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Right, I don't really play anything outside of codex marines, Wolves and other SM chapters with their own codex. I've always liked BA - so this is the perfect chance to start! ((obviously))

Of course, as the codex ain't out for the public to buy yet, we're all just going on what we know from Dakka, Warseer, BoLS etc. We've pretty much got it down now, so here's what I'm thinking for my first concepts of an army list.

Dante (always liked him ) - Presumably 270pts or thereabouts... he did alright in 4th ed without EW and I'm sure he'll do well now.

Not so sure about the new characters... but that's because I know what the rumours say, but Dante is gonna be more or less the same - just a lot stronger with new rules etc.

Considering a Librarian, or a Dread Libby, if it's HQ. Personally, I'm not really for the whole dread heavy thing. Venerable Furioso Death company dreads were fun at the side in the last 'dex, but I want pts for other stuff too!

As for Elites, definitely having a squad of Sanguinary Guard - if not for how awesome they are in-game anyway, atleast because they are some of the most beautiful models the SM's have ever had.

Maybe some Sanguinary priests, if they can attach to other units that is...

I doubt I'll be taking any Terminators, I know how they play as a pretty experianced marine player, and I just don't think they'd work in an assault army. If I do take 'em, it'll be Assault Termies, but these are pts better spent elsewhere.

Sternguard are out of the picture, and as for Chaplains.. Don't know why they're in the elites section on the GW website.

For Troops, probably a Tac squad with Las/Plas for sitting on an objective. Maybe even in a rhino just so they don't get subject to Rage all the time - hardly full-proof, but it's my first thoughts.

Maybe 10-15 Death company, probably with Jump packs - but I've heard that they're a huge pointsink, so if that is the case I'll probably put 'em in a Rhino if I can't be bothered to make a Stormraven.

Not too sure about troops Tbh :/

Fast attack, well, Baal Pred spam I guess! That scout move is pretty nice, might allow me to get them into position with an 18" move, I'm thinking one Flamepred and one Dakkapred atleast. Maybe another Dakkapred as well. IDK

As for heavy support, I don't have any anti- armour yet, but I beleive dreads are heavy support, and if that is the case then some Furioso's, Venerable's and other such goodness in pods will do nicely.

OK, so it's a pretty weak outline, but I'm inexperianced with the BA, so that's why I'm here for help! Also, BTW, I'm looking for the standard tourny pts setting for this - 1750pts.

All advice is greatly appreciated!

Advice? Without the definite codex this is impossible, at least for me.

hmm ya its hard to say what the new codex has in it and the point costs without the actual book I would go down to your local GW and check it out they have a display copy you can look through.

I agree with both of you.. but there are GW staff who have the models already, and certainly the codex. They might've shown someone some stuff or something, IDK. But without a car, it'd be hard to get to my nearest GW which is 11 miles away :/

I can't tell if you want a tournament list or a fun list. You mention the tournament points level but you also mention nice looking models, etc.

This would help people give you better.

Well, I don't play in tournaments, as much as I'd like to, because it's hard to get involved. I like a 'balance' - fun, friendly but competetive, i.e. a standard Vulcan tourny list - nice models, fluffy and competetive! BA are just awesome.. so... ;D

What kind of points are you thinking of for an army? What you will want to take will differ greatly depending on whether you are making a 1000pt fun list or a 2500 'ard boys competitive list. In general these were what I have really found to be good standouts.

HQ - Librarians: dirt cheap compared to the SC's and have really good abilities. Honor Guard are amazing for their points and have great load out choices. I will take them any chance I can.

Elites - Furioso Dreads - My first choice (love of dreads) can be upgraded to librarians for some good abilities (jump dreads anyone?) and can be beasts in CC with Blood Talons. Not a whole lot can stand up to AV 13 and you'll find opponents will fire mass amounts of firepower at them ignoring other threats in your army. Sanguinary Priests look very nice. Throw them in with your troop choices and give them FC and FNP will be great for the assault nature of the BA. They can be singled out in close combat but most likely you will be swinging first on the charge and wreck most groups before they get a chance to swing back. Sanguinary Guard are WAY expensive and while they might be monsters in CC. Granted they look amazing and I'll probably grab 5 to paint up, getting their points justified in a game is going to be hard. They will overkill something and most likely be vulnerable to the mass amounts of AP1 and AP2 shots and get burned down. I'd rather take 3 Furioso Dreads for the costs of a tricked out SG squad.

Troops - Assault squads without the jump packs are ridiculously cheap. I'll fill up with them in rhinos and razorbacks and get great objective holders who pack a good punch. With a SG in their group they become extremely resilient. Death company are really neat especially with a Reclusiarch in their group giving them the ability to re-roll both hits and wounds in CC. I would really run them in something like a Land Raider Redeemer or Crusader to give them the jump on the enemy most of the time and negate their rage downside.

Fast Attack - I love the scouting Baal Predator. Running it with AC and HB side sponsons will be lethal and effective in any size army. Deep striking land speeder squadrons are also very good looking.

Heavy Support - Devastator squads got cheaper and are always a solid choice. I also am really excited to try out fast vindicators. First turn zip them 18" then pop smoke next turn layout some S10 AP2 large blast power on their units. Should be pretty effective.

Its really easy in this new codex to make groups really expensive. I think the strength of it lies in the fast vehicles and the ability to really spam dedicated transports and predators. The FOC is really laid out well with no slot being over saturated. Your going to see a lot of firepower coming out of vehicles and the units inside being tough as nails to kill.

Thanks, Pea! I appreciate your good, solid advice.