Blackshields: New player in need of advice

[JohnWatchtower]

Hi there!

Im getting back into the hobby after being away for quite a few years and Im really intrigued with the Black Shields - both from a lore perspective, modeling possebilities and rules/play style.

Most threads on the Black Shields though seem to revolve around alone and forgotten/blade of the just and not so much any of the other oaths. Is there anyone here who have experience playing with/against them and can offer a bit of advice for a newcomer?:)

So far a have three concepts for lists that I really could help flesh out and choose between before I start collecting. The three list ideas are:

 

1 Space pirates (spoils of victory and eternal vendetta)

# ++ Crusade Primary Detachment ++ [1125 Point(s)]

## High Command [165 Point(s)]
Endryd Haar
Command [330 Point(s)]
Herald [110 Point(s)]: Power fist

Herald [110 Point(s)]: Power fist

Herald [110 Point(s)]: Power fist

## Troops [630 Point(s)]
Despoiler Squad [210 Point(s)]:
• 1x Sergeant with Pair of lightning claws, Melta bombs 
• 1x Vexilla 
• 3x Power weapons

Despoiler Squad [210 Point(s)]:
• 1x Sergeant with Pair of lightning claws, Melta bombs 
• 1x Vexilla 
• 3x Power weapons

Despoiler Squad [210 Point(s)]:
• 1x Sergeant with Pair of lightning claws, Melta bombs 
• 1x Vexilla 
• 3x Power weapons

Despoiler Squad [210 Point(s)]:
• 1x Sergeant with Pair of lightning claws, Melta bombs 
• 1x Vexilla 
• 3x Power weapons

# ++ Auxiliary - Tactical Support ++ [670 Point(s), 1 Auxiliary Detachment(s)]
Despoiler Squad [210 Point(s)]:
• 1x Sergeant with Pair of lightning claws, Melta bombs 
• 1x Vexilla 
• 3x Power weapons

## Support [250 Point(s)]
Rapier Battery [120 Point(s)]:
2x Graviton cannons
Rapier Battery [130 Point(s)]:
2x Laser destroyers

# ++ Auxiliary - Tactical Support ++ [260 Point(s), 1 Auxiliary Detachment(s)]
## Support [260 Point(s)]
Rapier Battery [130 Point(s)]:
2x Laser destroyers
Rapier Battery [130 Point(s)]:
2x Laser destroyers

# ++ Auxiliary - Armoured Support ++ [680 Point(s), 1 Auxiliary Detachment(s)]
## Armour [680 Point(s)]
Predator [150 Point(s)]: Heavy conversion beam cannon, 2x Sponson Mounted lascannon
Predator [150 Point(s)]: Heavy conversion beam cannon, 2x Sponson Mounted lascannon
Sicaran [220 Point(s)]: Arcus missile launcher, 2x Sponson Mounted lascannon
Vindicator Siege Tank [160 Point(s)]: Magna laser destroyer

# ++ Apex - Officer Cadre ++ [220 Point(s), 1 Apex Detachment(s)]
## Command [220 Point(s)]
Herald [110 Point(s)]: Power fist

Herald [110 Point(s)]: Power fist

Pretty straight forward idea, trying gain points by winning combats…

 

2 Robomarines (the flesh is weak and reapers of lives)

 

++ Crusade Primary Detachment ++ [600 Point(s)]
## High Command [140 Point(s)]
Praetor [140 Point(s)]: Pair of lightning claws

## Command [160 Point(s)]
2x Centurion

## Transport [300 Point(s)]
2x Rhinos
2x Termites

# ++ Auxiliary - Tactical Support ++ [360 Point(s), 1 Auxiliary Detachment(s)]
## Support [360 Point(s)]
Tactical Support Squad [180 Point(s)]: Plasma guns

Tactical Support Squad [180 Point(s)]: Plasma guns

# ++ Auxiliary - Tactical Support ++ [430 Point(s), 1 Auxiliary Detachment(s)]
## Support [430 Point(s)]
Heavy Support Squad [200 Point(s)]: Heavy flamers
Tactical Support Squad [230 Point(s)]: Meltaguns

# ++ Auxiliary - Tactical Support ++ [520 Point(s), 1 Auxiliary Detachment(s)]
## Support [520 Point(s)]
4x Rapier Battery [260 Point(s)] Laser destroyer
4x Rapier Battery [260 Point(s)] Laser destroyer

# ++ Auxiliary - Tactical Support ++ [480 Point(s), 1 Auxiliary Detachment(s)]
## Support [480 Point(s)]
4x Rapier Battery [240] Point(s)] Graviton cannon
4x Rapier Battery [240] Point(s)] Quad Launcher 

 

The idea would be to both be able score points of objectives with flesh is weak as well as by killing enemy units. The army would also have an allied detachment of mechanicum that would buff the marines with cyberthurgy.

