New Army Idea - Necromancers Chaos Marines

As I was dozing off yesterday, I thought about something Id seen somewhere, someone was using Skeletons as their summoned lesser daemons. I started thinking maybe Ill yoink that for my Black Legion, then I got to thinking that I could work that into the fluff somehow. One of their Sorcerers had enchanted their icons to raise the dead to fight for them, rather then summon daemons that would require repayment at a later date.

Tonight, Im sitting here at work, and I still like that idea, so I might do it. But that doesnt mean that my Chaos Sorcerer is the only one who would do that, so I present the Necromancers Chaos Marine warband, led by a Sorcerer (or daemon prince) who loves bringing previous victims back to fight those they loved before...

Notes to self: Black Legion ideas

Ive been drooling over the Chaos codex ever since I dusted off the BL, and Im deciding how much of what I want to add... So, Im gonna make notes here, by FOC sections.

HQ:
I have a Daemon Prince, but I think I want a second one, from the upcoming plastic kit. If its worth it, Ill add one, if not, well....

Ive got two power armored Lords and a converted termy Lord, plus a power armor Sorcerer and termy Sorc. The termy Sorc is the robed Lord from a while back (and prolly the most recent model in my BL army), so I think Ill demote both them to Terminator Champions, to cut down the number of HQ choices I have...

Abaddon... Ive got the model, and he is mostly painted, just needs to be repaired and rebased to match the current scheme. For now he will be restricted to Apocalypse scale games. Im trying to decide if Im gonna keep the existing model (which is showing its age compared to current models), or put the weapons and head on one of the new plastic termy lords.

ELITES:
Ive got 19-20 Chaos Terminators, so they are being split into two squads. Two dreads, and Im gonna add at least one more (the FW one).

Im gonna get 4 boxes of Possessed, as my Tzeentian faction, but also as bits for some mutant champions.

I want to add Chosen, but Im not entirely sure how Ill mark them out as special that wont make them look weird compared to the rest of the force... My terminators have red helmets, I might duplicate that...

TROOPS:
Khorne Berserkers: Just need to add a few more models to max them out, and hey, Ive got a sprue sitting under my desk right now!

Noise Marines: I found the icon bearer from the previous squad with sonic blaster, the rest of the squad is either illegal or busted up, so Ill fix what I can, then add more to fill them out.

Plague Marines: This unit is taking a lot of thought... In the end, Im thinking Ill be mixing Chaos Marines and Warhammer Zombies with an (un)healthy dose of greenstuff.

Chaos Marines: All in all, I think Im close to having the full 6 troop choices. I need a few more special weapons, champions, and Icons, but its not too bad.

FAST ATTACK:
Bikers: Ive got 5 already, so 5 more isnt that much of a heart ache, and these upcoming models will be the fun ones: special weapons, champion, and Icon bearer. I think I have an old Chaos Knight lance I can give the champ to use as a power weapon/fist.

Raptors: I have 10 of the old raptors, and 5 of the new ones. I think Ill be haunting eBay for the old ones for a while, just need the bodies and backpacks, I replaced all the really hidious heads and arms with bits from the plastic sprues. Im going to also have a unit of the new models, though these will be easier to pick up.

Im half considering adding a third unit of raptors, using the wings from the Possessed sprues... but only half considering it.

HEAVY SUPPORT:
Havoks: Ive got a unit with 4 heavy bolters, and Im thinking about picking up 4 of each heavy weapon choice for them... Thinking also of making a second havok squad with all special weapons, 20 CSMs running up with 4 meltaguns might be a nice distraction.

Obliterators: Ive got one in package on the desk, and another 3-4 sitting in a box somewhere. Need to find them and paint them.

A pair of Predators are ready, not sure if Ill add more, maybe one more to make things interesting.

Defilers: I have one assembled, mostly... I need to fix the damage it has suffered as being used as terrain, and paint it, then put the second one together.

I have 1 land raider ready to run, and a second one that is missing the heavy bolters, plus needs to have the painting finished.

Currently I do not own a Vindicator, but Ill prolly add one for completeness.

So, for those keeping track at home, we are looking at: 6 HQs, 7 Elite, 9 Troops, 3-4 Fast Attack, and up to 11 Heavy Support. That is a very healthy Apocalypse force.

