Help me like the new guys

[Interrogator Stobz]

+++Mod Stobz here; these threads can easily lose their way and stop being constructive, regardless of how we feel about the new guys the OP wants help to like them. That is how we must be constructive, if we have nothing constructive to say then unfortunately we need to refrain from commenting. Those are the BnC rules. Obey.+++

 

 

Carry on

[shabbadoo]

So mean. So mean.

 

In defense of the new models, I really do like many things about them (even though I blasted many of them previously, but that is for the specified reasons).  Now we have the Vigilus models soon to be coming out, and I can't help but say that I like the Vanguard models quite a bit.  Like a cancer, they could even make the others grow on me.  Looking back at the OP,  I see that the concerns are little about the aesthetics of the models, but regard the overall purpose/usefulness of the new units. Accordingly, here are some observations...

 

With the new rules making unrestricted split-fire a thing now, is there much purpose to have a purpose driven unit? The simple answer is Yes. There is always a use for purpose driven unit (i.e. anti-light infantry, anti-heavy infantry, anti-tank, anti-flier, anti-horde, etc.), because the one feature that hasn't been tossed out the window completely is unit composition. By that I mean one cannot make a unit of two terminators, three scouts, a dreadnought, and a commander, such that casualty removal from among such a unit is by the choice of the player. Every unit is singular and of a specific type and makeup, and so long as that remains true, purposed driven units will always have a function, that function being to kick the arse of whatever unit type it is they are good at kicking the arse of. Undoubtedly, certain Primaris units are good at laying the smack down on certain enemy units. It is also true that there is a ton of bleed over as to the function of the various Primaris units, but that really just means one has many options to choose from as to how to enact said smack down.  Of the current units available, there are two main functions that the various Primaris units have: deliver  basic Str 4 bolter/flamer attacks or deliver plasma attacks. These attacks can be delivered in a variety of ways; mainly in the way of doing so at varying ranges more often than not linked to a corresponding level of mobility.  We have been deluged with these units, but more and different unit types are on the way, and some of them will be equipped with longer ranged heavy weapons (probably a few weapon types even).

 

So, here is the usefulness of the Primaris to date: if you play against opponents who use a fair amount of MEQ or lighter infantry, Primaris units are a good addition to your army. I would prefer to use what I consider to be the more "standard" units, those being Intercessors and Hellblasters. They fill the roles of Tactical Marines and Really Nasty Tactical Marines. They will pretty much murder anything outside of heavier vehicles (but the Hellblasters can threaten even them).  Both of these units form a good solid core to a force, and can be well supplemented by the addition of close combat units, longer ranged anti-tank units, and a variety of vehicle support.  No single unit can do all jobs well, so variety is a necessity. 

 

But here is the most telling factor about both Intercessors and Hellblasters: they are cheap for what you get. Compare them to a Tactical Marine with a bolter or plasma gun and you will see that, point-for-point, the Primaris marine is better. The biggest factor is the extra wound, followed by the range/mobility variation of their weapons. That the functionality of the units can be tweaked in such subtle ways is a definite bonus, and can surely be used to represent the Chapter Tactics of many Chapters. Hmmm. It almost seems like GW did this purposely to get people to buy a bunch of new models or something. And now there's new bolter beta-rules! Woot! Dang, but they are really trying hard to not convince people to buy them! Also, the Primaris characters are almost universally useful simply due to their stat line (let alone their actual capabilities), though mileage for some of them may vary more depending upon your tactics, the enemy being faced, etc.  So, if you have the starter set Primaris models, try out the most basic units in a smaller game and increase the game point level from there. That will give you a very good idea of how the units function at different levels and in different situations. And paint a few models. After doing that, it should be easy to determine if you like the units or not. Could turn out that Primaris marines end up growing on people as much as the revamped Land Speeder that came out with 3E starter set did.

[sneakybamsen]

I recently bit the primaris bullet for my take on The First. I am currently owning a captain, 10 hellblasters and 3 agressors with another 3 on the way alongside 6 inceptors. In time it will be a primaris force, or rather primaris part of my DA collection.

 

I've always liked the models, not had too many issues with the simplified loadout for the units, and known they were superior in terms of rules (tougher with more attacks and better weapons). It was the fluff that kept me at a financially healthy distance for a year and a half. Then Geedub announed Primarneus, saying a lot of characters will get the primaris treatment (drooling over the prospect of a new Azrael), and I discovered regular marines have the option of being upgraded to primaris marines. That way, they can be used in the legion without being Guillimans lapdogs, and I dig that prospect. I decided my regular marines should be third company a while ago, and I could stick with that. Just give the primaris models another company designation like 8th or 9th perhaps, and all could be good.

 

So in short fluff kept me away, but no more. I think you'd do well to indulge them too.