Daemon dataslate and point changes!

So, the moment we have all been waiting for is here!

I scrambled to get this written up as soon as the dataslate and points update dropped just so I could share the amazing changes we have gotten as a faction!!!

Point changes

Indomitable Onslaught +10pts

So, the 8 wound phase cap has been bumped to 50pts making the thirster 360pts. Not a huge change and you will still see him in competitive lists.

Karanak -10pts

Karank drops 10pts to 90 which is cool. It may not seem all that great until you realise Flesh Hounds have now become almost mandatory for Daemons, and Karanak makes your flesh hounds slightly better with the standard re-roll 1's to wound but also flat re-rolls to wound vs psykers. Plus, who don't love a great big 3 headed angry dog!

Bloodcrushers -5pts

Going down to 40pts, means a unit of 3 is now 10pts cheaper than a unit of 10 letters.

Though I still think letters are better overall, a unit of 3 is definitely worth considering due to better toughness, 4+ combat save and more wounds.

Flesh Hounds -4pts!!!!!!!

Ermm, what!! Flesh Hounds went from 95pts for 5 to 75pts for 5! This is pretty amazing, making them one of the best value for points in the book, damage 2 on the charge, deny the witch and making the Contempt for Sorcery deny a 3+ if the caster is within 12" of Hounds, I am already planing 3x5 as good cheap skirmishers units! Expect to see alot of Hounds running about the Battlefield!

Skullcannon -10pts

I think this is a great little change, it gives you some fairly decent range on a good tough platform with some good combat aswell. All for 90pts.

Fateskimmer +10pts 

The Fateskimmer is now 150pts base, which I don't think was necessary. They are in most lists but I don't think 140-150pts was undercosted, though 150-160pts is still incredibly good for what you get and they will still be in most lists.

Lord of Change +10pts & Master Mutator +5

The LoC is now 310pts base and master mutator has been bumped to 35pts, making him 345pts with this build (his best build).

He is still good, and worth his points with his mortal output and his durability.

Pink Horrors -1pt

140pts from 150pts for 10 Pinks, that's pretty good. They are now the most expensive Troops choice but considering this get's you 10 guys with a 3+ Daemon save at range that split into 2 blues on a 4+ which then split into a Brimstone on a 4+ makes for a decent backfield objective holder.

Screamers -5pts

Definitely one of the biggest changes in my opinion, 75pts for a decent skirmisher unit that can do mortals when it moves over units, has a 3+ Daemon save at range with 3 wounds, moves 16" and can teleport when advancing.

The issue is they directly compete with Hounds, and with the new Arks of Omen detachment, you basicly have to make your decision of 3+ Elites or 3+ Fast Attack.

Great Unclean One & Rotigus -20pts

The fatboys take a sizeable 20pts drop, definitely bringing them more into the conversation for which big boys to bring. Alongside the myriad of drops Nurgle got, I'd say plague and rot is definitely back on the menu!

Plaguebearers -2pts (yes!!!!)

Oh this one makes me happy. 130pts for 10 Plaguebearers brings them in line with letters and just abit more expensive than nettes.

T5, 2 wounds, auto wounding on 6 to hit with ap-2 and the many ways to buff them like 2 damage, +1 toughness and double obsec, Plaguebearers definitely make you think about your troop choices now, becoming a very good back and midfield objective holding unit!

Beasts -10pts

So Beasts were already on the precipice of being a great unit. I still think another 5pts could have been shaved off, but 210pts for 3 T6 7 wound blobs that heal all their wounds at the end of the Phase if they don't get killed. Not to mention the 6 str6 ap-2 2 damage attacks that do 2 mortals if they hit on a 6 and the 6" heroic. Definitely a consideration for alot of lists and a near auto include for disciples with Belly's warlord trait being able to give them re-roll hit rolls!

Drones -5pts

I really want to like Drones, and at 200pts for 5 I do think they have good play. They can be buffed up just like plaguebearers but just like the screamers, they compete with Hounds and lose that battle. If you are taking fast attack as your compulsory then I'd definitely consider a unit.

Syll'Esske -20pts

While I don't think this makes you want to take them anymore than before, atleast they are cheaper than a winged prince now. In a mono slaanesh list they are a consideration atleast.

Fiends -5pts!!!!!!!

I'll refer back to my Flesh Hound reaction, ermm what!!! Fiends were already good and seeing play, but now 150pts for 5 instead of 175pts, that's huge!!

Fiends alongside Hounds are definitely our top units now, four legged daemons about to take over this meta!

Forge World Greater Daemons -50/50/45/40

All four of the FW greater daemons took point drops, Anggrath and Aetaos-rau-keres took 50pt drops, Scabby dropped 45pts while Zarakynel fell 40pts.

I still don't feel they are that viable, but atleast you can fit a few more things in around them if you want to run them alongside some other greater.

Dataslate change

So we only took the the one dataslate change, and it is a big (and a real lazy) one at that.

Flamers no longer auto-hit.... the most flamery of flamer weapons has to roll to hit.....

I would of been happy with the rumoured d3+3 auto-hit shots, but nope. GW were lazy.

Saying that, I still think Flamers are good, still pump out a load of shots, hit on 3+ which can be boosted to 2+ through the warpstorm and can get re-roll 1's to hit through Belly, a Daemon Prince or a Lord of Change.

They are still cheap for what they are and can take a real beating at ranged.

Overall while a lazy change, I do think Flamers are still a need in alot of competitive lists as they perform a roll nothing else really does.

Overall, we came out of this amazing! We still have to wait and see what our secondaries look like in Arks, and how the new detachment works with warpstorm, but overall we took few point hikes and alot of point drops of units that were either almost good or already good. Nurgle is now much more viable and our best unit that needed a nerf, while taking a big nerf is still in decent shape!

My initial wants for my lists going foward after seeing all this is 2x5 Fiends, 3x5 Hounds and 1x3 beasts. Then some Flamers, Troops and characters to flavour! I'm super excited to see where the meta goes for Daemons from here!!