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.

Hey folks,

I'm someone who is getting back into the hobby after a few years away and have the luxury of starting a new army. I have been lurking on the forums and reading up on the latest codex developments/lists for a while now so I do have a decent understanding of how the 7th edition 40K works. Since I'm starting anew and would like to build an army with an unique feel and look I was hoping some of you more experienced players can answer a few questions I have.

A few years ago I bought heavily into orks and despite my love for the greenskins I simply have too many memories of staying up nights to paint countless boyz to pick up that army again. I've decided to go for a good old Imperial guard army, but I got this idea into my head a few weeks ago about running a full blown inquisition force that I have been obsessing with ever since. The short version is that I am hoping to hear from you if the idea is viable and competitive, and how any of you who play guard or GK would build up this force.

Here is the idea:

I want to run an AM main force with mechanized veterans/ scions/armor/vendetta and artillery while avoiding massive blobs of shock troops. ( I prefer to have a more elite, lower model count army than a massive blob)

I am considering running an Ordo Malleus Inquisitor as warlord in power armor with a few supporting henchmen. (Mostly for survivability and fluff reasons)

I like the idea of having GK allies (Terminators or Paladins with Librarian) come in and deep strike the enemy deployment zone.

I have no real constraints on money so I am willing to buy the kits, that's not a problem.

The sample list I have in my head (my apologies for not posting point values, I am looking for anywhere between 2000-2500 pts) is something along the lines of this:

HQ:

(allies) OM Inquisitor + henchmen (to be warlord and help bring the fight to the enemy)

CCS in Chimera to issue orders

Troops:

Veterans with meltas in chimeras (multiple) (For vehicle hunting)

Fast Attack:

Vendetta for anti-tank

Elites:

Scions for fluff reasons (inquisitorial stormtroopers you see... Though I suppose I could do without them)

Heavy Support:

Leman Russ Executioner (For anti-infantry, I'm also open to adding more tanks)

Lastly a wyvern battery (because its the best artillery piece AM has)

Allies:

GK Librarian/Terminators (to deep strike along with warlord and bring fight to the opponent)


So as you can tell this army is mostly motivated by fluff, yes I know that GK's don't like to work with humans but I figured a dedicated Inquisitorial force can be made an exception.

So I would love to get your guys' take on this; am I dreaming too big here or is this flavor of force viable? I don't need it to be tournament-tier (god knows I'm not gonna be doing that) but I also want it to be able to put up a fight. What suggestions would you make, and how would you build a list with my main ideas in mind?

Thanks a lot for reading this/helping out guys, I look forward to hearing from you.

A tip: replace the GK with deathwing (their deep strike is more reliable, and they are know to ally, although it doesn't always end well for the Inquisitor...)

I's also take a Valkyrie, to pick your terminators back up if ever your deep strike fails disastrously, or to unload a DCA, priest and Crusader deathstar fast.

I see what you're saying about the fluff, but according to the 7th allies matrix, GK have no problem working with Guard. Just as long as the guardsmen and their officers have no problem being completely mindwiped post-battle.
Aw, who am I kidding -- they don't have a choice!

But seriously, AM+GK+Inq is a very viable battle group. I play GK+I and have played against mech Guard quite a bit. The GK codex detachment, the Nemesis Strike Force, is a perfect ally for almost any Imperium army. Only 1HQ, 1Troop, and up to 4 Elites! They start rolling for reserves turn1 plus they can run and shoot the same turn they teleport. Even if you don't include shunting Dreadknights (though you should consider it; they are very good), that's a lot of psycannons, force weapons, and durable psychically buffed weight in some poor guy's face immediately.
Meanwhile, your chimeras look like much less of a threat, allowing them to move within melta/rapid fire range unmolested. Your heavier tanks will also plug some of the weaknesses of GK, which includes hordes of stubborn/fearless tarpits and both heavily-armored and fast-moving vehicles.
Consider the Prescienced Pask Punisher. It is generally regarded as one of the best all-around units in any Codex right now since it can just as easily put 10-15 wounds on infantry as it can glance LRs to death in a single round of shooting.
Also consider upgrading your Warlord's PA to TDA. That way he can teleport along with one of your other Terminator squads if you want. Leave the henchman back in their own chimera/rhino. Even 2-3 squads of the minimum 3 acolytes (or 2 acolytes + cheap psyker) have their uses. And Jokaero are just funny with their random buff tables.

It can be a very strong build and using the grey knight in this way is really in line with the old fluff. I think you could add a lot to your inquisition roster by adding groups of jaquero weapon smith's, and plasma servitor behind an ADL with a psyker or two to twin link them. Use the gk as the anvil, your am as your hammer and your inquisition ro provide long and medium range cover fire. Putting Coteaz on a quad gun with skyfire and Interceptor is really nice. You sound like you have a real combined arms list.

You should think long and hard about what you want from the AM side of this list. The GK will do what they do - deepstrike turn one with some terminators + a dreadknight or something. That's great.

You should use your AM side of the list to make up for GK weaknesses: 1. Cracking AV 14 at range, 2. Lack of Bodies on the Field, 3. Long Range Firepower (See number 1).

On the flip side, GK give you stuff that the guard lack, namely - 1. Durable Infantry, and 2. Close combat superiority.

Based on those two lists, I'd say: Wyverns - Check! They're awesome, and GK can struggle with hordes. Ventetta - Check! Gotta love that anti air. Scions - Cool! People will tell you they're not the best, but they fill a huge hole in your GK deep striking party - they can bring meltas! Remember, just because your terminators can roll to come in turn one, doesn't mean they have to. DS the GK turn two along with your scions and you can crack open that land raider, and then incinerate the insides!

Concerning the vets in the chimeras. I think the melta guns belong with the scions. Give your vets plasma. GK can't get it at all. It wrecks MCs and Terminators. Plasma my friend - you need some!

Sounds like a fun army - good luck with it.

Thanks for the advice guys! Good to hear that this is a viable list.

Thanks again!