Today's post is a community support guest article from http://www.onlybloodangels.blogspot.kr/...
Combing through the Bolter and Chainsword thread about why play Blood Angels, I composed a Top 10 list.
I also composed a list of worst reasons too.
6. Chainswords.
5. Easy to paint.
4. They’re red.
3. They are a close combat army.
2. If there were any chapter closest to the orks. The boyz in red would have
to be it.
1. Angel vampires IN SPACE
Let's get to the best reasons.
11. Everything can have a jump pack. No, not every unit, but you can actually
field an entire army wearing jump packs.
10. We have a true hero Primarch that died in the service of the Emperor.
9. Who doesn't like getting stuck into close combat? Assault Marines as Troop
choices all the way!
8. Blood Angels are basically space ninjas in red...
7. This cover.
6. Sanguinius' sacrifice and the origins of the Black Rage, and how each and every Blood Angel, while being the most noble of Space Marines, constantly had to fight a battle for control within himself. That in itself was tragic, but I also appreciated the irony of how the Blood Angels' weakness provided the means for them to obtain strength in the battlefield, while simultaneously gifting them with humility and an understanding of their mortality.
5. They are red; the color of blood and violence.
4. When I started back in 2nd ed. it was the Angels of Death codex and all of the tragic dark fluff behind Mephiston and Tycho. Then I read about Sanguinius' titanic battle at the Eternity Gate, holding it singlehandedly against a mighty daemon of Chaos and I was hooked.
3. I like the tragic Death Company a lot - brave Marines who could hold out no longer and fell to the curse, and who go out fighting rather than fade away to madness and insanity.
2. I read the story of the death of Tycho at Armageddon, and it was awesome, it summed up the curse the angels carry on a daily basis, showing a flawed hero always appeals to me, flawlessness makes things too easy.
1. The person that finally convinced me was the Blood Angel's Primarch, the great Sanguinius. The Angel Primarch who stood on the walls of the Emperor's Palace, leading his Marines in person to defy the forces of Chaos to the bitter end. The Primarch who slew the greatest Bloodthirster ever in single combat, high above the Eternity Gate. And the Primarch who performed the ultimate sacrifice, defying Horus and staying loyal to the Emperor to the last. Sanguinius never gave up, going down fighting to his last breath. Truly an inspiring figure, and an example of honour, courage, tenacity and loyalty worthy of emulation even in real life, outside the world of tabletop gaming.
I have to say I like Blood Angels for most of these reasons.
ReplyDeleteThat being said in 6th they aren't exactly the most viable of armies.
FNP nerf, Charge nerf, huge move towards plasma...
Even Death Company fall a bit behind other choices with the newer codexes.
Plasma isn't a weakness for Blood Angels; it's a strength. Honour Guard can run 4 plasma with storm shields in front. Jump packs allow the Blood Angels player to get from cover to cover faster than foorslogging marines, mitigating some of the weakness. Though these days I would put Death Company in a Storm Raven or drop pod and have them hit isolated targets. I gave mine bolters and a few power fists since they have the rules to support that loadout. The issue these days is trying to shoehorn them into jump pack only assault only is no longer effective.
DeleteWell, every army can benefit from allies to fill in weaknesses. If you choose an army for the power level, it won't take long for you to be disappointed in it.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but the combat nerf or the FNP nerf on their own would have left BA a viable assault army.
DeleteIt's not really possible anymore though. More fitting to their fluff but annoying all the same. Especially since those same issues really effect DE as well...
That's why I am working on Necrons now, I just love the way the army works, with so much customisation with crypteks and lords and so many solid choices for different roles. Most armies (keeping in mind I won't normally play marines) I can see one or two viable builds, Necrons I can see wayyyy more.
This post almost made me throw away my new Dark Angels and go to the greatest Primarch of them all. The whole idea of them being fallen angels is so appealing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hihail.
ReplyDeleteNumber 2 has to go to Space Wolves, sorry.
ReplyDelete