40K Tactics: Blood Angels Armylists

I was surprised however when the preview copy of the book came in. Where as I had expected to face wave after wave of the same army I found that most everyone had developed a unique and personalized theme.

My initial worries where settled when I had time to sit and read the book myself, coming to realize that, despite anyone’s individual likes or dislikes with the book, it presented a diverse variety of options for list-making. Given that, I’ve made a few different 2000 pt. lists here, just to exemplify the diversity one can find in Codex: Blood Angels.

LIST 1 – Death Company
Astorath the Grim

Chaplain
Chaplain
Chaplain

Death Company (x6, Power Weapon x2, Power Fist, Rhino)

Death Company (x6, Power Weapon x2, Power Fist, Rhino)

Death Company (x6, Power Weapon x2, Power Fist, Rhino)

Death Company (x5, Power Weapon x1)

Assault Squad (x10, Meltagun x2, Power Fist)

Assault Squad (x10, Meltagun x2, Power Fist)

Stormraven Gunship w/ Multimelta, Twin-Linked Assault Cannon

The above would be my Death Company list and, while low in numbers, it packs one hell of a punch. I honestly believe the key to Death Company are in the Chaplain’s Liturgy granting re-rollable wounds, to me that is what rises them above the standard Assault Squad with Sanguinary Priest escort. Yes, Rage determines much of where the units will go once they disembark their vehicles, but given the abilities and weaponry of the Death Company I have a hard time imagining anything they cannot kill on the assault. Mount everyone in a Rhino, the small squad joining Astorath in the ‘raven, and rush right into the enemies face. It’s a blast to play if your style revolves around a large number of hammer units and a blatant disregard for well-being.

List 2 – Dreadnoughtpalooza
Librarian (Jump Pack, Blood Lance, Shield of Sanguinius)

Furioso Dreadnought (Librarian, Blood Lance, Wings of Sanguinius)
Furioso Dreadnought (Librarian, Blood Lance, Wings of Sanguinius)Furioso Dreadnought (Librarian, Blood Lance, Wings of Sanguinius)

Death Company (x15, Power Weapon x3)

Death Company Dreadnought (Blood Talons, Drop Pod)
Death Company Dreadnought (Blood Talons, Drop Pod)
Death Company Dreadnought (Blood Talons, Drop Pod)

Scout Squad (x5, Sniper Rifles, Camo Cloaks)
Scout Squad (x5, Sniper Rifles)

Dreadnought (Assault Cannon, Twin-Linked Autocannon)
Dreadnought (Assault Cannon, Twin-Linked Autocannon)
Dreadnought (Assault Cannon, Twin-Linked Autocannon)

Now I know you can fit eleven Dreadnoughts in 2000 pts, but then you have absolutely no scoring and most of them are bare-boned. Here we still have a staggering nine Dreadnoughts complete with upgrades. I’d call this list a variation of the Master of the Forge lists seen from Codex: Space Marines, except the fact we have more variety in our Dreadnought choices: We have the Death Company dropping down in pods, meltaguns in tow to not only remove any pesky vehicles but also capable of dicing through most any infantry unit (they also provide the immediate threat for your opponent to deal with while the bulk of the forces move up), psychic defense and more vehicle killing power in the Librarian Furiosos, who should be up and personal with your opponent in two or so turns, and finally the generic Dreadnoughts bringing up the rear with fire support. Meanwhile we have the Scouts to score and the Librarian hopping around behind Dreadnoughts granting cover and shooting as needed.

The list itself is a bit risky in the scoring section, and a skilled opponent will no doubt target the Scouts immediately, but the list still presents a lot of dangers and the threat of getting tabled is always present.

List 3 – The Linebreaker
Librarian (Blood Lance, Shield of Sanguinius)
Librarian (Blood Lance, Shield of Sanguinius)

Assault Squad (x5, Meltagun, Razorback w/ Twin-Linked Assault Cannon)
Assault Squad (x5, Meltagun, Razorback w/ Twin-Linked Assault Cannon)

Assault Squad (x5, Meltagun, Razorback w/ Twin-Linked Heavy Flamer, Dozer Blades)

Assault Squad (x5, Meltagun, Razorback w/ Twin-Linked Heavy Flamer, Dozer Blades)

Assault Squad (x5, Meltagun, Razorback w/ Twin-Linked Lascannon)
Assault Squad (x5, Meltagun, Razorback w/ Twin-Linked Lascannon)

Baal Predator w/ Heavy Bolter Sponsons
Baal Predator w/ Heavy Bolter Sponsons
Baal Predator w/ Flamestorm Cannon

Vindicator w/ Siege Shield
Vindicator w/ Siege Shield
Vindicator w/ Siege Shield

This is what I like to call a “Linebreaker List”, namely due to the three Fast Vindicators. Now the list itself is a standard heavy-mech Razorback spam, usually seen in Codex: Space Wolves, but it is equally effective here. I’ve paired off the Razorbacks according to their field positioning, obviously the Lascannons are for long range objective holding (ie: your deployment zone), the Assault Cannons work mid-range, and the Heavy Flamers get right up there in your opponent’s face. While they’re objective snatching you have the three Baal Predators outflanking (or just normal deployment depending on threat) giving support to your mid and close range forces, whether it be taking side-shots on vehicles or helping to mow down any foot troops.

