Blood Angels army list BA 2000 Heavy Mech "Take All Comers" Force

[Jolemai]

In a little over a month I will be playing my first 2000 points game for a number of years, quite possibly the first time I've played at this points level outside of Apocalypse since the 4th edition.

 

As I don't really want to go down the proxy route, alternatives choices and options can be found on my blog.

 

List One

 

This list uses my most recent 1750 list as a basis. I consider this a "light-mech/mech" force.

 

Mephiston

 

Librarian

~ Force Axe

~ Shield and Fear

 

Corbulo

 

Furioso Dreadnought

~ Frag Cannon

~ Melta Gun

~ Magna Grapple

~ Drop Pod

 

Assault Squad (5)

~ Melta Gun

~ Inferno Pistol, Power Sword, Melta Bombs

~ Razorback

~~ Twin-linked Heavy bolter

 

Assault Squad (5)

~ Plasma Pistol

~ Plasma Pistol, Power Axe, Melta Bombs

~ Razorback

~~ Lascannon & Twin-linked Plasma Gun

 

Death Company (8)

~ Power Fist (1)

~ Bolter (1)

~ Bolt Pistol, Power Sword (1)

~ Land Raider

 

Scout Squad (5)

~ Sniper Rifle (4)

~ Heavy Bolter

 

Attack Bike Squadron (1)

~ Multi Melta (1)

 

Attack Bike Squadron (1)

~ Multi Melta (1)

 

Predator Destructor

~ Lascannon Sponsons

~ Dozerblade, Stormbolter

 

Stormraven

~ Twin-linked Multi Melta

~ Twin-linked Assault Cannon

~ Hurricane Bolters

 

Here the plan is fairly simple. The "Fragioso" is the distraction while my force moves up. The Librarian rides with the Melta RAS in the Bolterback providing Shield, while Corbulo rides with the Plasma RAS in the Plaserback. The Predator moves with these along with the Attack Bikes, Mephiston and the Death Company in the Landraider which will undoubtedly be at the forefront. Together these move forward as one to deny space and take the fight to the enemy. The Scouts will arrive in the Stormraven for late objective claiming.

 

 

List Two

 

This alternative list is very different from what I have done recently and is a bit of a throwback to an older way of playing. It is also somewhat experimental as I will be trying out different tactics. I consider this a Hybrid force.

 

Mephiston

 

Librarian

~ Force Axe

~ Shield and Fear

 

Corbulo

 

Sanguinary Priest

 

Furioso Dreadnought

~ Blood Talons

~ Heavy Flamer

~ Magna Grapple

 

Assault Squad (5)

~ Melta Gun

~ Inferno Pistol, Power Sword, Melta Bombs

~ Razorback

~~ Twin-linked Heavy bolter

 

Assault Squad (5)

~ Plasma Pistol

~ Plasma Pistol, Power Axe, Melta Bombs

~ Razorback

~~ Lascannon & Twin-linked Plasma Gun

 

Tactical Squad (10)

~ Plasma Gun

~ Plasma Cannon

 

Death Company (5)

~ Power Fist (1)

~ Bolter (1)

 

Attack Bike Squadron (1)

~ Multi Melta

 

Attack Bike Squadron (1)

~ Multi Melta

 

Land Speeder Squadron (1)

~ Heavy Bolter

~ Typhoon Missile Launcher

 

Stormraven

~ Twin-linked Multi Melta

~ Twin-linked Assault Cannon

~ Hurricane Bolters

 

Dreadnought

~ Assault Cannon

~ Missile Launcher

 

Devastator Squad (5)

~ Missile Launcher (3)

~ Heavy Bolter (1)

 

This operates in three parts. The Sanguinary Priest, Dreadnought, Tactical Squad and Devastator Squad sit on a home objective. The Stormraven has the Death Company and a Furioso Dreadnought which will arrive and (hopefully) cause havoc later in the game. The Librarian rides with the Melta RAS in the Bolterback providing Shield, while Corbulo rides with the Plasma RAS in the Plaserback. Along with Mephiston, the Attack Bikes and the Land Speeder these rush along a flank to attempt to take apart my opponents piecemeal. Perhaps a Whirlwind instead of the Dreadnought?

 

Thoughts?

Edited February 16, 2021 by Brother Tyler
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[Jolemai]

Would just like to add that I do realise the RAS are not optimal. This is because I do not own a second Melta Gun so that leaves me with a Plasma Pistol (3rd edition throwback) or a Flamer. As for putting pistols on my RAS sergeants, not only do I like my sergeants to have some synergy with the special weapon in the squad, but it also means that there *should* be one less opposition to hit me back in combat and at five models, every little bonus helps. There's also the chance of a precision hit

[Meatcaber]

My thoughts were mostly concerned with the Assault squads, do they really need all those upgrades? But you seem happy enough with them.

