Unit of the Week: Company Champion

[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 Champion

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

• 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?
• How are you making the most of Honour or Death?
• 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.

[Lord Raven 19]

I might use the index option with a bike for faster swordplay sooner

[Jolemai]

I might use the index option with a bike for faster swordplay sooner

 

Sadly we Blood Angels don't have access to that - what we have via the Index is access to jump packs (Index: Imperium 1, page 89)

[FormelyKnownAsSmashyPants]

My next modelling project is a Coy. standard bearer, champion and apothecary each for both my BA and DA armies so I'll be watching this thread for tactics.

[Majkhel]

Sadly that guy seems to be a relic of the past in current edition.
54 points bare bones with a MC-power sword (10pts) included and a half-hearted rule allowing him to re-roll hits vs characters only and forcing him to make Heroic Interventions whenever possible.
Additional JP raises his cost to 68pts.

The problem is he still has only 3 attacks so in the best circumstances he is an actual threat to more squishier supporting characters only, preferably with T3. With re-rolls to hit and our +1 to wound from Red Thirst he has a good chance of pushing those 4 wounds through. 
So either he would be an independent small-fry hunter or a supporting just-in-case anti-charge deterrent for a gunline (no JP then maybe, to save points for some more important stuff). For that latter we have arguably more useful if not so cheap choices - Lieutenant(s), Captain or Ancient for aura buffs.
For the former, maaaybe if we have enough bodies he might zoom around the field relatively unopposed due to his Character status and be able to target his intended prey before he gets killed.
But I'd say we have other, better options - 2 CompVets with JP (Index) cost 38pts bare bones - the same number of attacks and options to add TH, PF, SS, LC, etc., more bodies and ability to threaten a bigger fish (up to finishing off a wounded LoW).

Edit: I have a great miniature of a metal Emperors Champion in my Pile of Shame still waiting to be used. Last time I thought about him, I almost started re-making him into a Sanguinor. But then I got the actual Sanguinor model and the poor fella still waits for his time.

Edited November 7, 2018 by Majkhel

[Xenith]

Posted my company champion in the photo thread.

 

I don't have too much to say on his rules. It's a nice idea but lacking in the 'oomph' department. 

[9x19 Parabellum]

Like pretty much everything else Astartes, he just doesn't hit hard enough for what he brings.  The lack of jump packs is really frustrating.

He's about the same offensive/defensive capability as a Terminator.

 

The best thing going for him is that he's a fairly cheap Elite slot to fill out a Vanguard detachment if you need to plug something in for (relatively) low cost.

[Panzer]

His rules design is very straightforward. A beatstick character that's supposed to fight other characters. However as others have noted he can't do that very well. Any Lieutenant is a better beatstick (and we don't really see those already).

 

As for how to use him if you happen to have one in your list ... well he's a beatstick without any fancy rules you'd have to keep in mind. Think about how you use a beatstick captain or Mephiston but forget everything about using psychic powers and such. Move him towards his target behind a non-character unit and charge something. Preferably together with other units since he can't do anything on his own. If you have literally any other melee character in your army I wouldn't even use Red Rampage on him and if you have any other melee unit with Jump Packs I would rather use my CP to give them a 3d6 charge than him.

Edited November 10, 2018 by sfPanzer

[The Unseen]

I could see using a champion the same way an opponent of mine used to use lone wolves in 5th edition, a single model tough enough to take on non-cc infantry and tie them up in combat while also whittling them down.

 

You avoid units with invuln saves that way, and get full value out of his power sword, and the character rule means he is likely to make it into combat with something. And if your playing against an army that has characters who aren't cc beatsticks, like guard, tau, eldar, etc, the champion is more than capable of killing them.

[Kallas]

I used a Champion once or twice, and he's not bad. As others have mentioned he's quite cheap, even with a Jump Pack it's not breaking the bank. He is good at being a throwaway character that can hunt weaker characters (such as Guard Commanders, Eldar Warlocks/Farseers) and put shooty units into combat (Guard Heavy Weapon Teams don't like being wounded on 2+ with no save and D2!). With the Red Thirst he's not too bad at doling out a few wounds, although the low volume of attacks means he does want to go for no/weak Invulnerables at most (eg, Guard Commanders).

 

I wouldn't say the Champion is bad, per se, but generally speaking he's not particularly impressive. Lieutenants, as sfPanzer mentioned, are basically the same but bring some buffs with them; but the Champion is an Elite and costs slightly less and actually has an invulnerable save himself. Honestly, the Master Crafted Power Sword and Combat Shield are a decent enough combo, and his special rule does help when he's hunting his favoured prey.

[Charlo]

Didn't realise he was D2. That's quite nice and consistent.

[Jolemai]

The following was found down in the Tactica forum:
 

So, I have looked over my space marine codex extensively, and I have found that a company champion can be pretty dang effective. Not sure if this has been done before, but it probably has been. Anyway, here is what I have thought of doing with him.

Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter
Warlord trait: Champion of Humanity

Stratagem: Relics of the Chapter
Relic: The Burning Blade

Pyschic power: Might of Heroes

So, with the strength that the burning blade and MoH gives, he is at S8. The extra attacks from MoH and Champion of Humanity gives him 7 attacks on a charge. It also allows him to add 1 to hit rolls and wound rolls. So with all that, and his ability Superlative Duelist, he hits and wounds on 2s with rerolls for both, even against Hive Tyrants which is what I'm building him for.

Also, I have decided to use the custom chapter tactic Whirlwind of Rage, which gives him additional hits on unmodified hit rolls of 6. So he hits on average, about 8 times. Combine all this with the fact that he always fights first against character units, as well as a librarian next to him with null zone active, I don't see any character unit surviving his wrath.

What do you guys think? Is there any errors in my thinking, or what I can do with all this? As far as I see it, this is all legal and allows him to be exceptionally deadly.

Hence the bump. How can we make the most of this sort of setup? 

Edited March 27, 2021 by Jolemai

[The Unseen]

Only problem is, no jump pack without legends.

 

But if you were running a foot based list with like bladeguard or termies, he's a very cheap for his output character murderer.

Maybe in a non-primaris rhino rush based list, which I still think might be good if you can find the right combo of stuff for it.

 

Though I wouldn't go Burning Blade, I'd upgrade to Chapter Champion and give him the sword they can take. Think it's called the blade of triumph.

Flat damage 3.

Also Champion of Humanity isn't worth it for us, he already hits on a 2, and the +1 to wound characters won't stack with ours unless they have a -1 to wound.

Probably Imperiums Sword, for extra attack and Str.

[Karhedron]

One popular use for the Chapter Champion is to give him the Martial Exemplar WLT to allow everyone within 6" to reroll charges. It is a pretty good use but we already have the Icon of the Angel which has the advantage that it can be taken by a Character with a Jump Pack.

 

Blade of Triumph is pretty good with Red Thirst for 3D with no penalty to hit.