Is spam really the best build?

In the interest of better list building, let's try to answer the question: Is spam really the most competitive way to build an army? I dug up the following list on the popular forum Dakkadakka.

• HQ: Librarian with Jump Pack, Shield and Unleash Rage
• HQ: Honor Guard with 3 Meltaguns, 1 Flamer, Jump Packs
• EL: 2 Sanguinary Priests with Jump Packs 150
• TR: 10 Assault Marines, 2 Meltaguns, Power Fist
• TR: 10 Assault Marines, 2 Meltaguns, Power Fist
• TR: 10 Assault Marines, 2 Meltaguns, Power Fist
• TR: 10 Assault Marines, 2 Flamers, Lightning Claw
• TR: 10 Assault Marines, 2 Flamers, Lightning Claw
• HS: 5 Devastators, 4 Missile Launchers
• HS: 5 Devastators, 4 Missile Launchers
• HS: 5 Devastators, 4 Missile Launchers

Total: 2000

Is this list built through the matrix of Unit Purpose, Army Cohesiveness, and  Unit/Army Efficiency. Or, is this list built on the principle of 'If something is good, take 4 of them'??

I am of the opinion that this list could easily be played well on the table. However, the internet argues that this type of list is competitive and lists which have different units instead of carbon copy units (spam) is not competitive. I do not agree with that statement.

 I believe that a list built with purpose, units that work well together, and efficiency can include varied units and need not have the spam factor to be competitive. The table-top general must be able to focus on the purpose for his units/army, analyze the developing events on the battlefield, and implement his strategy towards accomplishing the mission. The cunning general can accomplish this with different and varied builds.

What do you think? Is spam the only way to go? Are these "Internet Experts" actually experts? Can the true table-top general generate continued success with lists which the internet experts do not consider optimal?

Honor Guard WIP: Part II

I give you another installment of the WIP of the Honor Guard. I have added another Marine and painted the bases. In a couple of these pics, you can see the backpacks and jump packs in the back. I have begun painting them. They are magnetized in the same manner which I used for my Assault Marines and Death Company.

Shot of the Bases

Follow this link, if you are interested in reading about my magnetizing method: http://pitchedbattle.blogspot.com/2009/08/magnetizing-backjump-packs.html

 I am getting real anxious to play a game.

Urban Bases

1850 Blood Angels List: For Starters

The following is the list which I am planning to run. It makes good use of the models which I have painted (or almost completely painted). It will allow for some fun game play while I get up to speed. Please let me know what you think.






-HQ-
Dante
Honor Guard - 3 Meltaguns, Flamer, Jump Packs

-Elites-
2 Sanguinary Priests - Jump Packs


-Troops-
Assault Squad - 10 Marines, 2 Meltaguns, Powerfist
Assault Squad - 10 Marines, 2 Meltaguns, Powerfust
Assault Squad - 10 Marines, 2 Flamers, Lightning Claws
Death Company - 7 Marines, Jump Packs
Lemartes

-Fast Attack-
Vanguard Veterans - 3 Power Weapons, One Marine with Meltabombs, Jump Packs

I will reserve everything for deep strike.

Honor Guard WIP

In my current attempt to get my Angels Sanguine army inside regs with the current Blood Angels Codex, I have the beginnings of an Honor Guard. Here you will see one Sanguinary Novitiate and two Honor Guard Marines. The Marines are awaiting their meltaguns. The Novitiate awaits a left arm with chainsword. I fully expect these to come in this week from a GW internet order.

 I have a decision to make about the Honor Guard: I will either run 4 meltaguns or 3 meltaguns and 1 flamer. Let me know what you think. I will run the Honor Guard with Dante in Reserve. They will drop in blast mech with the meltaguns and infernus pistol via Tactical Precision. The purpose behind the flamer would obviously be to soften up infantry for the assault. I have yet to make a final decision on this one. Let me know what you think. Is the flamer worth putting in this unit for versatility, or is the greater benefit having 5 Melta shots instead of 4?
A little note about the modeling: this Honor Guard was modeled and wargear chosen under the previous codex. As a result, I had to pop off some arms and weapons, etc. to make room for the meltaguns.

As these models never made it beyond priming in my first Blood Angels / Angels Sanguine army, I was able to easily put on the CD plastic for the Urban Bases. This makes me laugh a little, because Dante has the original sand bases which I made. Dante will be the 'odd man out' when I finish the Honor Guard with urban bases.

On another note, I rode around looking for 3 separate GW Independent Retailers that are located within a 20 minute drive from home. I did this in an attempt to find a place to play some 40k. My trip had the following results: One store is a toy store which has a small selection of GW models and starter paint sets. Another had the GPS leading me to an overgrown field under an Autostrade overpass. I couldn't find the store anywhere. However, I had the address in the GPS correctly. The third has a bit of promise. They were not open when I arrived, and there were no hours posted. However, the sign and exterior looks like a place which is still in business and a place where games are actually played. I will attempt to make contact with place again. Mean while, I am still searching for anyone who plays 40k.

