VITAL SIGNS — Theory: BSData BSData v10.6.0, matched-play filtered. Performance: weighted aggregator-source comparison. Practice: recency-weighted top-player tier lists. Attention: combined Search and YouTube engagement.
DOSSIERS · FACTION

Dark Angels

10TH EDITION · BSData v10.6.0 · CAPTURED 2026-05-18
BROADLY CAPABLE AUTOMATED
← All dossiers   ·   Strength Index
HOW TO READ THIS PAGE

WHAT DO THE Z-SCORES MEAN?

Every “Theory Z” number on this page is a comparison to all matched-play units across all factions in the current dataset. Zero is the population average. A unit at +1.0 is one standard deviation above average — roughly the top 16% of all units in the game on paper. +2.0 is the top 2–3%; exceptional. The scale works the same way going down: −1.0 is the bottom 16%, −2.0 the bottom 2–3%. These numbers measure what units should do against fixed reference targets — they do not predict tournament outcomes. A faction’s score is the average of its units’ z-scores; small-roster factions have less smoothing.

HOW TO READ THE RADAR CHARTS

Each radar chart has five axes radiating out from the centre. The faction’s average performance against each target type (left chart) or against each threat type (right chart) is plotted as a point on each axis, and the points are connected to form a polygon. The inner pentagon marks the population average (0σ); rings move outward by one standard deviation each. A point past the +1σ ring means the faction performs meaningfully above average against that target or threat. The polygon’s SHAPE shows specialisation — pointy means strong in one direction and weak in others; broad and even means the faction has comparable capability across the board. A polygon that’s far from the centre overall (whether pointy or even) means a strong faction in that dimension; a polygon clustered near the centre means roughly average.

WHAT DO THE PANELS MEASURE?

OFFENSIVE — OUTPUT PER TARGET
Light Infantry
Cheap, lightly-armoured swarms with lots of bodies.
EXAMPLESTermagants, Cultist Mob, Boyz.
BASELINET3 Sv5+ W1, 10-model squad
MEQ (Marine-equivalent)
Standard power-armoured infantry, the bread-and-butter of the game.
EXAMPLESTactical Marines, Intercessors, Warriors.
BASELINET4 Sv3+ W2, 5-model squad
Heavy Infantry (Heavy infantry / elite)
Tough, expensive, durable infantry with invulnerable saves.
EXAMPLESCustodian Guard, Terminators, Possessed.
BASELINET6 Sv2+ Inv4+ W3, 3-model squad
Light Vehicle (Light vehicle / transport)
Mobile transports and lighter walkers.
EXAMPLESRhinos, Wave Serpents, Sentinels.
BASELINET8 Sv3+ W10, single model
Heavy Vehicle (Heavy vehicle / monster)
Tanks, monsters, and knights.
EXAMPLESLand Raiders, Hierodules, Imperial Knights.
BASELINET11 Sv2+ Inv5+ W22, single model
DEFENSIVE — DURABILITY PER THREAT
Small Arms
Standard infantry shooting; bolters, lasguns, autoguns. Lots of average shots that chip through wounds.
EXAMPLESBolter, lasgun, autogun.
BASELINES4 AP0 D1, 2 attacks per attacker
MEQ-Killer
Anti-Marine workhorses; cuts through power armour but does not crack tanks.
EXAMPLESHeavy bolter, plasma weapons, heavy stubber.
BASELINES5 AP1 D2, 2 attacks
Armour Cracker
Anti-light-vehicle weapons; punches through 3+ saves and threatens transports.
EXAMPLESMeltagun at short range, krak missile, autocannon.
BASELINES10 AP3 D3, 1 attack
Anti-Tank
Dedicated tank-hunters.
EXAMPLESLascannon, las-talon, dedicated heavy weapons.
BASELINES14 AP3 D6, 1 attack
Knight-Killer
Top-tier anti-armour; weapons designed to one-shot heavy titans.
EXAMPLESMelta-tier weapons, lance-tier weapons.
BASELINES16 AP4 D6+2, 1 attack

VITAL SIGNS FOUR-SIGNAL FACTION VIEW

THEORY
—
matched-play view · 16 units
PERFORMANCE
45.9%
weighted across 3 src · 2128 games
view the Archive’s raw pull ›
PRACTICE
3 (≈ B)
recency-weighted mean · n=2 publications
ATTENTION
71.5
raw combined · src 2/2
COMPOSITE Z (DEFAULT WEIGHTS)
+0.1679
± 0.1017
Adjust the signal weights on the Strength Index.

