500 points Beginner Chaos Space Marine Army: I am Alphari-Horus
Term has officially started, with all our boarders back this evening. The house is alive with the bumps and crashes of boys trashing their bed rooms. Great to be back in the wing of things!
I will be continuing on with the analysi of the Adeptus Mechanicus in Kill Team, but I have a reader request to carry out first:
First of all Matthew, have you and your friends tried Kill Team yet? It’s a cheaper and quicker way to get started!
Chaos Space Marines, now known as the Heretic Astartes, are in somewhat of a poor position for beginners. The models are getting rather dated now, unless you’re going Death Guard or Thousand Sons, and their classic Troops choice is mostly out-performed by Cultists.
However, you’re requested a power armour list for newbies, and I think I’ve created one which will suit. You’ve also asked for Black Legion or Alpha Legion, and the list should suit both. Also be aware that this will look rather underpowered or even suicidal if you took a similar Space Marine force. But you’re not corpse-worshippers, and what is far too manly for them is just fine for you.
Chaos Lord in Terminator Armour [6 PL, 138pts]: Chainfist, Combi-melta, No Chaos Mark
Chaos Space Marines [5 PL, 102pts]: Icon of Vengeance, No Chaos Mark
. Aspiring Champion: Combi-plasma, Power sword
. 3x Marine w/ Boltgun
. Marine w/ special weapon: Plasma gun
Chaos Space Marines [5 PL, 102pts]: Icon of Vengeance, No Chaos Mark
. Aspiring Champion: Combi-plasma, Power fist
. 3x Marine w/ Boltgun
. Marine w/ special weapon: Flamer
Helbrute [7 PL, 147pts]: Missile launcher, No Chaos Mark, Twin lascannon
CSMs have older models, and some difficulty in filling out the majority of their wargear options. You’d like to be able to field special/combi weapon pairs in your minimum sized CSM squads, but the kits don’t come with that. And at a certain point you’re going to want Havocs with bigger guns than Heavy Bolters. So you’ll need to get good at kit-bashing.
So let’s go through the choices, and what you can do with them. As always, I follow my guide on how to construct a list.
The real reason you take him is to buff up the accuracy of the rest of your force, that being the Chaos Marines and the Hellbrute. He will be allowing them to re-roll 1s, making the Hellbrute that much more accurate, and allowing the Chaos Marine plasma squad to more safely over heat. This leaves you with quite a potent firebase that few people will want to get close to.
With warlord traits, he can be an absolute terror for the enemy. Your two regular choices would be Unholy Fortitude or Exalted Champion, making him tougher or more choppy in combat (+1 wound, 6+FNP and +1 attack respectively). He was already tough and choppy, and these just make him more so.
If you’re taking Alpha Legion, then you can swap this for I am Alpharius… when you have more characters on the board. This will deny your enemy Slay the Warlord, and means you can be more aggressive with this man, confident that it never really as your Warlord in the first place! You get a random warlord trait, but when he dies another Alpha Legion character becomes your Warlord instead.
If taking Black Legion, well, honestly skip their trait unless fighting Space Marines. Ad even then I wouldn’t recommend it.
For example, Alpha Legion have access to From the Shadows, meaning your flamer unit can appear in front of the enemy or on top of an objective and just sit there. This tactic allows your to still move after deployment, making first turn charges all but guaranteed after a good flamer roasting. If you can model it you might want to take a combi-flamer on this unit instead. That power fist will only swing twice, but will hurt a lot when it connects.
Furthermore, the Alpha Legion Legion stratagem gives a -1 to Hit if the shooter is 12-inches away, meaning you can make some pot shots with overcharged plasma from relative cover safety. The won’t be blowing away tanks in one turn, but they will plink away chunks of them with the tank not really being able to do much in return.
That’s not to say the Black Legion are weak compared to the Alphas… oh no. They have an edge in battlefield mobility, being able to advance and still being able to fire their plasma, bolters and flamer weapons. This makes them surprisingly mobile, which is good if you want them to play objective grabbers. Be aware that you still get a -1 to Hit when firing those plasma weapons, so it might not be safe to overcharge.
So it’s a good thing the Black Legion unique stratagem allows Chaos Marines to re-roll all misses! This frees up your Lord to go and be a distraction, or just allows your squads to move away from his aura. Later on you can build up the squad size to 20, for 40 re-rollable bolter shots which is easily followed up by a charge! Of debatable value, but certainly the best way to re-produce Fury of the Legion!
Your kitbashing begins with these guys though, as you have to make two icon bearers and two combi-plasmas out of the kit. It is achievable, and I recommend using the plasma pistols to make the comni-plasmas. Be creative, and see what happens.
