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hi all, i'm a long time builder & painter, but never really got into playing that much, i got rid of all my gear but decided to start up again on a small scale. I'm going to post my army list I only want a 500 point army as i'm very new to the game, and have only played one or 2 very slow games (lots of looking up rules etc) basically a slight variation on the standard 20 SM's and a captain but here it is:

HQ - 108 points
Captain
w/ Stormbolter & melta bombs

Command squad - 127 points
4x stormbolter & chainsword
1x apothecary w/ bolt pistol & chainsword

troops 1 - 175 points
10x space marines
1x heavy bolter
1x meltagun

troops 2 - 90
5x space marines

my custom chapter using the vanilla codex will be named something like "soaring swords", "flying sabers" or something along those lines (feel free to offer a suggestion) to justify the heavy dark angels kit bashing that im doing. effectively its a 75% robed army hence the name to justify the DA iconography. I'm part way through building my command squad which uses the DA vetarns box as well as a few choice grey knight pieces in the form of wrist mounted storm bolters (with iconograpy filed off) and a winged grey knight helmet which looks very mean (like a non-evil night lords head, made using the helmet wings from da vets box and a grey knight helmet)

tactics wise as a general rule, 10 man SM squad taking fire support on a flank whilst the 5 man SM squad provides a meat shield for the command squad and captain until they get close enough to assult

this small army is bang on 500 points, I think its abit different to what most people would use both looks wise & play style. what do you experts think? have I overlooked anything?
your help is greatly appreciated,
Jonesy

First thing that immediately pops up is that you only have a foot-slogging melta gun and melta bombs to deal with any tanks. Changing the heavy bolter for a missile launcher could help with that. As for the command squad i am not too sure as i have never used one myself.

I
f need at least one melta gun in every tactical squad or at least a power fist on the sergeant.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
What does the five man squad have as a heavy weapon?

command squad at 500pts is a no-no.
I'd swap the heavy bolter for a missle launcher and meltagun for a flamer.
never pick 5man tactical squads since you're missing the free upgrades use some sniper scouts instead since pinning is devastating in low point lists.
Also consider master of the forge with conversion beamer for your hq choic.He's very cost efficient.

Marines do suffer at low points.

@Samtheking: 5 man tacs cannot have a heavy/special weapon.

I disagree with Gaasu's statement about 5 man squads. Some stategies involve MSU.

Consider the following:

100 - Librarian w/Avenger and something of your choice

165 - 5 man Tac squad. DT: Razorback w/Lascannon/TL-plasmagun
165 - 5 man Tac squad. DT: Razorback w/Lascannon/TL-plasmagun

70 - Land Speeder MM/HF

A bit troop low, but plenty of AT, high speed HF threat against hordes, and two small tacs running around. It's a different style/strategy, but it's mobile and shooty. Again, Marines suffer at lower points. Point being, against what you listed, with what I listed, I'd run around you shooting up the large tac squad. Barring an assault, the only thing that can touch the Razorbacks is that HB hoping to glance.

You could drop a las/plas upgrade, and the Speeder, increase a squad to 10 for that free ML and another 25 points in upgrades, but honestly, a 5 man ML squad vs. a Fast MM/HF. Preference and play style.

Does the list have a different force organisation chart for being such a small game?

Command Squads are over costed for what they do.

Drop the Command Squad, make the Captain a Librarian, buff the other squad up to 10, take any transports if you can afford it.

Holy crap....I found a way to make the Dark Angels codex relevant for something other than Deathwing and Ravenwing! And it fits your models as well...

At this points level, you could play as Dark Angels. Their 5 man squads can have a special weapon, and you might not be too overcosted. You could probably fit 3 of them in with special weapons and rhinos.

I agree with getting rid of the Command Squad at this points level as well.

thanks for all the comments, the general concencus is to drop the command squad so i will definately bear that in mind (although i really like the way the models look - but perhaps i should save them for 1000 points or higher). master of the forge was playng on my mind actually as i was tempted to boost up the list with 4-5 dreads at 1000 points once im used to the game.

I previously had a 2000 point mechanised imperial guard army so im really over tanks and plan to not use any in my lists for the time being, this includes rhinos, also i'm not a fan of speeders so im ruling them out too, it may sound stupid but i'd rather lose with an army i like than win with an army i dont like

i did originally plan for scouts but have space marines handy already so might give it a go as is (financially the better option) for a few friendly games at my local store & see what happens

I never use a command squad unless I'm playing 1200+. They are cheap for what you get, but <700 I only use tactical squads, librarian and rhinos for objective games. Give the sergeants melta bombs (so cheap) then either missiles or plasma cannons for anti infantry. Give a unit a lascannon if you're versus armour, although at 500 points pretty unlikely you'll need one, but you know your opponent!

Good hunting!

LAND RAIDER!!! Two 5x man Marine squads one in raider and and then librarian

It is silly but really funny to see the look on your
Opponents face when shove a mammoth of a tank on the table.