Below are my first hot takes at lists as I rebaseline myself to 9th Edition
First Up, Blood Angels
Patrol Detachment
HQ: Terminator Captain- 115: Relic Blade & Storm Shield, Relic- Veritas Vitae, Warlord- Speed of the Primarch
HQ: Terminator Librarian- 105: Force Axe, Storm Bolter, Powers- Quickening, Unleash Rage
Troops: Tactical Squad (6)- 115: Sergeant w/ Combi-Grav & Power Axe; Grav-Cannon; 4 x Bolters
Heavy Support: Land Raider Helios- 293: Helios Launcher, 2 x Twin Lascannons, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter
Vanguard Detachment
HQ: Brother Corbulo- 90: The Red Grail, Heaven's Teeth, Bolt Pistol
HQ: Terminator Chaplain- 98: Crozius Arcanum, Storm Bolter, Litanies: Invocation of Destruction, Exhortation of Rage
Elites: Terminator Ancient- 95:Lightning Claw, Relic- Standard of Sacrifice
Elites: Terminator Squad (5)- 192: Chainfist & Storm Bolter, 2 x PF & SB, Assault Cannon & PF, Sergeant w/ Power Sword & SB; Teleport Homer
Elites: Terminator Assault Squad (5)- 215: 5 x TH & SS; Teleport Homer
Elites: Cataphractii Terminator Squad (5)- 180: 5 x Dual Lightning Claw, Sarge w/ Grenade Harness
Elites: Tartaros Terminator Squad (5)- 189: Sergeant w/ Grenade Harness, Power Sword & Plasma Blaster; 2 x Combi-Bolter & Power Fist, Combi-Bolter & Chainfist, Reaper Autocannon & Chainfist
Heavy Support: Land Raider Crusader- 310: 2 x Hurricane Bolters, Twin Assault Cannon, Multi-Melta
I made this list to maximize terminators, who have become useful for their mid-board staying power. Calling it now, when the new codex drops and storm shields all become 4+ invulns, the cataphractii terminators are going to be great with their built in 4+ and the ability to still take 2 weapons.
However in the meantime, this list is meant to both be thematic and really adjust to the new battlespace. The Crusade will protect the Helios from assault and deliver one of the close combat kitted squads to the front along with 3 characters (Likely the Captain, Chaplain and Corbulo). The helios stores the tacticals, who are there to be a cheap, transportable (since the helios capacity is 6) troops choice to leave on an objecting. Loaded with grav to help take out primaris, custodes, terminators, death guard, and other high durability units showing up a lot in the early 9th meta. Shooting terminators advance on their own and the Librarian and remaining terminator squad are prime candidates for deep strike. Two teleport homers in the list are left in my back field to warp to for escape or flanking protection as needed.
Next Up, Death Korps of Krieg
Battalion Detachment
HQ: Marshal Karis Venner- 79: Momento Mori, Powersword, Hot-shot Laspistol, Warlord- Grand Strategist
HQ: Death Rider Squadron Commander- 54: Hot-Shot Laspistol, Demo-Charge, Power-Sword, Relic- The Blade of Conquest
HQ: Death Rider Squadron Commander- 52: Hot-Shot Laspistol, Demo-Charge, Hunting Lance
Elites: Death Rider Command Squad (4)- 60: 4 x Laspistol & Hunting Lance
Elites: Engineers (10)- 93: Watch Master w/ Chainsword, Shotgun & Melta-Bomb; 9 x Shotguns, Vox, Demo-Charge, Gas Grenades
Troops: Grenadier Storm Squad (10)- 97: WM w/ Chainsword & HS laspistol; 7 x HS Lasguns, 2 x Plasma Gun, Vox
Troops: Grenadier Storm Squad (10)- 103: WM w/ Chainsword & HS laspistol; 7 x HS Lasguns, 2 x Melta Gun, Vox
Troops: Grenadier Storm Squad (10)- 103: WM w/ Chainsword & HS laspistol; 7 x HS Lasguns, 2 x Melta Gun, Vox
Troops: Grenadier Storm Squad (6)- 53: WM w/ Chainsword & HS laspistol; 3 x HS Lasguns, 2 x Grenade Launcher, Vox
Fast Attack: Death Rider Squadron (10)- 150: WM w/ Hunting Lance & HS Laspistol; 9 x Hunting Lance & Laspistol
