Blood Angels Do Things Differently: Part Five - Fast N ...Not So Fast.

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Okay, well, Kirby already went over this, and discounted the idea as largely unworkable, instead resorting to the Blood Rodeo, his patented Bike/JP hybrid.  For the uninitiated, btw, Fast N Slow was one of Stelek's Spess Mehreen lists, that utilised the dual elements of Biker Troops, and ranged support from slower elements, ie, Dreadnoughts.

Now, the BA are in a very awkward position, in regard to this build.  Essentially, there is no way for the BA to take the main combat element of the list, Bikes, as Troops - and so, the list dynamic has to change significantly.



What I intend to do, is posit a few** alternate ways we can try to go about getting a decent BA Fast n Slow built, overcoming this inherent problem.  The restrictions (lol) of the BA Troops choices mean we have to select some sort of Foot, JP, or Mech element.  We can, of course, potentially get Dreadnoughts here...but that requires the rather expensive Astorath the Grim, or equally expensive investment in extra Death Company in our pseudo-Deathstar.  Taking no Scoring units would also be a fairly bad idea.  With that in mind, we are forced to consider the requisite Troops with a lot of other things in place.  Similarly, we know we want a librarian for Psychic Defence, but we don't know exactly how yet.  Inside a Transport? With a Jump Pack? On a Bike?  Relying on Wings of Sanguinius??  Again, left until later.  We shall start with what makes the list what it is, and that is the Bikes.

Bike Squad w/ +5 guys, 2 Meltaguns, Combi-Melta, Attack Bike [Multi-Melta] - 295

Okay...quite the expensive little unit.  However, it does have a neat offering of anti-tank, and the standard anti-Infantry that all Relentless TL Bolter platforms offer.  Well, for now, let's take just two of these.  Note that we will be aiming to Combat Squad most always, and thereby threaten multiple enemy vehicles.

With that out of the way, a quick look at the original Fast n Slow for inspiration.  In this list, a lot of MM fire, the ranged support, essentially, came from Dreadnoughts.  Now, our units are more expensive for BA, so there's no way we can replicate that properly either.  So, let's take a different tack.  Riflemen.

Dreadnought w/ TL Autocannon, TL Autocannon - 120

So, we have 3 HS slots...so 3 of these? Well, let's look at our options.  Whirlwind.  No, probably never seen in a BA list again this Codex.  Well, maybe I'll throw one out, for lols.  But never seriously considered.  Dakka Preds.  I'm very dubious on how useful these actually are, mid/long term.  Heavy Bolters are pretty darned weaksauce.  If you're putting 20 of them in a list, fine, but otherwise? Sure, you need stuff to take out Infantry after you force them to disembark - I'm just not convinced the HB is any good at mowing up anything other than IG, Orks and Eldar.  Eldar come in small enough units already, and Orks are too numerous to be killed by a Pred - unless they weren't really a threat to begin with.  They're not a bad unit...they just have poor duality, and, in my mind, the Rifleman is far better. Vindicator.  Combined with Bikes?  Well, it sounds pretty dumb, given the speed of Bikes, and the short range of my Melta - but actually, it might not be.  Bikes, especially against Infantry, are pretty stand-offish. Fits in perfectly with the Vindicator's role (well, apart from the area denial at which it is better...)  Stormraven.  As I've said before, I simply don't think it's possible to 'splash' these into other lists.  Requires much more thought than that, and requires a much greater points investment to not waste them than can be achieved in this list that already has 2 themes trying to merge.  Devastators.  Too static.  We want SLOW, not STOP.  ;)  AutoLas Pred.  Well, I'm very much a fan of these, I think there are a lot of lists they can fit into.  Sadly, I'm not sure if this is one of them.   We won't rule it out entirely...but, for now, we'll take 3 Riflemen.

Okay, so, we've taken 2 FA and 3 HS, and we've spent (590)+(360) = 950.  Having spent basically half our points (!) without any of the requisite things (HQ, TROOPS) or any of the unique BA things...we really need to fix that.  So, let's do both.  Assault Squads, FTW.

