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I have been going on quite a raven guard binge. I read about the Talon strike force and realized that theoretically, I can get an army that plays the way I like (fast, tactically flexible, and tricksy), and is probably my favorite founding chapter in 40K!

My meta is competitive, lots of eldar and the such, but I've managed to win with my DE, so space marines shouldn't be too hard, eh?

Talon Strike Force:[u]

Pinion Demi Company

Chaplain

Assault Squad
-Two Flamers
-Razorback

Dev Squad
-2 Grav Cannons
-Rhino

3x Tactical Squad
-Grav Cannon
-Rhino

2x Scout Squad
-LSS
-Bolters (not sure about this one, all options seem pretty good)

Raptor Wing

Land Speeder
-2x Heavy Bolter

2x Stormtalon Gunships
-Skyhammer

Shadowstrike Kill Team

2x Scout Squad
-LSS
-Bolters(?)

3x Vanguard Veteran Squad
-2x Power Swords
-2x Power Axes
-Jump Packs

I am very new to writing a space marine list, especially with all of the formations and the such, but I've really went for what I thought was cool, and fit the Raven Guard's fluff (which I adore)

I don't like grav, it feels sorta silly, but it is a necessity and is so strong I won't pass it up and dull my needed competitive edge.

My main worry is the small amount of anti tank, but it should be alright because it is rare to see more than a wave serpent where I play.

Hopefully I have lots of mobility and flexibility, allowing for some nasty assault dodges and really letting me shut down things like deathstars turn one, but also reactively null deploying if needs must.

I would like all double claws on the vanguard, but I am at the mercy of the points.

All input is appreciated!

If possible I would look at running the normal Demi company rather than the Pinion just for the Obj Sec.

Can´t remember of the top of my head but if the SSKT can have scout bikes I would be tempted to put one in with locator beacon for the vanguards. Otherwise you can move the 2 scouts from the Pinion into the SSKT so that you have more of a back up for the 9" deepstrike bubble.

Get a couple of twin LC in the Vanguard as they are dirty cheap for 10 points a pair.

Do you think a few twin lightning claws are better than two extra power weapons in each squad? Its hard to free up points as I'm a strict believer in boys before toys, so all the units are pretty slim.

I might swap some of the grav out for melta. Not all of it, as you say it’s quite powerful. But some things still need a little melta love. Going melta/c-melta on a tac squad or two would give you some options (and free up points)

For mounted scouts in LSS, pretty much anything but snipers can work. I might run half of them as CC/shotgun mixes. Not just to give you some tactical flexibility, but to differentiate the ones from the formations.

If you can find the points, getting a TML on the actual speeder rather then the second HB is a nice upgrade.

Claws on VV are good, but I do like the axe/sword if you are going to mix weapons. As you say, points need to be kept down. Might be nice to see some SS in there to help keep the plasma off. But I don’t see where the points are going to come from without gutting the rest of your list. I think if you took this list pu to 2k, a lot of points could be sunk into the vanguard with good returns. Might want to magnetize them so you can add to the unit later.

Definitely.

I have considered dropping the Grav cannons, just because I really need the points, same with one or two of the LSS scouts, especially if I take a demi company instead of a pinion company.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Power sword/power axe is probably the best loadout for the vanguard in this situation, but I really like the idea of lightning claws, being ravenguard and all