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Ok my heading is a little over the top but basically have seen people complain that gw have removed the famous blood angles battelforce out from their shelves (most probably because of the new starter kit including the blood angels which has the mini rule book) but,,,,,,,,

has this happened because there are some new models which have been released im not aware of? Are there any models which are expected to be released in the future or at least revamped?

Plus ive gotten a copy of the new codex but only as a collector and wanted to ask other gamers out there how they have found the new codex when battling enemies. Are blood angles more competitive now? In theoretical tiers where would they be placed now since before they were sunk pretty low.

Also my last question is - I recently added my army up in battlescribe and even with a few new attachments I am down like 600 - 700 points from my last point count. Have they knocked off that much off the cost per mini? I didn't have any older codex's to compare but I am sure my last count was higher

look forward in hearing some responses

They released "Blood Angels Tacticals" that look somewhat similar to Death Company, with lots of wings and other BA gubbins. Those wouldn't be in the old box... and I bought two of them. :(

They're more competitive than they were, but they still aren't Vanilla Marines. Our Chapter Tactic is pretty weak compared to many others. There are some key units, like Centurians and Storm Talons that are part of highly competitve builds, that we don't have direct access to.

Most things got a bit cheaper, which is nice. Many units were shuffled to different FOC slots which kind of messes up anyone that had an Assault Squad heavy list before.

600-700 points, out of how many? Out of 1000, you probably messed up your count. Out of 10 000, that's probably about right.

 greatbigtree wrote:
They released "Blood Angels Tacticals" that look somewhat similar to Death Company, with lots of wings and other BA gubbins. Those wouldn't be in the old box... and I bought two of them. :(

They're more competitive than they were, but they still aren't Vanilla Marines. Our Chapter Tactic is pretty weak compared to many others. There are some key units, like Centurians and Storm Talons that are part of highly competitve builds, that we don't have direct access to.

Most things got a bit cheaper, which is nice. Many units were shuffled to different FOC slots which kind of messes up anyone that had an Assault Squad heavy list before.

600-700 points, out of how many? Out of 1000, you probably messed up your count. Out of 10 000, that's probably about right.

thanks for reply, so these tacticals are replacing the tactical squad or are they a new faction completely aimed at customizing build teams? I will investigate this box as I think I saw it and got confused as I think it was retailing at about 35GBP which was more expensive than a standard tactical squad.

Yes my army was last registered at around 8000 points now its about 7500 approx.

It's a normal tactical squad, but with fancy BA gubbins and a heavy flamer option in the box since BA tacs can take one now (suck it salamanders!). No different faction or anything like that, just a new sculpt.

The BA tactical models are gorgeous compared to the standard tactical models -- I can't wait to paint mine. It's kind of at the tail end of my BA queue, because I already have 40+ old blood angels tacticals :(

However, if you're buying new, the new models are fantastic, with better bits all around (as long as you're doing BA), and I think they're the same price as normal tacticals. The new BA assault termies are nice in that they come with parts for 5 TH/SS or 5 lightning claws, and the shields are pretty awesome Very Space Hulk inspired.

Of course, sadly, they're still terminators

The other new models are sanguinary priest and librarian. Both are solid models, but of course pricey. The Sanguinary Priest model has a sanguinary cup and chainsword, and has a sort of look that makes him a decent proxy for Corbulo; the librarian is extremely similar to the Space Hulk librarian (the Calistarius model).

Remember that you can build Death Company as BA themed Assault Marines, and they are also great models.

I can't imagine any new models any time soon, as the only thing not up to date are the heroes, which is par for the course with most factions' named heroes still being in finecast/metal.

ok great replies im feeling I may have to pick up an order now of the new BA tactical squad.

But another question is with the box contents are there enough pieces (after completing minis) to go around to my other minis. We are talking left over spares and how many spares = if anyone knows??

It depends. There are parts for each combi-weapon, but only one bolter to slot them into. However, you can chop-job other bolters to make them work.

does anyone have any screenshots of the box contents??

 kerikhaos wrote:
does anyone have any screenshots of the box contents??

I believe they include pics of the sprues on GW's site.

In the three battles I've played with my BA so far since the dex dropped I've found the following gameplay changes.

-More models on the board due to reasonable points cost now.
-Assault actually scary for the opponent now you can take multiple units of DC and SG without crippling yourself.
-Lots more scouts used (I don't like tacs).
-Av 13 mech wall is out since Baals are now moved to HS.
-Due to loss of scout (and thus outflank) I cannot drastically effect my opponents deployment with multiple flamestorm baals.
-JP assault marines not used at all (podded or DC/SG better).
-Characters outstandingly better (not difficult to do considering how poor they were before). Taking more than just Libby or Mephy in HQ.
-+1I on the charge REALLY helps in assault (never played 5th, barely remember 4th/3rd), especially when combined with +1S from CT and +1WS from Priest.
-Old powers back helps the assaulty theme.

One thing I thought I would see is less FnP around since priests are now 1 per HQ. But since I'm taking multiple DC units now there is just as much fnp as before.