 

Also, one Attack Bike doesn't make a squadron, neither does a single land speeder :P

 

I prefer the second list, mainly because a single podded Dread may not achieve much (last time I ran a single podded dread it gave my enemy First Blood!), they definitely work better as a pair! And at 2,000 points the enemy has so much more threats to take it out with...

 

Lists look good, otherwise.

 

MC

[Jolemai]

I know what you mean, but to be fair they need something. Naked MSU will do very little, especially as I only have two of them. If I stripped all the upgrades off them I would save 95 points which, looking at my collection, would mean I can squeeze in a Scout Squad. What would do more damage? Two tooled up MSU or five Sniper Rifles?

 

Thanks for the reply

[Jolemai]

/sigh.

 

Just realised that there was a rollback during the last downtime :/

 

Revised List Two

 

Mephiston

 

Librarian

~ Force Axe

~ Shield and Fear

~ Melta Bombs

 

Corbulo

 

Sanguinary Priest

~ Melta Bombs

 

Furioso Dreadnought

~ Blood Talons

~ Melta Gun

~ Heavy Flamer

~ Magna Grapple

 

Assault Squad (5)

~ Melta Gun

~ Melta Bombs

~ Razorback

~~ Twin-linked Heavy bolter

 

Assault Squad (5)

~ Flamer

~ Melta Bombs

~ Razorback

~~ Lascannon & Twin-linked Plasma Gun

 

Tactical Squad (10)

~ Plasma Gun

~ Plasma Cannon

~ Combi-plasma Gun

 

Death Company (9)

~ Power Fist & Bolter (1)

~ Bolter (1)

 

Attack Bike Squadron (1)

~ Multi Melta

 

Attack Bike Squadron (1)

~ Multi Melta

 

Land Speeder Squadron (1)

~ Heavy Bolter

~ Typhoon Missile Launcher

 

Stormraven

~ Twin-linked Multi Melta

~ Twin-linked Assault Cannon

~ Hurricane Bolters

 

Whirlwind

 

Devastator Squad (5)

~ Missile Launcher (3)

~ Heavy Bolter (1)

 

This revamp sees the RAS trimmed down and the Dreadnought switched out for a Whirlwind. With List One being my safe option, List Two now offers me something different in a three pronged assault but is it strong enough at 2000 points?

[Jolemai]

... and now, for something completely different.

 

List Three

 

Blood Angels Primary Detachment

 

Librarian

~ Force Axe

~ Shield of Sanguinius and Fear of the Dark

 

Sanguinary Priest

 

Scout Squad (5)

~ Sniper Rifle (5)

 

Scout Squad (5)

~ Sniper Rifle (3)

~ Heavy Bolter

~ Bolter

 

Tactical Squad (10)

~ Plasma Cannon

~ Plasma Gun

~ Melta Bombs

~ Razorback

~~ Lascannon & Twin-linked Plasma Gun

 

Attack Bike Squadron (1)

~ Multi Melta

 

Devastator Squad (6)

~ Missile Launcher (3)

~ Multi Melta (1)

~ Razorback

~~ Twin-linked Heavy Bolters

 

Whirlwind

 

Predator Destructor

~ Lascannon Sponsons

~ Searchlight

 

Grey Knights Allied Detachment

 

Inquisitor

~ Tactical Dreadnought Armour

~ Psycannon

~ Servo Skull

~ Mastery Level One

~~ Prescience

 

Grey Knights Terminators (10)

~ Psycannon and Daemon Hammer (2)

~ Nemesis Force Halberd (4)

 

Vindicare Assassin

 

Stormraven Gunship

~ Twin-linked Multi Melta

~ Twin-linked Assault Cannon

~ Hurricane Bolters

 

 

 

If I were to field this, it would be my first time with Grey Knights and using allies. The idea here is to hold/contest either backfield/midfield with my Blood Angels while the Grey Knights arrive to tackle/contest anything hard with re-rollable shots on the Terminators, sniping with the Vindicare and using the Stormraven for anti-air/anti-personnel (At the time of writing I will only face a Dakkajet, Helldrake or a Hemlock Wraitfighter so I'm not too concerned there).

 

Thoughts about this list?

Edited August 7, 2013 by Jolemai

[Paulochromis]

some peculiar combos:

i'd suggest making you scouts a single unit and then combat squad them - you save on the sergeant tax.

don't see MM-devastators often, outside of a 4xMM midfield denial unit, and that's normally podded as part of a fairly unique C:SW list

consider swapping the tact & dev transports, keep the lascannon at home.