 

3 Space wizards (Legacy of Nikaea and Pride is our Armour)

 

Endryd Haar [165 Point(s)]

## Command [230 Point(s)]
Librarian [115 Point(s) Biomancy, Telepathy
Librarian [115 Point(s) Biomancy, Telepathy

## Elites [1360 Point(s)]
4x Veteran Breacher Squad [340 Point(s)]: Pride is our Armour, Frag grenades, Krak grenades
• 1x Veteran Breacher Sergeant with Thunder hammer
• 1x Breacher Veteran Astartes shotgun, Vexilla 
• 4x Breacher Veteran [32 Point(s)]: Lascutters
• 4x Breacher Veteran [32 Point(s)]: Power weapons

# ++ Auxiliary - Tactical Support ++ [490 Point(s), 1 Auxiliary Detachment(s)]
2x Rapier Battery [130 Point(s)] Laser destroyer

2x Rapier Battery [130 Point(s)] Laser destroyer

## Elites [230 Point(s)]
5 Veteran Tactical Squad [110Point(s)]: Combi-bolters
5 Veteran Tactical Squad [110Point(s)]: Combi-bolters

 

# ++ Auxiliary - Tactical Support ++ [490 Point(s), 1 Auxiliary Detachment(s)]
2x Rapier Battery [130 Point(s)] Laser destroyer

2x Rapier Battery [130 Point(s)] Laser destroyer

## Elites [230 Point(s)]
5 Veteran Tactical Squad [110Point(s)]: Combi-bolters
5 Veteran Tactical Squad [110Point(s)]: Combi-bolters

 

The 3 lists arent done and Im not at all dead set on the equiptment or anything. But before I start buying, building and converting it would be cool to hear any advice/surgestions regarding if any of the lists work and not in a competetive way, but more if the oaths support the units and if it Will be fun to play with/against

 

Any surgestions are appreciated, cheers!

[Gorgoff]

All three armies are very spammy. Why not try and give those units a little bit individuality?

The first one has five identical Heralds for example. Apart from being questionable in what kind of narrative is behind it that is pretty boring, innit? When I read Space Pirates i instantly think about very distinct hero's, all with different load outs and toys at their hand and not five dudes with power fists. 

That would be my five cents about it.

[JohnWatchtower]

Thanks for the reply!

All the equiptment is changable, I just copy-pasted some of the units for simplicity's sake, but I imagined gaining some variety through mixed equiptment and conversions. I do agree though that some parts become a little spammy - also why I would like to hear if people have any experience with some of these oaths? Im all new to 3.0 and the way the army building works in the current system kind of feels like I end up with army lists that are a little “spammy”, especially when trying to pick units that interact with the oaths. For instance the spoils of victory seems to only really work with despoilers, right? All in all its not so much that the lists are set in stone or anything, mostly I would just like some advice on how to building an army around some the oaths I find interesting:)

[Razorblade]

It's not your fault GW decided to cut equipment options left right and centre amd left us with only a handful of playable units, don't apologize for it! Like the power fists are literally the only weapon upgrade available on your Heralds, of course you're going to spam that loadout. 

For the first list unfortunately I think despoilers are terrible here as you still need to actually win combats and they suck at that. (One unit with Interdiction cadres is fine and feels very on brand for blackshields) I would advice to replace them all with Veteran despoilers which will also have the added benefit of giving you more customization options and a much more manageable headcount. You will have to cut back on the Herald and probably get a delegatus or two but you'll end up with a far stronger list. Also everything absolutely needs nuncio-voxes since they're going to pin themselves by looting. Other than that keep in mind that you still score objectives, just without line, so some units that have baseline scoring but don't want to plunge themselves into combat and can contribute at range like seekers or Plasma dreadnoughts would be great.

Other than that you have a lot of tanks which I try to avoid with Blackshields as they're described as these hit and run, ship based forces, but don't let that discourage you if you really want them. That said, you have a lot of sort of general purpose guns (c-beamers/arcus) on those tanks. Given that you want to do as much of your killing as possible in melee I think if your bringing vehicles those should be focused on statuses or anti-tank as to not compete for the same targets with your melee and objective holder units. 

I think single land speeders with gravgun/havoc launcher/double hunter killers would be outstanding both fluff and crunch wise and you can unlock a lot of them with all your characters. 

Edited Tuesday at 09:42 PM by Razorblade

[Razorblade]

Double post please delete

Edited Tuesday at 09:39 PM by Razorblade