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Hi All
Im just starting a Raven Guard Army and need some help making up the last few points. im trying to keep it Quite fluffy hence the ammount of lightning claws. I was considering a TH on the Sergeant but not sure. Here is the list so far.


Captain
Jump pack
Lightning Claw
Shield =


Total = 135


Chaplain
Jump pack
Plasma pistol

Total = 120


Vanguard Veterans x5
+ 5 Veterans
10x Shields
9x Lightning claws
10x Jump pack
1 x Power weapon

Total =460


Sternguard x5
+5 Veterans
4x combi-Melta
4 x combi-plasma
Melta gun
Plasma gun
Drop pod
Deathwind missile

Total = 385


Scout (1) x5
Sniper rifle x4
Camo cloak x5 = 10 Total
Missile Launcher
Flak missile

Total = 94


Scout(2) x5
Camo cloak x 5
Missile launcher
Flak missile
Land speeder Storm
Multi-Melta

Total = 145


Grand Total points = 1339pts


So i need help with the remainder of the points. Either 161pts to make it 1500 and an Allies 500 points recommendation to add to it. or 661pts to make it all raven guard 2000pts army list. I don't mind mixing/ losing one of the scouts but would like to keep the veterans the way they are ( unless totaly useless) The two Ten man squads will split down into four fives. Both HQ going with the Vanguard veterans.
As an upgrade to the Ravens I was thinking of using the 161points for

Stalker 75
hunter 70
Thunder Hammer Upgrade to Vanguard Sgt or the captain +15

Or dropping the Pods ( no pun intended) and giving the Sternguards Razor backs.

That, if my calculations are correct, will put it up to 1499pts

For Allies iv been considering either Wolves Rune Priest and Grey hunters in Drop Pods or Blood Angels Assault to keep it in keeping with the army.


Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Mike

I was say transports with troops, a skyshield landing pad, or ally dark angels and get a power field generator on the board. a 3 chaos helldrake list instant kills your army. And you will see alot more dragons now with the hype around space marines.

Transports protect troops. ( a little)

Skyshield gives 4++ invul (NOT COVER) to anyone standing on it from shooting

Power field generator gives 4++ invul for anyone within 3"

Best wishs, i really like Raven guard.

Hi mate, thanks for the reply.
How hard are Heldrakes to bring down? Thats the idea of the new Sm anti air or if cover is needed, taking the razorbacks for the sternguard. I think I'd rather combat the Heldrakes than hide in a vehicle/ landing pad. Im quite new to playing although been painting SM for a few years so all help is really appreciated.

Quick note before I get home and can hopefully comment more:
-Please take off the individual point values (like for lightning claws, shields, etc.) Putting them on here actually puts Dakkadakka in a bad situation and I think it's against forum rules.

Not a huge deal, and an easy mistake to make

I'll comment more when I get home.

mikefrench178 wrote:

How hard are Heldrakes to bring down?

That's a question i'm interested in myself. They seem to be feared by a lot of armies although I have yet to play against a list with one. Having said that, perhaps instead of taking a razorback for protection perhaps consider taking a stormraven with the appropriate weapon upgrades to transport your men and combat Heldrakes as well?

Thanks for the tip Rabid and have edited also any tips once your home would be great.

@Drock, I was considering the Raven more because id like to paint one rather than what it brings, iv never really looked into them as an option. Do they bring much to the party for their points cost? How about talons? Would a couple of them be a better option? Im hearing quite a bit about Heldrakes spam of CSM players taking three of them.

So I haven't had the chance to play with the new codex yet, but here are a few suggestions I have:
- The plasma pistol seems out of place on the Chappy. I recommend dropping it as you'll probably never use it more than one shot a game.
- Sniper rifles on scouts that are in a LSS are not used all that effectively. Bolters would work great as it gives your LSS a considerable amount of dakka while they're still loaded up (I'm pretty sure it's open-topped)
- Why the lone power weapon on the vanguards? Maybe making it a relic blade instead (with the points from the plasma pistol) as that would give the sergeant quite a bit of power.
- You're really low on scoring units. I mean REALLY low. I aim for 4 solid scoring units in an 1850 list. I highly recommend maybe a large 10 man block of Tactical marines from Space Wolf allies. Bring in a wolf priest too for some nice Psyker defense.

