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Hi there dakka members. So a friend of mine wants to commission me to build/ paint him an Imperial Fists army, and I could use some help on making a list for him since I'm not well versed with the vanilla marine codex.

He wants to start with 2 units of tactical marines and an HQ, he wants Lysander. After that I know he likes Terminators. As for tactics he says he likes setting up "killing fields" and "cross fires". With this in mind, I'm thinking of something along the lines of a gun line list. He hasn't gotten back to me on how many points he wants this army to be once its finished. Obviously, this won't be super competitive, but I'd like a list that can dish out some pain. Any help would be appreciated.

Ok here is my first draft of the army. Let me know what you think


********REVISED LIST********

Aegis Defense Line w/ Quad Gun 100pts

Darnath Lysander 200pts

Librarian 120pts
- Terminator Armour

5 Scouts 125pts
-Telion
-4 Sniper Rifles

10 man Tactical Squad 205pts
- Flamer
- Missile Launcher
- Rhino

10 man Tactical Squad 205pts
- Flamer
- Missile Launcher
- Rhino

10 man Tactical Squad 205pts
- Flamer
- Missile Launcher
- Rhino

10 man Tactical Squad 205pts
- Flamer
- Missile Launcher
- Rhino

5 TH/SS Terminators 200pts
- Land Raider Redeemer 240pts

5 TH/SS Terminators 200pts
- Land Raider Redeemer 250pts
- Multi Melta

Devastator Squad 150pts
- 4 Missile Launchers

Land Speeder 90pts
- Typhoon Missile Launcher

2495pts

Ok, Lysander goes with 5 TH/SS Termies and the LRR with Multi Melta, Libby goes with the other Termy unit. Sniper Scouts and Telion sit in the ADL, Telion fires the Quad Gun. The Land Speeder zips around dropping plates on infantry as I pop transports.

2 or 3 full Tactical squads, rocket launchers, 5 termies assault cannon,
Squad of snipers
Devastator squad
Land raider
Aegis line or bastion

Ok he says 2500 pts. I'm not sure about sniper scouts but they could be fun. Devastators, I think he'd like. Thinking 4 missile launchers maybe another with lascannons.

if he likes terminators try making him a dark angels list painted to angry marines chapter and ask him if swapping lysander for belial would work

He's really fond of Imperial Fists. I already tried to get him on the Dark Angels bandwagon lol

even if they can be painted up to the angry marines?

He did an Imperial Fists character in a rpg session and became really attached to their fluff.

have them just play with DA codex so they get their cool rules and termi powers that he likes but have the same fluff and paint scheme the angry marines have

I just asked him if he'd like to do Dark Angels and he's still dead set on playing vanilla marines codex. Oh well, he's the customer and the customer gets what he wants.

ya alright from what your OP said then i would go with a thunderfire cannon or devastators, an adl for the gun line and probably some predators

So Thunderfire Cannons for anti infantry, 3 units of Devastators/ 3 Las Predators for anti armor, Tactical Marines with Missile Launchers and Flamers(PS or PF on Sgt you think?) Razorbacks, Aegis Defense Line w/ Quad gun, Lysander, and a Librarian with Divination powers sound like a good start?

sounds good i think he will be into the approach you took on his idea

Ok, I have updated the OP with a rough draft of the army list any feedback and strategy would be greatly appreciated.

Vanilla Space Marines can not use Divination. Drop the Librarian down to a non-Epistolary. (-50 pts)

I personally don't like Razorbacks, as they are giant targets and don't get to shoot if they are carrying squads to objectives in a quick manner. They'll fill the purpose of a sit and shoot Gunline Army, though.

Change the Predators from TL Lascannon + Lascannons to Autocannon + Lascannons. (-90pts)

Drop the Melta Bomb and the Chain Fist! (-10pts)

You can redistribute the 150pts through:

Giving the Tactical Marines Plasma Guns and Lascannons! (80pts)


(However, if you are going for 'cheap', then Devastators are the wrong way to go. You'll get 1 ML per box of Devastators, and 1 per box of Tactical marines. That means for this list, you'll need either 12 Boxes of tactical marines, 4 boxes of Tactical Marines and 8 Devastator boxes, or a mix. I suppose if you are ebaying the MLs, you might be able to get them for cheap, but now that AOBR is gone...)

