Blood Angels Unit of the Week series Unit of the Week: Whirlwind

[Jolemai]

 

Welcome to part three 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. Forge World and Forge World Legends comprise parts five and six.

 

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:
 

Whirlwind

 

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

 

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? Will the Chapter Approved changes affect your list(s)?
• Will you be running multiple units?
• What ammunition are you selecting? Target priority?
• What optional weapons choices are you taking and does the above affect how you run them?
• Are you buffing this unit? If so, how?
• Stratagems of note?

 

Over to you.

Please note that the Hyperios and Scorpius will be discussed elsewhere.

 

Edited September 21, 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.

[t-dog1996]

It's not the punchiest unit in the world, but I like the potential of the Vengeance Launcher against 2 wound models. You could do a lot worse for 90 points. Alternatively the Castellan Launcher is good for 1-wound enemies. Either way, parked behind a wall with a Lieutenant nearby and Datalink telemetry making them auto-hit you could cause a real nuisance with one. 

[Morticon]

Has anyone had luck with datalink telemetry?

[Spagunk]

Speculation: Datalink telemetry is nice but you're paying almost as much for the speeder as you do the whirlwind. However I can't justify it since you're going to want redundancy in your speeder squad which means you're almost paying double for pretty flimsy, but fast, vehicles.

 

I gave it an honest though though and I'd be comfortable with 2 whirlwinds and 3 speeders to make it work. Not a terrible amount of points but still kind of a lot of points for a single gimmick.

[Charlo]

DLT probably isn't the worst move you can do as a BA player to clear a big hole in some chaff ready for a turn 2 drop/ charge etc...

[Brother Crimson]

Whirlwind are ok to fill a brigade and clear some screen from a good distance. They are not very expensive and have huge range.

However datalink telemetry is a bad stratagem IMO. It requires a landspeeder within 12”, and only one whirlwind can benefit from it. I’d rather stick to tried and true captain/lieutenant in the backlime and buff three whirlwind.

It’s not a game breaking unit but at least they can remove about 10 guardsmens per turn to help chargers to go through and their range is something most BA armies lack.

[Jolemai]

On 4/17/2019 at 8:06 AM, Jolemai said:

 

Welcome to part three 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. Forge World and Forge World Legends comprise parts five and six.

 

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:
 

Whirlwind

 

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

 

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? Will the Chapter Approved changes affect your list(s)?
• Will you be running multiple units?
• What ammunition are you selecting? Target priority?
• What optional weapons choices are you taking and does the above affect how you run them?
• Are you buffing this unit? If so, how?
• Stratagems of note?

 

Over to you.

Please note that the Hyperios and Scorpius will be discussed elsewhere.

 

Another updated for 9th post-Nephillim.

Whirlwinds are still finding their way into lists despite certain changes to weapons requiring no line of sight and the CP amendments. How are you using yours?

[Majkhel]

Usage did not change - we take it for the Suppression Fire stratagem. 
Loadout: Castellan Launcher because it:
    a) gives more shots (got more important with -1 to-hit when indirect-firing) and thus increases the chance to score the needed hit to trigger the stratagem
    b) is cheaper

Hide from enemy's praying eyes as a priority. If possible screen some part of the battlefield from deep-strikers. If it's able to hold an objective at the same time, all the better.
    

[Jolemai]

/thread? 

Pretty sure it has more going for it than that for us 

[Majkhel]

I don't want to lament or something, but in my eyes Indirect Fire rule hurt the Whirlwind quite a bit terms of damage output.

It's still a rather squishy SM tank that prefers not to be seen by the enemy. 

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

I think it’s best use is the fights last strat.