Warhammer 40K: Boarding Patrol Point Breakdowns
With two new Board Patrol Boxed sets and a new Battleforce on the way we need to know how many points each is packing.
Games Workshop announced the arrival of two new Boarding Patrol boxes to get you started with Boarding Actions. Today, we’re doing a deeper dive into the points of each box as well as some suggestions for next steps if you want to grow those forces into larger ones.
We’re using the latest Munitorum Field Manual for these point breakdowns so feel free to double check our work. We also have the limitation of the Boarding Patrol Detachment to work with. So let’s dive in!
Boarding Patrol Space Marines
Captain in Gravis Armour – 105
5 Heavy Intercessors – 115
10 Assault Intercessors – 170
Point Total: 390
From our notes, most Boarding Action games are going to be around 500 points. And, according to GW’s own tips, you’re probably going to want some more bodies on the field or some other way to do consistent damage via mortal wounds. With only 110 points to play with we can do one or the other. Normally, I’d just drop in a Librarian and go. However, due to the Patrol Detachment limit, we can only have 1 HQ.
We could go with Company Veterans but that seems a little off thematically. I could see adding in a Primaris Apothecary for 70 points. But I’d like to have more boots on the ground. If you have the models/allies some Imperial Breachers would work. However, I’m going to go with quality over quantity and opt for 3 Aggressors. The extra wounds and firepower should help in those tight quarters.
A squad of 3 is only 90 points. With the way line of sight works and close distances, I think the flamer options could be super effective in Boarding Actions. That will bring your total up to 480 points. Works for me!
Boarding Patrol Chaos Space Marines
Abaddon – 350
5x Chaos Legionaries – 90
20x Cultists Mob – 100
Point Total: 540
So this one is a little weird. We’re over the 500 point limit so I’m not 100% sure why GW put this box together this way. That said, it’s a fairly easy fix. We need to slim down to 500 points and removing 130 isn’t that hard. Obviously we need to keep Abaddon in there because…it’s Abaddon. Just cut the other two squads by half and you’re set.
Abaddon – 350
5x Chaos Legionaries – 90
10 x Cultists Mob – 50
New Total: 490
Problem solved! Okay, maybe not.
(Edit: I miss counted the number of Chaos Space Marines in the box. )Abaddon is clearly the lynchpin of this entire force. If he goes down you’re pretty much done. Then again, he’s freaking Abaddon and you’re basically playing him in a 500 point game. So I don’t know if you’re being “that guy” here or not. I guess you can just say you’re just working with what you’ve got in the box.
Alternatively, you could drop Abaddon (and thus the “all your eggs in one basket” play) and go for a more well rounded force. The Cultists and Legionaries are actually a good start. Maybe take a Sorcerer and a unit of 5 Chosen to round things out?
Sorcerer – 95
Chosen – 125
10x Chaos Legionaries – 180
20x Cultists Mob – 100
Alternative Total: 500
Unfortunately, that doesn’t leave you with a lot of points to add wargear. If you need points shave off 10 cultists and add wargear or upgrade the Sorcerer to Terminator Armour. Your call.
Points Breakdown – Balefleet Battleforce
Daemon Prince – 120
10 Possessed – 280
5 Chaos Space Marine Terminators – 180
Heldrake – 165
Point Total: 745 + wargear
Next steps for this one? I’d grab the Boarding Patrol box for the Chaos Space Marines and tact in those 630 points right off the bat. That will bring you up to 1375 + wargear. Plus, it will give you some much needed troop support. If you want to go up to a full 2000 point army you’ve got room to work with. Maybe a Land Raider to ferry your units and deliver a payload of Possessed to your enemy’s face?
That’s 265 points right there. I’d also want another unit of Legionaries to up the “boots on the ground” count personally. That’s another 180 points, too. We need to leave room for Wargear and with those additions we’re at 1820 points. Maybe another 20 cultists or if you’re feeling extra spicy, drop 10 cultists and add in 5 more Terminators. That will give you a bit of wiggle room for wargear (although not by much — we’re talking 50 points).
I don’t know if this would be a super effective army to be clear — but you’ve got some hammer units with the Terminators, Possessed, the Daemon Prince, and Abaddon. The Heldrake can cause problems. Plus you’ve got some boots for objective holding. It’s a start and needs to be refined for your playstyle but it can work.
These three new boxes do make it easy to get started with a new army no matter how you slice it!