Speaking of Apoc, Im also looking at adding one (or more) of the plastic super heavies to the list. Forge World goodies later on. If the hinting at GD-Chicago pans out, I might be adding a Warhound sooner or later...

All squads are or will be max sized, though Ill prolly not always use them that high. Ive got some rhinos for a few of my squads, but they are fairly banged up, and I might just say screw it.

Rough guesstimate for completely painted: 70%, but there is still a good amount of work needed to get it where Id like it.

Playing with Army Builder and my Black Legion

So, as I stated earlier, Ive got my Black Legion set up on my table. Ive got the finished models on the shelf, and those that still require work sitting down below, where I can easily get to them.

Being who I am, I loaded up Army Builder, just to get an idea of whats sitting there... List ahoy!

Unlimited Pts - Chaos Marines Roster - Unnamed

HQ: Daemon Prince (1#, 135 Pts)

1 Daemon Prince @ 135 Pts

Close Combat Weapon; Fearless; Warptime (x1)

HQ: Chaos Lord (2#, 275 Pts)

1 Chaos Terminator Lord @ 150 Pts

Daemon Weapon; Twin Linked Bolter (x1); Fearless; Personal Icon

1 Chaos Lord @ 125 Pts

Bolt Pistol (x1); Power Fist; Combi-melta; Fearless; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades

HQ: Chaos Sorceror (1#, 165 Pts)

1 Chaos Sorceror @ 165 Pts

Bolt Pistol (x1); Force Weapon (x1); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Bolt of Change; Doombolt; Mark of Tzeentch

HQ: Chaos Terminator Sorceror (1#, 135 Pts)

1 Chaos Terminator Sorceror @ 135 Pts

Force Weapon (x1); Combi-melta; Doombolt; Personal Icon

Elite: Dreadnought (1#, 110 Pts)

1 Dreadnought @ 110 Pts

Crazed; Dreadnought CCW; Twin Linked Bolter; Twin Linked Autocannon; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers

Elite: Terminators (6#, 450 Pts)

5 Terminators @ 450 Pts

Chain Fist (x2); Power Fist (x1); Power Weapon (x2); Combi-flamer (x2); Combi-melta (x1); Twin Linked Bolter (x1); Reaper Autocannon (x1); Land Raider

1 Land Raider @ [220] Pts

Twin Linked Heavy Bolter; Twin Linked Lascannon Sponson (x2); Searchlight; Smoke Launchers

Troops: Chaos Space Marines (64#, 1235 Pts)

15 Chaos Space Marines @ 300 Pts

Bolt Pistol; Close Combat Weapon; Bolter; Flamer (x2); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Chaos Glory

1 Aspiring Champion @ [55] Pts

Bolt Pistol; Power Fist; Bolter; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades

15 Chaos Space Marines @ 325 Pts

Bolt Pistol; Close Combat Weapon; Bolter; Plasmagun (x1); Lascannon; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Chaos Glory

1 Aspiring Champion @ [55] Pts

Bolt Pistol; Power Fist; Bolter; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades

15 Chaos Space Marines @ 305 Pts

Bolt Pistol; Close Combat Weapon; Bolter; Plasmagun (x1); Missile Launcher; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Chaos Glory

1 Aspiring Champion @ [45] Pts

Bolt Pistol; Power Weapon; Bolter; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades

15 Chaos Space Marines @ 305 Pts

Bolt Pistol; Close Combat Weapon; Bolter; Meltagun (x1); Plasmagun (x1); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Chaos Glory

1 Aspiring Champion @ [45] Pts

Bolt Pistol; Power Weapon; Bolter; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades

Troops: Khorne Berzerkers (16#, 401 Pts)

15 Khorne Berzerkers @ 401 Pts

Bolt Pistol; Close Combat Weapon; Plasma Pistol (x2); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Fearless; Furious Charge; Personal Icon; Mark of Khorne

1 Skull Champion @ [51] Pts

Bolt Pistol; Power Weapon; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Fearless; Furious Charge; Mark of Khorne

Fast Attack: Raptors (10#, 260 Pts)

9 Raptors @ 260 Pts

Bolt Pistol; Close Combat Weapon; Plasma Pistol (x1); Flamer (x1); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades

1 Aspiring Champion @ [60] Pts

Bolt Pistol; Power Fist; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades

