Hey there! I’m Kian Alden (the Intern) and I’m here to talk to you about my newest, and most ambitious army: The Blood Pact! In this article I’ll be going over my history as a gamer, and how I came to decide on a Blood Pact army, as well as some list building and tactics.
I started playing Warhammer 40k way back when I was nine years old, and the first army that I chose to drown in glue and thick paint was a Chaos Space Marines force. I’m not entirely sure why I chose Chaos, but something about them and their story called to me and has always brought me back to the ranks of traitors, heretics, and madmen time after time. When I first picked up Chaos the legendary 3.5 Codex was still in use, and so I was spoiled for choice with awesome characters, units, alternate force orgs, Legion specific rules, and fluffy wargear. Unfortunately the state of bliss that was the 3.5 Chaos book was not to last, and I feared it would never be seen again….but my prayers have been answered!
At the start of my three month period of servitude…I mean “internship,” I possessed nothing but a ramshackle Ork army and two 300 point Infinity forces. I quickly realized that my time with Reece and Frankie was the perfect moment for a rebirth, a reawakening of my love for Chaos and the joys that I had playing them in all their fluffy glory. I set about myself for knowledge, scouring the latest tomes of dark knowledge and once my eyes found the unholy pages of the re-release of The Siege of Vraks I knew I was home. As I read the fluff and army lists of the Vraks book, my thoughts flew immediately to my favorite fluff event in the entire canon: The Sabbat Worlds Crusade. The Sabbat Worlds hold a special allure to me because they created the most fearsome human (read: not Astartes) military organization available to Chaos; the Blood Pact.
After re-reading the fluff around the origins, tactics, organization, and leadership of the Blood Pact I decided to create my new army in their image. My army would consist of fearsome, ruthless, and utterly committed soldiery who would willingly throw their bodies into the maw of death for the sake of Khorne and victory. The Blood Pact are one part Mad Max Warboy, one part Norse Warrior, and one part hardened soldier. They use every tool available to them (aside from vile sorcery of course!) and do so with an efficiency that is terrifying to behold, even when compared to their Imperial counterparts. With the background to my army taking shape, I moved on to my army-list:
| Khorne Renegades (Kain’s Chosen) | ||
| Unending Tide Detachment | Size | Cost |
| HQ | ||
| Renegade Command Squad, Master of the Horde, Khorne Devotion | 5 | 65 |
| Elites | ||
| Blood Slaughterer w/ impaler | 1 | 135 |
| Blood Slaughterer w/ impaler | 1 | 135 |
| Troops | ||
| Renegade Infantry Platoon | ||
| 1x Command squad | 15 | 45 |
| 3x Infantry Squad of 15 w/ 3 flamers | 30 | 180 |
| Renegade Infantry Platoon | ||
| 1x Command squad | 15 | 45 |
| 3x Infantry Squad of 15 w/ 3 flamers | 30 | 180 |
| 2x Renegade Veteran Squads of 5 | 10 | 70 |
| The Purge Detachment | ||
| HQ | ||
| Renegade Command Squad | 5 | 40 |
| Elites | ||
| 2x Renegade Disciple Squad of 5 | 10 | 70 |
| Heavy Support | ||
| Battery of 2 Earthshakers, 7 crew | 16 | 128 |
| Battery of 2 Rapier Laser Destroyers, 2 crew | 6 | 56 |
| Battery of 2 Rapier Laser Destroyers, 2 crew | 6 | 56 |
| Battery of 2 Earthshakers, 7 crew | 16 | 128 |
| Detachment Totals | 166 | 1333 |
| Khorne Daemonkin CAD | Size | Cost |
| HQ | ||
| Herald of Khorne | 1 | 55 |
| Herald of Khorne | 1 | 55 |
| Troops | ||
| Bloodletters | 8 | 80 |
| Bloodletters | 8 | 80 |
| Fast Attack | ||
| Heldrake | 1 | 170 |
| Fortification | ||
| Aegis Defense Lines w/ Comms Relay | 1 | 70 |
| 510 |
Grand Total: 1843 points
Note: I can’t legally run this list (yet) as per ITC rules and am waiting on one of two things to happen: first, if the latest ITC vote rules that I can take two of the same detachment, I’ll switch The Purge to a CAD and throw the second blood slaughterer in there and move a battery into the Unending Tide, and second, if Forgeworld gets off their asses and releases an FAQ for Khorne Daemonkin I can move both Blood Slaughterers into the KDK CAD. In the event that neither of the above situations comes to pass, I have a plan to tweak the list slightly.
