Tuesday 10 September 2013

Enjoying the new Marine codex.

I took the plunge on Saturday to buy the new Space marine Codex and have been giving it a good go over to see how much better it is than my current Blood Angel Codex. So just how much extra can I get?

First up my original list:
Codex Blood Angels


Captain
Power Armour, Iron Halo, Bolt Pistol, Frag & Krak Grenades, Thunder Hammer, Lightning Claw, Jump Pack

Elites 

Terminator Squad 
5 men with Power fists (Sergeant with Power Weapon) and Storm Bolters, Cyclone Missile Launcher

Sanguinary Priest 
Power Armour, Blood Chalice, Bolt Pistol, Frag & Krak Grenades, Jump Pack, Power Sword

Troops

Assault squad 
10 men with Jump Packs, CCWs, Bolt Pistols, Frag & Krak Grenades, Power Axe, 2 Flamers

Tactical Squad 
10 men with Bolters, Bolt Pistols, Frag & Krak Grenades, Power Axe, Missile Launcher, Plasma Gun

Fast Attack

Bike Squadron
5 men with Space Marine Bikes, twin-linked Bolters, Frag & Krak Grenades, Bolt pistols, Power Axe, 2 Flamers 

Heavy Support

Stormraven Gunship
Twin-linked Lascannon, twin-linked Multi Melta, four Bloodstrike missiles

Vindicator
Demolisher cannon, Storm Bolter

Whirlwind
Whirlwind multiple Missile Launcher 

Total points – 1500

All the Squads have Veteran Sergeants and a 1/6 chance of getting Furious Charge & Fearless.

Now the list from the marine codex.

Captain
Power Armour, Iron Halo, Bolt Pistol, Frag & Krak Grenades, Thunder Hammer, Lightning Claw, Jump Pack


Librarian
Power Armour, Bolt Pistol, Frag & Krak Grenades, Force Weapon, Mastery Level 2


Elites 

Terminator Squad
5 men with Power fists (Sergeant with Power Weapon) and Storm Bolters, Cyclone Missile Launcher

Troops

Tactical Squad 
10 men with Bolters, Bolt Pistols, Frag & Krak Grenades, Power Axe, Flamer


Tactical Squad 
10 men with Bolters, Bolt Pistols, Frag & Krak Grenades, Plasma cannon, Plasma Gun


Fast Attack


Assault squad
10 men with Jump Packs, CCWs, Bolt Pistols, Frag & Krak Grenades, Power Axe, 2 Flamers


Bike Squadron
5 men with Space Marine Bikes, twin-linked Bolters, Frag & Krak Grenades, Bolt pistols, Power Axe, 2 Flamers 

Heavy Support

Stormraven Gunship
Twin-linked Lascannon, twin-linked Multi Melta, four missiles

Predator
Autocannon, Heavy Bolter sponsons

Whirlwind
Whirlwind multiple Missile Launcher 

Total points – 1500

The obvious differences are that I lose a Vindicator for a Predator, swapping an over priced Priest for a versatile Librarian and gaining an extra tactical squad. But I still only have two Troops as the Assault squad move into FA and the squads all lose an attack from not having a Veteran Sergeant. I know I could optimise the list by putting the Captain on the bike to make the bikes Troops but for this comparison I wanted to use the models I have already. 

The real difference comes when you look at the Chapter Tactics available to the standard Marines. Any of the Chapter tactics are better than the Red Thirst rule as they have a guaranteed effect. I think I'd probably choose the Ultramarines Tactics as they are so versatile but with all the flamers I'd also be drawn towards The Salamanders (all the Characters getting master crafted is cool too, this includes regular sergeants). 

This does make me very excited for the Blood Angel codex but I get the feeling it won't be coming for over a year. I think I'll try out the above list next time I'm playing 40k to see how useful the extra unit turns out to be. 

If I was Rich I would definitely switch books over to the marine book for his Emperors Children army. 

1 comment:

  1. Yeah, I'm totes on board with that already.
    I compared my most recent list and the same 1470 point blood angel list was 1369 points in the new book. With, as you say, a better army wide rule (probably ultra marines too)
    Seems a bit of a no brainer.

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