The rise of the Plasma Inceptor

[Riddlesworth]

Seeing these more and more regularly in competitive lists.

 

I'm using mine escorted by a bike captain, helped by a fall back and shoot strat with White scars,but seeing a fair few with no mobile re-roll support. Are they really just being used as a 300 point deep strike deletion tool?

 

How else are you using plasma inceptors?

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

I’ve been using a five man squad since the beginning of eighth in my smurf army. Hellblasters are still quite good as well.

[emperorpants]

Plasmaceptors are great as Ultras. Our re roll 1s strat is invaluable for keeping them alive and accurate. Since they have blast they can essentially pull double duty quite well. Against hoards you get the same number of shots as the heavy bolter variant, but with the superior plasma stats. No overcharging is needed. Against tough units you can overcharge to blow them away, and with the Ultras strat you can do it with much more safety. They provide accurate and deadly fire power when and where you need it. Edited October 26, 2020 by emperorpants

[Dracos]

Building 5 to work . . . with Shrike.

 

I’ve been using 10 Bolter Inceptors but shifting my build for 9th. I have much testing of unit combinations to be done but as of the moment I can’t imagine a Primaris unit Shrike is better suited to arrive with on Turn 2.

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

I never bothered with the bolter variant. The plasma can nuke a unit per turn.

[XeonDragon]

I've had success with a squad of 5. I used to run them with a jump chaplain and recitation of focus to allow safe overcharging. Now that it is natural 1s that blow them up, I have taken to putting a master-crafted weapon on the sergeant (flat 2 damage, 3 on overcharge) to reduce the need to overcharge except in the most dire of circumstances. My attitude has always been that plasma weapons need to be worthwhile on a points efficiency basis without overcharging. I will probably run them with a jump captain for re-rolls. 

 

I've found hellblasters with the assault incinerator (3 shots at strength 6) really, really good. Not AS mobile as the inceptors, but still fairly mobile as they can advance and shoot. 

[Karhedron]

I have just finished my second 3-man squad although I plan to run a single 5-man squad in most games. I run Blood Angels so keeping a Jump Captain nearby for rerolls T1 and 2 is not too big problem. A jump Sanguinary Priest is also really good for Combat Revivals if they get a bit carried away when Overcharging.

[Debauchery101]

I have just finished my second 3-man squad although I plan to run a single 5-man squad in most games. I run Blood Angels so keeping a Jump Captain nearby for rerolls T1 and 2 is not too big problem. A jump Sanguinary Priest is also really good for Combat Revivals if they get a bit carried away when Overcharging.

nice early 90s style Edited October 27, 2020 by Debauchery101

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

Five is perfect for weight of fire plus there is a good chance they can shoot twice.

[Mandragola]

They look like a great option for both my Crimson Fists and the Raven Guard I'm considering.

 

With my Fists they can hang around near an HQ in some games and deep strike in others. They have enough shots that you don't need to have them overcharge. I think they compare very well with assault hellblasters as you get basically the same number of shots per point at better strength, and more wounds with better toughness. Plus you can deep strike and move faster.

 

An army that can bring a Captain with them is even better, but it's not totally needed. They do more damage than the bolter version against almost any target, thanks to their better strength and AP. And of course, against a unit of 6 or more, each guy fires 6 shots thanks to the blast rule. 

 

If I run a 5 man squad as Crimson Fists then they'll quite often hit on a 2+. They won't be immune to overheating, but loads of stuff still only has 1W. If I'm shooting at something like necron warriors or sisters of battle, these guys have an exceptionally good weapon profile even on "normal mode". And they can slaughter Primaris now too if needed.

[Subtleknife]

I do like them I just find with my rolling, even re rolling the ones, I alway have a few die on me.

[Karhedron]

I do like them I just find with my rolling, even re rolling the ones, I alway have a few die on me.

Same here but I find that the damage output is worth the risk when you are facing a dangerous target. With a Captain to minimise the damage and possibly an Apothecary to resurrect casualties, I find the attrition rate is acceptable. They are a unit that needs support though to get the best out of the points invested. You can't simply drop a 3-man squad into a list and send them off on their own.

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

Some of them are going to die but that means you’ve probably rolled up a lot of shots.

[Subtleknife]

Hahaha I dont think you have seen my rolling. I have a certain set of skills that allow me to roll 1s

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

Sounds like you’ve got a bit of the curse.

[MegaVolt87]

Plasma inceptors are definitely looking like a good pick, but everything in the new SM dex is points spendy at the moment anyway. I predict these to replace eradicators if those end up with a points increase in the future.

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

The thing is they have always been a great pick but some just realize it now. They have some pros over Erads.

[Riddlesworth]

Plasma inceptors are definitely looking like a good pick, but everything in the new SM dex is points spendy at the moment anyway. I predict these to replace eradicators if those end up with a points increase in the future.

Depends on the increase. They are better against different targets.

 

Generally speaking, plasma is nearly twice as effective vs 2 wound infantry. Its about the same vs 3W infantry, plasma is slightly better vs vehicle stats until you hit melta range where the eradicators are significantly better.

[Karhedron]

I agree. They are both high powered weapons and there is some overlap but Eradicators excel vs single large targets at close range whereas Plasmaceptors are best vs 2W Infantry.

[Mandragola]

Plasmaceptirs actually seem very versatile to me. The blast rule means they can do major damage to larger units - anything with 6+ members. They’re incredibly good at killing Primaris infantry, which are going to be very common, and they can take down tanks as well. They’re also fairly fast and able to deep strike.

 

I think there are opponents where Eradicators won’t feel like a great pick. All-infantry marines, for example, or anything zergy that will tie them up. Inceptors don’t mind this sort of thing anything like as much.

[leth]

Any goDo suggestions For plasma weapons to use? Have 6 of the inceptors already and don’t feel like buying more. 

[Daynga-Zone]

Any goDo suggestions For plasma weapons to use? Have 6 of the inceptors already and don’t feel like buying more.

Unfortunately the cheap option of normal SM plasma guns comes out quite small on inceptors. I think hellblasters could work with some serious cutting. There’s a pic of one on a google search, but they attached the barrels to the end of the mag shield from the normal kits boltguns. Not sure if that works for you if you’d want to be able to magnetize them back and forth.

[Mandragola]

If you want both plasma and bolter intercessors then the box set is very good. I used the spare bolters to replace the ones on my dark imperium ones, as they’re nicer.

 

My advice is, if you can afford it, to get more models instead of cutting up old ones. Experience shows that GW can change rules again and again, so that today’s hotness falls by the wayside. But then sometimes they return. Bolter inceptors are still very good so your best bet is probably to just add a plasma squad and use both.

 

That said, Plasmaceptors seem an exceptional unit right now. The ravenguard army I’m considering could realistically field three squads of them I think. Coming down with Shrike and a Phobos lieutenant they could do major damage.