Unit of the Week: Company Ancient

[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. 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:

Company Ancient

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

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? Will the beta rules affect your list(s)?
• Will you be running multiples? Suitable for Warlord duties?
• Footslog, jump pack (Index) or transport? Weapon choices?
• What are you buffing with the Astartes Banner? Is he a suitable candidate for banner shenanigans?
• How are you buffing this unit?
• Stratagems?

Over to you

[Jolemai]

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

[Panzer]

Well a Company Ancient is basically the exact same thing as a Primaris Ancient except that he can take a combi-weapon or a melee weapon instead of his Bolter/Bolt pistol. And of course one less wound and one less attack since he's not a Primaris Marine.

 

The most important thing about him imo is that you can put him into transports. Unlike the Primaris Ancient he can utilise the cheaper transports like Rhinos and Razorbacks, the much played Storm Raven and even Drop Pods if one is so crazy to still use them. The Primaris Ancient can only use the expensive Repulsor or has to walk.

One could argue that he can't deep strike like a Terminator Ancient and Sanguinary Ancient and has less mobility than a Sanguinary Ancient, however those two aren't that comparable due having a whole different statline and also a different banner aura.

Important to note here is that Ancients share their banner auras with other Ancients. So if you have a Company Ancient and a Terminator Ancient on the board both will have the Company Ancients +1LD and 4+ to shoot/attack on death aura as well as the Terminator Ancients +1LD and re-roll failed hit rolls in melee aura. Likewise with the Sanguinary Ancient which has a third unique banner aura.

 

So there are two uses for the Company Ancient.

Let him stay back to support one of your shooty squads (ideally Devastators or Hellblasters) and at the same time spread his banner aura to your Sanguinary Ancient or Terminator Ancient who support your forward squads ... or put him in a transport and let him support one flank for your forward squads with his double banner aura while your other Ancient supports another flank with his double banner aura.

The latter is something he can do a lot better than the Primaris Ancient due his ability to use better transports.

[Indefragable]

This fella is my go-to even over the Sanguinary Ancient.

 

Put him in jump pack (Index rules) and give him Standard of Sacrifice. I often have a LT for the re-rolls so I like saving a few points AND being able to shoot/fight one more time on a 4+.

 

I don’t worry about defensive stats b/c by the time the enemy is hitting this guy, it’s past the crux point of the match (for better or worse).

 

Storm Bolter or boltgun so he can plink away...theoretically a comb-plas if points were not an issue.

[FormelyKnownAsSmashyPants]

Good point about the JP, after GSC, being the last codex needing an update from 7th, if indexes are still a thing, its safe to assume JP's will be available for company vets, sanguinary novitiates and coy. standard bearers and champions until at least 9th edition.