HQ:
* Master of Sanctity {Warlord} w/ Power Fist, Storm Shield, SM Bike, and Terminator Honors. [195]
* Belial, Master of the Deathwing {DA Ally} w/ Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield.  [130]
* Emperor's Champion w/ Black Sword, Bolt Pistol, Armor of Faith, and the Vow: "Accept Any Challenge, No Matter the Odds." [140]

Elites:
* Sword Brethren Terminators: 5 Terminators w/ 2 Assault Cannons, 3 Storm Bolters, 4 Power Fists, 1 Chain Fist, and Tank-Hunters. [260]
* Sword Brethren Terminators: 5 Terminators w/ 2 Assault Cannons, 3 Storm Bolters, 4 Power Fists, 1 Chain Fist, and Tank-Hunters. [260]
* Techmarine w/ Power Axe, Storm Shield, Bolter, SM Bike, and Servo-Harness.  [150]

Troops:
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolt Pistols and Close Combat Weapons, 1 Plasmagun & 1 Lascannon. [101]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolt Pistols and Close Combat Weapons, 1 Plasmagun & 1 Lascannon. [101]
* Deathwing Terminators: 4 Terminators w/ 1 Cyclone Missile Launcher and 4 Thunder Hammers & Storm Shields; 1 Sergeant w/ Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield.  [235]
* Deathwing Terminators: 4 Terminators w/ 1 Cyclone Missile Launcher and 4 Thunder Hammers & Storm Shields; 1 Sergeant w/ Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield.  [235]

Fast Attack:
* Black Templars Bike Squad: 3 Bikers w/ 3 Power Lances; 1 Attack Bike w/ Multi-Melta.  [191]


Total Points: [1998]


As a side note, I think it's worth asking whether or not a Signum overrides the BS1 of a "Snap-Fire" shot against a Flyer.  One could argue that you don't know whether the SF takes precedence or Signum.  ;)

I've had time to go over both the 6th Edition rulebook and all of the FAQs, so naturally I wanted to start building lists!  Yes, I'm still going to be posting my thoughts on the new book and our FAQ, but that is going to have to wait a little while longer.  Wanted to get this down on "paper" before someone tries to claim it as theirs.  ;)

Anyway, here it is.  It's built for Nova Open 2012, which will be limiting its lists to 1999 points so there is no multiple detachment shenanigans.  In addition, I'll be making use of Space Marine allies in this force.


HQ:
* Marshal {Warlord} w/ Power Fist, Storm Shield, Terminator Honors, SM Bike, and Holy Orb of Antioch. [175]
* Captain {SM Allies} w/ Power Fist, Bolt Pistol, SM Bike, and Frag/Krak Grenades.  [160]
* Emperor's Champion w/ Black Sword, Bolt Pistol, Armor of Faith, and the Vow: "Abhor the Witch." [110]

Elites:
* Sword Brethren Terminators: 5 Terminators w/ 2 Assault Cannons, 3 Storm Bolters, 5 Power Fists, and Tank-Hunters. [255]
* Sword Brethren Terminators: 5 Terminators w/ 2 Assault Cannons, 3 Storm Bolters, 5 Power Fists, and Tank-Hunters. [255]

Troops:
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Plasmagun & 1 Lascannon. [101]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Plasmagun & 1 Lascannon. [101]
* SM Bike Squad {SM Allies}: 7 Bikers w/ 2 Meltaguns, 5 Bolt Pistols, and Frag/Krak Grenades; 1 Sergeant w/ 1 Combi-Melta and Frag/Krak Grenades; 1 Attack Bike w/ Multi-Melta and Frag/Krak Grenades.  [295]
* SM Bike Squad {SM Allies}: 7 Bikers w/ 2 Meltaguns, 5 Bolt Pistols, and Frag/Krak Grenades; 1 Sergeant w/ 1 Combi-Melta and Frag/Krak Grenades; 1 Attack Bike w/ Multi-Melta and Frag/Krak Grenades.  [295]

Fast Attack:
* Stormtalon {SM Allies} w/ TL-Assault Cannons and TL-Lascannons.  [150]

Fortifications:
* Aegis Defense Line w/ 1 Quad-Gun.  [100]

Total Points: [1999]


The idea is to have the IC's join the combat squaded bike units, to create two mobile melta units and two mobile counter-assault units.  The IC's will do the bulk of the damage in the assault phase, but they aren't designed to be hugely powerful in CC.  However, they can harass the flanks of your opponent's army and now have the durability (due to having a permanent T5 and "Jink") to survive hits.  Between these Biker units and the two Crusader squads camping home objectives, you'll have 6 Troops squads available to adapt to the changing battlefield.  The shooty squads will "hide" behind the Aegis Defense Line and keep the Quad-Gun firing throughout the game, while sitting on their objective.

