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Hey I had originally made a 2000pt list but have shortened it down to 1500pts... This list is centered around the foe's anticipation of the Vanguard deeps striking and assualting, and the honour guard deep striking and destroying a tank. The Baal Predators will be an immediate threat at turn 1 if I move first, or they can outflank if I move second. My troops are the two assualt squads, both with sanguinary priests. The flamer equipped assualt squad will be led by my reclusiarch, who's benefit in conjunction with that of the priest will effectively form a mini death company. The second assualt squad is equipped with three meltas, and can either tank hunt or assualt, and may deep strike beside a tank if necessary. Most squads have power fists in case they are assualted by a walker/MC.

HQ
Reclusiarch = 155pts

Honour Guard = 205pts
4 meltaguns
jump packs

Troops
Assault Squad = 225pts
10 models
sergeant power fist
flamer
flamer

Assault Squad = 250pts
10 models
sergeant power fist
sergeant infernus pistol
meltagun
meltagun


Elites
Sanguinary Priest = 75pts
jump pack

Sanguinary Priest = 75pts
jump pack


Fast Attack

Vanguard Veterans = 245pts
2 power weapons
sergeant power fist
2 storm shields
jump packs

Baal Predator = 145pts
heavy bolters

Baal Predator = 145pts
heavy bolters



= 1520pts

Any thoughts or advice? Does anyone know how I could trim off 20pts or possibly elevate the list to 1750pts? Is there any way I could change my units or strategy?

Okay, here's what I'll tell you right now that doesn't stoke me out on this list. You lose a decent number of bodies by including the Baal Predators and pretty much all you create is two minorly threatening targets.

But they can create a target that isn't squishy marine bodies so lets play with that idea for a second. I would consider in this list just pulling their sponsons off to be just an AC rush at some point in the game and they can be and edge of the scissors.

DoA works best on the principle of getting an opponent to commit towards a place and then surrounding and destroying it, so thats what the Baals can be...The point for the opposition to commit towards. Same thing as a devastator squad or mephiston or any of those other fun targets enemies go after, although Baals are not super scary they can still draw your opponent out.

So basically, drop the sponsons that leaves you with 40 points to spend.

Take a long look at the reclusiarch and decide if you really want to take him. For DoA a librarian is just pure happiness. Lots of things that make life just a little easier and a little easier to breathe. give him a jump pack and you've saved 30 points from the Rec.

You've got 70 points to play with at this point. That could go to another VV with power weapon, another power weapon/lightning claw for a VV and some melta bombs to get tossed on that unit for a little bit of extra umph.

Just so you can see this build (My proposed List and fairly similar to most DoA builds...)

1x Librarian w Jump Pack, Bolt Pistol, Force Weapon, Powers (Shield, Lance) -125
5x Honour Guard w, Jump Packs, 4x Plasmagun - 225

2 Sanguinary Priests w Jump Packs -150

10x Assault Marines w Serg Powerfist/Infernus, 2x Meltagun - 250

10x Assault marines w Serg Powerfist/Infernus, 2x Meltagun - 250

10x Assault Marines w Serg Lightning Claws, 2x Flamer - 230

5x Vanguard Veterans w Serg. PFist/Storm Shield, 2x Power Weapon, 1x Lightning Claw/Storm Shield, 2x Melta Bomb - 270

Total - 1500

Firstly, i think a Librarian would be much more useful than a Reclusiarch, and 30 points cheaper.
I also think you need a 3rd troops choice.

Your spending a lot of points in upgrades, the infernus pistol is 15 points isn't it? thats far too much for a 6" meltagun. With a small model count army you really need to be using your points effectively, and i don't think an Infernus pistol is doing that.
When you look at your list, you have 11 Power armoured models (5 with FNP, 2 with Inv, not sure what saves Reclusiarch gets) coming in at just over 600 points. Now apart from the honour Guard, who have that FNP, the others are going to fall easily to small arms fire. Ok your Vanguard can deep strike and assault, but if you scatter the wrong way, you could have a 245 point unit wasted. That leaves a lot of work for you Assault Squads and Baals.

In a DoA list, i really think (i might be wrong) the only other units (bar jump packing units) you should be taking are Drop podding Dreads, Land speeders and Storm ravens, as they all have the deep striking/reserve element. I really don't think Baals are point effective here, even though they can outflank, they just don't fit in for me.

I would try and get a 3rd troop unit, at 1750 maybe a 4th, although that isn't 100% necessary.

Two little in the way of troops. 2/3 of the missions are objectives so you are already on the back foot to start. Libby+shield helps.

To be honest I think you should just ditch the pair of Baal Predators for another Assault Squad, which would save you 55 points and help get you down to the right total. As your only vehicles in this list, your opponent can easily single them out with their anti-tank weaponry, unless you outflank with them and don't get them until after your Assault Squads are already in combat. Even still, they are likely to get shot up as the only vehicles in an otherwise all infantry list.

The point of DOA style lists is to deny your opponent targets to shoot his anti-tank weapons at and over-saturate his anti-infantry, much like the point of AV13 spam is to over-saturate his anti-tank and deny him targets for his anti-infantry.

Lose the Vanguard Vets. They are too expensive for 5 models, even with the ability to pull off a Heroic Intervention, and not even that is certain. A 6" scatter makes it impossible for you to assault the turn you come in unless you happen to be close to a second target and can assault them. It's not worth the points or the risk.

Finally, replace hat Reclusiarch with a Librarian, and use the extra points you have for a second Librarian. You need the ability to cancel psychic powers or you are likely to get rolled by Grey Knights who will just charge you in combat after you arrive and rip you apart with Halberds before you get to attack. If you can deny them Hammerhand you can hopefully take fewer wounds that deny you armor and FNP. With a second Librarian in the list, you also have the ability to take a second Honor Guard, which will give you some extra Melta capabilities on the turn you arrive.

Something like this:

Librarian (Jump Pack, Unleash Rage, Shield) - 125
Librarian (Jump Pack, Unleash Rage, Shield) - 125
Honor Guard (Jump Packs, 4x Meltaguns) - 205
Honor Guard (Jump Packs, 4x Meltaguns) - 205
2x Sanguinary Priest (Jump Packs) - 150
10 Assault Marines (Power Fist, 2x Meltaguns) - 235
10 Assault Marines (Power Fist, 2x Meltaguns) - 235
10 Assault Marines (Power Weapon, Meltabombs, 2x Flamers) - 220
Total 1,500

With this setup you have the same number of Kill Points, but more Jump Infantry models, no vehicles for your opponent to single out, and excellent coverage with Blood Chalice auras. You might be able to get away with fewer Sanguinary Priests, but it's probably fine like this. Anyway, I hope that helps!

I'm not a fan of the honor guard since small units get shredded quickly and they're doubly expensive. To top it off, every wound kills off someone special so that doubly hurts.

I'd change the vet's power sword/melta bomb for a pf- you have multiple str 8 attacks vs a single melta

Vanguard work but in larger numbers. When I run them, it's always in a dp. I place it as close as I can right in front of the enemy, so it has a better chance to be right I want. That said I'd only use them in a 2k battle due to cost.

I like Aldarionn's list. My personal tweak would be dropping the second Librarian and the second Honor Guard, as well as the Power Weapon and Meltabombs from the last Assault Squad. With the 350 points saved, I'd take 2 Vanguard Veteran Squads, each with Jump Packs and a Power Fist Sergeant. I like the idea of Vanguard Veterans in a DoA list, so long as they are kept cheap. I'd also consider losing one Priest to put the wargear back in the third Assault Squad, and I guess add some more to the VV squads.