Greatest Space Marine Costume Ever!

Ok.   This is simply awesome.   Not only is the build quality of this costume fantastic and pretty much fully articulated but he had the impeccable taste to chose Blood Angels chapter.  This is seriously the best 40k costume I've seen so far.  Take a look:


What do you think?  Comment below!

Warhammer 40k iPhone 5 Backgrounds

I made a Tau and Blood Angels background for my new iPhone 5 but I decided to go ahead and make a bunch of other faction backgrounds as well.   Feel free to download them and use them on your phone!

 

Death Company Dice Have Arrived!

Just in time for the Berks Winter Assault, my new Death Company dice have arrived and they look great.  They also compliment my regular Blood Angels dice quite nicely.  Have a look:

Death Company Custom Dice!

Ok so last year I made some custom Chessex Blood Angels dice (http://knightsofbaal.blogspot.com/2011/07/blood-angels-custom-dice.html) and now I've finally made up some Death Company dice.

Just placed the order today, here's a look at some sample dice they made for me:

 

 They came out pretty good!   I went with the Opaque black and red pips so it would match my opaque red Blood Angels dice.   For 20 dice and a small black dice bag it was about $30 with shipping.   

If anyone is interested in making their own Death Company dice, here is the artwork I sent to chessex to use for my dice:

Army List: Dual Baal Predators!

So at our local store we're playing in a campaign where its a 1500pt army list with a 500 pt sideboard that can be swapped before each game.   My list for that campaign consists of:

Reclusiarch in Terminator Armour with Stormbolter and Power Maul

5 Assault Terminators with Thunderhammer and Stormshields

1 Sanguinary Priest with Terminator Armour and Power Sword/Axe (I have this magnetized)

1 Sanguinary Priest with Jump Pack

1 Furiouso Dread with bolter and melta in a Drop Pod with a Locator Beacon (for the Termies to teleport in)

10 man squad of Assault Marines, Sargeant has a Stormshield and Thunderhammer

10 man squad of Tactical Marines with 1 Plasma Gun, 1 Plasma Cannon and Sargeant has a Combi Plasma

5 man squad of Scout Marine Snipers with Camo Cloaks, Sargeant has a Missile Launcher

1 Stormraven with Twinlinked MultiMelta, Twinlinked Lascannon, Hurricane Bolter Sponsons and a Locator Beacon


I've only played one game and did relatively well against a Coteaz Grey Knights army, though it was very bloody.   Unfortunately the Dread just landed whiffed on its melta shot on a transport and then proceeded to die the next turn.   The Snipers also weren't terribly effective even with the missile launcher.  So, I decided to make a change (for my regular list, this list is unfortunately locked for the remainder of the campaign).

So, I've been realizing more and more how awesome assault cannons are in 6th edition.   Their Rending ability can demolish all armour and infantry, and even if you don't rend, the Assault Cannon can take on most light armour and pretty much all infantry all at a 36 inch range.   Also Armour 13 on Vehicles is getting to the point where its a must.   Hmmm I wonder what unit in the Blood Angels has both of these features...  oh right, Baal Predators!

So, my current lists going forward have not just one but two Baal Predators and they will replace the Dreadnought and Sniper Squad.   I've given a couple great strengths above but there are more advantages to the Baal Predator.   It's a Fast vehicle so you can move 6 inches and still fire all your weapons at full BS.  At 12 inches they can fire 2 weapons at full BS with the rest at Snap shots.   Also, when moving Flat Out, they get another 12 inches of movement.   These suckers are fast!

The Baal Predator also has the Scout rule, which in 6th edition means they can redeploy 12" AFTER both sides deploy.   I feel this rule is better in 6th because it is a redeployment and not an extra movement so you dont have to worry about travelling through difficult terrain and immobilizing your vehicle.   Just plop it where you want.

Before I show my list, I also want to say that with my vehicles I like to put as many weapons on them as possible and not just for firepower reasons (points permitting of course).    In 6th edition, when you get a Weapon Destroyed Penetrating Hit result, the weapon is chosen randomly so the more weapons you have the less chance you have of destroying your main weapon and in the case of the Baal, the Assault Cannon.

