Master Ciaphas' Dark Angels - a 2022 Crusade project

[Master Ciaphas]

Hail Fraters!

 

After a very, very long hiatus, I have decided to return to Warhammer 40k and have decided to give 9th edition a try. I have not played 40k since the early days of 8th edition, where I soured in the skewed Codices, stratagems everywhere, command point optimization and where it seemed that the way to go was to have as many overlapping auras as physically possible. 

 

Having talked with friends who also gave up on 8th, we have decided to give 9th a spin - specifically 9th Crusade rules. 

 

To that end, I have gone and bought the 9th Rulebook second-hand, and have also closed a deal for the current 9th Dark Angel Codex second hand. That leads to the first question:

 

1) Are there any other rule books I need? (Because GW has NEVER been nice enough to have all the rules in one place...)

 

As for the starting armies - since I have no Codex, it is still a bit in the wind, as to what will constitute the initial Crusade force. As I have been collecing Dark Angels since 1992 - and then only seriously since 2001, I could field an army of painted Firstborn...but then what would be the purpose of this thread?

 

Instead I have decided to try out the new toys on the block: the Primaris usurpers. 

 

Therefore I spent January 1st putting together all the Primaris that I got in the Dark Imperium starter box back in what, 2017? I only ever managed to finish one of them - a lieutenant, but almost finished the Gravis Captian, the Ancient and the Hellblasters. They are therefore probably the ones that will get done first. Below you can all see what I have to work with for the Crusade coming up:

 

 

As for their background, it is still a work in progress...but I know that the Firstborn Termintor Chaplain is there to provide spiritual advice to the good, newbie Gravis Captian (and not at all to supervise, monitor and surveil him).

 

My friends will be playing, respectively, Necrons, Sisters of Battle, Grey Knights and Black Templars. In other words - lots of power amour saves. 

 

I am really looking forward to painting some Dark Angels again, after not having painted any in years. 

 

Till the Sword is reforged!

 

Faithfully,

Master Ciaphas

 

 

 

 

[WrathOfTheLion]

Hello!

 

For your first question, you will need a copy of Codex: Space Marines alongside the Dark Angels supplement, it'll provide the core datasheets and some core rules. That should be the only other book you need.

[Interrogator Stobz]

Welcome Back Brother,

Yep what WOTL says; all the toys you have assembled are in C:SM, the RW, DW and DA Characters are in C:DA

[Master Ciaphas]

Hail!

 

Thank you both for your replies. I figured it was too easy with just a rulebook and codex. I guess I will have to scrounge up the Space Marine Codex as well. Amazing how just getting into a game almost equates opening a library....

 

Now, the second question:

 

2) GW has released a number of Crusade campaign packs. Are they needed to play the Crusade games - just "nice to have" - and are any of them better than the rest? 

 

Faithfully,

Master Ciaphas

[Interrogator Stobz]

Now that one I have no idea.

 

I also don't play 40k following 8th (well a couple of games of 9th with my kid but they don't count), that and my gaming group if I did play are all super competitive tournament types and don't play Crusade.

But, based on my books you should be right for starters with the BrB and C:SM.

[Cpt. Bannockburn]

Glad to have you back! Enjoy your new project :)

 

Having played a Crusade campaign recently with missions from some of the campaign books:

They are nice to have, but by no means necessary. 

The core rulebook contains 3 missions each for Combat Patrol (i.e. 500 pts / ~25 PL) and Onslaught (3000 pts / 150 PL) levels of play, and 6 missions each for Incursion (1000 pts / 50 PL) and Strike Force (2000 pts / 100 PL).

Playing these missions should be plenty of material for a first foray, and specific campaign books can be added later if you want to replay some conflicts of renown.

 

Apart from the Codex: Space Marines, the Dark Angels Supplement, and the Core Rulebook, I would also suggest getting the Chapter Approved 2022 when it comes out soon(-ish) for point updates and similar. 

[Master Ciaphas]

Hail!

 

Thank you for your replies; much appreciated! 

