Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I'm wanting to put fast attack into a Chaos Space Marines army (2500 Points) for 'Ard Boyz. What are my best options?

The common consensus is the CSM Fast Attack choices are sub-par, and given that you're entering the competitive tournament I'm not certain what to say.

Having said that, I'm partial to the Bikers. I run 5 of them with 2 Meltaguns and an Icon of Slaanesh. They're basically my clean-up crew, finishing off squads my Noise Marines or Dreadnought can't. Rapid firing TL-Bolters, then swinging at I5 is pretty potent. Otherwise, I've seen a big block with Icon of Khorne function as great anti-infantry. Bikers with any Icon perform superbly for setting up Deepstrikers, but if that's all you want from them, take Icon of Nurgle.

Raptors I've never quite gotten the hang of, but if Night Lords is still around send him a PM.

Okay, thanks!

However, if the Fast Attack is so bad, is there a better way to allocate the points?

I'd stay away from fast attack in the CSM list - they're all either too expensive for what they do or genuinely worthless.

As far as suggestions on a better way to allocate the points, that kinda depends on what you've already got in the list.

Generally speaking, though, DPs, oblits, berzerkers, and plague marines are the strongest options in the CSM codex.


*edit* I'm also a somewhat non-traditional fan of the outflanking rhino full of plasma chosen, but that's just me

Oblits I believe are pretty sexy. If you dont know what you aare up against before hand, like race and such, they fit every bill.

winnertakesall wrote:Oblits I believe are pretty sexy. If you dont know what you aare up against before hand, like race and such, they fit every bill.

However, if you don't need every bill fit they are about the least efficient thing you can take. For example, mine got used almost exclusively for Deepstriking their Multi-meltas because I had TEQ, long ranged anti-tank, and hordes covered. Eventually it dawned on me to take Termicide instead and save 50 points and a HS slot.

So if I have a completely revised list, should I post it here or start another thread for it?

At 2500 I took:

2x Lash prince (today I would change these boys to Sorcerors).

2x5 PMs in rhinos with double melta
4x10 CSM in rhinos with double melta and icons

3x4 Termicide with 3x combi meltas, a chainfist, and a heavy flamer

3x3 Oblits

This list would have taken 1st in R2 'ard boyz in Arlington, TX in '10 had the TO not cut our game prematurely short after T4. In my opinion, it's still the best template for all-comers that Chaos can manage in this day and age.

I'm pretty much sold on the idea that all CSM should pack 1 squad of Oblits minimally. The other 2 I'm flexible on, but I'll admit I'm worried that if I try filling ALL heavy slots with Oblits...I'll like it too much and never go back!

Maenus_Rajhana wrote:I'd stay away from fast attack in the CSM list - they're all either too expensive for what they do or genuinely worthless.

As far as suggestions on a better way to allocate the points, that kinda depends on what you've already got in the list.

Generally speaking, though, DPs, oblits, berzerkers, and plague marines are the strongest options in the CSM codex.


*edit* I'm also a somewhat non-traditional fan of the outflanking rhino full of plasma chosen, but that's just me

I'm a big fan of this too-run two units of 5 with five meltaguns (or plasma as Maenus_Rajhana said) and outflank. Put the MEQ armies in a hot seat

How is this possible? I thought in a squad of 5 you could only run 1 Melta/Plasma Gun?

Chosen are able to take 4 specials + 1 special/heavy.

If you just need to blow points, a tiny squad of lesser Daemons can hold an objective or give a needed cover save to a more expensive unit. Don't ignore the Greater Daemon either, as if he can miss his first reserve roll he can often enter combat straightaway.

Fast attack is a bit subpar, as people here have said. However!

A small squad of bikers can be a good Greater Daemon delivery service, if you need another monstrous Creature. Get a champion and charge him forward, and when the GD becomes available, sacrifie him to serve the Daemon as a linebreaker.

Other than that, Raptors can be a mildly effective hopping melta or flamer squad, though there are other ways of doing that.

Oh! Hadn't thought of chosen.

And are daemons worth having even if I don't have points to blow? Cuz I'm aiming for 2500 and currently have around 2600...

And should I start a new thread? Cuz now I've kinda given up on fast attack, but still need advice. Kinda a noob at forums.

Lesser Daemons are best for two things - objective holding and surprise assistance in CC. However, for the most part, they're inferior to regular marines - they have identical stats as a base marine, no gun, and a worse save for only marginally less points.

I still like to field em, even if only for the flavor of it, but for a tournament, I don't know that they'd be worth it.

Greater Daemons, on the other hand, are dirt cheap MCs that can make a great addition to a pair of DPs.

At 2,500 points Chaos as 4 good solid fast attack choices, just keep in mind you don't need fast attack to add speed to a chaos army.

Troops in a Rhino, taken as a troops choice.

Summed Greater Deamon taken as a HQ choice, used in conjunction with troops in a Rhino.

Summed Lesser Deamons taken as a troops choice, used in conjunction with troops in a Rhino.

Termicide taken as an elites choice, used in conjunction with troops in a Rhino.