Inquisitor Tactica

[Inquisitor Fox]

I would argue that in a DH army, why NOT take an HQ Inquisitor over an Elites Inquisitor? Being that a GK Hero is 0-1, well, what else are you doing with that second HQ slot, hmmm? For only 25 points difference, it's a far superior version over an elites choice. When you account for the included power armor, it's even less for more upgrades.

 

In addition, there is a selection of wargear available just to Inquisitors of either Ordo that can benefit your army and adjust the flow of the battle. Let us examine first the noble Daemon Hunters.

 

Force Weapon: Beyond the single GK Grand Master and BC Stern, the only other source of additional Force Weapons are the up to 4 Inquisitors you can have in your army.

Needle Pistol: Tiny, overlooked, and lethal against high toughness critters with its ability to always wound on X.

Null Rod: Negating psychic powers against the bearer of the rod and his unit is often useful.

Consecrated scrolls: Useful if you really need things to happen on one turn, however the more limited nature of DH psychic powers limits it's effectiveness. Still a nasty surprise.

Digital Weapons: Hey, an additional attack of any variety is good.

Emperor's Tarot: Still useful if you want that first turn, even in the current edition.

 

Now, for the so called useless Witch Hunters version (not addressing psychic powers which we all know only Inquisitors get in that army):

 

Force Weapon: The only way to get one in a pure WH army.

Power Stake: Great at annihilating those pesky psykers in close combat.

Digital Weapons: Again, an additional attack of any variety is good.

Excruciators: Mostly useless now without Victory Points mattering.

Hexagrammic Wards: Not much, but any penalty to the enemies roll is a chance at more protection.

Inquisitorial Mandate: Highly useful, often forgotten about, and combo-rific. Imagine using this with Celestians, Sisters Repentia, Arcos, or multiple Assassins within it's radius. MM... add a power weapon spam Inquisitorial retinue and things die quite nicely.

Liber Heresius: Even More effective on the HQ version, it essentially assures choice of deployment zone. With a 10/12 chance of success, a 1/12 chance of guaranteed failure, and a 1/12 chance of randomosity, it allows for control of the battle before the first turn even happens.

Psi-tracker: Useful against psykers, not a big deal though.. though paired with bolter-stake crossbows its very nice. Granted it's even better in a shooting retinue.

Psycannon bolts: Very useful upgrade for bolter weapons.

Psychic hood: Only way to get one, and why not take it at Ld 10?

Psyocculum: Essentially never comes up, but useful if it does for a shooting based retinue.

 

In addition, Inquisitors are additional sources of Inferno Pistols if you need some cheap anti-tank.

 

While many of these pieces of wargear do not change the course of a game in and of themselves, many have uses in psychological warfare, or benefits to your army that no amount of point comparisons or examinations of kill-i-ness will ever show. Some players may not like things that don't directly kill enemy models, whereas many play styles will find a great deal of gains in support and utility equipment. Combining these useful pieces of wargear with the potential effectiveness of a thought out retinue and the psychic powers of an Inquisitor makes a very tasty package with multiple uses for a single Force Org slot. This versatility is something the Heros of the Grey Knights and Adepta Sororitas cannot provide, as they are uni-taskers as opposed to a multi-tasker Inquisitor.

[Gentlemanloser]

I would argue that in a DH army, why NOT take an HQ Inquisitor over an Elites Inquisitor? Being that a GK Hero is 0-1, well, what else are you doing with that second HQ slot, hmmm?

 

Stern.

 

Or a Cannoness.

 

As for why the Elite Inq, IC status. Give them a Null Rod and use it to protect an important squad, and not just a H Bolter Retinue. :)

 

Force Weapon: Beyond the single GK Grand Master and BC Stern, the only other source of additional Force Weapons are the up to 4 Inquisitors you can have in your army.

 

If you want another Force Weapon for your HQ slot, stern is by far the better choice than an IL.

[ArmouredWing]

Just a couple of things I've picked out here, WH specific of course...

 

Force Weapon: The only way to get one in a pure WH army.

Power Stake: Great at annihilating those pesky psykers in close combat.

