new dark angels advice?

[cypheon]

so it's been.... 15 years... since i have fielded normal power armored dark angels that walk around on foot... but the new codex has interesting formations, and gives obsec to everything except my beloved *wing formations....

so now i'm at a loss for experience in arming my foot sloggers.  grav weapons look, on paper, like a lot of fun, especially with the DA formation bonuses and sacred standards granting relentless, but i have never seen them in action (they didn't exist the last time i saw someone bring normal power armor to an event/open game night).

are grav guns/cannons a worthwhile investment, at least for tactical squads that are expected to arrive turn 1 in a drop pod? (and thus, presumably, within the half range required for having moved as soon as they show up)

what about devastator squads? last time i saw anyone swing them it was all about walls of plasma cannons with 0 variety found in 6 different opponents (seriously, was 6 people with 2 cad lists... librarian, 2 scout squads, 3 devs carting 12 cannons, repeat for cad 2)  is there a better/more preferable option for arming them now-a-days, or is it still worth the occaisional deep fried battle brother to do nothing but plasma spam?


i'm hoping to expand the list into a full battle company for the free droppods, so i'd like to know if it's also better to arm all 6 tac squads the exact same way, or mix up the weapons?

[WestRider]

I generally save the Grav Guns for Relentless dudes. My default Tactical Squad is Plasmagun/Combi-Plasma/Multi-Melta. Remember that with the Combat Squads Rule, both halves can go in the same Rhino. A number of times, I've taken advantage of that to shoot the Multi-Melta out the top at one target, and then the Plasmagun at something else.

If you're podding in, you probably want Meltagun/Combi-Melta on at least a few. Can go with the Multi-Melta again there, or shell out for the Grav Cannon, regardless of Specials, to get a few shots on the drop at full BS.

If you're just going 5-man, I usually go Melta or Plasma plus matching Combi. If you're getting your Transports for free from the Battle Company, you generally want Drop Pods or Razorbacks, as they give better value than the Rhinos at that point.

The Sacred Standard only grants Relentless to the Command Squad that has it, there's no Aura like the previous version of the Standards. I'm looking at sticking the mandatory Company Master in there with Artificer Armour, a Storm Shield, and a Combi-Grav, and then the Squad with 5 Grav Guns, Sacred Standard, and an Apothecary, all in a Drop Pod.

Dev Squads, I'm starting to like 5 man Squads with 2 Heavy Weapons in a Rhino. Lascannon, Multi-Melta, or Grav Cannon for choice, but Plasma Cannon are alright. The MM or Grav Squads usually move up to midfield Turn 1 and then bunker there shooting out the hatch, while the Lascannon or Plasma Squads can hang back and shoot from the start.

Assault Squads generally just get the Flamers and their free Razorbacks, maybe a Combi-Flamer too.

[cypheon]

not sure about regular marines, but DA assault squads can't take the transport option at all if they have jump packs or are you talking running them without the packs? just throw 5 and a chaplain into a razorback and run forward spewing fire?

[WestRider]

Yeah, just take the Flamers and the free Razorback, no Jump Packs, head forward, and when you get near something that's worth lighting up, hop out and lay down some Templates.

Alternately, if you've got the Points to go for the Jump Packs instead of taking the free Transport, Objective Secured Jump Infantry can be very useful as well. Another build I'm considering for a Company Master is Jump Pack, Shroud of Heroes, Meltabombs, and maybe a Power Sword or Combi-Weapon or something. 120-135 Points for a very durable, very fast, very easy to hide ObSec Unit.

[Kark]

Here is the link for DA tactica on natfka:

natfka.blogspot.com/2015/08/dark-angel-tactica.html