Back in 2011 I played the UK 40k Open tournament scene, mainly around the North West. The people were nice (if a little clic-quey!) I used pure Deathwing and broke the top 100 uk players as per RankingsHQ, which was my goal. This year (2012!) I have withdrawn from the tourney scene due to personal circumstances (change of job, family commitments etc) but I intend to return to competative gaming soon!
During this phase of my life I wrote an artice for UK rankings on the viability of "Deathwing" under 5th Ed rules. I have added the article below for you to comment on and I will post a response from my viewpont under 6th Ed very soon!
Enjoy!
Well thats a fair question, I love the Gothic background, our fluff is
one of Games Workshops oldest creations, and we have a special
uniqueness that appeals to me personally, The Deathwing.
Given all the new Codex updates Grey Knights, Blood Angels, Necrons, Etc
I wanted to discuss my thoughts on our current standing.
I have competed in 2011 in 4 tournaments, I didnt win any (/shrug) but I
won a fair few games and learnt a lot about my army which has been
"Pure Deathwing" for all 4. I have been smashed cleanly off the table by
certain builds and I have repaid that favor on many an occasion.
Ok so I run maxium Terminator squads with Belial at all points levels. I
add a "Godhammer" if the points allow to add some anti tank to the
list. This gives me a very low model count, highly elite, slow moving,
mid range force. Doesn't sound to great huh? Well we have some
advantages! Firstly and most importantly is the psychology.
Most opponents I have encountered have very rarely faced the all
Terminator threat and become easily flustered at all that invunerable
saving throw sat on the table, in a word some panic! This is where you
really get you opportunity to win a game because trust me, you will have
to earn some wins!
Secondly I blanket fit all my squads wih cyclone launchers. This makes
me be able to really sit deep in my half and "reach out" and "touch"
armour and light infantry. I have 1 exception to this rule. I run 1
mixed squad, I call them the tacticals. They have an assault cannon and
are usually the unit that gets removed first, but thats ok if you
planned it that way! Remember the enemy have to shoot at something,
better it be your choice than thiers!
Deep Strike? Sure why not? Ok it can be risky but it has won me more
games than lost me. I lost my "command squad", Belial and a Terminator
Librarian all on a mishap at a recent tournament, guess what? 3
remaining Terminators in turn 6 still claimed 2 objectives and I won!
They can be very, very resillient if the dice allow! This is a choice
you must make at each table you come to. If it is not a tactical
advantage to Deep Strike, don't do it! If the table has little scenery
to trouble you, sensible placement shoulld practically guarantee they
land safely.
I often choose the Librarian over the Interrogator as a second HQ.
Mainly due to the fact he has the most powerful "hood" in 40k and its
rangeless! I stick him in obscure places just to shut down the pesky
meddlings of the warp! He can seriously ruin an Eldar turn with a few
good rolls, Chaos too if the "Lash"list is out!
The list could be tuned to run total TH/SS! This list does not collapse
easilly but I find it is very sterile and although hard to kill off, it
isnt the most fun to play in certain mission types. I opt for a TH/SS
unit I call my "Command Squad" this includes the Standard and the
Apothecary. who has lightning claws. These again are a great bullet
magnet with 3+ inv, feel no pain, usually 5 IC wounds to mitigate over
as well!
Let the record show that you will more than likely get mauled against
the Chaos "Lash Whip / Obliterator" Combo due to plasma templates on
bunched squads, same also for any plasma based marine build! But ya cant
win 'em all eh?
So can they still cut it? I have beaten most of the newer codex builds
over the last 12 months and when played well, the Deathwing build of the
Dark Angels is still tough to beat, but I would say that to get wins
prepare to use tactica and hold on! You may only have a handful of
Terminators left at the end of a game
but its where they are stood that counts!
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