http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/31.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net Now I am not a dark angels players so I was weighting up the pros and the cons, and a thought occurred to me.

Why is the deathwing and ravenwing so special? Specifically the Deathwing. It seems really strange that the dark angels have so many more suits of terminator armour than other chapters, to the degree that they can field an entire company in terminator armour. That seems really unusual to me, where did they get them from and why form the deathwing to start off with. What exactly makes them special? I can understand the ravenwing to a degree because they are more scouts and hunters seeking out the fallen. Personally using a rapid strike force made of bikes and land speeders seems counter productive out of all possible options in dealing with the fallen, but it is a reasoning I can understand. The deathwing however just eludes me.

From a game play perspective it confuses me even more, In both the space wolves and blood angels codex the armies are noticeably different with their armies structured around their strengths, or at least their supposed strengths, like making space wolf scouts elites. However the only thing that makes a dark angels army different from vanilla space marines is their deathwing and ravenwing, and even then they don't seem to be special in any way. The units that comprise those companies are still in the same force organization slot with essentially the same costs, stats and equipment. I fail to see what makes them special in any conceivable way.

I assume I am missing something, and I am hoping the dark angels players can enlighten me.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/476141/4763517.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/476141/4763517.page GMT
As for options, you can't overlook all Deathwing/Ravenwing members being Fearless. This really helps in the small elite squads they're fielded as! In addition, Deathwing suits can mix their loadouts in a way vanilla marines cannot (for instance, CMLs in Assault Squads). Finally, and this is most important, having them as troops means armies can be VERY different when you don't need a tac squad to hold objectives.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/476141/4763546.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/476141/4763546.page GMT Lets do an example.

Belial 130

DW 1x CF 1xCML 250
DW 1x CF 1xCML 250
DW 1x CF 1xCML 250
DW 1 x CF 1x CML 250
DW 1 x CF 1x CML 250

RW 3x 2 PG 150
RW 3x 2 PG 150
RW 3 x2 PG 150

1830

You deploy two DW and 3 RW. The RW scout moves all 3 squads forward and then deploys the 3 DW squads. This puts 15-16 (with Belial) terminators 18" forward of deployment zone. This puts a concentration of firepower close to the enemy on the first turn. The 3 Ravenwing can now harass with their 2 plasma guns. Now I didn't fuss with the deathwing at all as far as TH/SS terminators or heavy flamers, assault cannons or 2 lightning claws. Also didn't make one DW squad into a command squad. The ravenwing are great for harassment but suck at HTH. The Deathwing are rock hard but don't have speed. So they cover each other quite well.

You also have the variation of dropping in Sammael and drop one DW squad. Now with a little work you can have two HQs and 6 troop choices - all RW and DW.

Fluffwise the Deathwing and Ravenwing are 2nd most privy to the true shame of the betrayal. They are both rabid for the recovery of the fallen.
Also the DA are the 1st chapter. Fluffwise, they supposedly have access to a greater amount of the Imperiums high tech items. Plasma and terminator armor both fit into this.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/476141/4763561.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/476141/4763561.page GMT