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.

Hi everyone

I got my hands on the CSM battleforce box and I'm well on the way to finishing up the painting of it. I'm not really sure where to go from here as it's been quite a while since I played WH40K (2nd Ed. was the last time circa 1998)

So far I have:

20x CSM arranged into two squads probably, no heavy weapons but specials (plasma/melta) and champions
8x Bezerkers plus a converted Skull Champion (decided possessed marines weren't that great so using those as conversion bits, perfect models for it IMO)
1x Rhino (probably for the Bezerkers)
Chaos Lord (I realise Princes are more popular and better value but had already made the purchase)

So I'm not really sure what to add first. I was thinking of getting a Land Raider and some Termies, but Oblits look awesome too. Either choice leaves me with no Fast Attack units however.

I'd like to keep this themed Black Legion if possible, limited cult troops and a real focus on Undivided.

Thanks in advance.

I'd be careful about adding stuff right now. Seeing as the new Chaos 'dex is imminent, we don't know what could change for the better/worse.

Land Raiders are a solid investment, however. As a battle bus for Chaos there's no equal, and now seeing as you cannot assault after disembark, those 'Zerkers are gonna have to either hoof it or ride in a Land Raider.

Well one of the first things i would suggest is get at least a havoic squad box and add some heavy weapons to the squads.

You need a heavy support we have an array of Daemon Engines comming in the next book that look exciting. As well as obliterators the ever favorite of many CSM armies. Land Raiders and Termies are good but i would hold off. In the next book i think Termy Lords will be the way to go.

Forget fast attack (unless the new codex changes things) our fast attack consist of over priced bikers and raptors that wont make it to assault 3/5 of the time.



(Edit)

Dont our LRs have Assault Ramps? They do something different in 6th?

CSM LR's do have assault ramps. This is the only vehicle from which CSM can disembark and assault with in the same turn.

A 5 man raptor squad with two Melta are a good way to take out tanks fast. Defilers are the way to go in your heavy support slots

Get some zombie heads and some greenstuff, guitar strings and nurgle up a few CSM to be plague marines. Rhinos aren't ideal for zerkers I believe I read they are not assault vehicles so they gotta stand around for a turn after disembarking.

At the end of the day, chaos space marines (new codex, old codex, doesn't matter) are going to pan out like this.

Our basic marine troops have identical stat lines to their loyalist counterparts, a higher leadership, are not limited to squads of only 5 or 10 men, and can take upgrades to suit a roll (make them tougher, faster, better saves, etc.), all for a reasonable points cost.

On top of that, CSM have access to unique troops which have such unique rules that fielding all of them together in a single army is like fielding specialist units from each loyalist marine chapter in a single army, which is good because the fluff follows that line of thought, and its legal!

For what to get next (like absolutely you have to buy something and can't wait a little bit), another rhino, land raider, demon prince, or terminator lord would work well; someones got to lead your army. Heavy weapons to go in the squads would also be useful.

As for how to use the berzerkers, there's nothing wrong with moving them forward and having them pop out to wait a turn. They still have 3+ power armor, bolt pistols, and can be given plasma weaponry. They'll live to get into combat.

In all seriousness though, if you're liking chaos and think you're going to get into it, just wait until the new codex and units are released. It could be quite a list and game changers if even half the rumors are true.

They'll live to get into combat.

anything that isnt a unit of nob bikers/paladins standing in front of an opposing army for a turn , does not "live".
Dont use zerkers unless you realy want a counter unit and even for that csm would probably be enough. 3x10 csm units with 2 plasma each with a asp champion with a combi plasma and power weapon 2-3 rhino to make a wall in front of your csm . HQs dont matter right now . DPs are best , but if GW is known for anything , then it is for nerfing of good stuff .Same with heavy support oblits are the most optimal , but only god knows what GW is going to do to them in the new dex.
my advice is get 30HQ , 1-2 HQs of your choice and get as many games as you can . Actual army building you can do after the new codex goes legal , till then test and fresh up game skill.

You have three pretty good Troops squads, so you're ready to compete at 1500 point; you simply need to add some Firepower.

As some have said before me, Daemon Princes are hands down the best HQ CSM can field. I usually always field two in every list I have, usually with wings, MoS, and Lash.

For versatile firepower, nothing beat Oblits. You just need to make sure you're getting them into ruins for a 4+ cover save. They are pretty easy to "double out" with Lascannon or Melta fire.

Defilers are also very popular in 6th edition. Large blast can ruin someone's day (I killed two Exorcists last night in the first turn with one volley) and the TL Reaper or TL Lascannon options give you great Anti-Tank capability. Drop the Heavy Flamer in favor of an extra CCW.

I've had great success with Chosen in the past. 5 man Squad (you can use your regular CSM model for this) in a Rhino with 3 or 4 Meltas. The problem was, my opponents started "castle-ing" their armour in the middle of their Deployment Zone, making it really hard to get into Melta range. Even worse, now you can't disembark after moving 12" like you could in 5th edition. The solution to this was to switch my Chosen to Plasmaguns. A 5-man Squad in a Rhino with 5 Plasmas is a viable Anti-Tank AND Anti-Infantry threat. Rapid-Firing 5 Plasmas at a time is just nasty!

Hope this helps. As always, just my 2¢

Thanks for all the advice everyone, I'll be waiting on the new codex I guess then. Gives me time to paint up what I've got so far.

Although if I find a DA player in my area wanting to halve that new box set, I'd sure go for that. It seems to be a great deal (financially) and the models are amazing.