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So I've ordered the DA army set but now I can't really figure out what else to get, i want to try and build a balanced list with both the death- and ravenwing.

Obviously I can't be told exactly what to buy because we don't now much about the new codex, but I'm looking for general tips as I'm a total n00b when it comes to space marines.

I'm thinking of buying a ravenwing box because I really like the look of the bikes (and the possibility of a mobile assault cannon ) as well as a command squad. What's your take on the command squad,  Are they worth their points in a normal SM army?

Since it's going to be a while before I even consider buying a land raider I wonder if the terminators won't be a little lonsome drop podding in the middle of the enemy forces. Mind you, they're probably going to only have 1 assault cannon/squad. Are 10 termies too many / powerful in a 'friendly' army?

Any tips or suggestions are welcome!

Easy, ace. Why not wait and see what the codex describes and go from there? Most of what we know is rumor at this point anyway, so our advice would just be conjecture...

yes, wait and see what the codex is like. also, 10 terminators would be expensive, pts. wise, and I wouldn't reccommend that big of a squad in less than a 1500 pt game.

damn points wise, thats going to be expensive money wise

hmm... 100$ for ten terms or 55$ for land raiderand and save 35$  

I'd take the later

DA can't be *that* different from regular marines. Surley you guys could send some general advice my way?!

I get 5 termies from the box I've ordered and another 5 termies is ~33% cheaper than a Land Raider, i'm thinking two squads of 5 in DP's to support each other and block LoS with the pods. Not sure if you could still call it friendly.

Has anyone played with command squads and wanna tell me about it?

Actually, DA look like they are going to have some significant differences from vanilla marines.

Combat squads are really going to change how basic squads are optimized.
What weapons Terminators can take will determine how they can be effectively used.


The only command squad I've ever used has been a Termie Librarian with a minimum sized Termie command squad with two assault cannons in a Drop Pod.

DA Librarian powers are changing, and you might not be able to take 2 assault cannons anymore, so I can't even guess what this unit will be like anymore.


You should really wait until you get the codex before you commit anymore cash to this. The simple fact is that there are some VERY radical rumors out there and everything is simple unfounded speculation until the codex hits store shelves.

Well, i'm going to take your word for it. I really just wanted to get an idea of what a friendly DA list would look like. Also, the codex is so far away :(

Don't sweat it, we're all in the same boat.

If fact, I'm using my DA in a map-based campaign that has it's first battles this week. Depending on how everything goes, I'll have to completely redo my entire army before the end of it because of the new codex.

You are working on bad assumptions from the start. Dont buy any more termies!

I know a manager in GW who has seen the Codex and confirms that Dark Angels handle terminators very differently - and not just as Deathwing.

Rumours include only allowing 5, no more no less in a squad - So dont even THINK about 10 until we know if this is true.
Weapons options are and always have been different, assault and standard terminators can be mixed in the same unit. I also heard you can only take one assault cannon (or other heavy weapon).
There is a lot unknown just about termies, let alone anything else. It would be idiotic to plan further, especially with Dark Angels. GW has had a very bad habit of overpricing many of their specialist units that you might not ever bother to use them.

Besides as you have preordered the Army Deal you should be getting your own Codex before the rest of us. Tell us about it when you get it.

Agreed, overall. It’s a little too soon to be making lists, given how radical the rumored changes are.

You could go ahead and start building some models, however. A ravenwing speeder with AC, maybe some ravenwing bikes, and an attack bike. Those are certainly going to be useful.

If it were me I’d go ahead and make two squads of 10 DA tac marines with vet, heavy weapon and special, in Rhinos. I use them in my current list and they work pretty well, but according to recurrent rumors, they may be more effective/necessary in the new codex. Ten man squads may be the only way to get heavy weapons in Tac squads, and Rhinos are probably only going to cost 35pts.

Due to the lack of full termie info in the rumors, however, It's a little to early to start building deathwing.

Not to mention the new models still to come. Stuff not in the weak army box comeing out. ravenwing and whatever else.

Always a good idea to have a raider in a bigger DA army though.