Hey ya’ll! Phat J here to talk about two of my favorite topics; vampires and pure unremitting death. I also like Korean pop music, but that is a topic for another day. Join me as I review a a list that is built from the new Lost Brotherhood Strike Force in the Angel’s Blade release.
Like most people, my interest in the Blood Angels waned heavily after their post 5th edition hit with the nerf bat and my collection of models has been collecting dust for around 2 years now. With the release of Traitor’s Hate and the follow up, Angel’s Blade, we were given some fancy new Blood Angel’s formations and wargear items that made the faction slightly more playable and honestly, I’m more excited to bust these guys out on the table than I have been in years. In fact, we recently did a battle report where I took the old Angels Sanguine (Blood Angels Successor Chapter *homegrown) out against the Dark Eldar for a battle report and had a blast playing them again. You can check it out here if you are interested in seeing it.
I have been really drawn to the Death Company since I was young (who doesn’t like bat-shit insane killer Space Marines?), so when I saw that they were given their own detachment in Angel’s Blade I knew I just had to put something together for them. I threw together a list I think would do fairly well on the tabletop and would love to get some feedback on it. I will go through the list and add some of my own pros and cons but would love to get some reader feedback as I am admittedly not the most competitive member of the FLG crew. So here we go, the list!
Lost Brotherhood Strike Force
Death Company Command
Death Company Chaplain – Guilded Crozius
Death Company Strike Force
Death Company Chaplain – Melta Bombs
5x Death Company – Power Fist, Power Weapon
10x Death Company – Jump Packs, Power Fist, Power Weapon
10x Death Company – Jump Packs, Power Fist, Power Weapon
Death Company Dreadnought – Heavy Flamer, Drop Pod
Lucifer Armored Task Force
Techmarine
Baal Predator – Assault Cannons, Heavy Bolters
Baal Predator – Assault Cannons, Heavy Bolters
Predator – Twin Linked Lascannons, Lascannon Sponsons
Land Raider Crusader – Multi-Melta
My thinking is the two Chaplains go into the 10 man Death Company with the Jump Packs while the small 5 man goes into the Land Raider Crusader with the Techmarine (poor guy). The entire detachment gets a free 6″ move after deployment before any Scout moves happen which will then add on to the Scout move that the Lucifer Task Force gets which will give them an 18″ move before the game begins. The Assault Marines will also have an 18″ move turn 1 as well which can get them into position for some assault action fairly early. These guys will hit like a ton of bricks with their usual Death Company goodness but with an increased initiative and will also receive +1 attack as long as they are within 12″ of the Chaplain from the Strike Force. That means each Death Company Marine will be clocking in at 6 S5 attacks at on the charge with re-rolls to hit and wound. That includes the Power Fist and Power Sword. That’s a lot a dip. While these monster assault units are bearing down you have the Lucifer Task Force pumping out shots from the flanks and moving fast all over the place.
This definitely isn’t a top level list by any stretch of the imagination but I think it will give some people a run for their money and it is a pure Blood Angels list so it will make you feel proud to play it if you are a Blood Angels player. So what do you guys think? Are there better ways to play this detachment? Do you like it? Have you tried it out yet?
thought about taking a redeemer as the land raider?
you don’t need the space, it’ll save a few points and you can drive that thing 12 inches fire two scary flamers and a multi melta.
also, giving the DC dread a melta gun and heavy flamer… possibly in a lucius pod would give it a lot more choices of targets and survivability.
Yeah, I might do that. Originally I was thinking of running what I had but since I will need to purchase a bunch of the Death Company stuff why not get a Redeemer as well? What’s more metal than two giant flamers in your opponent’s face while death vampires poor out of the assault hatch? That would give me the points for the melta gun for the DC Dread which would give me a it more AP 2
Looks like a fun list. Perhaps replace one chappie with Astorath? Think he cost 30 points more or so, but you get that sweet artificer to help protect one of the DC squads. His axe is AP2 as well and i think he comes with 3 wounds?. You can proably hide 10 behind the land raider, but the last unit will be more in the open.
