Alright! I am proud to serve as the new Blood Angels Sub-AC.
I think the list is pretty close to being complete. However, the two main problems as I see them and have enumerated in other threads, are the following:
1. Extremely limited access to anti-tank, and no access at all to dedicated anti-tank formations
2. Lack of cheap delivery for assault elements
If the Blood Angels are to be an assault themed list, and they do not have the tools to deal with hardy units outside of assaulting them, then they need cheap, effective delivery for their assault units. As it is, the Blood Angels need to pay either a Spacecraft or Thunderhawk tax in order to get their assault elements where they need to be. This creates games in which the Blood Angels are vastly outnumbered and immobile without transports after being dropped off.
These two conditions combine to create a situation in which the Blood Angels have a very difficult time capturing the enemy BTS objective, while it is relatively easy to destroy the Blood Angel BTS. Because of this, the BA come into every game effectively down one victory condition.
The list simply cannot be competitive with the dual disadvantages of no anti-tank and inability to reliably get into assault with sufficient numbers.
Hence, the first change I am making as new sub-AC of the list is the introduction of teleporting assault formations. Special thanks to JimmyZimms for the idea. I think that teleporting assault formations, while not addressing all of the weaknesses of the list, would go a long way toward leveling the playing field and getting the Blood Angels where they need to be - in the enemy's face and applying pressure.
However, more than just looking at this from a competitive standpoint, teleporting assault marines are FUN and THEMATIC. The Blood Angels are all about shock and awe assaults. If Space Marines are like a bolt out of the blue, then Blood Angels are like the entire sky coming down on your head. That is how the list should play - not just as a variant of the Astartes list that happens to be able to take a few more assault marines and has the "Frenzied" penalty.
As a balancer for now, teleporting assault formations will be limited to six stands, with no option to upgrade to eight.
To kick this off, here is a battle report of my most recent league game in which I playtested teleporting assault marines. I think the results were very interesting.
http://xenocidalmaniac.wordpress.com/20 ... le-report/I AM MAKING A CALL FOR PLAYTESTERS! I want to get this list playtested and done within 2014. Who out there is willing and able to provide battle reports for this list? Please respond in the thread.
Attachment:
Errata:The Battle Barge should have the following note instead:
"Transport: (May carry 60 Blood Angels infantry units, Attack Bikes and Dreadnoughts; plus 60 of the following Blood Angels units: Baal Predators, Rhinos, Land Raiders, Razorbacks, Hunters, Whirlwinds, Predator Annihilators, or Vindicators; plus 9 Thunderhawks and/or Thunderhawk Transporters, and/or 16 Storm Ravens, and enough Drop pods or Landing Craft to carry any other units on board).
Slow and steady: may not be used on the first two turns of a battle unless the scenario specifically says otherwise."
The Strike Cruiser should have the following note instead:
"Transport: (May carry 20 Blood Angels infantry units, Attack Bikes and Dreadnoughts; Strike Cruiser plus 20 of the following Blood Angels units: Baal Predators, Rhinos, Land Raiders, Razorbacks, Hunters, Whirlwinds, Predator Annihilators, or Vindicators; plus 6 Thunderhawks and/or Thunderhawk Transporters, and/or 12 Storm Ravens, and enough Drop pods or Landing Craft to carry any other units on board)."
The Storm Raven should Have the following note instead:
"Planetfall, Reinforced Armour, Skimmer, Transport: (May carry 1 Dreadnought; plus 1 Blood Angel Terminator unit or 2 of the following Blood Angels units: Sanguinary Guard, Assault, Death Company Assault, Death Company, Tactical, Devastator, Scout or Tactical"
The Heavy Support option should read: Add 1 to 3 Blood Angels Vindicators, +50pts each