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! I am new to 30k but have played 40k for a while.

I bought 2 calth boxes plus some extras. lmk what you think.

(I have no problem buying other models etc, just want a fun, but decent list)

2000 Points

Legion Praetor, Cata Term arm, digital lasers, master crafted deathshroud pwer scythe 175
Legion tacticals (20), legion vexilia 260
Legion tacticals (20), legion vexilia 260
Apoth detachment (3) art armor 165 (2 go with tacticals, 1 with terms)
Contemptor mortis, 2 kheres, havoc 195
Deathshroud terms (5) 235
Fire raptor, armored ceremite 220
Sicarann, ceremite, h bolters 175
Spartan, ceremite 315

What upgrades etc should I be taking? Is this ok?

I like! I'm glad to see that you didn't go with vet. spam (an iffy tactic at best) however, from the fluff of DG, and the looks of the army, it seems like the Fire Raptor and Sicarian are a bit... shoe-horned in. They are good, yes. and every legion used them to an extent, but fluff wise, if it was something that needed way to much maintenance (sicarians) DG tended to avoid. I also tend to make fun of Spartans since they are really underwhelming on the tabletop.


Side note: you need to change one of those apothecaries into a primus medicae if you want him in with the terminators. A good rule of thumb is elite apothecaries can only roll with power armor. maybe point out and go for something like this:

1 praetor w/ paragon blade/p. fist (get extra attacks!) & 5-man deathshroud body guard & the reaping RoW (no running, but you can buy all characters RAD GRENADES! THAT'S RIGHT, YOU CAN THROW SPACE AIDS AT PEOPLE (-1T the first round of combat, so long as the dude with rad grenades is alive. Technically it effects overwatch as well)
1 primus medicae console

20 tacticals w/ vexilia, artificer (on the srgt), and extra CCWs
20 tacticals w/ vexilia, artificer (on the srgt), and extra CCWs
10-man Missile launcher (or autocannon/lascannon) Heavy support squad

2 apothecaries w/ artificer & augury scanners (they have the same statline as a srgt, so you can have 2+ armor at the front, and eat wounds since you can just have your apoth. live in the back. Also gives you the ability to intercept deep-strikers within 18")
Contemptor mortis (same way you have him)

Fire Raptor (or sicarian, you shouldn't need both, really)

Spartan w/ flare shield


This gives you the ability to wreck in CC (making scythes wound on a 2+ for the first round), gives you passable AT, and gives you a good footprint on the ground. this is just my 2 cents, though.

....Spartans... underwhelming? Huh. That is a first I have heard that.

Also, if you run it, don't leave home without a Flare Shield and Dozer Blade. Those get it where it needs to go and well!

Fire Raptor and Sicaran are excellent, take both. Gorgeous models! Both serve different roles, should compliment the force and with the Dread make them choose what armor to shoot at first (target priorities).

Reaping is great. You can really load up on HS squads and let them pack in the backfield while your blobs and killy stuff moves up.

And since you are choosing DG, consider all your Phosphex options (Rapiers, Medusas). They are gross.

 em_en_oh_pee wrote:
....Spartans... underwhelming? Huh. That is a first I have heard that.

Also, if you run it, don't leave home without a Flare Shield and Dozer Blade. Those get it where it needs to go and well!

Fire Raptor and Sicaran are excellent, take both. Gorgeous models! Both serve different roles, should compliment the force and with the Dread make them choose what armor to shoot at first (target priorities).

Reaping is great. You can really load up on HS squads and let them pack in the backfield while your blobs and killy stuff moves up.

And since you are choosing DG, consider all your Phosphex options (Rapiers, Medusas). They are gross.

Phosphex rapiers? Do tell, I want 9

Also, yeah, Spartans are underwhelming on the tabletop. They make a good distraction to someone who fears it, but the sheer amount of points that dumped into it+ the guys just weakens the rest of your army (10-man termiantors, + spartan, + a kitted out praetor = ~900 points for a 1 trick pony that can be dealt fairly easily in a 30k setting). People take them because they look cool, sound cool, and (apparently?) like to use death-stars. It's not a bad vehicle by any means, but it's really not the auto include that people seem to use it as.

