Unit of the Week: Chief Librarian Mephiston (Legends)

[Jolemai]

Welcome to the Blood Angels Unit of the Week Series!

Following the release of the 8^th edition Codex, there is no better time to discuss all the unique units we have access to. Each week a different unit will appear, with the idea being that we discuss how best to use that model on the battlefield.

Note, this isn't to lament any nerfs, etc, from previous editions; the rules are as they are so try to unlock its potential for those who wish to use them all the same.

Without further ado, here's this week's entry:

Chief Librarian Mephiston

Chief Librarian Mephiston (Legends), Helias Tancred

What are you thoughts here folks? How best would you use Mephiston?

To compliment a list, or to build a list around? What bodyguard/entourage?
What three spells are you taking?
Footslog or transport? What type?
How is Speed of the Primarch working for you?
Stratagems?

Over to you

[Jolemai]

Should you want your model on display here (or on another thread), then submit a photo here please.

[Dont-Be-Haten]

combine Mephiston alongside a captain in a drop pod with a grav-bomb, flanked by a block of DC and Captain Smash.

 

The utility of that unit is a thorn uneasily removed. His synergie is just so brilliant.

 

I almost always take WoS, Rage/Shield

[Aothaine]

Should you want your model on display here (or on another thread), then submit a photo here please.

 

 

I say we peer pressure neonmole to allow us to use his Mephiston.

[Pendent]

Every time I haven't taken Mephiston post-codex I've regretted it. He is both powerful and versatile and in my opinion is probably the closest thing we have to an auto-include unit alongside captain Slamguinius.

 

I don't generally bother putting him in a drop pod- with a very likely 19" move turn 1 from Wings of Sanguinius you can frequently pull of a turn 1 charge into the screen or at the very least get him behind LOS blocking terrain for a really nasty turn 2 charge into your opponents backfield. A drop pod is unlikely to let you hit those really juicy targets since you're forced to deploy 9" away from your opponents screen, meaning that a 12" move may not even let you jump over the screen depending on base side and model placement.

 

I basically treat him as a guided missile and fling him right at the biggest, nastiest thing I can find in my opponents list. In a good game I can time his charge along with my jump assault infantry and shatter my opponents army in a single blow. In a less good game he still wrecks something nasty before being focused down himself but the disruption he causes in the meantime is more than worth it.

 

 

 

On a related note I've found myself remarking at least once in every single game I've played since our codex released that how much I love our rulebook.

[Brother Crimson]

Wings, Unleash Rage, Quickening. Those three powers are awesome.

 

Forlorn fury DC turn 1, move them into (almost) auto charge position.

Run Mephiston, cast wings on him and rage on the DC now that you are in range.

Let DC do their job, screens should magically disappear at this stage.

** keep a scout screen in front of him turn 1.

 

Turn 2, wings quickening get close to the tank detachement / warlord, red rampage and there you go.

 

Variation: use the drop pod as suggested above, in this case he could charge turn 1. However, many time the available targets turn one are not very interesting and once you are deep in the enemy line he is quite exposed and his lack of invulnerable save can hurt.

 

Of course you could include a JP Libby to do the turn 1 buff but having an all in one package is great and sometimes we are short on points to include a second Libby.

[Jorre]

Dont charge him into a hive tryrant!

 

Hes good but not that good!

 

I buffed him with quickening and spent a command point to add d3 attacks. Managed to get him 8 attacks on the HT. I wouldnt say I fluffed the roll but i didnt roll well! Managed 5/8 wounds. My opponent then made 4 of the 5 saves and i only did 2 wounds. Then dropped 12 wounds on Mephy with only the lord of death save to protect him! It wasnt pretty

 

Hes great but avoid beatsticks with invul saves

[brother_b]

He is so good, if used correctly. What I'll say is that don't leave him out to dry solo, just because he's amazing. I've had him die to a Brood Lord and to massed infantry fire (including a plasma). Even with the ability to throw on an invuln save and having his FNP he is still very vulnerable. Now, give him some cover, a screening unit, or some bodies to go with him, and he's even more amazing.