 

I will stick with the main rulebook, the DA Codex and see if I can find the Space Marine Codex second hand. Then I will take a look at list building. For now, I will plod happily along painting a few of the above pictured minis.

 

Cheers!

 

Master Ciaphas 

[phandaal]

eBay is a good place to get discounted rulebooks. You may even be able to find used versions on Amazon.

 

For list building, check out BattleScribe. Great way to keep up with points changes.

[Master Ciaphas]

Hail!

 

Cheers for your reply!

 

eBay is a good place to get discounted rulebooks. You may even be able to find used versions on Amazon.

For list building, check out BattleScribe. Great way to keep up with points changes.

 

Battlescribe? 

 

Faithfully,

Master Ciaphas

[phandaal]

BattleScribe is a list building app that you can download to your phone or PC. Greatly simplifies the process, no flipping around the book trying to figure out which options you are allowed to take, what the points for that weapon are etc. Highly recommended.

[Helias_Tancred]

Hail!

 

Thank you for your replies; much appreciated! 

 

I will stick with the main rulebook, the DA Codex and see if I can find the Space Marine Codex second hand. Then I will take a look at list building. For now, I will plod happily along painting a few of the above pictured minis.

 

Cheers!

 

Master Ciaphas 

 

I think getting back into the game with a Crusade campaign with friends is probably the best way to get the most enjoyment to frustration ratio. Grats!

I prefer the GW Warhammer 40k app for my list building and info needs ... but I also watch Warhammer+ so it was a good deal for me. 

[Master Ciaphas]

Hail!

 

Well . Good intentions and all that! I managed to get absolute, fully 0% done of the project. Like...nothing what so ever!

 

Perhaps 2023 will be a "better" year for this, with the new Azrael coming out some time during the year. I hope so!

 

Anyhow - Happy New Year to you all!

 

Cheers!

Master Ciaphas

[phandaal]

23 minutes ago, Master Ciaphas said:

Hail!

 

Well . Good intentions and all that! I managed to get absolute, fully 0% done of the project. Like...nothing what so ever!

 

Perhaps 2023 will be a "better" year for this, with the new Azrael coming out some time during the year. I hope so!

 

Anyhow - Happy New Year to you all!

 

Cheers!

Master Ciaphas

 

It is a marathon, not a race! Although the speed with which some guys here can blast through their armies does make me feel like they are in the Olympics while I am playing Pee-wee. 

 

Good luck on your 2023 progress! New Azrael is a great reason to start. Happy New Year!

[Master Ciaphas]

Hail!

Still no progress on my 2022 Crusade Project - but now, having bought Arks of Omen tome 1, 3 and 5 (ie. the Dark Angels relevant stuff), I was thinking that Boarding Actions in 10th might be a good incentive to get a move-on with these minis.

 

Has any one tried Boarding Actions? And would the above collection be "good enough" for non-competitive games of Boarding Actions? 

 

Cheers!

[Master Ciaphas]

Hail Frateris!

 

So - with the advent of 10th, one of my co-workers has actually taken the plunge into Warhammer 40k. Which is good. Now, he has asked whether I would be game for trying out the Combat Patrol rules, which could be interesting. 

 

Has any one tried out Mordechai's Judgement Combat Patrol (the one with the Primaris Chaplain, 5 Intercessors, 3 Inceptors and 1 Redemptor Dreadnought)?

 

I have most of the models from back in 8th with the Dark Imperium box, so am "only" short the Chaplain and Redemptor (who together cost ALMOST as much as the entire box...). 

 

Cheers!

[Grotsmasha]

6 hours ago, Master Ciaphas said:

I have most of the models from back in 8th with the Dark Imperium box, so am "only" short the Chaplain and Redemptor (who together cost ALMOST as much as the entire box...). 

Honestly if it's a friendly just to give it a go, I'd proxie the Chap and Dread for First-born units if you have them available. 

ALSO, have a look on eBay and such and you may be able to save a bit of $$$.

Alternatively, if you can afford a new Combat Patrol box, get it and part-out the duplicate units on eBay, you should recover most of the cost.