For Death Guard, we excel when every unit is moving together. we're not the best in CC (without the reaping and without support) but if you let their death star come to you, you can mulch it like nothing (RAW rad grenades don't stack within the unit, however, they DO stack across multiple units since they last the entire assault phase) so, ditching the spartan opens up ~300 points: enough for a 10-man squad with lascannons if you REALLY want AT weaponry, another 20-man tactical squad, nearly 6 quad mortar rapiers (they are the most expensive version, that's why they are my example)


The Fire Raptor and Sicarian are nice, but both kinda push the limits on a DG list by the 'fluff' (high maintenance, fragile, etc., etc.). I think if you wanted to give the Raptor or Sicarian any form of just due, then ally them in with a legion who can utilize them better then a reaping DG can.

Wow that is a ton of useful information! Thanks so much!

As far as the Spartan I just don't see another reliable way to get the deathshrouds there as they cant deepstrike right? (from the RoW)

I just wanted to use the Shrouds cause well they look amazing!

I don't mind cutting the fire raptor (as I actually didn't buy it) but I did buy a sicaran and love its look.

10 man unit with missiles seems expensive and easy to remove from play am I wrong? I was concerned about super heavies as well as flyers and that's why I was interested in the raptor.

Can you point me a more efficient list then? You say rapier batteries are the way to go for anti tank?

 Icelord wrote:
Wow that is a ton of useful information! Thanks so much!

As far as the Spartan I just don't see another reliable way to get the deathshrouds there as they cant deepstrike right? (from the RoW)

I just wanted to use the Shrouds cause well they look amazing!

I don't mind cutting the fire raptor (as I actually didn't buy it) but I did buy a sicaran and love its look.

10 man unit with missiles seems expensive and easy to remove from play am I wrong? I was concerned about super heavies as well as flyers and that's why I was interested in the raptor.

Can you point me a more efficient list then? You say rapier batteries are the way to go for anti tank?

well, if you are worried about the 'shrouds making it into combat, here's a few things: 1) put a primus medicae in there, makes them TONS more survivable, 2) remember: you should have a few more juicy targets that your opponent will focus on over a 5-man terminator squad, and 3) if you're really worried about them getting shot, utilize the move through cover they will have to stay out of LoS. I've noticed that with the reaping, so long as you always move up: you WILL get into CC, and the other guys WILL already be weakened quite a bit

10-man missile unit is better then a vehicle because: 1) more 'hull points', 2) put artificer on the srgt, and sit him in the front to eat ap: 3 shots, 3) cover saves, 4) more shots (that can get sky fire as well ) IF you were concerned about super heavies, 10 S:8 shots is better then 6(?) S;7 shots. Also, remember the restictions, in 2000 points, at most you can spend 500 points on a LoW, so at this level, the ones you will face (if any) are most likely primarchs.

Rapiers are an amazing unit: 1) laser rapier destroyers for some AMAZING anti-tank power. quad mortars give you great anti-infantry, and multiple S: 8 shots with sunder. there's also a grav version, and it's cool, but I've never used it.

 Icelord wrote:
Wow that is a ton of useful information! Thanks so much!

As far as the Spartan I just don't see another reliable way to get the deathshrouds there as they cant deepstrike right? (from the RoW)

I just wanted to use the Shrouds cause well they look amazing!

I don't mind cutting the fire raptor (as I actually didn't buy it) but I did buy a sicaran and love its look.

10 man unit with missiles seems expensive and easy to remove from play am I wrong? I was concerned about super heavies as well as flyers and that's why I was interested in the raptor.

Can you point me a more efficient list then? You say rapier batteries are the way to go for anti tank?

Rapier w/ Shatter rounds can do some damage to armor. From what I recall, in the new Red Book it will get Phosphex shell options. Pretty sure.

Spartan is amazing. Don't do 10 dudes, just 5 and a Praetor. You are buying it for its durability, for which AC + FS + AV14 is outstanding. It can break an enemy army pretty well, if supported well.

Shrouds got better now that their Scythes are improved. So they are actually kinda awesome.

Also, consider a kitted Deredeo for AA work. You are lacking in that area.

I wouldn't run 10-man Las HS, but 5-man tucked in a nice ruin. That way losing them isn't as crippling and they might earn their points back pretty easily, since 10 lascannon shots on anything is overkill. lol

I will post a list I was tinkering with later for you to look over. At work atm.