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Hey all,

I've got a Deathwing Army I'm wanting to take into the new year for fluffy tournaments. I'm having an issue to have more Power Level on the ground to allow me to Deepstrike all my Terminators and Characters. Are there any tips on how to bump up boots on the ground? I've got 3x 6 man Intercessor squads so going over the 5 man doubles the PL for example. Annoyingly I don't really want to field Ravenwing bikers, I'd rather take 2 Dark Talons but with 1750 point tournaments the struggle is real.

If there's anything glaringly easy to switch up to bump up PL I'd much appreciate the advice!

Cheers

A knight?

Maybe post your current list so we can see what you're working with.

I think one problem you're going to face with this thread is very few people are trying to play Deathwing in any kind of competitive sense. The only DA lists that are considered in any way competitive are Ravenwing-heavy and Azrael+Hellblasters.

Yeah I get no one runs them. I'd quite like to learn to finesse playing with an Elite army. It was between them, Grey Knights and Deathwatch. But always loved the Deathwing and found that painting a Deathwatch army (only the start collecting box) was unbelievably dry even though they're probably the top tier Marine army since CA 2018. Anyways I digress here's the list:

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium - Dark Angels) [57 PL, 887pts] ++

+ No Force Org Slot +

Gametype: Matched

Use Beta Rules

+ HQ [11 PL, 181pts] +

Interrogator-Chaplain in Terminator Armor [6 PL, 102pts]: Storm bolter [2pts], The Eye of the Unseen
. Warlord: Master of Maneuvre

Primaris Lieutenants [5 PL, 79pts]
. Primaris Lieutenant [5 PL, 79pts]: Bolt pistol, Plasma pistol [5pts], Power sword [4pts]

+ Troops [30 PL, 306pts] +

Intercessor Squad [10 PL, 102pts]: Auxiliary Grenade Launcher, Bolt rifles, 5x Intercessor [85pts]
. Intercessor Sergeant [17pts]: Bolt rifle, Chainsword

Intercessor Squad [10 PL, 102pts]: Auxiliary Grenade Launcher, Bolt rifles, 5x Intercessor [85pts]
. Intercessor Sergeant [17pts]: Bolt rifle, Chainsword

Intercessor Squad [10 PL, 102pts]: Auxiliary Grenade Launcher, Bolt rifles, 5x Intercessor [85pts]
. Intercessor Sergeant [17pts]: Bolt rifle, Chainsword

+ Flyer [16 PL, 400pts] +

Ravenwing Dark Talon [8 PL, 200pts]: 2x Hurricane bolter [20pts]

Ravenwing Dark Talon [8 PL, 200pts]: 2x Hurricane bolter [20pts]

++ Vanguard Detachment +1CP (Imperium - Dark Angels) [52 PL, 853pts] ++

+ HQ [8 PL, 150pts] +

Belial [8 PL, 150pts]: Sword of Silence & Storm Bolter

+ Elites [44 PL, 703pts] +

Deathwing Ancient [7 PL, 115pts]: Lightning Claw (Pair) [12pts]

Deathwing Knights [12 PL, 190pts]: Watcher in the Dark [5pts]
. 4x Deathwing Knight [148pts]: 4x Storm shield [8pts]
. Knight Master [37pts]: Storm shield [2pts]

Deathwing Terminators [25 PL, 398pts]: Watcher in the Dark [5pts]
. Deathwing Sergeant [29pts]: Storm Bolter & Power Sword [6pts]
. Deathwing Terminator [72pts]: Cyclone missile launcher [38pts], Power fist [9pts], Storm bolter [2pts]
. Deathwing Terminator [54pts]: Assault cannon [22pts], Power fist [9pts]
. Deathwing Terminator [34pts]: Power fist [9pts], Storm bolter [2pts]
. Deathwing Terminator [34pts]: Power fist [9pts], Storm bolter [2pts]
. Deathwing Terminator [34pts]: Power fist [9pts], Storm bolter [2pts]
. Deathwing Terminator [34pts]: Power fist [9pts], Storm bolter [2pts]
. Deathwing Terminator [34pts]: Power fist [9pts], Storm bolter [2pts]
. Deathwing Terminator [34pts]: Power fist [9pts], Storm bolter [2pts]
. Deathwing Terminator [34pts]: Power fist [9pts], Storm bolter [2pts]


Would love to run double Dark Talons as I mentioned, one of the MVP's for me in alot of games but they don't have much in the way of PL. This list is just rough. In the game I played last (and won) I had a 5 man unit of Black Knights instead of the Dark Talon as I only own one currently.

I have thought of just running a Gallant Knight but even then that's still not enough PL :(

Are you using power level or points for your matches? As of the Fall FAQ update the Tactical Reserves Rule is now based on half your points and not half your power level.

