Flyers!

As per the suggestion from 40kHobbiest, Flyers should be suggested. These guys could throw a few monkey wrenches in the game for a few reasons, and, now that they're in mainstream rules, we'll see them a bit more often. Here we're going to talk about their advantages, disadvantages, and how to take them down.

Alright, let's talk about the basics. We already had Skimmers, and they were, well, skimmers. They had a whole bunch of advantages, and some disadvantages. Personally, I love using them. There's a lot they bring to the table that works well with how I do things. As the hobby, and interest, grew, they made Forge World, and started making resin flyers, which they needed rules for. Initially, these were just rules for fun games, not to be used in tourneys or the like. However, with 6th Ed, they decided to make them official. They are a different, yet similar, beast to skimmers, but are used in many of the same ways. Here's the rundown:

Let's hear the good news first...
We'll start with advantages. Right off the bat is their Zooming movement ability. This makes it, as standard, an 18" Combat Speed and 36" Cruising Speed. That'll take a decent amount of firepower pretty much anywhere you want it on the table. This is especially effective with transport vehicles. When flying at either Cruising or Combat Speeds, they may fire up to four weapons at their regular BS. That's pretty huge. Many transport flyers also give you the opportunity to drop their troops off mid-flight, Deep Strike style. All shots against a flyer (unless using a Skyfire model/weapon) are Snap Shots, and Blast and Template weapons have no effect (for the record, I think blast weapons should work with a direct hit). They can leave the table and come back on later, and, lastly, any Immobilized result only locks their movement speed in place. This is a lot. A whole hell of a lot. You have, basically, a vehicle that's almost impossible to hit, being able to move across the board in a turn, while dropping off troops and firing four weapons in the process. Not to mention the Flyers that can use Hover, therefore switching between roles of Flyers and Skimmers within the game. You're able to deliver a TON of firepower wherever you want it, when you want it, and that deserves respect.

Alright, and the downsides:
First off, Zooming flyers must move a minimum of 18". If they don't or can't, they wreck themselves. Secondly, they must start the game in Reserve. Third, they may only make a pivot of up to 90 degrees in the beginning of the movement phase. Last, they are usually fairly expensive. (You get what you pay for). Now we get to go through how these are going to impact your game.
The first might not seem that bad, but it can still happen. You declare the move, and find out your opponent's squad is in the way. Now you have to move it back, and it wrecks. At least it could explode on top of them. By now, I'm sure you have read how I feel about Reserves. This rule actually ruins one of my IG builds (3 Squadrons of Valkyries and Vendettas, full of troops. Drop the main forces on the objective turn 1, and use the Air support to ruin troops and vehicles. Oh, and there would be a squadron loaded with troops equipped with meltaguns and demolition charges just to finish ruining my opponent's deployment zone). It's unreliable, and you can't make a functional army based on Reserves, in my experience.The last issue we need to address is the pivot. Again, this doesn't seem like a major issue, but it leaves the Flyer vulnerable. All its weapons are forward-facing, and this denies you the ability to fight a rear-facing model/unit, or attack the same unit two turns in a row.

What this means to the game:
You essentially have a very fast attack method that is very hard to take down. The low armor value doesn't mean a whole lot when you only hit on 6's. Playing with flyers means you can do a decent amount of damage, while a significant portion of your opponent's firepower is focused on your few models. Which means it's not focused on your forces. A well-placed flyer, or squadron, is capable of doing a lot of damage, and soaking up a lot of firepower. This means that players who do not have flyers should possibly invest in a few models with the Skyfire option, as a safeguard. One would have to be careful to make sure they have Interceptor, as well, or else you'll have weapons that are almost useless most games. I don't predict lots of them, but they're value on the table does change things, and a player would need to be prepared, either through emplacements or other things. I would suggest picking Flyers that are more Anti-Armor oriented, as having a fast anti-tank platform is incredibly valuable. The toughness, and the fact that you can distract a large number of forces only adds to that. Overall, I'm thinking about adding some to my play style, as this is a lot of advantages. The disadvantage to using flyers for your anti-tank, is your enemy's armor is loose and deadly until you can get them on the board. Overall, I think it's a win some, lose some situation. Flyers should not be discounted as just a new gimmick.

Dark Angels look...

