New army thoughts/needs

[Lord_Ikka]

Hello all. I'm going to be dipping my foot into the Primaris pool soon and wanted some advice. I'll be doing the Imperium magazine next year, to give myself some monthly challenges and control my hobby spending (going to try to finish up every model I get each month before the next delivery). In that vein, I also want the army to be fairly decent on the table- maybe not high-tier tournament level but something that will hold up well. What I'm looking for is some advice on units and tactics; I haven't done anything with Primaris at all and am not super sure about how they play. The general idea of the army is to use Ultramarines rules (due to getting Bobby G in the mag subscription), but focus on a combination of infiltrating/sneaking troops and then close quarters firepower troops. 

 

Here's what I'll get from the mag:

Firestrike Servo-Turret 
Outriders 
Primaris Invader ATV
Lieutenant in Phobos Armour
Suppressors
Eliminators
Infiltrators
Marneus Calgar with Victrix Honour Guard  
Roboute Guilliman 
Primaris Librarian in Phobos Armour 
Primaris Captain  (Imperium Magazine Exclusive) 
Assault Intercessors 
Paint Set Assault Intercessors (Three models)
Primaris Lieutenant (Indomitus/Recruit Edition)
Easy Build Primaris Aggressors (Flamer version)

 

I'm going to be selling off the Sisters of Battle/AdMech/terrain stuff that will come with the magazine subscription and focus on the Necrons/Primaris. Unless it gets some serious buffs, I'm also pretty sure that I'll sell the Fire-strike turret, I just don't see a use for it. I've already got some stuff coming for this month that I bought in preparation for both working on paint schemes and getting some stuff that I just like the look of, which is this:

 

Chief Librarian Tigurius

Gravis Captain (conversion from Imperial Fists Tor Garadon and BA LT, which will give me another Assault Intercessor sarge as well)

Assault Intercessors

2x Eradicators (Indomitus, not new stuff)

 

What else should I get for an infantry-heavy, close firepower army? Anything in particular that I may need? I'm thinking of picking up a regular Intercessor squad or two and maybe another Infiltrator/Incursor squad, but aside from that I'm not sure what to purchase from now until next year when the mag starts. 

[Frater Cornelius]

The issue with the mag is that the units are all over the place and that the Imperium side is a mixed force. Plus, you'll be getting the mono-pose version of units like Aggressors, which doesn't help their longevity. The the savings are juicy, I wonder how much it'll matter with all the dead weight you will get. Besides, half the units you will get from the mag will rare see use in UM. Having said that, I like the idea of monthly challenges, so it is ultimately up to you if it is worth it.

 

Here's a rundown for what is good with Primaris UM:

• Bobby G, Tigurius, Victrix honour guard are the top UM-specific choices

• Captain, some form of Chaplain are staples. Lt is still used, but you can replace one with a Dread with WotA stratagem

• Bolt Rifle Intercessors and Infiltrators (I'd say 20-30 in total, depending on what list. UM shooty Troops are very spicy)

• Redemptors

• Suppressors, Eradicators

• honourable mention to Hellblasters in Impulsors, but that goes for most Marine forces that I would run, so take this one as personal preference

 

Note that all of those are Core. The idea of UM is that they are a mid-field shooty army with serious counter-assault capabilities. You have access to more Auras than anyone and ways of boosting those. The UM army stays together during the early and mid-game, and only fans out during the late game. This is why having a few singular Suppressors, Outriders or ATVs for catching objectives is good. I like the idea of solo ATVs or Suppressors.

MSU roadblock units like Victrix and BGV are good at bogging down objectives and providing counter-charge capabilities. SM have several ways of handing out ObSec. Aggressors are still alright and you will find argument for both flamers and dakka, but the issue is that they compete with BGV, Victrix and Redemptors for those very valuable Elite slots. Calgar isn't all that great in 9ed, while Victrix are the dog's bollocks, so plan in several Elite slots for either those or BGV (MLG Pro-Tip: You can get two boxes of BGV and run them as either 2x3 BGV or 3x2 Vicrix. Gear is the same anyway).

 

I would also recommend a Tech Marine, Ancient and Apothecary. They all belong in somewhat different lists, but all play very well with that UM want to achieve.

 

Having said all that, UM are the kind of army that can make almost anything decent by virtue of being a jack-of-all-traits kind of army. Still, some choices are better than others.

Edited May 6, 2021 by Frater Cornelius