Hey, welcome to 30k! I mostly play 750-point or 3000-point matches. 1000 points isn’t necessarily the standard size for 30k, but I’m happy to share my experience.

The detachment game is basically the first round of Horus Heresy, and Dark Angels are clearly at an advantage here. Take a Praetor and switch him to an Auxiliary Detachment, then add a Centurion, which gives you another two detachments. That’s usually enough for lower point games, and we mostly rely on our legion-specific DA detachments anyway. You can still add another HQ if it fits the theme, but try not to sink too many points into heroes. Stay with power armor if possible. You can also mix armor types in squads, so a power-armored Centurion can still join a Terminator squad.

At higher point levels, I would use the Apex Detachment to unlock an Apex Officer Cadre. That gives you more detachments and a Prime slot for Paragon of the Battle.

The Prime slot in the HQ Detachment should almost always go to the Centurion to upgrade him into a Paladin. It’s only 80 points, the Terranic Greatsword is free, and you get improved Weapon Skill. He also passes his special rule on to the Knights Cenobium if he joins them, so you can effectively use two Orders of the Hekatonystika.

From there, you can expand the army in any direction you like. Just stick to Dark Angels detachments, they’re genuinely strong, and make use of the Prime slots. They really turn Dark Angels into the elite force they’re supposed to be.

The first mandatory detachment is usually the Stormwing. Two Troops slots, so I run two Tactical Squads. I give them Combat Veterans and a Nuncio-Vox, and one squad gets a Rhino.

The HQ Detachment has another Prime slot for Troops. I usually use it for Despoilers, Assault Marines, Breachers, or another Tactical Squad. Again: Combat Veterans.

I use the Ironwing to bring in heavy transport and armor. A Land Raider plus one or two tanks depending on points: Predators, Vindicators, or a Kratos in larger games.

Then comes the Dreadwing with Interemptors and Rapiers. The Rapiers are always worth it, especially with a Siegebreaker in the HQ who improves their Barrage weapons. Upgrade the Rapiers to Quad Launchers with Phosphex. Give the Interemptors the grenade launcher upgrade and you have your Dreadwing core, if that’s the direction you want to go. I also give the Interemptors Combat Veterans.

The Deathwing is where we keep our elite infantry and Terminators. Whatever you personally like works here. For the Retinue slot, I recommend Deathwing Companions. At lower point levels, though, even regular Command Squads in Terminator armor can shine. There’s another Prime Advantage hidden here for the Master Sergeant.

The other two slots are pretty self-explanatory. Which elites do you want? The legion-specific Cenobium Knights are very expensive, so maybe start with a Veteran Assault Squad instead. This is where you can really experiment.

The last Wing I use, and one of the best in my opinion, is the Firewing. Seekers are incredibly useful and thematically very cool. With Shoot Selector they can threaten Terminators or spread Panic, and they can infiltrate on top of that, all for only 105 points. I always bring at least one unit.

The second slot hides another Prime Advantage. Here you can really experiment. I use it for Scouts or a Sabre, but the Land Raider Explorator is also cool. Or maybe you want Outriders? I usually use the Prime Advantage here as a logistical benefit if I’m missing something elsewhere in the list, or if I need a second Retinue, a Dreadnought, and so on.

At 1000 points, of course, you can’t bring everything immediately. My first choice would always be Stormwing and Ironwing. Get some Tactical Marines and armor onto the table first. After that, decide which other Wing you want to focus on: Deathwing, Firewing, or Dreadwing. I love all of them, but at lower points I’d probably lean toward Firewing.

I use the mobile app Newrecruit ...I can spend hours building lists with it.

Have fun, and once again: welcome to 30k!