[Master Ciaphas]

Hail!

 

Well - I have finally managed to start painting the Intercessors from the Dark Imperium starter set, who have (un)ceremoniously been inducted into Mordekai's Judgement :-D

 

Here are the five Intercessors:

 

Not that much to see. Shading is done, and will this week be adding the five layers of highlight. With a Combat Patrol consisting of Asmodai, five Intercessors, three Inceptors and a Redemptor Dreadnought, I am trying to give this bunch my very best effort. 

 

Also - I pre-ordered the Deathwing Assault box. I have an odd craving to find the Boarding Action terrain set, and unleash the Terminators within...

 

Cheers!

[Interrogator Stobz]

Great to have you back Master C!!!

[Master Ciaphas]

Thank you, Stobz! 

 

For once, I have actually - so far - managed to perservere with painting Dark Angels. Now I only need to do another two hightlights on the green armour, before moving onto details like the belt, metals and weapon casing. Really looking forward to that!

 

Faithfully,

Master Ciaphas

[Master Ciaphas]

Hail!

 

Just to document my wee progress. Here is the kinda-original, few proxies, Combat Patrol:

 

 

Astute readers will notice, that Chaplain Mordekai has been replaced with the last edition of Asmodai, and that a sneaky Lieutenant has joined the force, making this...I guess, a "Combat Patrol +1". +1 can in this regard meaning either better, or "with more", and is entirely "viable" ;-)

 

Anyhow, I love the way this looks, and small-ish skirmish games is more my jam these days.

 

I am busy painting up the five Intercessors, where the sergeant has been replaced by the old, Limited mini, Sgt. Jovan (?). I really like his casual and relaxed posed. 

 

 

Once these are painted up, I will be doing the Inceptors (?) (Jump Pack Marines), then either the Lieutenant or Asmodai, finishing off with the center piece, Redemptor Dreadnought. 

 

If Primaris Asmodai has been released before I get to this, then he will be bought and replace the one I currently have. Yeah, I know he is not what is in the Combat Patrol. I am here for the casual play, so he will be fine as a "count-as" :-D 

 

Since there is also a NEW Dark Angels Patrol Box coming out soon-ish, I think I will add that to my collection of 10th ed. as well. After all, from the Dark Imperium box, I already have a Gravis Armoured Captain, five Hellblasters and another five Intercessors. Basically, I would just need to find three Bladeguard Veterans on the second hand market, and I would be good to go. Also, I would need to paint strip the Hellblasters and Gravis Captain, as I started them with a different technique, that I got stuck on back in...2018?

 

Cheers!

 

Faithfully,

Master Ciaphas

 

 

[Master Ciaphas]

Hail!

 

Well - I did not get any Dark Angels minis painted during the weekend...but I did make a bit of new terrain!

 

 

Cheers!

[Interrogator Stobz]

Classic!

[UtariOnzo]

Been a while since I last saw xenoflora cactii

Edited January 29 by UtariOnzo

[Master Ciaphas]

Thank you both for your comments!

 

I managed to finish the four xenoflora cactii last night (love that classification, btw!)

 

 

I am very pleased with them - loved every second of working on an old school DIY project. I think I will give it a shot with making a jungle tree - old school style as well, with garden wire twisted and wrapped in pva/water mix...

 

Cheers!

 

/Master Ciaphas

[Master Ciaphas]

Hail!

I caved and got the new Deathwing Assault boxed set. Holy smoley are those lovely models! And the Limited Edition Codex is a beauty!

 

Having effectively been out of W40k since mid 8th edition, I was wondering something as I read through the codex and datacards. 

 

It seems to me, that the Deathwing Knights have the exact same saving throw as the "regular" Deathwing Terminators. Can this be right? I mean, even though they are carrying massive siege shields around, they - the Knights - are still only sporting a 2+ armour save and a 4++ invulnerable save? Only difference in so far as I can tell, is that the Knights have +1 Wound over the regular Terminators? 

 

Can this be right? Am I missing something?

 

Cheers!