Plague Marines and You!!!

http://qkme.me/3qfh3c

So I haven't posted in awhile for multiple reasons, the biggest was the fact that I really had nothing to post about. But fortunately that has now changed. This week I wanted to discuss my very own take on the Epidemius list. I've wanted to use this character ever since I bought the $300+ limited edition starter wave that came out some 5 odd years or so ago. The only problem was running a mono-god daemon list wasn't great in any respect. However now that we get Allies in 6th that has all changed. I've been pouring over all the rules and FAQ nonsense for the past week and have finally set myself on a solid (I think) list that I'm planning on running next month at a tourney. So without any delay here it is:

Main Detachment: Chaos Space Marines

1 Chaos Sorcerer on Bike with Mark of Nurgle and Melta Bombs - 155

3x 5 Plague Marines with 2 Plasma Guns (2 have Personal Icons) - 445

8 Chaos Marine Bikers with Icon of Nurgle, 2 Plasma Guns and a Champion with a Power Fist - 334

Allied Detachment: Chaos Daemons

Epidemius - 110

2x 15 Plague Bearers - 300

Deamon Prince with Daemonic Flight, Mark of Nurgle, Cloud of Flies and Breath of Chaos - 235

Then lastly...

1 Fortress of Redemption with 2 Heavy Bolters and Krakstorm Missiles - 270

Total - 1849

So obviously the entire point of this list is to utilize Epidemius and his tally buffs. The basic way to set this list up is to put all three Plague Marines squads in the Fortress. This way whenever a flier comes in, or you fire one of the Heavy Bolters or Krakstorm Missiles you get to add to the tally. Because you have Plague Marines using the weapons, the attacks count as being from a model with the mark of Nurgle. Meanwhile you have 9 T6 bikes zooming around the board taking pot shots at everything with Plasma Guns or twin-linked Bolters. Anything they can do to add to the tally. Whats nice about the bikers as well is that their Icon of Nurgle lets you deep strike those deamons without scattering, even on turn 1. So you don't have to worry about Epidemius or your Daemon Prince being destroyed in the first turn from a mishap.

Ideally you'll be able to get that tally up or around 20 by turn 2 or 3. I mean you've got a TL Icarus Lascannon, Krakstorm Missiles, 8 Plasma Guns (2 of which are on bikes to give them more range) and then a FMC who kills 2-3 models a turn just by flying over them. Plus there's your Sorcerer who I usually give Telepathy, and then the Primus Power. With the maneuverability of the bike the 12" range of to power isn't that much or a draw back, and on average will kill about 2-3 MEQ if you successfully get it off. Each one of these attacks adds to the tally, so 20 by the end of 2 isn't too much to reach for. Now once you get to 20+ models killed your army is more or less a pack of raging pus and STDs.

So, why are we aiming for 20+ models in 2 turns? For those of you who don't know who Epidemius is, I shall explain. When you kill 5-9 models all your Plague Swords (which are what Epidemius and all your Plague Bearers have) wound on a 3+ instead of a 4+. Once you get to 10 kills all Nurgle marked models have Noxious Touch, meaning they now wound on a 2+. At 15 kills Feel No Pain is a 3+ rather then a 5+. And lastly at 20+ kills all attacks from followers of Nurgle ignore armor saves. Also, all these buffs stack. To put it into perspective, with this list, you now have 9 T6 bikers who have 2+ poisoned attacks that ignore armor saves. Now the poisoned attacks only work in CC, but the ability to ignore armor saves applies to all attacks, shooting and CC. Meanwhile all your Plague Marines sitting in the Fortress now basically have a 3+ re-rollable save, in others words they won't die.

All in all the list is decent, just looking at it and the numbers. In fact it's kind of a weak list. But if one is able to rack up those kills fast enough the entire army is nigh unstoppable. I know there are a few bad match ups that this list would have (i.e a 7+ Necron flier list), but as 6th evolves and more anti-flier tools become more readily available to everyone I feel like this list might start doing alot better. Now besides the flier list, a 20 man all Paladin list would also be hard to beat simply because of the fact that there is only 20 models. But I don't see that list being nearly as common since we don't really have KP missions anymore.

Anyways, that's the list, hope ya'll enjoy it. Feedback is more than welcome and appreciated.