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So I'm trying to look at my current CSM collection and build a functioning, but background adherent, army out of stuff I've already got on hand and painted. So, we're going with lots of heavy support, some daemon engine stuff, and tanks.

Battalion Detachment: Iron Warriors

Chaos Lord, Powerfist, Combimelta, Mark of Khorne: 105 (Warlord)
Sorcerer: Force Sword, Bolt Pistol: 98


Chaos Space Marines x10, 2x Plasma Gun, Icon of Vengeance, Champion w/Powerfist.
Rhino, Combibolter: 245

Chaos Space Marines x9, 1x Flamer, Icon of Wrath, Champion w/Powerfist.
Rhino, Combibolter, Mark of Khorne: 220 (Lord rides with these guys)

Chaos Space Marines x9, 1x Flamer, Icon of Vengeance, Champion w/Powersword.
Rhino, Combibolter (Sorceror rides with these guys): 207

Obliterators: 195

Obliterators: 195

Defiler, Battlecannon, Reaper Autocannon, Havoc Launcher: 178




Spearhead Detachment: Iron Warriors

Warpsmith: 76

Predator, TL Lascannon, 2x Heavy Bolters: 160
Predator, TL Lascannon, 2x Heavy Bolters: 160
Predator, TL Lascannon, 2x Heavy Bolters: 160


Total: 1999pts.


To mix it up, I do have a number of Chaos Dreads, a couple of Forgefiends, a Heldrake, a Decimator, a grip of Terminators and a few other units to sprinkle in, but I felt these were probably the most functional.

Thoughts?

I'd not take flamers on csm, problem is that they are to expensive.

Have you thought about meatshield cultists?

Defilers are sadly lacking in performance in the shooting phase so probably get rid of the havoc launcher and give it a flail.

Helldrakes are terrible atm, probably after the next CA they might be worth a damn maybee again.

What are your psychic powers on the Sorcerer?

Mechanized in general in 8the isn't as hot anymore.

I like the fluff behind it, but I guess it depends on how competitive your local gaming group is - basic CSM die way too quickly for their points, which is why I tend to go more for Cultists as my troops choices and save my CSM bodies (and points) for more specialist units like Berzerkers or Havocs. That being said, if this is what you have painted and good to go, then I like the fluff of it. I'd probably look to getting plasma guns instead of your flamers (which is a shame, because I used to LOVE flamers and meltas, but it seems plasma is the way to go these days), and make the Defiler a cheap Distraction Carnifex rather than a shooting platform - if they're shooting at the Defiler running at their lines, that's less anti-tank coming into your Rhinos.

Ok, so I dropped the Rhinos, and put more Plasma Guns in, but had to keep a flamer to get it under 2k (I still cannot fathom my meltaguns are so expensive this edition, but that's for another thread), switched up the Defiler's gear a bit, and slapped in another Predator I had lying around since the old 4E days where IW's had a 4th HS slot.



Battalion Detachment: Iron Warriors

Chaos Lord, Powerfist, Combimelta, Mark of Khorne: 105 (Warlord)
Sorcerer: Force Sword, Bolt Pistol: 98 (Infernal Gaze or Prescience)


Chaos Space Marines x10, 2x Plasma Gun, Icon of Vengeance, Champion w/Powerfist: 173

Chaos Space Marines x10, 2x Plasma Gun, Icon of Vengeance, Champion w/Powerfist: 173

Chaos Space Marines x10, 1x Flamer, 1x Heavy Bolter, Icon of Vengeance, Champion w/Powerfist: 166

Obliterators: 195

Obliterators: 195

Defiler, Battlecannon, Reaper Autocannon, Flail: 179 (have to see if I can find the flail bit in the bitz bin, but the reasons for the switch makes perfect sense)



Spearhead Detachment: Iron Warriors

Warpsmith: 76

Predator, TL Lascannon, 2x Heavy Bolters: 160
Predator, TL Lascannon, 2x Heavy Bolters: 160
Predator, TL Lascannon, 2x Heavy Bolters: 160
Predator, TL Lascannon, 2x Heavy Bolters: 160


Total: 2000

Thoughts?

I think it's pretty cool - 4 Predators is a good chunk of armour, and if they're soaking up all incoming firepower, it means your troops are unscathed. If the infantry are copping a flogging, it means the Predators are going to be free to keep on firing. I'd be inclined to keep the Sorcerer firing support powers - I mean you've always got Smite for offensive casting if you need a few cheeky mortal wounds, using the Sorcerer for things like Prescience or Death Hex to get rid of frustrating invulnerable saves would be my pick. It feels like you could save points by removing the Icons, assuming the Lord is going to wander up the field with your troops and using the Iron Warriors warlord trait? If you want to use the Heavy Bolter squad for taking objectives, you might split it in half as two squads of 5 with Heavy Bolters and no power fist?