GK Mortal Wound Bomb

[L30n1d4s]

So, this requires a little set-up, but consider the following:

 

GK Librarian (Smite, Purifying Flame, and Vortex of Doom powers)

WL Trait - Psychic Epitome

Gift of the Prognosticators - Gem of Inoktu

 

 

Get the Librarian within 15" of the Enemy target you want to "nuke," then use 3 Strats (3 CP total), one to increase range of Psychic Powers by 6", one to allow casting a third power, and one letting you roll 3D6, drop the lowest for Psychic Tests.

 

Finally, activate Gem of Inoktu for +2 to cast for this turn.

 

With all that up, you can hit the enemy target with Smite (D3 MWs + 1 more MW from WL Trait), Purifying Flame (3 MWs + 1 MW from WL Trait), and Vortex of Doom (2D3 MWs + 1 MW for WL Trait).

 

Total, you are doing a minimum of 9 MWs, a maximum of 15 MWs, and an average of 12 MWs against the target. With the +2 to cast and 3D6, drop the lowest, you should reliably cast all 3 powers, as well as overcome almost all Deny the Witch attempts, making this something you can count on getting off.

 

In terms of getting the Librarian into range, DS from Reserve or use Gate of Infinity on him from another character. With careful positioning, he can be protected against enemy reprisals and still "assassinate" a key target with an average of 12 MWs.

 

Have to be careful about how and when you play this, but having this "pocket nuke" in your playbook can be quite an advantage for a savvy GK player, I think.

Edited August 11, 2021 by L30n1d4s

[N1SB]

Brother Leonidas, this is so good I will wait the 1 month for some FAQ to come out in case they nerf this, but if they don't I'm sold.

 

Would you like to christen this character (build) with a name?

 

I'm thinking of being a total bastard and using this for Crusade as my boss list.

[librisrouge]

Brother Leonidas, this is so good I will wait the 1 month for some FAQ to come out in case they nerf this, but if they don't I'm sold.

 

Would you like to christen this character (build) with a name?

 

I'm thinking of being a total bastard and using this for Crusade as my boss list.

The beauty of this is that all GK probably already own a librarian, so we don't need to invest in models that might be made worthless. You'd just revert to using him as just another libby if they nerf this.

[Skywrath]

Alright, I'm going to get a lot of hate for this, but you can do the same thing but with the Paladin Ancient and the banner. Seeing how he's a paladin he can take that power as well and you can spend the 1CP to make him cast smite. 

[N1SB]

Alright, I'm going to get a lot of hate for this, but you can do the same thing but with the Paladin Ancient and the banner. Seeing how he's a paladin he can take that power as well and you can spend the 1CP to make him cast smite. 

 

Really?  What's the build for that please?

[L30n1d4s]

Good points all.

 

Skywrath, I think the Paladin Ancient only knows Smite and one more power, so I don't think he can use all three Witchfires at once like I described in the OP.

 

One other piece of "tech" I forgot, give the Librarian the "Sigil of Exigence" Relic, so that as soon as your opponent shoots at him next turn, you can instantly teleport out of harm's way (and maybe even set up another MW "bomb" next Psychic phase, with good positioning).

 

In terms of a name, that's a great point N1SB... how about the "Witness Protection Program Librarian" (or WPPL, for short) since he can make just about anyone disappear at a moment's notice ;)

[RedemptionNL]

Does Smite actually count as a Witchfire for the warlord trait? Watching the battle report on Tabletop Titans they ran into the issue that the Cabalistic Ritual to allow an already cast witchfire to be cast again wouldn't allow Magnus to do his super smite twice.

 

But yeah, he's a pretty decent MW bomb still, even without that extra MW on Smite. Don't forget that with an 11+ to cast Smite does D6 and Purifying Flame does D3+3 for even more MW output. With the +2 gem and rolling 3d6 you have a pretty decent change getting of that 11+.

 

Also keep in mind that Psychic Channeling is discard any, not discard lowest. So if you roll a 6, 6 and 5 you can discard one of the sixes to avoid perils and still have a 13 to cast with the gem.