So here are my lists for various points level with Dual Baal Predators:

Blood Angels 1500pt Dual Baal Predator list

HQ:

Reclusiarch with Terminator Armour and Stormbolter

------------------------------------------

160pts total

Elites:

5 Assault Terminators with Thunderhammer/Stormshields

-----------------------------------------

225pts total

Sanguinary Priest x2, Jump pack x1, Terminator Armor and Power Sword/Axe x1

---------------------------------

160pts total

Troops:

10 man Assault Marine Squad, Stormshield for Sargeant,Thunderhammer for Sargeant

-------------------------------------------------

240pts

10 man Tactical Marine Squad, Plasma Cannon, Plasmagun and Combi-Plasma for Sargeant

-------------------------------------------------

195pts

Fast Attack:

Baal Predator with TL Assault Cannon with Heavy Bolter Sponsons

-------------------------------------------------

145pts

Baal Predator with TL Assault Cannon with Heavy Bolter Sponsons

-------------------------------------------------

145pts

Heavy Support:

Stormraven with Hurricane Bolters, MultiMelta and TL Lascannons

---------------------------------------

230pts total

Blood Angels 1850pt Dual Baal Predator list

HQ:

Reclusiarch with Terminator Armour and Stormbolter

------------------------------------------

160pts total

Elites:

5 Assault Terminators with Thunderhammer/Stormshields

-----------------------------------------

225pts total

Sanguinary Priest x3, Jump pack x2 and Terminator Armor with Power Sword/Axe x1

---------------------------------

235pts total

Troops:

10 man Assault Marine Squad with Stormshield and Thunderhammer for Sargeant

-------------------------------------------------

240pts

10 man Assault Marine Squad with Stormshield and Thunderhammer for Sargeant

-------------------------------------------------

240pts

10 man Tactical Marine Squad with Plasmagun, Plasma Cannon and CombiPlasma for Sargeant

-------------------------------------------------

195pts

Fast Attack:

Baal Predator with TL Assault Cannon, Stormbolter and Heavy Bolter Sponsons

-------------------------------------------------

155pts

Baal Predator with TL Assault Cannon, Stormbolter and Heavy Bolter Sponsons

-------------------------------------------------

155pts

Heavy Support:

Stormraven with Hurricane Bolters, MultiMelta, TL Lascannons and Locator Beacon

---------------------------------------

245pts total

Blood Angels 1995pt Dual Baal Predator list

HQ:

Reclusiarch with Terminator Armour and Stormbolter

------------------------------------------

160pts total

Librarian w/Sanguine Sword, Might of Heroes or Blood Lance in Terminator Armour and Stormshield

----------------------------------------------------------

145pts total

Elites:

5 Assault Terminators with Thunderhammer/Stormshields

-----------------------------------------

225pts total

Sanguinary Priest x3, Jump pack x2 and Terminator Armor with Power Sword/Axe x1

---------------------------------

235pts total

Troops:

10 man Assault Marine Squad with Stormshield and Thunderhammer for Sargeant

-------------------------------------------------

240pts

10 man Assault Marine Squad with Stormshield and Thunderhammer for Sargeant

-------------------------------------------------

240pts

10 man Tactical Marine Squad with Plasmagun, Plasma Cannon and CombiPlasma for Sargeant

-------------------------------------------------

195pts

Fast Attack:

Baal Predator with TL Assault Cannon, Stormbolter and Heavy Bolter Sponsons

-------------------------------------------------

155pts

Baal Predator with TL Assault Cannon, Stormbolter and Heavy Bolter Sponsons

-------------------------------------------------

155pts

Heavy Support:

Stormraven with Hurricane Bolters, MultiMelta, TL Lascannons and Locator Beacon

---------------------------------------

245pts total

Are these lists garbage?   Would you do something different?   Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Turn 8 Podcast: The Aquila Has Landed