Honestly, thats a great idea and I’m sure I can find those points somewhere. Thanks!
I really want the Lucifer Task Force to be good, but the thought of bringing a Land Raider really holds me back from running it. Isn’t it sad to think that in the current meta the thought of bringing a Land Raider is more a burden to your list than a boon? That is insane to think about, but is the reality.
If I were going to run the Lucifer Force it would be within the Lost Brotherhood though because the free move coupled with scout really lets you get these guys into position where you need them. Would be awesome to see a batrep featuring this list from you, Jason.
Insane seems a strong word considering Land Raiders have been overcosted and at best mediocre choices for what 16 years now? The current meta as screwed as it is didn’t cause that.
Good point, but there was a time not that long ago where a land raider could still be very useful. Now with grav everywhere it hurts my soul to even think about spending points on what would essentially be a 250 bunker by turn 1.
True enough. The grav mechanic is just gamebreaking. I just try to think of it as only being temporary. There is no real reason for that other than that I’d have to quit if I didn’t tell myself that.
I have run both the LBSF and the LATF only a few times, but some feedback from my own experiences.
1. Call me crazy, but I think the Godhammer (Lascannon!!!!!) variant of the Land Raider is actually a good fit for the LBSF. Everyone wants to go Redeemer, but honestly, especially if you have multiple Baals, anti-infantry is not a concern. Getting some POTMS AT shooting is key, and to be honest, Godhammers have such a God-awful reputation that people will underestimate them. And a Techmarine repairing on a 4+ inside makes them even more of a nuisance. Their primary purpose in a list like this is LoS-blocking. Anything else is a bonus.
2. Personally, I think Predator Annhilators (3x Lascannons) are one of the best units in the whole BA codex. Very underrated. Getting Overchaged Engines for free is a big boon. And again, a LBSF in general could use some long range teeth. Pred-A’s give them in spades while also being mobile effort to grab backfield OBJ.
3. I really like Drop Pod spam in support of a LBSF. The biggest downside to DC is that they are ultimately blinged up T4 3+ units. Jumping up a board, even with a 6″ head start means the are going to get shot up. Pods, especially big scary Dreadnoughts that can shoot twice out of Lucius pattern ones, really force the enemy to pick their poison. That has been my favorite way to run (LBSF + Chapter Ancients + some ASM in Rhinos for LoS blocking) so far, althought admittedly its only been two games.
I’m actually working on a Lamenters themed army with some added DC flair.
“Chapter Ancients”
Furioso Dreadnought [Lucius Pattern Dreadnought Drop Pod, Magna-grapple]
Blood Talons [Meltagun and heavy flamer]
Librarian Dreadnought [Lucius Pattern Dreadnought Drop Pod, Psychic Pilot (ML2)]
Power fist [Meltagun]
Librarian Dreadnought [Lucius Pattern Dreadnought Drop Pod, Psychic Pilot (ML2)]
Power fist [Meltagun]
“Lost Brotherhood Strike Force”
Death Company Chaplain [The Guilded Crozius]
Death Company Dreadnought [Blood Talons, Lucius Pattern Dreadnought Drop Pod, Magna-grapple, Meltagun and heavy flamer]
Death Company Squad [3x Bolt Pistol, 5x Chainsword, 5x Death Company Marine, 2x Hand Flamer, Jump Pack]
Death Company Squad [5x Bolt Pistol, 5x Chainsword, 5x Death Company Marine, Jump Pack]
Death Company Squad [5x Bolt Pistol, 5x Chainsword, 5x Death Company Marine, Jump Pack]
Death Company Command [Death Company Chaplain]
Rapid Assault Force
Assault Squad [4x Assault Marines, 2x Flamer]
Drop Pod [Storm Bolter]
“Flesh Tearers Strike Force”
Librarian [Bolt Pistol, Force Weapon, Jump pack, Melta bombs]
Tactical Squad [Heavy flamer, 4x Tactical Marine]
Drop Pod [Storm Bolter]
Fast Attack Drop Pod [Storm Bolter]
PLEASE do a batrep with this list. The one I’m building is VERY similar to it.