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I'm new to CSM and I'm buying pieces mostly on eBay. To date I have 45 Chaos Space Marines, 18 Khorne Berzerkers, a Chaos Lord, and a Daemon Prince. I will possibly convert some of those marines into Plague Marines or Raptors (I hate the Chaos Raptor sculpts, so I won't use them, but I might just put normal jump packs on Chaos Space Marines and call it a day) and I might add some termies and maybe some Nurgle bikers. Maybe a squad of Havocs?

Anyway, I don't know what vehicles to get, besides some Rhinos for transport. I'm trying to decide on either Vindicators or Predators. I have to say, I've been looking through a bunch of CSM lists here and on other sites, and I don't see a lot of vehicle-heavy lists. Is one preferred over the other? I kinda don't like the Defiler model, so it would have to be absolutely necessary to a list for me to get one.

Any thoughts? Like I said, I'm a n00b so any help is appreciated.

the vindicator is generally preferred over the predator for its lower cost and more universally-devestating weaponry. + it can move and shoot to full effect whcih the predator cannot.

If you're trying to figure out what the best unit is its helpful to ask first "what am I trying to kill." If you dont know what you're trying to kill you take the unit that costs the least and threatens the most... in this case the vindicator. But if you do know you'll sometimes find that the best general pick isnt the best in a specific situation. For instance if you want to kill a blood thirster or some other big monster the predator is the better choice. AF

It all depends on what you want your tanks to do. If you're after tank hunters, I'd suggest Predators but if you're more concerned with taking out large numbers of infantry the Vindicator is a better option since a well placed shot can take out a squad of pretty much anything with ease. Without knowing what you're after I can't suggest more than that.

Thanks for the info. I can tell you that I'll be frequently playing against a Blood Angels player and an Ork player. The BA is assaulty and has some vehicles and the Ork player would probably be good to hit with pie-plates, I'm guessing? Not sure if that helps.

I have to admit, I prefer the look of the Vindicator for some reason.

Against both of those the Vindicator should perform very well. Hitting the BA vehicles could prove to be a problem but that's what Chosen with Meltas are for.

yes. the vindicator is what you want for those fights.

If you don't like the defiler, maybe go with a daemon soul grinder to "count as"? After all, you get 2 dreadnaught close combat weapons and the mouth can count as the battle cannon. Plus it's a heckuva better model. I have 3 myself And yea, vindi's are great, especially combined with Slaanesh Lash Princes

Aww i feel so loved.
Yeah it really does depend on which you prefer either Vindie or Defiler. Those sound like your best bets range with slightly less front armor value and less strength or shorter range higher strength and better front armor value.

atomsmasher wrote:I'm new to CSM and I'm buying pieces mostly on eBay. To date I have 45 Chaos Space Marines, 18 Khorne Berzerkers, a Chaos Lord, and a Daemon Prince. I will possibly convert some of those marines into Plague Marines or Raptors (I hate the Chaos Raptor sculpts, so I won't use them, but I might just put normal jump packs on Chaos Space Marines and call it a day) and I might add some termies and maybe some Nurgle bikers. Maybe a squad of Havocs?

Anyway, I don't know what vehicles to get, besides some Rhinos for transport. I'm trying to decide on either Vindicators or Predators. I have to say, I've been looking through a bunch of CSM lists here and on other sites, and I don't see a lot of vehicle-heavy lists. Is one preferred over the other? I kinda don't like the Defiler model, so it would have to be absolutely necessary to a list for me to get one.

Any thoughts? Like I said, I'm a n00b so any help is appreciated.

Hmm.

If you really must....Buy like 4 Rhinos, 2 vindicators, a Defiler and a Land Raider

You should be set for most things you'll come up against. Predators are trash, IMO. Obliterators basically do the job better...Aside from an AV, of course..

Demolisher cannons are ridiculous, take the Vindi if you HAVE to choose. Predators have their place too though, lascannons are a whole different beast.

For sheer lascannon spam, the Predator is the cheapest way there. Ditto for direct-fire anti-horde.

If you want pie plates, the Vindicator/Defiler choice is yours to make... I have some difficulty making my daemonically-possessed Vindicator earn back its points, but there's nothing better for making an opponent avoid a 24" radius of table, and it can take some serious abuse in cover. Never used Defilers, but I understand why some folks love them. Maybe I'll buy one someday.

(That said, Obliterators tend to work best for me. The flexibility they give is simply impossible to match.)

BATTLE CANNONS!

For Preds, Autocannon and Lascannon will serve you well at low cost. This build tends to be better for hunting lower-AV armor.

Then again, defilers are just fine for a much more up-close-and-personal interpretation of anti-tank.