: I definitely want to kit bash what I can IE: my captain, Sang' Guard Stormraven paint scheme and have no problem with mixing old school with Primarus. (as far as I'm concerned - same troops with better armour). 

 

So if I used the scouts with knives for mid field, utilised the tactical marines as place holders, whilst using the DC and assault marines on a more aggressive scale it does seem like it's a step in the right direction to build from.

 

Cheers

[Fajita Fan]

 

PS: Why the heck do Lieutenants have such a poor weapons choice/ Seems crazy that BA don't have access to the Axes, as I'd really like to scratchbuild them with the Sang' Guard Axe instead of the Powersword. 

 

Because that's how the models are equipped with out of the package. In years past they'd have a full batch of equipment options but to squeeze out the 3rd party bits creators they now only let you take the options that the model comes equipped with.  

 

Sanguinary Guard got a buff in the new campaign book, you might look into them.  I've actually gotten mine going again!