Mechanisms of Mal’al

The Masters of Malice

It’s been less than two months since Chaos Daemons and Daemons of Chaos books hit the shelves, and already talk has died out on the interwebs. Some speak in hushed tones and others tout the strength of these books, but I for one am still finding lots to love about Chaos Daemons in 6^th. At first glance, some things look way stronger than they are. Horrors and flamers for one, as they used to be the shooting end of the Chaos Daemons book. Now shooting is almost totally gone in the 6^th edition book to be replaced by horde mechanics and fast assault units, oh which the book specializes in. At least five units in the codex have the ability to contact close combat on your second turn, in and of itself an amazing feat. This is made better by

Mal'al cares not where the chaos flows,
only that it comes with malice....

the fact that daemons now have a way to overcome their lack of grenades in a heavy cannon unit that may end up a must have. Over crowded fast and heavy slots hurt the codex, as do over priced headquarter units, but super cheap and decent troops balance this out. With the silly Warp Storm chart, mono-god armies seem to be a good idea but honestly the only decent lists seem to be a potpourri of a little bit of everything.  It took me a few weeks but I’m finally happy with the list I developed, even though there’s some debate about the Bloodthirster.

1850 Chaos Daemons

Slaves Of Malice

Hctib Enrohk, Blood Thirster(Eternal Blade)

Wolthlkay (Slaneeshi Herald(Steed,Portalglyph))

Kanrak

Elite

Flamer slaves with boss

Troops

Plaguebearer slaves(10 with boss)

Plaguebearer slaves(10 with boss)

Plaguebearer slaves(10 with boss)

Daemonettes slaves(15,boss)

Daemonettes slaves(15,boss)

Fast

Flesh hound slaves(10)

Flesh hound slaves(10)

screamer slaves

Heavy

Enrohk Cannon

Enrohk Cannon

Total 1849

Tyranids T6 R US

My Baby Maker

The Tyranid Codex is sup-par. That is a fact and it cannot be ignored. However, there are some shining lights in the codex, and Tyranids are still one of the most fun armies to play around with at the moment. They were my first army at the tail end of 2^nd edition, and they are also my largest. I have amassed over 14k points of Tyranids including the old OOP Armourcast creatures, and have no plan to clear out my stock. With that in mind, I’m trying my version of T 6 R Us (monstrous creatures/creatures with T6 or more only). I have maximized the amount of T6 creatures and taken out the usual Hive Tyrant aspect. I just feel the Tyrant is something that nearly always fails to justify his expense in the 5^th edition book. Four Tervigons should provide enough fodder to prevent my big beasties getting gibed in combat, and with Hive Guard x 3 and Tyrannofex x 2, I should have adequate anti-tank. Happy human smashing!!!!

T6 'R US (1750pts)

1750pt Tyranids 5th Ed (2010) Roster (Standard)

Selections:

* HQ

    * Tervigon

        (Brood Progenitor, Psyker, Shadow in the Warp, Spawn Termagants, Synapse Creature)

        Bonded Exoskeleton, Catalyst, Claws and Teeth, Cluster Spines, Dominion, Toxin Sacs

* Elites

    * Hive Guard Brood

        * 2x Hive Guard

            (Instinctive Behavior - Lurk)

            2x Claws and Teeth, 2x Hardened Carapace, 2x Impaler Cannon

    * Hive Guard Brood

        * 2x Hive Guard

            (Instinctive Behavior - Lurk)

            2x Claws and Teeth, 2x Hardened Carapace, 2x Impaler Cannon

    * Hive Guard Brood

        * 2x Hive Guard

            (Instinctive Behavior - Lurk)

            2x Claws and Teeth, 2x Hardened Carapace, 2x Impaler Cannon

* Troops

    * Termagant Brood

        * 10x Termagant

            (The Scuttling Swarm)

            10x Chitin, 10x Claws and Teeth, 10x Fleshborer

    * Termagant Brood

        * 10x Termagant

            (The Scuttling Swarm)

            10x Chitin, 10x Claws and Teeth, 10x Fleshborer

    * Termagant Brood

        * 10x Termagant

            (The Scuttling Swarm)

            10x Chitin, 10x Claws and Teeth, 10x Fleshborer

    * Tervigon

        (Brood Progenitor, Psyker, Shadow in the Warp, Spawn Termagants, Synapse Creature)

        Adrenal Glands, Bonded exoskeleton, Catalyst, Claws and teeth, Cluster Spines, Dominion, Toxin Sacs

    * Tervigon

        (Brood Progenitor, Psyker, Shadow in the Warp, Spawn Termagants, Synapse Creature)

        Adrenal Glands, Bonded exoskeleton, Catalyst, Claws and teeth, Cluster Spines, Dominion, Toxin Sacs

    * Tervigon

        (Brood Progenitor, Psyker, Shadow in the Warp, Spawn Termagants, Synapse Creature)

        Adrenal Glands, Bonded exoskeleton, Catalyst, Claws and teeth, Cluster Spines, Dominion, Toxin Sacs

Yes, he is happy to see you.

