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.

I'm starting a local escalation tournament with a chaos space marine army. My opponents include multiple tyranids, dark eldar, loyalist whelps (ironically this is another of my armies but being played by my roommate), and blood angels. There may be a few more armies but that's who I saw when I signed up. The rules for the first round are a 500 point limit with a mandatory 2 troops, a HQ, and 1 other option from elites, fast attack, or heavy support. I can field an extra 10% of points if I buy a new unit for my army so I was going to probably pick up a vindicator since I was planning on getting one soon anyways. One stipulation, I will not take a flyer at 500 points (I will not be that guy).

My first draft is as such:

Chaos lord: 140
lightning claw
power fist
sigil of corruption
boon of mutation

cultist: 50
10 cultists

chaos marines: 179
9 marines
mark of nurgle
close combat weapons
meltagun
flamer

vindicator: 135
siege shield
combi-bolter

rhino: 45
combi-bolter
dirge caster

for a total of 549 points

I'm kind of mixed about this idea, I know I dumped a bunch of points into the lord meaning that I had to turn my CSM into assault troops to back him up. They would be put into the rhino to get into close combat quickly but that would mean a turn of sitting before they could charge. The cultists hold any nearby objectives and the vindicator lays down support fire (the tables are small enough that I could probably place the vindicator in range at turn 1). So rip this apart with ruthless efficiency.

CSM are the epitome of mediocre at everything, good at nothing, at small points, like kill team, they're great because they can serve multiple roles. Especially with marks and icons. But in an escalation league, when you have to bring that unit at higher points levels, you'll regret bringing them. Especially as a close combat bodyguard. Just bring Plague Marines, EVERYONE underestimates how powerful they are in CC. Sure they don't have a lot of attacks and they're low initiative. Just think of them as hammernators scaled back in points and extremes. They survive the enemies' attacks (with defensive grenades, T5 and FNP) and then hit back and almost always wound.

And ya know, against necrons and orks, you'll still be striking first!

As for the vindicator... Normally I'd recommend against fielding it. It takes up a ton of your points and though it can be effective, one and a rhino is liable to get both of them wrecked before either of them gets to do anything. But since the whole "if you buy it you get to field it thing" and you like the squat shooty-cannon thing model, then feel free to buy it and add it to your army!

Edits because what I think and what I type aren't always the same

It sounds like vindicators are the way to go for now, and heldrakes at higher point values.

The nids, blob guard, and blood angels will cower in fear to all that AOE

I think it looks like fun. My only thoughts pertain to the mixed nature of the Melta/Flamer upgrades on your CSM, but at this points level I guess you don't have much choice.

And I heartily endorse buying and playing the Vindi; fun kit, cool-looking model, and who doesn't like blasting their opponents nice everything to screamy bits?

bocatt- Oddly enough, the local rules for this allow you to change you army list each week. It's being run from a fairly new Gamews Workshop. They don't want to dissuade new people from buying a battleforce for the early games and being stuck with units they don't like. I felt that the marines would be durable enough at this level to keep the lord safe where he'll hopefully kill their warlord and earn back his points.

changerofways- Yeah, I've got a Helldrake waiting in the wings (hehe I just made a pun) but I'm probably going to wait till the 1000 point level before I bring it (unless everyone brings flyers earlier). I'm hoping that vindicator will give me some extra striking power against blobs. Plus I have a landraider which will hopefully supplement the vindicator for heavy support in the higher point games.

Laughingcarp- I took the flamer and melta since they both are assault weapons. Plus the melta should help against tougher targets. I do like the vindicator model. Plus using that pie plate is a soothing experience

thanks for the input