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Hi all,

Created a list around the idea of a heavily mobile Cultist horde backed up with Psyker support and some absurd objective-holding ability thanks to Black Legion's World Killer stratagem and effective use of Warptime.

The army consists of 3 detachments: Black Legion Battalion, Thousand Sons Patrol and Alpha Legion Patrol. The crux of the strategy revolves around Forward Operatives and Risen Rubricae, allowing 90 cultists to move up the board before Turn 1 and have an immovable blob of 20 Rubric Marines plonked in the centre to perform Psychic Ritual each turn.

Abaddon is there to give a 12" Fearless bubble, CP bonus and generally be a combat beatstick. Dark Apostles give the cultists survivability, giving 5++/ -1 to hit. The 3 Sorcerers and Ahriman are there to dish out mortals/ buff the chaff with Presience and Delightful Agonies.

The challenge comes from a big lack of CP (starting with 3 on Turn 1). Feedback/comments/improvements much appreciated.



++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos - Chaos Space Marines) [31 PL, 13CP, 605pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment CP

Legion: Black Legion

+ Stratagems +

Council of Traitors [-1CP]

+ No Force Org Slot +

Dark Disciples [1 PL, 10pts]: No Chaos Mark
. 2x Dark Disciple: 2x Close combat weapon

+ HQ +

Abaddon the Despoiler [11 PL, 2CP, 220pts]: Warlord

Dark Apostle [4 PL, 80pts]: 5. Trusted War-leader, Benediction of Darkness, Council of Traitors, No Chaos Mark

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour [6 PL, 115pts]: Combi-melta, Council of Traitors, Death Hex, Delightful Agonies, Force axe, Mark of Slaanesh, Warp Lord

+ Troops +

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun


++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Chaos - Thousand Sons) [39 PL, -3CP, 648pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Cults of the Legion: Cult of Magic

Detachment CP

+ HQ +

Ahriman on Disc of Tzeentch [9 PL, 170pts]: Glamour of Tzeentch, Prescience, Warptime

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour [6 PL, -1CP, 118pts]: Arcane Focus, Devastating Sorcery, Doombolt, Familiar, Inferno Combi-bolter, Magister, Tzeentch's Firestorm

+ Troops +

Rubric Marines [24 PL, 360pts]
. Aspiring Sorcerer: Force stave, Inferno Bolt Pistol, Weaver of Fates
. 19x Rubric Marine w/ Inferno Boltgun: 19x Inferno boltgun


++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Chaos - Chaos Space Marines) [38 PL, -3CP, 745pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment CP [-2CP]

Legion: Alpha Legion

+ No Force Org Slot +

Dark Disciples [1 PL, 10pts]: No Chaos Mark
. 2x Dark Disciple: 2x Close combat weapon

+ HQ +

Dark Apostle [4 PL, 80pts]: Illusory Supplication, No Chaos Mark

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour [6 PL, -1CP, 115pts]: 4. Master of Diversion, Combi-melta, Diabolic Strength, Force sword, Mark of Slaanesh, Prescience, We Are Alpharius

+ Troops +

Chaos Cultists [9 PL, 180pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 29x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 29x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [9 PL, 180pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 29x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 29x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [9 PL, 180pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 29x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 29x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

++ Total: [108 PL, 7CP, 1,998pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe

I like it, although if you already play a lot of infantry and alpha legion, you can think about 3 obliterators of slaanesh, you can keep all your heroes in front of them and use conceal stratagem to make both obliterator's and heroes untargatable in shooting as long as the opponents dont chew through your infantry. This way you have a walking unit of obliteration and mortal wounds. Its good answear for pretty much anything in game. I can see that the rooster is not about killing that much, but if you dont punish the enemy for overextending, he will chew through your cultists, they are durable, but not unkillable, especially by units designed to kill in combat.

With this list, something tells me that you are very happy template weapons aren't a thing anymore.