* Heavy Support

    * Tyrannofex

        (Fearless, Instinctive Behavior - Lurk)

        Armoured Shell, Claws and Teeth, Cluster Spines, Rupture Cannon, Thorax Swarm with Desiccator Larvae

    * Tyrannofex

        (Fearless, Instinctive Behavior - Lurk)

        Armoured Shell, Claws and Teeth, Cluster Spines, Rupture Cannon, Thorax Swarm with Electroshock Grubs

CHAOS SPACE MARINE STOMPY STOMPY DEATH!!!!!!!!!!

            At 1750…..      

From DakkaDakka

       

Okay, so a completely non tournament worthy list, just out for fun. I like this idea and think it’s kind of like Robot Rally taken further.  Idea is to use the Daemon Princes If able to lash units for the defiler to blow up real good. With the change to Fire Frenzy, the dreads are almost no risk at all, and they work like normal dreads. Troops are there to facilitate the Greater Daemon’s arrival. I chose regular old troops instead of fancy ones as it lets me get a meltagun and powerfist still in case they end up in a fight. Hopefully you can get the one that doesn’t have a fist into position to spawn the Greater Daemon. ‘Hope Springs Eternal though…. As always, havoc launchers on the rhinos of course. 

Stompy Stompy CSM (1750pts)

* HQ

    * Daemon Prince- Lash of Submission, Mark of Slaanesh, Wings

        (Eternal Warrior, Fearless, Invulnerable Save (5+))

            * Daemon Prince - Lash of Submission, Mark of Slaanesh, Wings

        (Eternal Warrior, Fearless, Invulnerable Save (5+))

        * Elites

    * Chaos Dreadnought - Multi-Melta * Dreadnought Close Combat Weapon- Twin-Linked Bolter

        (Crazed)      

  * Chaos Dreadnought -  Multi-Melta * Dreadnought Close Combat Weapon- Twin-Linked Bolter

        (Crazed)

* Troops

    * Chaos Space Marines  

        4x Chaos Space Marine, Meltagun

        * Aspiring Champion - Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Fist

        * Chaos Rhino- Havoc Launcher

    * Chaos Space Marines

        4x Chaos Space Marine, Meltagun

        * Aspiring Champion - Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Fist

      * Chaos Rhino - Havoc Launcher

    * Chaos Space Marines  

        4x Chaos Space Marine, Meltagun

        * Aspiring Champion - Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Fist

        * Chaos Rhino - Havoc Launcher

   * Chaos Space Marines  

        5x Chaos Space Marine, Meltagun

        * Aspiring Champion -Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Close Combat Weapon

        * Chaos Rhino - Havoc Launcher

* Heavy Support

    * Chaos Defiler - Reaper Autocannon, Twin-Linked Heavy Flamer

        (Fleet)

       * Chaos Defiler - Reaper Autocannon, Twin-Linked Heavy Flamer

        (Fleet)

       * Chaos Defiler -Reaper Autocannon, Twin-Linked Heavy Flamer

             (Fleet)

* (No Category)

    * Summoned Greater Daemon

        (Fearless, Invulnerable Save (4+))

Return of the Counts As.............

As I’ve said before, this blog focuses more on theme lists, fun lists, and conversions than rules or trying to decimate your opponent. That being said, I will be completely ignoring the 6^th edition “leak”. Instead I want to focus on a few things in the next couple weeks. One is the armies I’m working on right now. I’m going to explain why I am taking what I am taking if it’s suboptimal, and the purpose of the list. Another thing I want to bring up real quick is the point value I use for most lists. I like 1750, not because I get to play it often, because most of the pickup games at my FLGS (that’s friendly little game store) are usually 2000 or 1500. I focus on 1750 because it’s the sweet spot that lets you move up or down the easiest. That being said, let’s look at my current conversion project, Deathwing at 1750.

Angels of Malice- (1750pts)

1750pt Dark Angels 4th Edition (2007) Roster (Standard)

* HQ

    * Belial - Master of the Deathwing  

        Storm Bolter and Sword of Silence

* Troops

    * Deathwing Command Squad (Troops)  

        Cyclone Missile Launcher, Deathwing Apothecary, Storm Bolter and Chainfist, 2x Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield, Twin Lightning Claws

        * Sergeant  

            Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield

    * Deathwing Terminator Squad (Troops)  

        Cyclone Missile Launcher, Storm Bolter and Chainfist, 2x Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield, Twin Lightning Claws

        * Sergeant

            Storm Bolter and Power Sword

    * Deathwing Terminator Squad (Troops)  

        Cyclone Missile Launcher, Storm Bolter and Chainfist, 2x Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield, Twin Lightning Claws

        * Sergeant  

            Storm Bolter and Power Sword

    * Deathwing Terminator Squad (Troops)  

        Cyclone Missile Launcher, Storm Bolter and Chainfist, 2x Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield, Twin Lightning Claws

        * Sergeant

            Storm Bolter and Power Sword

    * Deathwing Terminator Squad (Troops)  

        Cyclone Missile Launcher, Storm Bolter and Chainfist, 2x Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield, Twin Lightning Claws