I hope all that helps. In general I like your list as it seems very fluffy

Thanks for the reply, that really helps.
Im Im gonna lose the plasma pistol as you suggest and have wrote a list with out the guy all together. I was thinking of a thunder hammer instead of the relic blade. What do you think? Would the blade be better than the hammer?
There are a few points left over i may upgrade the captain to better weapon or maybe artificer armour. 35pts remaining.

Same idea as before, combat squad the vanguard and sternguard all drop pods deploy with cover from the talons, Sternguards move in and fire turn 1 grey hunters hold the middle of the boards and the vanguard hunt big hitters.


Raven Guard

Captain
Jump pack
Lightning Claw
Shield
Total = 135

Vanguard Veterans x5
+ 5 Veterans
10x Shields
9x Lightning claws
10x Jump pack
1 x Thunder Hammer
Total = 475

Sternguard x5
+5 Veterans
4x combi-Melta
4 x combi-plasma
Melta gun
Plasma gun
Drop pod
Deathwind missile
Total = 385

Scout(2) x5
Camo cloak x 5
Missile launcher
Flakk
Land speeder Storm
Multi-Melta
Total = 145

Storm Talon
Sky hammer
Total = 125

Storm Talon
Sky hammer.
Total = 125

1390 pts

Space Wolf Allies

Rune Priest
Total = 100

Grey Hunters x 10
Standard
Mark of the Wulfen
Melta x2
Powerfist
Drop Pod
Total = 240

Grey Hunter x 10
Standard
Mark of the wulfen
Flamer x 2
Powerfist
Drop Pod
Total = 235

Total all up 1965

I know very little about list building with Space Wolves, so I won't comment there.

I like the list for the most part, but here are some changes I'd make.
-Take off the missile launcher from the scouts. It will always be firing snap shots because not moving the LSS would be suicide.
-I'd be wary taking such a large blob of Vanguards. Yes you can combat squad them, but that's a ton of points. Not saying to reduce them, but you'll have to play them right.
-Highly recommend breaking the sternguards into two seperate drop pods. Take out the deathwind launcher if you need the points.
-This should leave you with about 45 points leftover. You can either deck out your captain to have a real heavy hitter in your army, or upgrade him to a Chapter Master.

The only type of list I see hurting your army a lot is a Helldrake spam or Monstrous Creature spam. You've got tools across your army to deal with everything, but not to deal with a lot of one thing. In other words, it looks like a good TAC list.

Thanks for the reply Rabid,
The reason i have the ML on the scouts it I will most likely have the storm purely to drop them on an objective and then zip around picking off armour. It won't last very long so im sure it wont take out many.
The vanguard and sternguard will both be combat squadding. I didnt think i could choose two transports for one squad and two five men squads is more expensive on points. If so i will drop the death wind and add another pod. I was looking at podding them in and splitting on the ground. I would prefer the duel pods though. Gives me a bit more flexibility.

My captain (forgeworld karvydae) has magnetised arms and jet pack so i can switch his weapons around easy enough. I like the idea of thunder hammer and storm shield monster killer and will work out points for both captain and CM. My army is painted 1st company colours so the Chapter master would fit well. Also the reason i went vet heavy.

Thanks again for your help mate.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Captain
Thunder hammer
Storm shield
Artificer armour
Jump pack

170 points

Chapter master
Thunder hammer
Storm shield
Artificer armour
Jump pack

210 points.

The captains upgrade will take me to bang on 2000 points or i will juggle some points to make the extra 40 to upgrade to chapter master. Im new to codex SM so not sure how they differ. Advice on which to take would be appreciated.

I was also thinking I could always swap the two talons for a storm raven with :

TL lascannons
TL multi Melta
Hurricane bolters
Extra armour
Locator beacon

For 5 points less, drop the drop pod and transport the sterns in that. That will give me the 40 points for the chapter master. With 15 points to spair.

