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Hello guys, I've just started my first Warhammer 40k Army of Crimson Fists Space Marines.
I've tried putting a list of 1,000 points just to start and learn the game methods.

I'm a bit confused on the formations business so I just went with the CAD. Any help regarding formations would be great.


FORMATION:
- Combined Arms Detachment

HQ:
+ Pedro Kantor (185 pts)

ELITES:
+ Sternguard Veterans Squad (5) - 130pts
1 Sternguard Veteran Sergeant: Combi-flamer, Bolt pistol
1 Sternguard Veteran: Combi-flamer, Bolt pistol
3 Sternguard Veteran: Boltgun, Bolt pistol
* Dedicated Transport:
Drop pod (1) - 35pts
1 Drop pod: Stormbolter

+ Sternguard Veterans Squad (5) - 135pts
1 Sternguard Veteran Sergeant: Combi-melta, Bolt pistol, Melta bombs
1 Sternguard Veteran: Combi-melta, Bolt pistol
3 Sternguard Veteran: Boltgun, Bolt pistol
* Dedicated Transport:
Drop pod (1) - 35pts
1 Drop pod: Stormbolter

+ Sternguard Veterans Squad (5) - 135pts
1 Sternguard Veteran Sergeant: Combi-grav, Bolt pistol, Melta bombs
1 Sternguard Veteran: Combi-grav, Bolt pistol
3 Sternguard Veteran: Boltgun, Bolt pistol
* Dedicated Transport:
Drop pod (1) - 35pts
1 Drop pod: Stormbolter

TROOPS:
+ Tactical Squad (5) - 80pts
1 Sergeant
1 Tactical Marine: Heavy bolter, Bolt pistol
3 Tactical Marine: Boltgun, Bolt pistol

+ Tactical Squad (5) - 80pts
1 Sergeant
1 Tactical Marine: Heavy bolter, Bolt pistol
3 Tactical Marine: Boltgun, Bolt pistol

HEAVY SUPPORT:
+ Devastator Squad (5) - 150pts
1 Devastator Sergeant
4 Space Marine: Lascannon, Bolt pistol


That's the list I have so far.
Pedro Kantor will be riding with one of the Sternguard squads I guess.

IRL I actually don't have Pedro Kantor and the Drop Pods.
I do plan on getting them next if the list is viable.

C&C appreciated!

The only problem I can see is if you go up against things like stormswords, baneblades, wraithknights, imperial knights, several LRBT's, things like that, simply because these days you can fit them as well as a small army into a 1000 points list.

That's basically the type of army list I used to have for my Blood Ravens save for the fact I used a couple of drop pods and instead of sternguard I used vanguard veterans. It worked back in 5th edition and late 4th edition, though only if I was lucky to find an easy army when it came to 6th edition.

I would say.... you've got too many small little packs of infantry that can be picked off one at a time by a couple of artillery pieces, or massed-ranks of fire, or tanks. What I would do is consider more lascannons than you have, even if it requires buying more models.... and less 5-man squads.

Though the list is pretty good for some armies, it won't last long against the slightest bit of cheddar, I'm afraid.

Good luck, and welcome to Dakka and Warhammer 40k! May the Emperor guide your sword!

I agree with addiction about to many small units this list looks similar to one I saw my buddy play with when he first used the fists. If your up against let's say tyranids or orks you'd do mostly cause your special ammunition for your stern guard but I wouldn't put to much faith in your dev squad tomuch either they basically have a giant SHOOT ME sign over them and since your only real big guns are lascannons if they go than 66% of your vehicle killers are gone. I know kantor makes sternguard OBJ secure but at such a small game there to expensive to run sternguard assault. Try dropping one or two of the units and moving those points into some armor I.e Storm Tallon or predator tank maybe even 2 dreadnaughts in place.

I'm a big fan of Crimson Fists. They do have some problems when it comes to fielding them fluffy however. The most important thing to keep in mind when fielding fluffy Crimsons Fists is that you can't expect them to keep up with CheeseSpam lists (Flyrants, Bikespam, Grav Spam, Wraithknight Spam, Double Demi, etc etc). But they are GREAT for learning the game because they are easy and devoid of alot of complicated rules and niche weapons.

Pedro Kantor always makes me a bit iffy tho. The ObSec Sternguard are neat, but other than that you're choosing a CC-dude in a shooty army. He also packs quite the pricetag in a 1000pts game.

Which brings me to the next point: Don't forget that CF use Imperial Fist Chapter Tactics, which means rerolls on all bolters. Also, Tank Hunter Devs.
Many an opponent has underestimated the power of 4 heavy bolters rerolling To-Hits of 1 and To-Wounds on vehicles in 1000-1500 point games.

The Lascannon Devs present too big and easy a target in smaller point games, they are also not very versatile in their use.
Fielding them with heavy bolters often makes them appear less threatening as people tend to overlook Bolter Drill and Tank Hunter.