Hey, got to take a look at the Dark Angels Codex, here's my thoughts:

• The Darktalon isn't really that great. It'll have its uses, but overall, meh.
• Same with the Darkshroud. It has some great buffs (It's shrouded, nearby units add +1 to assault results, and stealth), but overall, meh, for 80 points.
• Ravenwing Attack Squadrons can be 6 bikes, an attack bike, and a Land Speeder, but it can only Combat Squad with 6 bikes. I think it's significantly nerfed from the last codex.
• Support Squadrons can take 5 Land Speeders of any type.
• Black Knights can take up to 10 models. They all have Corvus Hammers, which give them +1 S and Rending. They also have Plasma Talons, an 18" Assault 1, Plasma weapon. 1/3 can swap for a grenade launcher.
• Deathwing Terminators can now take Plasma Cannons as a heavy weapon. They can also Split Fire. Vengeful Strike allows their weapons to act as Twin-Linked the turn they come in, if you use a Deathwing Assault.
• Models get +1 T if they are in base contact with at least 2 Deathwing Knights. You can see where this could be bad. Once a game, they may use their weapons Smite Mode to deliver S 10, AP 1 or 2 Attacks. And Storm Shields.
• Deathwing and Ravenwing Command Squads. Can be picked for any HQ Choice using Terminator Armor or a Bike.
• You still need Belial or Sammael to use Deathwing or Ravenwing as Troops
• Land Raider Vengeance: It's a Land Raider Vengeance, armed with a Plasma Storm Battery

Overall, I think pretty much all of what I said applies to them still. There's a lot of plasma weaponry that wasn't there before, but they play pretty much the same as previously stated.

Blood Angels

Let's get something straight here:
I don't like Blood Angels. I really dislike them. Mostly thanks to many butt-kickings that I received from their armies in my earlier days playing. To a newer, inexperienced player, they can seem like a daunting obstacle. To BA players, they can seem a nigh-invincible force. To me, they, and the 3rd edition Necrons, are the reason the Dreadsock  (NSFW) was invented. I will, however, give you your money's worth (Do you see what I did there?) of a rundown of the Army.

Alright already, we get it,so how do they differ from the other incarnations of Space Marines?
Well, there's a few differences in the units. There's also a few new units and vehicles. Oh, and Assault squads are Troops choices. Basically, they're a fast-moving, offensive, Space Marine army. All of their Jump Pack forces may re-roll their Deep Strike rolls from Reserve and Scatter rolls (Descent of Angels). Most of their units roll at the beginning of the game to swap "ATSKNF...," for Furious Charge and Fearless (The Red Thirst). This includes Dreadnoughts. Also, just like every non-codex chapter, They have a much better list of Psychic Powers. That being said, there are some unique units to the Chapter.

• Reclusiarch: HQ choice, basically a Chaplain that allows you to re-roll fails to hit (and wound with Death Company Squads). Chaplains are an Elites choice
• Sanguinary Guard: Elite Jump squad. Equipped with artificer armor, master-crafted power weapons, and an AP4 boltgun. And they're Fearless. But, they're expensive.
• Furioso Dreadnought: A dreadnought with two Dreadnought Close Combat Weapons. Can be upgraded with a Librarian (complete with Force Weapon and Psychic Powers), or with Lightning Claws that can pretty much allow infinite attacks. Also gets the Red Thirst.
• Sanguinary Priest: Basically, a cheap, roving Elites choice that gives any unit within 6" Furious Charge and FNP.
• Death Company: 3-30 upgradeable Troops (Jump Packs cost +15/model) with Rage, Fearless, FNP, Furious Charge, and Relentless. But they can't hold objectives. And are 20 pts apiece base.
• Death Company Dreadnought: Troop Choice. 2 Dreadnought CCW's. Subject to Fleet, Furious Charge, Rage, and None Can Stand My Wrath (ignores Crew Stunned and Crew Shaken).
• Baal Predator: Fast Attack Fast Tank with Twin-Linked Assault Cannon. Honestly, keep the turret as is.
• Stormraven Gunship: Expensive Fast Skimmer (Heavy Support). May carry 12 Models and a Dreadnought. Armed with Twin-linked Heavy Bolter and Assault Cannon (upgradeable). 

All this combined means speed, and lots of it.

How does this make them better?
It makes them fast and vicious. Between all the Furious Charge, Fearless, and Assault-driven abilities, equipment, and units, you've got a force designed to take out larger forces in quick, decisive rounds of Assault. This method works much better with Chaplains, Sanguinary Priests, and Reclusiarchs leading the charge.

What's the catch?
Your only really ranged units are Tanks and Devastators. Sure, you've got all those other units (Veterans, Terminators, Tac Squads, Scouts), but, let's face it, you're not playing Blood Angels so you can castle. You're playing to fly into your opponent's face and turn it into an Annihilation game before he realizes it, and exactly 5 seconds after he's lost two-thirds of his force. You pay for this in a question: do you go all-out assault, or risk losing front-line backup for long-range firepower (and if you get long-range firepower, is it enough)?

