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I'm thinking of trying out a BA DoA list, any suggestions of optimal 2000 points lists that hit where it hurts most?

Heavy melta and I'm thinking 10-man squads might not be ideal, it'd depend on the situation but 5-man squads might be better, although that'd be expensive if I were to outfit the sergeants with power weapons...

Suggestions please!

Most people run DOA with 10 man units with 2 meltaguns and a powerfist in each unit. To give some range, some people add in dev squads with 4 missile launchers. It is mandatory to take atleast 2-3 sang priests with jump packs, as it makes the jumpers worth their cost. Librarians with shield are good to give cover, but also need a jump pack.

Thx, I've got a few ideas to consider. Three meltagun squads, and yeah, powerfist might be an idea, or a thunder hammer. I'm thinking of running two librarians, one with my standard epistolary loadouts (sanguine sword, unleash rage)

Also, what's your take on using a stormraven in DoA? Are they under too much risk deep striking without a flat out save? Or is the possibility of being able to pop a really tough tank with a multi melta too much fun to pass up?


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Actually, scratch that, one librarian

May also want to look into Dante. He has Tactical Precision, so you can drop a JP squad with him in it wherever you feel like at 0 scatter. Further, he comes with a mini-melta, so because he inserts wherever you want him, he's a tank-buster as well.

As for the Stormraven, I'm not sure.

Dante's an idea, for sure, and I suppose even though the infernus pistol's melta range is only 3 inches, it's made up for by the tactical precision.

The Sanguinor might be an idea as an alternate as well, for the buffs he gives (that is, if I get enough guys close together for a group gang-bang assault)

Stormravens, as I said, I'm on the fence

I use a storm raven, but come off the board edge reserve with it. It's worthless to deep strike it, but off the board edge it can get to mid board with a 4+ and fire a weapon with machine spirit.

yup, what I'm thinking. It's what I've been doing in my other games, going flat-out. Works like a charm, and with any luck it can survive through the next turn

You want to have a core of assault marines with priests. All apart from maybe one having double melta and fist.
Then Librarian is the cheapest HQ and works really well.

Then you have to decide what you want to support them. Left field ideas are typhoons, dev squads, bikes, even dreads or assault termies.

Moreover you probably want to try pure jump packs to get the second turn entry.
Now vanguard make great cc unit where you assault marines may fail. Sang. guard are not so great for this cc unit but can work.
Honour are your jump packs with guns. 4 melta+4flamer is a good unit to be flexible but I like 4 plasmas to hit units you want to stay away from.
Having one unit of assault marines with flamers and powerweapon, say, is good to attack infantry as meltas open tranports when you first descend.

Thanks guys. So far I'm piecing together a DoA list.

Also, I've got a few deliciously evil Descents particularly for team battles, which should make things interesting lol

I play a version of blood rodeo which is jumpers and DoA and I also mix it up with a DoA supported by 10 terminator list. Both can fare well. Do note that DoA lists are among the hardest lists to master. BA lists are relying on FNP to save their ASM squads. When to start on the table, when to DS, to move as a blob (for FNP), how many priests to take, all these decisions need to be mastered to win with a DoA list. Some lists play themselves - mech BA and mech SW as examples. A DoA list does not. How do you crack an IG list that bubble wraps and castles? How do you attack a Necron list with WW and Oriken? What is your plan vs DE - a very winnable match, btw.

Designing the list is also not that transparent. What do you want to back up your ASM?
You can try MM attack bikes (up to nine)
You can use Bike squads (blood rodeo)
You can use characters (Astro and Dante)
You can use terminators (ten man deathstar)
You can use Honor Guard w/ melta ( common enough)
You can take Lemartes and stick him in a Stornraven with DC qand a Dread)
You can take devastaors (back up dakka is always good)

I use a version of a list that Stelek designed at 1500:

Librarian, Jump Pack, Sanguine Sword, Fear of the Darkness 125
Chaplain, Jump Pack, Melta Bombs 130

Sanguinary Priest, Jump Pack 75
10 Terminators, 8 TH/SS, 2 LCs 440

2x 10x ASM, 2 Melta, PF 470

2x 5x Devastators, 4 ML 260

It took me a good three or four games to master the list - well at least understand it. I've been playing a long time. I didn't know if I should combat squad (it i troop light after all), if I should walk my terminators or DS them, if I should DS any ASM or keep them all close for FNP. Do you know how to field a DoA list against different opponents?

Be prepared for some early frustrations unless you truly are well above average in skills to begin with and have past experience fielding ASM - even if only as FA. It's a tricky little list.

Thanks! I'll see what I can try out, but this should be very fun to say the least.