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Here is my 1850 Lion's Blade detachment, looking for advice on any improvements that could be taken, as well as how to round out my remaining points. I have lots of Tau, full Ravenwing and full Deathwing lists to choose from, as well as Vindicare and Culexus Assassins.

Lion's Blade

Battle-Demi Company #1

HQ
Company Master - Shroud of Heros, Relic Blade, Artificer Armor, Foe-Smiter - 165

Elite
Command Squad - 5 models, 5 melta guns - 140
FREE Drop Pod

Troops
Tac Squad - 6 man, 1 plasma gun, melta bomb on Sgt - 90
FREE Razorback w/ TL AC - 20

Tac Squad - 6 man, 1 plasma gun, melta bomb on Sgt - 90
FREE Razorback w/ TL AC - 20

Tac Squad - 6 man, 1 plasma gun, melta bomb on Sgt - 90
FREE Razorback w/ TL AC - 20

Fast Attack
Assault Squad - 5 man, jump packs, melta bomb on Sgt, 2 flamers - 100

Heavy Support
Devastator Squad - 5 man, LC, ML - 105
FREE Rhino

885 pts


Battle Demi-Company #2

HQ
Chaplain - 90

Troops
Tac Squad - 6 man, 1 plasma gun, melta bomb on Sgt - 90
FREE Razorback w/ TL AC - 20

Tac Squad - 6 man, 1 plasma gun, melta bomb on Sgt - 90
FREE Razorback w/ TL AC - 20

Tac Squad - 6 man, 1 plasma gun, melta bomb on Sgt - 90
FREE Razorback w/ TL AC - 20

Fast Attack
Assault Squad - 5 man, jump packs, melta bomb on Sgt, 2 flamers - 100

Heavy Support
Devastator Squad - 5 man, LC, ML - 105
FREE Rhino

625 pts

*1510 pts* total[


I regularly play against Chaos and KDK, so I feel the list does pretty well with the TL AC on the Razorbacks. There are Land Raiders, Skull Cannons, and a Heldrake to compensate for, so the extra 340 points is for those considerations. I have access to just about everything in the DA armory, and have Ultramarine allies with a Storm Raven, Tiggy, Telion, and a Scout Squad. Any advice would be appreciated.

Uh, couple things. Does the Lion's Blade also give free transports, cos I could have sworn it doesn't. Even if it does, you need an Auxillary choice to get the Lion's Blade to be valid. Just add some Scouts (I think they come under shades?) to it and it should be fine.

Yes, Lion's Blade does offer free transports, with only additional upgrades having to be paid for. You're right about the Aux though, so that's gonna be one more thing to look at. I don't mind adding in a Ravenwing Attack Squadron with grav guns and a TML speeder, though I could also just go with Scouts and try to fit in the Ultramarine allies as well.

Unify the Devastators - put both ML's in one squad, and both Las in the other - this allows you to Frag where necessary without gimping all of your anti-tank, or allows the las to hunt AV13+ whilst the Kraks take on transports.

The draft of the FAQ looks like you can only take a single relic per character, so you'll need to drop one or move it to the chappy. Speaking of whom, what are the Master and Chaplain up to? there's no room in the Razors, so are they hanging with the Devs or the (suicide) command squad tanking hits? or should you consider giving them jump packs to join the assault squads? Depending on what you go for with the rest of the points, terminator armour or bikes (for the chappy at least) is also an option.

Good suggestion with the Devs. I also hadn't looked at the FAQ draft, so that's good to know. Is that official at this point?

The two HQs are where things get confusing, as there really isn't a good place to put them without pumping up the numbers of a tac squad. I could knock two tac squads down to 5 men each and include them in those, but that's rather lame. I should probably add more grav to my list, which could take the form of RWAS, but with all the fire and subsequent jinking, it gets to be inefficient. Really kinda stuck on where to go with this list.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I've made some changes based on some suggestions and have created the following list, which I actually feel is much stronger. I don't really have a place for the Company Master, but he will likely hang out with the Dev Squad inside a Rhino until the time comes to move out. The Chappy has been given FNP and a jump pack, and a large group of Assault Marines. Plasma guns have been removed and Grav cannons w/ amps have been added.

