Overview of the Blood Angels - Retribution rules

Hi guys,

So after an amazing weekend we have been flicking through the new book Retribution and looking at all the new characters, rules and campaigns. Notably, for myself, I have been checking out the new rules and rites of war for the Blood Angels. For those that haven't seen them yet I will be going over what is in the new book. I wont be going over word for word over the pages but give a brief explanation of the rules that are applicable here. So lets dive in:

First and foremost, there are no characters or Sanguinius rules in this book. This is just a taster for rules so people can now pick up a legion and tune it to the rites of war. This is also the same for the Dark Angels and White Scars, which were also featured in this book. 

BLOOD ANGELS RULES

Legiones Astartes

Of course they have the Astartes special rule like all of the Legions. This allows units to regroup regardless of casualties, at their leadership value.

Encarmine Fury

This is a tasty little rule which is a great rule suited to the 9th legion. This allows any model with a melee weapon, in an assault, to wound a model with one lower result than required. So for example lets say you have a s4 weapon fighting a t4 enemy. Rather than on the chart having to roll a 4+ to wound it becomes a 3+, and so on to a minimum bonus of 2+. 

This is a great rule that showcases the melee prowess that the Blood Angels are known for. Get your despoilers at the ready!!!

Without Remorse, Without Relent

This is a rule that forces any model with the Blood Angel Legiones Astartes (going to shorten this to BALA for the duration of this post) to make Sweeping Advances where possible, and makes them unable to Go To Ground voluntarily.

This makes sense as they would be relentless in their assaults and keep going no matter what.

Host of Angels

This is a restriction on the army lists you may use. This rule forces Blood Angels armies to not have more units with the Vehicle special rule than those with the BALA special rule. 

This will need to be concentrated on as this will inevitably limit a player to certain Rites of War. Basically we all just need to be sure we take a lot of infantry and only a couple of tanks and flyers as a small support option to the ranks.

BLOOD ANGELS WARGEAR

Some nice options are available to the Blood Angels here, most of which allow the swapping of wargear and the rules regarding this, and a certain lovely prototype weapon....

Here is a list of weapon change options for certain units;

Any model with the BALA rule that can take Volkite Serpentas can take hand flamers instead for a small points increase, and any which can take a plasma pistol can take an Inferno pistol instead (read below for the description) for the same points increase as above.

Any leader option (a model that is a Praetor, Consul or Centurion) with the BALA rule that can take a power fist can take a new weapon called the Blade of Perdition (yes I'm excited too....!!!! See below for rules)

So what do these new weapons mean and look like? Here is a brief look below:

-The hand flamer is your typical flame pistol, with s3 ap6

-The Inferno pistol is basically a melta pistol. It has a 6" range, s8 ap1 with the Melta rule. Very handy I think to include this with your various assault squads to have a go at those pesky tanks your adversary will no doubt place in front of you!!

-The Blade of Perdition, a marvellous creation in my opinion!! Its a master crafted, two handed sword that hits at the users strength and has an ap2 value. "But Darko", I hear you cry, "that doesn't sound so menacing...." But you see the Blade has a special rule called Deathfire. This is a tasty rule that causes every wound you make with this sword doubled!!! Tell me that isn't exciting and I would say you have already succumbed to the Bloodlust!!!! And even the extra wound has to be saved seperately!! A great weapon that I think will be very defining in your custom characters that you have in mind.

Now the Blood Angels also have access to a vehicular prototype weapon. This weapon is called the Iliastrus Pattern Assault Cannon. 

This is a unique weapon that replaces any unit including vehicles with heavy flamers if you so wish for a few extra points, and the Predators main cannon for free. This has 4 shots with it, a 24" range, with s6 ap4 and the rending special rule. 

It does have a slight drawback rule called Malfunction. This effectively is a 'Gets Hot' parody which can cause the weapon to permanently break down if too many '1' dice results are rolled to hit.

A lot of great unique choices here that anyone playing a IXth Legion army will be very excited to use. I will definitely be throwing some of these into my army lists!!! But lastly lets look to the Rites of War that the Blood Angels can use.

Really enjoyed going through and looking at the new things coming for the Blood Angels. In another post I will go over what Rites of War the IX Legion can be subject to and even throw out some example lists that I have concocted from these. Also I am very excited to see what characters will be forthcoming, and how Sanguinius will be depicted in his entry when his book is released.

What do you guys make of the new Blood Angels introduction? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below :)

Darko Thane