Fast Attack: Death Rider Squadron (10)- 150: WM w/ Hunting Lance & HS Laspistol; 9 x Hunting Lance & Laspistol
Fast Attack: Death Rider Squadron (10)- 150: WM w/ Hunting Lance & HS Laspistol; 9 x Hunting Lance & Laspistol
Heavy Support: Stygies Thunderer Siege Tank- 160: Demolisher Cannon, Heavy Stubber
Heavy Support: Stygies Thunderer Siege Tank- 160: Demolisher Cannon, Heavy Stubber
Heavy Support: Malcador Annihilator- 310: Twin Lascannon, Demolisher Cannon, 2 x Lascannons, Heavy Subber
Flyer: Thunderbolt Heavy Fighter- 225: 2 x Twin Autocannon, Twin Lascannon
So this list is really a standard DKK list however THEY FAQ'D THUNDERER SIEGE TANKS! THEY ARE ACTUALLY PLAYABLE! AND MALCADORS! And their low profile will be really nice in with the way terrain works now. Not to mention having 3 demolisher cannons with the new blast rules. And the malcador can now EAT UP other tanks since its twin lascannon can fire twice. And with smaller board sizes, once you get those lascannons into position, you should likely never need to move for range, meaning maximum firepower. The only downfall of these tanks are they are all still susceptible to close combat because the demolisher cannons can't fire and they have really nothing to clear out infantry. However, screening them with Death Riders will be great. Speaking of which, the new reserve rules really are great for the Death Riders, allowing some late game action by my horses. Lastly, sticking with grenadiers for their improved durability over normal kriegers and the ability to tote around some specialized firepower.
Finally, my first take at Custodes
Patrol Detahcment
HQ: Trajann Valoris- 190: Watcher's Axe, Misericordia
HQ: Jetbike Captain- 178: Hurricane Bolter, Interceptor Lance, Misericordia, Warlord- Superior Creation, Relic- Auric Aquillas, Captain Commander- Indomitable Constitution
Elites: Allarus Custodians (4)- 292: Castellan Axes, Misericordia
Elites: Vexilus Praetor- 128: Storm Shield, Misericordia, Vexilla Magnifica
Troops: Sagittarum Custodes (3)- 153: Adrastus Bolt Calivers, 1 x Misericordia
Troops: Guardians w/ Adrasite Spears (3): Adrasite Spears, Misericordia
Fast Attack: Vertus Praetors (3)- 294: Hurricane Bolters, Interceptor Lances, Misericordia
Fast Attack: Vertus Praetors (3)- 294: Hurricane Bolters, Interceptor Lances, Misericordia
Heavy Support: Telemon- 295: Caestus w/ Twin Plasma Projector, Arachnus Storm Cannon, Spiculus Bolt Launcher
Custodes are solid so far this edition, but numbers are still limited. I would likely drop Trajann in via From Golden Light with the Terminators. The Adrasite Spears are not something I've seen mentioned alot, but I like them for much the same reason I mentioned grav in the Blood Angels list- the ability to remove things like custodes, primaris etc. etc. I would run the bike squads together as cover for each other. The new "you have to reach everything you declare when you charge" makes the threat of a Stooping Dive incredible. Just keep the squads a few inches apart such that charging both is never likely, but will always be answered with a stooping dive. Running with them would be the INDESTRUCTIBLE JETBIKE CAPTAIN. 3+ invuln, 5+ FNP, 9 wounds. He is not dying. If this proves overkill though in the long run, I would likely swap Indomitable Constitution for Unstoppable Destroyer for some extra threat range. Last thing to really mention is the Telemon- Star of 9th. Dreadnoughts got better and he is king. Truly a threat to both vehicles and infantry in and out of combat. Fully expect a points hike at the first available opportunity.