 

I think the big temptation is to just throw him at whatever without support. Apparently I've yet to learn my lesson though, because I keep doing it!

[BlueBeetle]

combine Mephiston alongside a captain in a drop pod with a grav-bomb, flanked by a block of DC and Captain Smash.

 

The utility of that unit is a thorn uneasily removed. His synergie is just so brilliant.

 

I almost always take WoS, Rage/Shield

whats a grab-bomb?

[Charlo]

 

combine Mephiston alongside a captain in a drop pod with a grav-bomb, flanked by a block of DC and Captain Smash.

 

The utility of that unit is a thorn uneasily removed. His synergie is just so brilliant.

 

I almost always take WoS, Rage/Shield

whats a grab-bomb?

 

Drop pod containing multiple models armed with Grav Weaponry; Sternguard with Combi-Gravs, Devastators with Grav cannons etc.

[Calistarius]

I like to use him in support of a DC bomb, myself.  I give him Unleash Rage, Wings, and Quickening.  Cast Rage on DC before they charge, and then Wings to gain optimum positioning.  I use Quickening to help against enemy characters that are feeling a little brave and charge Mephy.  I'll pay the 25 point premium over a Libby w/ JP for Mephiston any day, all day.  

 

I wish he'd get a re-sculpt though.

[Pendent]

I like to use him in support of a DC bomb, myself.  I give him Unleash Rage, Wings, and Quickening.  Cast Rage on DC before they charge, and then Wings to gain optimum positioning.  I use Quickening to help against enemy characters that are feeling a little brave and charge Mephy.  I'll pay the 25 point premium over a Libby w/ JP for Mephiston any day, all day.  

 

I wish he'd get a re-sculpt though.

I've taken up proxying one of the new Primaris Librarians for Mephiston. It's a much prettier model

[Calistarius]

 

I like to use him in support of a DC bomb, myself.  I give him Unleash Rage, Wings, and Quickening.  Cast Rage on DC before they charge, and then Wings to gain optimum positioning.  I use Quickening to help against enemy characters that are feeling a little brave and charge Mephy.  I'll pay the 25 point premium over a Libby w/ JP for Mephiston any day, all day.  

 

I wish he'd get a re-sculpt though.

 

I've taken up proxying one of the new Primaris Librarians for Mephiston. It's a much prettier model

That’s a good idea. I’ve seen a lot of awesome conversions floating around. If only I was that skilled.

[Brother Crimson]

I’ve seen some people kitbash him from primaris chaplain as well. Need work but it give pretty nice results

[Indefragable]

Meph is one of my favorite characters and I definitely think he has huge potential. However, I really struggle finding synergy with him unless I build a list around him.

 

It does not help that one of my perennial foes is a Black Templar player who loves his deny any power on a 4+ Strategem (always saves it for Wings of Sanguinius).

 

Hidden Content

On paper I like the Meph+Corbs+Termies+Standard of Sacrifice combo, but I have not actually run it yet.

 

[Dont-Be-Haten]

Meph is one of my favorite characters and I definitely think he has huge potential. However, I really struggle finding synergy with him unless I build a list around him.

 

It does not help that one of my perennial foes is a Black Templar player who loves his deny any power on a 4+ Strategem (always saves it for Wings of Sanguinius).

 

Hidden Content

On paper I like the Meph+Corbs+Termies+Standard of Sacrifice combo, but I have not actually run it yet.

 

Well if you cast quickening and he doesn't deny that you still have a really good shot at making the charge.

 

The Blood Raven model from Death Watch makes for an amazing Meph with little modification needed. And can be ran as a regular BA fancy libby if he ever gets a model!

[tedzilla]

 

I like to use him in support of a DC bomb, myself.  I give him Unleash Rage, Wings, and Quickening.  Cast Rage on DC before they charge, and then Wings to gain optimum positioning.  I use Quickening to help against enemy characters that are feeling a little brave and charge Mephy.  I'll pay the 25 point premium over a Libby w/ JP for Mephiston any day, all day.  

