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Hello,

First off all, never played 30k or 40k.
Iam looking for advice on what to buy, my first aim is a 2500 point list of Ultramarines.

Currently have 2 betrayal at calth boxes (unassembled) and have a squad of 5 Invictarus Suzerains ordered and just waiting to receive them.

What should I get to supplement what I got and how to build the calth boxes to have a good list to run.
Not looking for a total OP list, but for a lore appropiate list.

My (limited) understanding is that the Ultramarines were about as average as average can be for a legion, so theoretically almost anything should work. I'd say they used fewer close combat units, but I still don't see that stopping you from bringing an Assault Squad as well as your Invictarus Suzerains.

I would recommend seeing if you can get 5+ of the Terminator Missile Launchers from the regular Terminator box so you can convert some of the Cataphractii into a squad of Fulmentarius Terminators (another Ultramarines special unit). That or buy the Iron Warriors version (Tyrant Siege Terminators) from Forgeworld.

Already got 5 missile launcher packs 3d printet for the Terminators to make a squad of those, planning to print 5 more, so I could make all of them as Fulmentarius

Invictarus are awesome, if you can, an Apothecary in the squad is a big help.

With 2 BaC boxes, you can actually make small support squads too - going for a unit of Tactical Support with plasma guns is fun, and missile launchers aren't a bad source of emergency anti-tank/anti-air. I'd certainly recommend at least two 10 man Tacticals, and maybe even a third if you want to access to the Logos Lectora RoW.

Similarly, Locutarus Storm Squads (no model yet, so you'd have to convert) are a pretty solid MEQ melting unit - just keep them away from anything that doesn't have a 3+ save, stick a jump pack Chaplain with them for rerolls, and you've got a quick, rather durable unit that can really put the hurt on anything with a 3+ save.

But, for lore appropriate, Ultramarine were generally a very well rounded Legion. Good amounts of everything, even a dedicated force of Destroyers, and their playstyle is one of the most synergistic (really favours multiple small squads - use throwaway bolter shots to make things easier for your real heavy hitters to kill).

Depends on the style.
Ultras are fairly middle of the road so do all things well but nothing amazingly.

If you have the suzerain then I’d suggest a Spartan or land raider.
Take a praetor with a paragon blade and CC orientated upgrades and throw him with them.
Can always run an Primus medicae with them as well to act as the core of your army.

Your fulment. terminators aren’t bad, but points heavy.
They act as slightly more expensive siege terminators.

One thing I would invest in though is a vindicator or 2.
These have always been the staple of every list I run.


One big change from 40k to 30k is Melta though.
In 40k it’s the bane of all tanks.
In 30k, most expensive tanks are equipped to basically ignore its effects.


I’d also take a look at the rites of war to begin with though.
If you chose one it will shape how your entire army is built and plays.

Played around with 2 list options, would like pros and cons on them and suggestions on what to change.
Praetor model are equiped as the model in the BaC boxset, same for Chaplain, this is to keep cost down.
Planning to buy the HQ set with Legion Champion and Master of the Signal.

List 1: EDIT- Contemptor Dreadnough change from CCW Melta to CCW Bolter, its what there are on the model from BaC box.


List 2:

Second army looks pretty viscious. Both look like good lists to me, honestly, though I'm not sure you've got any anti-air capabilities.

Some general comments. The Damocles Command Rhino is somehow special to Ultramatines, I remember, because they have a specific special rule for Ultramarines.

I would personally forego Breacher squads. They are expensive and limited. The Boarding Shields really aren't that great. Never underestimate a straight, cheap, Tac Squad with Fury of the Legion. Veterans are good too if you can take them as Troops.

You should have 2 Contemptors in the box sets you have. I would go ahead and get a third to make a full Talon. Contemptors are awesome.

My latest addition to my Word Bearers army was a Deredeo dread. It is an awesome option with great anti-tank and anti-air capabilities.

Dont know squat about your legion-specific units, but these can be worth a look.

Basilisk and/or Medusa squadrons are always worth a look. Demolishes are always good. Predators have better standard Predator Battlecannons than 40k. Theres so much to choose from the Crusade Army list it's just what you like.

Plus you can take 1-2 Knights or any Baneblade variety as a LoW slot, in addition to the ocean of LoW options that are listed in the Crusade list.


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P.S. Here are kinda really effective troop units for your plastic marines: Tac Squads, Plasma Support Squads, Flamer Support Squads, Seeker Squads, Missile Launcher Heavy Support Squads w/ Flak (this would address your lack of anti-air).

Those are the Infantry units I'd personally be considering, unless you were designing around Veterans as Troops, in which case I'd replace the Tac Squads with Vet squads.


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Oh, and I've found adding a combat weapon to a Tac Squad is a waste of points.


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P.S.S. I would also give your Veteran squads some power weaponry. At least a power sword for your sarge, and I'd be thinking at least 1 more power sword and a couple power axes maybe among the troops.

Murphy1979 wrote:Second army looks pretty viscious. Both look like good lists to me, honestly, though I'm not sure you've got any anti-air capabilities.

Logos Lectora can double the effectiveness of units in fulfilling an ad-hoc AA role (rerolls on Snap Shots). 5 Fulmentarii firing krak missiles at BS5 Tank Hunters isn't anything to be sniffed at. It's not a dedicated AA unit by any means, but it's a nice option.

I would personally forego Breacher squads. They are expensive and limited. The Boarding Shields really aren't that great.

As a counterpoint, Breachers a great close combat tarpit, if you can get them there, and if you play with Zone Mortalis, or just lots of LOS blocking terrain, you might have something good there.

I do have to question how you managed to get 9 power swords AND the flamers as well - isn't it an either or?