PER-TARGET / PER-THREAT RADAR FACTION-MEAN Z-SCORES OF MATCHED-PLAY UNITS · -2σ TO +2σ SCALE

OFFENSIVE — OUTPUT PER TARGET
Light InfantryMEQHeavy InfantryLight VehicleHeavy Vehicle-2σ-1σ0σ+1σ+2σ
Offensive specialisation: meq, light infantry.
DEFENSIVE — DURABILITY PER THREAT
Small ArmsMEQ-KillerArmour CrackerAnti-TankKnight-Killer-2σ-1σ0σ+1σ+2σ
Durability profile sits within ±0.3σ across all five threat archetypes — no pronounced defensive specialisation.

LIST BUILDER

No units selected · select units below to build a list view

Select units in the table below to overlay a list view polygon (cyan) on the radar charts above. Average z-scores recompute live as you toggle selections.

UNIT LAB SORTABLE BY UNIT, POINTS BAND, THEORY Z · 16 MATCHED-PLAY UNITS

UNIT ▾ BAND ▾ THEORY Z ▾
＋ Lion El'Jonson BAND 5 z +1.3812
LOADOUT · ➤ Arma Luminis - bolt · ➤ Arma Luminis - plasma · ➤ Fealty - strike · ➤ Fealty - sweep
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z +2.2397
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +1.1265
MEQ +2.2615
Heavy Infantry +2.0103
Light Vehicle +2.4036
Heavy Vehicle +3.076
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z +0.332
PER THREAT
Small Arms +0.4754
MEQ-Killer -0.2614
Armour Cracker -0.555
Anti-Tank -0.4769
Knight-Killer -0.9451
configuration_id: 15d3-ebc7-d28b-daf4
＋ Land Speeder Vengeance BAND 4 z +1.2233
LOADOUT · Close Combat Weapon · ➤ Plasma storm battery - standard · ➤ Plasma storm battery - supercharge · Assault cannon
chosen from 2 alternatives · highest mean Output Index across target panel
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z +1.5209
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +1.3645
MEQ +1.5152
Heavy Infantry +1.5708
Light Vehicle +1.5227
Heavy Vehicle +0.9356
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z +0.8596
PER THREAT
Small Arms +0.9427
MEQ-Killer +0.3378
Armour Cracker +0.4389
Anti-Tank +1.0946
Knight-Killer +0.155
configuration_id: b4a0-d2fe-a988-f28b
＋ Ravenwing Command Squad BAND 4 z +1.0226
LOADOUT · Black Knight combat weapon · Bolt Pistol · Black Knight combat weapon · Bolt Pistol · ➤ Plasma talon - Standard · ➤ Plasma talon - Supercharged · ➤ Plasma talon - Standard · ➤ Plasma talon - Supercharged · Bolt Pistol · Master-crafted power weapon · ➤ Plasma talon - Standard · ➤ Plasma talon - Supercharged
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z +2.3993
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +2.8526
MEQ +2.9892
Heavy Infantry +2.0216
Light Vehicle +1.4753
Heavy Vehicle +1.1391
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z -0.6601
PER THREAT
Small Arms -0.6274
MEQ-Killer -0.6875
Armour Cracker -0.8512
Anti-Tank -0.9456
Knight-Killer -0.9997
configuration_id: e87d-f173-88b9-aa84
＋ Ravenwing Black Knights BAND 2 z +0.886
LOADOUT · Bolt Pistol · Black Knight combat weapon · ➤ Plasma talon - Standard · ➤ Plasma talon - Supercharged · ➤ Plasma talon - Standard · ➤ Plasma talon - Supercharged · Bolt Pistol · Black Knight combat weapon · Black Knight combat weapon · Bolt Pistol
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z +2.1036
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +2.9813
MEQ +2.3899
Heavy Infantry +1.6573
Light Vehicle +1.1362
Heavy Vehicle +0.925
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z -0.6022
PER THREAT
Small Arms -0.5783
MEQ-Killer -0.6409
Armour Cracker -0.7753
Anti-Tank -0.6456
Knight-Killer -0.2939
configuration_id: 212d-f302-aaaf-5c12
＋ Asmodai BAND 1 z +0.8809
LOADOUT · Heavy Bolt Pistol · ➤ Crozius Arcanum and Power Weapon - strike · ➤ Crozius Arcanum and Power Weapon - sweep