Here's the new podcast from Turn 8.   This week we talk about the new 6th edition;  what we like and what we don't like.  Also, we go over the movement rules.

http://turn-8.com/2012/podcast/episode-23-the-aquila-has-landed/

"It’s 6th Edition baby!  Everything old is new again, including podcast episode titles, hooray!  Anyway, as I’m sure you’ve guessed, this is our first episode officially covering 6th edition of Warhammer 40000.  We’ve got a full crew this go ’round with Andy, Mike and Dave joining us to give first impressions on the new rules.  Plus our signature Battle Report this episode covers a lot of new features, including allies!  Not to mention the triumphant return of the Rules of Engagement.  We’re going back to basics with this one and starting simple, with movement.  P.S.  I apologize if it sounds like some of us are standing in a wind tunnel during this episode.  It’s been well over 90 degrees here (33 for you Celsius folks) and the A/C’s are on overdrive.

Plus don’t forget the usual great content including This Random Time Period in 40k …"

• 00:00:00  Episode 23 Intro and Contents
• 00:02:00  The Round-up: What Have We Done Since Last Episode?
• 00:21:12  This Random Time Period In 40k! – Finecast and Chaos rumors, new Forgeworld and Black Library
• 00:34:29  First Impressions: 6th Edition
• 01:23:05  Battle Report Info
• 01:34:39  Battle Report – Tyranids vs. Space Marines with Blood Angel allies
• 01:53:35  Stratagem and Post Battle Discussion
• 02:11:00  Rules of Engagement: Movement
• 02:17:49  Thanks for Listening!

Impressions of How 6th Edition Effects Blood Angels

After reading the new 6th edition rulebook and Blood Angels FAQs a few times I've made a list of relevant buffs, changes and nerfs to the Blood Angels codex.   I've put the location of the change in parenthesis after each list item. 

I haven't addressed Allies or Fortifications in this list because I'll be talking about them in future posts.   Also keep in mind, these conclusions come only from READING the new rules and not PLAYING with them with Blood Angels yet (I have played a few Dark Eldar games, but thats it).  As usual, let me know if I missed anything relevent, its a big book and I'm sure I missed a few things.  Also, let me know if you agree or disagree with some of my conclusions down in the comments.


Buffs:

1. Jump packs & dreadnoughts get hammer of wrath which gives an Initiative 10 attack at regular strength in a charge. (rules)
2. Jump packs can reroll assault rolls which are 2d6" now. (rules)
3. Snipers can Precision Shot on 6s, Sniper scouts may seem some use now. (rules)
4. Tactical Marines can Rapid Fire and still move. (rules)
5. Death company Rage is +2 attacks in charge, no more compulsory moves! (rules)
6. 2 Combat Squads split from the same unit can embark the same transport. (FAQ)
7. Fearless doesn't lose wounds in combat anymore. (rules)
8. Techmarines can repair hull points (except rhinos), immobilization and weapon destroyed results. (FAQ)
9. Power weapons (except Axes) are only AP3 now.  Less AP2 means Terminators & Sanguinary Guard are more resilient (rules)
10. "And They Shall Know No Fear..." is immune to Fear. (rules)
11. Deep strike mishap only kills unit on a roll of a 1. (rules)
12. Reserves come in on 3+ and auto arrive on turn 4. (rules)
13. Stormraven/land speeders get 5+ jink save (4+ when moving flat out)
14. Look out sir can save Sargeants and Independent Characterss (4+ and 2+)
15. Heroic morale - Independent Characters with units let them roll to regroup as normal, even if below 25%. (rules)
16. Potential Night Fighting in every mission can help close combat armies. (rules)
17. Assault frag/krak grenades can be used in the Shooting Phase - 8" range, Strength 3, blast template (rules)
18. Sargeants/ICs get Precision shots/strikes and can allocate wounds on a To Hit roll of 6. (rules)
19. Fast vehicles can move 12" then flat out 12" for total of 24" movement in one turn.  Question: Can you still pop smoke now when moving Flat Out? (rules)
20. Fast vehicles at cruising speed can fire 2 weapons at regular BS, Baal Predators can be very mobile gun platform. (rules)
21. Warlord traits can help.  Here are a few that can help Blood Angels:
Command Traits: Coordinated Assault (+1" to charge)
Personal Traits: Master of Defense (gives Counter Attack to nearby units), Legendary Fighter (1 Victory Point for each enemy character slain by your warlord), Immovable Object (warlord is scoring unit)
Strategic Traits: Night Attacker (Night Fighting is automatic in Turn 1), Divide to Conquer (-1 enemy reserve rolls), Princeps of Deceit (You can do a limited redeployment with this trait)
22.  Stormraven can only be hit on 6s if in Flyer mode (unless enemy is using Skyfire) and is more resilient now.




