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.

Hello fellow gamers. I'm looking for some help against my brother (only opponent as we are both very casual). He plays Thousand Sons and I play a now all primaris blood angels army. I'm a 3rd edition player of BA's and when primaris came along i saw the writing on the wall and sold all the old casts and started fresh as a way to get an updated and more experience painted army.

I struggle against his army for a few reasons. One it seems like his rubric marines are so hard to take down to them shrugging of single dmg wounds often, having strong guns, and strong saves.

Secondly, he runs this giant beast that i think is a mutilex? Either way it runs up the field with this giant mortal wound causing aura, has a billion wounds it feels like and regenerates them. I realize this is more than likely just a distraction carnifex but the wound aura has hard to ignore it feels like.

Thirdly, his Tzaangors seem cheap as heck, and have a ton of killing power to them. The trend here is that im confused on what to prioritize.

Lastly, he always brings Demon princes or Magnus and a bunch of sorcerers (At least one a squad) and im just left confused on what to target in which order, it all seems so deadly.

As we're both casual players we're more about rule of cool than soup meta lists. So my restrictions are that i usually buy one of each model type so i can paint them up and have some variation. Here is what i have access to.


Mephiston
Smash Captain (Its primaris but we dont mind me playing him as counts as normal smash)
2 Primaris Lt's one in CC build the other in shooty.
Primaris Chaplain
Primaris Ancient
2 5 man squads of Intessors with normal bolt rifles and a grenade launcher each (Sgt's with Pswords)
2 5 man squads of hellblasters with normal plasma version\
3 Aggressors in bolter config
3 Intercessors with Plasma
Drop pod (From before i realise it cant be used with primaris)
Land Raider (Same as Drop pod)
Storm Raven fully magnetised for all weapon options (Yet another one that can't take primaris but i didnt wanna sell cause its sweet)
Redemptor Dreadnaught mag'd for all options
Death Company Dread
Librarian Dread
Contemptor Dread from FW (Can run as relic, in fact i think i have to because its double melee weapon version like a furioso)
Repulsor mag'd for options
Repulsor Executioner also mag'd for options
Astareus battle tank (Looked sweet and wanted the model, not put together yet but soon?)

I realize my biggest glaring mistake is not having powerful units like death company and sang guard. I had them and will again when primaris versions come around, for now i dont mind using what I have. I also realise its a big issue not having a 3rd troop unit to get the batallion CP. I desperately need to grab some incursors I think to fill the gap.

So, its a puzzle. With these limited options, what general guidelines and advice can you give me for taking on a very Mech style of Thousand Sons. What pitfalls should I avoid and what tactics can you recommend?

As always I appreciate all and any help!


Also quick edit: Points wise we often use Power Level as its simply faster and less stress. Assume a 75 PL or 1500 points game roughly. Possibly 100 / 2000 if we're feeling sporty.

The unit that will help most imo is suppressors. Also, you'll want units resistant to mortals. That means no jump DC! Hellblasters are of limited use vs so many invulns.

I disagree. Hellblasters are fine. But your base troops should probably be intercessors with stalker bolt rifles. Ap-2 and 2 dmg and additional range means you will ruin rubrics be them regular or terminators. Hellblasters overcharging will also do great there.

A chaplain putting out a 5+++ bubble vs mortals could help a lot. Remember chaplain abilities happen at the beginning of the battle round not your turn. This makes this litany perfect vs tsons.

The biggest issue I see is you have a lot of big, cool models but not a lot of bodies. Bodies win games in this edition. Infiltrators and suppressors are definitely good units to have access too. Tsons also are weak to autocannons or anything putting out d3 dmg / 2dmg in numbers. They also dont have a lot of anti tank capabilities beyond 24" so the range game can really play in your favor.