Dark Angels Codex Review

[Ponen19]

Not to be a complete poser, but I'll try and copy some Westriders format so we can keep some conformity among reviews. Primarily I'm going to highlight the changes between this edition and the previous one. If anyone wants to add their own observations or opinions feel free to!

General Stuff
-Fluff: Page wise theres only a few more pages of fluff as compared to the last edition, but once you take away all the pretty pictures, the edition seems to have quite a bit more fluff, at least in terms of scope and content. More legendary battles, more in depth looks at the different units and squads and more backstory on the Characters.

General Rules:
-Grim Resolve: Pretty much everything in the Codex has this special rule. Basicly the "Stubborn" rule for Marines.
-Inner Circle: Obviously a little rarer as only special people are allowed in the Inner Circle of DA's. Provides Fearless and Preferred Enemy against CSM.

Warlord Traits: The standard six traits. Five of these effect your warlord directly somehow, while the last is a twist on the "Strategic Genius" trait from the BRB.

HQ Units: All the HQ's became cheaper, except Belial who costs an extra 60 points. And most HQ's have required Warlord Traits.
-Azrael: A little better in combat and he has to be your Warlord. Biggest change is that with him in your army, BOTH Deathwing and Ravenwing are troops. Also allows you to choose your DA Warlord Trait.
-Ezekiel: Allowed to choose two powers now.
-Asmodai: Dude is a beast in CC, his "Blades of Reason" have the instant death rule, and he hates everybody.
-Belial: Better WS and better special rules, one of which allows him to snipe on 5+.
-Sammael: Better WS as well.
-Company Master: Better WS and a much better choice of upgrades. Basicly these guys are cheaper versions of named characters.
-Chaplains/Interrorgator-Chaplain: More or less the same. Chaplains have a worse BS but both are a bit more upgradeable.
-Librarian: Worse BS, allowed to choose powers.
-Techmarines: They're a thing now.
-Command Squad: Can take a special "champion" character or an apothecary, a little more upgradeable to.
-Deathwing/Ravenwing Command Squad: A command squad with bikes/termie armor.

Troops:
-Tactical Squad: They're Marines. Missile Launchers have Flakk though.
-Scouts: Now a troop choice. Worse WS and BS, but the Sergeants have the standard 4. Sniper rifles are free now.

Elites:
-Deathwing Terminator Squad: Same as before but with the splitfire rule.
-Dreadnought: Standard run of the mill walking coffins with machine guns, flamers, and power claws... For kids!
-Veteran Squad: Pretty much the same.
-Deathwing Knights: These things are scary in assault! 2-3 attacks a piece and their weapons get nasty. The main maul has an addition one shot "mode" that rips through everything. Also have a special rule that improves AP by 1 when fighting anything from the CSM Codex.

Dedicated Transports:
-Rhino: Can't really go wrong with this classic.
-Razorback: Now come with a Lascannon-Plasma gun combo.
-Drop Pod: Can't hold Termies anymore.

Fast Attack:
-Ravenwing Attack Squadron: Pretty much the same, just cheaper.
-Ravenwing Support Squadron: Multi-meltas cost points now but the Speeders are cheaper.
-Ravenwing Black Knights: A more assaulty bike squad.
-Assault Squad: Same as before, but cheaper.
-Ravenwing Darkshroud: The much hated "Flying Church", this seems like a decent thing to have if you like cover saves and assaulting. Basicly any models within range get +1 to their assault outcome and the stealth rule. More of a support vehicle than an offensive one, but helpful in the right situation I suppose.
-Nephilim Jetfighter: The better looking of the two flyer variants, this is closer to a Vendetta than a storm talon in terms of weapons and rules. Biggest things are the "Unrelenting Hunter" rule which allows the weapon destroyed damage result on vehicles to be immobilised instead. You can also switch out for an Avenger Mega Bolter, which is sorta like an assault cannon.
-Ravenwing Darktalon: Less firepower than the Jetfighter, but more douchebaggery to be had with this variant.

Heavy Support:
-Devastator Squad: More or less the same. Flakk missiles I guess.
-Predator: Doesn't have the rumored plasma cannon option.
-Whirlwind: Still a missile truck.
-Vindicator: This song also remains the same.
-Land Raider: Pretty much the same, now its the only option for Termie transports.
-Land Raider Crusader: See the "Land Raider" entry in Codex: Dark Angels.
-Land Raider Redeemer: A new Land Raider Variant. Biggest change is the model capacity of 12 and the armor melting Flamestorm Cannons. One noted feature for all Land Raiders is the "Deathwing Vehicle" special rule. This allows preferred enemy against CSM and allows re-rolls on the damage chart for penetrating hits against the Land Raider.
-Land Speeder Vengeance: Two words; Plasma. Storm. Battery. Has two modes of fire, one with more shots and another with a bigger blast.

