CSM in 6th Review: Raptors

The analogue of loyalist assault marines; I have always had a bit of a thing for chaos raptors - particularly from a conversion point of view. The new models however, are gorgeous and may curb my conversion desire somewhat for raptors now.

To be fair, I see raptors as now being a second rate choice for the chaos space marine fast attack slot to chaos bikers.  They do serve two slightly different purposes, but at 3 extra points per model, I'm favouring bikers these days.  But I still love you raptors...

One of the changes that raptors see in the new edition is the automatic inclusion of the fear rule.  Now, fear is a bit useless (during this extended review of the new chaos marine codex, you'll see how many times I've suggested taking an Icon of Despair for instance: which is to say zero) given the meta-game's preponderance of space marines and other fearless units.  It'll occasionally be useful against certain horde armies, but not truly fearsome at all.  They keep their frag and krak grenades (unlike their poorer Warp Talon brethren).

Otherwise, the raptors get a series of common options: two special weapons, champion with access to melee and ranged weapons, gift of mutation and melta bombs; plus the whole range of marks, icons and the veterans rule. So let's have a look at a few permutations of unit possibilities.

5 Raptors, 2 Meltaguns, Raptor Champion with combi-melta, power weapon, Veterans of the Long War (150 points)
A near-vanilla set-up with triple-melta for some tank busting and a limited amount of close combat potential to take on the contents of a transport, or a set of marines behind an Aegis defence line.

6 Raptors, Mark of Slaanesh, 2 Flamers, Veterans of the Long War, Icon of Excess, Raptor Champion with Lightning Claw and melta bombs (196 points)
A fluffy Slaaneshi squad to go after hordes and foot infantry and take on their lower initiative marine cousins in close combat.  The lightning claw takes advantage of this higher initiative, but feel free to add a second one to taste.  The Icon of Excess provides the squad with a better survivability quotient. Go forth and engage.

7 Raptors, Mark of Nurgle, 1 Flamer, 1 Meltagun, Champion with Powerfist (190 points)
A generalist squad built for speed and durability.  It has the flexibility to go after both small hordes and tanks, backed up with a champion with a powerfist for increased threat across the board.

8 Raptors, Mark of Khorne, Champion with power weapon and melta bombs, Icon of Wrath, Veterans of the Long War (213 points)
Chaaaarrrrgggge!  Add some plasma guns to taste?

5 Raptors, 2 Plasmaguns, Raptor champion with combi-plasma and power fist (160 points)
A re-positionable plasma soak unit.  Once the combi-plasma has been expended, head directly for the rear-face of a transport, try to plasma it, if not, use the powerfist.  Not terrific, but a potentially interesting choice of loadout.