Email in: 2500 Blood Angel Mech/Hybrid

"Hi Kirby,

Our store is prepping for 'Ard Boyz, and I'm exploring the possibility of a Mech or Hybrid list. I've got a list that I'm happy with, but I've also thought of some other options, and cannot decide which is the best of the three. Here's the first list:

I really don't like hybrid BA but at 2500 you have some nice options to work with in upgrading Koopa's list. Let's see what you've got.

HQ: Librarian w/Shield and Fear - 100
HQ: Mephiston - 250
Elite: Sanguinary Guard w/Infernus and Banner - 240
Elite: Sanguinary Guard w/Infernus - 210
Elite: 2x Sanguinary Priest w/Lightning Claw and Combi-Melta - 200
Fast Attack: Baal Predator w/Assault Cannon & Heavy Bolter Sponsons - 145
Fast Attack: Baal Predator w/Assault Cannon & Heavy Bolter Sponsons - 145
Fast Attack: Baal Predator w/Assault Cannon & Heavy Bolter Sponsons - 145
Heavy Support: Predator w/Autocannon and LasCannon Sponsons - 135
Heavy Support: Predator w/Autocannon and LasCannon Sponsons - 135
Heavy Support: Predator w/Autocannon and LasCannon Sponsons - 135
Troops: 5 Assault Marines w/Melta in Razorback w/Assault Cannon - 165
Troops: 5 Assault Marines w/Melta in Razorback w/Assault Cannon - 165
Troops: 5 Assault Marines w/Melta in Razorback w/LasPlas - 165
Troops: 5 Assault Marines w/Melta in Razorback w/LasPlas - 165

Similar to Koopas but basically with ACLC Preds and Mephiston. You're a bit light on scoring for this points level and it's not really Hybrid which is fine with me. I really think dropping Meph in favor of one if not two more ASM RBack squads is very much worth it. The list isn't aggressive in your face. It's more mid-backfield dancing around like prancing Eldar. The SG are great beater units and can either deep-strike, hide behind the chassis and jump out as needed or run across the table pel-mel and demand your opponent kill them. Mephy only really does one of those options well (hide and jump out) so he's not bringing that much other than an awesome statline.

The Baals and the two Assault Cannon Razorbacks thrust into midfield, with the Sanguinary Guard and Mephiston behind them. The LasPlasRazorbacks hang back with the Predators and provide support and suppression fire.

The two modifications I've considered are this:

1) Drop Mephiston and replace with two more 5-man Assault Squads with Melta and Infernus in a HF Razorback (145 x 2). I'd take away the two Meltas from the LasPlas marines, and the two Infernus' from the Sanguinary Guard. This gives two more troop choices, more Melta up front, and two useful templates. I think this is the strongest upgrade as it provides more firepower and the full complement of troops. It also involves purchasing two more Razorbacks and another box of Tactical Marines to make the insides.

This is really the best idea. I wouldn't run them as HF Razorbacks though and perhaps just grab one more LasPlas or TL-Asscannon RBack squad and then give the SG PFists, the ASM infernous pistols and spare points into HKM. You really need to be careful with your ACLC Preds though to ensure you don't block their LoS with your own chassis. Practice that a lot!

2) Drop the Sanguinary Guard, and the Lightning Claws off the Priests, and add two 10-man Assault Squads with Jump Packs, 2 Meltas and a Power Fist. I don't have to buy anything more to use these guys, they give more Melta, and more scoring units. They'd play the same role as the Sanguinary Guard, hiding behind tanks and assaulting overtop of them. They also have the option to deepstrike in as suicide Melta. On the downside, they're not as good in combat as the Guard. I'd still get to keep the safety blanket that is Mephiston, however.

What are your thoughts?"

SG work really well as the 'foot' part of the Hybrid army because they are easy to hide and still hit pretty hard. You lose most of that with the ASM (particularly the hiding part) but you gain some melta. I'd stick with the SG and if you were looking at full mech, you grab more ASM RBacks and then Sternguard or Honor Guard in Rhinos which you can do quite nicely at 2500 points.