Check out ep. 67 of the Art of War podcast. They interview a player who piloted a very similar list concept to good success in the Australian tourney scene. Should give you some ideas


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I do like the list a lot though

Jabberscythe wrote:
I like it, although if you already play a lot of infantry and alpha legion, you can think about 3 obliterators of slaanesh, you can keep all your heroes in front of them and use conceal stratagem to make both obliterator's and heroes untargatable in shooting as long as the opponents dont chew through your infantry. This way you have a walking unit of obliteration and mortal wounds. Its good answear for pretty much anything in game. I can see that the rooster is not about killing that much, but if you dont punish the enemy for overextending, he will chew through your cultists, they are durable, but not unkillable, especially by units designed to kill in combat.

What would you recommend dropping in order to field some oblits?

Probably rubrics (as they are both cp and pointwise expensive )but it feels like they fit better into overall army composition.
I think you got to playtest it a bit, to see what are its strenghts and weaknesses and work from it. On paper it seems solid , the only thing it lacks is a little bit of counterpuch into overextending opponents but you cant fit everything if you are limited to 2k points and 3 detachments.

 astro_nomicon wrote:
Check out ep. 67 of the Art of War podcast. They interview a player who piloted a very similar list concept to good success in the Australian tourney scene. Should give you some ideas


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I do like the list a lot though

This was absolutely excellent; thanks a lot for sharing! It's definitely influenced how I'm going to adapt the list.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Jabberscythe wrote:
Probably rubrics (as they are both cp and pointwise expensive )but it feels like they fit better into overall army composition.
I think you got to playtest it a bit, to see what are its strenghts and weaknesses and work from it. On paper it seems solid , the only thing it lacks is a little bit of counterpuch into overextending opponents but you cant fit everything if you are limited to 2k points and 3 detachments.

Removing Rubrics makes the most sense; for the price of that 20-man squad, 60 cultists can be fielded. I've made some changes, incorporating elements of the Australian tournament list. Most notably, the AL patrol has been dropped, Rubrics dropped, and instead, Havocs, Berzerkers and Bikes added:


++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Chaos - Thousand Sons) [18 PL, -3CP, 348pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Cults of the Legion: Cult of Magic

Detachment CP [-2CP]

+ HQ +

Ahriman on Disc of Tzeentch [9 PL, 170pts]: Death Hex, Prescience, Warptime

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour [6 PL, -1CP, 118pts]: Arcane Focus, Devastating Sorcery, Doombolt, Familiar, Inferno Combi-bolter, Magister, Tzeentch's Firestorm

+ Troops +

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos - Chaos Space Marines) [85 PL, 13CP, 1,651pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment CP

Legion: Black Legion

+ Stratagems +

Council of Traitors [-1CP]

+ No Force Org Slot +

Dark Disciples [1 PL, 10pts]: No Chaos Mark
. 2x Dark Disciple: 2x Close combat weapon

+ HQ +

Abaddon the Despoiler [11 PL, 2CP, 220pts]: Warlord

Dark Apostle [4 PL, 80pts]: 5. Trusted War-leader, Benediction of Darkness, Council of Traitors, No Chaos Mark

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour [6 PL, 115pts]: Combi-melta, Council of Traitors, Delightful Agonies, Diabolic Strength, Force axe, Mark of Slaanesh, Warp Lord

+ Troops +

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [9 PL, 180pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 29x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 29x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

+ Elites +

Khorne Berzerkers [5 PL, 99pts]
. Berzerker Champion: 2x Lightning Claw
. 4x Chainsword and Chainaxe: 4x Astartes chainsword, 4x Chainaxe, 4x Frag & Krak grenades

Khorne Berzerkers [5 PL, 99pts]
. Berzerker Champion: 2x Lightning Claw
. 4x Chainsword and Chainaxe: 4x Astartes chainsword, 4x Chainaxe, 4x Frag & Krak grenades

+ Fast Attack +

Bikers [5 PL, 87pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. Biker: Bolt pistol, Combi-bolter
. Biker: Bolt pistol, Combi-bolter
. Biker Champion: Combi-bolter, Combi-bolter

Bikers [5 PL, 87pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. Biker: Bolt pistol, Combi-bolter
. Biker: Bolt pistol, Combi-bolter
. Biker Champion: Combi-bolter, Combi-bolter

Bikers [5 PL, 84pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. Biker: Bolt pistol, Combi-bolter
. Biker: Bolt pistol, Combi-bolter
. Biker Champion: Boltgun, Combi-bolter

+ Heavy Support +

Havocs [7 PL, 145pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. Aspiring Champion: Astartes chainsword, Boltgun
. 4x Havoc w/ lascannon: 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Lascannon

Havocs [7 PL, 145pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. Aspiring Champion: Astartes chainsword, Boltgun
. 4x Havoc w/ lascannon: 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Lascannon

++ Total: [103 PL, 10CP, 1,999pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe

Looks really good right now, hope it will work well for you.