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z +2.0698
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +3.041
MEQ +2.3552
Heavy Infantry +1.6275
Light Vehicle +0.9501
Heavy Vehicle +0.9909
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z -0.5722
PER THREAT
Small Arms -0.5713
MEQ-Killer -0.581
Armour Cracker -0.4176
Anti-Tank -0.2598
Knight-Killer +0.0082
configuration_id: 9bf9-1e30-e4b4-939c
＋ Belial BAND 2 z +0.6689
LOADOUT · Master-crafted storm bolter · The Sword of Silence
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z +0.7531
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +0.9368
MEQ +0.9978
Heavy Infantry +0.7788
Light Vehicle +0.176
Heavy Vehicle +0.4895
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z +0.566
PER THREAT
Small Arms +0.6425
MEQ-Killer +0.124
Armour Cracker +0.1488
Anti-Tank +0.636
Knight-Killer +0.1974
configuration_id: bf62-244b-f9db-6cf
＋ Ezekiel BAND 2 z +0.5157
LOADOUT · The Deliverer · ➤ Mind Wipe - witchfire · ➤ Mind Wipe - focussed witchfire · Traitor's Bane
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z +1.1109
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +1.0756
MEQ +1.2074
Heavy Infantry +1.3279
Light Vehicle +0.5833
Heavy Vehicle +1.037
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z -0.2117
PER THREAT
Small Arms -0.1826
MEQ-Killer -0.3892
Armour Cracker -0.2441
Anti-Tank +0.0146
Knight-Killer +0.299
configuration_id: 38c9-66a1-fe60-46af
＋ Lazarus BAND 1 z +0.5062
LOADOUT · Bolt pistol · Enmity’s Edge
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z +1.2881
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +1.1824
MEQ +1.786
Heavy Infantry +1.048
Light Vehicle +0.6391
Heavy Vehicle +1.2393
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z -0.4496
PER THREAT
Small Arms -0.4592
MEQ-Killer -0.4612
Armour Cracker -0.1573
Anti-Tank +0.1518
Knight-Killer +0.0082
configuration_id: 4b0d-45ff-fab3-7472
＋ Sammael BAND 3 z +0.4193
LOADOUT · Bolt Pistol · Master-crafted plasma cannon · Twin storm bolter · The Raven Sword
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z +1.0243
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +0.9451
MEQ +1.461
Heavy Infantry +0.8361
Light Vehicle +0.5274
Heavy Vehicle +0.8631
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z -0.3201
PER THREAT
Small Arms -0.3032
MEQ-Killer -0.3795
Armour Cracker -0.3496
Anti-Tank -0.1524
Knight-Killer -0.5367
configuration_id: 8f4b-c343-bef5-6779
＋ Azrael BAND 4 z +0.3267
LOADOUT · Lion's Wrath · The Sword of Secrets
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z +0.8411
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +0.4758
MEQ +1.4537
Heavy Infantry +0.627
Light Vehicle +0.5405
Heavy Vehicle +0.6872
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z -0.302
PER THREAT
Small Arms -0.2663
MEQ-Killer -0.4564
Armour Cracker -0.3655
Anti-Tank -0.1776
Knight-Killer -0.6374
configuration_id: 81bd-ce4e-229f-a88
＋ Ravenwing Darkshroud BAND 3 z +0.2827
LOADOUT · Close Combat Weapon · Assault cannon
chosen from 2 alternatives · highest mean Output Index across target panel
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z -0.5061
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +0.1161
MEQ -0.5937
Heavy Infantry -0.7266
Light Vehicle -0.6868
Heavy Vehicle -0.6792
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z +1.2469
PER THREAT
Small Arms +1.3352
MEQ-Killer +0.6175
Armour Cracker +0.8184
Anti-Tank +1.695
Knight-Killer +0.6689
configuration_id: 152b-a271-df2b-21a9
＋ Nephilim Jetfighter BAND 5 z +0.1469
LOADOUT · Armoured hull · Blacksword missiles · Twin heavy bolter · Avenger mega bolter
