New to Dark Angels

[Sanguine Rose]

I am looking at getting into 40K and want to start with Dark Angels. I like to look, rules, and "are they loyal or not" fluff.  I was thinking a Ravenwing list, but I don't want to buy any dead weight units.  Any ideas on a good list?

[twopounder]

I am looking at getting into 40K and I like to look, rules, and "are they loyal or not" fluff.  I was thinking a Ravenwing list, but I don't want to buy any dead weight units.  Any ideas on a good list?

 

Nothing in RW is dead weight. But it does take a lot of skill to use. It's not really a beginner army and it's expensive to build.

 

Also, I'm confused by the first sentence.

[Sanguine Rose]

My kid spilled soda on the keyboard today and it randomly stops working for a few words.  I really need to get a new one.  Until then, I will try to better about proofreading.

 

What would be a better start?

 

edit: It crapped out halfway again.  Getting a replacement in the morning.

[Captain Semper]

Welcome to the DAs and the Rock. Im not the best person to ask on lists functionality but I think going heavy of RW will not harm. Besides they are one of the most iconic elements of the DA mythos! 

 

Also soda and keyboards? Bad combo! :D

[twopounder]

My kid spilled soda on the keyboard today and it randomly stops working for a few words.  I really need to get a new one.  Until then, I will try to better about proofreading.

 

What would be a better start?

 

edit: It crapped out halfway again.  Getting a replacement in the morning.

 

I think a "no food or drink at the computer" rule is in order!

 

Power armor marines are great for getting your feet wet. They won't win you any tournaments, but they won't break the bank either. You can start with the dark vengeance box set which will give you a decent starting force. One of the best buys currently is two dark vengeance sets and betrayal at calth. You can score them on Ebay at a good discount. You'll of course need to get the Dark Angel codex. As a bonus, you can sell off the chaos models, give them to your kids, or trade them at your local GW for more DA. You can also go 50/50 with a chaos player and split them that way, if you can find someone willing.

 

The benefit is that you will have 2 (or one full squad) of bikes and two squads of terminators to practice with and a metric ton of power armor marines to build the core of your army. You can also use the heresy era bits to make a more flavorful and fluff friendly 1st legion: 

 

http://pre00.deviantart.net/41d3/th/pre/f/2016/057/f/5/img_20160226_231841_by_s3dition-d9t9476.jpg

 

Finally, you can practice your model building and painting skills on more diluted army before moving on to a smaller force that will get more attention.

[Sanguine Rose]

He's only 2 and a half, so I cut him some slack.

 

I was looking at Dark Vengeance, and my wife wants to play Khorne, so win win.

 

I have painted minis for years, and I love the over all look of the Dark Angels.  The three paint schemes are an added bonus.  Angel iconography bits seem to be everywhere and with one kit making multiple units, I don't think I will be hurting for extra parts.

[twopounder]

He's only 2 and a half, so I cut him some slack.

 

I was looking at Dark Vengeance, and my wife wants to play Khorne, so win win.

 

I have painted minis for years, and I love the over all look of the Dark Angels.  The three paint schemes are an added bonus.  Angel iconography bits seem to be everywhere and with one kit making multiple units, I don't think I will be hurting for extra parts.

 

You lucky dog you! Yeah, definitely invest in some Dark Vengeance sets then. Also, Khorne is the absolute worst army to take against DA. Many, many players use a lion's blade which essentially gets two shooting rounds per turn vs Khorne. This is in addition to the intrinsic anti-chaos abilities.

 

This can be metered out in your list so you don't so fully crush your wife's army. Just be mindful that DA can accidentally table a Khorne army.

[Epher]

Welcome to the Rock!  I would definitely start out with the DV set or two and if you are looking to fill out a Ravenwing list you can find the DV bikes on Ebay for a reasonable price and the Dark Angels Battle Force is another good way to add some heavy hitting Ravenwing units.

 

If you are looking to do some DA painting there is the ETL Painting Challenge. We can always use a few more brushes for the Lion!

[Disciple of Caliban Sgt]

Keep in mind if you use our beloved combo army of RW and DW you will have a very hard time of it initially however once you get it to work it is an awesome army to play and has made my learning of fundamentals etc. improve greatly. Good luck and welcome to the rock.

[ValourousHeart]

Dark vengeance is a good deal and a great way into the hobby.

 

However don't buy into the idea that RW is not for beginners.

RW lists will have 2 unit types, 4 profiles and 5-6 weapons.

You'll be able to focus your understanding of the rules on simply the parts that apply to your army, and you should be able to learn them very quickly.

And you can pick up the rest of the rules as you face them.

 

If you go the dark vengeance route you will get units that are all over the rule book.

Hardly less complicated, or more beginner friendly.

 

Not saying you can't go that route, but simply that to say RW is not for beginners, is a very naive POV.

 

If RW is really what you are drawn to about the DA, then go for it.

 

Here is a good beginner list, and it is a solid core to expand upon.

 

Sammie Speeder

12 bikes

2 attack bikes

2 land speeders

 

With upgrades that is right about 750 points, which is an easy point level to get to and find a game.

That list will teach you all of the basics of the game and how to be successful with RW.

 

At 1000 points you can add any 1-2 other RW unit(s) you would like to try out.

From there you just increment up 250-500 points at a time.

[Sanguine Rose]

I was hoping to expand into Deathwing and Greenwing. Deathwing just seemed like a place to start. I only have a half painted tactical squad from a while ago, so I am open to alternatives.

[ValourousHeart]

The best advice I can give about 40k is to pick an army you are passionate about.

 

If you keep to your passion, you'll play more, paint more and not hoard nearly as much.

 

For me that is Sisters of Battle and Ravenwing... with RW being the one that makes me go a little crazy.

That might change when they finally get around to updating sisters again.

 

If you want to try each of the wings, then DV is a great place to start and 2 sets will get you a solid core army.

[dtse]

I started recently in ravenwing and it's awesome but you will have to eBay or convert a bunch of things into bikes. Librarians and chaplains for one unless you just want to use sammael. And small conversions to get the right ins into your bikers. Like melta or grav. But other than that you can just spam bike boxes or black knight boxes. You can get cheap dark vengeance bike bits off eBay for your conversions

[tugeez]

I started a few years ago with Dark Angels and DV was the first thing I bought.  I agree about the three different color schemes keeping it interesting.  I had also painted miniatures for years before I got into it.  The DV set is the perfect place to start painting Dark Angels and to get a feel of all three aspects of the army.  You may think initially that you like RW, but end up wanting to go Greenwing or Deathwing.  I have multiple sets of the DA DV set to build up my army.  They are pretty easy to convert, but helps to build up your squads, particularly if you work toward a Battle Demi-Company later.

[Disciple of Caliban Sgt]

Deathwing is extremely difficult and can be annoying if you don't have patience. Once you learn it and master it vs. certain armies you become a better general I think. Combined wing is fun using both ravenwing and deathwing. Greenwing gives us a bit of a standard equivalent.

 

I like DA for having the ability to play all three wings or combined with one faction is nice. However as stated DV set is great you just need a way to get bikes and convert.

 

DoC