Blood Angels army list 2000 points Vanguard.

[Paladin777]

I've got an RTT I'm going to in the middle of January, and I'll probably only be able to get one practice game in (holidays and all that) so I really want to make it count. That said, I've been looking at the vanguard detachment lately and it really seems like it's got some great stuff. 
 

anyway, I was hoping to get some constructive criticism on the following list. 
 

in some cases I'm playing with what I've got available. In others, I have some wiggle room. Anyway, here's the list. 

Spoiler

**++ Army Roster (Imperium - Adeptus Astartes - Blood Angels) [2,000pts] ++**

 

**Battle Size:** 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit)

 

**Detachment:** Vanguard Spearhead

 

**+ Character +**

 

**Apothecary Biologis [80pts]:** The Blade Driven Deep

 

**Captain in Gravis Armour [80pts]**

**power fist, boltstorm gauntlet, relic Weapon**

 

**Captain with Jump Pack [85pts]:** Warlord

**Melee and Pistol:** Plasma Pistol, Power Fist

 

**Librarian in Terminator Armour [75pts]:** Combi-weapon

 

**Sanguinary Priest with Jump Pack [90pts]**

 

**+ Battleline +**

 

**Heavy intercessor Squad [105pts]**

**Heavy Intercessor Sergeant**

**Heavy Intercessor w/Heavy Bolter**

**3x Heavy Intercessors:** 3x Bolt Pistol, 3x Close Combat Weapon, 3x Heavy Bolt Rifle

 

**Intercessor Squad [85pts]:** Astartes Grenade Launcher

**Intercessor Sergeant:** Bolt Rifle, Power Weapon

**4x Intercessors:** 4x Bolt Pistol, 4x Bolt Rifle, 4x Close Combat Weapon

 

**Intercessor Squad [85pts]:** Astartes Grenade Launcher

**Intercessor Sergeant:** Bolt Rifle, Power Weapon

**4x Intercessors:** 4x Bolt Pistol, 4x Bolt Rifle, 4x Close Combat Weapon

 

**+ Infantry +**

 

**Aggressor Squad [220pts]**

**Aggressor Sergeant**

**5x Aggressors:** 5x Twin Power Fist

**Auto Boltstorm Gauntlets & Fragstorm Grenade Launcher**

 

**Eliminator Squad [75pts]**

**2x Eliminator:** 2x Bolt Pistol, 2x Bolt Sniper Rifle, 2x Close Combat Weapon

**Eliminator Sergeant:** Bolt Sniper Rifle

 

**Eradicator Squad [95pts]**

**Eradicator**

**Eradicator Sergeant**

**Eradicator with Multi-melta**

 

**Inceptor Squad [110pts]:** Assault Bolters

**2x Inceptor:** 2x Close Combat Weapon

**Inceptor Sergeant**

 

**Terminator Squad [185pts]**

**Terminator Sergeant:** Chainfist

**Terminator w/ Heavy Weapon:** Assault Cannon, Chainfist

**3x Terminator w/ Power Fist:** 3x Power Fist, 3x Storm Bolter

 

 

**Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs [210pts]**

**Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack:** Inferno Pistol

**Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs:** Inferno Pistol

 

. **9x Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs:** Storm Shield

 

**+ Vehicle +**

 

**Dreadnought [135pts]:** Twin Lascannon

**Dreadnought Combat Weapon w/ Storm Bolter**

 

**Dreadnought [135pts]:** Twin Lascannon

**Dreadnought Combat Weapon w/ Storm Bolter**

 

**Furioso Dreadnought [150pts]:** Magna-grapple

**Twin Furioso Fists and Meltagun:** 2x Heavy flamer

 

**++ Total: [2,000pts] ++**

 

Created with [BattleScribe](https://www.battlescribe.net)

 

Edited by Paladin777

The main strategy is for the Heavy ints (with captain) to march on the center of the board, accompanied by the furioso for a counter charge threat (or I might put him in reserves and enjoy a 7" charge out of reserves of facing a vehicle heavy list. Gotta love that magna-grapple!). I used a squad of ten HInt's last time and they were fantastic. However, points have made me cut it down to a squad of 5 this time. 
 

the VVets (with Sang Priest and captain) and infiltrated Aggressors (with Biologis) take either flank. 
 

regular intercessors do actions, make objectives sticky, etc, probably accompanied by the dreadnaughts. 
 

eliminators either take an early unguarded objective, or take a good vantage position and do their thing if there's a tasty target anywhere.
 