[Jolemai]

As I'm trying not to proxy, it means that the fourth heavy weapon is either a Multi Melta or a Heavy bolter. By Lascannon are you referring to the sponsons on the AutoLas Predator or the Plaserback?

 

I suppose I could drop the Devastator's Razorback, switch to a Heavy Bolter and purchase another Multi Melta Attack Bike for List three...

[Paulochromis]

the Plaserback

[Jolemai]

Still umming and arring about what to take and I've only got nine days left before I use one of the above lists. The game in question is against Eldar, but I'm not looking to tailor the list towards them (hence the "all-comer" idea). So I've drew up a few pros and cons...

 

List One

 

Pros

~ I know how to use this as it's a naturally extension from my 1500 and 1750 lists

~ First Blood potential

~ Good DC delivery

~ Force moves together well

 

Cons

~ Low Troop count

~ Has to stay in range of Librarian's Razor for Shield

~ Too much bling?

 

List Two

 

Pros

~ Different from what I normally take and I find an unexpected list to be a good thing early on in the battle...

~ Force split into three causes a priority dilemma

 

Cons

~ Force weaker if in three parts

~ Many eggs in the Stormraven basket

~ No obvious First Blood potential

 

List three

 

Pros

~ Very unexpected

~ Strong defensive and counter

~ Uses models I don't field often (Vindicare <3)

 

Cons

~ Easy to isolate the two parts of the force

~ First time playing Grey Knights

~ No obvious First Blood potential

 

To be honest, while I'd like to play List three I might go for the safe option of List one. Decisions, decisions...

[Jolemai]

In the end I opted for List One. As for how it did, that can be seen on my blog.

[Jolemai]

Latest version of List One

 

Mephiston

 

Librarian

~ Force Axe

~ Melta Bombs

~ Shield of Sanguinius and Fear of the Darkness

 

Corbulo

 

Furioso Dreadnought

~ Frag Cannon

~ Melta Gun

~ Magna Grapple

~ Drop Pod

 

Assault Squad (5)

~ Melta Gun

~ Melta Bombs

~ Razorback

~~ Twin-linked Heavy bolter

 

Assault Squad (5)

~ Flamer

~ Melta Bombs

~ Razorback

~~ Lascannon & Twin-linked Plasma Gun

 

Death Company (8)

~ Bolt Pistol and Chainsword (3)

~ Bolter (3)

~ Bolt Pistol and Power Sword (1)

~ Bolter and Power Fist (1)

~ Land Raider

 

Scout Squad (5)

~ Heavy Bolter (1)

 

Attack Bike Squadron (1)

~ Multi Melta (1)

 

Attack Bike Squadron (1)

~ Multi Melta (1)

 

Land Speeder Squadron (1)

~ Heavy Bolter (2)

 

Predator Destructor

~ Lascannon Sponsons

~ Dozerblade, Stormbolter

 

Stormraven

~ Twin-linked Multi Melta

~ Twin-linked Assault Cannon

~ Hurricane Bolters

 

Essentially this follows the same plan as detailed above. I just need to refine my own tactics and not be too defensive with this list. It has a battle next month

Edited September 18, 2013 by Jolemai

[Jolemai]

Thinking of dropping the Landspeeder and the Hurricane Bolters on the Stormraven for a Whirlwind.

 

Thoughts?

[Calnus]

That's not a bad thought Jolemai, since you're trading anti-infantry guns for anti-infantry guns.  also gives you 2 fast and 3 heavy for those missions that turn each scoring, instead of 3 and 2.  Which is nicer because your fast choices are all super flimsy at the moment, and probably wouldn't survive a game of the Scouring as is.

[Jolemai]

Opted for the Whirlwind. As for how it did, read on...

[Brother Dallo]

Just a heads up that your librarian in List 1 is currently illegal. Blood Angels Librarians have no access to Meltabombs. 

[Jolemai]

Firstly a belated thanks to Brother Dallo for pulling me up on that. I did stop equipping them from November onwards!

 

Secondly, this list is booked for a game sometime over the next month, so with a new edition, new tweaks are needed!

