Unit of the Week: Judicar

[Jolemai]

Welcome to part two 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:

Judicar

What are you thoughts here folks? How best would you use your Judicar?

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? Will the beta rules affect your list(s)?
• Will you be running multiples?
• Footslog or transport?
• How are you buffing this unit? Will it be babysitting anything?
• Stratagem synergy of note?
• How are you making use of Tempormortis?

Over to you

[Jolemai]

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

[Karhedron]

What is not to like? The Judiciar is great for his ability to force an enemy unit to strike last and many Marine armies make use of him. I like to use him to reinforce units in the centre that need to hold ground since they are most likely to be on the receiving end of a charge. With a Judiciar backing them up, assaulting our Troop units suddenly looks a bit more risky. The Judiciar packs enough punch in melee to pose a realistic threat to a range of units, especially as he will usually be striking before they do.

 

The Judiciar is lacking in movement options unless you invest in a Primaris Transport. Having him accompany a unit like Bladeguard in their Transport or Advance on foot to reach the centre ground is a good idea. Depending on how your opponent attacks, you can hopefully HI into combat to turn the tide. At the very least, the threat of the Judiciar may persuade your enemy to attack elsewhere.

 

The Judiciar is an oddity in being a character that you largely want to use defensively since if the units around him are charging, his special rule is largely redundant. Having said this, the new FAQ clarifies that a unit hit with his TemporMortis is not an eligible target for Counter-Offensive which means you do have the ability to limit how your opponent responds to your own assaults.

 

With locked wargear, there are not many options for the Judiciar. One thing I am keen to try on him though is the relic Deathmask. Giving enemy units a -1 to-Hit when attacking him in melee is a handy bit of protection and turning off enemy ObjSec is great since he will often be fighting over Objectives. I see this guy as a kind of melee swiss army knife. His abilities, particular with the Death Mask allow him to really mess with your opponent's ability to assault you or hold Objectives in the midfield. He also packs a respectable punch in melee in his own right.

[Bonzi]

I use him with Quake Bolts on his pistol. It gives him a touch more utility as a buffing character beyond just forcing an enemy unit to fight last.

[Hintzy]

Giving him the 6" Heroic Intervention trait will increase the range of his fight last ability to at least six inches, nine if he's HI'ing into one unit to reach a second. Useful if you're counting on him protecting something important from scary melee threats.