Compliments and Complaints:
Three things really stuck out to me while reading this Codex. First was the emphasis on assault units. Maybe its a thing I've picked up from playing Guard where assaulting is a no-go, but most of the units in this book are designed or otherwise encouraged to get in close with the enemy and wreck face. Fortunately those units will do just that and do it very well. The next thing I noticed was the customization with each unit. Like Westrider pointed out with the CSM Codex, everything can do almost anything you want it to do. Granted these upgrades cost points, but they're still an option if you need them. The last thing I noticed was how cheap most things became. Like Tac Squads went down 25 points, and Librarians almost got cut in half. While this is easily balanced out by the upgrades you can buy, that still allows for a pretty cost effective squad.

Biggest complaint's so far: Maybe this is just me being picky, but this still feels like a general Marine Codex. With the exception of the Deathwing and Ravenwing related units, and new speeders and flyers, everything looks like it is or will become standard Marine units. While I understand the two Wings are what seperate the DA apart, it would have been nice to see a little emphasis on their plasma speciality, particularly in their Vet squads.

Overall Grade:
In the end this 'Dex receives an 9/10. While it is a satisfying codex with solid troops and lots of potential for customizing, some of the things that aren't in the book are kind of dissappointing. Would still recommend it for any Marine enthusiasts that want a break from an older Codex or anything that's been written by Matt Ward..... F$%k you Matt Ward...

[Paradill]

Reviews are brilliant sources of information, and if you want to post a review I will aggressively defend your right to do so. Reserving a thread beforehand seems a bit needless though. Looking forward to a review, just wish you hadn't played the "IT'S MINE HANDS OFF!" Game.

[Ponen19]

Thanks for reading everyone, hope this helped! If anyone has any questions or need me to clarify anything, feel free to say something and I'll check it out.

[Paradill]

Jan 12, 2013 11:06:59 GMT -5 Ponen19 said:

Biggest complaint's so far: Maybe this is just me being picky, but this still feels like a general Marine Codex. With the exception of the Deathwing and Ravenwing related units, and new speeders and flyers, everything looks like it is or will become standard Marine units. While I understand the two Wings are what seperate the DA apart, it would have been nice to see a little emphasis on their plasma speciality, particularly in their Vet squads

So apart from the things that set DA apart from other chapters, and the other plasma related differences that are in the codex and throughout your review, what could they have done? Have squads start with plasma weaponry, which would cost more, then have to downgrade points? You're complaint rings hollow. What alternative would you have them do with vet squads and plasma?

I see no need for a more dark angels-ey codex when this one is full of dark angels unique units. Please explain your position so I may further my understanding.

Thank you for the review.

[RedsandRoyals]

I sort of get what he's driving at, since the recent Marine books have all felt sort of the same to me (CSM excepted, obviously), but that's inevitable when, let's be honest here, they all sort of ARE the same, given they're all Marines and most of them follow the Codex pretty closely. That said, I think Plasma for a 5pt decrease might have been an option, but having not seen the book, I don't know what else they could do.

Reds

[Ponen19]

Jan 14, 2013 11:22:06 GMT -5 Paradill said:

So apart from the things that set DA apart from other chapters, and the other plasma related differences that are in the codex and throughout your review, what could they have done? Have squads start with plasma weaponry, which would cost more, then have to downgrade points? You're complaint rings hollow. What alternative would you have them do with vet squads and plasma?

I see no need for a more dark angels-ey codex when this one is full of dark angels unique units. Please explain your position so I may further my understanding.

Thank you for the review.

Well I suppose my complaint comes more from a fluff perspective. Everything I've read about them describes them being more plasma friendly then most other chapters. But in the Codex, the only plasma things they have are more combi-plasmas, a plasma land speeder, and a new plasma gun variant for their bikes. While this does show some affinity towards plasma, thats about it. I was kinda of expecting something in line with what Reds suggested, cheaper plasma weapons would have been a step in the right direction. As it is now, plasma pistols/guns are the most expensive upgrades for a squad to take, above combi-weapons, storm bolters and meltaguns. The plasma cannon is only cheaper than the lascannon and flakk ML's for heavy weapons. For Vets it would have been nice to see them take more plasma weapons, or be able to avoid "Gets Hot!" better.