 

If you're running Wardmasters, their Loremaster warlord trait also allows any cast of 8+ to be undeniable, to even avoid auto-deny strats in a lot of cases. Of course, that would require you to run the Libby as your Warlord and use the Examplar of the Silvered Host strat for a second WT.

Edited August 11, 2021 by RedemptionNL

[casb1965]

I like the idea but see two "problems" in that Psychic Epitome doesn't work with Smite or Vortex and Smite and Purifying Flame target "closest unit" so you'd be very lucky to be 15" away from the high value target and still have it as the nearest.

However, your still looking at a minimum of 6 MWs which should kill off most characters and would certainly clear a big chunk of troops sitting on an objective.

Last turn Gate to clear the objective to claim VPs

[Glute]

I like it... I'm going to try it some day.  Will be good to see the pants drop on my friends as they get a little retribution for stomping my GK the last year or so....

[Skywrath]

Hmm, I overlooked the fact that the Paladin Ancient only has access to Dominus instead of sanctic.. derp. However!.. My idea still stands.

 

Paladin ancient with this banner: Refining Flame - Each enemy within 6' suffers D3 mortal wounds, warp charge 6. Considering the meta is skitarri where everything is bunched together, you still put out more MW's than the idea above, especially if you pay 1CP for Vortex through mental focus afterward. On top of this, you amplify paladins if you are running them in your list. 

 

So in the end - similar idea, but works better if you are running paladins (which I will be).

[Axilleas]

Hmm, I overlooked the fact that the Paladin Ancient only has access to Dominus instead of sanctic.. derp. However!.. My idea still stands.

 

Paladin ancient with this banner: Refining Flame - Each enemy within 6' suffers D3 mortal wounds, warp charge 6. Considering the meta is skitarri where everything is bunched together, you still put out more MW's than the idea above, especially if you pay 1CP for Vortex through mental focus afterward. On top of this, you amplify paladins if you are running them in your list.

 

So in the end - similar idea, but works better if you are running paladins (which I will be).

While this idea has the potential to output a high number of MW, it is too circumstantial to be reliable and is in no way an assassination tool.

 

The beauty of the Libby bomb is its simplicity in use. You have much more control in where it will be most effective and is consistent in its MW output.

[Biscuittzz]

It doesn't have to be against characters either. Dropping that many MWs on elite units or high toughness vehicles will always be worth it.

[librisrouge]

It might be worth noting that the Gem might not be worth it in this case. It only benefits Dominus powers, so both Smite and Purifying Flame won't help. You're paying 15, iirc, points for a +2 bonus on a single roll that you already plan on getting 3d6 (drop the lowest) on. Not terrible but certainly debatable.

[Corvus Fortis]

Paladin ancient with this banner: Refining Flame - Each enemy within 6' suffers D3 mortal wounds, warp charge 6. Considering the meta is skitarri where everything is bunched together, you still put out more MW's than the idea above, especially if you pay 1CP for Vortex through mental focus afterward. On top of this, you amplify paladins if you are running them in your list. 

 

Refining flame is a psychic action, not psyhic power. You cannot try to manifest psychic powers after that even with Mental Focus.

 

 

Paladin ancient with this banner: Refining Flame - Each enemy within 6' suffers D3 mortal wounds, warp charge 6. Considering the meta is skitarri where everything is bunched together, you still put out more MW's than the idea above, especially if you pay 1CP for Vortex through mental focus afterward. On top of this, you amplify paladins if you are running them in your list. 

 

 

Deathguard and deathwing terminators won't like it at all. 

[yowsaman]

well i'm putting that combo on my grand master in dreadknight armour.

 

good for clearing objectives and troops before charging the bigg guy's. 

 

consider this:

 

- warlord thrait: psychic epitome and first to the fray

 

- brotherhood: exactors 

 

- psychic powers: fires of covenant (unit every model 4+ -> 1 MW after that +1 extra from WT), smite D3 + 1 MW, Vortex of doom 2D3 + 1 MW. then charge and use the strat: thunderous stride 2+ D3MW on a 6 3 MW. 

