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Hey folks. So here's a beginner's Chaos Space Marine army, Noise Marine/Slaanesh-themed. It's a more or less TAC list for this level of points. Or so I believe. Since CSM are expensive points-wise, I've gone for multiple small units to emphasise manoeuvrability. The only real splurge, the Land Raider, exists to perform two functions: firstly, to transport the Lord and Terminators somewhere useful; secondly, to act as a shield/distraction, since it has the heavy armour and the heavy weapons and will hopefully do some heavy damage before the thing gets dragged back to the Warpsmith, enabling my troops to secure objectives and such. Is there anything I've completely missed? I don't wish to compete on a Tournament scale, only to have a chance against casual gamers. I'm so out of practice, you see. I think the maths are correct. Thanks in advance!

HQ: Lord - Terminator Armour, Combi-melta, Combat Familiar, Mark of Slaanesh (142)

HQ: Sorceror - Mastery Level 1, Spell Familiar, Mark of Slaanesh (90)

T: 5 Noise Marines - 3x Sonic Blasters, 1x Blastmaster (134)

T: 5 Noise Marines - 3x Sonic Blasters, 1x Blastmaster (134)

E: 10 Chosen - 1 Lightning Claw, Mark of Slaanesh (215)

E: 3 Terminators - Mark of Slaanesh, 2x pairs of Lightning Claws, Champ with Combi-melta and Power Fist (Land Raider with Combi-bolter and Dirge Caster) (375)

HS: 1 Obliterator (no mark) (70)

HS: 1 Obliterator (no mark) (70)

TOTAL: 1230 points.

You need rhinos for the infantry - at minimum the doom siren ones. Not sure why the lclaw is on a shooty unit and not in the assault one

An ML1 marked sorceror isn't going to do a whole lot..

You need rhinos for the infantry - at minimum the doom siren ones. Not sure why the lclaw is on a shooty unit and not in the assault one

That's a fair point. There is no logic involved here; the fact is I have a non-Doom Siren equipped model with a really cool old lightning claw that I'm reluctant to butcher at this stage and for philosophical reasons I cleave to the idea of WYSIWYG. You've made me wonder whether to remove a champion, though, and make a 10-man squad of some sort. Not sure what yet...

An ML1 marked sorceror isn't going to do a whole lot..

As for this dude, I've been under the impression that some psychic presence is necessary in 7th ed. But maybe not? And if this is going to be a waste of points I might start considering those Rhinos (well, I've got one Rhino). Points-wise, if I'm going to increase his power I'm going to have to start cutting infantry, which here is already in short supply.

Thanks for your feedback. Much food for thought.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
So I've decided to exchange the close-combat Noise Marines for close-combat Chosen with Mark of Slaanesh instead (for waaaay more attacks and at the same Initiative value), and stuck the Lightning Claw Champ in there. I've dropped both Doom Sirens, which feels wrong somehow, but I don't envisage my Sonic Weapons dudes getting close enough to make use of them. Now I've got 20 points left and I'm wondering whether to cull a chosen (20 points with Mark) to fund an additional mastery level for the Sorcerer. If so, that'll leave me with 15 points. Maybe I cull 2 chosen and buy a Rhino as well...

I can't decide!!!

The one thing that stood out for me was the Power fist on the Slaaneshi-Terminator Champion. It's an expensive upgrade for a model that should optimize the increased Initiative stat to increase the likelihood of winning challenges.

A single ML 1 Sorcerer guarantees at least 1 generated WC, though he'll also only know two spells. He will really shine if you have more Sonic weaponry to increase the strength on weapons against a targeted unit, though you only have two squads. Hopefully with a new Chaos Codex, there will be more Sonic weapon options outside of Cult marines. Otherwise, there's a Dreadnought version with Sonic weapons on FW.

A Doom Siren isn't only for an offensive role. As it's a template weapon, it would be a rather deadly weapon in Overwatch and used against Deep Strike units, though you would want larger squads to survive an alpha strike (if they are the intended target). A few Noise Marine units holding back/mid-field can be a good deterrent in themselves without needing a support unit.

The downside is that the "elite" heavy army reduces your model count (more than the Noise Marines).

Thanks for the insights, Aurelian. The challenge-issue had slipped my mind, since I'd rather the Terminator Champ deal with those than the Lord, the power fist is silly. I wanted someone packing a fist in case I get embroiled in unfortunate combat with some Monstrous Creature, or too close to a tank to resist ripping it open. For that, I suppose, I do have some Obliterators (however, probably not enough and they don't really want to be anywhere near combat). I could quite easily and happily exchange the fist for a power weapon or a claw.

When I eventually get around to expanding the force to 1500 points, infantry will be a priority (I'm thinking Cultists), as will some Rhinos.

Thanks again, guys.