Old codex:
Sanguinary priest with JP, power weapon and melta bombs
ML 1 Librarian with JP and force axe.
10 Assault marines with 2 meltas, power sword and melta bombs.
Assault unit that I played often to be able to reliably win an assault if I got there. Cost 440pts. The cost of some deathstars.

What you can now get instead:
New codex:
ML 2 Librarian with JP and forcesword.
11 Death company with 2 powerfists.
443pts.

13 wounds from each. Here is what the new gets you when we conpare the 2:
-+1A base
-+Rage
-+Fearless
-+1I on the charge
-+2 (hidden) powerfists instead of poweraxes
-+1 ML on librarian
-All for the loss of 2 melta guns, 2 melta bombs and 3 pts.

And 10 DC is overkill which does not require the libby. I only included him for comparison purposes.

If anyone says the new dex is not an improvement they need their head testing.

The only major criticisms I have are:
-Flamestorm Baal unplayable
-Sanguinor still pants
-Tycho now useless
-Blood talons nerfed to the ground on units that really struggled as it was.

When I read it I felt it had decent balance across most of the dex and I've felt that whilst playing it too.

The total power of the book sans allies just kind of did a little shuffle and stayed about where it was. Which is to say down at the bottom.

On the plus side, when you win games, no one can claim it's because your codex is OP!

Poly Ranger wrote:
In the three battles I've played with my BA so far since the dex dropped I've found the following gameplay changes.

-More models on the board due to reasonable points cost now.
-Assault actually scary for the opponent now you can take multiple units of DC and SG without crippling yourself.
-Lots more scouts used (I don't like tacs).
-Av 13 mech wall is out since Baals are now moved to HS.
-Due to loss of scout (and thus outflank) I cannot drastically effect my opponents deployment with multiple flamestorm baals.
-JP assault marines not used at all (podded or DC/SG better).
-Characters outstandingly better (not difficult to do considering how poor they were before). Taking more than just Libby or Mephy in HQ.
-+1I on the charge REALLY helps in assault (never played 5th, barely remember 4th/3rd), especially when combined with +1S from CT and +1WS from Priest.
-Old powers back helps the assaulty theme.

One thing I thought I would see is less FnP around since priests are now 1 per HQ. But since I'm taking multiple DC units now there is just as much fnp as before.

Old codex:
Sanguinary priest with JP, power weapon and melta bombs
ML 1 Librarian with JP and force axe.
10 Assault marines with 2 meltas, power sword and melta bombs.
Assault unit that I played often to be able to reliably win an assault if I got there. Cost 440pts. The cost of some deathstars.

What you can now get instead:
New codex:
ML 2 Librarian with JP and forcesword.
11 Death company with 2 powerfists.
443pts.

13 wounds from each. Here is what the new gets you when we conpare the 2:
-+1A base
-+Rage
-+Fearless
-+1I on the charge
-+2 (hidden) powerfists instead of poweraxes
-+1 ML on librarian
-All for the loss of 2 melta guns, 2 melta bombs and 3 pts.

And 10 DC is overkill which does not require the libby. I only included him for comparison purposes.

If anyone says the new dex is not an improvement they need their head testing.

The only major criticisms I have are:
-Flamestorm Baal unplayable
-Sanguinor still pants
-Tycho now useless
-Blood talons nerfed to the ground on units that really struggled as it was.

When I read it I felt it had decent balance across most of the dex and I've felt that whilst playing it too.

Do you find that your actually winning games now? Obviously due from these changes

I won 2 (Eldar and AM) and lost 1 (Necrons). Also played against some of my own BA when my mate allied them in with his eldar (against my chaos).
I've found that mass plasma is obviously still as dangerous and DC need at least 1 powerweapon/fist in the squad. The ability to charge forward with 3 DC and a SG unit, as well as having access to a sicaran with schism of mars really helped me against Eldar. Just too many targets for them to cope with, although there were no wraithknights (2 lords) and just 3 serps and 1 prism. Scouts were also excellent against them in that game, although they got slaughtered in the other match ups.
Wraiths are still difficult to deal with against Necrons and require multiple units (although we now actually have the ability to hit them with multiple units now they are all cheaper).
SG are really durable for their points if hugging cover and have a priest in there for FnP. Dante is just a boss and has no worries pealing away from them to charge something else if needed now he has EW and at initiative axe.

Great - so are you finding that the blood Angels are back to competitive mode as they were in 5th or they still short a few power ups?

I've yet to play but I like to hear how actual field players get on with my fav team

 kerikhaos wrote:
Great - so are you finding that the blood Angels are back to competitive mode as they were in 5th or they still short a few power ups?

I've yet to play but I like to hear how actual field players get on with my fav team

They are pretty short. No deathstar, no deathstar counters, etc. C:SM has access to quite a few critical units that BA don't get. DA are even worse off, but BA aren't too far above them.

BA with allies is pretty powerful, but as a standalone codex they have no place in GT's.