Neutral changes:

1. Assault range is 2d6" now... this can be good or bad. (rules)
2. Power swords are now power weapons and can be swords, axes, staves or mauls.  I may have to change my Sanguinary Guard swords to Axes so they can deal with Terminators.  Also I may run 100% Thunderhammer/Stormshields with my Assault Terminators now. (rules)
3. Rending adds further D3 to vehicle pen rolls of 6. (rules)
4. Feel no pain is 5+ save but only negated by Instant Death.  It is now resistant to power weapons and plasma weapons. (rules)


Nerfs:

1. ICs that have red thirst can only join other red thirst units or Death Company (FAQs)
2. Furious charge now only boosts strength by 1+ with no more Initiative bonus (rules)
3. Disordered Charge - no charge bonus for multi assault, including Rage attacks.  (rules)
4. Preferred Enemy is reroll any rolls of 1 To Hit and To Wound now.  I run a Terminator Librarian with my Assault Terminators and let him use Unleash Rage (gives Preferred Enemy) and this is another reason to go all Thunderhammer/Stormshields from now on. (rules)
5. Psychic hood range only units within 6" of Librarian now.  (rules)
6. Overwatch shooting can hurt assaulters in general especially against twinlinked units or Tesla Necron units. (rules)
7. Cannot assault the turn you disembark unless you have assault transpor.  You can't even assault if the transport didn't move now!  Weak.  (rules)


So, what do you think?  Did I miss anything that effects Blood Angels?  Was I wrong with any of my conclusions?   Let me know in the comments below.

Beasts of War: Stormraven army list

Here's an army list based around the Blood Angels Stormraven by Beasts of War:

Beasts of War: Captain Tycho profile

Beasts of War does a video profile of Captain Tycho:

Beasts of War: Commander Dante profile

Here's a video profile of Comander Dante by Beasts of War:

Beasts of War: Blood Angels Gabriel Seth profile

Here is a profile of Gabriel Seth in the Blood Angels codex by Beasts of War:

Beasts of War: Blood Angels Tournament army list

Here is Beasts of War Blood Angels Tournament army list:

Beasts of War: Blood Angels Psykers and Abilities

This a video about Blood Angels Psykers and their abilities by Beasts of War:

Beasts of War: Blood Angels Deep Strike army list

Here is an army list video by Beasts of War with a Deep Strike theme:

Beasts of War: Blood Angels Fast Tanks

Beasts of War takes a look at the Fast tank options in the Blood Angels codex:

Beasts of War: Blood Angels Sanguinary Priests

Here's a look at Sanguinary Priest rules by Beasts of War:

Beasts of War: Astorath the Grim in Profile

Beasts of War goes over the Blood Angels' Special HQ, Astorath the Grim:

Beasts of War: Painting Sanguinary Guard

Here's another extensive video on painting Blood Angels' Sanguinary Guard models:

Beasts of War: Building Sanguinary Guard

Here's an extensive video tutorial on building Blood Angels' Sanguinary Guard:

Beasts of War: Sanguinary Guard What's in the Box

Here's a video showing the sprue contents for the Blood Angels' Sanguinary Guard:

Beasts of War: Dreadnought Themed Army List

Here's Beasts of War's take on a Blood Angels Dreadnought themed army list:

Beasts of War: Death Company Army List

Here's a video on Beasts of War's take on a Death Company Army list:

Beasts of War: Tips on playing Death Company

Here are some tips from Beasts of War on playing Blood Angels Death Company.  They don't seem to be too keen on them, but I think they can be an effective fire magnet.   Basically I never use them with jump packs, and put them in a rhino or better yet a land raider to run them up a flank.

