Crossing the Rubicon with 40k

Bit the bullet and submitted my list for Maelstrom to Hagen the TO this evening.  No going back on it so here it is...

Slaughter Cult
Lord
w. Power Armour, Bolt Pistol, Melta Bombs, Sigil of Corruption, Brazen Rune, Power Weapon, Collar of Khorne

Dropped the Blood Forged Armour to give Power Weapons to my Aspiring Champions, so he has lost FNP and Eternal Warrior.  But I can get FNP back from the Blood Tithe.  Brazen Rune I'm taking for fun it basically allows me to shut down a Pyschic phase (sort of) forcing all enemy Psykers within 24" who manifest a power to roll perils on any double.  One use only though.  Collar gives +2 for Deny Witch.

8 x Cultists
8 x Cultists

There to die for the Blood God and his Tithe

8 x CSM
w. Rhino, Havoc Launcher, Power Weapon, Meltagun
8 x CSM
w. Rhino, Havoc Launcher, Power Weapon, Meltagun
5 x Possessed
w. Rhino, Havoc Launcher, Extra Combi-Bolter (because I had 5pts spare)

Lord of Slaughter
Bloodthirster of Insensate Rage

Haven't been using him well but plan on keeping him in the list regardless will either rely on his walking 4+ Jink save or start him Swooping.  

Gorepack
3 x Bikes
w. Melta, Melta
3 x Bikes
w. Melta, Melta
5 x Flesh Hounds
5 x Flesh Hounds

Total 1,499pts 

List counts as 4 formations --> Blood Host + Slaughter Cult + Gorepack + Lord of Slaughter (I think) or a best 2-3 meaning I'll take a big comp hit heading in and will be at a massive points (as well as ability) disadvantage heading into the event.

Looking forward to it though only two weeks to go

Chaos Possessed - it pays to read the rules

Had a great day of gaming and pre-Maelstrom practice at Glen B's place yesterday.  6 of us were there getting ready for Maelstrom and having a good chat about the local gaming scene and what to expect at the event.  Its interesting to note that with 30+ attendees it one of the largest local events for some time and marked by the attendance of a number of 40k newbies like myself.  To quote Glen the local community has a lot of "Fantasy Orphans" looking for another home now that Age of Suckmar has killed Fantasy.

While I posted my tournament list the other day I didn't use that list yesterday and switched back to my Blood Host formation.  The key reason Blood Tithe - a KD CAD simply doesn't accumulate them fast enough while a Blood Host gets one free one each turn meaning I was spamming my favourite combo of Apocalyptic Fury and FNP pretty much all day.  Did get to summon a Blood Thirster as well.

Anyway... the point of this post 'It pays to read the rules".  Possessed despite their bad wrap are in my opinion pretty awesome.  They're essentially CSM with S5, Daemon and more attacks.  Combined with Apocalyptic Fury I was getting (thanks to lots of 5's & 6's) 4 attacks minimum from them each turn.

Khorne Daemonkin Tournament Army - Final List

Finally decided on a list to take to Maelstrom in 4 weeks time.  Going with a Khorne Daemonkin Combined Arms Detachment.  While I have been practicing with and using a Blood Host almost exclusively the last few months it has limitations especially the lack of heavy firepower and the lack of objective secured troops.  Not having a massive model collection I'm somewhat restricted in what I can take so the whole look I have 40+ Flesh Hounds lists taken to Adepticon are out.  Consequently, I'm going to fall back on my try and tested method of "building a list around models I like"...

My 1500pt army on its display board all ready to go

Getting some practice in with it this coming weekend against other tournament attendees so we'll see how it goes but I'm pretty much sold on taking this as I like it.

Summoned BloodThirsters kind of suck?!?

Got a final ruling from Hagen the TO at the 40k event I'm going to next month as he knows what he's doing and getting the TO's opinion makes sense.  Pretty much in line with what I'd been reading and dreading in regards to how you play a Blood Thirster summoned via Blood Tithe.  Rule interpretation is:

• Tithe points spent at start of turn (a)
• Blood Thirster arrives via Deep Strike - assume scatter as normal.
• As a FMC he arrives Swooping, cannot move or assault.
• Turn (a) + 1 he can move and switch to glide, still no assault.
• Turn (a) +2 he can assault.

So basically, unless GW come out with a FAQ specifically directed at KD and summoned creatures the rules of the game effectively make summoned Blood Thirsters a complete waste of points.  With a Slaughtercult your better off spamming other stuff or going with Apocalyptic Fury and formation wide FNP.  

Rules are rules but it can't be what the intent behind the rules are as it means in a 6 turn game a Blood Thirster summoned in Turn 5 will never see combat, in Turn 4 will only see combat in Turn 6 and in Turn 3 will only see combat in Turns 5 & 6.  They can still shoot with their RNG 12" S6 Assault 1 Lash of Khorne but a Melta does the same job for less points. 

Won't change my list as I'll still take one but will just adjust my tactics and spend Tithe points a lot earlier. 

WIP #2 - Bloodthirster of Khorne painting & summoning rules problem

Finished of the main parts of the wings and started work on the bronzed/gold elements of the armour. Bronze areas used a base of GW Burnished Gold followed by 2 layers of Sepia Wash.  I'll dry brush Mithril Silver on them later on.  Wings relied on dry brushing and layering.  To get the symbols on the wings to stand out they were given a light wash of Nuln Oil and Sepia Wash, turned out better than I thought they would.

WIP - Bloodthirster of Insensate Rage

Skin on the Bloodthirster is completed.  Last layers and small highlights were applied and the final wash put on.  Next up will be the wings which after a suggestion from my 9yr old I am really wishing I had painted blue rather than the flesh tone that I am going for.  Basing also done using the same Vallejo Still Water product used on my display board - unfortunately most of it ran off the base as I didn't seal the edge properly so it will need another layer applied but you should get the general idea.

No 40k gaming tonight as I'm playing Indoor Cricket but aiming to get a few more games in next week in preparation for my first ever 40k event which is only 4 weeks away now.  Expecting to get stomped but to have a lot of fun doing it.

The images are all quite large so click on them to get the best view.

The paints I used to finish off the skin in the order used from left to right.  Mephiston Red base + wash + Mephiston red again as the primary colours and then watered down layers/highlights after that.  Bloodletter glaze has gone on all of larger models as it seems to even the colours out quite nicely especially on vehicles.  Had to switch to Nuln Oil as I ran out of my preferred Drakenhoff Nightshade and Mighty Ape didn't have any in stock.  Normally, I stay clear of Nuln Oil as I found the first few batches of it were excessively dark but this one was just right.