Tactica: Primaris Battle Leader

[PeteySödes]

With the release of our rules update it seems we've had a craving and cause for some new discussions relating to our units. Every week we'll feature a new unit available to the 6th with the purpose of discussing the tactics, use, and synergies around them. The Space Wolves are also about legends, sagas and great deeds as well so each week will also kick off or feature a showcase for you bloodclaws and longfangs alike to show off your units and inspire your battle brothers. These discussions will be archived to allow for reference by the new and old as well!

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.

- Week 4 -

- Primaris Battle Leader -

How do Space Wolves best use Primaris Battle Leaders?

• Wargear?
• Which strategems are worth throwing out?
• Any solid unit combos?

What say you fearless Warriors of the Rout? And please post your finished heroes here!

[Vassakov]

I've found the relatively cheap and cheerful Axe & Carbine version to be fine, but generally speaking I think a Lord is better. They obviously suffer from the limitations of the Primaris equipment options and that really means that even a Firstborn Smash Battle Leader is just more bang for the buck.

 

I've seen people talking about Phobos leaders with the Bolts of Morkai being an option to babysit Long Fangs or backline Intercessors - but haven't tried it myself.

 

Have got the models lying around though, so I'd be interested to know what people have made of them.

[PeteySödes]

It may seem pedantic but remember the Phobos Leaders time will come. Unless you're pitching a good one two punch combo for the Primaris WGBL the topic at hand should stay as focussed as we can on them!

[ranulf the revenant]

Hmmm, but just by looking at the datasheet it seems to me that they're isn't really that too much to say about him. He is a battle leader with +1 A and W, but with limited options. I could see him providing his aura too blocks of intercessors and protect them a bit (if they need it?), or maybe do the same for longfangs. Maybe not all of the codex options are equally relevant/ noteworthy? The Primaris Battle leader seems to be one of the most basic SW HQs out there for me, so maybe a comparision to its variants couldn't hurt?
Correct me if I'm wrong though, I think the unit of the week idea is great, it's just a thought

Edit: Jumping out of an impulsor making intercessors around him more killy would be another option of course...

Edited April 27, 2020 by ranulf the revenant

[Valerian]

It may seem pedantic but remember the Phobos Leaders time will come. Unless you're pitching a good one two punch combo for the Primaris WGBL the topic at hand should stay as focussed as we can on them!

 

Wait, so you're separating discussion of Primaris Battle Leaders, from Primaris Battle Leaders in Phobos Armour?

 

 

I've found the relatively cheap and cheerful Axe & Carbine version to be fine, ...

 

Yeah, a plain Jane Primaris Battle Leader with the stock Bolt Carbine and Power Axe goes really well as an escort for an Intercessor Squad in an Impulsor, particularly, if that Impulsor is headed generally in the same direction as another Impulsor with Ragnar, and his Intercessor Squad escort.  Then you're getting a lot of bang for your buck with the double auras overlapping the 6+ units involved.  Also, if you don't have a better place for it, he's a really good candidate for the Armor of Russ, which is one of our best Relics.  For one, it gives him a nice 4+ Invulnerable Save (where he normally wouldn't have one at all), which is a significant bonus for this combat character, who wants to be stuck in, in melee.  The fact that he can make a charging unit within 1" Fight Last, is icing on the cake.

 

He's very reasonably priced, for what you get, especially for a Character that is going to help you meet your HQ requirements for a double Battalion.

[PeteySödes]

 

 

It may seem pedantic but remember the Phobos Leaders time will come. Unless you're pitching a good one two punch combo for the Primaris WGBL the topic at hand should stay as focussed as we can on them!

Wait, so you're separating discussion of Primaris Battle Leaders, from Primaris Battle Leaders in Phobos Armour?

 

Yes, different datasheet, different UotW.

[Karhedron]

If you have a firebase that does not contain plasma, has Long Fangs in it or includes a Dread (for Wisodom of the Ancients) then he is a more efficient buffing character than a Lord. If you are just buying him for his buff or if you already have access to rerolls to-Hit then he can serve a purpose.

 

Having said that, it is a bit of narrow niche. A Firstborn Battle Leader is cheaper for the same buffs and has more flexibility of loadout.

 

If you are running Primaris Transports and want to include a second set of buffs alongside a Primaris Wolf Lord then I can see some value in him. I would see something like this:

 

Primaris Wolf Lord with Power Fist and plasma pistol. Wulfen stone

Primaris WGBL with Axe and Carbine. Armour of Russ

4 squads of Intercessors with ABRs and Thunder Hammers on the Pack leaders (Veteran Intercessor strat optional on these)

Transports to taste.

 

You have a blob of infantry that puts out 60 shot at 24" range, even on the move. They can reroll 1s both to Hit and to Wound. It also has AP-1 in the Tactical Doctrine. If anyone tries to assault you have the Armour or Russ to freeze them in place while you hit them with the Lord and multiple Thunder Hammers, all at +1 to-Hit and also with rerolls.

 

You have to build an army around this sort of approach but if you are building a Primaris Mech force that includes a Lord already, The Lt provides additional benefit.

 

So basically the Primaris WGBL is of value when you need a Primaris character and already have access to rerolls to-Hit. A narrow niche but useful in certain circumstances.

[PeteySödes]

I actually think this guy could be the best delivery system for morkais teeth with the MC stalker rifles range. I absolutely think this guy is a solid babysitter for ranged elements like LF or shooty dreads given the wound reroll.

[Karhedron]

I actually think this guy could be the best delivery system for morkais teeth with the MC stalker rifles range. I absolutely think this guy is a solid babysitter for ranged elements like LF or shooty dreads given the wound reroll.

The thing that makes me hesitate about his role is the BS3+. A Lord has BS2+ and a reroll to hit which boosts the chance of hitting from 2/3 to 35/36. If you are using Morkai bolts, you really want make sure you hit, otherwise your army loses a significant chunk of its buff.

[ranulf the revenant]

Hmmm... I think the Phobos Lord would be a better option as well...

[QuarterPounder]

For those using the Haldor Icepelt model (one of my favorite Primaris sculpts, personally), he is a good candidate for the new Wyrmsplitter relic, which makes him a great option to run alongside Intercessors, etc as a "trouble shooter" to take care of the big guys you'll encounter.

 

Not really competitive, but I've actually run him stock alongside a blob of Blood Claws that I run up the table as a large distraction carnifex.

Edited April 29, 2020 by QuarterPounder