Like I said, this is more of a personal complaint about the fluff and gameplay not lining up. While this is still a great Codex and something I look forward to playing extensivly, it just feels like there could have been more differences to set them apart from the other Marine's. Needed more "Look what I can do" instead of "Look what I have".

[Paimon]

Vets should get special rule Hot Potato: When this model takes a wound from Get's Hot, you may choose for another squad member to take the wound instead.

[WestRider]

A few things I think could use some expanding on:
- Azrael: He also gives any Unit he Joins a 4++. Pretty cool for DA, but awesome when he's Joined to an Allied Guard Blob.
- Librarians (including Ezekiel): Have access to Divination, but not to Biomancy. This alone makes a pretty big difference in how they operate compared to Vanilla Libbies. They're also about 2/3 the cost.

- Tactical Squads: I honestly think these guys are going to shake things up quite a bit. The ability to take either a Special or a Heavy at 5-strong opens up a lot of possibilities, and they're just ridiculously cheap. Having the option for Flakk Missiles is another Game Changer, making DA the first Army with a true option for widespread, distributed Anti-Air.

- DeathWing: The changes to DeathWing Assault make a strong Alpha Strike much more of an option. The ability to choose more freely who makes the Assault, to choose whether it happens Turn 1 or Turn 2, and to get Twin-Linked Weapons on the turn they land all make getting right up in your Opponent's face much more of an option. I think mixed Squads might actually become worthwhile, rather than just spamming Hammernators.

- RavenWing Knights: More Assaulty? They get TL Plasmaguns or Grenade Launchers with crazy debuffs on every Model, and "more assaulty" is all you've got to say about them?

- Flyers: Way too expensive for what they bring. Not bad Units, by any means, but the main comparisons for the Talon weigh in at around 50 Points cheaper, and it's really not picking up much in exchange for that.

- Devs: All they really got was cheaper, but their only problem before was that they were too expensive. Now they're on par with Long Fangs in most ways.

- Random bits of gear: The Auspex and InfraVisor deserve mention. The first can reduce Cover Saves for nearby targets. The second provides Night Vision, which passes along to any Squad the bearer Joins. Both are dirt cheap, and available to all non-Special Characters. Including the also-cheap Techmarines, who are now outside the FOC entirely.

- The various Standards also have the potential to really shake up how an Army works. I don't have the detailed Rules for them, tho, so I can't comment too much there.

- Plasma: There's actually not all that much mention of a preference for Plasma in the DAs in any of the older versions of the Codex. That arose as a thing in the Player Base as a result of a number of bits where the DAs were mentioned as having a better selection of older (and thus better) technology, but the Wargear they were given to represent this sucked, and spamming Plasma was pretty much the only viable option available to emphasize their use of rare tech, since it was the only bit of it that they had and was worth using. They now have a ton of bits of cool old tech to play with.

They also do actually have significantly more access to Plasma, honestly, what with its availability in Terminator Squads, as the standard Weapon on their super-Bikers and Bike Command Squads, and on one of the special Speeders.

- Feeling just like other Marine Dexes: Yes, because all the other Marine Dexes are using Scouting Bikes with Teleport Homers to drop double-digit numbers of Scoring Terminators in your face with pinpoint accuracy on Turn 1. </sarcasm>

Yes, the GreenWing stuff works more or less the same as the other Marines, but how that interacts with the rest of the Dex is very different, and it's going to produce a different effect on the Tabletop.

Remember that, unlike the Space Wolves or Black Templars, the Dark Angels are supposed to be a Chapter that looks like a Codex Chapter at first glance. That's always been a big part of their fluff, that they hide their divergence from the Codex Astartes for the most part. Of all the various alternate Chapters, they should seem the closest to Vanilla Marines.

- Guard Allies: DA are Bros with Guard, and I think they may be up there with Space Wolves as an Ally Option for us. Whether it's Azrael buffing a Combat Blob or a super-cheap Divination Libby buffing things while some DoubleWing action gets up in the opponent's face, they've got some really cool things to bring alongside IG.

With Guard as the Ally, our Primaris Psykers can bring Biomancy, which has a couple of options DA really like, especially the usual standouts of Enfeeble (comboing with the Black Knight Grenades) or Endurance (Utterly amazing if you manage to roll this up when using the Banner that turns Bolters into Salvo 2/4 guns).

