What are Despoiler squads?

[LameBeard]

Despoilers are the cheapest way to get a lot of close combat bodies on the ground. Imagine 20 with chain axes if you are World Eaters. Or pretty much guaranteeing the ‘talent for murder’ with Night Lords. I think filling a Spartan with Despoilers is definitely “a thing”. I expect they could be useful in Zone Mortalis too, maybe not as a 20-man squad though.

 

Plus they will look unique because of your conversions and it’s very much “boys not toys” getting the feel of a Legion. One Despoiler squad in your list will definitely enhance the cool factor.

[Spottswoode]

Can Spartans transport multiple units though? I thought they are not superheavy vehicles, but I'm bot really up to date with the rules.

 

 

They can't, it's not 8th+.

 

...Well that's complicated things, I didn't even consider that being an issue. 

 

I guess I'll just have to fill it with Terminators then.

 

 

Despoilers are the cheapest way to get a lot of close combat bodies on the ground. Imagine 20 with chain axes if you are World Eaters. Or pretty much guaranteeing the ‘talent for murder’ with Night Lords. I think filling a Spartan with Despoilers is definitely “a thing”. I expect they could be useful in Zone Mortalis too, maybe not as a 20-man squad though.

 

20 does seem like a lot. The others in my group who are also building HH armies are going with Blood Angels, Imperial Fists, and Night Lords, so short of really abusing Coils of the Hydra / Rewards of Treason I think I'm going to be outclassed in close combat, and ideally I won't be engaging in it unless I have to. But it seems sensible to have something to counter with so 10 could be good.

[LameBeard]

This is interesting. Blood Angels and Night Lords will want to be in close combat, and all their jump packs might make it difficult to avoid. On the other hand, the fists are probably going to want to shoot to make the most of their Legion ability. What’s nice about Alpha Legion is being able to swap those ‘mutable tactics’ to reflect your opponent. Sounds like you will have a lot of fun with this group. I’m jealous!

[Spottswoode]

This is interesting. Blood Angels and Night Lords will want to be in close combat, and all their jump packs might make it difficult to avoid. On the other hand, the fists are probably going to want to shoot to make the most of their Legion ability. What’s nice about Alpha Legion is being able to swap those ‘mutable tactics’ to reflect your opponent. Sounds like you will have a lot of fun with this group. I’m jealous!

 

Yeah, I'm really lucky. Everyone is pretty much building to the Legion archetype so there's a nice clear delineation between army composition and play styles too. I know the NLs are mostly Terror squads in drop pods, and I'm not too concerned with them as once they've landed they're the same as anything else, but the BA and their jump packs are going to be tricky so I think some kind of mobile response is needed for them. The IF are just going to sit on the other side of the board and shoot, which should be easier to deal with.

[SkimaskMohawk]

 

 

This is interesting. Blood Angels and Night Lords will want to be in close combat, and all their jump packs might make it difficult to avoid. On the other hand, the fists are probably going to want to shoot to make the most of their Legion ability. What’s nice about Alpha Legion is being able to swap those ‘mutable tactics’ to reflect your opponent. Sounds like you will have a lot of fun with this group. I’m jealous!

Yeah, I'm really lucky. Everyone is pretty much building to the Legion archetype so there's a nice clear delineation between army composition and play styles too. I know the NLs are mostly Terror squads in drop pods, and I'm not too concerned with them as once they've landed they're the same as anything else, but the BA and their jump packs are going to be tricky so I think some kind of mobile response is needed for them. The IF are just going to sit on the other side of the board and shoot, which should be easier to deal with.

That was true-ish of them before crusade. Now you can (and probably should) go heavy on the raptors in terror assault and also build to a biker list. Lots of archetypes with night lords now.

[Spottswoode]

 

That was true-ish of them before crusade. Now you can (and probably should) go heavy on the raptors in terror assault and also build to a biker list. Lots of archetypes with night lords now.

 

 

Don't worry, there are plenty of Raptors in the list (3 x 10 man squads I think), but I didn't want to derail the thread by listing armies that weren't relevant or mine. 

Edited August 9, 2021 by Spottswoode

[Pacific81]

What are Despoiler Squads? Just the biggest misfire (and missed opportunity) rules-wise in 30k I reckon :) 

 

Read the background and we are told about shunned Legionnaires, called forth to face the darkest enemies of the Crusade (outright banned by some Legions), carrying forbidden arms such as chemical, biological and nuclear weaponry. Their armour scorched black by the horrifying effects of the weapons, their skin pallid through exposure to biological and radiological weaponry (it's killing even the Astartes with their enhanced biology).

 

All that and what do you get in the game? Basically a bunch of assault guys with pistols... bleurgh.. ! :) It is absolutely crying out for a more imaginative and fun re-write. 

 

I've done some of my own rules for Epic (2nd edition/NetEpic) to try and capture the background more adequately: Basically the rules are nastier versions of flamer squads (better in close combat, bigger armour modifier). But, there is a cost (!) If a Destroyer squad is destroyed there is a chance the incoming fire has ruptured a chem-tank or mini-nuke launcher - roll a 6 and everything within 3D6 must take a -2 armour save or be destroyed. This way, you are encouraged to deploy the units away from other parts of the army, and actually go postal with them charging in to enemy units as there is a possibility they will pop - I guess a bit like the flamer units in Command & Conquer if you remember those, which I think matches the background more closely. 

 

There is also a table that you roll on before the game which is to give the Destroyer Squad an objective (as they aren't just deployed to go on latrine duty in some backwater, no Legion will use them lightly): This can range from them needing to deploy a tactical nuke at one point on the table, or if they are tasked with destroying the most dangerous enemy on the board, or a cache of biological weapons possessed by the enemy. You get victory points depending on whether you succeed, your opponent gets them if you don't (not game breaking, but just a bit of fun really). 

 

Just amateur rules-writing from me, I'm sure the FW guys could come up with something very similar for the 30k game which would make them lots of fun to use. 

[LameBeard]

You are thinking of Destroyers not Despoilers.

 

But you are right about the missed opportunity for Destroyers. They are meant to have forbidden weaponry and a few rad grenades isn’t really cutting it. Chem flamers is the obvious way to go (and I think one of the Black Books introduces this option).

[Pacific81]

You are thinking of Destroyers not Despoilers.

 

But you are right about the missed opportunity for Destroyers. They are meant to have forbidden weaponry and a few rad grenades isn’t really cutting it. Chem flamers is the obvious way to go (and I think one of the Black Books introduces this option).

 

Damn.. you are right, please ignore my entire post  

[LameBeard]

For what it’s worth, I love the sound of your home brew rules for the epic scale destroyers, but we are in danger of hijacking this thread.

 

Back on topic, you don’t see many despoiler squads on the table, but I’m assuming that’s because they are tricky to do in plastic, and if buying resin you may as well pay a bit more and get the assault squad. So despoilers already have a cool factor for that reason alone.