In this section we will look at the Dark Angel Fast Attack choices and the Fast Attack tactics. The Dark Angel Space Marine Fast Attack come in 3 broad groups, the Ravenwing bikes and Landspeeders, the Assault Squads, and the new Jetfighters.

Ravenwing units are better on larger tables or with smaller units in a regular 6x4 table.

Assault Squads are good for dropping in behind the enemy lines or to hit units weakened from heavy weapons fire. Like a hit squad.

The Jetfighter and the Ravenwing Dark Talon are designed as anti-aircraft fighters. These work better in Apocalypse game.

Dark Angel Assault Squad Tactics

The Dark Angel Assault Squad are regular Dark Angel Tactical Marines that have specialised in close assault. This means that they have all the same special rules that the Tactical Marines do, plus they have the option to take jump packs too.

Dark Angel Assault Squads and Jump Packs

The usual configuration for the Dark Angel Assault Squad is to have jump packs attached. This allows them to Deep Strike in to the battle field during the game to wreak havoc where ever the enemy is weakest. I usually play the Dark Angel army as a heavy weapon heavy army. With this type of army you want to soften up the opponent with a couple of rounds of heavy weapons fire before dropping your Dark Angel Assault Squad in to the action.

The jump packs on the Dark Angel Assault Squads are not as accurate as the Deathwing deep strike as the Ravenwing homing devices do not work for the Dark Angel Assault Squads.

One role that is popular for the Dark Angel Assault Squads are to drop them in behind tanks and other armoured vehicles to take them out using the special weapons that the Dark Angel Assault Squads can have. From there you can finish the vehicles off in close combat.

One issue you will have if you use the Dark Angel Assault Squads deep into the battlefield is that they will be relatively unsupported. This and the fact that they are usually few in number means that they can be easy pickings for the enemy. The way around this is to assault at the edges of the enemy force picking smaller bite sized targets. This may not be as glamorous as doing a death or glory assault on the main force but it will keep your Assault Squad Marines alive longer, and the effect of whittling down the straggling units should not be underestimated specially if they are holding an objective.

Ravenwing Attack Bike Squadron

The Dark Angel Attack Squadron consists of a number of Dark Angel Space Marine Bikes, up to one Attack Bike and if you max out the Space Marine bikes, you can take a Land Speeder too. This means that you can have a full task force in one Fast Attack option.

The Dark Angel Space Marine bikes are similar to Codex Space Marine bikes in the way that they work best when there a fair amount of clear space on the gaming table. If the table is too cramped, they foot slogging troops will be able to pen in and take down your pricey bike squadron.

If you do get the space then you want use the Attack Squadron to harass the edges of the enemy forces or if possible take some pot shots at the back of some enemy tanks where the armour is weakest, specially if the Attack Bike Squadron are packing some special weapons.

Attack Squadron strength and weapons

Attack Squadron bikers pack twin linked bolters on the bikes and a bolt pistol as a side arm. The bolt pistol can be traded in for a chain sword, as the bolt pistol can be used as an AP3 close assault weapon too, this looks like a poor trade.

Ravenwing Attack Squadrons as troop choices

If you take the Master of Ravenwing as a HQ choice then you can have Ravenwing Attack Squadrons as troop choices. This means that you can have an army that only uses Ravenwing units. I will cover this in detail in the Ravenwing army tactics.

> Also buy: Discount Space Marine Bikes from Wayland Games

Ravenwing Support Squadron

Fast Attack and scouting units frequently need some heavy support. In the Dark Angel Army, this is the role best suited to the Land Speeder.

The Dark Angel Attack Squadron consists of a number of Dark Angel Space Marine Bikes, up to one Attack Bike and if you max out the Space Marine bikes, you can take a Land Speeder too. This means that you can have a full task force in one Fast Attack option.

The Dark Angel Space Marine bikes are similar to Codex Space Marine bikes in the way that theywork best when there a fair amount of clear space on the gaming table. If the table is too cramped, they foot slogging troops wil be abe to pen in and take down your pricey bike sqaudron.

If you do get the space then you want use the Attack Squadron to harrass the edges of the enemy forces or if possible take some pot shots at the back of some enemy tanks where the armour is weakest, specially if the Attack Bike Squadron are packing some special weapons.

Attack Squadron stength and weapons

Attack Squadron bikers pack twin linked bolters on the bikes and a bolt pistol as a side arm. The bolt pistol can be traided in for a chain sword, as the bolt pistol can be used as an AP3 close assault weapon too, this looks like a poor trade.

Ravenwing Black Knights

The Ravenwing Black Knights are a new addition to the 2013 Dark Angel codex. Basically they are a squad of Veteran Sergeant Ravenwing bikers that have been given some tasty weapon upgrades.

As the Ravenwing Black Knights are veteran sergeants, they do get two attacks per close combat round basic. This will give them some extra punch over the basic Ravenwing bikers.

Ravenwing Dark Talon

The Dark Angel Ravenwing Dark Talon is a new addition to the 2013 Dark Angel codex. Designed to by a anti-infantry flyer the Dark Talon is armed with Heavy Bolters and Rift Cannon.

> Also buy: Discount Dark Angel Ravenwing Dark Talon from Wayland Games