 

I wish he'd get a re-sculpt though.

I've taken up proxying one of the new Primaris Librarians for Mephiston. It's a much prettier model

 

I do this too, just can't bring myself to buy the Mephy model

[Indefragable]

What’s wrong with the original sculpt?

 

https://www.themightybrush.com/mephiston-lord-of-death-original-sculpt/

[The Unseen]

What’s wrong with the original sculpt?

 

https://www.themightybrush.com/mephiston-lord-of-death-original-sculpt/

He's tiny mostly.

Otherwise it holds up pretty well.

It's just, even with the ridiculously sized psychic hood, he's dwarfed on the table.

[ThatOneMarshal]

I’m planning on having him in a drop pod with some stern guard, although I’m intrigued by the idea of a grav bomb.

 

For the model, I’m planning on converting from Astorath. I’ve seen a couple of conversions on the inter webs using astoraths model, so I figured why not try it for myself.

[Blackcadian]

Ah, finally Mephiston! You guys write so many awesome tales of his successes but whenever I bring him he fails miserably! I’m at the point where I just won’t bother anymore.

 

4 games and nothing of note happening - highlights include dying to a Lord of Contagion after 2 rounds of combat (I had charged) and getting shot by some Dark Angels leftovers after not killing their Talon Master on the charge.

 

No, I will give him another chance at some point but I’m growing tired of his failures :(

[Dont-Be-Haten]

Ah, finally Mephiston! You guys write so many awesome tales of his successes but whenever I bring him he fails miserably! I’m at the point where I just won’t bother anymore.

4 games and nothing of note happening - highlights include dying to a Lord of Contagion after 2 rounds of combat (I had charged) and getting shot by some Dark Angels leftovers after not killing their Talon Master on the charge.

No, I will give him another chance at some point but I’m growing tired of his failures :(

Gotta know when to hedge those bets mate. This is part of the reason I have been toying with the Grav-bomb. It allows to help whittle down larger targets, as well as having answers for return fire, what's more important? a foot hold 22+ shots a turn or Mephiston. Combine this with Captain Smash, or a DC bomb and it really messes with your opponent's target priority, this also allows you a lot more options when assaulting the big nasties. This is also part of the reason I take Shield over rage sometimes, a 5++ followed by a 5+++ has saved me more than a few times.

[Kallas]

This is also part of the reason I take Shield over rage sometimes, a 5++ followed by a 5+++ has saved me more than a few times.

Just remember that you only need Shield vs AP-4 or more. A 2+ hit by AP-3 would still have a 5+ save naturally, so if they don't have any Meltas nearby then Mephy doesn't need Shield.

[NTaW]

So far what I have done is put storm bolter/chainsword Vets in a Pod with him, similar to the grav bomb idea. I use Veterans because of their bodyguard rule in case Mephiston fails using Wings in an attempt to run out at a specific target. Came in quite handy as well when Mephiston took 5 damage from a lascannon overwatch shot as he attempted to charge a Helbrute that was messing with my day.

You can also add Corbulo/Priest/Novitiate as points allow and even an Ancient with the relic banner. Put Mephiston out front (as members of this forum have pointed out in other threads) and if your opponent targets him he gets his 2+, his 5+ LoD, the 5+ banner roll, then the 2+ bodyguard roll. That model then gets the 5+ banner roll and if it dies gets to attack via the banner then potentially brought back in subsequent turns by Corbulo or a Priest/Novitiate.

I have also enjoyed playing him out of a Stormraven but haven't done it since they went up in points.

[Semirhagge]

Going to try him next week in a pod with 5 company vets with plasma and SS, with a captain. this week he survived 96 shots from Sonic blasters and 5 shots from a blastmaster. Last week he survived 6 Fusion Blasters to the face, then killed 2 Tau commanders. So far he has been the best model/unit I've used in 8th.