Sigh.
I guess it is not too early to start wishing?
First, what are the issues? Well, for one, the book was written with the strengths of 5th edition in mind. It was a very good 5th edition codex. It certainly wasn't over powered, but it was strong, and there were multiple competitive lists as opposed to some of the newer mono build books out now.
Now, on a competitive level, the Blood Angels are sitting near the bottom of the list.
Why? Well first, what made them powerful in 5th was Furious Charge and NFP on a 4+. Both were huge, as going before all other space marine, and most other models was a major advantage. In addition, a 50% chance to ignore most small arms fire sent them over the top.
But with 6th edition came major changes. First we lost the +1 bonus to initiative on Furious Charge. Then FNP had a minor change, it now only works on a 5+ but works against more shots that previously ignored it.
The only problem is that the Blood Angels were written to balance out those huge 5th ed advantages. One of their major weaknesses is the absence of affordable fire power. It was not a huge problem in 5th because there were not many armies that could put down hundreds of mid strength shots. But nowadays a single round of Tau shooting can easily wipe out any army I ever won a tournament with in 5th. So the loss of their advantages coupled with the "balancing" lack of dakka left them fluttering in the wind! And no, the Baal Predator does not help. At best it can pump out 12 shots, but has to be within 24" to do so, and will certainly die the following turn if it does.
But that is old news and has been covered to death, and is not the only thing that killed the Blood Angels.
Next came the 6th edition rule set in general. As we all know, 6th ed is the shooting edition. The newer books allow for an unprecedented amount of mid to long range, mid strength shooting. It used to be that rapid fire bolters were one of the best solutions to mowing down lots of troops. Now 20 shots is pretty much the norm from any shooty unit.
Also comes Overwatch and Interceptor.
As if the Blood Angels needed even more disadvantages... Assault a squad of 12 pathfinders with a Blood Angels assault squad is a terrible joke. First they are going to have to make at least 2 or 3 saves from that squads overwatch, but every other unit within 6" also gets to pepper them. We all know how that works by now.
Interceptor? So much for deep striking/drop podding Blood Angels. I believe they were the first to have some sort of "Skies of Blood" rule. Good luck deep striking any where on the table with riptides ignoring cover and getting a reroll on the scatter!
Again, all of this has been beaten to death.
My old pappy always said, don't complain unless you have a solution to fix your problem!
So here we go.
The Jawaballs Wishlist for the new Blood Angels Codex.
First, open up all Space Marine toys. Access to Thunder Fire Cannons will be a welcome blessing. I have not tried them yet but the ability to use the new marine units would also be nice. Besides, Marines have one of the things that made BA unique in 5th ed, the Storm Raven but Blood Angels still can't use Scout Speeders or Storm Talons...
Second, bring the points cost in line with the current marine books. I pointed out an army using Codex: Blood Angels, then did the same army using Codex: Space Marines, and got something like 14 more models on the table, including Thunder Fires, and only really gave up Blood Claws on a dread and the FNP bubble.. Blood Angels units like Vanguard Vets and Death Company have to pay a crazy amount of points for Jump Packs as compared to current marines. And Blood Angels are supposed to be the Jump Pack army! Blood Angels are simply not worth the old points any more. We all know that and this will certainly be addressed.
Third, return their ability to assault. Furious Charge is a universal special rule so they aint never getting back that bonus to initiative. But at least give them a chance to make it into assault! They need a special power, like "Blood Curdling Charge", that scares their opponents so badly that they cannot overwatch. Or at least forces them to make a leadership with an appropriate minus. That alone would give them a chance.
Fourth, give them a chance in open terrain. In order to use their new assault abilities, they still have to make it across the table and with the distance between deployment zones in some of the 6th ed mission, that is increasingly difficult. In 5th edition they got a Librarian power that gave them a cover save. Well, new armies can easily ignore cover now... How to do this? Give them tech... like air dropped barriers placed by the Thunderhawks that can provide lanes of protection as they advance. They can be little force field thingies that only last for a turn and is placed with Deep Strike rules, using Void Shield technology. What a cool tactical element to add to the game!
Fifth, new models? Blood Angels already have some of the best Marine models. The Death Company and Sanguinary Guard box sets are fantastic for creating assault themed armies. There are so many well crafted and beautiful bits that they simply don't need new models for infantry. In fact, the only thing they really need are a few new Characters. Corbs, Mephiston and Tycho are showing their age. A Sanguinary Priest upgrade sprue, in the same vein as the Commander box set would be sweet. Create a set that includes all of his options plus options for Corbs! Speakign of Corbs, return him to his HQ status, or create a Sang Priest HQ option like they have for the Reclusiarch.
Maybe a new variant to the Thunderfire... or other heavy support artillery options that any assault army would definitely have to support their advancing assault troops! Supressing artillery guns... (Dont you dare say Whirlwind)
So there you go folks. What do you think would return our beloved boys in red back to the top tables?
Jawaballs
Oh by the way I do have Comment Moderation in place still. Please be civil!