Looking for Advice...

[DinoDoc]

I've decided to put a BFG fleet together together to go with a SM army. I've found 2 excellent looking vendors on Shapeways. Grim Dark Bits has a cool looking Battle Barge and Strike Cruiser but appears to lack the SM Escort Ships. I could be wrong though. I lack familiarity with what the various ship types are supposed to look like and would be glad to be wrong. Armand's Miniatures and Components is another interesting vendor that has a wide variety of ships available. However, these is where I am stymied by my lack of information and I'm having trouble picking up on which is the analogous ships to the SM escorts. So I'm turning to you guys in an effort to solve this impass. This seems like an interesting game to get into (given the success of Firestorm Armada I'm surprised GW killed it) and most importantly could be an interesting art project that I would like to get correct.

[FistusMaximus]

Armands ships:
Elite Corps Lance Frigate - SM Nova Class
Elite Corps Gun Batteries Frigate - SM Gladius Class
Elite Corps Torpedo Frigate - SM Hunter Class

although imperial navy frigates can be used too, you pay 5 points more, and then they get the SM bonuses. for a preheresy era fleet (which kinda is the case when you use the captial ships from GDB), that would be fitting. you could also use chaos escorts, depends on your personal taste.

[DinoDoc]

As cool as a Heresy Era fleet would be, the army this is meant to go with is allegedly a Post Heresy era chapter (Blood Ravens) depending on what theory you believe. Oh well. Off to troll through Armand's offerings for a Battle Barge and a Strike Cruiser.

[FistusMaximus]

well, you can use the heresy era ships for a post heresy fleet too, it just means you have a very ancient (and venerable) fleet 

[DinoDoc]

well, you can use the heresy era ships for a post heresy fleet too, it just means you have a very ancient (and venerable) fleet 

Well the Blood Ravens do have a reputation for "acquiring" many things. 

[DinoDoc]

Is this a good list?

1500 Pts - Blood Ravens Naval Assault Fleet

Squadron (2#, 500 pts)
1 Battle Barge

Master of the Fleet (2 rerolls)

Squadron (4#, 580 pts)
4 Strike Cruisers

Squadron (3#, 120 pts)
3 Sword

Squadron (6#, 270 pts)
6 Gladius

Total Fleet Cost: 1470

What do you guys think would be a good use for the last 30pts?

[Cneo]

Nice fleet!

I'd swap the Swords for Hunters...some torpedoes are really nice and a squadron of 6 Gladius have enough mobile firepower.

[Seahawk]

Heh, I remember in the past when I was told my exact same fleet list wasn't so good...

But it is good and balanced, and will take you far when played right. Get those shields on the strike cruisers! (drop the rerolls for even more shields!)

[DinoDoc]

But it is good and balanced, and will take you far when played right. Get those shields on the strike cruisers! (drop the rerolls for even more shields!)

4 Shields puts me 5 pts over. Are 3 shields in a 4 ship squadron a viable choice?

[horizon]

Heh, I remember in the past when I was told my exact same fleet list wasn't so good...

Thanks FAQ2010 for that.

And, yes, those shields are needed.

And some torpedo escorts will indeed be a nice asset.

[DinoDoc]

How's this? Switching out the Swords for Cobras allowed shields to be given to everyone!

1500 Pts - Space Marine Fleet - Blood Ravens Naval Assault Group

Squadron (2#, 475 pts)
1 Battle Barge, 475 pts (Leadership x8)
1 Master of the Fleet

Squadron (4#, 640 pts)
4 Strike Cruiser, 640 pts (Shield Upgrade x4)

Squadron (6#, 270 pts)
6 Gladius, 270 pts

Squadron (3#, 105 pts)
3 Cobra, 105 pts

Total Fleet Cost: 1490

[DinoDoc]

Just placed my first order for ships on Shapeways. Here's hoping that it goes well. Anyone know a good commission painter for when I get the whole fleet?