It's All Over but the Clear Coat: Vanguard Vets

The next installment in the Vanguard Veteran Squad WIP. I have completed the painting. The only thing left to do is put on the clear coat.

As these are the first models I have painted since an 18 month break from the hobby, I have lost a bit of dexterity. Some of my brush strokes, highlighting, etc. was not at the same standard as before. However, with a bit more practice, things will come back together.

I have the Honor Guard lined up next. However, I need to outfit them a bit differently considering that the codex has changed since the last time I put all the war gear on the models. My intention is to play a Descent of Angels list. So, I will put Meltaguns on the Honor Guard.

A jump pack list will get me up and running quickly. I can play this list and enjoy it greatly, while I slowly replace the Mech which was stolen from me. Hope you enjoy the pics.

I placed an order with GW today. Assault Marines, Meltaguns, Jump Packs, Priests, and Chaplains!

WIP Vanguard Vets

I promised some photos of the Vanguard Veteran Squad, and I have delivered. I have a few details to finish on the bases. Also, I have not begun to paint the Jump Packs yet.

As you can see, they have urban bases. Just before my break from the hobby, I had begun switching the Angels Sanguine army over to the urban bases made from CD case plastic. Parts of the army still require re-basing.

 An interesting note:  concerning the urban base. I could not remember exactly how I had painted them. You should be able to sympathize. After all, it has been at least a year and a half since I painted the 'test case' bases. Fortunately, I had blogged about the bases. So, I looked here on the "Pitched Battle" under the label WIP and found instructions for how to paint my bases.

I also included the Napoli Workspace Photo.

 

Vanguard Veterans

I picked up where I left off about 18 months back: painting a squad of Vanguard Veterans. When I started painting them, they were Veteran Assault Squads under the previous codex. Now they are Vanguard Veterans under the current codex.

I realize that the 'new' Blood Angels Codex is probably not 'new' to anyone else. As I just purchased it last week, it is new to me. My mind is filled with all sorts of ideas about new builds for my Angels Sanguine army.

Nevertheless, I fully expect to have this squad of veterans completed in another couple of days. I have posted a picture here of the test model I painted before my break from the hobby. I will post pictures of the completed squad as I finish.

It Worked: I am Back in Action

Galaxy in Flames was a great read. But more importantly, this read had the important side effect for which I had hoped. It has brought me out of the shell of disgust back to our beloved hobby.

I am in the market for a new table/desk to set up my 40k work/paint station. On a side note, my old table now hosts an herb garden on the larger of our two balconies. I will buy a table tomorrow and get all my paints set up.

Also, I ordered a copy of the Blood Angels Codex. I am going to finish painting some of the Marines I have while I wait for the Codex to arrive. I have to spend some time figuring out the changes from the last time I played before I start spending any money on models.

I looked on the internet and found some independent retailers here just North of Bella Napoli. Hopefully, I will be able to scare up a game before too much time passes.

Tragedy Causes A Long Absence

It has been a while, roughly 18 months (I think?). Let me explain what happened:

We moved to Italy, and I was awaiting the arrival of all our stuff in a giant shipment. When it arrived, I was looking for all my models and hobby stuff. Everything arrived except for my tanks. I was blown away. Every single tank that I own Space Marine and Imperial Guard was not in the shipment. I had some folks back home check into whether they could have been left behind. I searched to through everything here. We had put nothing in long term storage.

No, someone who works for the moving company decided they wanted my tanks. My rhinos, landraider, leman russes, devastators, baneblade, basilisk, griffon. Every single tank.

As a result, I was devastated. I did not want to see my armies. They have been sitting in their travel boxes. I haven't modeled anything. I haven't painted, and I haven't played since this tragic loss.

In an attempt to raise my 40k spirits, I bought Galaxy in Flames from Black Library. We shall see if helps me come back to the game.

An Explanation of My Absence . . .

I apologize to anyone and everyone who reads or follows my blog for the silence over the last several months. Please allow me to explain:

I have been commissioned an officer in the United States Navy, a Chaplain to be more specific. I spent the majority of 2009 working and applying to receive this commission. I was commissioned on 14 DEC 09. As a result, I have been in the training pipeline since 02 JAN 10. Most of that time, I was restricted from internet access. Furthermore, anytime that I did have access to the internet, I had no time for our beloved hobby.

Nevertheless, I deeply apologize for not making an announcement before the long period of silence.

On that note, does anyone know any good places to play 40k in Italy? I will be here for the next 3 years . . .