Goatboy’s 40k Monday Pow Wow – Initial Games with Demons
Goatboy is here again to talk about Demons. I know Tau are coming – but I am not interesting in buying 50 dollar rail gun kits so I sticking with the bad guys for now.
I have had a few games with the new Demon book and have start to formulate the style of list I like to play. I am really enjoying the book and find it very refreshing after throwing down with CSM + Ally options I have been playing with lately. Kudos to Kelly for making a “newish” feeling book.
Here are my initial things that stand out for me when playing this new army. This is from my point of playing and it won’t fit everyone’s style. I am a hammer player and find those types of lists that go big or go home to be the most exciting. Will start from the top at the HQ mark and go down from there.
HQ’s
Greater Demons.
The Greater Demons are pretty beefy. In fact I think these MC’s feel just about right. I like the Tyranid ones as well but I think the GD’s have enough changes and effects to make them the Premier MC in the game. I have tested out the Bloodthirster and tried to play a Keeper (died on the first turn) and think both are neat. There is some nuttiness to be had with the Lord of Change and I will go over that in the combo section of this post. Still I really like them and feel most of my armies will have at least one. I just finished painting my BloodThirster (down below) and have a converted Keeper as well. I guess I need to do a Lord of Change and the Sr. Fatty himself.
Current Builds
Bloodthirster, Exalted Gift, Greater Gift
Keeper of Secrets, Lvl 3, Greater Gift X 2
Demon Prince
I haven’t tested one yet. I am not sure of these as most of the time the GD will do as much and more with better stats and usually being cheaper. I do wish it could be T6 without having to throw a dice at Biomancy as well as start as a Psyker. I wish the non Khorne ones started as Level 1 casters like the Greater Demons.
Current Thought Builds
DP, MoS, Lvl 1, Wings, Armor, Greater Gift X 2 – Behind the Back Whip Monster! – Use the Whippy sticks from Dark Vengeance and yell – “YOU’VE BEEN NAUGHTY”
Heralds
Wow these guys can get nutty. I have played with all but the Nurgle one (he is getting painted) and have found each to have their uses. I use the Tzeentch ones to generate some Divination love with the Grimiore combo. I like the Slaanesh one with Seekers and the Locus of Beguilement. If you get lucky and get Invisibility this unit will tear up just about anything they hit in combat. The Khorne Herald of a Jugger who ends up hatting everyone is a good leader for the Khorne Dogs. These guys are great and I just wish we could take 8 to really amp up some crazy armies.
Current Builds
Tzeentch Herald, Lvl 3, Exalted Gift, Locus of Conjuration
Slaanesh Herald, Lvl 2, Lesser Gift, Steed of Slaanesh, Locus of Beguilement
Khorne Herald, Juggernaut, Greater Gift, Lesser Gift, Locus of Wrath
Nurgle Herald, Palanquin, Locus of Fecundity, Lesser Gift
Elites
I have not touch any of the elites yet. I think the Beasts of Nurgle could have their place. A lot of the Elites have fallen into the same trappings as other 6th edition books. They are too expensive to see a lot of play and don’t feel needed when the troop options just work better. Still depending on how an FAQ rules Fiends we might see a crap ton of them on the field.
Current Builds
NA – it depends on the FAQ
Troops
Here is where the book shines. All of the troops have their place in mono god lists with the Plague Bearers showcasing themselves to be an amazing backfield unit and the Demonettes showing that they hit hard on both sides of the fence. I have used Horrors and feel that they are probably not worth it. If you take a squad of 10 who can help babysit a Herald you can then shoot for the beam power and hope to blast tanks/models/etc with. At 90 points it isn’t a bad option. I am not sure about the Bloodletters and find it odd they are 10 points a piece. It makes me wonder if they had an extra attack in the play test and they forgot to change the points. Still the ability to go to ground and still have the power of “fearless” is pretty amazing in a troop choice. Also most are under 200 points with 20 models on the field. They still hate bolters though – and thunderfire cannons.
Current Builds
10 Plague Bearers with an Instrument
10 Horrors with a Saxophone
20 Daemonettes, Instrument, Alluress
Fast Attack
Right now I have only messed with the Flesh Hounds of Khorne and got stomped by some Seekers (waiting for my boxes to come in). Both have their advantages and I am still on the fence which one will be better in the long run. The Dogs have 2 wounds a piece and end up coming out cheaper per wound. The Seekers are weaker but can dish out so many attacks with an attached herald. I have been testing out the Grimoire combo to generate a 2+ inv save unit. It has been very annoying when it works. You roll for spells, gifts, and warlord traits all at the same time so you can easily roll your spells, see if you get the right one, and then try to go for the combo. Remember to always roll your exalted gift because you might get lucky and roll a 1 and get one for free with a lesser and greater gift combo or as I like to say – you super sized it in your pants!
I think the Nurgle Flies might need to be investigated as well as the Furies. Cheap fast troops are pretty scary and it might be interesting to throw down with some. The issue is that there is not a plastic kit for them from GW. I know some 3rd party companies have them and they look good so you could try there.
Current Builds
10 Flesh Hounds of Khorne
20 Seekers of Slaanesh, Instrument, Heartseeker
Heavy Support
I have a Khorne cannon in a box right now but I just don’t think it is needed. You have so many attacks and with Overwatch not adding to the assault for morale you just don’t care nearly as much. Assault has become less of a build out in most other armies so this crazy assault beast that is the Demon book makes for some lopsided fisticuffs. I have been playing 3 Mark of Nurgle Soul Grinders with Phlem and have found them to be very good. They are expensive at 180 (Yeah I know Defiler, keep crying) but they really add a lot to the army. Armor 13 means you laugh at the Necron Flying Circus and having an ordnance cannon is a help in breaking apart their armor 13 coffins. The Slaanesh chariots seem interesting as well as they are super fast and will get there turn 2. Plus they are cheap enough to cover the table in spikey/sensual/nonsense.
Current Builds
Soul Grinder, Mark of Nurgle, Phlem
Overall I find the book interesting as the Rewards table means I have to change my strategies every game. The Warp Storm table has been fine and I have found more fun in hitting team mates with Khornes wrath over and over. I haven’t had anything too bad and survived my Herald rolling a 3d6 for his leadership once. I am sure I will play a game where my mind will explode with instability. It is the life of playing with the Gods of Chaos and it is something enjoy leg wrestling with.
List I am thinking of playing with for 1850 events.
HQ: Blood Thirster, Exalted Gift, Greater Gift
HQ: Keeper of Secrets, Lvl 3 Psyker, Greater Gift X 2
HQ: CSM Daemon Prince, Wings, Armor, MoN, The Black Mace
Troops: Plague Bearers X 10
Troops: Plague Bearers X 10
Troops: Horrors X 10
Troops: Horrors X 10
Troops: Cultists X 10
Heavy: Soul Grinder, MoN, Phlem
Heavy: Soul Grinder, MoN, Phlem
Heavy: Daemon Prince, Wings, Armor, MoS, Greater Gift X 2
It gives me some cool looking MC’s, enough bodies on the table, and some tricks as needed. The Thirster will most likely take the Portal to generate more bodies as needed. If I get lucky and roll a 1 for him he will be a fun monster.
What are you finding interesting in the new Daemon Book?
