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This is my first Mech BA list:
(1180 pts.)

-HQ-
Libby w/ Shield and Smite (100)

-Elite-
Sanguinary Priest w/ Sword (65)

-Troops-
5x Assault Marines w/ Melta (165)
Razorback w/ Las Plas

5x Assault Marines w/ Melta (165)
Razorback w/ Las Plas

5x Assault Marines w/ Melta (165)
Razorback w/ Las Plas

-Fast Attack-

Baal Predator (115)

Ball Predator (115)

-Heavy Support-

Vindicator (145)

Vindicator (145)

How can list this be improved? How should I spend the remaining 70 points? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

First up smite is a rubbish power. Get blood lance or fear of the darkness instead, they are both far superior.

The power sword isn't really doing much on the priest, I would drop it.

Then with the points from that I would drop both baal predators, get a third vindicator and another assault squad with razorback. There should be just enough points for that.

This gives you a more solid army, with awkward targeting priority for your opponent, and has a lot of firepower.

Hope this is useful.

So something like this then

(1245 pts.)

-HQ-
Libby w/ Shield and Fear (100)

-Elite-
Sanguinary Priest (50)

-Troops-
5x Assault Marines w/ Melta (165)
Razorback w/ Las Plas

5x Assault Marines w/ Melta (165)
Razorback w/ Las Plas

5x Assault Marines w/ Melta (165)
Razorback w/ Las Plas

5x Assault Marines w/ Melta (165)
Razorback w/ Las Plas

-Heavy Support-

Vindicator (145)

Vindicator (145)

Vindicator (145)

Should I just give a squad some melta bombs, or throw some searchlights on, etc, with the other five points?

For 1250 points, I'm really liking this list. My .02 cents would be that I'm not sure about taking 3 vindicators at 1250 points. Heck I only run at 2 at 2000 points and don't add a third until 2500+ points. Instead of a third vindicator an option would be another Librarian and Priest.

Also, I don't think you need 4 meltaguns in this list. I would cut down to 2 meltaguns and arm the other 2 squads with a flamer and power weapon. You already have 4 lascannons and vindicators. Chances are those meltaguns won't see much action. 2 seems appropriate with other squads getting power weapon goodness. Just stick the priests(s) in near those PW squads to take advantage of FC.

I edited in the power wep/ flamer idea (really good call on that), however if I buy a second librarian or priest it doesn't leave me with enough points for the other (80 points)

(1170 pts.)

-HQ-
Libby w/ Shield and Lance (100)

-Elite-
Sanguinary Priest (50)

Sanguinary Priest (50)

-Troops-
5x Assault Marines w/ Flamer, Power Weapon (175)
Razorback w/ Las Plas

5x Assault Marines w/ Flamer, Power Weapon (175)
Razorback w/ Las Plas

5x Assault Marines w/ Melta (165)
Razorback w/ Las Plas

5x Assault Marines w/ Melta (165)
Razorback w/ Las Plas

-Heavy Support-

Vindicator (145)

Vindicator (145)

Looks better in my opinion. Sucks about the 80 points. Without my dex in front of me I can't think of how to use that up. Maybe another HQ that is 80 points? (I'm thinking chaplain but not sure what his points cost is). Chaplains aren't great but it could work with this list.

I think the first list was better i would of dropped the priest
and 1 melta and add a vindicator

Why drop a priest? Priests are one of the hallmark units of the BA list. This list is meant for getting into CC and having a unit that has a 6" FnP and FC bubble is incredible. With 4 troop choices, 1 might work but that is stretching one priest pretty thin. 2 ensures you aren't putting all your eggs in one basket. The power weapons/flamers give you some more horde control in another form other than vindicator shells. Those flamers will come in handy when you are in assault range and don't want to risk scattering a strength 10 pie plate onto your own units. The power weapons are nice to combine with the Librarian's force weapon for other power armor armies.

The first list has simply too much melta in it given all of the tank-based anti armor you are already bringing to the table.

As far as the Librarian's powers goes, I would drop lance and look into fear or unleash rage instead. Again, Lance is cool, but you have enough high strength shooting as it is. Fear and Rage can be huge force multipliers, increasing or decreasing the threat of entire units, enemy or friendly, as opposed to one boring shot. Combine with shield and your Libby is adding a lot of buffs to your army- they are really bargain spells.

With the last 80, you can give Power Fists to the Meltagun squads, plus throw some Dozer Blades and Searchlights around. I especially like the idea of Dozer Blades on the Vindicators. Don't go with Siege Shields, once you have a re-roll the chance of failing a terrain check is 1 in 36.