What do you think?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
This will make the new list as follows

Raven Guard

Chapter Master
Artificer Armour
Jump pack
Thunder hammer
Shield
Total = 210

Vanguard Veterans x5
+ 5 Veterans
10x Shields
9x Lightning claws
10x Jump pack
1 x Thunder Hammer
Total = 475

Sternguard x5
+5 Veterans
4x combi-Melta
4 x combi-plasma
Melta gun
Plasma gun
Total = 335

Scout x5
Camo cloak x 5
Missile launcher
Flakk
Land speeder Storm
Multi-Melta
Total = 145

Storm Raven
TL lascannons
TL multi Melta
Hurricane bolters
Locator beacon
Extra armour
Total= 245

1410 pts

Space Wolf Allies

Rune Priest
Total = 100

Grey Hunters x 10
Standard
Mark of the Wulfen
Melta x2
Powerfist
Drop Pod
Total = 240

Grey Hunter x 10
Standard
Mark of the wulfen
Flamer x 2
Powerfist
Drop Pod
Total = 235

Total all up 1985

Chapter Masters have an extra wound, an extra attack, and an orbital bombardment. So they're considerably better than Captains. I think you made the right choice in upgrading here.

I didn't think 2x5 man squads was more expensive than 1x10, but I stand by my point. Having it this way allows you to have 2 different entry points so you can be more precise on what you're targetting. However, I understand where you're coming from so I won't push it anymore

I'm not familiar with Storm Ravens, but if the Locator Beacon is an upgrade then definitely take it off. Everything else will already be in by the time you get to use it. Hurricane Bolters also don't compliment its loadout very well. They'll be wasted shots on a lot against most targets the Storm Raven is going after.

Lastly, I recommend finding 125 points to put a Stormtalon in. They compliment Storm Ravens very well, plus they're guaranteed to come in together thanks to being an Escort Craft. The amount of added flexibility and survivability you have by using them in tandem is well worth the points. I'm not a fan of Unwieldy weapons on non 2+ models because a power weapon will wreck you. So maybe taking out the two Power Fists, the Locator Beacon, and the Hurricane Bolters will get you the 125 points you need. If not, maybe dropping a single veteran or two will give you the points.

Hi mate, as per suggestions iv amended the list and came out with the following.


Raven Guard ( Chapter Tactics raven guard)

Chapter Master
Artificer Armour
Jump pack
Thunder hammer
Shield
Total = 210

Vanguard Veterans x5 ( combat squad = 2x5 man squad, 1 with chapter master,1 with Sgt)
+ 5 Veterans
10x Shields
9x Lightning claws
10x Jump pack
1 x Thunder Hammer
Total = 475

Sternguard x5 (combat squad = 2x 5 man squads 1 with Rune priest, 1 with Sgt, both in storm raven)
+5 Veterans
4x combi-Melta
4 x combi-plasma
Melta gun
Plasma gun
Sgt = Melta bombs
Total = 340

Scout x5
Missile launcher
Flakk
Land speeder Storm
Multi-Melta
Total = 135

Storm Raven
TL lascannons
TL multi Melta
Extra armour
Total= 205

Storm Talon
Sky hammer
Total =125


Space Wolf Allies

Rune Priest
Total = 100

Grey Hunters x 9
Standard
Mark of the Wulfen
Melta x2
Drop Pod
Total = 200

Grey Hunter x 10
Standard
Mark of the wulfen
Flamer x 2
Drop Pod
Total = 210

Total all up 2000
I dropped the Raven upgrades, one GH from the Wolves and the cloaks from the scouts. Also had 5 points to put Melta bombs on the stern Sgt, may add these to vanguard instead as they have no tank killer and the stern do.

I hope this sits a bit better.

Cheers for all your help Rabid.

Real quick, I'm not sure if you can still combat squad them if they're in a transport. Hopefully someone can drop in and clarify that.

Besides that I like it, let me know how it plays out

Yeah I checked the rules and it says " In an exception to the normal rules, Two combat squads that split from the same unit can embark on the same transport if the transport capacity allows." I only know that as I was unsure and checked my self. The only thing Im worried about is whether Allies can hold objectives? I cant find my rule book and it doesn't state it in the Digital codex.

Good find on the transport deal, I didn't know that and I think it makes sense.

Allies can most definitely hold objectives. Especially Battle Brothers.

Sounds like you're good to go then

Thanks mate all that is left is to paint some black and white Aircraft and scouts :(.

Cheers for all your help. I think im gonna enjoy learning to use these guys.

@mikefrench- I can't vouch for any of the flyers for the marines as i've never used them nor do I own any of them, but they do look good on paper in the codex.
Furthermore, I'm not sure if you're really keen on using scouts, which is fine believe me i've considered it just for the land speeder storm model lol, but after the basic tac marine drop in points, combined with the fact that Raven Guard will give your tac marines the scout special rule, I'd take tac marines instead. You get more for your money in my opinion.