Lion's Blade

Battle-Demi Company #1

HQ
Company Master - Shroud of Heros, Relic Blade, Artificer Armor, Jump Pack, Foe-Smiter - 180

Elite
Command Squad - 5 models, 5 melta guns - 140
FREE Drop Pod

Troops
Tac Squad - 6 man, 1 grav cannon w/ amp - 105
FREE Razorback w/ TL AC - 20

Tac Squad - 6 man, 1 grav cannon w/ amp - 105
FREE Razorback w/ TL AC - 20

Tac Squad - 6 man, 1 grav cannon w/ amp - 105
FREE Razorback w/ TL AC - 20

Fast Attack
Assault Squad - 5 man, jump packs, melta bomb on Sgt, 2 flamers - 100

Heavy Support
Devastator Squad - 5 man, 2 ML - 100
FREE Rhino

895 pts


Battle Demi-Company #2

HQ
Chaplain - Jump Pack - 105

Troops
Tac Squad - 6 man, 1 grav cannon w/ amp - 105
FREE Razorback w/ TL AC - 20

Tac Squad - 6 man, 1 grav cannon w/ amp - 105
FREE Razorback w/ TL AC - 20

Tac Squad - 6 man, 1 grav cannon w/ amp - 105
FREE Razorback w/ TL AC - 20

Fast Attack
Assault Squad - 9 man, jump packs, melta bomb on Sgt, 2 flamers - 168

Heavy Support
Devastator Squad - 5 man, 2 LC - 110
FREE Rhino

758pts

Auxilary

Ravenwing Assault Squadron - 3 bikes, 2 grav guns, 1 Landspeeder, MM, Typhoon Missile Launcher - 190


1843 pts

I think instead of scouts you should try to take a ravenwing attack or support squadron to bring in the Ravenwing mobility if you can squeeze in the points.

I was thinking of a RWAS to add in more grav and either more ACs or some melta, but I'm kinda liking the idea of a Dreadnought with AC and PF/HF to deal with all the bloodletters/berserkers and armor.

Edit: On second thought, the extra mobility would be nice, as would the survivability of re-rollable Jink. I think I'll try to go with the Typhoon LS, as it's more helpful against armor and helping to whittle down Bloodthirsters.

Does anyone have any suggestions on dealing with a more mech-oriented list? I know there's a ton of grav in here already, but I was thinking libby bikers with the new Technomancy discipline to help deal with troublesome armor and Heldrakes.

I would like a second drop pod with 5 man assauit squad, That allows you to drop your kamikaze command squad when it will help you instead ot T1 against a reserving opponent or alpha strike if needed.

Also question,can you take GC in less than 10 man squads. If not just downgrade to GG.

For anti-tank, how about 5 scouts in MM landspeeder storms perhaps a combimelta and meltabombs.
\\

DAaddict wrote:
I would like a second drop pod with 5 man assauit squad, That allows you to drop your kamikaze command squad when it will help you instead ot T1 against a reserving opponent or alpha strike if needed.

Also question,can you take GC in less than 10 man squads. If not just downgrade to GG.

For anti-tank, how about 5 scouts in MM landspeeder storms perhaps a combimelta and meltabombs.
\\

At 5-9 models you can take a special or heavy weapon, at 10 you can take both, so that part is legal.
In order to get a LSS, you'd have to ally in another chapter, as DA don't get access to them.

I agree with the drop pod suggestion though.

Looking at my list, which is packed full of grav, I'm wondering if I even need my melta command squad. I do like the idea of dropping in, murdering a LR or Vindicator, and then getting melta gun shots at full Overwatch (assuming they don't get shot to death). Against KDK and CSM, I expect to get charged.

well for the suicide squad theres two routes you can take

1, find 50 points and they all have storm shields

2, i run a similar tactic but i role with a company master in art armor with dual plas pistols and eye of unseen. accompanied by 5 SH+plasma gunners with the standard of relentless.


With all your free lascannon razorbacks the plasma drop pod is great for jumping in and laying waste to things melta dont deal with as well like the big non-vehicle baddies. with the eye making it very hard to have gets hot and rarely go unwounding most things.

Ravenwing Support Squad is a great formation whose overwatch bonus is even better in a Lion's Blade.

People don't seem to realize that tje RWSS can only provide the overwatch bonus to friendly units with the Ravenwing special rule - it is nearly useless in a Lion's Blade, except for hitting deep-striking or summoned units.

Great list, I like it!

everything I would have told you has already come up, so just give it a try and tell us how it went!

Regarding your 2 HQs: find a way to give them jump packs and let them join the assault squad.