If you want to be more cheap, disregard the lascannon part above. (-40pts)

Switch the Devastators to Vindicators w/ Siege Shields (-50pts)

You have 160pts to spend. Could get a MoF on a bike w/ a Beamer (costs money)

Drop the Plasma Guns back to flamers, you'll be at 200. Can add 5 more Terminators, Get a Pair of ML/HB speeders (or ML/MM speeders). If you go the Termie Route, you'd have to find 30pts to drop for another CML.

Just a few thoughts.

Crud, I thought they got Divination. Well, that ruins that idea.

I was going to use the Razorbacks with TL Lascannons for Anti armor, and because Razorback kits come with them. I.E. Easier to do than Lascannon Devastators, plus the Tactical squads can combat squad and later a squad can hop in and ride to the objective.

The Chainfist and Melta bomb was just to fill points lol.

I do have about 13 Missile Launcher Marines on hand that I am including to his army as a cheap alternative to buying large amounts of Devastator boxes. The Tactical marines will be bought new unless I can find ebay deals. I would like to include as many Devastators as possible without ruining the punch of the army, as my friend likes Devastator squads.

Dropping the TL Lascannon Turrets to Autocannons would give me 90pts. I could use 40pts to switch from Flamers to Plasma Guns. Drop the Melta Bombs, and Chainfist to have 60pts.

Dropping the Libby for MoF seems kind of a waste since I wouldn't have the points to run Dreadnoughts.

Could use the 60pts to give Power Swords to the Sergeants, or Combi Plasmas/Meltas/Flamers.

Give one to the Librarian as well, would leave you 10 points. Or, if you keep him with the Bolt Pistol, give Melta Bombs to the Sergeants, to give them some anti-Dreadnought/Maulerfiend if they get charged.

I could do Power Swords on the Sgts....hmmm....I think I like combi weapons a little more for added shooting power. How does this look?

Aegis Defense Line w/ Quad Gun 100pts

Darnath Lysander 200pts

Librarian
- Epistolary 150pts

10 man Tactical Squad 265pts
- Plasma Gun
- Missile Launcher
- Combi Melta
Razorback
- TL Lascannon

10 man Tactical Squad 265pts
- Plasma Gun
- Missile Launcher
- Combi Melta
Razorback
- TL Lascannon

10 man Tactical Squad 265pts
- Plasma Gun
- Missile Launcher
- Combi Melta
Razorback
- TL Lascannon

10 man Tactical Squad 265pts
- Plasma Gun
- Missile Launcher
- Combi Melta
Razorback
- TL Lascannon

Terminator Squad 230pts
- Cyclone Missile Launcher

Devastator Squad 160pts
- 4 Missile Launchers
- Combi Flamer

Devastator Squad 160pts
- 4 Missile Launchers
- Combi Flamer

Thunderfire Cannon 100pts

Thunderfire Cannon 100pts

Predator 120pts
Autocannon
Lascannon Sponsons

Predator 120pts
Autocannon
Lascannon Sponsons

2500pts

If he likes termies I would drop one of the devastator squad (you do have 4 MLs from the tacticals) and some of the other upgrades and try to add 5 more termies and the extra CML. Lysander can go in that squad, that's 20 twin-linked storm bolter shots and 4 krak/frag missiles.

tfc's should be in ruins so they get 3+ cover from their ability

He has expressed more interest in Devastators than Terminators. The unit that I have in the current list is for Darnath Lysander.

TFC, will be parked behind the ADL with a unit of Devastators using the gun.

I will assume he wants 2500pts for flexibility at lower point levels and is not planning on playing Apoc. General tourney lists are around 1850, so I will assume this is what he is looking for, specially since you have more units in certain slots that can legally go there (Devs and TFCs are both Heavy slots). I am also not a big fan of Razorbacks in 6th Ed. Also keep in mind that adding more guys to the Devistators to form a ring of bolters around them keep them alive longer. You can't really get away with 5 man squads anymore. The TFC doen't need a Devistator to use it, it has a free Techmarine. And no, the Techmarine can't Bolster the Defence line. Also, the ADL isn't /that/ big. Putting your entire list behind it will not fit (counting the vehicles). To be honest, you might be better off with 3 Devistator squads and just ditch the TFCs unless he really wants to try on as an alturnitive to a Dev squad sometime.