I've tried to use all the models that you have for something similar to what you want to field:

Gladius Strikeforce
Chapter Tactics: Crimson (Imperial) Fists

Battle Demi-Company

HQ:
+ Chaplain - 90
Bolt pistol, Crozius Arcanum

Troops:
+ Tactical Squad (5) - 80pts
1 Sergeant
1 Tactical Marine: Heavy bolter, Bolt pistol
3 Tactical Marine: Boltgun, Bolt pistol

+ Tactical Squad (5) - 80pts
1 Sergeant
1 Tactical Marine: Heavy bolter, Bolt pistol
3 Tactical Marine: Boltgun, Bolt pistol

+ Tactical Squad (5) - 80pts
1 Sergeant
1 Tactical Marine: Heavy bolter, Bolt pistol
3 Tactical Marine: Boltgun, Bolt pistol

Fast Attack:
+ Land Speeder Squadron - 50pts
1 Land Speeder
2 Heavy Bolter

HEAVY SUPPORT:
+ Devastator Squad (5) - 110pts
1 Devastator Sergeant
4 Space Marine: Heavy Bolter, Bolt pistol

1st Company Task Force

+ Sternguard Veterans Squad (5) - 140pts
1 Sternguard Veteran Sergeant: Combi-Melta, Bolt pistol
2 Sternguard Veteran: Combi-melta, Bolt pistol
2 Sternguard Veteran: Boltgun, Bolt pistol
* Dedicated Transport:
Drop pod (1) - 35pts
1 Drop pod: Stormbolter

+ Sternguard Veterans Squad (5) - 135pts
1 Sternguard Veteran Sergeant: Boltgun, Bolt pistol, Melta Bombs
2 Sternguard Veteran: Combi-melta, Bolt pistol
2 Sternguard Veteran: Boltgun, Bolt pistol
* Dedicated Transport:
Drop pod (1) - 35pts
1 Drop pod: Stormbolter

+ Sternguard Veterans Squad (5) - 130pts
1 Sternguard Veteran Sergeant: Combi-flamer, Bolt pistol
1 Sternguard Veteran: Combi-flamer, Bolt pistol
3 Sternguard Veteran: Boltgun, Bolt pistol
* Dedicated Transport:
Drop pod (1) - 35pts
1 Drop pod: Stormbolter

---------

With the Gladius Strikeforce you lose ObSec on the Sternguard whilst keeping it on the Demi-Company. You also gain Bolter Drill and Combat Doctrines, which is lovely for all that bolter fire that you're going to be using. I've swapped out the combi-grav for combi-melta, this is all personal preference and you'll have to pick and choose depending on your gaming circle's meta.
The chaplain can be a captain if you so choose, but having Zealot with the Sternguard can be nice if your first round of fire doesn't kill their target and they somehow miraculously survive the next round.
The landspeeder is in there to fill up a mandatory Fast Attack slot. Dont forget: as it is a vehicle, it does not get Chapter Tactics. Therefore no Bolter Drill :(. Consider swapping out the heavy bolters for a Multi-Melta against armor or Heavy Flamer against hordes.

This army's biggest problem is that it is lacking fast objective grabbers, but it shines when you can bring your gunlines to bear. Remember the rule of thumb with gunlines, cover is your friend.
Consider putting in some grav-gun bikers with a captain on a bike if your gaming circle's meta has alot of high AV in 1000pts games.

Special Rules to bear in mind:
1st company taskforce has Extremis Level Threat, meaning Preferred Enemy against a unit of your choosing. This isnt optimal for vehicle hunting Sternguard, but consider it an extra boon. Be considerate with this though, put it on a unit you know you can kill.

Combat Doctrines:
Be sure to use these Doctrines when your Sternguard come in hot for Rerolling Combi goodness. Also good for when you need to focusfire something down without tempting the dicegods.

Bolter Drill:
All Crimson fists reroll 1's when firing with Boltpistols, Boltguns and Heavy Bolters (special ammo gets rerolls too!) Dont forget that Devastators get Tank Hunting.

I like your original list. To be fair, I also like the gladius list above, but it is very light on AV firepower.

Kantor is expensive for a low cost game. Not that he’s bad, just a big chunk of points.

Combi flamers cost the same as heavy flamers. HFs are the one weapon I think it’s worth giving up your special ammo for. If you want to get in touch with your inner Salamander, go big. FYI, my preferred SG squad is 2xHF, and then 7-8 normal guys, depending if I need a seat in the pod for a HQ.

On average, it takes 4-5 melta shots to reliably pop a tank. Obviously, lots of variables here, especially what you consider “reliable”. But 2 c-meltas is not going to do it. The concept of drop melta SG is sound, you just need to go all-in.

C-grav should do OK.

3 is a very good number for pods. Makes for a nice hybrid drop list. But you are very tight for points in this list. I might consider just going with two, and combining 2 of the sternguard. They can combat squad out of the pod, to tactically will play very similarly. Just 35 points less.

Those 5 man tac squads going to sit back and camp objectives? That’s scout work. They do it better, for less points. Infiltrate lets then start outside your deployment zone, camo cloaks let them get better cover saves, etc. One of the perks of a CAD is you don’t need to take tac squads. Not that they don’t work here.

Devs are fine, but are going to be a priority target. Just be careful with them. But they are solid AV, and you need that.

---

Formations are similar to the CAD. There are things you need to take, and optional things you can. Some of the “needs” are flexible, where you can choose from a list. You can’t take anything not offered. All the units in the formation get it’s special rules. You can keep taking formations until you run out of points. Models can’t be in more then one. With the major exception of meta formations like the Gladius. Where you have a formation made up of other formations. In this case a mini belongs to both the sub and big formations (and gets both rules) But you couldn’t have say, a chaplain, who was filling the role both in a battle demi-co and a reclusium command squad.