Hey everyone, Reecius here from Frontline Gaming to talk about a fun and effective chaotic combo that doesn’t include a Deathstar!
Those of you caught our Twtich feed last night got to see some hot War Convocation on Chaos action! If you want to see both lists, follow this link. The game will be up on our YouTube channel today as well, for those who want to catch the replay.
All that aside, I love KDK. They really nailed an army that plays like the fluff with this book. Now, some of the units in the KDK book really suck, but that is because they took the stat line out of the CSM book which we all know was not GW’s best work. No need to bang that drum any more than it already has, but what we’re left with is a KDK book that really has a lot of flavor and feels true to the backstory of the game.
The army is aggressive, and fun! What we’ve found though, is that it can really struggle in the early game. This is due to an obvious lack of firepower. This hurts as KDK really want to start piling up that Blood Tithe as early as possible to bring in those all important reinforcements. What would help to accomplish this would be some good shooting units, right?! Well, that’s where Chaos Renegades come in.
Chaos Renegades have some awesome strengths: cheap and numerous firepower being first among them. Their downside is unreliable leadership and a severe weakness to melee. Well, it just so happens that KDK shore up these weaknesses incredibly well! Namely, the KDK Herald of Khorne. For a measly 55pts, you attach this stud to a unit of artillery and they not only become Fearless and gain a decent melee unit to fend of assault, but also generate Blood Tithe. When used in conjunction with things like Quad Mortars, Earthshakers, Laser Rapier Destroyers, etc., they can start generating Blood Tithe on turn 1, which really helps to keep the pressure on your opponent as reinforcements start pouring in earlier in the game.
With the Ordnance Tyrant upgrade, you can also fire into melee, blasting enemy troops that are bogged down on your tarpit units such as Flesh Hounds or the unbelievably low priced Zombies!
Zombies are a steal at 3pts per model and as stated, go with the Ordnance Tyrant like steak with fries. As they have a 4+ FnP, the strength 5 Quad Mortars don’t double out their toughness. So, feel free to bombard your own men as you will kill a lot more points in enemy models than friendly in most cases. The Zombies also form a nice protective layer for your artillery and hey, they’re ObSec too if you take the Covenant of Nurgle upgrade on your commander.
It’s a really solid combination with lots of variants possible. The KDK units such as Blood Crushers, Flesh Hounds, Bloodletters, Knights, Heldrakes, etc. aggressively go up field earning blood for the Blood God and all that fun stuff while the Renegades stay in the rear with the gear, getting bolstered by the cheap and effective Heralds, helping generate Blood Tithe and taking key objectives. It’s a fun combination that gives you a little of everything: mobility, shooting, assault and a fun shtick in the Blood Tithe mechanic. If you’re looking for a new way to play Chaos without leaning on ye old Deathstar crutch, try this combo out. I have dubbed it: Blood and Pus!
We’ve also got a sweet deal going right now if you purchase the new Deathwatch: Death Masque boxed game and the Silver Tower boxed game! We overstocked a bit and so are giving a really great offer to move that inventory off the shelves!
I have been interested in this combo, but have never had the models to try it out. I am looking forward to see how you do with it. Is your list posted anywhere?
The list is linked in the article, yes.
It works great, give it a try!
I’ve been playing variants of this list (casually and in tournaments for a few months. It is quite fun. I will be bringing a new variation to Wargames Con.
Nice one, good luck with it!
I’ve been playing variants of this list (both casually and in tournaments) for a few months. The combo is quite fun. I will be bringing a new variation to Wargames Con.
How did the knight do? Without the legacy are you going to switch to a double avenger knight?
Nope, I dig the Khorne Knight. He generates Blood Tithe and is a beast in melee. This game last night he was so-so, but typically he’s a champion.
Is it official that a KDK Knight cannot take Legacies of Ruin?
No, it’s unclear. I will look further into it when I have time. For now, to avoid conflict, I will just go with out it, personally.
ITC did rule that chaos knights can take LoR. However, only CSM vehicles can take LoR, not KDK or Daemons. Go look in IA13. Regardless, awesome list, keep up the great work.
Ok, sounds good. I was wondering as it is a part of my list as well, and I don’t want to cheat and/or cause a commotion.
Yeah, same.
Very cool combo. Never realized attaching Heralds would generate blood tithe from ranged units. The 2 armies really do cover each other’s weaknesses extremely well.
I wish Tau had something synergistic that could be allied with them to handle melee. Unless you’re going double Stormsurge, it’s a pain dealing with fast, melee heavy armies.
Yeah, the two really do go together very well and are fun to play as well. I have had games where I was summoning in new units on turn 2!
That army looks great. I find the KDK knight to be hit or miss, but I can see him working here. I personally like MSU hounds, but this looks like it will work well together.
MSU hounds works very well, I agree. I simply don’t have the FoC slots for more units.
My Knight has been pretty dang good every time I have played him, personally. I think the key is knowing when to hold him back. If you go to aggressive with him, he often gets smoked, early.
The Gorepack is your friend…
I’m not a fan of the Gorepack, actually.
You may be the first KDK player to ever say those words. But if it is not your style, then it is not your style. I like the list as you have it. I would love to fight it!
I know, right? Haha, I just don’t like the Biker tax, I find they are not good. I’d rather have more dogs for the points.
And it would be fun to play, sometime for sure.
A very nice combo Reecius!
As a bike army player, I was just wondering. If you shoot into combat with the Renegades, does your opponent still get to Jink?
I think a KDK/Renegades combo would be great fun to play! Are there any good Quad Mortar model alternatives besides FW worth checking out?
Buddy of mine plays a nasty list.
Herald, ~50 dogs MSU’d and 2 Knights.
It is just a devastating army to face, with 12″ scout, 12″ move, d6″ run he is in your face for a guaranteed turn 2 charge. Not to mention the annoying Demonic corruption of all the objectives he might just sit on turn 1.
With the KDK list, for Summoning in Princes and Bloodthirsters, are you limited then to just the champions in the cultist units? is that why you reserve them and hope they didn’t come on until later, as these would be the only way to bring in the bruisers?
Ordnance Tyrant + KDK is certainly a good combo, but I’m just wondering why we don’t see more players running the unending horde. It just seems that would be such a strong formation.
Use the troops to shield your tanks and artillery with 3+ cover.
Perhaps run it with CD daemonic incursion murder horde to give you mobility.
Maybe its too unwieldy for tournament play.