[Paradill]

Jan 14, 2013 21:00:50 GMT -5 WestRider said:

A few things I think could use some expanding on:
- Azrael: He also gives any Unit he Joins a 4++. Pretty cool for DA, but awesome when he's Joined to an Allied Guard Blob.
- Librarians (including Ezekiel): Have access to Divination, but not to Biomancy. This alone makes a pretty big difference in how they operate compared to Vanilla Libbies. They're also about 2/3 the cost.

- Tactical Squads: I honestly think these guys are going to shake things up quite a bit. The ability to take either a Special or a Heavy at 5-strong opens up a lot of possibilities, and they're just ridiculously cheap. Having the option for Flakk Missiles is another Game Changer, making DA the first Army with a true option for widespread, distributed Anti-Air.

- DeathWing: The changes to DeathWing Assault make a strong Alpha Strike much more of an option. The ability to choose more freely who makes the Assault, to choose whether it happens Turn 1 or Turn 2, and to get Twin-Linked Weapons on the turn they land all make getting right up in your Opponent's face much more of an option. I think mixed Squads might actually become worthwhile, rather than just spamming Hammernators.

- RavenWing Knights: More Assaulty? They get TL Plasmaguns or Grenade Launchers with crazy debuffs on every Model, and "more assaulty" is all you've got to say about them?

- Flyers: Way too expensive for what they bring. Not bad Units, by any means, but the main comparisons for the Talon weigh in at around 50 Points cheaper, and it's really not picking up much in exchange for that.

- Devs: All they really got was cheaper, but their only problem before was that they were too expensive. Now they're on par with Long Fangs in most ways.

- Random bits of gear: The Auspex and InfraVisor deserve mention. The first can reduce Cover Saves for nearby targets. The second provides Night Vision, which passes along to any Squad the bearer Joins. Both are dirt cheap, and available to all non-Special Characters. Including the also-cheap Techmarines, who are now outside the FOC entirely.

- The various Standards also have the potential to really shake up how an Army works. I don't have the detailed Rules for them, tho, so I can't comment too much there.

- Plasma: There's actually not all that much mention of a preference for Plasma in the DAs in any of the older versions of the Codex. That arose as a thing in the Player Base as a result of a number of bits where the DAs were mentioned as having a better selection of older (and thus better) technology, but the Wargear they were given to represent this sucked, and spamming Plasma was pretty much the only viable option available to emphasize their use of rare tech, since it was the only bit of it that they had and was worth using. They now have a ton of bits of cool old tech to play with.

They also do actually have significantly more access to Plasma, honestly, what with its availability in Terminator Squads, as the standard Weapon on their super-Bikers and Bike Command Squads, and on one of the special Speeders.

- Feeling just like other Marine Dexes: Yes, because all the other Marine Dexes are using Scouting Bikes with Teleport Homers to drop double-digit numbers of Scoring Terminators in your face with pinpoint accuracy on Turn 1. </sarcasm>

Yes, the GreenWing stuff works more or less the same as the other Marines, but how that interacts with the rest of the Dex is very different, and it's going to produce a different effect on the Tabletop.

Remember that, unlike the Space Wolves or Black Templars, the Dark Angels are supposed to be a Chapter that looks like a Codex Chapter at first glance. That's always been a big part of their fluff, that they hide their divergence from the Codex Astartes for the most part. Of all the various alternate Chapters, they should seem the closest to Vanilla Marines.

- Guard Allies: DA are Bros with Guard, and I think they may be up there with Space Wolves as an Ally Option for us. Whether it's Azrael buffing a Combat Blob or a super-cheap Divination Libby buffing things while some DoubleWing action gets up in the opponent's face, they've got some really cool things to bring alongside IG.

With Guard as the Ally, our Primaris Psykers can bring Biomancy, which has a couple of options DA really like, especially the usual standouts of Enfeeble (comboing with the Black Knight Grenades) or Endurance (Utterly amazing if you manage to roll this up when using the Banner that turns Bolters into Salvo 2/4 guns).

Thank you for explaining things better.

[WestRider]

I've been playing DA since before the turn of the century, but they've been shelved even longer than my Chaos Marines due to a couple of terrible Dexes. So I've been almost as excited about this release as I was CSM, and have dug into the Dex pretty well already.

[dangerrod]

Well that was a quick errata and FAQ.....

www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m2960142a_Dark_Angels_v1.0A_JANUARY13.pdf

[Wraelis]

hmm, not sure if that was just a super quick response to feedback and questions... or a bit of a sloppy release on their part. The codex sounds like a lot of fun thought, I can't wait to see it in action