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Hey everyone, This is my first post on Dakka Dakka as I've just gotten into the hobby. I started playing 40k (Space Marines) about 5 weeks ago and have had around 8 games, of which I have won twice. Fortunately, I've been pitted against some really great people and made some new friends and gotten some advice and friendly critic. However, to cut a long story short, I've decided to move from Vanilla Space Marines into Dark Angels and since the people I have vs'd have rarely gone up against DA, I thought it may be best to ask here for some advice on my 750 pt list. Anyways, here it is, I'll explain what my game plan is after;

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HQ (190pts)

Belial (190pts)
Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield, Attaches to knights.

Elites (235pts)

Deathwing Knights (235pts)

Troops (325pts)

Deathwing Terminator Squad (Troops) (255pts)
Chainfist, , Cyclone Missile Launcher, Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield

Scout Squad (70pts)
5x Camo Cloaks 5x Sniper Rifle



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So from the small amount of experience I've had in my games, I've found Space Marines in general need a dedicated transport to take them up the field and into the enemy, otherwise single units just get melted. Instead of doing this, I noticed Belial and that got me thinking; How about I just avoid transport all-together and just rain down upon my enemy?

So my plan was, Deploy scouts safely in cover, Deep Strike Belial turn one and have the teleport homer bring in the termies turn two. Depending on enemy warlord positioning, I'd either come in right behind them or start troop hunting strays. Hopefully, on the turn my termie troops drop, the twin linked CML could chew any harmful walkers/transport with split fire while I shoot out other infantry.

I was also just wondering about Belial, the TH/SS seems like the way to go in my eyes, however, seeings how I'm still wet behind the ears, could I get some tips on how to gear him for this list?

All critic is appreciated, thank you!

Welcome to the hobby! I hope your bank account has a healthy sum added to it every month because it's gonna be hurtin'.

A few housekeeping items going forward before the moderators jump on you. There is no need to detail every special rule and points value in your army list. It's actually not allowed. This is to keep GW's vulture IP lawyers from descending on DakkaDakka and shutting down this lovely chathouse we have here.

Now that we've got that out of the way, some tactical musings:

You don't need to send down Belial first to bring in the Deathwing Knights. You simply attach him to the squad and neither he, nor they, scatter on arrival. Magic. As for his loadout, if you're running him with Knights, I would give him a storm shield so he synergizes with their 3++.

In order to do this, in accordance with the 50% reserves rule, you'll need to deploy your terminators and scouts on the table normally.

Finally, just so you don't get discouraged, don't worry when you lose a lot of games. Firstly, you're new. Until you learn the rules thoroughly and the other codices at least nominally, you're going to lose a lot. Secondly, Deathwing are not a top tier, or even a mid-tier force. You will have trouble playing pure Deathwing; everyone does. If you want to be competitive going forward, you'll have to incorporate some Ravenwing and/or Greenwing.

Cheers

Thanks for the welcome and house rules! I've amended my post to edit out the specifics.

I should have clarified that he was indeed attached to the knights group, however I was unaware of the %50 reserves rule, so that's kinda thrown a spanner in the works for me. Now that I know this, I've got concerns about what to deep strike. It seems like a waste to not have Twin Linked on the only squad that can use it.

Maybe I should scrap this list and start again? What would you recommend?

As far as losing goes, I've actually had a lot of enjoyment win or lose and it's great seeing other armies tactics and playstyles, I don't expect to win heaps now so I'm not worried about it

I mean as far as scrapping it or not, that depends on what models you have and your willingness/ability to acquire more. At lower points levels I would play straight DA. Then add in DW+RW to taste as the points go up.

Pure forces of Ravenwing are plausible starting at about 750. Pure Deathwing really aren't; but Tri-Raider maybe at 1750 will win you about 1/3 of games purely on opponents going "Oh feth...3 land raiders? Really?"

See me signature and you'll get what I'm about. Just pick units that look cool and act cool and you'll have fun. The more you learn about the game and the other armies, the better you'll get. Once you get the knowledge, then pick up the cheesier units and try to compete.

Thanks for the advice, I've taken it on-board! I'm very open to acquiring models, even if they don't see use, I personally really love picking out cool models and painting them up. Love the idea of the 3 land raiders Maybe I should start playing in high point games.

Anyways, going off your advice, I might just give this list a try by putting scouts and termie troops onto the table and DS'ing the Knights and Belial. Even if it fails terribly, I can map out the pitfalls and get a better feel for Deathwing.

If you love the idea of Crusader spam; check this out. I've run it and it's not hyper-competitive but it DOES win often.

HQ

Librarian lvl 1 with PFG- 95

Techmarine with PFG and 3 servitors- 110

Command Squad: SoD- 165

ELITES

Dreadnought: MM- 100
Dreadnought: MM- 100

TROOPS

Tactical Marines x10- 140
Tactical Marines x10- 140

FAST ATTACK

Bikes x3: 2 melta guns- 100
Attack Bike: MM- 55

Bikes x3: 2 melta guns- 100
Attack Bike: MM- 55

HEAVY SUPPORT

LRC: DWV- 280
LRC: DWV- 280
LRC: DWV- 280

So the way this works is so dirty. You line the 3 raiders up in your deployment zone side by side. The libby and techmarine line up behind so all tanks have a nice, safe 4++. The dreadnoughts deploy behind your HQ's, to protect them from outflankers+deep strikers.

Your melta bike squads outflank and pop your opponent's armor or bid for linebreaker. In 4-5 objective games, you can combat squad your tacticals and reserve half to walk on your home objectives. Otherwise, your Raider+Dreadnought phalanx advances up the board Salvo 4ing everything in sight, rendering 90% of your opponents guns inert against your AV14 and THEN for the 10% of their guns that can hurt the land raiders, you have a 4++ invulnerable save, AND, if they get through that, Deathwing Vehicle can make them REROLL the penetrating result. They have to try to glance your land raiders to death, and that's where 4 hull points comes into play.

It's not top tier, but I'm 3-1-1 with it so far and it also happens to be hilarious and fulfills the s&^% out of rule #1.

Enjoy.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh, and I forgot to mention, because of the servitors, your techmarine repairs immobilized and weapon destroyed results on a 2+. Bahahahahaha.