Assault Squad w/ Meltagun, Hand Flamer, Razorback [Las/Plas] - 175

We shall have 3 of these, I think.  Now, these boys are only getting out when they have to - they're kinda like a super-DAVU, really.  A DAVU, only with the ability to actually KILL things that aren't Gretchin or Gaunts {Actually, with FnP, even the Gaunts won't die...} As a result, they won't bbe needing any FnP themselves...though, the bikes certainly will.  So...

Sanguinary Priests:
1 w/ Bike, Combi-Melta - 95
1 w/ Bike, Combi-Melta - 95

This adds MOAR Melta to the onrush of Bikes, and ofc grants that lovely lovely FnP.  Okay, how many points is all this?  Well (using the calculator this time...) 1665.  Hrmmm.  Just 300 left (ish) means that it's finally time to take an HQ, methinks.  Well, since the main thrust of the lsit is the 22 Bikes, we shall require either a ranged support character, or a CC-ish character to support the attack...since the former don't exist, and the only option for Psychic defence is a Libby...

Librarian w/ Bike, Sanguine Sword, Wings of Sanguinius, Melta Bombs - 140

An odd choice? Well, the ability to move as a Jetbike will allow extra manoeuvrability, and let him contest things late game.  "Contest?!" you cry?  Well, yes, a T4(5) 2W character with a 3+ and no Invul doesn't truly seem to good for contesting - not that great for ANYTHING, really.  BUT, he can kill Walkers that would otherwise tarpit the unit, thanks to Sword, and he can jump out of the unit to engage minor threats, or slap Melta Bombs on minor threats.  I dunno, it requires testing - but I think this could work, as long as you don;t forget you cannot do both in the same turn.

Anyway, we're now left with 195 points.  Alas, that means no DC Dread.  lol  What I figure'd be useful now is another Elites slot.  Shocker - It'll be Sternguard.

Sternguard w/ Drop Pod, 4 Combi-Meltas, Heavy Flamer, Melta Bombs. - 195

There.  One Drop Pod, 2 Bike Squads, 3 Riflemen, 3 Razors, 3 ICs with Bikes. Job Done?  Not usre the list's anything like as god as the SM one, but here it is in its entirety...

Librarian w/ Bike, Sanguine Sword, Wings of Sanguinius, Melta Bombs - 140

Sternguard w/ Drop Pod, 4 Combi-Meltas, Heavy Flamer, Melta Bombs. - 195

Sanguinary Priests:

1 w/ Bike, Combi-Melta - 95

1 w/ Bike, Combi-Melta - 95

Assault Squad w/ Meltagun, Hand Flamer, Razorback [Las/Plas] - 175

Assault Squad w/ Meltagun, Hand Flamer, Razorback [Las/Plas] - 175

Assault Squad w/ Meltagun, Hand Flamer, Razorback [Las/Plas] - 175

Bike Squad w/ +5 guys, 2 Meltaguns, Combi-Melta, Attack Bike [Multi-Melta] - 295

Bike Squad w/ +5 guys, 2 Meltaguns, Combi-Melta, Attack Bike [Multi-Melta] - 295

Dreadnought w/ TL Autocannon, TL Autocannon - 120

Dreadnought w/ TL Autocannon, TL Autocannon - 120

Dreadnought w/ TL Autocannon, TL Autocannon - 120

The list is rather different without the ability to take Bikes as Troops, but still attempting to use them as frontline troops.  (See what I did there?)  I'm not truly convinced this'd work, and, like all my BA lists, it needs playtesting I don't have time for.  lol

Comment away!

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* - Yes, I know Mark Mercer already used this pic, but it came up when Googling, lol.  Since he didn't even use it for a BA list, I feel justified reclaiming it! :p

** - Yeah, kinda ended up as 'one' rather than 'a few'.  Problems with writing articles in 2 parts?  Maybe.  Or maybe, just the sad fact that this list was never going to be as good as I wanted.  *Shrug*