2k concept list (a.k.a half the models are still in the shop at the moment!)

Hey guys,

Ive been playing around with 1k battles with my new DE force (previously a SoB player), and decided that its time to expand the Kabal, rent some Coven goons and do more deals with the local wyche cults in my sector. At the moment I only have about half the models required for the following list, but Ive put alot of thought into it and am confident I could do ahead and bulk buy the second half soon - however Id like to get some critique first just incase there are some glaringly obvious holes in my list. So without further adieu, here is the list:

HQ

* Archon (165pts)
Huskblade, Kabalite Armor, Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Plasma Grenades, Shadow field, Soul-trap, Venom Blade


* Baron Sathonyx (105pts)

ELITES

* Incubi (153pts)
* 4x Incubi
* Venom
Extra Splinter Cannon


* Kabalite Trueborn (185pts)
* 5x Trueborn
4x Blaster
* Venom
Extra Splinter Cannon


TROOPS

* Hellions (Troops) (207pts)
* Helliarch
Power Weapon and Splinter Pistol
* 11x Hellion

* Kabalite Warriors (180pts)
* 9x Kabalite Warrior
* Kabalite Warrior with Splinter Cannon
* Raider
Dark Lance, Flickerfield, Splinter Racks


* Kabalite Warriors (125pts)
* 4x Kabalite Warrior
* Kabalite Warrior with Blaster
* Venom
Extra Splinter Cannon

* Kabalite Warriors (125pts)
* 4x Kabalite Warrior
* Kabalite Warrior with Blaster
* Venom
Extra Splinter Cannon


* Wyches (176pts)
* Hekatrix
Haywire grenades, Phantasm Grenade Launcher
* Raider
Dark Lance
* 7x Wyches
Haywire grenades

FAST ATTACK

* Reaver Jetbikes (244pts)
9x Jetbikes
3x Heat Lance
* Arena Champion Upgrade


HEAVY SUPPORT

* Ravager (115pts)
Dark Lance, Dark Lance, Dark Lance, Flickerfield


* Ravager (115pts)
Dark Lance, Dark Lance, Dark Lance, Flickerfield


* Talos Pain Engine (105pts)
Twin-Linked Liquifier gun (5pts), Twin-Linked Splinter Cannon

Please be merciless with your comments, and feel free to play devils advocate

Thanks in advance

seriously you need to cut out all the extras, we know what has what, i got bored after reading your archon

You make a valid point - I'll cut it back now

would not run the hellions but a beast unit instead and run the baron with them

Rauky wrote:

would not run the hellions but a beast unit instead and run the baron with them

I did look at beast units, but there are a few factors that made me settle for the hellions instead:

- they are a scoring unit, and in 2k I would definitely feel that only 4 scoring choices puts me at a disdvantage.
- they provide a far more versatile role on the battlefield. They can offer a decent number of splinter shots on the move, hit modestly well in CC with the Baron, and are subject to pain tokens making them potentially more durable at the end of the game when you really need to camp that objective
- they also look badass in my opinion, which counts for a lot on the battlefield... right? RIGHT!?

If you believe you've got counter points for beasts that I may have overlooked please shoot me down

By all means play what you want to play. Hellions aren't terrible or anything, especially when led by the Baron.

That said, since you asked for benefits to the Beast squad, durability is definatly on the Beast's side. Sure they can't have Power from Pain but Razorwings have 5 wounds per model which means they can absorb far more S5 or less shots then Hellions can. What about S6+ shooting then? Khymera have 4+ Invulnerable saves to absorb them. Hellions will lose models quickly and with them attacks, Beasts not so much.

Likewise Melee is also a win for Beasts over Hellions. Sheer number of attacks + Rending (via Razorwings) are going to do more then Hellions vs armored targets (like Marines). Hellions do have the Strength edge (if they get +S Combat Drugs or Furious Charge) but I don't think that makes up the difference. Finally many of the advantages Hellions enjoy (Hit & Run and such) is granted to the Beasts thanks to Baron at the same time he's giving them Grenades and Stealth so alot of the benefits Hellions have over Beasts are minimized.

Oh and Beasts are cheaper.

Anyway those are a few reasons why Beasts might be recommended over Hellions.

Murkglow wrote:

Oh and Beasts are cheaper.

This is a point id previously thought about, though I originally thought it would be negligible. HOWEVER!! Your post set me off into a flurry of giddy realisation and Ive been tweaking the list! I can make the following alterations and stay below the 2k mark:

- the hellion squad.
+ beasts unit. Consists of 3 masters, 5 khymaera, 4 razorwing flocks (yeh I know, a bit generic...)
+ 3 jetbikes. Turn the 9man squad into 2 6man squads with 2 heatlances each.
- 1 trueborn model. Reduces Squad to 4, which doesn't compromise damage output (Ive always seen them as a kill or be killed squad, which is even more apparent in a 4man sqaud ). This was only necessary to fit under the 2k bracket.

So now I would have:
- 3 fast attack choices instead of 1!
- another jetbike squad for those cheeky 48" charges to contest objectives last turn, which makes up for the one less scoring unit.
- 2 more units to help with target saturation.

I'll run both set-ups at some point to see what I prefer, but at the moment these amendments are looking rather tasty Opinions?