One final thing to note; Veterans of the Long War can be utterly devastating at the right moment (particularly if you have 20 Chaos Marines running around!). Use it wisely.
And if it gets hit, it will go berserk and shoot again. Wonderful!
Until next time.
Thanks for reading.
If you liked what you saw, and you want to help out, please leave a comment. Sharing this with your friends, and following me on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ would also be hugely appreciated.
If you have anything you want me to look at, let me know in the comments below. I'll probably be able to write an article about that topic within a day!
If you want to support me directly, use the affiliate links below. I get a small percentage of purchases you make there, and you get cheaper miniatures! If you really love what I do, you can make a one off donation at my PayPal, or become a true hero to table top education and make a regular donation to my Patreon. Every Little helps!
Element games gives you usually 20% off all 40K purchases, and I get 5% of your purchase.
KB Silk is my own business, selling authentic silk scarves. If you're looking for a present then this is your one stop shop.
I will be continuing on with the analysi of the Adeptus Mechanicus in Kill Team, but I have a reader request to carry out first:
Howdy, I am new to 40k and just staring out with my friends. I am interested in the Chaos Space Marines. I was wondering if you could recommend a good 500pt army that I could put together. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. PS. I was thinking of either Black or Alpha Legion.Matthew Winning
First of all Matthew, have you and your friends tried Kill Team yet? It’s a cheaper and quicker way to get started!
Chaos Space Marines, now known as the Heretic Astartes, are in somewhat of a poor position for beginners. The models are getting rather dated now, unless you’re going Death Guard or Thousand Sons, and their classic Troops choice is mostly out-performed by Cultists.
However, you’re requested a power armour list for newbies, and I think I’ve created one which will suit. You’ve also asked for Black Legion or Alpha Legion, and the list should suit both. Also be aware that this will look rather underpowered or even suicidal if you took a similar Space Marine force. But you’re not corpse-worshippers, and what is far too manly for them is just fine for you.
Patrol Detachment (Chaos - Chaos Space Marines) [23 PL, 493pts]
Legion: Alpha Legion/Black Legion
HQ
Chaos Lord in Terminator Armour [6 PL, 138pts]: Chainfist, Combi-melta, No Chaos Mark
Troops
Chaos Space Marines [5 PL, 102pts]: Icon of Vengeance, No Chaos Mark
. Aspiring Champion: Combi-plasma, Power sword
. 3x Marine w/ Boltgun
. Marine w/ special weapon: Plasma gun
Chaos Space Marines [5 PL, 102pts]: Icon of Vengeance, No Chaos Mark
. Aspiring Champion: Combi-plasma, Power fist
. 3x Marine w/ Boltgun
. Marine w/ special weapon: Flamer
Elites
Helbrute [7 PL, 147pts]: Missile launcher, No Chaos Mark, Twin lascannon
Total: [23 PL, 493pts]
A number of Chaos Space Marine players probably have their eye brows raised right now. This is not the most competitive list in the world. But I believe it to be a great starting place to hang some of the good Heretic cheese on.Reasons for the list
- This is just one Start Collecting Kit
- It fields the power armour you requested.
- It has surprising punch
- You have a gentle introduction to the kit-bashing that you will have to do for your Chaos Space Marine career
CSMs have older models, and some difficulty in filling out the majority of their wargear options. You’d like to be able to field special/combi weapon pairs in your minimum sized CSM squads, but the kits don’t come with that. And at a certain point you’re going to want Havocs with bigger guns than Heavy Bolters. So you’ll need to get good at kit-bashing.
So let’s go through the choices, and what you can do with them. As always, I follow my guide on how to construct a list.
Leader
This will be your Chaos Terminator Lord. The chain-fist and combi-melta make him an intimidating presence in both shooting and melee, along with being able to Teleport into combat. You could use him as a distraction unit, dropping right next to a delicate target when the game begins, but that’s rather risky if he’s your only HQ unit. Well… kind of, but I’ll explain what you could get up to when we talk about Warlord Traits.The real reason you take him is to buff up the accuracy of the rest of your force, that being the Chaos Marines and the Hellbrute. He will be allowing them to re-roll 1s, making the Hellbrute that much more accurate, and allowing the Chaos Marine plasma squad to more safely over heat. This leaves you with quite a potent firebase that few people will want to get close to.
With warlord traits, he can be an absolute terror for the enemy. Your two regular choices would be Unholy Fortitude or Exalted Champion, making him tougher or more choppy in combat (+1 wound, 6+FNP and +1 attack respectively). He was already tough and choppy, and these just make him more so.