I've opted to purchase a bucket of glitter, clown makeup, and tell people I'm a vampire. Where do I start?
HQ. Get a Librarian at lower point battles, as he's still HQ, and gives you some tactical options on the cheap. Add a Reclusiarch later on (1000+ pts). Buffs are your best bet with this army. Also, Get Chaplains and Sanguinary Priests if you can afford it, for the same reason as the Reclusiarch. You want the majority of your Troops to be Assault Squads, with a mounted Tac Squad or Dev Squad for backup, which is where all those "buff" units and characters come into play. Death Company are cool, but be wary of using them, as they can't hold objectives and can be easily "distracted." On the other hand, you can have a Death Company Dreadnought for every 5 of them (It's a Troops choice, and, therefore, can take and hold objectives. HINT). As you're already focused on getting close in, I would suggest either small Devastator units with Razorbacks or using Tac Squads with Razorbacks for your anti-tank. Or you can do the "All In" option, take a bunch of Furioso/Death Company Dreadnoughts, and give them all magna-grapples or blood talons.

I'm staring down the table at a swath of Blood Red paint and angel wings. What do I do?
Stay calm. Use their lack of range to your advantage. Stay out of Assault range, and take out their long-range units quickly. Then turn your guns on Buff units and characters. Next comes Death Company. Remember, avoid assault, especially with them. If they're going to assault, and there's nothing you can do, force them into a disorganized assault, that way they lose their bonuses from Furious Charge and Rage. Regardless, keep them at bay. Crowd Control and Area Denial are very important. Make them come to you, and using the path that you want them to.

In conclusion...
Basically you're looking at an aggressive, infantry strong, Space Marine force. They've got their strengths and weaknesses, and I realize this closing is really weak, but it's all I gots. Until next time...

JaegerWolf

Dark Angels

Hey, this is a bit premature, as the codex is coming out soon, but figured with all the news and leaks some stuff about them should be shared.

Intro to the Dark Angels
Let me start by saying that I really don't know what to do with them. Personally, I think their models are cool, and they've got some awesome abilities, but I don't like their back story  and their play style is...weird. Allow me to explain. The Dark Angels are one of the founding Chapters (also one of the few that use the Codex Astartes for tp. That gets them cool points.), but didn't take part in the Heresy on either side, because they were slow to move. Their Primarch is named Lion'El Johnson, and he's a crappy leader. To further the whole crappy leader image, when the Heresy broke out, he decided to go, but stopped at home to leave his corrupt second-in-command (which there is question of whether he knew or not about that), and pretty much all the disloyal troops on his home planet. Missed the Heresy, came back, and Luthor (his #2 man) took control of the planet. So Johnson blew it up, big climatic sword fight, Johnson gets mortally wounded, blah blah blah. Now they hunt down the traitors that escaped. It's pretty cliche, and I'm not really a big fan of the story, because it comes down to Johnson being either a jerk, or incompetent, with his choices.

Force Composition:
Now, forces are usually spearheaded by either their 1st company, Deathwing, or their 2nd company, Ravenwing. Deathwing is Terminators. Ravenwing is Space Marine Bikes and Land Speeders. My issue is that they have 2 almost completely diametrically opposed methods of use, both are fairly expensive (points wise), and very little middle ground. But they do have perks. In previous editions, you could use Belial or Sammael, and they would make Deathwing Terminators or Ravenwing Attack Squadrons, respectively, as Troops. The rumor mill is saying the new codex will allow Deathwing or Ravenwing Commanders. Now to get into the rules and such. Keep in mind, with the new codex coming out, this may all be subject to change.

First off, the units mentioned will only be the ones with significant difference from Codex: Space Marines. As of writing this, they still get normal Dreadnoughts, Techmarines, Scouts, Tac squads, Assault squads, Dev Squads, Tanks, and Dedicated Transports. They get Company Veterans Squads, but I'm going to assume that's going to be replaced with other, more fan-service units, and generally not worth discussion. Second, Deathwing Terminators and Ravenwing Attack Squadrons may use the Combat Squad rules. Third, Dark Angels are, from what I see, supposed to be used with either Belial or Sammael.

Deathwing Terminators:

• They act as either Terminators or Assault Terminators on a model-by-model basis.
• Fearless
• Deathwing Assault: you may put them in Reserve, and Deep Strike half of your units (rounded up) on your first turn, just like Drop Pod Assault rules.

Combine all this with the ability to make them Troops choices (and therefore take and hold objectives), this is a huge improvement on the classic Terminator squad. They have greater tactical flexibility, and, as objective holders, give you a defense that's going to be pretty tough to get through. The downside is that they're very expensive.