This army list is what I came up with to represent a Blood Pact army ready for war. I felt that in order to represent the fanaticism, and Khornate nature of the Blood Pact I needed a way to flood the board with soldiers who didn’t care if they died. The Unending Tide formation allows me to do just this. I can literally drown my opponent in bodies while hammering them with artillery and anti-tank fire, using my Khorne Daemonkin to harass, secure objectives, and as shock assault support when I can tie targets up with my troopers. My favorite units in the list, the Blood Slaughterers, use their impalers to score charges on the turn that they deep strike by pulling an unfortunate target into base-to-base with them. The Slaughterers have excellent synergy with Khorne Daemonkin who can use blood tithe to summon units of Daemons with icons (and icons, unlike homing beacons, work immediately) that allow them to deep strike with no scatter. The Heldrake allows me to summon within 12″, and then the Slaughterers appear where they are needed most without scatter.
I’ll be posting further to talk about how the army plays, but for now I’ll just show you some photos of the work that I’ve done so far on the army!
Army shot showing the ranks of Pactsmen, with the Master of the Horde and his Command Squad in front.
Another shot, showing the Renegade infantry units, Cuddles (Slaughterer 1), and some of the artillery
All but one of the Infantry squads is shown here (I still need 15 more bodies), should have them ready in the next two days.
Another photo of Cuddles, showing the majority of the Daemonkin CAD with the two Heralds of Khorne in the front. I’ll be spraying the Daemons tonight.
The Earthshaker Batteries, and showing off my least favorite model in the army: The Heldrake (I hate painting this one)
The rest of the Earthshaker batteries, and the units of Khorne Daemons used for Blood Tithe.
The other twin, Snuggles!
As you can see, most of the models have at least a base coat down, and although I really should be speed painting these guys with a three color maximum, I’m doing many more coats and colors because I honestly can’t stand three color models.
NOTES ON MODELS:
I used mostly GW models and bits for this project, but the heads that I settled on are a blend of: MaxMini Fallen Legionaries heads, MaxMini Gas Mask heads, and Warhammer Marauder Horsemen heads. For my Earthshakers, I used four Tamiya WW2 German Flak 36 88mm cannons. For the Rapier Batteries (not pictured) I’m using Mantic Games Forge Father Support Booster artillery.
So that’s where I’m currently at, and I’m planning on attending the Pasadena GT next weekend so I’ve got a lot of work to do in the next six days. I’ll be posting articles in the future about Chaos (specifically Khorne) hobby projects and tactics so stay tuned for that!
As always, please give me feedback on any aspect of the article and let me know if you want to see any more pictures of anything specific!
The Intern,
Signing off!
Looks fun! A quick note on the slaughterers, they have to be in a unit as you are limited to 0-1 units of them.
Hey Adam,
This is why I said the list isn’t legal. If I can change The Purge into a CAD I can take another Khorne Devoted Demagogue and take another one in that detachment. However, until the poll resolves we won’t know if I can take two cads.
Thanks for the comment 🙂
Ah, that’s where you’re mistaken then. The Khorne Demagogue needs to also be your warlord to unlock their units, so unfortunately, unless you can get more than 1 Warlord, you can’t get more than one unit of Blood Slaughterers.
wow Forgeworld really put a lot of weight on the warlord in this army list 🙁 well. Here’s to you Snuggles! We hardly knew ye….
Now I REALLY need Forgeworld to get with the program and FAQ their units into the Daemonkin codex….
Tell me about it! I can’t wait for that FAQ.
But yeah, the renegade army is HUGELY dependent on your warlord. I actually prefer my slaughterers in pairs though, so just run them as a unit of 2 and you’re good to go. Potentially 4D6″ drag!
Oh wow. Maybe I’ll try the pair out this weekend just for giggles! They still need a viable target, which in the top lists can be hard to find. I’ve written a new list with only one and got quite a return in other parts of the list from dropping the second slaughterer. This weekend I’ll be able to see if it was worth it!
Love it!
Nice concept and cool feel to the army with potential for some fun games while still being competitive.
I enjoy the use of alt Minis here (Age of Sigmar Lord) and suggest some kit bashing of Dark Veng Cultists, Age of Sigmar rank’n’File Khorne guys, and some good old GW Catachans (for muscley biceps).
That shirtless cultist is so mad max from Dark Veng. I did up one as a psycho from the Borderlands series of video games.
I realize that you have a ton of infantry already here, so maybe too late, but some cheap options for expansion.
I am in the same boat as you. I want double CAD so bad for chaos, just opens so many doors. I also await the FW Khorne FAQ.
Yeah I’ve been considering running a huge unit of Mutant Rabble from the Vraks book (like 50) with two Enforcers with Combat-stim Injectors, Zhufor the Impaler, and a Herald of Khorne with the hatred banner. It would be pretty epic and Ob Sec.
Love Renegades, looking great so far and I insist you post more photos once more is painted up and converted!
Especially interested in more details for the artillery pieces. The Forgeworld models are great but who can justify £100+ on a 55 point unit!?
A couple of suggestions:
1) Swap out the veterans in the Horde detachment for more Infantry Squads. The vets aren’t worth it without upgrades and you could save 10 points (to be spent on special weapons), gain 5 bodies per unit and have them regenerate per the detachment special rule by taking Infantry instead.