You should also consider swapping a Razorback squad for a third Vindicator. When you move up in points you'll probably want the third Vindicator anyway.

I would drop the priest because when I have been running BA meq lists I never get troops out the razorbacks

Going off of the advice (dropping an assault squad which also doesn't stretch out the priest, changing up equip, dozer blades, add vindicator, etc.):

(1170 pts.)

-HQ-
Libby w/ Shield and Rage (100)

-Elite-
Sanguinary Priest (50)

-Troops-
5x Assault Marines w/ Flamer, Power Weapon (180)
Razorback w/ Las Plas, Dozer Blade

5x Assault Marines w/ Melta, Power Fist (195)
Razorback w/ Las Plas, Dozer Blade

5x Assault Marines w/ Melta, Power Fist (195)
Razorback w/ Las Plas, Dozer Blade

-Heavy Support-

Vindicator w/ Dozer (150)

Vindicator w/ Dozer(150)

Vindicator w/ Dozer(150)

Which, one again, leaves me with 80 points, sigh..... Would it help if I jumped up to 1500 pts.? Also, is there a way to make Death Company work?

zcantin wrote:This is my first Mech BA list:
(1180 pts.)

-HQ-
Libby w/ Shield and Smite (100)

-Elite-
Sanguinary Priest w/ Sword (65)

-Troops-
5x Assault Marines w/ Melta (165)
Razorback w/ Las Plas

5x Assault Marines w/ Melta (165)
Razorback w/ Las Plas

5x Assault Marines w/ Melta (165)
Razorback w/ Las Plas

-Fast Attack-

Baal Predator (115)

Ball Predator (115)

-Heavy Support-

Vindicator (145)

Vindicator (145)

How can list this be improved? How should I spend the remaining 70 points? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Going off your first list drop the priest entirely. You don't really need them for mech lists until higher points even then you dont always need them. this gives you 135pts to play with. I would next drop both vindicators and replace them with predators with Lascannon Sponsons. This is optional however. You now have 155pts.now add heavy Bolter sponsons to both of your Baal predators. this still gives you 95pts. These 95pts could go on getting you a third Predator at 70pts. Leaving you another 25pts for upgrades.

If you wanted you could drop one meltagun and replace it for a flamer in one Assault squad. You can now give this pread heavy bolter sponsons. As for powers on the Libbrarian go for Lance and Shield. Also if you have parts TL Assault Cannons on Razorbacks can work well especially against troops and av13 or higher vehicles thanks to rending.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

OIF Knight wrote:Why drop a priest? Priests are one of the hallmark units of the BA list. This list is meant for getting into CC and having a unit that has a 6" FnP and FC bubble is incredible.

This could not be further from the truth. Blood Angels Mech Lists are not designed for assault unless Terminators are coming in a Landraider Crusader with Librarian in terminator armour and priest in terminator armour. the guys should not step out of the transport as 5 guys will get flattened. This type of list is designed to move and shoot. You want assault go and get a DoA list. or any Skies of Blood List.

This could not be further from the truth

Your opinion.

I don't subscribe to the phrase "Death before Dismount"... I just played a game this evening against my roommate's CSM. I am aware that everyone's experience varies, but I'll add mine in as a way of illustrating a point. There were times when I intentionally disembarked 1-2 5 man assault squads at a time (with priest support) to take out nurgle bikes, summoned lesser demons and thousand sons. They saw tremendous success. It helped since I was then able to move their respective razorbacks into separate positions where they could fire las/plas at other targets. This allowed me to engage twice what I would have been able to had I remained embarked. I was engaging him on so many fronts he didn't know what to do- mainly because (he told me this after game, honestly) he didn't expect me to disembark while the transports were still fully functional. While I tied up (and eventually slaughtered) those units, my tanks took aim at his demon prince and greater demon (something I would not want to get in combat with) and smoked them from range.

So yes, mech BA lists like this one don't want to get in combat asap, but they should be prepared to at a moments notice, and when that is the case, I want those 5 man squads to have every fighting chance I can give them (ie priest support). Also, don't be silly with how you engage those 5 man squads. Send 2 at a time whenever possible. Make sure you allocate enough combat power to ensure you can overwhelm the enemy you are engaging. Send them against something they can kill without taking tremendous losses. This requires skill with 5 man assault squads. Sending 5 assault marines with nothing more than a power weapon against a demon prince or trygon is silly, I would never do that (unless he had like 1 wound remaining and NEEDED to die that turn- in that case its kind of a hail mary move).