Digital Weapons: Again, an additional attack of any variety is good.

All CC weapons and a suitable method of delivery required to get the most out of them. With particular note on the power stake, yes this is =][= specifc, the combi staker isn't and stands by far a better chance of being effective, especially in the hands of an SoB vet (this causes even the nastiest of enemies to cower in fear).

 

Inquisitorial Mandate: Highly useful, often forgotten about, and combo-rific. Imagine using this with Celestians, Sisters Repentia, Arcos, or multiple Assassins within it's radius. MM... add a power weapon spam Inquisitorial retinue and things die quite nicely.

One of the reasons why I go for =][= Lord Karamazov. If I feel the need for a mandate then he's the man for the job, high T, good survivability and a solid CC base. What is crucial to remember though is that he needs to have remained stationary for the turn it's used. So it can't be used in a turn of assault or in a turn where he has moved and been assaulted which makes it a tricky toy to use and also requires a build that ensures the =][= can survive the potential couple of turns it may take to use.

This also works very well with my large squads of sisters giving them their +1A and Seraphim make good use out of it as well but it's effectiveness is still timing critical.

The last comment here though would be, can you have multiple assassins?

 

Psi-tracker: Useful against psykers, not a big deal though.. though paired with bolter-stake crossbows its very nice. Granted it's even better in a shooting retinue.

Always been a great tool Vs Nids, especially combined with a metal storm =][=. The reroll on a PC can make a massive difference but if I use one without a ranged HS retinue then it'll be on a lone elite =][= to keep it cheap and cheerful.

 

Psycannon bolts: Very useful upgrade for bolter weapons.

Psychic hood: Only way to get one, and why not take it at Ld 10?

Psyocculum: Essentially never comes up, but useful if it does for a shooting based retinue.

The points spent on psycannon bolts on a OH =][= tend to be pretty wasted. To get the most out of them you need to be manouverable, something that doesn't come easily. The hood is one of the real boons and will probably gain favour as the psychic powers become more prevalent but again it's something that requires a specific build to ensure it's survival in the game. The psyocculum is another toy that is very useful in a metal storm loadout, increasingly so as the chance of night fighting is 1/3 games.

 

In addition, Inquisitors are additional sources of Inferno Pistols if you need some cheap anti-tank.

Again, delivery is the problem. IP's work with SoB's because of the JP option and the ability to get in close quickly to hit the armour. An =][= doesn't have that ability available to them.

 

...This versatility is something the Heros of the Grey Knights and Adepta Sororitas cannot provide, as they are uni-taskers as opposed to a multi-tasker Inquisitor.

Sorry but this statement is factually incorrect where SoB are concerned. As I've said before, look at the loadouts for a canoness and then compare the equivalent pts cost inquistor, they simply do not compare. Equally SoB's basic troops are vastly more versatile in their potential loadouts, anti infantry (Hvy flamer/flamer), anti armour (twin meltas), mult taskers (Hvy flamer/melta) and then the vet can be given any number of options to further improve their table top performance.

 

For a demo, price up a canoness+celestian retinue, give them some toys and then do the same for an =][= lord and pitch them against each other. As a betting man my money would always be on the canoness every time.

[Inquisitor Fox]

The last comment here though would be, can you have multiple assassins?

Yes <_< While we are limited to one single Temple Assassin, we are allowed up to 9(!) Death Cult Assassins, 3 per Elites choice, all of whom are armed with two power weapons generating 4 attacks on the charge at WS/initiative 5 and strength 4. Being as they are IC's effectively, they are very easy to maneuver and maintain within the required radius to benefit from an Inquisitorial Mandate. Or you could go for a combination, say one Eversor and six DCA's.

 

...This versatility is something the Heros of the Grey Knights and Adepta Sororitas cannot provide, as they are uni-taskers as opposed to a multi-tasker Inquisitor.

Sorry but this statement is factually incorrect where SoB are concerned. As I've said before, look at the loadouts for a canoness and then compare the equivalent pts cost inquistor, they simply do not compare. Equally SoB's basic troops are vastly more versatile in their potential loadouts, anti infantry (Hvy flamer/flamer), anti armour (twin meltas), mult taskers (Hvy flamer/melta) and then the vet can be given any number of options to further improve their table top performance.