        * Sergeant

            Storm Bolter and Power Sword

    * Deathwing Terminator Squad (Troops)

        Cyclone Missile Launcher, Storm Bolter and Chainfist, 2x Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield, Twin Lightning Claws

        * Sergeant

            Storm Bolter and Power Sword

* Fast Attack

    * Ravenwing Support Squadron  

        * Ravenwing Land Speeder

            Multi Melta, Typhoon Missile Launcher

    * Ravenwing Support Squadron

        * Ravenwing Land Speeder  

            Multi Melta, Typhoon Missile Launcher

This is of course Angels of Malice (Sons of Malice offshoot) chaos counts as using the Dark Angel codex. If you don’t know who Malal is, look him up. I love the Chaos terminator models, and as it’s one of my favorite kits, I had to model a whole army of them. Pictures are coming as soon as I can figure out how to make them non-shitty (the pictures not my minis). The list is pretty standard. I took the land speeders over predators in case I needed deep striking sacrificial melta. I know this brings down the amount of anti-infantry the list brings, but I’m not worried about facing hordes. It would be very easy to swap out for 3 predators with heavy bolter sponsons in any event. 

Tyranids, or How I Stopped Hating Cruddance and Learned to Deal

                I love my nids. I’ve had nids since 2^nd, and have slowly built from 16 gaunts, a Tyrant and 24 genestealers to around 14k points worth of Tyranids. My Hive Fleet is Hive Fleet Ataxia, which means chaos. You can see my previous Swarmlord in the background before my daughter took poor swarmy for a ride in her Malibu Barbie Mazarati. He didn’t fare too well. Now I am one of the first ones to agree on the fact that the 5^th edition codex is crap. Yes crap, shit, and a giant turd that appears to have never been play tested by anyone with cognitive skills greater than an inbred otter at an ISOT get together. The PHAQU that Games Workshop published, then amended then republished helped not at all.  Giving one codex none of the benefits that another codex gets with the same exact equipment just isn’t right. Having five plus combat units without grenades isn’t just not right, it’s totally stupid. Having units that cost more than anything equaling them in another codex is not only stupid, it’s moronic; in what universe is the Tyrannofex worth it’s base cost? But let us get past that and concentrate on something else entirely. In the smaller world of games smaller than 1750, Nids still have it. It’s totally possible to have a good and fun game where you can actually win. At the 2500 point top tier tournaments, Tyranids just are not going to be there. YES there are people who play really well and have the finesse to pull a grand GT off with whatever army they want. That doesn’t mean Tyranids are top tier, or even top 5. They aren’t and that’s the reality of it. We can still enjoy them at lower levels, so let’s make up a decent 1750 list that covers everything.

                First, we need troops and anti mech.  We take the Hive Guard over the under used Zoanthropes.  You may ask why, since the Zoanthropes have a better weapon and a better save. Well, Hive Guard have T6 and are not psykers. Every weapon the Zoanthropes have to take a psychic test on targeting an opponent’s model can be canceled by a psychic hood, and needs to pass 6 tests to hit, so let’s just ignore them for now. So 6 will give us 2 units to blow crap up. Tervigons are one of those few units in the codex that needs to be used in almost every list. It buffs cheap troops into decent choices and also spawns more troops. Let’s take our general 2 Termagaunt squads so we can take 2 Tervigons as troops also. Just remember to protect them so they don’t get instagibbed by Grey Knights and others of their like.

                Next are some decent heavy choices. Two Trygons sounds awesome, as they can do some damage and soak up lots of wounds. They’ll need cover, which they only get from 50% coverage. We’ll take Gargoyles for this, as they are too good not to have in almost every list. 20 Gargoyles with upgrades sounds good as it can do more than just provide cover.

                Last, we need an HQ and some more combat assets. A Tyranid Prime can fill many roles and will even fit in units as one of the codexes few IC’s. Lashwhip & Bonesword work great at extending their life if they get into CC. Raveners are a great unit, and really fast too, so we’ll take a unit of 4. Venomthropes aren’t great but provide more mobile cover for our gaunts and Tervigons, so a unit of 3 goes in. This gives us a set up of:

== HQ ==

Tyranid Prime (1) - Devourer, Lash Whip And Bonesword

== Elites ==

Hive Guard Brood (3)

Hive Guard Brood (3)

Venomthrope Brood (3)

== Troops ==

Termagant Brood (10) - Fleshborer

Termagant Brood (10) - Fleshborer

Tervigon (1) - Stinger Salvo, AG, Toxin Sacs, Cat

Tervigon (1) - Stinger Salvo, AG, Toxin Sacs, Cat

== Fast Attack ==

Gargoyle Brood (20) - AG, Toxin Sacs

Ravener Brood (4) - Scything Talons

== Heavy Support ==

Trygon (1) - Toxin Sacs, Instinctive Behaviour - Feed

Trygon (1) - Toxin Sacs, Instinctive Behaviour - Feed

== Total ==

1750 pts.

 A general all comers list that shows the best of the codex at work. Hope you have fun with it on the table top.