Word Bearers - Last of the Serrated Sun

[The Ironic Warrior]

Hey all

 

So I'm thinking of running Word bearers with the last of the Serrated sun, and I've got this as an initial starting point:

 

Zardu Layak

Chaplain (Burning Lore, AA, Refector Field, Power Axe)

 

2x 5 man Gal Vorbak squads in drop pods

 

Leviathan in dreadnought drop pod (Cyclonic melta Lance, ceramite, drill, phosphex)

 

I'm debating whether to keep the chaplain or run him as a basic centurion, as Zardu has Zealot anyway, and I'm unsure whether to put them in a drop pod with a command squad, or go for something cool like a Herald and a destroyer squad for some fluffy carnage.

 

I need scoring units but not sure where to go, either with veterans or Tacticals but still thinking about that...

 

Any thoughts and opinions?

[Marshal Loss]

If at all possible you really want the Gal Vorbak in Dreadclaws not drop pods. Save the drop pods for units prefer to shoot. I'd probably drop the Chaplain and just run a plain Centurion as well.

 

Machine Killer Vets in drop pods can also be a great source of scoring & AV. While the Gal Vorbak aren't scoring, they do take up your compulsory troops choices so you can afford to skip the Tactical tax if you so wish.

 

And a basic tip for this sort of list, make sure you take an odd rather than an even number of drop pods/dreadclaws in the force.

[Lautrec the Embraced]

Last of the Serrated Suns is not an easy RoW to use in my opinion. The best thing it does is making Gal Vorbak troops. But the worst thing is that you have to buy them Drop Pod. Plot twist is that they already have Deep Strike! So you're paying quite a lot for only a few bonuses. If you're short on points take normal Pods for Dark Brethren, but Dreadclaw complements them better.

 

Chaplain would be great for a large squad of Gal Vorbak (oddly enough they have pretty weak morale for Word Bearers standards - Stubborn is fine but since they don't have your Legion rules, they are more likely to fail some Ld checks) but with that Rite you can't take large squad cause only 5 of them fit in Drop Pod. So for me a regular Centurion seems better. Regardless, I suggest always giving Centurion or Chaplain Burning Lore upgrade.

 

Herald won't work too well because the Blessed Sons are not affected by his banner.

 

A word about Dark Martyr: the guy is amazing as you probably know yourself. Best sergeant in whole Horus heresy. Has fair chances of beating even kitted out Praetors in duels so use him acco rdingly. Despite I5 and Rending, I'd lean toward Power Fist - S10 and T5 alongside 3 wounds are just to unique to pass.

 

As venerable Marshal Loss already pointed out, uneven number of Drop Pods is advisable. You want as many Drop Pods turn one as possible. I agree that Machine Killer Vets with Melta/Combi Meltas are pretty good against vehicles. Against infantry Combi-Plasma Weapon-Masters Vets seem pretty good too. Terminators can work ok as well - they can take combi-weapons for a fair price and are scoring.

 

Also, this RoW does allow Jetbikes and Vehicles. Not every single model must take a Drop Pod, just Infantry. So you could, probably should, pack some heavy hitters.

[The Ironic Warrior]

Thanks for the feedback so far guys!

Gal Vorbak having Deep Strike is definitely awesome, and I agree giving them a pod is a bit of a waste when they can Deep Strike natively, but I do see three real benefits for putting them either in a Pod or a Dreadclaw:

1. They will arrive Turn 1 potentially, which means they'll get stuck into melee Turn 2 hopefully which is always good - means more chances for assaults in the game!
2. In Serrated Sun they're Troops, which means you can take something like Support Marines with Plasma or Melta as Troops for scoring/shooting instead of being forced to take 2 Tactical Squads as tax
3. In a Dreadclaw they have protection from things they are allergic to, like Demolisher Cannons.

I do see the points about the Chaplain with them, I guess that's something I might try because giving them Zealot would be pretty tasty! The Herald would be more for a Destroyer Squad I'd say, as I haven't decided whether I want to put Zardu in a Command Squad with characters attached, or in a Destroyer Squad with a Herald - there are pros and cons for both the way I see it.

 

100% agree on the Powerfist on the Dark Martyr though, no contest there with a Lightning Claw or Power Sword on another guy for some I5 AP3.

 

Agreed on the odd number of pods though - gonna work to make sure that's the case and that I have enough for the big bois and girls to arrive Turn 1.

[Argel Tal]

Well if you have Zardu you don't really need a chap, Zardu already has zealot anyway but the main issue is where to put him as all your infantry squad must be drop poded

If you want to run a big squad of Gal Vorbak with Zardu you will have to use a kharybdis to get enough room for every one and enjoy his bonus for the squad (+ tainted ground is awesome for him) 

Destroyer WB are not that great on their own, we don't have any dedicated bonus for them compared to some melee legions like WE or NL but no problem if you like the look and idea of them ! 
On a sidenote destroyers cannot be joined by a character unless it is a moritat and mb chaplain I don't remember. 

