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So after much consideration even though I love BA and have a very nice size force I've decided to put them to a temporary retirement until GW decides to release their 6th ed codex which from what I have heard won't be until this time next year. You just can't build a very competitive list with them from what I have tried. GK seem to have a very similiar play style but they seem to be at least worth the points. So here is what I am looking at for my upcoming escalation league. 6 months with levels going up every month. Levels are 500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1600, and 2000 being able to switch out anything at anytime. No named in 500 and 750 and no allies, flyers, or fortifications until 1600+. Also limited on elites and heavy not getting to full force org until 1600. Here is what I came up with for 500 with a quick recap. No named HQs, No Heavy, 1 Elite, 1 Ded Trans. Most battles will be against Khorne, Nurgle, Orks, and Vanilla Marines.

HQ - Brother Champion - 115pts
Brain Mines
Psybolt Ammo

Troop - 5man Strike Squad - 140pts
3x Force Sword
1x Daemon Hammer
1x Psycannon
Psybolt Ammo

Troop - 5man Terminator Squad - 245pts
4x Halberd w/ 1x Psycannon
1x Daemon Hammer
Psybolt Ammo

Pretty straightforward and seems well rounded to me. This is my first Grey Knights army and this is what I've bought so far. Plan to roll a Brother Captain and TL AC Razorback in 750. Let me know what you think.

Re your HQ, have you thought about a Ordo Malleus Inquisitior instead?

For 120 points, you could get an OMI with Termi Armour, Psycannon, Brain Mines, and Level 1, which would give you Prescience (or something juicy). That would also open up henchmen for cheap scoring units at 750.

Re the Terminators, I prefer the swords for the bonus to invul save, but ymmv.

I was actually considering doing 2 swords 2 halberds and hammer and throwing the swords in front...I'm also magnetizing the hammers and psycannons to be switched out for sword/halberd when needed though I doubt I will ever switch the cannons out...I'll have to take a look at the Inquisitors. Haven't really examined them yet...figured they wouldn't be great until higher points but if what you are saying is true I may do that for 750

I agree with MarkCron kn the Inquisitor. For the amount of points he does extremely well. The psybolt ammo isn't too important for 5-man squads. The hammer is not needed on the strike squad. They shouldn't be in CC til the end so swords will do fine.

My reason for the psybolt is mainly for the plague marines...I play them most often and it helps big time against 5 toughness. I usually have a very very very hard time against him with my BA. He usually boards me about halfway through the game.

At 500pts, I might skip Termies and go full-on GKSS. With no Heavies, you won't have to worry too much about AP1/2, which means your Power Armour should do well.
And having more bodies means more shooting, which is what GK is all about!


Consider:

Inquisitor, Psyker (55)
10 GKSS, 2psycannon, 1 Justicar Halberd (225)
10 GKSS, 2psycannon (220)
Total 500

That's a lot more shooting that what most other armies can bring at 500pts, and one of those squads will be TL. Admittedly it's a bit boring, but you'll have fantastic board control. March up the middle, take advantage of cover, and you'll do a lot of wounds.