Goatboy’s 40K: Chapter Approved Smiles on Chaos Dreads
GW takes with one hand and gives with the other. The Ruinous Powers have smiled greatly upon the Forge World models in Chapter Approved.
Goatboy here again and another list thought. The current Chapter Approved did some damage to the current goto Chaos builds. The point increase for the Cultist does hurt a bit – especially when some of the other cheap troops were left in the game (Cough… Cough… Guardsmen). Still as a card carrying member of the Chaos 4 Life Brigade I have to think of lists to bring the enemy to the table top. This means more dipping into Forge World (FW) as while some things went up for the followers of Chaos – FW seemed to go down a bit.
Points discounts AHOY!
FW for Chaos Space Marines is one of the few heavy non psychic ways to throw out Mortal wounds. I have talked about how strong Contemptor Dreadnoughts can be. Soul Burners give you the ability to do ranged Mortal wounds as well as still have a close combat Platform. This is especially important as Chaos looks at other avenues to do damage as the double tapping cultists blobs are not nearly as interesting. I know I have written about Contemptor builds but that was before the whole rule of 3 ruined the 3 Butcher Cannon bros I would run. Still I love the idea of having a ton of Dreads, ability to throw out good damage, and mix that all up with some strong troop options to push my opponent back.
Have Soulburner – will travel.
Thus – this nonsense I threw together once the army building method of choice was updated with the CA approved updated rules. This list doesn’t have any psychic powers – but it feels like it has enough options to get through whatever weird armor options opponents have. Plus it has a whole plethora of close combat ability in the army. It also randomly shoots enough to be a threat to things across the field. I do wonder if I should look for a way to add a Warpsmith. The point drop on them seems like a fun way to get someone to fix all these guys – but losing the reroll 1’s to hit seems like too much. I think I could do some tweaking to try and get a Daemon Prince in as its one of the few things that I seem to have in any Chaos based army. Heck one of the things I will try to play in the next few weeks is a 8 Daemon Prince army.
But enough of that – let’s throw out the army:
Chaos Goat Death Machine
World Eaters Battalion
HQ: Dark Apostle, Combi-Bolter, MoK – 78pts
HQ: Exalted Champion, Chainsword, Chainaxe – 71pts
Troops: Khorne Berzerkers X 8, Chainsword/Chainaxe X 8 – 136pts
Troops: Khorne Berzerkers X 8, Chainsword/Chainaxe X 8 – 136pts
Troops: Khorne Berzerkers X 8, Chainsword/Chainaxe X 8 – 136pts
Dedicated Transport: Chaos Rhino, Combi-Bolter X 2, MoK – 76pts
Dedicated Transport: Chaos Rhino, Combi-Bolter X 2, MoK – 76pts
Dedicated Transport: Chaos Rhino, Combi-Bolter X 2, MoK – 76pts
Alpha Legion Vanguard Detachment
HQ: Chaos Lord, MoK, Chainsword, Combi-Bolter, Relic – Blade of the Hydra – Warlord – Probably Alpha Legion one for “2” Warlord traits – 76pts
Elite: Helforged Contemptor Dreadnought, Helforged Deathclaw X 2 (Point drop woot!), Soul Burner X 2 – 188pts (30 pt drop)
Elite: Helforged Contemptor Dreadnought, Helforged Deathclaw X 2, Soul Burner X 2 – 188pts
Elite: Helforged Contemptor Dreadnought, Helforged Deathclaw X 2, Soul Burner X 2 – 188pts
Heavy: Helforged Leviathan Dreadnought, Butcher Cannon Array X 2 (20 pt drop), Helflamer X 2 (3 pt drop) – 289pts
Heavy: Helforged Leviathan Dreadnought, Butcher Cannon Array X 2, Helflamer X 2 – 289pts
Cunning Chaos Tactics
The idea here is the same as my Knight version of this list – but instead of things that don’t interact act or gain powerful abilities – these guys get all of that. The Alpha legion stayed the powerful -1 to hit if over 12 inches away. This is pretty dang amazing and lets these giant Robots stay a bit back, throw out some damage, and be a pain in the butt. I think the Leviathan might be still a bit too expensive – but with the Rule of 3 limiting the ability to take some other Contemptors with Butcher Cannons (super cheap now too) it leaves me with just that bigger, badder, and more brutal chassis to use and abuse. I think this shell could also be shoved into other armies if you wanted too – as the Zerks are fun you could always look at the newer and cheaper Plague Marine as another option. This would let you take the Leviathans as Death Guard options and leave you some ability to move and fire without penalty. Plus the Daemon Prince could be set up as the Warlord to either have a better FNP mixed with a 2+ armor save. Plus it lets you play some close combat set up Plague Marines.
Overall I expect Chaos to continue to be in the upper middle section of events. They have some good match ups but the current champs are staying the current champs with this “updated” chapter approved. I think it really helps tighten the middle section of armies – but those powerhouses are still staying at the top. I don’t see Eldar getting worse for awhile.
~Until next time, DEATH TO THE FALSE EMPEROR!