Also really consider the ashen circle, with the latest FAQ they are quite handy plus if you run Zardu as warlord, they will become troops and get access to dark channeling !  

I have been playing this rite for 2 years and it's awesome to play ! A good way to keep a good back field presence is to add quad mortar rapiers, they are quite tough and in objective games they can deny you DZ to the enemy if he tries to outlank you. 

Don't forget the pinning checks when your pods land !!

[The Ironic Warrior]

Well if you have Zardu you don't really need a chap, Zardu already has zealot anyway but the main issue is where to put him as all your infantry squad must be drop poded

 

If you want to run a big squad of Gal Vorbak with Zardu you will have to use a kharybdis to get enough room for every one and enjoy his bonus for the squad (+ tainted ground is awesome for him) 

 

Destroyer WB are not that great on their own, we don't have any dedicated bonus for them compared to some melee legions like WE or NL but no problem if you like the look and idea of them ! 

On a sidenote destroyers cannot be joined by a character unless it is a moritat and mb chaplain I don't remember. 

 

Also really consider the ashen circle, with the latest FAQ they are quite handy plus if you run Zardu as warlord, they will become troops and get access to dark channeling !  

 

I have been playing this rite for 2 years and it's awesome to play ! A good way to keep a good back field presence is to add quad mortar rapiers, they are quite tough and in objective games they can deny you DZ to the enemy if he tries to outlank you. 

 

Don't forget the pinning checks when your pods land !!

 

True yeah, I need to double check the Destroyers to see that, but worst case it'll be a Veteran squad (but the more I look at it the more a regular Command Squad would work best).

 

Is Dark Channeling worth taking? I know there's the risk of Daemon on a 6 but I feel it's worth the 25pts because any result is good, as long as you aren't running Apothecaries who get shafted by it lol.

 

Glorious light from pinning drop pods!

[Argel Tal]

If you run Zardu your troops ashen circle have to take the upgrade dark channeling :) 

But for them it can be useful as they are a dedicated melee squad all the bonus you get can be useful, just alays take a few power axes like 1 PA for 3 dude I'd say ! 

Command sqaud can also be a neat idea just rememeber that Zardu is not a very good fighter, his walking stick is crappy and he only has 2 attacks

I have also tried to make a "super unit" with Zardu + blade slave + Lorgar + centurion in biomancy and hope you get endurance coming from a dreadclaw, blade slave have the it will not die rule of you didn't notice :)

[The Ironic Warrior]

Yeah I spotted that, I'm liking the look of Ashen Circle now, just obviously no drop pod access so need to bring some stuff down Turn 1 to hold the fort (thinking Gal Vorbak for that with a Leviathan). 25pts is a good shout though, especially with their +1S power swords (yikes). 

 

He isn't great, but tbh if I chuck a Librarian in there or something he'll be able to buff the unit potentially. I saw they have IWND yeah, just need to decide if I want to use them or a Command Squad :D 

 

I wish Ashen Circle could buy Melta Bombs for the whole unit though, just saying....

[Lautrec the Embraced]

Can you take Kharybdis with Gal Vorbak? I only have access to Battle Scribe and it says:

"All units of Gal Vorbak have access to Legion Drop Pods and Anvillus Pattern Dreadclaw Drop Pods as Dedicated Transports, and must take one of these options."

Which would mean you can't take larger squad than 5 and they are not allowed to deploy with Kharybdis. But Battle Scribe might be wrong here of course.

 

Ashen Circle is absolutely amazing after FAQ should you play Playtest rules (I'd even say disgustingly overpowered). But they are pretty hard to use with this RoW imo

Edited December 4, 2019 by Lautrec the Embraced

[Lautrec the Embraced]

As a Word Bearer you have a cool alternative to Librarian - Centurion with Burning Lore.

[The Ironic Warrior]

The temptation to run a shattered legion with blood angels and word bearers is very strong (Day of Revelation ofc)

[Argel Tal]

Can you take Kharybdis with Gal Vorbak? I only have access to Battle Scribe and it says:

"All units of Gal Vorbak have access to Legion Drop Pods and Anvillus Pattern Dreadclaw Drop Pods as Dedicated Transports, and must take one of these options."

Which would mean you can't take larger squad than 5 and they are not allowed to deploy with Kharybdis. But Battle Scribe might be wrong here of course.

 

Ashen Circle is absolutely amazing after FAQ should you play Playtest rules (I'd even say disgustingly overpowered). But they are pretty hard to use with this RoW imo

 

why is that ? I'd say it's pretty easy, you juste have to deploy them from deepstrike and buy some nuncio voxes for your first wave and you are good to go :) 

 

But I disagree on the fact that they are too good, their light flamer is almost useless as it's only str 3 shots and they only have 1A each they are very good MEQ killers but they will get destroyed by TEQ or dreads as they have no melta bombs and they only have a 3+ and the hardened armor is quite crappy, almost all blast weapons have low ap so you have nothing to reroll when you die to demolishers ahah 

 

And yes good point I didn't remember that you had to embark in a claw or a pod and that you couldn't use kharybdis for them as a ROW restriction. 

