I was asked on Warseer by Generaloftheabyss how to make Blood Rodeo work @ 1k because he liked it so much. Unfortunately, Blood Rodeo just isn't going to work at 1k. Libby + 2x ASM is already 500+ points and one bike squad is all of your points gone. So what I proposed was a Jumper list at 1k which is more 'balanced' and then as the point values escalate, we can arrive at a 2k Blood Rodeo list. We obviously therefore want to incorporate as many Blood Rodeo models as possible in the Jumper lists but undoubtedly there are going to be some models in the end which don't make the cut.
We'll base our Jumper list around the VV concept as VV can easily be dropped in as ASM in the Blood Rodeo list at higher levels rather than a Nipple or Hammer list (Sanguinary Guard or Missile Devs). We know the Blood Rodeo ultimately uses Priests & ASM w/Jump Packs, TH/SS Terminators and Bike Squads + Libbies on Bikes. Priests and ASM are going to be easy to fit into a Jumper list but everything else will have to be added later. Sucks but that's the way of it. Let's start then with two full ASM squads, a Libby with pack and a VV squad with 4 SS. That's 235x2 + 125 + 165 + 80 = 840 points. Most of our points gone already. We'll add in 2 Priests w/Jump Packs and we're at 999 ouch! The final 10 points can give the VV a PFist and that's nearly 30 FNP Marines @ 1k points. Not too bad and balanced for the points level but at this points level you're going to meet the rock to your scissors often enough. The joy of balance.
Here's the list:
Libby w/Jump Pack, Shield, Blood Lance
10x ASM w/2x meltagun, PFist
10x ASM w/2x meltagun, PFist
Priest w/Jump Pack
Priest w/Jump Pack
5x VV w/PFist, 4x SS, Jump Packs
Let's upgrade this to 1500. At 1500 we're starting to get close to the points Blood Rodeo can work at but we'd really be cramming to fit in enough bubble-wrap Bikes and combat punch from the ASM & Termies so we'll stick with the Jumper theme. Again, we don't want to add too many models Blood Rodeo isn't going to use so let's add a 5-man ASM squad, another Libby and another VV squad. Whilst at this point the VV really aren't going to be replacable as models in the Blood Rodeo list since we've already got good ASM numbers, grabbing 10 plastic guys and converting them up as VV shouldn't be too expensive (hell you could just buy 2 Sanguinar Guard boxes). With these changes we get this at 1500:
Libby w/Jump Pack, Shield, Blood Lance
Libby w/Jump Pack, Shield, Blood Lance
Priest w/Jump Pack
Priest w/Jump Pack
10x ASM w/2x meltagun, PFist
10x ASM w/2x meltagun, PFist
5x ASM w/meltagun, hand-flamer
5x VV w/PFist, 4x SS, Jump Packs
5x VV w/PFist, 4x SS, Jump Packs
Which brings us to 1750 and the changes necessary for Blood Rodeo. The VV get dropped and the Libbies jump onto Bikes. The ASM and Priests can stay the same for the moment meaning we have 740 points to play with to get our Blood Rodeo rolling. First let's add the 5x TH/SS Terminators and then two squads of Bikers. Unforunately, a full bike squad costs 310 points w/MM AB, 2x meltagun & PFist which when combined with the Termies puts us 80 points over the limit. Let's drop one of the Bike squads back to 5x Bikers + ASM, flamer, meltagun & PFist then which saves us the exact 80 points we need. This leaves us with:
Libby w/Bike, Sword, Shield
Libby w/Bike, Sword, Shield
5x TH/SS Terminators
Priest w/Jump Pack
Priest w/Jump Pack
10x ASM w/2x meltagun, PFist
10x ASM w/2x meltagun, PFist
5x ASM w/meltagun, hand-flamer, melta-bombs
8x Bikes w/meltagun, flamer, PFist, AB w/MM
5x Bikes w/meltagun, flamer, PFist, AB w/MM
And that's the Blood Rodeo at 1750 (which I know you all wanted so badly) built up from a Jumper list at lower point values; perfect for an escalation league or tournament or for anyone building the Blood Rodeo but wanting to start at lower point levels.
5 pinkments:
How do you use the Terminators exactly?
Deeptstrike?
Or walk as a sort of anvil?
I depends on the opponent.
If the opponent is going to come to me I'd start them on the board, if its IG or Tau I's probably deepstrike them
http://kirbysblog-ic.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-blood-rodeo.html
That explains the use of Blood Rodeo.
I had a little discussion with Kirby about this last night. I think Rodeo can just be done at 1k, it's just not superb. But as I like to try to get the best out of what I want, instead of trying something different, I'll post my thoughts.
Librarian - Shield, Lance, Space marine bike - 135
Honour Guard - Sanguinary Novitiate, 2x Lightning Claw, 3x Storm Shield - 205
Sanguinary Priest - Space marine Bike - 85
ASM (5) - Melta, Combi-Melta - 105
ASM (10) - Melta Melta - 195
Bike Squad (9) - 2x Melta, MM attack bike - 285
Uou could just about take 2 bike squads, but are then limited by troops. You have a nice hammer unit in the VVs and the added toughness of the libby and the priest on bikes. There is a lot that can be swapped around, but I really think it's possible.
The problem with Blood Rodeo @ 1k is the hammer unit. The HG are okay but nothing on Terminators. The single bubble-wrap unit which can be split in 2 is also a huge chunk of points which doesn't provide too much with only 15 ASM backing it up. No PFists = sadface as well. I'd really say 1500 is the minimum but STRONGLY encourage 1750 as a minimum effective points level for the Rodeo :P.
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