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2000 points of Deathwing - I'll heavily caveat this now with the fact that I haven't played a game of 8th, and I haven't been through the rules in detail, but this "feels" like a place to start:

Vanguard detachment

Belail: Power 8/ Points 150
arm him how you like

DeathWing squad: Power 12, Points 250
Shooty, 1 x chainfist, 1 x assault cannon
Watcher

DeathWing squad: Power 12, Points 250
Shooty, 1 x chainfist, 1 x assault cannon
Watcher

DeathWing squad: Power 12, Points 281
Shooty, 1 x chainfist, 1 x CML
Watcher

DeathWing squad: Power 12, Points 281
Shooty, 1 x chainfist, 1 x CML
Watcher

Land raider: Power 19, Points 383
2 x Twin las, 1 x Twin HB, 1 x MM

Land raider: Power 19, Points 383
2 x Twin las, 1 x Twin HB, 1 x MM

Total power: 94
Total points: 1978
Command points: 4


There's some bunce in there with the Watchers (which probably aren't necessary), and the MM's on the tanks can go, meaning that there's around 100ish points to play with to add an ancient or something.

It's got anti-tank in the CMLs and LRs which I would start on the table, then you can either DS the rest or set them up depending on the opponent/mission. Belail can either go with the CMLs to get re-rolls on anti-tank, or DS with the ACs for infantry shredding, or sit in the middle of a huge blob of terminators.


So the questions are:
Shooty or CC - I've gone shooty, and take advantage of cover (and bring your own cover of the LRs) - the 3++ is nice, but it doesn't kill much if you're not LR rushing, and without crusaders there isn't much point

Upgrades or bodies - I've gone upgrades, but only because it "felt" right, no other reason, and I'm happy to be corrected

LRs or Dreads - I like Land Raiders, and looking at the Dread rules, I think the LR's add more for the points

LRs or Bodies - the LRs take up the points cost 3 terminator squads (and then some), but I think they add a different dimension


Any thoughts or suggestions gratefully received.

It's a good basis for a list. I'd say put an Apothecary in there.

Also, why no Knights?

Looks like a good start.

I have written a couple of different lists myself.

Two Land Raiders with one squad in a LR due to 50% rule
Belial 150
DW DV Squad 245
DW Knights 250
DW Knights 250
DW DV Squad 245
LR with HK Missile 362
LR 356
Ven Dread with LC 142
2000

or

As Much DW as I could get while still having some Anti tank. This also gets you 2 CP but due to 50% rule you are going to have to walk a squad.
Belial 150
DW DV Squad 245
DW DV Squad 245
DW Knights 250
Int Chap 130
DW DV Squad 245
DW Knights 250
Ven Dread with Auto 125
LR 356
2000

or

Only list I could get a Libby in. One squad of Knights or shooty guys will have to ride in the LR or take Zeke, and he can catch a ride. Mathhammer really loves the autocannon and they are much cheaper 142 vs 125 on Ven Dreads.
Belial 150
DW DV Squad 245
DW DV Squad 245
DW Knights 250
Libby in TDA 161
DW Knights 250
Ven Dread w Auto 125
Ven Dread w Auto 125
Scout Snipers with cameo 90
LR 356
1997

I don't understand the knights in your lists. There isn't a good delivery method (DS isn't enough, I think) and they don't go in the land raiders. Do they just drop and hope that people don't run away in time?

Dreads maybe aren't as bad as I thought. I'll take another look. Back later!

 Russell's teapot wrote:
I don't understand the knights in your lists. There isn't a good delivery method (DS isn't enough, I think) and they don't go in the land raiders. Do they just drop and hope that people don't run away in time?

Dreads maybe aren't as bad as I thought. I'll take another look. Back later!

