New Additions to the Flesh Tearers

I received some Sanguinary Guard as part of my 'ard Boyz winnings, and I thought I'd pose them to be "in flight". I cast some resin bases up for them, and then cut the rubble from the bottom of the feet to add the post (a paper-clip). I then added some Green Stuff and piping to my Librarian Dread.

My plan is to paint the Sanguinary Guard in an atypical paint scheme: red bodies, black wings and shoulder pads, and gold death masks. That will match my painted Dante model.

I can't say enough about these models. They really expand the boundaries of what I thought was possible in terms of plastic detail. They'll be a real pleasure to paint.

Why Size Doesn't Matter.

Hello, Mahu here, new contributor to this Blog.

I want to address a disconcerting trend in recent discussions on the internet and all over, the matter of point costs.

Some argue that lower point games, specifically, 1500 to the 1850 range allows "tighter" army lists, and therefore require the player to be forced to think more tactically about their choices and actions within games.

The most famous posts advocating this has been Tastytaste's Blood of Kittens Website:

http://bloodofkittens.com/?p=3230

Others, more notable Stelek on his "Yes the Truth Hurts" Blog, advocated that games need to be around a minimum of 2000 points in order for the full potential of the game to be realized, and allow players access to all the "toys" their codex has to offer.

http://www.yesthetruthhurts.com/2009/03/points-levels.html

I think both arguments have merit, but I also think both arguments fail to grasp the simple concept of a restrictive points system.

You can't have everything.

There is always going to be that unit, that symmetry that you are looking for that will be hard to fit into any points cost. But the basics of list construction will always be the same.

1. Do you have decent anti-tank?
2. Do you have the ability to handle hordes?
3. Do you have proper scoring coverage?
4. How do you handle strong assault armies?
5. How do you handle strong shooty armies?
6. Does your list contain the four basic principals of good list design; Adaptability, Synergy, Redundancy, and Personal Preference? (More on this later).

The only thing that really changes at certain points levels are the units you use to accomplish those tasks.

For example, I am going to be playing in a 1500 point tournament this weekend with my Blood Angels. Here is the list I intend to bring:

-HQ-

Mephiston = 250

-Elites-

Furioso Dreadnought w/ Blood Talons, Meltagun, Heavy Flamer, Extra Armor in Drop Pod = 185

-Troops-

5-man Assault Squad w/ Flamer, Power Weapon in Razorback w/ Twin-linked Assault Cannon = 175

5-man Assault Squad w/ Flamer, Power Weapon in Razorback w/ Twin-linked Assault Cannon = 175

5-man Assault Squad w/ Meltagun, Power Weapon in Razorback w/ Twin-linked Heavy Flamer = 145

5-man Assault Squad w/ Meltagun, Power Weapon in Razorback w/ Twin-linked Heavy Flamer = 145

-Heavy Support-

Predator w/ Autocannon, 2 Lascannon Sponsons = 135

Predator w/ Autocannon, 2 Lascannon Sponsons = 135

Vindicator w/ Siege Shield = 155

I have a crap ton of shooting, plenty of scoring coverage, and two fairly decent assault elements. At this points level more "flavorful" units like Sanguinary Priests seem like a waste, especially when they are not adding anything much to the low model count of this list.

This is a competitive list to be sure.

Did the lower point level "force" me to not be as competitive? I really don't think so.

Did the lower point limit "weaken" my army? Again, I think not, it only changed my considerations in making my list.

If anything the lower point limit merely made my list a little more "one-dimensional", as the considerations and unit choices I had to make where almost made for me.

My preference is for the 1850 to 2000 point range. My feeling is that at the higher point level, you can be a little more liberal with how you create a balanced competitive list. For example, Sanguinary Guard and Dante feel much more at home in a higher point list then a small one.

Is there more room to spam in a higher points cost list? Sure, but as I showed you, no more so then in a lower point list.

So my end point is this, as to the argument of what point cost creates a higher test of skill, at what points cost creates a better "tighter" competition, I saw that ultimately it doesn't matter. A good player is a good player, and the fundamentals of list design does not change, no matter the points cost.

We can have our preferences, as I have shared mine, but at the end of the day that is all they are preference.

As our good Black Templar Player's remind us: "Accept Any Challenge, No Matter the Odds".

Brutal honesty

"People who are brutally honest get more satisfaction out of the brutality than out of the honesty." - Richard J. Needham

Too often, the anonymity of the internet allows us to hide behind our jolly pirate nicknames. These faceless knaves look at lists posted on boards by underdeveloped hobbyists, and reply with savage intensity usually reserved for child molesters and line dancers.

But that's too easy. Tearing down someone serves no purpose. It's less than useful. Mentoring someone is hard, and it takes honesty and patience. The only reason I got into this hobby is because people took the time and the effort required to be mentors. The people who sheltered and nurtured my desire to participate were the ones who gave me honest appraisals of my lists (crap), my painting (still crap), and my generalship (better than it was). Without them, I might have missed out on 17 years of fun.