I didn't even realize the Company Master could take a jump pack - awesome. He also will grant the squad Fearless, as he has the Deathwing special rule. Gonna cut one Assault Marine to fit him in.

and mybe instead of foesmiter a mace of absolution on him?

he is the best DA HQ to use it, and together with the Chaplain he is gonna wreck everything in CC

My regular opponent is KDK, so CC is dangerous. I like Foe-Smiter in this list because of the rate of fire and that it takes full advantage of the Overwatch buff. It also cuts demons apart with the Shred special rule.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Could anyone send me a link to the FAQ stating that only one relic may be taken per model? I realize that a weapon swap needs to occur for every relic weapon taken (but not for the Shroud of Heros, as per the Codex) but I would like to take the MoR instead of a relic blade, along with Foe-Smiter.

Anyone have a link to the faq that restricts DA HQs to one relic?

Assault squads at 70 points with a drop pod each are essential here. The marines with packs will achieve nothing, if there podding it gives the suicide melta squad a better chance of success as you can choose it turn 1 or turn 2. Also they can drop on objectives in maelstrom, achieve vp and die. I play a full blade and disposable assault squads is a good choice


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also take a combi plasma instead of foe smiler... Same thing

Don't you need an Auxiliary choice for each Demi Company?

Not sure how to link the specific photo but p sure it's the 29th photo

https://www.facebook.com/1575682476085719/photos/pcb.1610528622601104/1610527169267916/?type=3&theater


Automatically Appended Next Post:

axisofentropy wrote:Ravenwing Support Squad is a great formation whose overwatch bonus is even better in a Lion's Blade.

Retrogamer0001 wrote:People don't seem to realize that tje RWSS can only provide the overwatch bonus to friendly units with the Ravenwing special rule - it is nearly useless in a Lion's Blade, except for hitting deep-striking or summoned units.

RWSS models don't have Grim Resolve can only overwatch at BS1 anyway

Thanks for the link, but there seems to be a lot of disagreement in the comments section, and to be fair, it's a pretty stupid idea to restrict multiple relics on one character, considering some other armies like Tau and Necrons don't have this restriction. I don't think I'll be playing my relics this way, and as my opponent also has a multi-relic character, I doubt he will be either.

I haven't tried my list yet, but I like the idea of my buffed up assault squad against KDK - Hammer of Wrath and my Initiative 5 Company Master will do some work here.

Edit: the RWSS gains the Grim Resolve special rule as part of the formation bonus. Regardless, any opponent with a clue will be shooting at them to make them Jink.

Only one Aux choice is required for the Lion's Blade.

 Retrogamer0001 wrote:
Edit: the RWSS gains the Grim Resolve special rule as part of the formation bonus. Regardless, any opponent with a clue will be shooting at them to make them Jink.

Time to go field 275 pts worth of heavy bolter land speeders....

 Brother Payne wrote:

 Retrogamer0001 wrote:
Edit: the RWSS gains the Grim Resolve special rule as part of the formation bonus. Regardless, any opponent with a clue will be shooting at them to make them Jink.

Time to go field 275 pts worth of heavy bolter land speeders....

or for 290 give them AC as a secondary weapon.

 The_Lion wrote:

 Brother Payne wrote:

 Retrogamer0001 wrote:
Edit: the RWSS gains the Grim Resolve special rule as part of the formation bonus. Regardless, any opponent with a clue will be shooting at them to make them Jink.

Time to go field 275 pts worth of heavy bolter land speeders....

or for 290 give them AC as a secondary weapon.

You mean for 350.... 5x (50+20). Not worth: keep em cheap

My first battle with this list will be happening tomorrow, so will give a short update at that time. Really curious to see how all these Razorbacks are going to do, and whether or not the assault squads will be worthwhile.

So, played the list today and, I must say, it was a ton of fun. I ended up losing a very close, objective-based game by two points, which I chalk up to some very unlucky dice rolls in the first two turns of the game.

My opponent played KDK with an allied Knight, which was troublesome, and at one point had a Bloodthirster of Insensate Rage, the Knight, and a Heldrake on the field, causing havoc. I managed to strip hullpoints off with my melta command squad (three the first turn) and then wiped it out with a melta bomb from my jump sgt. The game went in my favor after that, as the Thirster was shot to pieces with grav weapons and all the nasty TL assault cannons.

The jump squads and HQs were slaughtered early on, mostly due to some terrible rolling and luck, so that's where I'll be looking to make changes for next time. All in all, loved the list.