Have you talked to him about Drop pods and Sternguard with combi-plasmas? A Command squad? I would also either drop the Libby or put him in Terminator armor. Heck, add him to Lysander's group. If he wants the option, give him a guy that isn't in Terminator armor as well. Talk to him about Typhoon Land Speeders to fill Fast Attack slots, as they are also mighty shooty with 2 shots each (tell him Cyclone Missile Launchers) and cheap at 90+ points. I would also suggest making him a 5 man TH+SS squad and a Land Raider as Lysander's personal ride and drinking buddies. As an option, a Terminator Chaplain HQ to call shot-gun, specially if he is a fan of the Crusader LR (which holds 8 Terminators, the others only hold 6).

Good luck.

for the tac marines since you are just going flamer ml you should try and see if there are any aobr marines left as they are very cheap and have the same wargear that you have on your tacs

This army will eventually go into apocalypse. My friend is new to the game so I was trying to build a list around units that he likes (Devastators/Terminators), and a straight forward strategy (gunline).

I was referring to the Devastator Sgt firing the ADL quad gun. I'm aware I can't fit everything behind the ADL, I was just going to suggest sitting the TFCs behind it and the Devastators inside the line. The Razorbacks were for extra anti armor as well as transport for getting scoring units to the objectives.

Boy, he must have a ton of cash to blow then to go straight into Apoc without playing the game more at lower point levels to really know what he likes/desn't like. I would suggest paint and buy it in 500pt blocks, you know? He can play Combat Patrol games while your painting the next 500pt block and see if he changes his mind on stuff. He can get a feel for the codex, talk with other players, really determind his play style and figure out what he really wants before he blows the money and possibly wastes your time. I would just hate to see this turn into another Ebay army.

I guess I would focus on the Tactical squads, Lysander, a Cheaper HQ he can use in CP with the next block being the Devistator squads and the Terminators. Well, this might be closer to 1500pts, but still a reasonable start. From there then go with the vehicles, TFCs, ect. By that time he might change his mind on some things and he can save money to actually get stuff he really wants vs things he might think are cool now but disappoint him later and then he never uses them. Right now I can easilly see 3 Tactical Squads and 3 Devistator Squads. He will want heavy weapon options (LCs, MMs, PCs, MLs, HBs) and special weapon options (Plasma, Melta, Flamer). Obviously Magnets can save both you and him /alot/ of models, as Special Weapons would be down to 3 figs (Flamer, Melta, Plasma options), Sergeants get more options, and Heavy Weapons would be down to 15 figs (LC, MM, ML, PC, HB options). which would bring you down to 60 figs.

The problem I have with building this list is that whatever I suggest to him or ask him about his reply is always "Whatever you think is best". This makes very hard to work on while trying to use units he will enjoy. I'm thinking of dropping the TFC(despite better judgement, they work with the imperial fists theme) and some other things to get a LRC, switch the Terminators to TH/SS, take the Terminator Chaplain.

Don't take Captain Lysander; as a seasoned veteran of the Imperial Fists chapter, I can tell you his Stubborn rule is the most useless rule ever now, and really actually hurts the Space Marine codex, compared to Combat Tactics. Sooo many times, I wanted to fall back, so many times I couldn't consolidate out of assault and shoot my opponent on my turn.

His Bolter Drlll rule is awesome, but it is not worth the investment. I have determined this, and won't use him again until the rules change. (I might just use him as a generic Terminator Captain, as his model is still really cool).


Automatically Appended Next Post:
+1 to command squads, lots of Devastators, and if you want terminators, go with a Terminator Chaplain or Terminator Librarian, you'll get more bang for your buck.

I agree Lysander isn't the optimal HQ, but my friend wants him in, plus he has already been ordered and en route. I would like to hear more from you, evildrspock, on what would work. The more I think about it, the more I think I should rebuild the list from scratch and this time build it around Lysander.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I did a new draft and have it added to the OP