TACTICAL RESERVES
Following feedback, we are changing the Tactical Reserves beta matched play rule proposed in the Spring 2018 update,
which was itself an update to an existing matched play rule in the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook. The original wording in
the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook restricted the number of units that could arrive during a game to half your army, but
the intent was ‘half of your army’s strength’. The first beta version of this rule clarified this to be half the Power Level
of your army, but as matched play games typically use points values instead of Power Ratings, we have clarified that this
should instead be half the points value of your army.

https://whc-cdn.games-workshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/warhammer_40000_the_big_faq_2_en-2.pdf

abyrn wrote:
Are you using power level or points for your matches? As of the Fall FAQ update the Tactical Reserves Rule is now based on half your points and not half your power level.

TACTICAL RESERVES
Following feedback, we are changing the Tactical Reserves beta matched play rule proposed in the Spring 2018 update,
which was itself an update to an existing matched play rule in the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook. The original wording in
the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook restricted the number of units that could arrive during a game to half your army, but
the intent was ‘half of your army’s strength’. The first beta version of this rule clarified this to be half the Power Level
of your army, but as matched play games typically use points values instead of Power Ratings, we have clarified that this
should instead be half the points value of your army.

https://whc-cdn.games-workshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/warhammer_40000_the_big_faq_2_en-2.pdf

Damn so I can't even cheat it with stuff like the extra Intercessors. I'm playing matched point play. Think the only thing I can do is really reconsider how many Terminators I take, quite sad really considering I have around 50 painted

Your list will be better for doing that. Terminators are quite poor this edition, unfortunately. I play Dark Angels too and would love an even semi-viable Terminator heavy list.

I know they aren't setting the world alight but the points drops helped and I think when playing normal semi competitive armies it can hold its own. Managed to wreck a wulfen/blood claw heavy list the other day playing to missions. Terminators I found actually work great at holding objectives and putting out tons of dakka

I see the issue...You forsook the allfather!

You coulda left out the newbie part and left it as "Dark Angel with Issues"

8th Edition has not been kind to the Deathwing. While points have come down, the threat has gotten stronger and the Matched Play Reserve changes have taken away one of the few strengths that a Deathwing force had. I still use them from time to time, but they still seem a liability in competitive play.

Nevertheless, follow your joy! I run a similar Vanguard Detachment as you, although sometimes it's the core of a Battalion with some Scouts/Intercessors. The change to PL and then points from units meant that I had to look at my Force a little closer. Putting the Deathwing Knights in a Land Raider Crusader with a Librarian solves the points on the table problem. I also found that my Knights were CP hogs and still failed their charges. Another option is a Stormraven. A Darkshroud with either can help ensure turn 2 delivery within attainable charge range. The Librarian casts Righteous Repugnance on the Knights and away they go.

It's a big change, but something to consider. You could proxy and see if either works for you.

You don't have a Deathwing army. You have a DA army with Deathwing units in it.

How about using scouts instead of intercessors? they have lower power levels

ccs wrote:
You don't have a Deathwing army. You have a DA army with Deathwing units in it.

Technically the Deathwing I have in my list outnumber the DA units by points which makes it more like a Deathwing Army with DA units in it surely


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Well what I've gone for in the end is replaced the Ancient with a 5 man Aggressors squad as power level is irrelevant as @abyrn pointed out correctly, so I've made the Intercessors 5 man. This means I've now got more points deployed first turn and some extra backfield objective sitting units that can give themselves reroll 1's. Not bad I reckon.

I toyed with the idea of a Knight Gallant instead of the Aggressors + Dark Talon but the fluff tournaments I'm looking to go to are all single detachments anyways, so when I hit them up I'll just merge the 2 detachments

Racerguy180 wrote:
You coulda left out the newbie part and left it as "Dark Angel with Issues"

Done so!

Deathwing Ancients are a bit of a trap I think. On paper their buff looks amazing. But realistically, how many extra attacks will it give you in a real game? And how many Deathwing Knights is it costing you now? Like 3?

I think swapping it out is the right move.

 Stux wrote:
Deathwing Ancients are a bit of a trap I think. On paper their buff looks amazing. But realistically, how many extra attacks will it give you in a real game? And how many Deathwing Knights is it costing you now? Like 3?

I think swapping it out is the right move.

Think you're 100% correct mate. Didn't think of that previously, I mean he's got plenty attacks himself in combat but I'd rather more DW Knight's or a big blob of Aggressors and the ability to reduce my Intercessors down to get my second Dark Talon in. Already ordered one

Cheers all

he might be worth it if he was the warlord and given the reroll charge trait. Definitely too many points though.

If you want a buff character then Asmodai is your man. +1 attack AND re-roll hits in the fight phase. It does stack with the ancient too, if you ever end up trying that.

The issue is getting him into combat given he can't deep strike, but you could always take a Land Raider Crusader with some Knights and Asmo in it, seeing as you need points on the table anyway.

We're not talking top level strats here of course, it's still Terminators, but it's a pretty fun bomb!

Got myself the Limited Edition Terminator Character so definitely going with him with the Eye Unseen Relic & Warlord Trait.

Think I'm done now buying more models also as I've got 2 packs of Aggressors and the Dark Talon on it's way. Think Deepstriking is one of my fav mechanics in the game and it's mainly why I rock Terminators and always played armies like Grey Knights and such.

Cheers again!