u/LachrymarumLibertas

I really like the two shot combi-bolter, it’s a simple ‘double bolter’ that feels exactly as you’d expect.

Combi-volkite is similar, just add two guns together.

Combi-plasma gets a range reduction down to 18”, which seemingly nothing else does?

Then plasma blasters, which are two plasma guns, are a side grade on a plasma gun? They lose 6” of range for 1 Strength but keep the two shots.

Just a four shot plasma gun would be a bit much, for sure, but they seem by far the worse off with the double treatment!

I know the answer is ‘the galaxy is massive and anything you do is fine’ but I love the rivet counter historical component of the game and was keen for some feedback.

I’m putting together ~40 bolter marines for my Thousand Sons, I’ve got half MKIII and half MKIV, but also a few left over MKVI bodies. I’ve also got plenty of the forgeworld heads and such.

I’m thinking Inductii as all MKIII, with as many of the MKVI bonded stud shoulders as I’ve got and using the plastic MKIV helmets.
I’ve only got one unit of them, cutting off the scope to use as asphyx bolters, lead by a Prosperine Sorceror as a bit of Rubric foreshadowing. They’re in the heaviest clunkiest armour, with different helmets to emphasise they need upgraded comms and sensors.

The normal tac marines are MKIV, with the Achaean pattern helmets and the legion upgrade shoulder pads. I’m thinking either stormbolters or combi weapons (flamer or melta?) for the sergeants.

For the min strength seeker squad I’ll use various assault marine bodies in MKVI and MKIII, as they have reinforcements and straps that are a bit more special forces vibe, with all the helmets that have various extra lenses and upgrades. I’ve got the Infiltrator gun bits I reckon will look decent on the Tigris bolters.

Anything that jumps out as a bit off or interesting?

As Thousand Sons have a special Overload reducing Arcana I was looking at a plasma dreadnought and am comparing the dual Gravis Plasma Cannon Contemptor with the Deredeo with the Hellfire Plasma Cannonade.

The former is two 5” templates with RS7 AP4 D2 and Breaching 5+
The latter is the same, except a single shot and Breaching 4+

The Deredeo seems way way worse! I know it has the AA missiles and the heavy bolters, but am I missing anything as to why it not only has worse firepower but costs more as well?

If I compare the lascannon options it is a lot more even, with the Contemptor having four shots at Damage 1 (2 with heavy) and the Deredeo two shots at D4). Same eight damage potential.

I’ve got a pair of Contemptors in the list and think a Techmarine type support unit would be neat but I’m not sure if I’m missing anything, keen for any advice.

I’m leaning towards the Forgelord in Terminator Armour, but only because the Int 7 is scaring me off the Numerologist.

Forge Lord:
Battlesmith (4) due to Machinator Array
Most attacks and is a Character
Limited weapon options but has good stuff so not that bad
Int 10

Mortificator:
Cool anti-vehicle spear (that is bad otherwise but is interesting)
3 per slot Detachment for basic Contemptors
Int 9 (no cyber familiar)

Techmarine/s:
Get a heap for one Detachment, one is Prime even
Power axe only, no Terminator armour
Int 8

Then, for bonus points, I’m playing Thousand Sons so get:

Numerologist:
Elite slot
No Terminator armour
Comes with basically a Despoiler squad of bodyguards
Can take a rotor cannon
Has a Routing check 18” power and can give Precision 5+ to a unit
Int 7

I’m tossing up options for Thousand Sons, I’ve got Predators (probably lascannon), Tacticals and Sekhmet Terminators and am looking at rounding it out.

A unit of Seekers seems very very good with Corvidae, I’ll stick to one though but it should be solid. Any character worth attaching?

The other option for my Command slot is a Mortifactor.
I really like the Aether-fire weapons and using those bits as Gravis Plasma Cannon on Contemptors would be a great use of the Osirean cult arcana.

Is the Mortifactor actually decent? The weapon being staff would be great for Thousand Sons.

I figure with you could either have three the same, or one with two Gravis Plasma Cannon, one with two fists with the plasma blasters, and one with one of each.

My two concerns though are that it’ll either end up with one of them being the goofy brother that is just worse, or that three of the same will be oppressive.

I was looking at options to fill out the Prosperine Convocation Fast Attack slot and realised Speeders are Cavalry so can use Arcana.

The Javelins models look great, but might be a pain to assemble if they’re resin.

The normal Land Speeders are a bit blockier, so I don’t think they visually fit the vibe.

The +2 Toughness reaction looks the best one for sure, going to T8 seems solid!

Any advice? Open to ideas of great models for conversion as well for Egyptian speeders!