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Building a list for a friend since he can't separate the fluff from the game. He wants to run Night Lords but Raptors, as we all know, get hurt because of the rules for Assault so the list falls to me to make and pitch since he is very very new to 40k. He'll most often be playing against my Eldar (Snipers), Ultramarines (Anti-Infantry w/ limited Anti-Armor and a Stormtalon) and another friend's Tau (Crisis heavy with Hammerheads and Piranhas) when that gets up and running and I might have something workable here but Chaos isn't my forte so hoping to get something from the guys that know more.

Chaos Lord (DV Version) - 135pts
-Mark of Nurgle, Plasma Pistol, Power Sword, Dimensional Key
10 Cultists - 50pts
7 Plague Marines - 260pts
-Sergeant Plasma Pistol, 2x Plasma Guns, Rhino w/ Havoc Launcher
2 Obliterators - 152pts
-Mark of Nurgle
Predator Tank - 140pts
- Lascannons all over the place
Forgefiend - 175pts
Aegis Defense Line - 85pts
-Icarus Lascannon

997pts if I did my maths right.

With the Oblits Deep Striking to disrupt a gunline in Tau or getting behind my Eldar and the Dimensional Key MAYBE getting rid of that risk if combat can be had with the Lord early enough, it seems like a decent chance to take. Worst case, the key is wasted points and the Oblits just walk alongside the Rhino firing Plasma Cannons and Lascannons at whatever it can reach. The Cultists are really just there to fill out the final troop selection and man the Icarus because both my Eldar and Space Marine list have flyers, the Tau likely will and Tau and Eldar have plenty of Skimmers to shoot at. LOS is a bit iffy but the alternative is a Bastion right? I'm not familiar with Fortifications yet to know the tactics in using them. Tank and Forgefiend is anti-armor obviously, threatening to insta-kill my snipers, Crisis suits and overall just throwing a wrench at things as the Chaos lines move up. The low model count worries me, with only 10 Infantry models moving up (Cultists are back hiding so may as well be gun turrets themselves), and three tank-like models, they are easily outnumbered. But two threats are very very immediate and the Rhino with Plagues inside can't exactly be ignored either.

Any alterations needed? I'm looking to make this as competitive as possible because the Chaos needs that WAAC edge to compete with Eldar and Tau. Also things to look forward to moving into 1850. Issue there is I don't what the meta will look like so more of a TAC focus would be needed.

Couple of things. First, the dimensional key is a waste of points, especially on a model not equipped with a 12" movement option. By the time you get it unlocked it will be too late to do any good. Second, the Icarus lascannon is terrible because skyfire means it snap fires at ground targets. If you want an anti air option, the quad gun is far superior, as being twin linked keeps it from being total garbage if they don't bring fliers. Other than that the list looks fine for such a small point range. I you are looking to upgrade to a more competitive build you want heldrakes, spawn, Obliterators, and maulerfiends. Plague marines are good but expensive, and cultists are crappy but cheap, making them the better option usually.