The Eradicators come out of reserves to make a large target hurt, and the terminators (with terminator librarian) deep strike (probably with Rapid Ingress) to shore up any weak areas. Inceptors do inceptor things.
 

the army-wide stealth will hopefully make a difference, and the ability to return units to reserves at will, will really help the objective game!

Edited October 26, 2023 by Paladin777

[Dracos]

A quick look as its late here in the midwest, I feel you need at least two Phobos units to get good mileage from the Vanguard detachment. Interestingly enough I think you could easily forego the Librarian Terminator as they cost the same it doesnt change your list much. I'd add a second Eliminator unit with the points. 

 

A second slightly more radical change would follow up by exchanging a Intercessor squad for the Combi-lieutenant.  The Eliminators (I prefer las-fusil) hold a similar objective as the Intercessors, I know they are sticky, but they die in a stiff breeze in my experience.  The Combi-lieutenant is a must have in Vanguard ... and most other list in my opinion.  

 

I like the Gravis Captain double power fist build, shame it doesn't count as twin linked. It just looks cool. I don't use them myself since 5th but love boxnaughts. are they still tournament legal?

 

 

Edited October 27, 2023 by Dracos

[Morticon]

Yeah, the boxnaughts are still there.  But, it begs the question why. I feel you're better off finding 10 points and upgrading both of them to Ballistus.  

[Paladin777]

They're there because they are the only vehicle models that I've got painted (as well as my only painted lascannon carriers) and my painting queue is already booked solid with the aggressors, a biologis, half the VVets (which are actually pretty savage with the priest), a biologis, and numerous arm-swaps from the codex invalidating a number of things.

 

My collection would have been reasonably potent in 9th, had I played more than twice...  My hobby time also happens almost entirely before work in the mornings, so updating to the new vehicle meta takes time. To be honest, I don't even like the balistus much anyway. I do have a redemptor, but it's still in the box and I also plan on getting a brutalis, even if it's only so-so right now.

 

I also refuse to just 'slap 3 colors of paint on it and call it good.' Having the army look good is really quite important to me. 
 

unfortunately, the same goes for my Phobos options. I've only got the one squad of eliminators. I do have another squad in-box, but as mentioned before, I'm not going to be able to get to them. 
 

Question though, other than the ability to redeploy 2 Phobos units instead of 1 other unit (which is admittedly quite powerful), what am I really missing out on with your suggestions, as far as the vanguard benefits goes? 

Edited October 27, 2023 by Paladin777

[Dracos]

That was my assumption on the boxnaughts. One advantage is they’re easier to hide I suppose. Not all list need to be sharp as a sword. Have to have our fun pieces to play with also. I’m just shocked they’re still tourney legal. 
 

You’re going to have to be cagey with those Terminators being as there’s only 5 of them. Im putting ten together and still trying to decide if they can survive arriving via teleport and get a charge off following turn  I have thought of using Drive the Blade Deep on them but seems like I’m wasting their deep strike ability if I do. 
 

 

Edited October 27, 2023 by Dracos

[Paladin777]

I plan on using Rapid Ingress on the terminators to make charges from deep strike far more viable, if a little more tricky. They're useful and tough, but not invincible, and definitely not the be-all-to-end-all. I've got a few games with them under my belt and I think I've got a decent handle on them. They're not as Killy as they used to be either (even in melee), but the librarian's Sustained 1 helps a bit. 
 

having a boxnaught near a unit using Strike From The Shadows can also give you a mini OoM, so they're definitely not useless. 

Edited October 27, 2023 by Paladin777

[Paladin777]

Alternatively... I could stick with Gladius and get my Librarian Dreadnaught painted and involved for those far-flung objectives and secondaries...

 

the aggressors+fire discipline+biologis is well documented, and Honor the Chapter would make much better use of the VVets...

 

I dunno. I'm trying to get a practice game together this upcoming Saturday. Hopefully they'll help make up my mind. 
 

Edit: here's a tentative list I might try out. 