If you’re taking Alpha Legion, then you can swap this for I am Alpharius… when you have more characters on the board. This will deny your enemy Slay the Warlord, and means you can be more aggressive with this man, confident that it never really as your Warlord in the first place! You get a random warlord trait, but when he dies another Alpha Legion character becomes your Warlord instead.
If taking Black Legion, well, honestly skip their trait unless fighting Space Marines. Ad even then I wouldn’t recommend it.
Troops
You have two units who can fulfil this role, and they can swap places depending on what is on the table in front of you. In general the plasma gun squad will be your objective holders, with the flamer squad being your objective takers. That can switch around depending on the Legion you choose and battlefield circumstances.For example, Alpha Legion have access to From the Shadows, meaning your flamer unit can appear in front of the enemy or on top of an objective and just sit there. This tactic allows your to still move after deployment, making first turn charges all but guaranteed after a good flamer roasting. If you can model it you might want to take a combi-flamer on this unit instead. That power fist will only swing twice, but will hurt a lot when it connects.
Furthermore, the Alpha Legion Legion stratagem gives a -1 to Hit if the shooter is 12-inches away, meaning you can make some pot shots with overcharged plasma from relative cover safety. The won’t be blowing away tanks in one turn, but they will plink away chunks of them with the tank not really being able to do much in return.
That’s not to say the Black Legion are weak compared to the Alphas… oh no. They have an edge in battlefield mobility, being able to advance and still being able to fire their plasma, bolters and flamer weapons. This makes them surprisingly mobile, which is good if you want them to play objective grabbers. Be aware that you still get a -1 to Hit when firing those plasma weapons, so it might not be safe to overcharge.
So it’s a good thing the Black Legion unique stratagem allows Chaos Marines to re-roll all misses! This frees up your Lord to go and be a distraction, or just allows your squads to move away from his aura. Later on you can build up the squad size to 20, for 40 re-rollable bolter shots which is easily followed up by a charge! Of debatable value, but certainly the best way to re-produce Fury of the Legion!
Your kitbashing begins with these guys though, as you have to make two icon bearers and two combi-plasmas out of the kit. It is achievable, and I recommend using the plasma pistols to make the comni-plasmas. Be creative, and see what happens.
One final thing to note; Veterans of the Long War can be utterly devastating at the right moment (particularly if you have 20 Chaos Marines running around!). Use it wisely.
Fire Support
This is your Hellbrute. Legion tactic is somewhat wasted on the Black Legion list, but the Alpha Legion turn this into a very good bunker unit. Leave it at the back, and it will be able to put out some reliable high damage fire.And if it gets hit, it will go berserk and shoot again. Wonderful!
Skirmisher
You’d be using your flamer unit for this role, but the list doesn’t have anything particularly suited to just harassing the enemy.Next steps
It’s really your choice from there, but my advice would be to get a cult unit and a demon engine, of either fiend or flying variety.Cult units
- Rubric Marines – Tough and hits hard. Consider using these guys with Alpha Legion to deploy on top of the enemy and Rapid Fire their good weapons with Veterans of the Long War. Made more mobile with the Black Legion trait.
- Plague Marines – Tough and his surprisingly hard. Pretty much the same as Rubric Marines, but they do their damage with a variety of special weapons instead.
- Khorne Beserkers – Hit stupidly hard. I mean it. Take chainswords and chains axes, use the Alpha Legion Stratagem to ensure a first turn charge, and watch the ensuing blood bath. This is one of the more broken combinations in the game. Save the chain swords from your regular marines.
- Noise Marines – Hits hard and is a good fire base unit.
Demon engine
- Helldrake – It’s a dragon. You’ll own the sky, and a bale flamer will be roasting tough infantry.
- Fiends: Dinosaurs. You’ll know which one speaks to you.
Wrapping up
You don’t play like regular Space Marines, so see what you can do to surprise your opponent. Never forget that you’re the underdog, despite the corpse-Emperor propaganda. I hope that helps Matthew and let me know how your army gets on! If this helped you out, consider getting your new war band from one of the affiliate links below.Until next time.
Thanks for reading.
If you liked what you saw, and you want to help out, please leave a comment. Sharing this with your friends, and following me on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ would also be hugely appreciated.
If you have anything you want me to look at, let me know in the comments below. I'll probably be able to write an article about that topic within a day!
If you want to support me directly, use the affiliate links below. I get a small percentage of purchases you make there, and you get cheaper miniatures! If you really love what I do, you can make a one off donation at my PayPal, or become a true hero to table top education and make a regular donation to my Patreon. Every Little helps!
Element games gives you usually 20% off all 40K purchases, and I get 5% of your purchase.
KB Silk is my own business, selling authentic silk scarves. If you're looking for a present then this is your one stop shop.
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