Ravenwing Attack Squadron:
They're the same as a regular SM Bike Squadron, but with a few differences:

• Scouts (rumor states they'll get Skilled Riders, unsure if this will happen, or if this will be in addition to, or will replace Scouts)
• Fearless
• Maxes out with 6 regular bikes, 2 Attack Bikes, and a Land Speeder. When they Combat Squad, that allows them to break up into 3 separate entities (2 Squads of 3 Bikes/1 Attack Bike, and a Land Speeder)

This one is more of a significant departure from their Codex counterpart. The extra Attack Bikes and Land Speeder, while creating a significantly more expensive unit overall, give you much more firepower. As Troops, that gives you 3 very able, small units, to hold down the fort. Especially with good backup. I've stated before that Space Marine Bikes are a bit of a glass cannon, these guys definitely bring more to the fight.

New Stuff, Rumors, and Leaks:

Ravenwing Support Squadron:

It's essentially a Land Speeder Squadron, but with a couple of changes:

• Maxes out with 5 Speeders.
• May only take 1 Typhoon and 1 Tornado

Whereas the previous squads are usually just improvements on the original, the Support Squadron is more of a mixed bag. the 5 Speeder max gives you more firepower on the move, and more models, but the Typhoon and Tornado limit, well, limits your flexibility. As I have previously shown, there's lots of ways to set up a Squadron, but this kind of forces you to purpose-build it, without much ability for dual-purposing (example: you build a straight tank-hunter Squadron, you are banking on one Typhoon for anti-Infantry weapons). Personally, I expect them to either make them regular Land Speeder Squadrons, change the number of Typhoons and Tornadoes, or reduce the number of Speeders, but allow you to take Land Speeder Vengeances or Darkshrouds. More on that in a minute.

Librarian Powers:

I'm not going over them individually, but they're a hell of a lot better than Codex SM.

Newspangled Stuffs:

Alright, not sure how much of this will change, but here goes.

Deathwing Knights:

• Equipped with Storm Sheilds and power weapons specifically designed to kill Chaos Space Marines.
• Have abilities that allow them to be tougher. No idea how, though.
• There's a rumor about some special S10/AP2 attack that they can do.
• Personal thoughts: cool unit, probably expensive, probably not much of a game-changer, though. Lack of ranged weapons makes me cautious, and I don't trust the Dice Gods more than I have to.

Ravenwing Black Knights:

• Fast Attack, bikers, no idea aside from that.

Dark Talon/Nephilim:

• Dual Kit (I hate these, purely because I think it's laziness in their art team)
• Fast Attack Skimmer/Flyer
• Dark Talon looks to be almost pure Crowd Control, with Hurricane Bolters and other new weapons that aren't being fully revealed
• Nephilim looks Anti-Tank, with Heavy Bolters, and Lascannons that can be replaced with Mega Bolters and missiles

Land Speeder Vengeance/Darkshroud:

• Vengeance is Heavy Support, Darkshroud Fast Attack
• Heavy Bolter/Assault Cannon and some newfangled plasma gun (Vengeance)/something that gives buffs to nearby units (Darkshroud)

My Thoughts on Playing:

I think they already were meant to be played with either with the Ravenwing, and hard and fast, or with the Deathwing, and slow and purposeful. My prediction is that with the new Codex, it's going to stray even farther from the middle-of-the-road abilities, to be focused on one side or the other, with a couple of token units to make up for it. Both would make a pretty decent defensive-to-midfield army. The only problem is you're going to have to be extra careful with your points, as I do predict everything will have a high cost. If you can figure out a good balance between them, you could build a force to be reckoned with.

Thoughts on Playing Against:

This is fairly complex, as there's two styles to play against. With either, I honestly suggest playing numbers. There's a lot of firepower to compete with, so try and play hard and aggressive. Take out the heavier vehicles and transports as soon as possible, and what's left are all usually light Skimmers and Infantry (and small numbers of them, at that). Try to move in quickly for the kill. Terminators and Bikes are tough, but, if you wear them down with lots of focused firepower before going in for the kill with massively superior numbers, they will fall pretty quickly. If they manage to get the objective first, let them have it for a while, while you whittle them down to a more manageable size.

On crazy new stuff for the Space Marines:

Not sure how I feel about this, I just think it needs to be tossed out there. Between the Blood Angels Codex and this one, we're seeing a lot of new, crazy stuff come out for variant Space Marines. I'm still going to complain about the Space Wolves kinda getting screwed on that end, we got the Thunderwolf Cavalry and Lone Wolves, while losing the ability to field Leman Russ tanks. I mean, come on, they're named after our Primarch. Anyways, I'm hoping this means they will move the story forward, and we will see more new stuff throughout the Space Marines either in this edition or the next one. I'm worried that we won't, and the "splinter" Space Marine Chapters will continue to be less and less, well, Space Marine-ey.

Anyways, that's all I have. I will check in again when I can.

JaegerWolf