Unit of the Week: Land Speeders

[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 Speeders

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

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? Will the beta rules affect your list(s)?
• Will you be running multiples? Are you making use of Datalink Telemetry?
• 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 Storm, Land Speeder Tempest, Land Speeder Tornado Land Speeder Typhoon, and Relic Javelin Attack Speeder will be discussed elsewhere.

Edited October 28, 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.

[Khorneeq]

Great anti-tank unit if armed with Multi-melta:)

It is a bit tougher and faster than it's main contender- Attack Bike. Thanks to it's ability to fly Land Speeder can hop over obscuring terrain to bring Multi-melta to where it is needed the most.

At first I didn't notice difference in additional movement compared to Tornado variant and wondered why choose less weapon options if You can get more. But lack of additional weapon is somewhat compensated by Datalink Telemetry if You include Whirlwind in list.

Edit

If it doesn't kill tank it was aiming for, You can charge it to prevent shooting and later Fall Back and shoot again using Hit and Run Stratagem. (Checked this against Leman Russes and works well

Edited October 29, 2021 by Khorneeq

[BloodyB]

The buff these babies give to whirlwind tanks makes the Vengeance missiles a little more tempting. Plus, these things are really good supporting jump pack units on terrain dense maps. A little niche, but neither are unheard of. Their brittleness is offset somewhat by the fact they can be taken in units, which is handy against a surprising amount of anti tank weapons.

 

A super cheap army can really benefit from having these as anti tank support, and they can snatch up points quickly from almost anywhere on the field.

 

The downsides are primarily that your average stiff breeze wrecks these things. Any kind of short range melta hit is liable to kill these things, Dark Lance's are all but guaranteed to kill if they hit as well. Even massed lasgun fire is a credible threat to them. If your opponent needs to kill vehicles for points, well they are likely to get them easily.

 

Stratagems like skilled riders can help, but not firing seems a bit of a harsh loss. Keeping out of range of infantry isn't too hard, and will yield better results, but a skilled foe won't fall easily to that. Slipping into and out of cover to achieve better kill shots on enemy tanks is a good use of the land speeder, but I would probably take an attack bike instead. If only Land Speeders didn't look so cool.