If you are on the flanks it tends to negate some of the negatives of the Rage rule they have.   If you're on either flank, you can only go towards the middle of the table and towards an enemy, so they will always veer in the general direction you want once they are out of their transport.

Also, I pretty much always run a Reclusiarch with them.  Who knows, if rumors are true about the Rage rule changing to a leadership test based check, Death Company could become a MUCH more viable unit to use.

Beasts of War: Death Company What's in the Box Video

Here's a quick breakdown of what bits are in the Blood Angels Death Company kit:

Beasts of War: Building Blood Angels Death Company Video

Here's another video from Beasts of War on how to build Blood Angels Death Company:

Beasts of War: Painting Blood Angel Death Company Video

Here's a detailed tutorial from Beasts of War on how to paint Blood Angels Death Company marines:

Beasts of War: Assault Army List

Beasts of War goes over their take on an Assault heavy Blood Angels army:

Beasts of War: Painting a Blood Angels Assault Marine Sargeant

Here's an in depth guide to painting a Blood Angels Assault Marine Sargeant from Beasts of War:

Beasts of War: Blood Angels Dreadnoughts

Beasts of War goes over all the different Dreadnoughts that Blood Angels get to use:

Beasts of War: Building a Baal Predator

Here's a long video (almost 45 minutes) on how to build a Baal Predator:

Beasts of War: Red Thirst Special Rule

Here's another rules video about Blood Angels Red Thirst rule:

Beasts of War: Baal's Can't Shoot Forward???

Here's a more tongue in cheek/rules lawyering video from Beasts of War (I don't think you should take it TOO seriously)

Beasts of War: Descent of Angels Rules Video

Here's another rules focused video from Beasts of War about the Blood Angel's Descent of Angels rule.

Beasts of War: Baal Predator Video

Beasts of War had great video coverage when the recent Blood Angels codex was release a few years ago and they're reposting them on their YouTube channel so I thought I would share/index them here in my blog.   Yes, its a repost of someone else's content, but I view this blog as a reservoir for all things Blood Angels.   I scour the internet for useful articles and like to repost them here because its easier for me (and you) to access them all in one place solely dedicated to Blood Angels stuff.   So you will see a few more reposted videos as they post them ;).

Images from Berks Spring Assault 3

Hey, I finally got my picts ready to show from Berks Spring Assault 3.   Overall I had a blast this year.   The venue was MUCH improved with plenty of space for 40 tables.   There were almost 80 players total which was a resounding success.   I didn't do so well myself (my list was more what I could get painted well in time heheh), but I did play against some very cool people.   I really like the fact that sportsmanship is a major part of scoring and it really reflected in the games I played.  Everyone was very cool and fun to play against.

Prize support was awesome as usual.  First off there was a "chinese" auction where you got raffle tickets for participating.  You could also purchase more tickets to increase your chances to win as well.  The top prize was a Citadel Realms of Battle gaming board with various books, custom terrain and 40k boxes available to choose.  I won a Necron Triarch Preatorians/Lychguard box which will obviously hint on an upcoming army for me heh.

The main prizes were even better.  The top 3 overall won their pick of a prize PLUS a case from KR multicase.   I got 3rd place in the army painting/appearance competition and picked up a Necron Ghost Ark/Doomsday Ark kit to add to my new Necron collection.  Overall Brave New Worlds did very well too:  Sam from BNW got 4th place with his Pedobear Imperial Guard, Kung Fu Dave won best Space Wolves for his purple puppies, Phil won best Dark Eldar army, also Derek won a Golden Grot award for his mounted Demon model.

