So, what's the point of assault Intercessors?

[Gederas]

From the Join the Combat Patrol post today we have confirmation that Assault Intercessors have a very important role:

 

They're troops, as that's a Patrol Detachment under 9th Edition:

[NemFX]

GW doesn't know what they are doing. They have been trying to crank out replacements for their line, but most of them aren't thought out. Currently, only the vehicles are better for primaris. The troops aren't as good, the lack of options is bad. A lot of the designs are bad. The lack of options is incredibly detrimental.

[War Angel]

GW doesn't know what they are doing. They have been trying to crank out replacements for their line, but most of them aren't thought out. Currently, only the vehicles are better for primaris. The troops aren't as good, the lack of options is bad. A lot of the designs are bad. The lack of options is incredibly detrimental.

I disagree and find their true weakness to be their vulnerability to D2 weapons, which so often seem to be in such abundance for the enemy.

[Hymnblade]

GW doesn't know what they are doing. They have been trying to crank out replacements for their line, but most of them aren't thought out. Currently, only the vehicles are better for primaris. The troops aren't as good, the lack of options is bad. A lot of the designs are bad. The lack of options is incredibly detrimental.

If anything, I feel like the Troops slot is the one where Primaris most obviously outclass non-Primaris choices. Scouts are still a thing simply because "the cheapest troop choice you're allowed to take" is always going to be a thing for any army, but Intercessors just offer way better value than Tacticals point-for-point, unless you specifically want a squad to sit on a backfield objective with a lascannon. Meanwhile, Repulsors are kind of meh, and Redemptors are fine but certainly haven't replaced Contemptors or Leviathans. (Castraferrum dreads and most Rhino or Land Raider chassis vehicles are in a pretty bad place though, granted.)

[Evil Eye]

Because options are cool, especially when those options involve giving chainswords to people.

[Captain Idaho]

I don't think it is a clear cut answer regarding what is "superior" in the Marine line.

 

Repulsors have great firepower but are less survivable than a Land Raider by quite some margin, both units transport different types of units and both are a points investment. Impulsors aren't cheap like a Rhino or Razorback but provide good transport and phenomenal movement across the board.

 

Intercessors, Infiltrators and Incursors all specialise on bolters killing infantry but are woefully outmatched against vehicles, heavy infantry and being really susceptible to degrading performance as the unit depletes, whereas Tactical squads are cheaper and easier to kill, but have great firepower and killing potential right up until they croak their last.

 

Assault Intercessors need to fit into Troops (if that's where they're going) which is fine, perhaps a little terminal for Incursors, but their key will be reaching combat.

 

I think Assault Intercessors will find a place in lists with a couple Impulsor squads and a few distractions for some turn 2 charging, but will be tough for us to use without other targets to distract the opponent.

 

Where I think Assault Intercessors will do best is with an assault force as additional numbers for relatively cheap. Vanguard Veterans can jump forward and will likely take the brunt of the enemy shooting and attention for their killing potential, which will still have an edge even when diminished. Support them with 10 Assault Intercessors and you have a mean assault force.

 

The biggest challenge to Assault Intercessors will come from not being in the Troops slot. If you're buying assault troops from other slots you're looking at Vanguard with Jump packs and Outriders. Maybe Reivers if they get FAQ treatment that makes them worthwhile again.

[Disruptor_fe404]

The biggest challenge to Assault Intercessors will come from not being in the Troops slot. If you're buying assault troops from other slots you're looking at Vanguard with Jump packs and Outriders. Maybe Reivers if they get FAQ treatment that makes them worthwhile again.

 

They are a Troops slot though. Or do you mean that the biggest challenge to them will come from being in the Troops slot - that being a Troops slot likely prohibits them taking jump packs or similar options further down the line?

[BrainFireBob]

Impulsor, bodyguards for that Dark Angels Master character.

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

I think that assault Ints are just what factions like Scars and Templars need. There will be Outriders as well but that is another discussion.

[Dracos]

I'm so glad we have confirmation Assault Intercessors count as Troops. 

[War Angel]

I think he means if they weren’t troops it would be an issue

[Deadlight]

I think the move going forward will be that all the phobos armoured guys will go into the 10th company, replacing scouts. So if you want to play a pure 10th company list, you will be able to. You have options for hq, elite, troops, fa and heavy

[Panzer]

Since we now know how Strategic Reserves work and that Assault Intercessors are Troops I'm confident that at least 10 will find their way into my list. Outflanking is good enough for me (especially if people actually adopt the smaller board recommendation) and they should be cheap enough to hold back until turn 3 where they suddenly start becoming extremely scary in a BA army.

Unfortunately that probably also means my Reivers and DC Intercessors will be banned to the shelf. Got only so many points to spend in a list and there's other awesome stuff coming as well.

[Captain Idaho]

I'm so glad we have confirmation Assault Intercessors count as Troops.

 

 

 

I missed the confirmation as have been busy with my kids. So it's 100%?

 

That gives them a solid position in lists that have lots of assault units.

 

 

I think he means if they weren’t troops it would be an issue

It was indeed :)

[Lord_Caerolion]

I think the move going forward will be that all the phobos armoured guys will go into the 10th company, replacing scouts. So if you want to play a pure 10th company list, you will be able to. You have options for hq, elite, troops, fa and heavy

That’s... partly how it already works. Primaris still start as Scouts, but the 10th Company has 10 squads of Vanguard in addition to that. Each other Company has the option of deploying as Vanguard, they’re not going to be 10th Company only.

[Cryptix]

 

I'm so glad we have confirmation Assault Intercessors count as Troops.

 

 

I missed the confirmation as have been busy with my kids. So it's 100%?

 

That gives them a solid position in lists that have lots of assault units.

 

I think he means if they weren’t troops it would be an issue

It was indeed :)

They're the only possible troop choice in this patrol.

[jaxom]

DC Intercessors will be banned to the shelf. Got only so many points to spend in a list and there's other awesome stuff coming as well.

I don’t have access to BoB right now, but how specific is the keyword wording in the upgrade stratagem? Maybe assault intercessors meet the criteria?

[Captain Idaho]

The boxed set was never described as a starter set but a set for established hobbyists. That is a good indicator of the Intercessors being Troops but it still is an assumption.

 

Or perhaps a presumption is more accurate here ;)

[Brother Kraskor]

The boxed set was never described as a starter set but a set for established hobbyists. That is a good indicator of the Intercessors being Troops but it still is an assumption.

 

Or perhaps a presumption is more accurate here

 

I think you could safely bet your house that Assault Intercessors are more likely going to be Troops than Bladeguard or Outriders, which are the only other candidates. It is 100% (provided GW don't decide to change the role between now and release).

Edited June 27, 2020 by Brother Kraskor

[Doghouse]

I'm pretty sure it's the Intercessors but kind of secretly hope it's the Bladeguard.

[Medjugorje]

The boxed set was never described as a starter set but a set for established hobbyists. That is a good indicator of the Intercessors being Troops but it still is an assumption.

 

Or perhaps a presumption is more accurate here

? its already confirmed that Assault Intercessors are a troop choice

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

I’d bet dollars to donuts they are troops.

[Brother Kraskor]

I'm pretty sure it's the Intercessors but kind of secretly hope it's the Bladeguard.

 

Troops choice with D2 power swords and storm shields 

[Medjugorje]

I’d bet dollars to donuts they are troops.

Intercessors or Bladeguard Veterans? Maybe its your kind of humor but i am german - we dont have such abstract things like that^^

Edited June 27, 2020 by Medjugorje

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

I meant Intercessors. BG will never be troop choices .