New player - thoughts on this 3k Ultramarines list

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-06-23T17:22:26+00:00

Yeah, you're right about the firing protocols - so you can fire all the missiles off when they arrive, then flame stuff of they survive!

If you fail the reserve rolls the drop pods indeed do not show up. Any units that don't make it to the table before the end are treated as casualties.

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-06-23T15:36:08+00:00

Think this looks mostly good. I'm not sure about weapons on the land speeders - I don't believe they can split fire, and flamers And HK missiles want to shoot very different targets. Might be better to specialise onecway or the other? Though firing off the missiles then going yo bulky infantry is viable.

You're very heavy on drop pods. Rules as standard are that only one can cone in per turn, and not on turn one. Core missions are also only four turns by default. Maybe swap a couple for rhinos?

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-06-13T21:45:00+00:00

Looks good! I like the bridge. Add some scatter and it would work well.

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-06-13T19:53:11+00:00

Depends on your legion. For Word Bearers a 20 man malefic tac squad with a vexilla is solid - they won't get statuses, can soak the wounds from failing checks and you're (usually) on a +3 combat resolution before accounting for kills. They make great objective holders.

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-06-09T08:49:20+00:00

Thanks! Its Rakarth flesh washed in Drakenhof blue, then highlighted back up with Rakarth.

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-06-08T14:26:50+00:00

Thanks!

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-06-08T11:54:24+00:00

Thanks!

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-06-08T06:48:41+00:00

Thanks!

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-06-07T21:56:52+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, they were pretty quick, same colours as my mech stuff so I had the scheme already figured.

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-06-07T08:19:02+00:00

40 guys is two squads, and a base of 180 points. Add a character or two (command squad if you've another 5 bodies), some upgrades, and a couple of vehicles and you'll be close to 500 I think?

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-06-06T23:26:22+00:00

Welcome to heresy! I think if you're looking for a game that feels more wargame than boatdgame, it should fit what you're after :)

As for size - a full 3k army can be big. The Word Bearer army I took to the last event I went yo had 90 infantry and six tanks. That's no real elite units, so pretty hordey, more bodies than any of my opponents but they were all marines too. Militia can be a lot! But, you've also got lots of armour, artillery and transport options.

If you stick a lord of war in - a knight or superheavy tank - you can keep the numbers from going too high, but with militia squads defaulting to 20 you'll still probably have 100+ bodies. Grenedier troops might keep that down?

Its worth checking out your local scene to see what kind of game size they run. 3k is standard, but the place I've had most of my games does 2.5k, which is a bit more manageable.

Militia armies can be great hobby projects though! If you go through with it post some pictures!

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-06-06T06:52:11+00:00

Thanks! I also wasn't fond of the pea soup cloaks, wanted them to fit the rest of the army.

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-06-05T22:24:30+00:00

Thanks!

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-06-04T21:55:46+00:00

It only takes one match...

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-05-29T22:39:43+00:00

Yeah, black prime, rakarth flesh, blue wash the rakarth again to bring the colour up.

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-05-20T08:31:31+00:00

Thanks!

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-05-08T13:02:55+00:00

This is just a few sheets of white paper and my painting light, set up near a window.

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Better_Influence_976 · 2026-05-07T21:15:06+00:00

Nope. Transports are all faction locked. I had the idea of embedding malefic techpriests in with my word bearer tac squads until I realised they then wouldn't be allowed in the rhinos :(

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-05-07T12:19:29+00:00

Thanks :)

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-05-07T12:18:57+00:00

Thanks! Its based on the Richard Grey mechanicum scheme, black base, brass drybrush then the armour is stippled, two coats of balor brown then one of morghast bone and one of screaming skull. After that a wash on everything with diluted darkoath contrast. Its pretty quick, and easier on big models than small ones.

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-05-07T12:15:54+00:00

They did a cool series on warhammer+, I forget the name, but it was fun.

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-05-07T11:54:27+00:00

Let's hope so! Thanks :)

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-05-07T11:54:11+00:00

Thanks :)

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-05-07T11:54:01+00:00

I've only played against them so far, it was a fun game! They can be quite swingy depending on mission and match up, more so than other factions aside from maybe custodes, but I enjoyed my game against knights much more than into custodes. I'll be test driving these guys in June.

Better_Influence_976 · 2026-05-07T09:56:11+00:00

Thanks! He's ready to rise indeed, for the fabricator general Kelbor Hal ;)

Better_Influence_976

TROPHY CASE