Azrael and Drop Pod Command Squad

[Upstartes]

I'm building a command squad to ride in a drop pod with Azrael. I'm specifically designing this unit for use in a Crusade of Fire campaign where Azrael's Grand Warlord trait provides a benefit when he kills an enemy character. The goal of the team is to deliver Azrael to a vulnerable location, survive the initial turn of not assaulting, and then go tear up an enemy unit (preferably with an enemy character in it). The team will probably have a librarian attached as well, and maybe a techmarine when points allow. There will also be some DW squads performing DWAssault along with the pod to provide additional targets for the enemy to worry about when Azzy's team comes in.

 

So the question is: how should I build the command squad?

 

I am pretty set on using the DA Chapter Banner - I want to multiply Azzy specifically so that he can be extra good at his job of killing other characters. I want an apothecary in there, both to protect Azzy but also to help the hole squad survive the initial round of "we just jumped out of our drop pod - please shoot at us". But what else should the squad have?

 

Here are some of the options I'm considering:

1. Bare bones: just bolt pistols and chainswords. Keep the squad cheap, since the whole unit will already by pricey.

2. Special weapons: multiple flamers or plasma guns would be good for laying waste when coming out of the pod. But they'll cut down on the number of CC attacks the squad will get when it gets into assault.

3. Plasma pistols: some nice shooty but won't take away CC attacks. But they ain't cheap.

4. Power weapons: will let the squad do some serious CC damage, but they aren't cheap, and only the guys who survive the drop round will get use of them.

5. Storm shields? The squad will be getting 4++ from the Lion's helm. Is it worth having a storm shield in there as well? Either in the front to soak up some shots, or on the banner-bearer to protect the investment?

 

I'm leaning toward a mix of #1 and #3, but I thought I'd see what other folks thought. So, what do you think?

[Herocide]

I like the Plasma Gun/Flamer Loadout. Give 'em Prescience and they'll have twin-linked plasma + Azrael's combi-plasma (which may be the only chance you'll get to use it) and Feel No Pain to help if you somehow mess up a "Gets Hot!" roll. The command squad members still count as veterans so they still have two attacks each (and another +1 for the Chapter Banner) and Azrael and your Librarian should be doing most of the killy AP CC anyway (sweeping advance has won me more fights than out-right murdering squads). Accept challenges with your Librarian and Azrael can just murder the rest of the enemy squad and maybe your Libby will get an Instant-Death off with his force weapon if luck favours you.

 

At least, that's how I'd do it. It is an expensive unit though. At some point I'd start to consider other options once the points transcend 500 for a single squad.

[[TA]Typher]

I like

 

Apoth

Champ (just to soak up any challenges. With the 4+ invul from Az I think he's worth it. )

Banner for the +1 attack with basic loadout (You can always at a Storm Shield if you have the extra point on his invuln save. He's price, so he needs protection.)

 

The last two you can change depending on your opponent or list needs

 

A Vet with a Powersword/Bolt Pistol and the other with a chainsword/Boltpistol as a standard.

 

 

[Dingus]

I run Azrael with 5 flamer command squad guys in a drop pod with a Librarian attached with Psyhic scream.

The sheer amount of wounds this unit puts out toats nearly anything.

[march10k]

I run Azrael with 5 flamer command squad guys in a drop pod with a Librarian attached with Psyhic scream.

The sheer amount of wounds this unit puts out toats nearly anything.

And 5D3 hits from overwatch is nothing to sneeze at, either...

[Brother Immolator]

I like

 

Apoth

Champ (just to soak up any challenges. With the 4+ invul from Az I think he's worth it. )

 

Just to make sure you mean an apothecary and a champion not an Apothecary/champion right?

 

Yeah the champ might get to swing with the inv and FNP from the apothecary.

 

Its generally a fluffy unit but points add up quickly. Doing the math this unit and the two deathwing escorts will cost you about 700+

[Upstartes]

Yeah. This is a fun unit for a friendly campaign.