This week everyone’s favorite Space Vampires got a update with the release of the second installment of the Black Crusade series, Angel’s Blade. The book comes with a boatload of fluff, two new detachments, and several formations which let you use those Blood Angel models in new ways. As with most of these codex updates you have to cut through the chaff to find the gems and today I will be reviewing one of the better formations from the book, the Lucifer Armored Task Force.
Man o’ man am I glad I kept my Predators and Baal Predators. Like most Blood Angel players I shelved my army after the release of the latest codex. The Blood Angels codex was released during the ‘tone it down’ period at the beginning of 7th edition where several codices were released in rapid order with loads of toned down selections that didn’t really make a lot of sense. These include the Grey Knights, the Dark Eldar, the Orks, and the Blood Angels. The Blood Angels in particular seeming to get an unnecessary amount of nerf bat hits which saw their vehicles lose the Fast special rule without having to purchase it and Baal Predators moved to the already crowded heavy support section. If you remember one of the best things the Blood Angels had going for them in 5th edition was fast moving armored fists due to Baal Predators being Fast Attack choices. After reading through the new book, Angel’s Blade, one new formation really stood out to me as being fairly good and seeing as how I still own several Predator variants I am excited to test it out.
The formation is called the Lucifer Armored Task Force.
Here is what it consists of,
1 Techmarine
3-5 units of Predators or Baal Predators
1-3 Units of Land Raider variants
Units in this formation all have the Scout special rule as well as having the overcharged engines, which makes them Fast Vehicles.
PROS
For someone who actually still owns 3 Baal Predators, this is pretty huge. Having scouting Baal Predators that can essentially move 18″ their first turn (12″ scout and 6″ movement) and fire their Heavy Bolters and Assault Cannons for full effect at the enemy is pretty brutal. The old Assault Cannon and Lascannon sponsoned Predators also gain a boost, able to scout into position for the best possible anti-tank shots and move 6″ and still fire all weapons normally. The ability to put a hard hitting assault unit into a Land Raider Crusader or Redeemer and scout 12″, then move 12″ in the movement phase, then flat out 12″ in the shooting phase. Not a bad way to get across the table quickly. You definitely want to put the Techmarine into the Land Raider to take advantage of his ability to repair hull points.
CONS
The minimum amount of points you can spend on this formation is still quite hefty, coming in at 515 points before any updates (Techmarine, 3x Predators with Autocannons, and a Land Raider Redeemer). Throw in some basic upgrades or use Baal Predators and you will be over 600 points in no time. The Scout and over charged engines on Land Raiders is a pretty cool bonus but we are still in 7th edition with Grav Cannon’s on every street corner and first turn Deep Strikes being the new hotness.
Overall I think this formation was a welcome addition for Blood Angel’s players. It allows players to run the old fast armored assault that used to be the mainstay of Blood Angel forces without having to conform to the CAD or unbound play. Let us know what you think of this formation in the comments below.