One of the most frustrating aspects of any list building exercise is balancing what you like and what you need. The Psycoteaz list concept was looking to balance this by bringing a nice amount of Purifiers, Psyfledreads and melta-options from Henchmen. This provided a particular balanced between Psycannons and melta-weapons to deal with tanks whilst not skimping on anti-infantry potential. The problem with the early iterations of these lists was shoving too many points into Purifiers for no necessary reason (i.e. lots of combat upgrades).
So with that in mind, let's see what changes can be made to streamline this list even further as our understanding of Grey Knights has grown. We'll be keeping the same general concept - Coteaz + Purifiers with cheap scoring options backed up by Dreadnoughts. Not exactly an amazingly innovative list but hey, lots of fun stuff! To business...
The main issue with the previous list is the middle of the ground, jack of all trades, master of none Purifiers. Yes they have good anti-infantry and anti-tank in both shooting and combat but as ever, they are still Marines and when they have so many jobs, losing these guys early (which isn't exactly that far-fetched) can hamper the way the list runs. Solution - make the list less reliant on them whilst still fully capable of using them. The easiest way to do this really is give them a focus - shooting or combat. Combat is a bad option - whilst with grenades and Halberds they can be disgustingly effective in combat, they are a lot easier to stop before they get to combat being Marines (and not for example Terminators) and if they ever get hit in reply, they don't have invulnerables. So let's keep them shooty with combat as back-up (i.e. Cleansing Flame + single Daemon Hammer).
With that in mind, and remembering we want lots of Psycannons, we're going for a large unit of 10x Purifiers with 4x Psycannons, 2x Daemon Hammers and a transport. With combat squads this allows us to split the Purifiers into 2x5x Purifiers w/2x Psycannons and a Hammer. Look familiar? This gives us a lot of firepower which can engage multiple targets pretty easily. If we could a Grand Master into the list as well...who doesn't like Scouting or scoring Purifiers? Anyway a single squad in this configuration costs a minimum of 330 points with a Rhino so we're only going to purchase two for the moment and we'll get them with Psybacks.
10x Purifiers w/4x Psycannons, 2x Daemon Hammers, Razorback w/Psybolt Ammunition
10x Purifiers w/4x Psycannons, 2x Daemon Hammers, Razorback w/Psybolt Ammunition
This takes up a staggering 680 points and with Coteaz and the three Psyfledreads added in, we're already at 1185 points.
Coteaz
Dreadnought w/2x twin-linked autocannons, Psybolt Ammunition
Dreadnought w/2x twin-linked autocannons, Psybolt Ammunition
Dreadnought w/2x twin-linked autocannons, Psybolt Ammunition
With the 815 points left we need our Troops and if possible, would like to fit in a Grand Master for scoring or scouting Purifiers. The issue here is going to be where is the Grand Master going to go? Furthermore, two more transports for the Purifiers to use when they combat squad would also be greatly appreciated.
With this in mind let's get rid of the points we want to use on the Grand Master and see what we can do with what we have left. We'll take the Grand Master with Rad Grenades, Blind Grenades, an Incinerator and a Master-Crafted Nemesis Sword for 205 points. This gives us a decent beat-stick in combat with a 3++ and some nice utility beyond Grand Strategy with the Incinerator and grenades. We could add a Psycannon if we like but that's really expensive.
Grand Master w/Rad Grenades, Blind Grenades, Incinerator, Master-Crafted Nemesis Force Sword
This leaves us with 610 points to work in our Acolyte squads which isn't really enough so let's drop the Grand Master for now and we're back to 815. Remember we want two extra transports if possible for the Purifiers so taking units which can work outside of said transports. This generally means ranged units such as Jokaero or Servitors and without access to two Inquisitors, Servitors aren't the best choice. Taking two units with two Jokaeros and a handful of Acolytes for excess wounds gives us a unit which scores, has some ranged firepower, is decently durable with cover and the Acolytes and allows us to grab an extra transport. Each of these units would cost 136 points.
2x Jokaero, 4x Warrior Acolytes, Razorback w/Psybolt Ammunition
2x Jokaero, 4x Warrior Acolytes, Razorback w/Psybolt Ammunition
This leaves us 543 points which is easily enough for four squads of Acolytes with meltaguns and associated transports. A squad of five Acolytes with three meltaguns and a Psyback costs 100 points. Four of these will cost 400 points leaving us plenty of points to fiddle with the list.
5x Warriors Acolytes w/3x Meltaguns, Razorback w/Psybolt Ammunition
5x Warriors Acolytes w/3x Meltaguns, Razorback w/Psybolt Ammunition
5x Warriors Acolytes w/3x Meltaguns, Razorback w/Psybolt Ammunition
5x Warriors Acolytes w/3x Meltaguns, Razorback w/Psybolt Ammunition
And we've got 143 points to fiddle with... We have 11 vehicles, 12 meltaguns, 8 psycannons and 53 infantry which are quite nice numbers. A few tweaks and we have a perfect 1850 list but to take this to 2000... We don't really have enough points to get a small Purifier squad though we could get a small Interceptor squad if we want. Eh to that really. Without any units really operating outside of their transports and moving forward, the Psycannon Inquisitor isn't going to fit too well either and although we could get the Grand Master into the army by dropping some meltaguns, we have the issue of where to put him.
With this in mind it's time to use these points as upgrades! With only eight psycannons we could grab some more of these so we'll upgrade some of the Psybacks to Passbacks on the Acolyte squads. Each upgrade costs 35 points so all four would cost 140 points and take us right up to the points limit. Three searchlights and bang, 2000 points.
Coteaz
10x Purifiers w/4x Psycannons, 2x Daemon Hammers, Razorback w/Psybolt Ammunition
10x Purifiers w/4x Psycannons, 2x Daemon Hammers, Razorback w/Psybolt Ammunition
5x Warriors w/3x meltaguns, Razorback w/twin-linked Assault Cannons, Psybolt Ammunition
5x Warriors w/3x meltaguns, Razorback w/twin-linked Assault Cannons, Psybolt Ammunition, Searchlight
5x Warriors w/3x meltaguns, Razorback w/twin-linked Assault Cannons, Psybolt Ammunition, Searchlight
5x Warriors w/3x meltaguns, Razorback w/twin-linked Assault Cannons, Psybolt Ammunition, Searchlight
2x Jokaeros, 4x Warrior Acolytes, Razorback w/Psybolt Ammunition
2x Jokaeros, 4x Warrior Acolytes, Razorback w/Psybolt Ammunition
Dreadnought w/2x twin-linked autocannons, Psybolt Ammunition
Dreadnought w/2x twin-linked autocannons, Psybolt Ammunition
Dreadnought w/2x twin-linked autocannons, Psybolt Ammunition
Totals: 2000 points (22 KP)
53 infantry, 11 vehicles
So we end up with 12 effective psycannons (four being relentless), 12 meltaguns, four psybacks, the usual assortment of Dreadnoughts and 12 stormbolters. A little light on anti-infantry but the psycannons and psybacks can help out there.
This list has streamlined the use of the Purifiers to being primarily a shooting unit and essentially given us four of the MSU options whilst keeping the bodies and meltaguns from the Acolytes. With the additional Jokaeros we also have some additional ranged firepower and scoring ability from the backfield. A lot of kill points with the combat squadding Purifiers...but a lot of firepower as well.
Have at it.