 

Revised List

Mephiston

 

Damocles Command Rhino

 

Corbulo

 

Furioso Librarian Dreadnought

 

Assault Squad (5)

~ Melta Gun

~ Melta Bombs

~ Razorback

~~ Twin-linked Heavy bolter

 

Assault Squad (5)

~ Flamer

~ Melta Bombs

~ Razorback

~~ Lascannon & Twin-linked Plasma Gun

 

Death Company (9)

~ Bolt Pistol and Chainsword (4)

~ Bolt Pistol and Power Sword (1)

~ Bolter (3)

~ Bolter and Power Fist (1)

~ Land Raider

~~ Multi Melta

 

Scout Squad (5)

~ Sniper Rifle (4)

~ Heavy Bolter (1)

~ Melta Bombs

 

Attack Bike Squadron (1)

~ Multi Melta (1)

 

Attack Bike Squadron (1)

~ Multi Melta (1)

 

Predator Destructor

~ Lascannon Sponsons

 

Stormraven

~ Twin-linked Multi Melta

~ Twin-linked Assault Cannon

 

Tactics

 

Corbulo goes with the Death Company, who sit in the Land Raider. This moves up the field with the Predator, Razorbacks and the Attack Bikes. The Damocles is there to get the Stormraven on earlier and this contains Mephiston and his mana battery/bodyguard the Furioso Librarian. Naturally, this will be out of sight along with the Whirlwind and the Scouts will probably hide somewhere.

 

Thoughts?

[Shaezus]

Whirlwind? where? :p

[Jolemai]

Exactly! That's what I meant by out of sight...

 

*ahem*

[Jolemai]

Instead of Corbulo riding with the Death Company in the Land Raider I'm considering:
 

• Putting Corbulo with Mephiston (although that's a lot of eggs in that one Stormraven-shaped basket)
• Dropping Corbulo and two Death Company marines for a Reclusiarch

Hmm

 

Hmm

 

Hmm

 

*scratches beard*

[Paulochromis]

 

*scratches beard*

 

Actual facial hair, or "list-nastiness" qualifier (or both)?

[Jolemai]

Actual :)

[Shaezus]

Maybe wait till deployment and then decide what's best.

 

Have to say though putting corbs and meph together is just awesome, best thing to come out of 7th ed so far.

 

Do you know what you are playing against in your game?

[Jolemai]

Maybe wait till deployment and then decide what's best.

 

Have to say though putting corbs and meph together is just awesome, best thing to come out of 7th ed so far.

 

Do you know what you are playing against in your game?

Other than playing against Eldar, I didn't know what I'd be facing on a unit by unit basis. All the same, that last thing I want to do is to tailor a list as I ideally want to only run "all comer" lists going forward.

 

In the end, I opted for Corbulo. As for how the game went, read on.

[Jolemai]

Despite there being a new Codex around the corner, I've decided to update this list anyway as it's been bugging me for a while now.

 

Revised List

Mephiston

Damocles Command Rhino

Furioso Librarian Dreadnought

Assault Squad (5)
~ Melta Gun
~ Melta Bombs
~ Razorback
~~ Twin-linked Heavy bolter

Assault Squad (5)
~ Flamer
~ Melta Bombs
~ Razorback
~~ Lascannon & Twin-linked Plasma Gun

Death Company (9)
~ Bolt Pistol and Chainsword (4)
~ Bolt Pistol and Power Sword (1)
~ Bolter and Power Fist (1)
~ Land Raider
~~ Multi Melta

Scout Squad (5)
~ Sniper Rifle (4)
~ Heavy Bolter (1)
~ Melta Bombs

Attack Bike Squadron (1)
~ Multi Melta (1)

Attack Bike Squadron (1)
~ Multi Melta (1)

Predator Destructor
~ Lascannon Sponsons

Stormraven
~ Twin-linked Multi Melta
~ Twin-linked Assault Cannon

 

Whirlwind

 

Inquisitorial Detachment

 

Ordo Xenos Inquisitor

~ Power Armour

~ Mastery Level 1 (Divination)

~ Servo Skulls (3)

~ Rad Grenades

~ Liber Heresis

Tactics

Essentially, this plays similar to the previous list. However, I have dropped Corbulo for the Inquisitor. In theory, his/her (I've not decided what to make yet!) Rad Grenades will boost the Death Company along with Prescience from Divination. The extra warp charge will also help Mephiston when he arrives. As he/she will be in combat, the eight points for Power Armour seem like a good investment. The Servo Skulls will help me aim the Orbital Bombardment from my Damocles (hopefully...) and Liber Heresis could be huge provided I pass the Leadership tests required. Simply, I will use the Scout rule on the first turn to move the Land Raider with the Inquisitor and Death Company a full twelve inches and then use the other ones where and when necessary (Hatred/Counterattack/Fear/Split fire).

 

Hopefully I'll get a chance to use it this side of the new Codex!

Thoughts?