Goatboys 40k Marines – The “Iron-Angels”
Goatboy here and today I want to go over a Marine list you HAVE to see! This new Space Marine codex is VERY flexible.
I have another article in the works that goes more into the meat of what I think 6th Edition is and how to win but that is for another day. It will take a bit to break down and get working right so instead here is a goofy list with a break down of what I picked certain things.
Starting with the Iron Hands
I wanted to make an Iron Hands army as I think their Chapter Tactics are a really interesting blend of rules that makes them different from the other chapters. They are poised to hold and survive which is a extremely powerful option in 40k right now. They also are one of the few armies that really generates 2 saves most of the time (Armor, Cover, Inv + FNP). This could be extremely useful as 6th edition has really turned into the massed dice rolls and thus failure via the all encompassing power of math.
This let me to look at Iron Hands as any extra save you get is pretty good when you start to look at just the sheer amount of times you are forced to roll some kind of save. I remember the days of Nob Bikers ruling the field and we all know the more dice I get to “reroll” the better off you are. So I started looking at these guys as well as the idea of running a crap ton of Tech Marines to fill in the whole “mechanical” look the army would need.
The Advantages of Small
I wanted to go with a smaller army as if I had any hope to find, build, and create all of these options a smaller force is easier to paint, build, and eventually fly with. Plus you can spend a crap ton of time on each individual model to create a really unique force. I know I am the king of spam but at the end of the day I really want a cool as hell looking army that kicks some a$$.
So let’s start at the top.
Iron Hands – Masters of taking hot toast out of toasters.
HQ:
My leaders need to be awesome. I want to go into bikes so I need to make sure my HQ choice activates them. Plus I think bikes with all kinds of cybernetic parts would look cool. Maybe they could be Bike skimmers as I am not that much of a fan of the unfortunately shaped FW bikes.
HQ: Chapter Master, Bike, The Shield Eternal, Thunder Hammer, Artificer Armor
The Shield Eternal is pretty sweet. So it seems Eternal Warrior + Adamantium Will equals 35 points. So 25 Points for Eternal Warrior? I went with a Master as a 4 Wound + Eternal Warrior bad a$$ makes for a sweet HQ choice. Plus his bike allows him to make 5 man Bike squads as troops and with It Will Not Die plus a 6+ FNP he is a pain in the butt to remove. 2+ Armor is pretty sweet too as well as that pesky Ordnance Blast is not too terrible.
HQ: Chapter Master, Bike, The Burning Blade, Storm Shield, Artificer Armor
I know two of them seems crazy but this guy is another cybernetic bad mutha. I went with two as you have two extremely aggressive options that will hopefully break out, punch stuff and live to tell the tale.
HQ: Techmarine, Bike, Lightning Claw
HQ: Techmarine, Bike, Lightning Claw
I had to have some Tech Marines in this army so here is the beginning. The lightning claw is the cheaper way to get an extra Attack. Plus they can be helpful versus lower toughness guys and other AP3 things. They will charge in with 3 attacks and that isn’t too bad. Plus it gives you more 2+ save bodies that can help out and keep you from eating it from dragons if you need to throw wounds around.
Troops: Bike Squad X 8, Grav-gun X 2, Attack Bike
Troops: Bike Squad X 8, Grav-gun X 2, Attack Bike
Basic troop squad as I wanted to go with all bikes if I could. I didn’t want to do White Scars as everyone else is doing that army and thought – Iron Hands sound cool lets do that. Thus this weird set up. Plus – Tech Marines are kind of cool.
I probably need another troop choice – so woohoo here comes a Scout Squad.
Troops: Scout Squad X 5
Now here is where I start to add new stuff – not sure if they are good but this seems like a decent idea.
Heavy: Stalker
Heavy: Stalker
Heavy: Thunderfire Cannon
Fortification: Sky Shield
Here I made a base to help deal with Dragons, Skimmers, and anything else. The Shield top will be up, thus granting me a 4+ inv save to my Stalkers and keeping them alive to harrass Dragons. The Thunderfire will hide inbetween, and can get hidden while the two Stalkers are on top. They can them move out, give room for the Thunderfire and start shooting. Plus the Tech Marine can fix stuff the tanks if needed.
Dark Brooding Allies
Now let’s add the ally. I know we all poopooed on the Dark Angel book but I think they do have some cool tricks. The Powerfield used to be super amazing and it is still pretty good. I wanted to use that, add in another Tech Marine, and get a cheap troop.
Dark Angels – – Psychics are Dumb and we love skirts.
HQ: Libarian, Bike, Powerfield Generator
HQ: Techmarine, Bike, Lightning Claw, Powerfield Generator
Troops: Scouts X 5
I know this list looks bonkers but it could have legs. It has ways to always get a save, has some large troop choices with very heavy and mean HQ’s to soak up some damage, dish stuff out, and have some actual effective uses for the game. There is a lot of space left in the points so I can show some other options to add on if you wanted too.
or… Viking Allies
If I didn’t want Dark Angels you could also do the following.
Space Wolves – Psychics are Dumb and I hate you.
HQ: Rune Priest, Bike, Meltabombs – JaWs, Living Lightning
HQ: Rune Priest, Bike, JaWs, Tempest Wrath
Troops: Grey Hunters X 5, Flamer
I still like the DA one better as getting a 4+ Inv save is pretty helpful in the days but the ability to counter spells and randomly JaWs Broadsides, Riptides, etc might be really helpful. The Skyshield creates a good base to kill Flyers/Skimmers and just be a big pain in the rear as you hide behind it and move out as needed. It is very light on troops which is an issue – but any themeish list mixed with the idea to make cool models instead of just skull crushing army potential.
~And that’s just off the top of my head. The inter-chapter Allies is going to make this book amazing!
