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How do!

So starting to work off some ring rust when it comes to list writing. But being years since I last played, I’m a bit in the dark as to how many Troops Units I want.

I’ve got 40 MkVI left to build, and the option to make them Tactical Support Squads. But in terms of Line, I’ve only two 20 strong Tactical Squads.

What’s your preference and opinion here?

I run three Tacticals and that gives a good set of board and objective coverage. TBF though, the IW rules mean that I can hurt Dreadnoughts with my Bolters. But regardless, 3 gives good coverage and they're good enough to not feel like a tax.

It's worth noting one of the positive changes is rhinos transport capacity is 12 in 2.0, so stuff like tossing apothecaries into tac squads is easier now if you wanna go mechanized for some.

 Crablezworth wrote:
It's worth noting one of the positive changes is rhinos transport capacity is 12 in 2.0, so stuff like tossing apothecaries into tac squads is easier now if you wanna go mechanized for some.

I try to chuck an apoth or Centurion in with every squad.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
How do!

So starting to work off some ring rust when it comes to list writing. But being years since I last played, I’m a bit in the dark as to how many Troops Units I want.

I’ve got 40 MkVI left to build, and the option to make them Tactical Support Squads. But in terms of Line, I’ve only two 20 strong Tactical Squads.

What’s your preference and opinion here?

What legion are you playing?

Because some can skip on troop troops due to frontline being the actual important bit. Hence why command squads are an highly interesting choice for an offensive build since the legionbanner grants frontline.

That said as an AL player, i found the humble tac squad with apothecary and a rhino surprisingly sturdy, the chance at a 4+++ is nice, -2" means i can go to inch 12/11 and be an annoyance, the rhino itself can be an annoyance, etc.

I do try therefore to have about 3 troop-troops.
But i am not going to skip on -8" nemisis boltgun scouts.

I’m playing Dark Angels. At least in theory. Nothing is painted. Yet. ?

I tend to start all my armies with two units of tacticals marines of despoilers, and go from there. After that it's mainly the question of what your theme and rite of war (if any) are and how you want the army to play. Three units of 20 tacticals with apothecaries and vexillas are really hardy and are likely to stick around a long time thanks to being stubborn and 4+ fnp on an objective. Despoilers same thing but with a few power weapons and heavy chainswords they. Can easily take middle or forward objectives and fight other troops to hold them, Or go hunting heavy weapons, artillery and vehicles.

As I say after that it depends on the army I want to play. For armoured breakthrough I just have 2x10 who sit in the land raiders then grab objectives when it's safe. If I'm playing all infantry I'll normally have 6 troop choices of which 5-6 will be line because I'm probably going to be losing more

With my sons of Horus I have my 2x15 tactical and despoiler and then my only other scoring is my herald, but the rest of the army are hard hitting fast moving elites (reavers, dreads and vets) who will be doing most of the fighting and taking the enemies attention

I like Recons and Assault Marines myself. Though lately I've been running a Command Squad with my Delagatus (all with jump packs, of course) and a Herald with jump pack (who can alternatively go in a Raptor Squad or deep striking Atrementar Squad, matchup depending), instead of the Assaults. Though you do have to make sure that those Heralds/Standard Bearers stay alive.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
I’m playing Dark Angels. At least in theory. Nothing is painted. Yet. ?

Thats a pre-discovery of Lionel Johnson 1st legion then?

 SirDonlad wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
I’m playing Dark Angels. At least in theory. Nothing is painted. Yet. ?

Thats a pre-discovery of Lionel Johnson 1st legion then?

Might for the lost Legion known as the Concrete Donkeys.

In my personal head cannon the DA were a normal space marine legion until finding their primarch Lionel; the moment turned into an 80's stage show...




We're very lucky to have that event recorded.

From that moment onward the 1st legion were forever changed....

At minimum, I'd say 2 units of 10 tactical marines. If anything, they can sit on backfield objectives. Even World Eaters need something to keep their backfield objective.

I'd suggest starting at 2000 points - use the items in the Age of Darkness box and get a box of special weapons and heavy weapons. Start with a couple of minimum squads and grow them into larger squads when you get another 20 man box. At 2000 points, 20 tacticals and a character with a command squad should be enough. At 3,000 points you probably want another 20 and a Despoiler squad or Breachers. In addition, you may want a terminator command squad.