Goatboy’s 40k: Does Double CAD Fix Older Codexes?
Goatboy here enduring the 40k drought. I’m looking at older codices to see if the new “competitive”idea of allowing Double CAD will really help them out.
The Problem With Chaos
Of course as we get closer to a reworked set of new armies the only true “old” books left without access to double detachments, formations, and other fun nonsense is really the depressing Chaos Space Marine book. Daemons are in the same boat but lucky (or unlucky for opponents) the Daemon book still has a lot of strength. This means I will focus on my old Favorite to see if I can squeeze out a decent army list or two.
First of all let’s see what a Double CAD can get for use in a Chaos Space Marine army. We go from 2 HQs to 4 HQs. That could be pretty fun if we want to try and actually play a true Juggerstar with Khorne Lords and some extra “wounds”. We could also play a true Chaos Space Marine FMC with self built Daemon Princes or adding in Bel’Akor to help give some much needed “protection”. You could actually see 6 Heldrakes and if they could still shoot out their butts this might actually be a viable choice. I still think a few Drakes are a problem for a lot of armies. Heck if you add in Forgeworld you could have some fun with either some cheap Hellblades or even dual Sicarans without the need to have a Demonology roll. Don’t know if that would be any good but it is a thought. I still love the idea of 4+ Maulerfiends just because its one of my favorite models.
Let’s start at the easy design with an FMC heavy list. Its still working for some players and with the added ability of a Spell Familiar it might be decent especially for casting summoning spells.
Chaos Space Marine CAD X 2
CAD 1
HQ: Daemon Prince, Mark of Tzeentch, Wings, Armor, Lvl 3, Spell Familiar, Gift of Mutation, Burning Brand
HQ: Bel’Akor
Troops: Cultists X 10
Troops: Cultists X 10
Heavy: Chaos Fire Raptor, Reaper Autocannons, Malefic Ammunition
Fortification: Bastion
CAD 2
HQ: Daemon Prince, Mark of Tzeentch, Wings, Armor, Lvl 3, Spell Familiar, Gift of Mutation
HQ: Daemon Prince, Mark of Tzeentch, Wings, Armor, Lvl 3, Spell Familiar, Gift of Mutation
Troops: Cultists X 10
Troops: Cultists X 10
This list just feels like a hot mess with so much involved in the Daemon Princes and then having to use a Fire Raptor as a means to kill things. I thought a Knight might be worth it but the points do not fit in as well and the flyer just does a lot of work. It can shoot enough to pop things and can be an annoying threat. If you get Shrouding up on those Daemon Princes you have a mess of reroll 2+ cover saves. A cursed Earth can be a big help too. It still does feel like it doesn’t do enough. It could win objective games but there will be times you just get shot to pieces.
Looking at other options – you could do the mentioned Jugger assault army but I wonder if it would just be better to do that as Khorne Daemonkin as you at least get something for losing models – which these armies will do a lot. It gets really hard to figure out if you really get more and actually become a viable “competitive” army. You could do a massed Sorcerer Army that tries to win with its ability to have multiple spells over all sections of spell book.
CAD X 2 Chaos Space Marine – and using FW
CAD 1
HQ: Sorcerer, Bike, Lvl 3, Spell Familiar
HQ: Sorcerer, Bike, Lvl 3, Spell Familiar
Troops: Cultists X 10
Troops: Cultists X 10
FA: Heldrake, Baleflamer
FA: Hell Blade, Autocannons
FA: Hell Blade, Autocannons
Heavy: Sicaran, Hvy Bolters Sponsons
CAD 2
HQ: Sorcerer, Bike, Lvl 3, Spell Familiar
HQ: Sorcerer, Bike, Lvl 3, Spell Familiar
Troops: Cultists X 10
Troops: Cultists X 10
FA: Chaos Spawn X 5, MoN
FA: Chaos Spawn X 5, MoN
Heavy: Sicaran, Hvy Bolters Sponsons
This list is trying to make a base, has some long ranged firepower, and might actually do ok with the whole Spell Generating/Casting thing. Plus it would look ok on the table top. I didn’t want to just make a 4-6 Dragon list as that isn’t “exciting” or really good enough. Sure it could do a number on some armies and still hit those Invisible death stars in the ITC but really who wants to paint up so many more dragons?
My conclusion with Chaos is that it really just needs a redux to get some actual help. There are just isn’t enough decent things to make a viable army that isn’t just about abusing one choice and being able to take it 4+ times.
Do you think double CAD is worth it in the new environment of massed Detachments, Formations, and other bits of nonsense?