chosen from 2 alternatives · highest mean Output Index across target panel
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z +0.0756
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +0.1365
MEQ +0.3023
Heavy Infantry -0.0211
Light Vehicle -0.004
Heavy Vehicle -0.2582
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z +0.2341
PER THREAT
Small Arms +0.3086
MEQ-Killer -0.1139
Armour Cracker -0.174
Anti-Tank +0.1252
Knight-Killer -0.6741
configuration_id: 4f36-6609-efac-baa6
＋ Deathwing Knights BAND 5 z +0.1294
LOADOUT · Mace of absolution · Power Weapon · Great Weapon of the Unforgiven · Relic Weapon
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z +0.8105
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +0.8615
MEQ +1.0132
Heavy Infantry +1.0643
Light Vehicle +0.2265
Heavy Vehicle +0.5897
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z -0.703
PER THREAT
Small Arms -0.6431
MEQ-Killer -0.7919
Armour Cracker -1.094
Anti-Tank -1.3296
Knight-Killer -1.5983
configuration_id: a6cc-9a65-dbf1-71b0
＋ Deathwing Terminator Squad BAND 5 z +0.0218
LOADOUT · Storm Bolter · Power Weapon · Storm Bolter · Power Fist · Storm Bolter · Chainfist · Power Fist · Chainfist
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z +0.5995
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +0.7436
MEQ +0.8117
Heavy Infantry +0.6686
Light Vehicle +0.2581
Heavy Vehicle +0.1015
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z -0.6843
PER THREAT
Small Arms -0.6274
MEQ-Killer -0.7807
Armour Cracker -1.0789
Anti-Tank -1.2057
Knight-Killer -1.282
configuration_id: 6135-d842-8e61-889d
＋ Ravenwing Dark Talon BAND 5 z -0.0485
LOADOUT · Armoured Hull · Hurricane bolter · Rift cannon
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z -0.203
PER TARGET
Light Infantry -0.3592
MEQ -0.3383
Heavy Infantry -0.2347
Light Vehicle +0.0735
Heavy Vehicle +0.0231
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z +0.1404
PER THREAT
Small Arms +0.2137
MEQ-Killer -0.1815
Armour Cracker -0.2658
Anti-Tank -0.0197
Knight-Killer -0.7983
configuration_id: 9b3d-e812-4248-522
＋ Inner Circle Companions BAND 3 z -0.0854
LOADOUT · Heavy Bolt Pistol · ➤ Calibanite Greatsword - Strike · ➤ Calibanite Greatsword - Sweep
OUTPUT INDEX
output_z +0.4806
PER TARGET
Light Infantry +1.0041
MEQ +0.502
Heavy Infantry +0.4027
Light Vehicle -0.0668
Heavy Vehicle +0.2102
DURABILITY INDEX
durability_z -0.7772
PER THREAT
Small Arms -0.7583
MEQ-Killer -0.7807
Armour Cracker -0.8512
Anti-Tank -0.7856
Knight-Killer -0.5292
configuration_id: f34-e2f9-c98e-1916
4 of 16 matched-play units had choose-one weapon options; the pipeline picked the loadout maximising mean damage-per-point across the target panel per unit. 0 units used fallback summing. See methodology note for details.

CONCENTRATION HOW MUCH OF THE THEORY ROLLUP IS CARRIED BY ONE UNIT

No single unit dominates this faction’s Theory rollup. Most matched-play units contribute at roughly comparable levels.

EDITORIAL PERSPECTIVE EDITOR’S READ — INTERPRETIVE, NOT MEASURED

EDITOR

Editorial perspective coming. The Editor’s analysis of this faction’s current competitive position will appear here as the dossier program rolls out.

CROSS-LINKS RECAPS, METHODOLOGY, DIRECTORY

RECENT TOURNAMENT RECAPS

No recap titles in the current snapshot reference this faction by name. Faction-aware recap tagging is on the Phase 6+ roadmap.

METHODOLOGY

WAYFINDER

Data: BSData v10.6.0 captured 2026-05-18. Matched-play view filters Crucible and Legends suffixes; per-unit z-scores re-derived against the matched-play population. See methodology for caveats.