Yeah I was going to deepstrike them. You could always run more shooty guys and keep just one squad of knights. I think one is needed as you should be able to get one in combat with a re roll on the charge distance about 50% of the time from the mathhammer I have seen. Even if they don't make it they will tank fire along with the LR. I think a regular LR and a dread with an anti-tank weapon running up the middle is going to draw a crap ton of fire which helps your shooty terms stay alive. Also putting knights in your opponent's backfield means the opponent has to commit units in the backfield that could be out or range of your other squads to bubble wrap his characters. If not Knights will be able to charge right into them since they will be the closest unit. Being able to take out psykers, the necron characters that buff reanimation protocols, etc. early could be huge.

Fair points, well made.

I like Knights when it comes to Deathwing. A lot of it has to do with my first game with them but I didn't play them yet. I think Knight would still be effective in the close combat. Strength 8 hits are still pretty mighty.

KewlImp wrote:
I like Knights when it comes to Deathwing. A lot of it has to do with my first game with them but I didn't play them yet. I think Knight would still be effective in the close combat. Strength 8 hits are still pretty mighty.

They'll do just fine once you get them into combat; the key is the delivery system, and with Deep Strike they may not be able to make the charge first turn.

From what I understand Land Raiders are much too expensive this edition. I don't have a book or acquired images from a book yet, but a land Raider might be good for getting them close. It wouldn't be a first turn charge if I understand the rules right.

Pretty interesting list, I would add a small Tac or Scout squad to sit at the back and secure home objectives while the rest moves up.

I'd be worried about locking down opponents shooting and your slow moving terminators getting caught by opponents assaults.

Which is where your Raiders come in. I'd probably run double Redeemers and be aggressive with them. If you want Lascannons I'd probably run Dreads instead in a pure DW list. Raiders are the speed in the otherwise slow list, and need to be configured as such

Edit - I'd also run more Chainfists, for 2pts extra AP-4 and D2 seems more consistent than AP-3 and D1d3

So, I was writing some lists the last couple days and they were very similar to your list. The core always seemed the same. Belial, Ezekiel, 4 squads of terms, one of which is usually 1 squad of knights to DS in and handle tough targets. Then I was usually trying to work in 2 land raiders for anti vehicle and an apothecary.

So then I got to thinking, in place of the both raiders I could run 3 venerable dreads with twin Las cannon and either a DCCW, missile launchers, or twin auto cannons. I could also find the extra points to lose Ezekiel and take Azreal instead. So 3 dreads marching up the field with Azreal. 3+, 4++, 6+ to ignore each wound, hits on 2+, rerolls with Azreal and if anything does get close, 3 dreads and Azreal will erase it....

Ok, noted all.

Bartali - I don't like LR rush, it seems a quick way to throw away a 400ish point investment.

Agree with you on chainfists - I'll take it as read that any left over points should be used to add bodies, then add chainfists.

Boba - I played with dreads!

2000 points DeathWing
2 x Vanguard detachments:

Belial - 150

DeathWing - 250
shooty - 1 x assault cannon, 1 x chainfist, 1 x watcher

DeathWing - 250
shooty - 1 x assault cannon, 1 x chainfist, 1 x watcher

DeathWing - 250
shooty - 1 x assault cannon, 1 x chainfist, 1 x watcher

DeathWing - 250
shooty - 1 x assault cannon, 1 x chainfist, 1 x watcher

Azrael - 180

Ven dread - 156
2 x Twin auto cannon

Ven dread - 156
2 x Twin auto cannon

Ven dread - 156
2 x Twin auto cannon

Ven dread - 156
2 x Twin auto cannon

Total points - 1954
Total power - 97
Total command points - 6


50ish points left over for (plus watchers if needed) to upgrade to las/CMl somewhere, add bodies, add chainfists

Azzy and the dreads set up in cover.

Belial and the boys drop in and make mischief.

I quite like it...

So I played a game with a very similar list, employing the tactics I suggested, and I had a crushing victory with Deathwing against a heavy Khorn chaos army.

Only real difference was my Ven. dreads were each twin las and twin autocannon but ran 3, kept them all within 6" of Azreal and WOW, they did work. In place of the 4th dread, I ran 2x apothecarys, and they literally kept Azreal at full health while he ate half his army and the other brought back and full healed a Knight.