In addition, the heavy hitters of the army list are the dual-AC terminator squads with tank hunters.  While TH changed in how it works, it also greatly improved it's chances to damage an enemy vehicle.  Re-rolling the armor penetration dice also gives you a greater chance to "proc" a rending roll.  Never a bad thing, especially when firing at higher AV vehicles.  The new edition is going to require huge torrents of fire to do damage, and these guys fit the bill perfectly.  Plus, with the added "durability" of 2+ armor (via Power Weapon nerfs), you can expect to see quite a bit of it on the board.  Between the high rate of fire and the rending, you'll have a good chance to kill a few in the shooting phase as well.  ;)

As was noted, the Aegis Defense Line is there to provide cover to my shooty squads.  The Quad-Gun will help ensure that Flyers/mech stay honest (though the Necron ones will still get through), but it can also be directed towards infantry as well.  To help in that role, we'll also be taking the Stormtalon Gunship.  This guy will definitely be useful for shooting down enemy flyers, but it's a little fragile so don't expect it to last super long.  Between the two, flyers shouldn't be much of a problem.

The list is pretty simple, but it'll work quite well in the new environment me-thinks.

Not only do we have a new game edition to peruse, but the FAQs for each army have been dropped as well.  Sounds like my sources are pretty darn accurate after all, after what they told me was in the BT FAQs and how they would interact with our armies.  Adds a little bit more trust into the pot.  :)

So I did mention that I wouldn't go into 6th Edition rumors until it was in my hands, but there has been some stuff being released the past few days that has made me change my mind.  Mostly because it has been either confirmed from multiple, reliable sources or from players who have proven to be reliable in the past (and put their reputation on the line when making such claims).  Before I get into that, however, this is more a Part Two to the article I just wrote here.  Take a look at that refresher before moving on below, as its important to have that topic front and center in your mind before considering the following.

This post is going to be more update oriented, than anything.  Couple things that need mentioning before I begin.

First, thanks for the kind words in my last post regarding the family emergency.  It wasn't mine, but rather, my girlfriend's family who it referenced.  Unfortunately, her parent's died in a car crash (not their fault...texting teenage girl ran a stop light) on the night before SourceCon.  So I had to fly out and help take care of all of the funeral arrangements.  She's been a wreck, understandably, so my time has been devoted to her.  And will continue to be, so understand that in advance.  If there is a silver-lining in this (pretty hard when her both her parents were taken from her), its that we've gotten much closer.  Anyway, time to jump back into things.

I've gotten numerous emails and questions regarding 6th Edition.  No, I'm going to comment on it until the rules are in my hands.  I am aware of the general situation (including the AP value to close combat weapons), but to be quite frank, I've not been following the full onslaught of rumors.  However, once I do get a hold of the official 6th Edition rules, I will be doing another BT 101 guide.  Of course, there will have to be play-testing time before anything is set in stone.  So yes, you can come to Implausible Nature for some tough-love and competitive advice in the future.

Next, though it's a little late in the game, my "Building a 5th Edition" gunline list needs updating.  Simply because I cannot predict the amount of BLOS terrain on a person's board.  If there is a lot, then a player is worse off using the "original" list.  If there isn't much, then they dominate.  Its better to go with a happier medium, which is my current 2k list.  Besides which, it really is only a minor update, so there isn't much to lose by doing it.  I won't really mess around with the other lists, purely due to the fact that 6th Edition is so close to being released.

Finally, expect a new post in the next day or so regarding...things.  Another reality check for the Black Templars, so to speak.  Oh, and those of you with outstanding emails, I should be getting back to you shortly.  As I mentioned a few paragraphs ago, I've been busy.  :'(