 

For a demo, price up a canoness+celestian retinue, give them some toys and then do the same for an =][= lord and pitch them against each other. As a betting man my money would always be on the canoness every time.

I apologize for the confusion, I am not speaking in terms of weapon loadout being the uni-tasker/multi-tasker (as in both close combat and shooting). What I refer to is the role in the army and on the tabletop, in additional areas besides just combat.

 

A Grey Knight hero is designed to engage in combat, typically close combat with a Nemesis Force Weapon. They can be fairly shooty by the inclusion of a psycannon, as well as bear a psychic hood and/or holy icon, but they really exist to kill things. Even their psychic powers are about killing things.

 

A Cannoness is the Adepta Sororitas equivalent. While able to pass on leadership to nearby models via the BoSL, their role on the table is to kill things, either by hand to hand combat or shooting. Without even the possiblity of psychic powers or most utilitarian wargear (like the Liber Heresius, Psychic Hood, etc) they are even more set in a pure death dealing role.

 

The Inquisitor is where this begins to change. With the customization of the Inquisitor themselves, their retinue, their psychic powers, and their often more versatile set of wargear, they have more options outside of the realm of combat itself. They can function as individuals or units (more the Elites option, as the HQ option requires henchmen to die to regain IC status), they have wargear which can function without regard to whether or not the Inquisitor is in combat on their own (Inquisitorial Mandate, Emperor's Tarot/Liber Heresius, Psychic Hood) that can protect or supplement the abilities of other units. They have Psychic powers that can supplement or protect other units, as well as debilitating the opponent by non-combat methods (Divine Pronouncement, Hammer of the Witches, Purgatus, Word of the Emperor, Sanctuary). Many of these powers are either not available to the Grey Knight Heros, or counter productive to said heros primary purpose of kicking butt.

 

This is what I mean by the versatility and multi-function of the Inquisitors versus the Heros/Heroines. While the Grey Knight Heros are more versatile than the Adepta Sororitas by the inclusion of psychic abilities and a psychic hood, I think it can readily be said their sole reason for existance is to kill things that are big and scary. The Inquisitor can be effective even by not engaging in combat themselves throughout the entire game! Take for instance an Inquisitor backing up a scoring IST squad protected with a Null Rod, or Sanctuary/Word of the Emperor. An Inquisitor Lord with a retinue picked apart by shooting joining something garrisoning a point and supplementing it with Iron Will or Word of the Emperor. An Inquisitor utilizing an Inquisitorial Mandate to allow key assault units to blender through their opponents in a critical assault phase.

 

The argument can be made for the specific instances of a psychic hood on a GK Hero, or a BoSL on a Adepta Sororitas Heroine, but I feel more arguments can be made for the multi-function role of an Inquisitor than our other HQ choices.

[asianavatar]

Going to chime in here with another reason to take the HQ Inquisitor.

 

If you are taking him as a fire support (hb's and plasma cannon) an elite Inquisitor comes off the board edge in Dawn Of War and thus loses a turn for shooting, a HQ gets to be placed right off the bat.

[breng77]

is more expensive than just taking an INQ lord. If you also want the GK then that is fine but it runs a good deal more points.

[Gaz1858]

Going to thorugh a question in if thats alright.

 

As an ex DH player and avid reader of W40K novels i really want to have an Inq in my army that is worth having. I now have a C:SM force. Can you guys come up with a good character (Inq/Inq Lord + x & y wargear) that could be added to a normal C:SM force?

 

I can post a list if you like but any basic builds would be good. And see if it can come up under 150 points.

[Inquisitor Fox]

On the cheap you are probably going to get more bang for the buck from a shooty DH Inquisitor, particularly paired with Space Marines who tend to do pretty good at the choppy choppy bit on their own.

 

To quote my original post:

Addressing the most common use of a DH retinue I have seen, it is a psycannon armed Inquisitor/Inquisitor Lord often with The Emperor's Tarot and/or a psychic hood, a combination of Sages and Mystics, then Gun Servitors armed with heavy bolters, plasma cannon, and/or multi-meltas. This provides anti-deep strike capability as well as a solid firebase to support forward operating units.