Lastly you have the three fast Vindicators who are… Well being Vindicators. They’re effective against most anything: troops, armor, you name it. They deal with whatever threats they need to, and should they get their weapon blown off, well then they just become S:10 battering rams.

All in all the above list is probably the most similar to ones seen before, it’s the added threat of the fast Vindicators and the outflanking Baals that really give it a unique Blood Angels feel.

List 4 – I Heart Land Raiders
Librarian (Blood Lance, Shield of Sanguinius) 100

Assault Squad (x5, Meltagun, Land Raider Crusader w/ Multimelta, Searchlight, Extra Armor)
Assault Squad (x5, Meltagun, Land Raider Crusader w/ Multimelta, Searchlight, Extra Armor)

Assault Squad (x5, Meltagun, Land Raider Redeemer w/ Multimelta, Searchlight, Extra Armor)
Assault Squad (x5, Land Raider w/ Multimelta, Searchlight, Extra Armor)

Assault Squad (x5, Land Raider w/ Multimelta, Searchlight, Extra Armor)

The contents of this list make me question it’s effectiveness. On one hand it’s five Land Raider variants, on the other, it’s a small list of five vehicles. This hearkens back to the old Deathwing lists, though here we have Assault Marines instead of Terminators. Overall, I’m not sure if the benefits of such a list outweigh the issues I have with it. Land Raiders tend to be one of those things that are annoying when singular, a pain when in pairs, and obnoxious when ran in three+.

I really included this list just to showcase the options present in the book, and if you’re someone who loves Land Raiders how you’re not just limited to Codex: Dark Angels. In the end if you enjoy running five monster tanks then the list will be a lot of fun, and really I don’t think it would be any worse than some other armies present. The issue lies though that some armies you face just won’t be table to deal with five AV: 14 tanks… Some would enjoy this idea but for I always like the “to the last man” type of fights, not merely steamrolling the opponent.

If more points where available, say the ‘Ard Boyz setting, I would happily run this list guilt free, adding in some Vindicators and Baals to round it out and, if I could find the points, a Drop Pod in there somewhere, specifically for the trick of using a Homing Beacon to Deep Strike a Redeemer into prime firing position.

List 5 – On Angels Wings
Reclusiarch (Jump Pack)

Honour Guard (Blood Champion, Jump Packs, Power Sword (x2) )

Sanguinary Priest (x2, Jump Packs)

Furioso Dreadnought (Drop Pod w/ Locator Beacon)

Assault Squad (x10, Meltagunx2, Power Fist)
Assault Squad (x10, Meltagunx2, Power Fist)

Assault Squad (x10, Flamerx2, Power Fist)
Assault Squad (x10, Flamerx2, Power Fist)

Vanguard Veteran Squad (x5, Jump Packs, Power Weapon, Sergeant w/ Pair Lightning Claws)
Vanguard Veteran Squad (x5, Jump Packs, Power Weapon, Sergeant w/ Pair Lightning Claws)

Here we have a full Descent of Angels list, reliably having everything arrive by turn two/three (or, of course, jump hopping across the battlefield like angry bunnies on the warpath!). Usually I would find Vanguard just to expensive for their points, but I’m willing to add them here as we have a theme going… That, and the Locator Beacon on the Drop Pod means, reliably, at least one unit can land and assault turn two. This of course would require the Drop Pod to be alive, but given that most opponents will focus on the Dreadnought this is a viable strategy.

All in all this is the closest I could think of to a Blood Angels horde-style army, literally blotting out the sun with Jump Packs. We have the standard caveat of Assault Squads, both Melta and Flamer variety, backed up with Sanguinary Priests, thus giving the army the extra staying power an all foot-slogging (err, kinda) list needs. The addition of the Honour Guard was to impart a cheap (relatively) Sanguinary Priest and some extra melee power, as well as a unit for the Reclusiarch to lead into battle. This list is simply meant to overwhelm the enemy, threats constantly from all sides and not letting up until one side is dead, if you miss the olden days, or still have a healthy fear of the “mobile coffin” Rhino, give this list a try and see if it suits your style.

~And there we have it, a sampling of five army lists in Codex: Blood Angels. I tried to keep some diversity in them, but some things (ahem, Librarian) seem to creep back again and again. Since the release of Codex: Space Marines way back when it’s been apparent to me that GW was trying to bring a certain level of customization back to the game while trying to avoid some of the pitfalls of the older codices Armories. In that regard I believe we’ve seen steady improvement with each new release, from the IG variants, the plethora of ways Tyranids can be fielded, all the way up till now with the great selection available in Blood Angels. One can only wonder what options the next codex will bring. -Mr. Black