Well, I gotta get ready!
I'm going to an invitational event on October 28 - it looks to be really cool with multiple mission tables, an ETC-like pairing system, and the need to have a primary infantry-heavy 1000 point core, expanding to a 2000 point overall force. You may be assigned to either the 1000 point pairings or the full 2000 point pairings by your team's overall commander.
I was torn between staying as Blood Angels, or finally getting back to my roots as Ultramarines, and the Ultramarine concept won out the argument. I also strongly considered going for Astra Militarum! Too many choices! In consideration was that the Ultramarines, over Blood Angels - has a full codex, great Ultramarine doctrines, and the opportunity for a relic as a free boost.
I got busy last night with the hard work of slogging through the collection, codex in one hand, BRB in the other, to map out what might be a good and fun or powerful list concept meeting the parameters above.
After drafting a list (in Excel! - Dang you ArmyBuilder!) it got down to trying to use up every point - so as not to leave anything on the table. Initially I was very close - 16 points off from using every drop. Then with a list change, swapping out one unit for another, I was able to go exactly to 2000.
So, with the hard work done, I will proof the list, do some paint touch ups, create a cheat sheet of all the extra rules to remember, and if I'm lucky get a chance to play a game as Ultramarines before the event! So yeah 3rd Company Ultramarines are going to hit the table!
OK, so here is the list. No laughter please. I put a lot of thinking into this over 3 hours!
HQ - Marnius Calgar (as warlord)
HQ - Tigurius
HQ - Chaplain in Terminator Armor
EL - Assault Terminator Squad (5)
TP - Tactical Squad (6)
TP - Tactical Squad (6)
TP - Tactical Squad (6)
999 pts core force
FA - Landspeeder
HS - Devastator Squad (5)
HS - Landraider
DT - Razorback
DT - Razorback
DT - Razorback
2000 pts total total force
The points are all in the details. 9 or more drops on deployment for the full force. Overall, it gives me a core of 999 points for the first 7 units, and exactly 2000 for the full group. It creates a Battalion detachment and a Vanguard detachment, which yields 9 command points in total with Calgar adding 2. Bonuses include higher morale, shooting on falling back (or as we say, stepping back), ability to recover CPs on a 4+, and several bubbles of fun - Marnius gives a reroll misses bonus, Tiggy gives a to hit bonus to a unit each turn, the Chaplain helps in assault. I get librarius spells, etc. If needed I have three units that can deep strike. There are 10 lascannon, 9 missile launcher, and 6 plasma gun EQs hiding in this list. Overall, it is pretty cool. The ONLY thing I need to do is put a banner on Calgar to finish the list for photography!
The only issue I might need to resolve - probably for the better - is swapping out the Chaplain for a Captain or other unit. It ends up the Chaplain is the only "character" I can give a relic to, but none are suitable for him! The only two might have been the armor indominitus (but he is already a terminator with a rosarius), or the relic boltgun (which can't be directly swapped for a storm bolter - I need to see if I can swap the storm bolter for free for a regular bolter, then swap the bolter for the relic version...if so that is the minimum change). Otherwise, converting his points (117) into something throwing more bullets downrange might be even better (like another dev squad). Doing so loses me a single command point, and means I'm back to one detachment, AND it means I am all screwed up on the original 1000-2000 point split requirements unless I can get the dev squad or captain tooled to the 117 points or so (heavy bolters in the devs?).
Another interesting issue posed for the event - is that with this being teams - essentially Imperium vs Not, I could run into hordes (of bugs or orks) and be totally outnumbered, or demons (and be out-spelled), or even Knights (it has happened before) or some crazy Astra Militarum (with the Vortex yard sale building and horses). In any case, other than screwing up on deployment, I think I can pull off a respectable number of points as long as I stay focused on the missions.
Anyways, look for some pictures here in a week on the final force - all displayed for departure!
Comments and suggestions are ALWAYS appreciated!
MING
