Unit of the Week - Leviathan Dreadnought

[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:

Leviathan Dreadnought

What are you thoughts here folks? How best would you use your Leviathan?

• 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

Edited March 20, 2022 by Jolemai

[Jolemai]

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

[BloodyB]

While it has fallen far from the lofty heights it once held, this beast is still truly terrifying.

 

It's dakka is frightful, the stock bombards it wields are great for destroying heavy infantry and -1 damage units. 2d3 damage 2 shots doesn't sound like much, but the ability to grind through duty eternal and similar rules is great utility. The Cyclonic Melta Lance is almost identical against units like terminators, though averaging less shots at shorter range, but gains massive anti-armour capabilities if the dice gods smile upon you. The stormcannon meanwhile exchanges the raw power of these weapons for impressive rates of fire.

 

For melee, I reccommend the claw over the drill. While getting damage 6 against vehicles is great, an extra atack will generally be more useful, that said they are both free selections, so pick as you feel best. Both come with a free meltagun, which is always welcome. Please note, while I don't personally use 2 melee weapons, it is available, but only an extra claw seems to get an extra attack.

 

One may exchange the 2 heavy flamers for a pair of twin-linked Volkite Calivers. Please do so. The flamer's only advantage is a pip of AP, and the chance of getting more hits, but the extra range, damage and mortal wounds is too great to be swayed.

 

Last opion is to take a trio of hunter killer missiles. If you take them, lean into it, pop Wisdom of the Ancients on this thing and place it near somesimilar high power, long range killers. I find it works well with Ironclads. If not, pop smoke where possible, the past editions of Warhammer have forged a grim memory for many players, and they will direct everything to eliminate them.

 

I have a pair magnetised models that I have fielded in several configurations:

 

My 'Hellfire' Leviathan set-up mounts a pair of Stormcannons, the Volkites and hunter killers. The main aim is to march it to midfield to support some Tactical, Itercessor or Hellblaster squads, providing bulk and heavy weapons to keep control up. Sometimes a Lieutenant joins them, sometimes not, but mostly I keep Wisdom of the Ancients up when things get hairy for any units in range of my midfielder's support fire.

 

The 'Death Company' Leviathan is, unfortunately, not actually Death Company. It operates in a similar manner to the DC dread, but trades a claw in for the Cyclonic Melta Lance. I take the Volkite but skip the missiles, and use it to push up fast. Advancing every turn until it can paste something, pausing only to microwave the occasional tank. It can be CP-pricey, if you need to keep rerolling advances, but the +1 to advance rolls of BA can help to get from cover to cover quickly.

 

Lastly is the 'Ironclad' Leviathan, which usually supports actual Ironclads! I load it with the drill, more for the theme than utility, and either the Lance or the Bombard, taking the Volkite and the Missiles to boot. I load the Ironclads with a mix of hammers and chainfists and mount them all with hunter killers. First turn throw out Wisdom and laugh as your alphastrike leaves enemy armour spewing smoke. Follow up with a steady advance down the board, if you have them, keep the Hurricane bolters firing, keep the infantry suppressed. When you reach the enemy, crush them with your hevy hitters. This is my only counter to Tyranid Crusher Stsmpede lists.

 

Hope that helps.

[Tiger9gamer]

While not blood angels, my black Templar leviathan has pretty much single handedly held entire flanks and killed whatever tried to tie him down. Bought him second hand, but he has a grav bombard, heavy flamers and siege claw

 

never forget the meta gun in his smackin’ hand, and that you can shoot it in close combat. In fact, I recommend the heavy flamers for close combat as well. It helps him destroy small infantry squads that may try and swarm him, and I had games where that won me the game when he cleared off an objective.

 

he is also really tough, even more than my redemptors with a 5++. He really only died when a volcano lance was shot at him, but otherwise he is a monster. Every time he holds a flank I can’t help but be happy.

 

worth it over a land raider crusader every day of the week

[Majkhel]

I had an absolute BLAST (pun intended) playing a dual-bombard Levi with 3 HKMs, volkites and a supporting Techmarine. 'Awakened' Leviathan hitting on 2s rerolling 1s with WotA is brutal. I usually put him in the middle of my force as an anchor and walk up the board (bombards need some help getting in range). A great unit to hold the center of the board for Oaths' points.

I generally often have more output out of the second bombard than the Claw, but then I need something screen him from charges. On the other hand it helps me play him more cautiously.

If you have points, making the Techmarine Master of the Forge is great for keeping the Levi up and running at peak efficiency. 

When taking the Claw, I would consider taking Storm Canon over Bombard as it can be fired in CC. It also depends on the type of opponent. Bombard is fantastic against MEQs.

Edited March 21, 2022 by Majkhel

[Jolemai]

Sadly, the Leviathan isn't a Core choice meaning it can't benefit from a popped WotA this edtion 

Interesting catch about the claw/blast hiccough.

[Tiger9gamer]

Sadly, the Leviathan isn't a Core choice meaning it can't benefit from a popped WotA this edtion 

Interesting catch about the claw/blast hiccough.

honestly the grav bombard does suffer from this, but I do find it fine for outside of combat stuff. Then again, I usually only shoot it once or twice... 

 

I do like the heavy flamers a lot, especially for clearing out the ork boys my dread always seems to attract. Seriously, not even a power claw in sight usually.

[BloodyB]

Sadly, the Leviathan isn't a Core choice meaning it can't benefit from a popped WotA this edtion :(

Interesting catch about the claw/blast hiccough.

I went through the 5 stages of grief reading this, it seems I have been using mine incorrectly.

[Majkhel]

upss.... same here :P (corrected my previous statement)

All the more reasons to take the Techmarine along I guess. Especially for those HKMs.
Primaris Techmarine is no slouch in Combat either and any incarnation can intercept some incoming CC damage for the Levi with Angel's Sacrifice if needed. 

[Jolemai]

I currently use mine in a Dreadnought list at 1500 points and as mentioned above, it happily marches up the field on a flank taking care of things. As I footslog it, I go with storm canon, grav-flux bombard, heavy flamers, and hunter-killer missiles if I can afford it, but will be switching to volkite shortly.

 

I do have a Dreadnought Drop Pod which gets used for other things in this list, but if I went for the combat versoin (or even a hybrid with the melta lance), then I wouldn't hesitate to use it.