Spoiler

++ Army Roster (Imperium - Adeptus Astartes - Blood Angels) [1,995pts] ++

 

+ Configuration +

 

Battle Size: 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit)

 

Detachment: Gladius Task Force

 

+ Character [440pts] +

 

Apothecary Biologis [85pts]: Absolver Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Fire Discipline [30pts]

 

Captain in Gravis Armour [80pts]: Warlord

. Boltstorm Gauntlet, Powerfist, and Relic weapon Blade: Boltstorm Gauntlet, Power Fist, Relic Blade

 

Captain with Jump Pack [100pts]: Bolt Pistol, The Honour Vehement [15pts]

. Melee and Pistol: Plasma Pistol, Power Fist

 

Librarian in Terminator Armour [85pts]: Artificer Armour [10pts], Force Weapon, Smite

 

Sanguinary Priest with Jump Pack [90pts]: Astartes Chainsword, Bolt Pistol

 

+ Battleline [295pts] +

 

Heavy intercessor Squad [210pts]

. Heavy Intercessor Sergeant

. . Heavy Bolt Rifle: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon

. Heavy Intercessor w/Heavy Bolter: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Heavy Bolter

. Heavy Intercessor w/Heavy Bolter: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Heavy Bolter

. 7x Heavy Intercessors: 7x Bolt Pistol, 7x Close Combat Weapon, 7x Heavy Bolt Rifle

 

Intercessor Squad [85pts]: Astartes Grenade Launcher

. Intercessor Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Bolt Rifle, Power Weapon

. 4x Intercessors: 4x Bolt Pistol, 4x Bolt Rifle, 4x Close Combat Weapon

 

+ Infantry [820pts] +

 

Aggressor Squad [220pts]

. Aggressor Sergeant: Twin Power Fist

. 5x Aggressors: 5x Twin Power Fist

. Auto Boltstorm Gauntlets & Fragstorm Grenade Launcher: Auto Boltstorm Gauntlets, Fragstorm Grenade Launcher

 

Eradicator Squad [95pts]

. 2x Eradicator: 2x Bolt Pistol, 2x Close Combat Weapon, 2x Melta Rifle

. Eradicator Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Melta Rifle

 

Inceptor Squad [110pts]: Assault Bolters

. 2x Inceptor: 2x Close Combat Weapon

. Inceptor Sergeant: Close Combat Weapon

 

Terminator Squad [185pts]

. Terminator Sergeant: Power Fist, Storm Bolter

. Terminator w/ Heavy Weapon: Assault Cannon, Chainfist

. 3x Terminator w/ Power Fist: 3x Power Fist, 3x Storm Bolter

 

Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs [210pts]

. Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack: Inferno Pistol, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Inferno Pistol, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

 

+ Vehicle [440pts] +

 

Dreadnought [135pts]: Twin Lascannon

. Dreadnought Combat Weapon w/ Storm Bolter: Dreadnought Combat Weapon, Storm Bolter

 

Dreadnought [135pts]: Twin Lascannon

. Dreadnought Combat Weapon w/ Storm Bolter: Dreadnought Combat Weapon, Storm Bolter

 

Librarian Dreadnought [170pts]: Blood Lance, Furioso Fist, Furioso Force Halberd, Meltagun

 

++ Total: [1,995pts] ++

 

Edited October 30, 2023 by Paladin777

[Morticon]

9 hours ago, Paladin777 said:

Alternatively... I could stick with Gladius and get my Librarian Dreadnaught painted and involved for those far-flung objectives and secondaries...

 

the aggressors+fire discipline+biologis is well documented, and Honor the Chapter would make much better use of the VVets...

 

I dunno. I'm trying to get a practice game together this upcoming Saturday. Hopefully they'll help make up my mind. 
 

Edit: here's a tentative list I might try out. 

  Reveal hidden contents

++ Army Roster (Imperium - Adeptus Astartes - Blood Angels) [1,995pts] ++

 

+ Configuration +

 

Battle Size: 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit)

 

Detachment: Gladius Task Force

 

+ Character [440pts] +

 

Apothecary Biologis [85pts]: Absolver Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Fire Discipline [30pts]

 

Captain in Gravis Armour [80pts]: Warlord

. Boltstorm Gauntlet, Powerfist, and Relic weapon Blade: Boltstorm Gauntlet, Power Fist, Relic Blade

 

Captain with Jump Pack [100pts]: Bolt Pistol, The Honour Vehement [15pts]

. Melee and Pistol: Plasma Pistol, Power Fist

 

Librarian in Terminator Armour [85pts]: Artificer Armour [10pts], Force Weapon, Smite

 

Sanguinary Priest with Jump Pack [90pts]: Astartes Chainsword, Bolt Pistol

 

+ Battleline [295pts] +

 

Heavy intercessor Squad [210pts]

