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.

I'm creating a new Dark Angels army (1000 pts), more specifically a Ravenwing based army, and I was wondering if it was actually any good:

This army is in 6th edition as that is what I play with my friends...

Sammael


Ravenwing Command Squad
-Ravenwing Grenade Launcher, Champion, Ravenwing Company Banner

Ravenwing Dark Talon

Ravenwing Attack Squad x4
-Flamer, Plasma Gun

Ravenwing Darkshroud
-Assault Cannon

Exactly 1000 pts total

My plan would generally be to utilize the Ravenwing company banner and constantly hit and run, while supporting them with the Ravenwing Darkshroud's Assault Cannon and abilities.

Thanks

If you expand this list, the 6th edition DA codex got an errata to allow up to 2 extra Black Knights in the RW Command Squad.

I'm not keen on the assault cannon upgrade for the Darkshroud, as it should always be Jinking.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but 6th ed Sammy only makes standard Ravenwing Attack Squadrons into Troops, so you're short by one troop?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but 6th ed Sammy only makes standard Ravenwing Attack Squadrons into Troops, so you're short by one troop?

I have 1 HQ (Sammael + Command), 4 Troops (4xRavenwing Bikes), and 2 Fast Attack (Darkshroud, Dark Talon)

Also, what would you recommend that I use the points from the assault cannon for? How much do the additions to the RW Command Squad cost?

Ah, I see! Sorry, assumed it was a single unit of 4 bikers (*facepalm*).

I have managed to find the 6th edition FAQ (I'd saved it on my computer), here's the bit for RW Command squads:

Page 96 – Ravenwing Command Squad, options.
Add:
“• The Ravenwing Command Squad may purchase up to two
additional Ravenwing Black
Knights……………………………………………..40 pts / model”
Change the first bullet point to:
“• One Ravenwing Black Knight may take a banner from the
following list:
- Ravenwing Company Banner*...........................................15 pts”
- Revered Standard................................................................25 pts”
- Alternatively, the may take a banner from the Sacred Standards
section of the wargear list.”

Note sure what exactly I'd use the assault cannon points for, as you'd have to drop RW bikers for anything significant. I'd be tempted to work in some melta but the old combat squads rule wasn't great for RW.

Another thing to note is that in 6th, the Standard of Devastation is pretty brutal with Ravenwing bikes.

Thanks for that, but should I exchange the Ravenwing Company Banner, which automatically allows all Ravenwing units to pass their Initiative tests for Hit and Run within 12", for the Banner of Devestation?

Also, where did you initially find that FAQ?

Depends if you want to keep your friends

The FAQ's have moved about quite abit historically - from the GW site to the Black Library, and back to the GW main site again. Here's a link to the current (7th) versions, though they've currently got the next versions in draft form on their Facebook page.

PM me your email address and I'll be able to send you the 6th edition one.

Would it be a valid strategy to constantly hit and run, utilizing the Ravenwing Company Banner to automatically pass the initiative test, the Rift cannon on the Storm Talon to lower the WS and BS of the unit that is being assaulted to 1, and the Ravenwing Grenade Launcher's Rad shells to reduce the Toughness of the unit by one, or would my army be easily shredded to bits?

 wlnnell wrote:
Would it be a valid strategy to constantly hit and run, utilizing the Ravenwing Company Banner to automatically pass the initiative test, the Rift cannon on the Storm Talon to lower the WS and BS of the unit that is being assaulted to 1, and the Ravenwing Grenade Launcher's Rad shells to reduce the Toughness of the unit by one, or would my army be easily shredded to bits?

It's definitely a valid tactic, although I remember the Rift Cannon itself being a bit underwhelming? S5 AP- with a Blind test? But it still has the stasis bomb and the hurricanes.

Should I exchange it for more bikes? Also, why is the standard of devastation so good?

 wlnnell wrote:
Should I exchange it for more bikes? Also, why is the standard of devastation so good?

Unless I'm forgetting what it does it doubles the firepower of a Bike.

True, but is that more useful to my army then automatically passing Initiative tests on Hit and Run attacks?

I would say it is. I4 is pretty good as it is as you pass most of the time. You can increase H&R by a third or double range power. (Assuming I can do maths which is questionable given the amount of mistakes I make.)

The Standard Costs 50 pts more then the RW Company Standard, should I scrap the Dark Talon, use some of the points to get that standard and then the rest to get more bikes or possibly a devastator squad for more firepower?

I'd forgotten it cost that much (it doesn't appear in the 7th edition 'dex).

Stick with what you have, play a few games, then jiggle things about and try the SoD.

As it's the 6th rules I would definitely get rid of the Dark Talon.

Looking at my army, I realized that I have VERY few bodies, thereby meaning that every death would be noticeable, should i exchange my Dark Talon for more bikes if the Rift Cannon isn't that good?