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I'd welcome some advice. I've played a load of variations of this, including a land raider. But always seem to be lacking something. Here is the latest version.

The list

HQ
Interrogater Chaplin in TA- 140
Librarian - 65

Command squad with banner of devastation (5) - 165

Elites
Deathwing Knights - 235

Troops
Tactical squad (9) - 126
Tactical squad (9) - 126

Fast attack
Ravenwing Attack squadron (5) w/ 2x meltaguns - 154
Ravenwing Attack squadron (5) w/ 2x meltaguns - 154

Heavy support
Predator w/ lascannon sponsons - 115
Predator w/ lascannon sponsons - 115

Fortification
ADL w/quad gun - 100

Total - 1,495

What do you think? Do you think it is going to stand a chance? My major concern is a lack of low AP weapons because I only have a few. What would you change?

The idea is Lib and the command squad sit behind the line, then , if needed, start walking up the board with the banner and Prescience buffs. The ravenwing with them ready to pop out if needed.

Deathwing Knights in front to take the bulk of fire or head towards big threats boosted by the Chaplin with Zealot.

What do you think?

No chance or does this have potential?

NW4NW

Have you considered perhaps a squad of Ravenwing Black Knights? Give at least one of them a RGLauncher and each bike has the Plasma Talons, which can deliver some decent twin-linked, rapid-fire, low AP goodness if you're that concerned about low-AP weaponry. Not to mention with the Rad Grenades, you can drop a unit's toughness by 1 and open up a whole can of potential Instant Death whoopass. Looking to soften up a unit to charge? Throw out a Stasis grenade and watch your charging unit have a much more fun time cleaning house.

I have given it some thought. What would you lose to include them, the Terminators?

Well, for a 5-man Black Knights squad kitted with 1 Ravenwing launcher,you're looking at approx 210 points. For that you get 4 plasma talons, 1 grenade launcher, Hit & Run, Skilled Rider, rending melee weapons, Hammer of Wrath and Relentless.

Where do you trim the points? For starters, I'd drop the chappy- Zealot's only going to give you Hatred if you're playing against Chaos. Tacticals- where do they fit into the scheme of things? Since I don't see any sort of transport, I'm assuming you're just planning to footslog them around the board (and making them easy targets). If you're going to take 2 squads of tacs, at least spend the points to give them the tenth man so they can combat squad- and then you can add a special weapon or two so that they can be more than just cannon fodder.

Personally, if you're planning to run a quick-strike philosophy, I'd recommend dropping the Chappy and one of your tac squads- that clears 260 points right there. Throw 200 into Sammael. That's sixty left over you can use toward either kitting out the one remaining tac squad or putting toward the Black Knights. Not to mention with the extra bikes, you've got more homing beacons that you can use to keep your Deathwing from scattering when they come on the board in turn 2.

Putting the Libby and Command squad behind the ADL and bringing them out "if needed". When you do bring them out, it's going to take some time for them to get into range where your dakka banner's going to be effective. Drop the comm squad, take 20 of those points I opened up for you and give Sammael his Command squad with the dakka banner. This way you've got yourself a few extra plasma talons and if you position everyone right, you can be using that banner to give your regular RWs some serious dakka power off their TLBGs. This way if by chance your RWs take some casualties,you can still zip the banner around to boost your tac squad a lot faster than you would by footslogging it.

You're putting a lot of faith in melta by kitting your RWs with four of them. Shave ten points by swapping two of those for flamers- that way you get more bang for the buck if you find yourself staring down a horde. Melta's going to take out one unit at the most. Flamer? Got a better chance of knocking out more, plus you still have one melta in your squad for tank popping.

Do you really need two Preds? They're great for distraction, but they're fire magnets. Chop one of those for 115, shave one tac unit that you can keep behind the ADL with the libby to man the quadgun, and you've got the points to get your 5 Black Knights. You've just given yourself faster attack, solid low-AP weaponry and you've still got your fortification and your libby.

Ok, how about this then?


HQ
Sammael - 200
Librarian - 65

Ravenwing Command squad with banner of devastation (5), Grenade launcher and Champion - 265

Troops
Tactical squad (10) - 140
Ravenwing Attack squadron (5) w/ 2x meltaguns & attack bike w/MM - 209
Ravenwing Attack squadron (5) w/ 2x meltaguns - 154

Heavy support
Devastators w/ 4x ML - 130
Predator w/ lascannon sponsons - 115
Predator w/ lascannon sponsons - 115

Fortification
ADL w/quad gun - 100

Total - 1,498

I've added more fire power (Plasma talons, Multimelta and ML's) and kept the devastation banner. Lots of guns and shooting to clear troops coupled with a banner. Troops behind the ADL with the Libby who will buff the Devastators.

Better?

Much better. Still a little iffy on the Preds, but that might just be because I rarely take them in a DA army. But if it works for you, then run with it.

Thanks, being brutally honest it is more because they are painted and I have two nights I can paint before the tournament. Sammy and his command squad are already based, so time still to finish them. They are fairly robust, cheap fire bases behind the ADL. Will see how they play.

Great advice though, thank you.