My latest addition to my Word Bearers army was a Deredeo dread. It is an awesome option with great anti-tank and anti-air capabilities.

Deredeo is nice - AND, can buff the Invuln of your Fulmentarii or Breachers if they're nearby, with the Pavise.

I have also recently added two TL-lascannon Tarantula batteries, and my opponents just haven't figured out what to do about them yet. They make great cover pieces, hatd to kill, good anti-tank shots, and they play themselves rules-wise.

I got them because I only had 2 Fast Attack slot options, and didnt even expect them to be as big a boon for my army as they have been.

I used the models from Bits of War Legionairre section.

Theres alot of good 30k stuff there..I also bought an Aeros Missile Defense Tarantula system (2 Missile Launchers and a Radar) and 6 Quad Mortar Platforms with 3 Quad Mortars, three Laser Destroyers, and 3 Quad Heavy Bolter tops from this catalogue, but none of it has been painted or played with yet.

 Sgt_Smudge wrote:
I do have to question how you managed to get 9 power swords AND the flamers as well - isn't it an either or?

Thats a mistake Battlescribe did not catch, it should be 7 power swords and 2 flamers.

Thanks for all your input, Iam mostly leaning towards list 2, have removed 1 Locutarus w. plasma pistol, changed the Chaplain to bolt pistol instead of plasma pistol. With these changes, Ive been able to give both Vet Tac Squads 2 missile launchers with Flakk upgrade to help with the AA situation.

Revised list:

For your Chaplain, give him a Power Sword instead of a Power Maul. Even a Power Axe is a better option than a Power Maul. A Power Maul is really only useful against 4+ Armor or multi-wound models, and in 30k you'll likely be facing lots of 3+ Power Armor.

Less debateably, the Iron Halo is redundant on your Praetor. Cataphractii Terminator Armor already gives a 4++, and you are paying for a 4++ twice by getting an Iron Halo.

That's 10 points to give your Vets a fighting chance with a Power Sword, buy a couple Melta Bombs, give your Praetor a Grenade Harness, or some 10 pt option like that.

The chaplain got the maul, as its the model in Betrayal at Calth box set mini, but as I got two, perhaps I should convert him to a power sword and thanks for the iron halo tip, still new enough to let such things slip by

Kristensen wrote:
The chaplain got the maul, as its the model in Betrayal at Calth box set mini, but as I got two, perhaps I should convert him to a power sword and thanks for the iron halo tip, still new enough to let such things slip by

No problem.

By the way, does Battlescribe even work for 30k anymore?

Last time I tried using Battlescribe it just kept freezing on me whenever I tried to build a Horys Heresy army, so I haven't used it in a good while.

Using it on my android phone and Windows desktop without any problems


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Have you tried updating battlescribe list data?


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So at last I think I got a descent list to start buy/build after, unless Ive made more mistakes What do you think of this one.

My plan is:
Praetor and the Suzerain goes in the Land Raider as my heavy punch.
Chaplain and Locutarus for some cc capability to wreak havoc in enemy Tac squads.
Master of Signal with Fulmentarus in the backline for firesupport.
Sicaran Battle Tank and Tac Support were needed.
Vet Tac Squads to sit on objectives.

List:

Looks pretty damn solid to me.


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In the future, I'd eyeball a 3rd Contemptor to have a full Talon available for an Elite slot.

This is a one model improvement to your army you wouldn't regret, because Contemptors are awesome.

I have 3 of the Betrayal at Calth models. One is equipped with Kheres AC and Bolter for Anti-Infantry, another is Multimelta w/ Meltagun, the third TL-lascannon w/ Bolter, so each brings it's own capabilities, and though they have to start the game in proximity with one another, they are then independent, and all 3 only fill up 1 Elite slot.

Just something to think about for the future. You should certainly build the Contemptors you have as an option, and once you play with 1 or 2 of them, you'll naturally want a third, because Contemptors are that awesome.

 Murphy1979 wrote:
Looks pretty damn solid to me.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
In the future, I'd eyeball a 3rd Contemptor to have a full Talon available for an Elite slot.

This is a one model improvement to your army you wouldn't regret, because Contemptors are awesome.

I have 3 of the Betrayal at Calth models. One is equipped with Kheres AC and Bolter for Anti-Infantry, another is Multimelta w/ Meltagun, the third TL-lascannon w/ Bolter, so each brings it's own capabilities, and though they have to start the game in proximity with one another, they are then independent, and all 3 only fill up 1 Elite slot.

Just something to think about for the future. You should certainly build the Contemptors you have as an option, and once you play with 1 or 2 of them, you'll naturally want a third, because Contemptors are that awesome.

When I got all on the list, then it will be time for a third Contemptor, as I want the Ultramarine one, it just looks so cool !!!

So tried my hand at converting the Chaplain model in the BaC box

Here is the result -> https://imgur.com/gallery/GgedZAA

Think he looks great! Even though some people might argue against the cape and jump pack, you can just say it's a reinforced cape!

 Sgt_Smudge wrote:
Think he looks great! Even though some people might argue against the cape and jump pack, you can just say it's a reinforced cape!

Yeah, but do not have the skills to cut it away and rebuild the backside

I'd call it a success !

that cape is getting murdered by that jump pack lol but whatever i see it all the time anyway. looks cool

 Nitro Zeus wrote:
that cape is getting murdered by that jump pack lol but whatever i see it all the time anyway. looks cool

They must have fire-proof capes in the 31st Milennium.

 AnomanderRake wrote:

 Nitro Zeus wrote:
that cape is getting murdered by that jump pack lol but whatever i see it all the time anyway. looks cool

They must have fire-proof capes in the 31st Milennium.

Don't think most fire resist clothing materials can cope with the exhaust from jet engines of any kind!
But who cares, it looks awesome