Email Q and A

I recently got this email:

Hey Jawa,

I am currently awaiting the new BA codex release which will start my second 40k army (Currently Eldar) as well as be used for tournament play which I plan to start this year when I am done technical school. I've been reading your blog as well as Fritz' from WOSH in regards on what to expect/be ready for when the new codex drops. I'm a bit confused about the suggestions you made on what to buy with your most recent blog post. Were those models suggest all for one army list, or just for various options? I have been using the leaked codex found on Sribd to make some sample lists just to get an idea of what I would need to buy, and just what I would be able to fit in a standard 1500-1750 list. Despite all the hype, I haven't found my "updated" list to be too different than my sample lists using the old codex. It's about the same number of models but with a lot more versatility (assault squads getting meltas), and a lot of added bonuses on things I was already going to take. I'm still going to wait for everything to drop before I start buying, but was wondering, if you would be so kind, to review the below list and tell how you think it would fair?

1750 pts

10-man Tactical squad – melta, multi-melta, fist, beacon
-Rhino, extra armor
10-man Tactical squad – melta, multi-melta, fist, beacon
-Rhino, extra armor
10-man Assault squad – 2x meltas, fist

Lemartes
10x Death Company w/ packs
-Storm Harbinger w/ TL special weapon (

Baal Predator – TL asscannon, extra armor, over-charged
Baal Predator – TL asscannon, extra armor, over-charged

-A few points left - Most likely to put Laurels on the assault and tactical squads and some extras for the Baal preds.

Idea is the tactical squads, assault squad push forward to objectives supported by Baal predator Assault cannon goodness. The DC led by Lemartes use the beacons to drop down without scatter and assault off the Harbinger using the jet-pack insertion rule to totally melt faces.

What's interesting is a lot of people think that new codex' means more and tougher stuff. With the BA I'm finding this is not true. The list is more or less the same as my list using the current BA PDF but with a lot of added versatility and speed (meltas, over-charged engines and fast transports). This list also has the same number of units as my mech-Eldar list which is 3 troops in transports, super unit in transport, two heavy supporting tanks.

Answer:

I think the hidden strength of the new dex is Dante turning all VAS into scoring units. Take advantage of that. Turn your DC into VAS. Turn lesmartes into Dante. Boom, more bang for the buck. Give the VAS a few meltaguns and power weapons and you have a squad that will land turn two, pop land raiders, and slaughter the contents, and claim objectives. That is the punch that is missing in the current dex. Tacticals in rhinos? A fast moving rhino is now a big red coffin. Forget it. Maybe take one, and put a 5 man squad inside with the beacon, and never move it fast. I say take a 5 man squad, give them a beacon, and put them in a razorback.

The other early hidden gem is Scout Bikers. We now have access to them, and their Bridgehead ability. If you take one, you can drop a beacon on the table then reserve the bikes. So long as no enemy is within 6" of the beacon, you can home in on it. Give the bikes a melta and fist and you have a cheap, outflanking, late game threat. Opponents will be worried about the bikers the whole game. Use that to your advantage!

Finally, Librarians get a host of powers! I counted 5 or 6 that will be very useful.

Of course it is too early to comment assuredly, but the biggest game changers to the new BA are Dante, Landers, and Librarians. A good list will use all three. Go with 3 landers filled with VAS, Dante and a Librarian. Some tactical squads with lascannons, and a couple of predators. Remember, a pred with two Lascannons and an autocannon will cost you 100 points or so. Cant beat that value! :)

Jawaballs Mail Bag!

Here is a question I got asking for help on building an Ultramarines list.

my Ultramarine Army list problem
Hey Jawaballs,its suckthetyranidsdick8.

I have a problem with my army list.All the friends i have and they are intrested in WH40K are telling me that my list what i made isnt ok.So im asking what do you think about the list.here is the list:


Space Marine 1750 points Army list

HQ:
Captian Cato Sicarius=200 pts

Chapter Master Pedro Kantor=175 pts

Elites:
Techmarine & 4 servitors=90 pts
-2 servitors with heavy bolters........+40
Total=130 pts

Terminator squad=5 models=200 pts

Terminator squad=5 models=200 pts Replace storm bolter with assault cannon.........+30 pts
Total=230 pts

Sternguard veteran squad=5 models=125 pts
Sergeant-power fist &melta bombs=both=30 pts
1 Sternguard model-combi-flamer=5 pts Total=160 pts

Troops:
Tactical squad=9 marines and 1 sergeant=180 pts
1x flamer

Scout squad= 5 models (including Scout Sergeant Telion)=125 pts


Rhino=35 pts
Extra armour............+15
Total=50 pts


Fast attack:

Assault squad=5 models=100 pts
Sergeant:-Storm shield= 15 pts Total=130 pts
-Power weapon= 15 pts

Heavy support:

Tunderfire Cannon=100 pts
Techmarine=50 pts
-power weapon.....+15 pts

Total=100 pts

Total=1750 pts

Jawaballs Answers:

When I make an army list for some one, I lean them in two major directions. 5th edition has rendered the game down to Torrent of Fire, and mobile troops. I let them keep their commanders since they have chosen them and want to play them. But I try to modify the rest of their list to be more competitive. So Here is what you need to do.

