Competitive 1750 points mechanized Blood Angels

So, after thinking through the new Blood Angels Codex over and over I have finally come up with a new competitive army list that I want to work on in my painting queue. The list is based on two paradigms by Jwolf on BoLS:

1. If you have a good unit, preferably take two for added redundancy.
2. Warhammer 40K has always been about Space Marines in tanks.

Furthermore, I want this to be an allround list that can handle virtually every opponent. Lists with über-units may get your opponent desperate on day one, but once the community has found out how to beat it, there goes your strongest ace and with it the entire list. Therefore, the focus of the following list is heavily on basic units that may not have as much punch, but a high and constant reliability over time.

***HQ***
1 Epistolary
1 Honor Guard (Sanguinary Novitiate, Blood Champion, Meltagun, Razorback, twl Las Canons)

***TROOPS***
2 Assault Squads (10 Marines, Powerfist, 2 Meltaguns, Rhino)
2 Tactical Squads (10 Marines, Powerfist, Meltagun, Missile Launcher, Rhino)

***FAST ATTACK***
2 Baal Predators (twl Assault Canons, Heavy Bolters, Dozer Blade)

***HEAVY SUPPORT***
2 Vindicators (Siege Shield)

TOTAL COST: 1745 POINTS

The tactics behind this list are very simple: use the Assault Squads, the Razorback, and the Vindicators to attack the opponent in his deployment zone. Flank in with the Baal Predators to close the trap. Use the Tactical Squads to capture mission objectives and provide supporting fire. Use the HQ to provide supporting fire as well, boost the Assault Squads, cast and protect yourself from psy powers, and deliver that instant kill if needed.

Goatboy was so nice to give me comments on an earlier draft of this list. The most important point he made that he finds the extra weapons on tanks useless as they will most of the time drive their 12″ per turn and fire their main weapon only. I sort of disagree with that since Blood Angels players know fairly well what the amount of devastating shooting a Baal Predator can lay on the table when it fires all its weapons – and at 24″ there are only few opponents that are going to charge you in the next turn.

Either way, I am on my way to building this army now. Once it’s done I’ll let you know how it’s doing in battle.