This is a section where we’ll be exploring various list builds that are fluffy, unique, or that utilize underappreciated tactics and units. For players new to 30K, I’ll be putting up starter lists for all 18 legions as well as all non-astartes armies. These starter lists will give you an idea of how to approach list building with each army and will tend to utilize the core characters and units of each list. For more experienced players, I’ll be putting up deep track lists that are heavily based on fluff. I’ve tried keeping overall power in mind with each of these lists. None of them are tailored simply to win games. I’ve written them with the goal of bringing the fluff to life on the tabletop.
The first list in this series is a traitor militia force of gene-enhanced mutants and is definitely on my to-do list for the next few years. I started listening to Black Metal about a year ago and the idea for a militia army consisting of AOS Beastmen models wearing corpse paint sprung into my head about six months back. This list is unique in that it’s a force of mortals who are all geared towards melee combat and with WS4, S4, I4, and 4 attacks on the charge per model they can hold up well against astartes or even Mechanicum in the assault phase(just get put them in cover when they disembark from the Gorgons or they’ll fall like chaff to bolters.)
HQ:
- Force Commander + charnabal saber + cyber familiar + melta bombs + Planetary Overlord
- Provinces: Gene-Crafted and Feral Warriors 225 pts
(I’d recommend choosing Beloved of the People for your Warlord Trait so your army gets Hatred if your commander dies.)
Troops:
- Infantry Squad + Extra CCW + Krak Grenades + Vexilla + Blade and Fury + melta bombs(Sergeant) 100 pts
Dedicated Transport: Gorgon Heavy Transporter + Armored Ceramite + Twin Lascannons + Lascannon Sponsons 340 pts
- Infantry Squad + Extra CCW + Krak Grenades + Vexilla + Blade and Fury + melta bombs(Sergeant) 100 pts
Dedicated Transport: Gorgon Heavy Transporter + Armored Ceramite + Twin Lascannons + Lascannon Sponsons 340 pts
- Infantry Squad + Extra CCW + Krak Grenades + Vexilla + Blade and Fury + melta bombs(Sergeant) 100 pts
Dedicated Transport: Gorgon Heavy Transporter + Armored Ceramite + Twin Lascannons + Lascannon Sponsons 340 pts
- Infantry Squad + Extra CCW + Krak Grenades + Vexilla + Blade and Fury + melta bombs(Sergeant) 100 pts
- Infantry Squad + Extra CCW + Krak Grenades + Vexilla + Blade and Fury + melta bombs(Sergeant) 100 pts
- Fore Support Squad + 1x Team + 6x Heavy Flamers 150 pts
Fast Attack:
- Thunderbolt Heavy Fighter + Ground Tracking Auguries 210 pts
- Thunderbolt Heavy Fighter + Ground Tracking Auguries 210 pts
Lords of War:
- Stormhammer Super-Heavy Assault Tank + Armored Ceramite + 6x Sponson Lascannons + Targeters + Super-Heavy Command Tank 685 pts
The approach I’d take with this list is to lump in all your infantry into the Gorgons. They each have 40 transport capacity and are Super-Heavy so you can put multiple units in each. Gunline armies will find it nearly impossible to break open your transports until turn 3, and melee centered armies will be suffering against 25 lascannons laying down fire while they get close. Once in combat, your Infantry squads have 81 attacks on the charge at WS, S, and I 4. Meanwhile, you’ve got two thunderbolts to deal with any artillery hanging in the backfield or flyers going after your tanks. As a dedicated Imperial Fists player, this is not a list I would want to face. It’s got plenty of firepower and enough bodies to run over whoever’s left.
Now as with any Militia force, you’ve got to write yourself some fluff. If you’re a fan of the Black Legion books(if you haven’t read them, you certainly should.), you’ll know that the Traitor legions use beastmen and all manner of mutants and ab-humans as bolter fodder to support their warbands. This force could represent a genetic experiment by Fabius Bile or a band that follows the World Eaters around and tries to mimic their method of war. It could even be a regiment attached to the Word Bearers who experienced mutation after hanging out with Gal Vorbak for too long. I think when I eventually get to making this list a reality, I’ll have them be servants of the Sons of Horus who underwent genetic mutation after receiving the blessing of Horus Lupercal himself…..something like that.
Let me know what you think in the comments and thank you for your time.
