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DakkaDakka,

I currently play a Ravenwing or Iyanden themed lists and I purchased the C:SM codex in hopes of improving both of those armies with allies or making them a primary detachment. So far I have bought sternguard and a single LSS. I also own two drop pods and wanted to ask you all for some advice before purchasing more models. Now, what I want out of these C:SM allies is a strong alpha strike followed by outstanding support with a point range of about 1500pts.

Which CT would work best out of Crimson Fists, Salamanders, or Iron Hands. What about the special characters....home grown, Pedro Kantor, or Vulkan? What I love running are Black Knights w/Interrogator-Chaplain and a unit of RAS. If I run Iyanden, I run Wraithguard, Warwalkers, and Wraithknight. So from this info, what would you decide on? Help me make a perfectly themed Space Marine army!

Mr. Raynor

Im thinking Raven Guard. All your models get Scout, and your non bulky models get stealth first turn. Your LSS gets a 12" move pre game and your sternguard get stealth if they drop in T1. What are the models you are thinking of getting next?

Ravenguard huh? Everyone keep telling me to run a list of these guys....I wonder why? Sure, scout and stealth are neat but beyond first turn all of the special rules are thrown out the window. That is why I didn't end up choosing the Ravenguard....though I'm not completely against it. I plan on getting 20 Sternguard (love the lore and the models are beautiful) another LSS and then I don't know what else. I also need a HQ choice :/

You forgot how strong bikes are now in general (T5 with Jink isn't to be sniffed at) and also just how useful Hit and Run is. I'm genuinely surprised that White Scars get this too because it basically means there is little reason to choose Ravenwing over them.

Well I haven't painted my Ravenwing yet so do you think I need to just drop them for the White Scars?

Depends on why you went for Ravenwing to begin with. If you liked their background or their colour scheme or so on, there's no reason not to use them, they're still plenty viable enough - just not as unique as they ought to be.
If you're just after the latest "greatest army evar", don't bother. It's a power creep curve you'll never stay ahead of, and there's a chance you won't find the game fun if you're stuck with an army you don't actually like.

Right now, I own a little bit of everything concerning Dark Angels. Sammael, Belial, and a stand in Azreal but, I do not own an entire army such as all Ravenwing, Deathwing, or Greenwing. Just enough of each to run them as dual wings or as a small detachment. I really do love the story behind the Dark Angels but it really seems like they got the short end of the stick this time :(

So to best supplement them or to run Ravenwing as the ally detachment....which CT would work best; Imperial Fist, Iron Hands, or Salamanders?

 Super Ready wrote:
You forgot how strong bikes are now in general (T5 with Jink isn't to be sniffed at) and also just how useful Hit and Run is. I'm genuinely surprised that White Scars get this too because it basically means there is little reason to choose Ravenwing over them.

I'm on the fence on this one. RW with the dakka banner is still better than most of the WS lists I've managed to come up with, and that's without the Black knights...

jamin484 wrote:

 Super Ready wrote:
You forgot how strong bikes are now in general (T5 with Jink isn't to be sniffed at) and also just how useful Hit and Run is. I'm genuinely surprised that White Scars get this too because it basically means there is little reason to choose Ravenwing over them.

I'm on the fence on this one. RW with the dakka banner is still better than most of the WS lists I've managed to come up with, and that's without the Black knights...

I agree. Ravenwing is the best all-around all bike force. The Dakka banner or the FNP banner are both buffs a WS list can't recreate and you don't have the force multiplying ability of -1 Toughness grenades. I love my WS successor chapter, but a WS list requires non-bike models to balance it and make it a TAC list where RW can run pure bikes and be successful.

Don't get me wrong I love the story behind the Ravenwing and even really enjoy the look of the Bikes. What gets me all worked up is the fact that the Space Marine bikers are 6pts cheaper and get the same stuff we do (basic bikes). According to the lore....we are the best of the best when it comes to high mobile (bike) warfare! Why in the crap did we get the short end of the stick??? Here is to hoping for the FAQ everyone is talking about...

Here is the Ravenwing list I currently run with my Iyanden as the Primary Detachment;

Interrogator-Chaplain - Bike & Mace of Redemption
Ravenwing Command Squad - +2, Apoth, and RGL

Sniper Scout Squad - Camo Cloaks

Ravenwing Attack Squadron - 2 Meltas & MM Attack Bike

I honestly think this is what I will be sticking with for a long while with my Ravenwing. There are some downsides with a Ravenwing list compared to Space Marines and also upsides as well. I won't get into all of them as most of use have talked about this already in different threads.

Malik_Raynor wrote:
Don't get me wrong I love the story behind the Ravenwing and even really enjoy the look of the Bikes. What gets me all worked up is the fact that the Space Marine bikers are 6pts cheaper and get the same stuff we do (basic bikes). According to the lore....we are the best of the best when it comes to high mobile (bike) warfare! Why in the crap did we get the short end of the stick??? Here is to hoping for the FAQ everyone is talking about...

Here is the Ravenwing list I currently run with my Iyanden as the Primary Detachment;

Interrogator-Chaplain - Bike & Mace of Redemption
Ravenwing Command Squad - +2, Apoth, and RGL

Sniper Scout Squad - Camo Cloaks

Ravenwing Attack Squadron - 2 Meltas & MM Attack Bike

I honestly think this is what I will be sticking with for a long while with my Ravenwing. There are some downsides with a Ravenwing list compared to Space Marines and also upsides as well. I won't get into all of them as most of use have talked about this already in different threads.

I think white scars are the best when it comes to mobile warfare according to lore but its a matter of opinion. Bikes with scout and hit and run are beastly, but white scars have to take a pretty crap character to get scout which I feel is a big disadvantage considering how powerful captains ar on bikes.

I like the interrogator chaplain with mace combo, he's a beast! I'd give him an auspex as well if you can find 5 points.

So it looks like I will be running a successor chapter of Ultramarines. I hate to say it but it seems that if I run a drop pod army to go with my fast Ravenwing that UM have the best CT and characters all around.