Scrolls of the DA - Belial

To be named the Grand Master of the Deathwing is to be named a lion of the battlefield, a tactician without peer and the Chapter's most loyal paladin. Grand Master Belial, to whom the title currently belongs, has earned such an honour with deeds that would fill volumes, if the Dark Angels allowed such things to be written.

Drkmorals: The new kit for Belial fits in with the heavy iconography. I always approve of getting new models for characters and updates. However this model is a bit static for my taste so I feel like it really could use some dynamic posing. I am sure a bit of Green Stuff and a fancy base would go a long way with this sculpt.

Rules wise he clocks in at just under 200 points and as all Imperial Special characters go he comes with some bells and whistles. 

He comes with the Warlord Trait "The Hunt" which basically means you can earn extra VP's when he or his unit slays a warlord in the assault phase.. This isn't amazing but something you can keep track of for a free point or two during tournaments

The primary reason you will see him taken most often is he makes Terminators Troops.

His shooting attacks are precision shots on a 5plus which is also meh in my book. Since most the time I am thinking his weapons will be traded for the Shield and Hammer. His golden ability is unlocking troops as well as being able to Deep Strike without scatter using the Deathwing assault rules. Meaning he makes DS a very reliable dependable tactic you can plan around. 

Citizensmith:  Figured I'd cover the rest of his changes between codices as he has been improved considerably.  He's been working out a bit as his WS is up by 1, he's now sporting an Iron Halo and has been sharpening up his sword which picked up fleshbane.  As with all Deathwing models he can now pick the turn he arrives, shoot twin linked that turn, and won't scatter.  Pretty damn sexy.  Of course he is also a bit miffed about Chaos Space Marines and would take a fight with them over kicking around a few tyranids any day, and as was mentioned get precision shots 1/3 of the time.  These bonuses do come at a cost though, he's gone up 60 points!  

So you've spend 500 points on some termies.  Isn't he worth being able to bring them in exactly where you want so the cyclone takes out one vehicle while everyone else lays into the opposing command squad with twin linked fun.  Hopefully it'll be his shots that kill the HQ after the plasma cannon softened it up a bit.

Lantz: I've barely read the rules of this book, including Belial, so I'll keep my commentary on the model itself.

Warning: This may completely change your view of Belial's model for the worse. Turn away now, ye weak of heart.

 A friend of mine who plays Dark Angels made the comment that Belial looks like a mobile traffic signal. Up until the point he made mention of it I didn't see this when I looked at the model. Now that he's put that image in my head I can't unsee it and my view of this model is forever tarnished. I actually liked this model the first time I saw it, but now all I see is a Space Marine directing traffic with his sword and traffic signals...

You've read it! You can't unread it!