Glad you enjoyed the listen!

Hey bud. If Abaddon is the Warlord (which he should be for the CP), the Thousand Sons can't use a <Cult> relic if I remember correctly.

It's fine though, because you can still make use of Devastating Sorcery without +1 manifest. Infernal Gaze, Smite, Astral Blast when applicable. Failing a Warp Charge 9 Doombolt is soul-crushing for us, so someone other than the Devastating Sorcery guy should have that spell.

 Brometheus wrote:
Hey bud. If Abaddon is the Warlord (which he should be for the CP), the Thousand Sons can't use a <Cult> relic if I remember correctly.

It's fine though, because you can still make use of Devastating Sorcery without +1 manifest. Infernal Gaze, Smite, Astral Blast when applicable. Failing a Warp Charge 9 Doombolt is soul-crushing for us, so someone other than the Devastating Sorcery guy should have that spell.

You're absolutely right! Good spot. List amended accordingly:


++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Chaos - Thousand Sons) [18 PL, -3CP, 348pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Cults of the Legion: Cult of Magic

Detachment CP [-2CP]

+ HQ +

Ahriman on Disc of Tzeentch [9 PL, 170pts]: Death Hex, Prescience, Warptime

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour [6 PL, -1CP, 118pts]: Devastating Sorcery, Familiar, Infernal Gaze, Inferno Combi-bolter, Magister, Tzeentch's Firestorm

+ Troops +

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos - Chaos Space Marines) [85 PL, 13CP, 1,652pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment CP

Legion: Black Legion

+ Stratagems +

Council of Traitors [-1CP]

+ No Force Org Slot +

Dark Disciples [1 PL, 10pts]: No Chaos Mark
. 2x Dark Disciple: 2x Close combat weapon

+ HQ +

Abaddon the Despoiler [11 PL, 2CP, 220pts]: Warlord

Dark Apostle [4 PL, 80pts]: 5. Trusted War-leader, Council of Traitors, Illusory Supplication, No Chaos Mark

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour [6 PL, 108pts]: Angelsbane, Combi-bolter, Council of Traitors, Delightful Agonies, Diabolic Strength, Force axe, Mark of Slaanesh, Warp Lord

+ Troops +

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 60pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [9 PL, 185pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 28x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 28x Autogun
. Chaos Cultist w/ special weapon: Flamer
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

+ Elites +

Khorne Berzerkers [5 PL, 99pts]
. Berzerker Champion: 2x Lightning Claw
. 4x Chainsword and Chainaxe: 4x Astartes chainsword, 4x Chainaxe, 4x Frag & Krak grenades

Khorne Berzerkers [5 PL, 99pts]
. Berzerker Champion: 2x Lightning Claw
. 4x Chainsword and Chainaxe: 4x Astartes chainsword, 4x Chainaxe, 4x Frag & Krak grenades

+ Fast Attack +

Bikers [5 PL, 87pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. Biker: Astartes chainsword, Combi-bolter
. Biker: Astartes chainsword, Combi-bolter
. Biker Champion: Combi-bolter, Combi-bolter

Bikers [5 PL, 87pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. Biker: Astartes chainsword, Combi-bolter
. Biker: Astartes chainsword, Combi-bolter
. Biker Champion: Combi-bolter, Combi-bolter

Bikers [5 PL, 87pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. Biker: Astartes chainsword, Combi-bolter
. Biker: Astartes chainsword, Combi-bolter
. Biker Champion: Combi-bolter, Combi-bolter

+ Heavy Support +

Havocs [7 PL, 145pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. Aspiring Champion: Astartes chainsword, Boltgun
. 4x Havoc w/ lascannon: 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Lascannon

Havocs [7 PL, 145pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. Aspiring Champion: Astartes chainsword, Boltgun
. 4x Havoc w/ lascannon: 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Lascannon

++ Total: [103 PL, 10CP, 2,000pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe

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