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.

This will be my first Space Marine army so I'm not too terribly knowledgeable what's best, but I really love the Black Templars and felt I'd have a lot more fun with them than my current Necron army.

I planned on trying to make the most use possible out of the Start Collecting: Space Marines box so that's part of why I added the Dreadnought and entirely why the HQ is a Captain in Terminator armor. I was also thinking that I could use the LRC to run my Crusader squads up front so they can charge in without being blasted at from 24"+ away and then have the Devastators move with the Dreadnought and support them from the rear and act as anti-tank if needed.

Now I am concerned that the LRC is taking up too much space that could be used for more Crusader squads, but I was gonna see what all ya'll had to say.


This is a mostly a kinda fluffy and for fun army, but I would like to not be a pushover to every person I play against so I welcome any kind of changes before I start dropping a few hundred bucks on this.

Good choice getting into BT

Seems like a good list for the points, the LRC it's expensive but it's hard to bring down and the Twin AC with 12 Bolters adds good firepower to a CC squad inside.
Seems like in 8th edition we rely more on buffs from Characters, having less CC attacks and no Chapter Tactics, but said buffs are within 6" and having multiple CC squads would lose the effect, hence an LRC it's a good way to keep the core of your list together and strong at any point level.
Devastators are good but not very fluffy depending to whom you ask, you can use our Crusader Squad strong points instead and have 1 Heavy, 1 Special + Sergeant list in 5 man squad, and now you can put two of those in a Rhino!
I suggest you get our HQs asap, the EC is a beast and always been my MVP, Helbrecht seems essential now to buff up that LRC Squad.

Edit: Looking into your list Helbrecht it's only slightly more expensive than your Captain at 170pts, totally worth it, I'd also add Plasma Pistols to your SB for 7pts and take Axes instead unless you have the buff from the High Marshall then Sword are good at S5.

 Gendo wrote:
Good choice getting into BT

Seems like a good list for the points, the LRC it's expensive but it's hard to bring down and the Twin AC with 12 Bolters adds good firepower to a CC squad inside.
Seems like in 8th edition we rely more on buffs from Characters, having less CC attacks and no Chapter Tactics, but said buffs are within 6" and having multiple CC squads would lose the effect, hence an LRC it's a good way to keep the core of your list together and strong at any point level.
Devastators are good but not very fluffy depending to whom you ask, you can use our Crusader Squad strong points instead and have 1 Heavy, 1 Special + Sergeant list in 5 man squad, and now you can put two of those in a Rhino!
I suggest you get our HQs asap, the EC is a beast and always been my MVP, Helbrecht seems essential now to buff up that LRC Squad.

Thanks for the info.

I'm probably going to change the Devastator squad to a regular Crusader squad. Came to me earlier today that there's probably zero reason for BTs to use them since Crusaders can use heavy weapons.

Yeah on the HQ the Terminator Captain is definitely not a preferred choice of mine, but I was gonna make do with him until I get my foot in the door with BTs. I originally planned on getting Grimaldus for my HQ afterwards because I've been listening to the Helsreach audiobook and now have a hard on for him, but I will definitely look into Helbrecht and Emperor's Champion. Is Grimaldus not as good of a choice or is it a matter of they're all three good, but Helbrecht is REALLY good

Also a question I forgot to put in the OP, I've seen a few places saying that despite what a lot of people say BTs shouldn't be played melee heavy and instead use a lot of bolters and heavy weapons to wear them down I guess? and then finish with an assault. Is that a 7th Edition thing only or something I should take into consideration?


EDIT:

Here's an updated list using the info you gave:


On the SB in the CS of 7, can he take a power weapon or fancy pistol along with Combi-Melta or does sergeant equipment work like you can either take two from this list OR you can take one from this list?

I play 40k because of Helsreach

Thing is all our HQs are good this edition, and other players want to include all of them into their lists.

Grimaldus (and the retinue) is way better than 7th but for the points a standard Chaplain with that cool skull helmet it's a cheaper alternative.

We've been debating about having mixed squads and it would make sense since (again) helbrecht offers rerolls on shooting as well and we need to compensate the lack of Assault Vehicles.

Still don't like Heavies on mobile units as they hit on 4+ and are expensive but i'm surely including a Plasma Pistol and Sword on the SB (2 attacks) and either Plasma or Grav for the Special slot + another Sword as Heavy.

Myself I'm liking the idea of running a list a la Helsreach with IG, SoB, a Titan and BT. Starting small with including a Knight Crusader into 2000pts list.

 Gendo wrote:


Myself I'm liking the idea of running a list a la Helsreach with IG, SoB, a Titan and BT. Starting small with including a Knight Crusader into 2000pts list.

SAME

My local hobby store is doing an escalation league in August and I had planned on getting a small SoB army for that and then smishing them into my BT army with some Steel Legion folks later on for Helsreach hijinks.