2) You seem to be lacking morale control. Consider giving the command squads Command Net Voxs since you don’t have any special weapons on them.
3) Perhaps swap out one unit of Earthshakers and one unit of Rapiers for Wyverns. They’re awesome and add further pain with the Purge barrage weapon special rule.
4) Since you have the devotion of Khorne perhaps try to get a pseudo-melee unit into the list. Though I think daemons in the Daemonkin book can be joined by non-daemon ICs, so the Arch-demagogue could join them once they’re in.
1) I need 4 troops choices :/
2) For morale control I use the Heralds of Khorne, and put the demagogues into the other backfield units. Command voxes are a priority buy if points free up though!
3) Wyverns are sweet, but I’ve found that I NEED the high strength ordnance, and the Earthshakers have allowed me to win games by sniping warlords, and annihilating units that otherwise are a pain in the ass and make Knights cry (always good  )
4) hmmmmmmm…my next iteration of the list will have a Fist of Khorne formation so stay tuned!
1) The 2 Platoons and 2 separate Infantry Squads should cover your 4 required choices.
2) Didn’t think of using the Heralds that way, nice call.
3) Fair enough! I just find it hard not to take Wyverns as an auto-include.
4) Looking forward to it!
I’ve been considering building a similar fluffy Renegade/Daemon army, but taking Tzeentch instead. Though Tzeentch counts out the Vraks list unfortunately. 🙁
Looking forward to seeing more of the army. Could you convince Reece to roll out one of his more fluffy armies and get you on a video battle report?
1) Unfortunately infantry squads must be part of the Platoon, so I need the veterans to fill in the detachment.
The Heralds are awesome, as they are part of the unit the artillery is able to generate Blood Tithe.
Yeah unfortunately Tzeentch got no love on Vraks :/
I’m struggling to get the army finished, but it will be on video next week!
Hmm, I can’t see anything saying you can’t take Infantry squads as individual units outside of the platoon.
I can see how the listing for the platoon implies that but, to me, the platoon and the infantry squad seem like two separate entries. Albeit the platoon comprises of 3-5 infantry squads.
Have I missed something?
Unfortunately, the platoon is the only actual option to be taken. The Troops choice is the Renegade Infantry Platoon, which consists of 3-5 Renegade Infantry Squads, one of which is the Command Squad. I wish you were right, but I’m honestly just glad that the Veterans can be taken in such small squads.
awesome list.. looks fun!
Thanks Geoff! Hopefully we’ll be able to get a game in before I leave CA!
I would love seeing this army (or any renegade army tbh) on your batreps!
Seconded, I’d love to see this army in action!
I’ll try and get the army up to spec ASAP for you!
Kian
Curious what you’re using to write your list book/software wise
I use couple of the same units in my IG army and I have different points totals
2 earthshakers w/ 7 extra crew are 194 pts and 2 rapiers w/ 2 crew each are 92 pts
both of those are per these Forge World rules PDFs
http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Downloads/Product/PDF/i/Imperial_Guard_Rapier.pdf
http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Downloads/Product/PDF/h/Heavy_Artillery.pdf
I ask cause either I’m paying significantly more points for my stuff or the points total of your list is higher than you think it is…?
None of these units are IG units. The Renegades book has totally different points costs for everything, mostly because they all have random Ld and BS 2 standard. That is why my units are cheaper than yours 🙂
Fantastic to see some more Renegades around! They’re such a stylish fluffy army and you can go so many ways with them! Glad for every article about them, thanks! Your army looks great, btw! Cant’t wait to see more of it!
Hey Chris, thanks for the kind words!
I’ll be bringing this army to the Pasadena Game Empire GT this weekend, and will also be playing it on the stream next week so expect another article to be forthcoming!
I’m pretty sure you will need to change your purge detachment one way, or the other. You can only take units with devotion of, or mark of Nurgle in that detachment and you don’t have the nurgle covenant tax on your command squad, or diciples champions. Also scratching my head on why your taking diciples and not filling elite slots with you r batteries.
As for the Elites question, you can only take the batteries in Elites if your warlord is the Ordnance Tyrant, which mine is not.
I am 90% sure that The Purge only stipulates that units cannot take, or already have, any mark or devotion other than Nurgle. If I am wrong it is only a 10 point upgrade anyhow.
Im not sure about this. Blood Pact without the Blood Pact. Not a STeg, AT-70 Reaver, Stalk Tank or AT-83 Brigand in sight. Any plans to include those? I also dont recall Blood Pact fighting alongside daemons very much or at all in the books, but I could be wrong.
Sure it is Blood Pact, it just isn’t an armored company. I am considering using stalk tanks as Leman Russ tanks, but the Renegades armor complement isn’t exactly the hottest for the price. While the Pact may not have been seen with Daemons of their God in the texts, I can’t believe that they have not allied with Khorne’s eternal legion at some point.