And no, you don't always want to sit in your transports until they are blown up. If you need to get out, or a juicy opportunity presents itself, do it!

To the OP- play both lists. You have a very strong core theme and are on the right track here. One with priest support, one without. One with 2 vindicators, one with 3. See what works for you. Both versions are very viable. I have my opinions based on what has worked for me- and in that case, no, my statements are not far from being truthful. You ought to do the same. Looking forward to a battle rep from you using your lists!

I would next drop both vindicators and replace them with predators with Lascannon Sponsons

I don't agree with this. His vindicators are doing 2 things in this list. First, they are offering great anti horde with those pie plates. If you were to remove these, your anti horde would be lacking. Baals with HB sponsons are not true anti horde units- they simply won't inflict the number of wounds most people think they will. I've seen it both in use on the table top and math hammered out. Secondly, the vindicators are a juicy target for the enemy's anti tank. They will draw fire away from your razorbacks which are your true anti tank/anti MC units. My vindicators always ultimately die after getting a couple shots off, but while people fear the strength 10 pie plate and focus on pen'ing av 13 front armor, they forget about my av 11 las/plas wall moving towards them. In addition, in this list your vindicators are good anti Land Raider/any av 14 units besides your meltaguns. Strength 10 and rolling 2D6 choose the highest for armor pen is clutch. Without vindicators, how do you expect to take on av 14 without getting into melta range (which can be fraught with danger)? I don't depend on LC's for av 14 pen'ing- which seems to be what the above quoted line is trying to do (unless I was IG and spamming Vendettas). Keep the vindicators, in my opinion. Predators with LC sponsons are too redundant in this list. If you want more anti tank, take more razorbacks- they are cheap when used with assault squads (35 point reduction) and boast good anti armor with the las/plas build. Plus they carry around 5 assault marines...

If you take a priest it is for the FNP bubble getting footslogging marines into combat is too tricky and 5 men are not much in combat whereas having a 5 man FNP bubble is hard to move off an objective or to claim as a kill point.
Always charge the trygon! especially if you only have a powerweapon! Also you make the chaos list sound like it is a bad list which is played badly, choosing bad cases doesn't help your case.

Priests are not as valuable here compared to other lists, the question probably is do you have better things to spend points on, that do not give up a kill point.

So no priest in mech then?

Also you make the chaos list sound like it is a bad list which is played badly, choosing bad cases doesn't help your case.

Please copy and paste the line in my previous post where I make the chaos list and/or player seem bad. I have reviewed my post and can't find where I mention they were bad. I never said the player or list was bad, in fact, the chaos player has played CSM for nearly ten years now, he has a very tight list and very sound tactical knowledge. One test for my tactics and lists is typically how well it does against him and his lists. As a matter of fact, I've seen him write far-from-optimized lists and do well with them, simply because he is a sound player.

I did mention that the talented CSM opponent did acknowledge my tactics and list after this game; namely my aggressiveness in using small and concentrated assaults with my assault squads.

Please read carefully before posting condescending replies.

@zcantin- Instead of making a decision on priests right now or deciding on how aggressive to be with your assault squads, take into account the advice given in the thread and run a few games using all of these ideas. Your experiences may differ from what is being suggested. All of these suggestions are sound, none so far are complete rubbish. Test out priests and using assault squads aggressively and see what you/what works for you!

OIF Knight wrote:I did mention that the talented CSM opponent did acknowledge my tactics and list after this game; namely my aggressiveness in using small and concentrated assaults with my assault squads.

So you great tactician because your opponent says so and he is because you think so, I am sure you in your drawing room over a pipe you are happy - Now that is a condescending reply Not my earlier post

You make it sound like he left troops which will not want to be charged in charging range, as he didn't expect to get charged. That isn't clever.

Now if you said he didn't expect it because he was a little unlucky - I would believe that.
So Nurgle bikers shoot two meltas at a razorback, if they succeed your troops are as good as dead against the T6 with a load of attacks, importantly a powerweapon, your powerfist will be the only issue that faces them. However they missed you charged, your powerfist eats them.
The daemons are scoring kannon fodder, if you said they teleported down in front of the greedy thousand sons as they wanted to be in rapid fire range for their awesome bolters. Then the razorback isn't destroyed so their remain quiet and there is just about small enough gap between the daemons to get to the thousand sons then I can believe it.

I am not going to rate chaos units but the comment is more thousand sons and daemons have good uses but they are not usually seen as the most competitive options so it would seem not such a great list to the casual reader.