Overall, it was a very good turnout.  There weren't TOO many Grey Knights players and there was a good diversity of armies.  Steel Thunder Mike is planning on expanding and having a Forgeworld legal tournament this fall as a replacement to Ard Boys as well as a "Winter Assault" this december that will also be a fund raiser to help fight cancer.  I know I will definately be participating in both, it'll be a good excuse to buy a Contemptor for my Blood Angels heheh.

Anyway here are some picts:

 

Trophy for my 3rd place best appearance award with prizes below:

 

 

Derek battling with his Grey Knights

 

Kevin and his Space Marines

 

Kevin, Sam and Phil "strategerizing"

 

 Opy and Rich from the Turn-8 podcast

Opy's Eldar army on his glorious new Turn-8 themed x-board display board

Phil in a Dark Eldar vs Dark Eldar match

4th place Sam dominating with his Pedobear Imperial Guard

 Scott and Kung Fu Dave have a Necron vs Space Wolves battle

Marc "Can a Brotha get a Six?" Smith's Woodland Ranger Space Marines

Shout out from GW for my Assault Terminators!

Ok after posting my Assault Termies here on the blog and then submitting them on GW's flickr pool group I woke up this morning to this nice shout out from GW on their Facebook page:

They also posted a few of my flickr images on their "From the Flickr Pool" section (in the upper right) of their blog so be sure to check it out!

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/wnt/blog.jsp

Assault Terminators, Terminator Librarian and Sanguinary Priest Painted!

OK, in preparation for the Berks Spring Assault I have been furiously painting at a turtle's pace!   Last post we had my Assault Marines which were the back bone of my army list but now comes the elite heavy hitters.   I made a unit of 5 Assault Terminators (2 with Thunderhammer/Stormshields and 3 with Lightening Claws) and attached a Terminator Librarian with a Stormshield.  

The Librarian has Unleash Rage (Preferred Enemy - reroll hits) and Sanguinary Sword (Str 10 attacks for Librarian).   The Unleash Rage makes the Lightening Claw Termies particularly devastating because they can reroll hits AND wounds (rerolling hits for everyone else doesn't hurt either).  The Sanguinary Sword is nice against vehicles and other tough things as well, making this a good all comers unit.

I ran these guys in my Stormraven (though I would recommend a Land Raider normally, Stormraven's never seem to last more than a turn or two of shooting).  I chose the Stormraven for 2 reasons:  1) Its fully painted and my goal this year for Berks was to win something for my painted army (more details on that to come) and 2) its cheaper than a land raider and will let me take a Sanguinary Priest. 

I will post some details of their exploits in an upcoming post covering my experience at this years Berks Spring Assault.   But in the meantime, here are the finish models:

Any questions about how I modelled or painted them, please feel free to leave a comment.  I will be posting results/experiences from this years Berks Spring Assault this week or next and I will be doing a painting tutorial for an Assault Marine and another one for an Assault Terminator in the coming weeks so keep your eyes peeled!

Assault Marines Painted!

In preparation for the Escalation league at Brave New Worlds AND the Berks Spring Assault I have been feverishly been painting my Blood Angels.   I just finished 2 squads (technically 1 and a half).  The ones with the black knee pad with the blood droplet are 4th squad and the ones with the black knee pad with the white "X" are 5th squad.   All are from the Blood Angels' 4th Company "The Knights of Baal". 

Right now I'm starting my Assault Terminator squad which includes 3 Lightening Claw Terminators, 2 Thunderhammer Stormshield Terminators and my Librarian with Terminator Armour and a Stormshield.  I also have to paint up a Sanguinary Priest with a Jump Pack.   Hopefully I'll be done by the 21st!

Probably sometime shortly after Berks Spring Assault (April 21st!), I will be posting tutorial/painting guides for my Assault Marines, Assault Terminators, Librarian and Sanguinary Priest.  So keep your eyes peeled for those.

Here are the picts: