Hey guys! So, you're itching to dive into the grim darkness of the far future with a 1,000-point army of Daemonkin? Awesome! This is where the fun really begins. Building a list at this points level is all about making tough choices and squeezing the most out of your units. It's a great way to learn the ins and outs of your chosen faction, in this case, the wonderfully chaotic Daemonkin. This list focuses on a blend of close-quarters combat, psychic shenanigans, and some surprisingly durable units to weather the storm. Before we jump into the details, keep in mind that Warhammer 40k is a game of constant adaptation. What works today might need a tweak tomorrow, so be prepared to adjust your list based on what you're facing on the tabletop. I'll also provide some thoughts on how to modify this list based on your preference. Let's get this started.
The Core of the Beast: Understanding the Daemonkin
Before we lay out the list, let's talk a bit about the Daemonkin themselves. They're a faction that blends the brutal efficiency of the World Eaters with the arcane power of Chaos Sorcerers, all bound together by the dark pacts they've made with the ruinous powers. This means we've got access to some nasty melee units that can tear through enemies, powerful psychic abilities to control the battlefield, and some unique units that blur the line between mortal and daemon. At a 1,000-point level, you'll have to make some tough choices. You won't be able to field everything, so you'll need to pick units that complement each other and cover each other's weaknesses. This list aims to do just that: provide a balanced army with a variety of threats. Remember, the beauty of Daemonkin is in their unpredictability. Their psychic powers can swing battles, their daemon engines can crush opposition, and their melee units can wipe out entire squads. You've got a lot of flexibility when building your army. This list focuses on a strong core of melee threats backed up by some ranged support and psychic utility. And by considering the core aspects of the faction, you will start the match with an advantage. The core strength is the combination of melee and psychic capabilities. You have the ability to inflict high damage with your combat units. The presence of powerful sorcerers, allows for control of the battlefield and can take down the enemies with damaging spells. Understanding the army composition gives you an overview of the units' synergies and potential weaknesses, it gives you the upper hand to be flexible with the game plan. With that, let's get to the list.
The 1,000-Point Daemonkin List Breakdown
Alright, here's a sample 1,000-point Daemonkin list. Remember, this is just a starting point, feel free to tweak it to fit your play style and what you have available. Each unit selection has its strengths and purpose, let's get started.
HQ: The Leaders of the Chaos
- Master of Possession: (90 points) A fantastic HQ choice for Daemonkin. He brings powerful psychic abilities to buff your units and debuff your enemies. He also has access to the Chaos familiar psychic power, which gives you an extra psychic cast per turn. This dude is crucial for your overall game plan, as he is the source of most of your abilities.
Troops: The Heart of the Army
- 10x Chaos Space Marines: (210 points) With a mix of close-combat and ranged weaponry, they can do a little bit of everything. These guys are your objective holders and can put out some decent damage. They are pretty much standard troop choices and you will want to have a lot of them.
Elites: Specialized Units
- Possessed Marines: (300 points) Two squads of 5 Possessed Marines are included. These guys are absolute monsters in combat. Their ability to reroll hits and wounds against enemies makes them incredibly efficient at tearing through opposing units. Use them to smash enemy lines or eliminate priority targets. Keep them safe until you can send them into combat, as these are a vital part of your army. Their special ability gives them the edge in combat, making them ideal at taking out enemy leaders.
Heavy Support: Ranged Firepower and Heavy Punch
- Chaos Predator: (135 points) A solid all-around tank, providing some much-needed anti-tank firepower and can help clear out hordes of enemies. This will give you some firepower and help you deal with tough enemy units. This is a great choice to take down the enemy and provide much-needed firepower. You can replace it with something else if you prefer.
Dedicated Transport: Mobile Assault
- Chaos Rhino: (80 points) This Rhino is ideal to get your units into combat. It's great at transporting your possessed marines into combat, or to protect your troops while they advance. These are ideal to get your melee units into combat quickly, and they have decent protection.
Dedicated Transport: Additional Firepower
- Venomcrawler: (180 points) This is a great option. It adds additional firepower and can be a threat to the enemy in both shooting and close combat. It also helps with the army’s anti-vehicle and anti-elite units.
Strategy and Tactics: How to Unleash Your Daemonkin
Okay, so you've got your list. Now, how do you actually play it? Here's a basic game plan:
- Deployment: Try to deploy your Chaos Space Marines to secure objectives. Position your Predator to take advantage of good lines of sight, and keep your Rhino and Venomcrawler in reserve to move them to the front lines.
- Early Game: Use your Master of Possession to cast buffs on your Possessed Marines and cast psychic powers to debilitate the enemy. Your Predator should be used to take out any immediate threats. Keep your Rhino and Venomcrawler safe and prepare for the next phase.
- Mid-Game: Push your Possessed Marines forward in the Rhino and Venomcrawler to engage the enemy. Use them to charge into combat and start smashing the enemy's front lines. Use the Predator to help eliminate the enemy's forces. Your Master of Possession should continue buffing and debuffing to support the push.
- Late-Game: Use your Master of Possession to continue casting psychic powers. You will need to focus on securing objectives, and outmaneuvering your opponent. Conserve your forces, and don't be afraid to sacrifice a unit if it means completing your objectives.
- Psychic Phase: Remember to use your Master of Possession's powers effectively. Focus on buffing your Possessed Marines with things like