. Heavy Intercessor Sergeant

. . Heavy Bolt Rifle: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon

. Heavy Intercessor w/Heavy Bolter: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Heavy Bolter

. Heavy Intercessor w/Heavy Bolter: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Heavy Bolter

. 7x Heavy Intercessors: 7x Bolt Pistol, 7x Close Combat Weapon, 7x Heavy Bolt Rifle

 

Intercessor Squad [85pts]: Astartes Grenade Launcher

. Intercessor Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Bolt Rifle, Power Weapon

. 4x Intercessors: 4x Bolt Pistol, 4x Bolt Rifle, 4x Close Combat Weapon

 

+ Infantry [820pts] +

 

Aggressor Squad [220pts]

. Aggressor Sergeant: Twin Power Fist

. 5x Aggressors: 5x Twin Power Fist

. Auto Boltstorm Gauntlets & Fragstorm Grenade Launcher: Auto Boltstorm Gauntlets, Fragstorm Grenade Launcher

 

Eradicator Squad [95pts]

. 2x Eradicator: 2x Bolt Pistol, 2x Close Combat Weapon, 2x Melta Rifle

. Eradicator Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Melta Rifle

 

Inceptor Squad [110pts]: Assault Bolters

. 2x Inceptor: 2x Close Combat Weapon

. Inceptor Sergeant: Close Combat Weapon

 

Terminator Squad [185pts]

. Terminator Sergeant: Power Fist, Storm Bolter

. Terminator w/ Heavy Weapon: Assault Cannon, Chainfist

. 3x Terminator w/ Power Fist: 3x Power Fist, 3x Storm Bolter

 

Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs [210pts]

. Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack: Inferno Pistol, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Inferno Pistol, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

. Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon

 

+ Vehicle [440pts] +

 

Dreadnought [135pts]: Twin Lascannon

. Dreadnought Combat Weapon w/ Storm Bolter: Dreadnought Combat Weapon, Storm Bolter

 

Dreadnought [135pts]: Twin Lascannon

. Dreadnought Combat Weapon w/ Storm Bolter: Dreadnought Combat Weapon, Storm Bolter

 

Librarian Dreadnought [170pts]: Blood Lance, Furioso Fist, Furioso Force Halberd, Meltagun

 

++ Total: [1,995pts] ++

 

I did this for my tourney over the weekend with great success.  I feel it would make your list stronger. 

What models do you have available? It would be easier to offer feedback where we know whats available. Otherwise, its a guessing game and kinda counterproductive. 

 

I feel your intercessors aren't offering a lot.  How have you found the furioso? I'm looking to running two of them.

[Paladin777]

In regards to not knowing what I have available being counterproductive, that's totally fair.
 

The furioso was great in a 1000 point match I had recently. It ran with the HInts as a counter-charge threat and it worked great. The model itself is actually an ironclad, which has a similar vibe as a close-combat monster, and that worked fantastic at the RTT last month.
 

In my last RTT I felt like I would have greatly appreciated the sticky objectives of the intercessors because I didn't have any then. So I wanted to try a list with them.

 

Thst said, are you referring to the Heavy intercessors? If so, they were fantastic at controlling the board center last RTT and I couldn't have been more pleased with them (except one game where I tried something different and it backfired...)

 

Anyway, here's my list of assets.
 

Spoiler

Blood angels painted asset list

 

Painted

 

Terminator captain 95

Terminator librarian 75

Gravis captain 80

Jump sanguinary priest 90

Jump captain x3  85 (all need reworked arms)

lieutenant 65

 

5 Death Company (1w TH, 1w Psword/BP, 3w cs/BP) 115

8 Sanguinary Guard 175

5x Relic terminators 185 (need arm swaps to make legal

3 bolter inceptors 110

 

4x5 intercessors 85 each

2x5 heavy intercessors 105

5x assault intercessors 80

 

2 dreadnaughts 135 each

1 furioso (ironclad) dreadnaught 150

 

3 eradicators 95

3 eliminators 75

 

Assembled, Not painted:

 

6 Aggressors

 

1 Apothecary biologis

6 plasma inceptors

1 librarian Dreadnaught

1 furioso with frag cannon

5 jump intercessors

10 assault terminators

1 LR crusader

1 LR

5 vanVets

5 DC with jump packs, outfitted the same as above

I've got a few things in-box, but I'm trying to knock down some of my unpainted list before putting too much together.

Edited October 30, 2023 by Paladin777