Unit of the Week: Primaris Ancient

[Jolemai]

Welcome to part two of the Blood Angels Unit of the Week Series!

Following the release of the 9^th edition Supplement, there is no better time to discuss all the 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. Where part one will focus on the unique BA units and part two will focus on BA units that are new to this edition of the Codex, part three will discuss how to get the best use the generic units from the past that are still with us (and that many of us have in our armies still), and part four will discuss the Legends units that we still own and love. Finally, part five will be dedicated to the reinforcements from Forge World.

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. Similarly, this thread is only for using the option being discussed; it matters not if you feel something is a better choice as such comments aren't constructive to the topic and shall be removed.

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

Primaris Ancient

Primaris Ancient, Xenith

What are you thoughts here folks? How best would you use a Primaris Ancient?

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? What else would affect your list(s) with this unit?
• Will you be running multiples?
• Footslog or transport? Suitable for Warlord duties?
• What are you buffing with the Astartes Banner?
• How are you buffing this unit?
• Stratagems?

Over to you

Edited March 3, 2022 by Jolemai

[Jolemai]

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

[Jolemai]

Thoughts on this one folks?

[Spagunk]

One neat little trick is to have the primaris ancient and then a bunch of other ancients and then use the Primaris' astartes banner to feed that 4+ "Last Stand" across the board. The key here it that any model destroyed within 6" of any BA Ancient. So by just having one sitting in the back, you can project its last stand ability to your Sanguinary Ancient, you Terminator Ancient etc. Its a chained effect but doesn't stack with similar abilities. Same goes for the company ancient but it's a good reason if you want the extra wound/attack the Primaris brings.

[Karhedron]

Best use for the Ancient on foot is probably with the Standard of Sacrifice accompanying a squad of Hellblasters, an Apothcary/Sanguinary Novitiate and the obligatory Captain.

 

The Hellblasters get a 5+++ save which is very good on 2-wound models. The Captain allows them to overcharge with minimal risk and any casualties (either from the enemy or from overheats) can shoot again on a 4+ before they die. Then the Apothecary resurrects them on a 4+.

 

Of course the supporting characters don't have to be Primaris but that is optional.

[Panzer]

There's really not much to say about the Primaris Ancient to be honest. He doesn't really have any loadout options and taking the Standard of Sacrifice when you have any kind of Ancient in your list is a no-brainer.

Just let him sit around some Hellblaster or advance him together with Aggressors to get the most out of him in a Primaris list. In a mixed list other Ancients are probably just as good a choice.

[BluejayJunior]

Agree with the others. Give him the Standard of Sacrifice and stick him with your firebase. Helps keep people alive and lets them get in a final shot if they die. I've used mine mostly with Hellblasters and Aggressors. 

[Hintzy]

One neat little trick is to have the primaris ancient and then a bunch of other ancients and then use the Primaris' astartes banner to feed that 4+ "Last Stand" across the board. The key here it that any model destroyed within 6" of any BA Ancient. So by just having one sitting in the back, you can project its last stand ability to your Sanguinary Ancient, you Terminator Ancient etc. Its a chained effect but doesn't stack with similar abilities. Same goes for the company ancient but it's a good reason if you want the extra wound/attack the Primaris brings.

I keep forgetting it works this way. Thanks for that. I did notice as far as hitting again in melee it says make ONE attack as if it was the fight phase. Does that really mean a Sanguinary Guard or something similar would get only one swing if it were to die near the banner?

 

If you've got this one near a gunline, projecting itself onto a Sanguinary Ancient, it might still be worth it. But if you don't have a decent gunline probably not if you're trying to double dip with your forward melee ancient. Is that right?

 

Edit: I did read that off of Battlescribe, not the codex. Maybe, hopefully, it's worded wrong.

 

2nd Edit: Confirmed, codex says make a single attack.

 

"On a 4+ that model musters one last surge of strength before succumbing to its wounds; it can either shoot with one of its weapons as if it were the Shooting phase, or make a single attack as if it were the Fight phase."

 

Also remember the model itself must be killed within 6" of the ancient, not just be from a unit within 6" of the ancient.

"In addition, roll a D6 each time a BLOOD ANGELS INFANTRY model is destroyed within 6" of any friendly BLOOD ANGELS ANCIENTS, before removing the model as a casualty."

Edited August 13, 2018 by Hintzy

[Indefragable]

There’s not much a Primaris Ancient can or can’t do that a regular Ancient can or can’t do, only with more options.

 

Extra wound and range aren’t a factor in my opinion b/c as a support character you want to keep him low profile.

 

Only reason to take him is if you want to go all Primaris.

[Jolemai]

Following the Updated datasheet for this unit, has this affected how it is used? Edited March 3, 2022 by Jolemai