Unit of the Week: Astraeus Super-heavy Tank

[Jolemai]

Welcome to part five of 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 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. Finally, part five will be dedicated to the reinforcements from Forge World.

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:

Astraeus Super-heavy Tank

Astraeus Super-heavy Tank, Anamnesis

What are you thoughts here folks? How best would you use an Astraeus (rules are a PDF download from FW found here?

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? Will the beta rules affect your list(s)?
• Will you be running multiple units?
• Which weapon options are you taking and are they affects by the above?
• Are you buffing this unit? If so, how?
• Stratagems of note?

Over to you.

Edited November 14, 2021 by Jolemai
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[Jolemai]

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

[Majkhel]

The model is a beast and I would love to field it one day!

Pricey as hell, but it's fast, has lots of shots, +2 base save with the option to use void shields instead. And it's worth noting that void shields also gets better when in cover however hard it is for such huge model to get said cover bonus.

Also it does not fear being locked in combat. On the contrary, I'd say it wants to be in combat as it means that enemy cannot shoot at it, while it still can

 

A pity that we only have like 3 stratagems that we can use on it (Unbridled Ardour, Armour of Contempt and Lucifer-pattern Engines).

 

EDIT: imagine: start on the board as close to the enemy as possible, move full speed with the Lucifer engines, shoot everything without penalties and then charge a screen to stay safe. 

This thing is a bane of Aggressor bombs. 

Edited April 22, 2020 by Majkhel

[redshadow]

Ive never used one bit it’s on my bucket list, plus everything looks better in red