Warhammer 40,000 Battle Report #2 – Blood Angels vs Thousand Sons

The Maelstrom has more 8^th edition underway this evening, with the scions of Sanguinius bringing the heat against Ahriman and his Rubricae. The Long War is alive and well, and tonight it is going to get bloody!

The Armies

Knights of Baal

Blood Angels – 150

Battalion Detachment

HQ

Mephiston: WARLORD

Sanguinary Priest

TROOPS

Tactical Squad: Meltagun

Tactical Squad: Meltagun

Tactical Squad: Multi-Melta

Tactical Squad: Heavy Bolter

FAST ATTACK

Bike Squad: five additional Bikes; 2x Grav-Gun

HEAVY SUPPORT

Baal Predator: Twin Assault Cannons, Heavy Bolter Sponsons

Baal Predator: Twin Assault Cannons, Heavy Bolter Sponsons

Devastator Squad: 4x Lascannon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Razorback: Lascannon and Twin Plasma Guns

Razorback: Lascannon and Twin Plasma Guns

Vanguard Detachment

HQ

Sanguinary Priest

ELITES

Assault Terminators: 3x Thunder Hammer/Storm Shield, 2x Lightning Claws

Assault Terminators: 3x Thunder Hammer/Storm Shield, 2x Lightning Claws

Terminators: Assault Cannon

TROOPS

Scout Squad: Bolters, Camo Cloaks

Scout Squad: Sniper Rifles, Camo Cloaks

Scout Squad: Sniper Rifles, Camo Cloaks

HEAVY SUPPORT

Devastator Squad: 4x Plasma Cannon

The Seekers

Thousand Sons – 150

Battalion Detachment

HQ

Ahriman: WARLORD; Disc of Tzeentch

TROOPS

Rubricae: five additional Rubric Marines; Soulreaper Cannon

Rubricae: five additional Rubric Marines; Soulreaper Cannon

Tzaangors: Instrument of Chaos, Icon of Flame

Tzaangors: Instrument of Chaos, Icon of Flame

Tzaangors: Instrument of Chaos, Icon of Flame

ELITES

Scarab Occult Terminators: five additional Terminators; 2x Hellfyre Missiles, 2x Soulreaper          Cannon, Icon of Flame

FAST ATTACK

Heldrake: Baleflamer

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino

Spearhead Detachment

HQ

Exalted Sorcerer

TROOPS

Rubricae: four additional Rubricae; 8x Warpflamer, Sorcerer has Force Sword and Warpflame      Pistol

HEAVY SUPPORT

Chaos Predator: Twin Lascannons, Lascannon Sponsons

Chaos Predator: Twin Lascannons, Lascannon Sponsons

Forgefiend: 2x Hades Autocannon

Forgefiend: 2x Hades Autocannon

DEDICATED TRANSPORT

Chaos Rhino

After Action Review

This game was further proof that 8^th edition is a completely different game from what we got used to in 7^th. Many of the Blood Angels tactics were refined for 7^th edition, and they created a punishing situation with the advent of 8^th.

Chief among these were some target selection choices; in past editions, the Baal Predator was an excellent weapon to use against Rubricae. Now, they are nearly invincible to its touch, as even its significant number of shots has trouble finding chinks in the 2+ save.

Another big error was in charging the Heldrake. Ultimately Eric was seeking to lock it up so it couldn’t get back into his Devastators, but the Fly rule put paid to that idea. This was made worse by the horrendous damage he took on Overwatch. Heldrakes are no slouch in the damage department!

The Blood Angels definitely need an overhaul, and a significant amount of the needed change comes from their seemingly lackluster rules on some old stand-by units. Overcharged Engines feel very weak, and it definitely felt lame that the Baal Predator suffered an accuracy modifier for moving. Perhaps in the future Codex release this will be remedied, giving the Blood Angels back some of that lucrative speed they are known for.                              

                                                                       

All that said, this was an early game for both players, as we are still coming to grips with the new system. Lists will tighten down over time, inevitably leading to longer (and closer) games.