I'm not asking that people coddle anyone. What I'm asking for is a basic respect that you would give to any stranger on the street. Every list that gets attacked might push some 14 year-old kid out of the hobby, which hurts us all in the long run. Tell a kid honestly why you think his list is poor, -- that it lacks anti-tank, or that lacks mobility-- and advise him how you think he should change it. Ask him why he took that one subpar unit, and advise him to try subbing a different unit to test it out. Don't be surprised if he doesn't take the advice immediately, but over time, that stuff sinks in.

It takes more effort to be a mentor. It is more difficult than snapping off a snarky comeback. But it's worth the effort in the long run.

Daydreaming about a list

The 2500 point list I would build if I was a master painter with more money than sense. Inspired by the Sanginary Guard Box set:

Dante 225

BA Libby with jump pack, Unleash Rage, Shield of Sanguinus 125

Sanginary Guard Squad x 3 with Death Masks, Inferno pistol and Power Fist 250 x3

2 Regular Assault Squads (ten men) with Flamers x2, Power Fist x1 each 225 x 2

1 Regular Assault Squad (eight men) with Melta x 1, Power Fist 189

2 Sanguinary Priests with Jump Packs 125 x 2

2 Vindicators with Siege Shields 155 x 2

2 squads of Attack Bikes x 2 with Multi-meltas x2 100 x 2

Would it be effective? Hell no.

Would it be pretty? Hell yes.

'ard Boyz result

I went with my Blood Angel list, and fought three skilled opponents, and three hard lists, but I ended up taking the top prize.

And now, I'm exhausted.

And, yes, I'm still undecided

I played against Keith last night with a slightly tweaked version of the BA list in the last entry. I ended up winning fairly handily.

Upon reflection, I think Keith's list was interesting, but not as strong as it needed to be in terms of an 'ard boys style competition. I'll save a full bat rep until Sunday. I also forgot to take pictures, which I'm kicking myself for, as I had my new BoLS approved flip cam with me. :)

Here is an alternate list I'm thinking of taking:

HQ
Librarian Epistolary / Null Zone / Vortex of Doom / / Force Weapon / Psychic Hood / Terminator Armor w/ SS 190
Khasaro Khan 160


Troops
Tactical Squad, 10 Power Weapon / Flamer/ Multi-Melta / Rhino / Teleport Homer/ Melta Bombs 240
Tactical Squad, 10 Power Weapon /Melta Gun / Multi-melta / Rhino / Teleport Homer / Melta Bombs 245
Tactical Squad, 10 Power Fist / Flamer / Missile Launcher /Melta Bombs 200
Tactical Squad, 10 Power Fist / Flamer / Missile Launcher / Melta Bombs 200


Elites
Assault Terminators , 7 Thunderhammer/Storm shield x 5 Lightning Claws x 2 280
Assault Terminators, 8 Thunder Hammer/Storm Shield x 5 Lightning Claws x 3 320


Fast Attack
Vanguard Veterans, 9 Sgt's Power Weapon / Power Weapon x6 / Power Fist x 3/ Melta bombs / Rhino 395


Heavy Support
Devastator Squad, 5 Missile Launcher x3 135
Devastator Squad, 5 Missile Launcher x3 135


Points Summary:
HQ: 350
Troops: 885
Elites: 600
Fast Attack: 395
Heavy Support: 270
Total: 2500

22 kill points for mission 3 and 5/10 scoring units as needed. I looked at the mission, and I really needed mobility and protection. The rhino offers a bit of that, and they'll help get my homers into place. Khan would run outflanking with the Vanguard, and will give them FC and hit and run. Hopefully, with three holy S$% units, I'll be able to split fire.

The transports are vulnerable to AT fire, that I know. I might swap out the Devs, and replace them with Vindicators to give the Rhinos mobile cover.

I hate the end of the semester

16 pages worth of projects due, and 'ard Boyz this weekend.

Still, despite the Third Mission Controversy, I think I'm going with my Blood Angels list. I'll do some play testing tomorrow and Friday to see if I should go with something else, but here goes nothin'

Flesh Tearers 4th Company Blood Angels

HQ
Reclusiarch Power Fist 145
Librarian Unleash Rage Shield of Sanginus Epistolary 150

Troops
Assault Squad, 10 Power Fist Flamer Flamer 225
Assault Squad, 10 Powerfist Melta Melta 235
Assault Squad, 8 Powerfist Remove jump packs Melta Gun Rhino 204
Tactical Squad, 10 Powerfist Melta Gun Multi-melta Rhino 250


Elites
Sanguinary Priests, 2 Jump pack Power Weapon for Jump Priest 140
Assault Terminators, 7 Lightning Claws x2 Thunder Hammers x 5 Land Raider Crusader Multi-Melta 565
Furioso Dreadnaught, 1 Librarian Dreadnought Wings of Sanguinous Blood Lance 175

Fast Attack
Attack Bike, 2 Multi-Melta Multi-Melta 100

Heavy Support
Vindicator, 1 Siege Shield 155
Vindicator, 1 Siege Shield 155

Points Summary:
HQ: 245
Troops: 914
Elites: 880
Fast Attack: 150
Heavy Support: 310
Total: 2499