Drop the Techmarine and servitors, and drop the Thunderfire Cannon and Techmarine. Yes, I understand that they are cool, but really shouldnt be used in a 1750 point game because for the points, they dont pack the punch you need. I would save them for appocalypse. The Thunderfire is a gimmick at best. Dont take it at all.

Replace them with Predator tanks, auto cannons, heavy bolters, storm bolters, extra armor. At least 2, 3 is better.

Drop the assault squad. Buy a couple of speeders with Typhoon missle and melta guns.

Get a Land Raider, put your commanders and a terminator squad with storm shields in it.

Keep your other terms if you like, deep strike or march them... get that assault cannon shooting. If you can add a missle launcher too, do so.

Sternguard are ok. Put them in a rhino. I think they are scoring with your commander right?

If you are using scouts, get Tellion.

Get more tacticals put them in rhinos.

Keep one ten man tactical with a Lascannon back to place on an objective on your side of the board.

What you want is a fast moving army in rhinos, supported with Predator tanks using Torrent of Fire... as many shots as possible. Ram your Land Raider Crusader down their throats, unload and kill every thing you can. Support them with your Sternguard. Go claim objecvtives with your rhino. Shoot every thing that moves with the preds. Speeders can sit back and shoot their missles, or support your assault with their melta guns.

Take your time, count up your points, and post here your progress!

Enjoy. Jawaballs

Warhammer 40k: Questions

Here is a question from a subscriber to my Youtube videos:

Re: Re: Which to choose Well now that im set up i kind of know what army style i want.... i want a hit and run style with speed bikes and fall back to were there is heavy guns, i was wondering if this tactic would work at all?

Answer:

It seems that in 5th edition that tactic works great, especially in "Kill Point" missions. Take attack bikes and skimmers and some long range fire support. Zap some squads to take a lead in Kill Points, then turbo boost yourself all over the place and stay out of range! Its cheezy, but it works, and won Fritz and Myself a doubles tournament. Frankly I would rather face an army that has a logical and decent list based on background fluff that uses cheeze tactics then a cheezed out list that just relies on exploits in the rules to win. (Ork armies with 2 nob bike squads and a warboss in each)

Takes Qs...Kicks Ass... Question and Answer time.

Hi all. pastiepete from my Youtube subscribers sent me a great question about his army list. I thought I would copy and paste the Q and A here for all.

Question about SM.
I am some what new to the game, and yes i did order the BA dvd's on painting. I was just wandering what chapter is going to be good for 5th ed as SM goes?
I looked into 40k about 6mnths back and picked blood angels but was going to go and all out Assault army style.
Chaplin with jetpack
9x DC with jet packs
7x Vet ASS. with 3 PF
7x Vet ASS. with 3 PF
10x ASS. with PF
10x ASS. with PF
5x ASS. with PF
5x ASS. with PF
2x Baal with HB Spons.
54 marines 10 PF and 2 baal's
Was my Idea For 2000 pts and 56 models
But I am a noob in the art of 40k tactics and army building.

Answer:

I tried the all assault BA army, and it gets owned by any army with ranged stuff. First of all, drop the chaplain. Take Dante, always. Dante grants every model within 12" rerolls on every CC attack. Chaplain only grants it on the charge. With Dante's leadership 10, you wont need to worry about leadership tests for fearless. Also take Corbulo. He gives your guys Furious Charge which is KEY. He cannot wear a JP but thats ok, trade in one of your ASS jump packs for a rhino and attach him to that squad, move the rhino up behind your assault forces and they will get his Furious Charge. Drop the extra DC. Use those points to buy Land Speeders upgraded with Multi Meltas and Heavy Flamers. Try to get 2. You can drop one of the Baals to do so. Try to get an Attack Bike with Melta.

So....
Drop:
1 Baal
Chaplain
10x ASS with PF
5x ASS with PF
any extra Death Company

ADD:
1 Attack Bike Multi Melta
2 Speeders MM and Heavy Flamer
Extra Armor, Heavy Bolters and Storm Bolter on Baal
Dante
Corbulo
Rhino (xtra armor)
Tactical Squad 1
+5 Marines
Lascannon
Flamer
Tactical Squad 2
+5 Marines
Plasma Cannon
Flamer
WhirlWind

Play with the points to make it work. Drop more assault guys and add what you can. 3 powers in your VAS is overkill. Drop them down to 1. Instead of a VAS take an Honor Guard with Dante's Chapter Banner. Add flamers to your VAS/HG. Play defensive. Plop your Tac squads on objectives and fire their heavies. Use your ASS to support Dante his HG and Vets, but dont commit them unless you are sure they will survive. Charge them in the second round of an assault to clean it up, that way the enemy cannot hit them back, they have to hit models they are already engaged with... They will last longer. Also, Use them to grab objectives. Consider a Devastator squad. Use as many template weapons as you can. The Whirlwind has a shot that denies cover saves. You will face more and more Orks and other horde armies so flamers and blast templates from Plasma Cannons and the WW are important.

Your army as it is now will win games if the conditions are right. They need lots of cover to jump behind before they get into assault. If they lack that cover... they are dead. AP 2 weapons will slaughter them wholesale. They are a little too focused on Assault.

Check out my blog. http://warhammer40kbloodangels.blogspot.com/

and

http://warhammer-40k-space-marine.blogspot.com/

You will find my army list there, and lots of other advice. I am going to copy and paste this into my blog since it is a good question and good info. Any further questions, ask there! :) Thanks for buying my vids. Jawaballs