Unit of the Week: Land Speeder Tornadoes

[Jolemai]

Welcome to part two of the Blood Angels Unit of the Week Series!

Following the release of the 9^th edition Supplement, 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:

Land Speeder Tornadoes

Land Speeder Tornado, Xenith

What are you thoughts here folks? How best would you use your Tornadoes(s)?

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? Will the beta rules affect your list(s)?
• Will you be running multiples?
• How are you buffing this unit? Will it babysit anything?
• What Wargear Options do you prefer and how much does it depend on the above choices?
• Stratagem synergy or note?

Over to you

Please note that the Land Speeder, Land Speeder Storm, Land Speeder Tempest, Land Speeder Typhoon, and Relic Javelin Attack Speeder will be discussed elsewhere.

Edited October 22, 2021 by Jolemai

[Jolemai]

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

[Thoridon]

I've used Tornadoes a few times in 9th and quite enjoyed them. When I've used them it's typically been a pair each with assault cannon + heavy bolter, using their speed to zip around and soften up infantry.

 

They might not be the most competitive unit but they fit with how I like BA to play, fast and mobile. I like this combination more than the standard land speeder in this role as they can use the pair of weapons up to 24" at full effectiveness without having to worry about getting closer, reducing the chance of being wiped out after moving into position.

 

I feel the heavy flamer isn't strong enough vs the assault cannon to justify having to get much closer and with the multi-melta instead of a heavy bolter I'd be looking at a tougher target, getting within 12" for the extra damage and expecting it to be destroyed the following turn as a sort of one-shot mobile cannon. That still has its use, but then I'd probably look at the standard variant without the extra cost of the 2nd weapon if I'm using it as a glass cannon.

[BloodyB]

I run these stock as fire support for fast moving lists, they're too fragile to justify spending more points on. If I need fast moving melta then I'll take regular speeders with them, or splurge on the Hammerstrike. They help out quite a bit against light infantry, but they are competing with Inceptors, the Baal Predator and Hailstrike for the role of swarm stoppers. Both the Land Raider Crusader and the Gladiator Valiant are way too expensive to really compare.

 

When running them, I keep them near Assault Squads for synergistic reasons, as they are primarily focussing on similar units and they cover each others weaknesses nicely. I don't often need to soften up light infantry prior to the charge, but against blobs it does help to lay some foundational work before starting any big job.

 

They are a pretty good choice, and can make a lot of infantry slaying easier, but with the coming buff to Lascannons they may just be coming to the end of competitive viability, which is a shame. One of my favourite reasons for facing off against marines is the sheer variety of lists in a casual setting, and it seems less and less likely that the dainty little speeder will be used very much at all.

 

On the whole, the tornado is a neat fire platform that makes jump infantry lists far more capable if used to support units that can't finish a unit in one fell swoop, but outright define the term 'glass jaw', and fall apart under stern words and bolter fire. Keeping them out of the firing line is vital, jinking from cover to cover, blocking sight where possible and popping skilled riders where you need to.

[Karhedron]

They are a pretty good choice, and can make a lot of infantry slaying easier, but with the coming buff to Lascannons they may just be coming to the end of competitive viability, which is a shame. 

 

I have seen other people mention this but it seems unlikely. Cognis lascannons and the like represent an upgraded version. If GW were going to upgrade the basic lascannon, surely they would have done it at the start of 9th like the multimelta. Some of the more exotic anti-tank weapons are going to D3+3 but do we have any evidence that this includes the basic marine-portable lascannon?

[BloodyB]

 

They are a pretty good choice, and can make a lot of infantry slaying easier, but with the coming buff to Lascannons they may just be coming to the end of competitive viability, which is a shame.

 

 

I have seen other people mention this but it seems unlikely. Cognis lascannons and the like represent an upgraded version. If GW were going to upgrade the basic lascannon, surely they would have done it at the start of 9th like the multimelta. Some of the more exotic anti-tank weapons are going to D3+3 but do we have any evidence that this includes the basic marine-portable lascannon?

The only evidence I have is the Cognis profile, but 9th seems to be heavy on power creep, so I fear the worst. I hope you're right, I think Lascannons would be way too OP with D3+3 damage. I haven't seen any evidence to suggest that Cognis weapons get damage buffs overall, but I can't say that I've seen much from the new Toasterdex, so I hope I'm wrong, I just fear that we're going to see such a change. If we don't I will be first up to celebrate the fact.

[Jolemai]

Keep the focus on the unit in question please.