 

Yes don't take librarians as WB, way too expensive when you have burning lore ! 

[The Ironic Warrior]

Gal Vorbak must take a dreadclaw or a drop pod, I just checked so they won't be able to take a kharybdis. Unless.... You buy them a drop pod and just not put them in it?

[Lautrec the Embraced]

I believe you have to deploy alongside your Dedicated Transport. :(

 

About Ashen Circle: ok, again, citing Battle Scribe so correct me if I'm mistaken:

"All infantry units in the army must deploy via a Deep Striking Drop Pod, by teleportation if such an option is available or be transported inside a Flyer that has sufficient Transport capacity to carry them."

 

That sounds quite bizarrely. But Ashen Circle are not teleporting ( or are they...?) so if I'm correct they can't deep strike normally in Serrated Suns.

 

That said, it seems pretty weird to me so I would definitely allow my opponent to field them.

 

I might have exaggerated about Ashen Circle being OP, especially compared to Dark Furies and Locutarus Strike Squad - I'm just frustrated that my Night Raptors suck so hard. Points-wise they are extremly cheap: normally it would cost a bloody lot to equip everyone with power sword and hand flamer, though the latter is clearly not worth it's points. Only 1 attack is a problem but not a crippling one: +1 S weapon means the difference is entirely mitigated on the charge against Marines and to some extent elsewhere. Toss in some additional bonuses and you've got yourself a very good unit.

Edited December 4, 2019 by Lautrec the Embraced

[The Ironic Warrior]

I think you may be right with that one...

Yeah unfortunately they'd have to be in a drop pod, so no Ashen Circle for Serrated Sun *single tear*

 

I do like Ashen Circle, I'm just weighing up the difference between them and Destroyers as I can see pros and cons for both.

[Argel Tal]

I believe you have to deploy alongside your Dedicated Transport.

 

About Ashen Circle: ok, again, citing Battle Scribe so correct me if I'm mistaken:

"All infantry units in the army must deploy via a Deep Striking Drop Pod, by teleportation if such an option is available or be transported inside a Flyer that has sufficient Transport capacity to carry them."

 

That sounds quite bizarrely. But Ashen Circle are not teleporting ( or are they...?) so if I'm correct they can't deep strike normally in Serrated Suns.

 

That said, it seems pretty weird to me so I would definitely allow my opponent to field them.

 

I might have exaggerated about Ashen Circle being OP, especially compared to Dark Furies and Locutarus Strike Squad - I'm just frustrated that my Night Raptors suck so hard. Points-wise they are extremly cheap: normally it would cost a bloody lot to equip everyone with power sword and hand flamer, though the latter is clearly not worth it's points. Only 1 attack is a problem but not a crippling one: +1 S weapon means the difference is entirely mitigated on the charge against Marines and to some extent elsewhere. Toss in some additional bonuses and you've got yourself a very good unit.

Imo this restriction makes no sense as you have no way to "teleport" units in the army unless you use orbital assault terminators and for obvious reasons well.. you can"t here ahah 

 

All my opponents play with this restriction for Serrated Sun: you have to use your DS rule if you have it otherwise it's go for a drop pod :) 

 

I would not say Locutarus are great either ^^ they are super expensive and dark fury have high damage output but in the end it's juste MEQ dude so no that hard to deal with in 30K ! 

 

Destroyers are mainly good if you combo charge with something else to fully use their rad nades but otherwise they are quite meh if you don't have any legion rules for them. For WE they are just brutal as hell: 5A on the charge at S5 hatred, reroll 1 to wound for example. 

 

Ashen circle are good on their own to bully other MEQ squad but don't send them against TEQ or heavy mele squad, you have Gal Vorbaks for this job !

[Lautrec the Embraced]

Yeah, I'd also allow regular Deep Strike. Really, I'd say that a squad of Incendiaries with hand flamers with rules like "Burning Descent" and "Scorched Earth" does sound pretty much in line with "Burning Sun" rule from this RoW.

 

Ashen Circle should be a perfect match for this Rite but Rules as Written it fails miserably.

 

However, it is possible to teleport units without Orbital Assault! I came up with at least two methods:

-Warmonger can teleport alongside one unit

-A Void Walker warlord can do exactly the same but it's determined just before the game. This means you would have to hope that you'll roll Void Walker WT. If you fail I guess you can't deploy that unit. Or maybe you just lose instantly. Idk. Better pray for this dice roll ( it's pretty fluffy for Word Bearers to do it too) It's probably not legal anyway :D

Edited December 5, 2019 by Lautrec the Embraced