 

Also to reference Chengar Qordath:

Ordo Malleus Inquisitor Lord and Retinue

Inquisitor Lord with Psycannon, and Psychic Hood

Plasma Cannon Gun Servitor, 2 Heavy Bolter Gun Servitors, 2 Mystics, 2 Sages

Cost: 224 points

 

You could probably tinker with that one to get it under the 150 you're looking for, especially if you pair it down to an Elites choice and drop the Plasma Cannon. I've noticed a WH melee retinue is still effective, but works better as an HQ choice (as it allows more henchmen to be fielded in the unit, helping get the critical mass necessary and required pieces) and is thus more expensive than a smaller DH shooting based retinue.

[Gentlemanloser]

Would a WH CC based IL be better than just taking Karamazov?

[Inquisitor Fox]

I think the Inquisitor would be better in terms of number of attacks (Karamazov doesn't get that many really, his are just a bit more burly for opening tanks), and also Karamazov cannot be taken as an ally as his entry specifies Witch Hunters army only. Because of this he isn't an option for Gaz1858. It's possible to get a close combat Inquisitor and retinue (albeit a small one) for a bit cheap though.. lets see... I'd try:

 

Elites Inquisitor w/ power weapon, bolt pistol, power armor, rosarius, His Will Be Done

3 crusaders, 1 familiar (for the Initiative bonus and expandability), 2 chiurgeons

total: 171 points

 

You can also up this to an HQ Inquisitor, drop the power armor (as it's included in the upgrade) and add some bullet shield acolytes, sages, familiars, etc.

[River Black]

I have found that an Inquisitor Lord has become almost required in all of my WH lists for the Hood alone. Almost every army that i face now is throwing powerful psychic attacks around and the need to counter powers has grown with each new codex release. Its almost on the same level of Fantasy magic defense. Origionally all i had to worry about was the Eldar's Doom and Fortune but now I also have to deal with the rune preists and BA librarians blasting stuff with Blood Lance and buffing entire assault squads. EDIT: Forgot to add NIDS to the list. Repressed momories i guess.

[Gentlemanloser]

Again, why not use a GKBC for the Hood?

 

The IL comes out ever so slightly more expensive, with the required minimum 3 retiune.

 

You save points, can stick the GKBC in another Squad, and get better Stats.

 

Why choose a IL if all you want is a Ld10 Hood?

[S'jet]

I know this thread is pretty old, but i remember reading it before and my quesstion fits here....

 

You mention use of a Land Raider as a transport. Is a valkyrie a valid option for a CC based Inq+Retinue?

[Gentlemanloser]

They can't take a Valk as a dedicated Transport.

 

Unless you're using FW rules, in which case, who cares! Drop some GK Dreads in Lucious Drop Pods first turn and laugh!

[S'jet]

yeah i mean with IA2 =) And in a Sisters force. No dreads for me!

[Inquisitor Fox]

I know this thread is pretty old, but i remember reading it before and my quesstion fits here....

 

You mention use of a Land Raider as a transport. Is a valkyrie a valid option for a CC based Inq+Retinue?

The big problem with a Valkyrie out of IA2 is that it isn't an "assault vehicle." It would allow you to deploy the unit elsewhere, but it could only shoot the turn it disembarks. This leaves it vulnerable to enemy shooting, and loses you the charge. In this instance, for a CC based Inquisitor I personally feel a Land Raider (or Storm Raven, depending) is a more viable choice.

 

That being said, I'm a big fan of "fun" in my games :lol:

[S'jet]

I guess im just trying to find an excuse to buy a valkyrie =) Liked the model for a long time, just never had a reason to buy one. Might just get one anyway, just for looking cool on the shelf...

[Inquisitor Fox]

Valkyries make a splendid ride for IST's armed with meltaguns... <_<

[Freman Bloodglaive]

Well now the new book is coming out, this is all redundant.

 

I will say, if you want lots of henchmen, you need Coteaz.