Fast Attack: Bikers (5#, 165 Pts)

5 Bikers @ 165 Pts

Bolt Pistol; Close Combat Weapon; Twin Linked Bolter; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Bike

Heavy Support: Havocs (16#, 310 Pts)

16 Havocs @ 310 Pts

Bolt Pistol; Close Combat Weapon; Bolter; Heavy Bolter (x4); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Chaos Glory

Heavy Support: Predator (2#, 225 Pts)

1 Predator @ 100 Pts

Autocannon; 2 x Heavy Bolter Sponsons; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers

1 Predator @ 125 Pts

Twin Linked Lascannon; Daemonic Possession; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers

Total Roster Cost: 3866

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So... notice that its fairly troop heavy? And these are all the completed models. I still have a couple dozen sitting in the "need paint" section, and another couple dozen in the "needs repairs" section. Just under 4k points with random psychic powers.

Just looking at it shows obvious spots for additions, like special weapons and a champ for the bikers, optomising squad upgrade weapons, and stuff like that. Im fairly certain that once I get everything finished it will be well over 5k again... Then I can start work on filling in blank spots. :)

Ill see about getting pics before next weekend, but no promises!

Tuesday Top Ten #26

A day late and several dollars short... Bleh.

1. I am considering stealing at least part of Big D's idea to add lesser daemons to my Black Legion.

2. Apoc shows how he does snow effects, and some of the models he has used it on.

3. The Engineer has some nicely done Ultramarines up...

4. ...and Sidestreaker shares a Rhino painted with his usual brilliance.

5. Akenseth built some terrain that puts the mist of nostalgia in my eye...

6. Last time it was MARPAT, this time Darkwing shows ACUPAT.

7. I use Microset, but Big D tells why we should use Micro Sol.

8. Gothmog shows some Nurgle Daemon Princes.

9. Jawaballs talks about Psychological Warfare.

10. Demosthenes from BoLS talks about choosing and painting Salamaders Space Marines.

Ok, having given you all your weekly dose of link-crack, Ill have to issue a warning. Im driving to the Frozen North again this weekend, planning on returning Monday night... notice I said planning. I may still be too hung over at that point. I will attempt to not leave you hanging for a second week in a row, but if I do, you know why. :)

Whoops....

...I am an idiot. Somehow, the fact that it was Tuesday completely passed me by.

Tuesday Top Ten will be posted when I get home!

Return of the Black Legion

Yesterday I pulled my Red Scorpions off the shelf and boxed them up... They are not going into the closet, but they are out of the way. Why? Because I dusted off my Black Legion. I set up just the ones that are not broken and are completely painted, which added up to about 2/3 of the models... still well over 100 models though. Gonna work up a few army lists for them pretty soon too, I think. Once upon a time it was over 5k points. Ill have to fix stuff and pull out the tanks and see what the total value is currently.

Looking at this army, you can tell I enjoyed myself. All sorts of conversions, and while the paint scheme is simple, it looks good, and now Im considering adding more to give more variety. Especially on the special/heavy weapon side. Ive only gotten a single box of Havoks, and all the rest of the big guns are heavy bolters. Special weapons are just as dire, with a pair of flamers and a pair of melta guns breaking the plasma gun monotony.

Before the CSM sprue got recut and fun stuff added to it, I decided that normal banner poles were not working for me (they kept snapping). So, all my Icon Bearers carry shields yoinked from Fantasy Chaos Warriors. I think Im going to keep them that way, and might have a go at making a half dozen or so icon bearers for each of the chaos gods, so my force can change loyalty at the drop of a hat.

I still need to sort out cult troops for them as well. Ive got the obligitory unit of Khorne Berserkers, but my Noise Marine squad was rendered illegal with the current book... Ill be looking at the sonic weapon conversion kit soon... Plague Marines are on my list, but I dont like the current ones, and the FW ones dont fit my vision of a Black Legion plague marine. I dont want to include Thousand Sons, but I need some kind of Tzeentchian unit... maybe Possessed, they are screwy enough...

I had a full unit of Black Legion Chosen in termy armor under the old book... Ive rebased 5 of them to keep them legal, I need to get around to getting another 5 done, just to have 10 chaos terminators ready to go.

More later, hopefully with pictures...