My one issue was he had 4 blobs of cultist, and deployed them in such a way, I literally didn't have enough space to DS terms in ANYWHERE on his half on the board. So, I can see DS being problematic against horde armies and savvy generals. So deploying them might sometimes end up being a better option, specially since Azreal and belial let them re-roll all misses.

So far, i'm liking what I see with Deathwing.. been a LONG time .

Good work boba. It looks like we may haveca future then...

 Russell's teapot wrote:
Good work boba. It looks like we may haveca future then...

So after seeing a GT winning army running 6 flyers, I got to thinking, how about swapping out all 3 ven dreads for some combination of of DA flyers, nephilims and/or dark talons? They can be just as good, if not better anti tank, have 2 extra wounds, 1 less toughness but they are harder to hit, all for about the same cost. Yeah its not pure Deathwing, but its still super fluffy, and might be even better. I'd probably swap out Azreal since you don't need that 4+ shield for the flyers, and probably add in Ezekiel to get aversion, making the flyers and/or terms even harder to kill and brings some much needed mobility to the army.

What do you think?

Hi guys,

Happy to see a reasonably competitive Deathwing army list being developed.

I'm totally new to 8ed so I hope you can help me or work my own list.

Why run Belial? Is it just so you can gaurantee maximum Dana good e with the Deathwing rerolls? I was thinking I could potentially or those 150 points elsewhere.

Any thoughts of including an assassin? How do they affect force organisation? They look very strong and I like the fluff.

Any other allied units allowed or is that a thing of the past?

I Make play 3 dreads but wondering if Azrael is the best option to lead them. It does sound co but for 180 I'm wondering is there some alternatives.

Do people think assault cannon and watcher is the way to go with a 5 man squad?

Any room for a ravening unit?

DC-Chaos wrote:
Hi guys,

Happy to see a reasonably competitive Deathwing army list being developed.

I'm totally new to 8ed so I hope you can help me or work my own list.

Why run Belial? Is it just so you can gaurantee maximum Dana good e with the Deathwing rerolls? I was thinking I could potentially or those 150 points elsewhere.

Any thoughts of including an assassin? How do they affect force organisation? They look very strong and I like the fluff.

Any other allied units allowed or is that a thing of the past?

I Make play 3 dreads but wondering if Azrael is the best option to lead them. It does sound co but for 180 I'm wondering is there some alternatives.

Do people think assault cannon and watcher is the way to go with a 5 man squad?

Any room for a ravening unit?

I haven't played 40k for about 5 years but iirc you always needed to take Belial to be allowed to actually field deathwing terminators as troops thus making the list legal.

Might be totally wrong but that's how it was before.

DC-Chaos wrote:
Hi guys,

Happy to see a reasonably competitive Deathwing army list being developed.

I'm totally new to 8ed so I hope you can help me or work my own list.

Why run Belial? Is it just so you can gaurantee maximum Dana good e with the Deathwing rerolls? I was thinking I could potentially or those 150 points elsewhere.

Any thoughts of including an assassin? How do they affect force organisation? They look very strong and I like the fluff.

Any other allied units allowed or is that a thing of the past?

I Make play 3 dreads but wondering if Azrael is the best option to lead them. It does sound co but for 180 I'm wondering is there some alternatives.

Do people think assault cannon and watcher is the way to go with a 5 man squad?

Any room for a ravening unit?

Belial is the best force multiplier for deepstriking termies.
Asmodai is the best force multiplier for LR transported melee termies/DWK
Azrael is best force multiplier for mid/long range firebase support.

You might really want to consider knights, to keep your shooty boy shooting on the drop. and an apothecary as well to keep them from dying.

Knights are really valuable in Deathwing lists considering theyre monsters in Fight Phase, and people tend to run horde/gunline armies. They'll take the initial charge and or brunt of the shooting for your termies.

This is an old thread but nobody's mentioned the Deathwing Ancient who's crucial for any Deathwing army. Also Knights are way better than other Deathwing because of the storm shield.