 

then finish it off in CC. 

 

- servant of the throne: 3++ once

 

- relic: sigile of exigence

Edited August 11, 2021 by yowsaman

[RedemptionNL]

It might be worth noting that the Gem might not be worth it in this case. It only benefits Dominus powers, so both Smite and Purifying Flame won't help. You're paying 15, iirc, points for a +2 bonus on a single roll that you already plan on getting 3d6 (drop the lowest) on. Not terrible but certainly debatable.

Ah, good catch that it's only for Dominus powers.

 

- psychic powers: fires of covenant (unit every model 4+ -> 1 MW after that +1 extra from WT), smite D3 + 1 MW, Vortex of doom 2D3 + 1 MW. then charge and use the strat: thunderous stride 2+ D3MW on a 6 3 MW.

A Grandmaster can only cast one power (or two with the strat), and Smite doesn't benefit from the Warlord Trait because it's not a witchfire.

 

And I'm not entirely sure because I can't find the Fires of Covenant screenshot anymore, but wasn't that power targeted at an enemy unit in Engagement Range only? If so, that would mean you'd have be in combat for at least one enemy turn (if the enemy charged) for it to be used. But perhaps I'm thinking of a different power, then disregard this.

Edited August 12, 2021 by RedemptionNL

[yowsaman]

 

 

 

It might be worth noting that the Gem might not be worth it in this case. It only benefits Dominus powers, so both Smite and Purifying Flame won't help. You're paying 15, iirc, points for a +2 bonus on a single roll that you already plan on getting 3d6 (drop the lowest) on. Not terrible but certainly debatable.

Ah, good catch that it's only for Dominus powers.

- psychic powers: fires of covenant (unit every model 4+ -> 1 MW after that +1 extra from WT), smite D3 + 1 MW, Vortex of doom 2D3 + 1 MW. then charge and use the strat: thunderous stride 2+ D3MW on a 6 3 MW.

A Grandmaster can only cast one power (or two with the strat), and Smite doesn't benefit from the Warlord Trait because it's not a witchfire.

And I'm not entirely sure because I can't find the Fires of Covenant screenshot anymore, but wasn't that power targeted at an enemy unit in Engagement Range only? If so, that would mean you'd have be in combat for at least one enemy turn (if the enemy charged) for it to be used. But perhaps I'm thinking of a different power, then disregard this.

 

 

you are correct. A GMNK can only cast max 2 powers, smite does not benefit from the +1 and fires of covenant is on a unit in engagement range. 

 

it's still a nice combo in my eye's. Cast 2 MW powers then charge and use thunderous stride, that should soften up the target before unleashing your CC shenanigens

Edited August 12, 2021 by yowsaman

[angrom]

Ancient with banner, use the strat to increase range of psy power by 6" and do mortals to everything within 12".
Psychic actions are treated as psychic power in every aspect with the only limitation that it prevents you to cast anything else after (like an action)

It is however affected by +- to casts, perils and can be denied. I don't see why you couldn't use a strat on it.

[L30n1d4s]

Looks like some other players are picking up on this idea as well ;) 

 

 

https://youtu.be/9Prw6e2Cino

[Cryminysakes]

Ancient with banner, use the strat to increase range of psy power by 6" and do mortals to everything within 12".

Psychic actions are treated as psychic power in every aspect with the only limitation that it prevents you to cast anything else after (like an action)

It is however affected by +- to casts, perils and can be denied. I don't see why you couldn't use a strat on it.

can you cast powers and THEN actions??

[RedemptionNL]

 

Ancient with banner, use the strat to increase range of psy power by 6" and do mortals to everything within 12".

Psychic actions are treated as psychic power in every aspect with the only limitation that it prevents you to cast anything else after (like an action)

It is however affected by +- to casts, perils and can be denied. I don't see why you couldn't use a strat on it.

can you cast powers and THEN actions??

 

No, doing a psychic action is instead of casting regular powers.