Terminators in 9th?

[professorjekyll]

Hi all,

what do you think of terminators in 9th? I love the look of them and will include a few by rule of cool, but I haven't been playing since 6th and I have no real idea of where things stand competitively. But it feels like having terminators in reserve to go in and grab objectives could be an idea?

 

(EDIT: Currently painting up some assault termies, will post pic as soon as they're done!)

Edited July 25, 2020 by pinkmarine

[Alcyon]

They've been pretty universally weak for several editions at least, but I think 9th actually has been their best chance in ages. They barely got a points increase (1 or 2 per model I think for Storm Bolters) and so they're quite price competitive now with Aggressors and Assault Centurions, both of which got much more expensive. They also have a natural deep-strike ability anywhere on the board, and you don't have to pay CP for it, so that makes them attractive even in RG/9th where we have alternate methods of doing so. 

 

I think their built-in invulnerable saves are still quite strong, as only they, Bladeguard, Company and Vanguard Veterans can take them in the SM codex and they have the rare ability to be able to shoot and still get an invuln, whereas those other units have to carry shields. On the other hand, they suffer from having fewer wounds and attacks than their Primaris equivalents, though they do have two wounds now which isn't too bad.

 

The main thing with them I think is that the variants (Tartaros and Cataphractii) are pretty much strictly better; for three points more per model the latter give you a built-in 4+ invuln which is perfect for guys with Lightning Claws, and for the same points the former upgrades your movement by 1" and you get a mix of weapon options. So Indomitus Pattern Terminators are in a pretty tough spot. 

 

If you ask me, Cataphractii are too slow and there are too many other anti-infantry options for Lightning Claws to be a major draw. I tend to think Thunder Hammers and Storm Shields are a waste on Terminators vs. Vanguards because you pay six points more per model for 1W, +1 to your save and a 5+ invuln you aren't using, though they are weaker to anti-infantry fire. Accordingly I think Tartaros (or even standard Indomitus) Terminators with the hybrid Bolter/Fist (probably Chainfist) loadout are the best option. You can teleport them onto an objective and expect them to hold it fairly well, they can put out enough fire that they don't NEED to charge that turn, and they have plenty of punch to hit back if they do end up in combat.

[professorjekyll]

Wow, thanks for this!

So far I have a unit of Indomitus with lightning claws. Not optimal but cool. But I follow your advice here and get some Tartaros’, seems the best option. (Will also be look great together with Contemptor Dreadnoughts.)

My thought was to use them to teleport in and clear/secure objectives, or to teleport in, clear infantry and be able to teleport home to secure objectives.

Edited July 26, 2020 by pinkmarine

[Alcyon]

Note that only the Indomitus pattern gets a teleport homer, so if you want to use them to jump back to your deployment zone then you’ll have to stick with original Terminators. I think it would be a rare case where you don’t have something long range hanging out in your deployment zone to do that but it does give them a lot of mobility in the case that there’s something in your DZ you have to get back to.