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So I've been wanting to make a list that really utilizes that wonderful 1st (or 2nd) turn deathwing assault rule and here's a list I've come up with for an upcoming tournament.

HQ Belial = 190

(2x) Troop Terminator x10 = 480
Assault cannon/powerfist x2
Stormbolter/powerfist x8

(2x) Troop Scout Squad x5 = 60+10+15 = 85
missile launcher+flak

Elite Deathwing Knights x10 = 465

Heavy Whirlwind = 65

= 1850

So it's pretty simple, infiltrate the scouts into cover near an objective but somewhat out of the way, use them for support/anti-air and objective holders, the whirlwind stays out of sight and fires upon infantry in cover with crappy saves like genestealers and blob platoons. Now with these 3 units starting on the table, the 20 terminators drop in around 18-24" away from the enemy or where they can do the most dmg and unload, belial and the knights drop down right in the enemy's face taking pressure off the scouts/terminators. I think it could be very effective and has a great alpha strike feel to it. What do you think?

I like this list, however I am leery about Deathwing Knights. On paper, they look great and the models look fantastic, but why take them over Thunder Hammmer/Storm Shield Terminators that cost only slightly more yet attack at S8/AP2 always and are scoring units? I've shelved any plans on putting them in my Deathwing army because when push comes to shove, I'd rather have more scoring units in an army with a low model count.

Only three out of the six BRB missions involve scoring, this whole scoring obsession is slightly out of hand I think.

DWKs are equally as good as TH/SS in killing MEQs and better at killing everything else in CC. Losing the Heavy weapon is blow, but you also gain the ability to smite anything and draw a hell lot of aggro when you come down. Also, sometimes you need a suicide unit to take something hard down.

In any case with DW you should be trying to kill your opponent, not hold objectives.

Pfft, Deathwing with scouts isn't pure Deathwing. Drop the scouts, drop the whirlwind, get a single Deathstorm drop pod instead for the alpha strike (positioned correctly it does more shooting than the Ww will do in 6 turns...) and get more terminators.

Anecdote: there is a Imperial Armour rhino called the "Damocles Rhino" that (for 60pts and an HQ slot) let's you re-roll deep-strike scatter on teleporting units, and gives you an orbital strike.

Asmodai Asmodean wrote:
Only three out of the six BRB missions involve scoring, this whole scoring obsession is slightly out of hand I think.

DWKs are equally as good as TH/SS in killing MEQs and better at killing everything else in CC. Losing the Heavy weapon is blow, but you also gain the ability to smite anything and draw a hell lot of aggro when you come down. Also, sometimes you need a suicide unit to take something hard down.

In any case with DW you should be trying to kill your opponent, not hold objectives.

Pfft, Deathwing with scouts isn't pure Deathwing. Drop the scouts, drop the whirlwind, get a single Deathstorm drop pod instead for the alpha strike (positioned correctly it does more shooting than the Ww will do in 6 turns...) and get more terminators.

Three out of six missions still represents half the missions you will play. Moreover, I don't see how you can claim DWK's are "equally" as good as TH/SS at killing MEQ. Outside of Smite Mode (which can only happen in one assault per game), they strike at S6/AP4 while TH/SS always strike at S8/AP2, which makes TH/SS better at killing MEQ and handling Death Stars. Again, on paper they look great but when you can take a unit that can perform the same role in CC (and arguably, better) and can hold objectives, I believe it's a no-brainer.

Anyway, back on topic, I'd recommend that the OP drop the unit of Knights, or at least reduce the size and drop the Whirlwind in order to pick up another Terminator Squad and pick up a few TH/SS armed Terminators.