Unit of the Week: FW Chaos Rapier Carrier

[Xenith]

++Thousand Sons Unit of the Week++

++Rapier Carrier++

New codex, new discussions about units! As we already have in other faction sections, this is the Thousand Sons Unit of the Week series, where each week we select and dissect a datasheet found in the book, and discuss how we use the unit in-game, favoured loadouts and combos, essentially how to use these units best. What have you found that works, and what doesnt? Please try to stick to the idea of making the unit in question work, as opposed to pointing out other units that might do a better job - we'll get to those in time!

This week, we will be discussing Rapier Carriers - these mini heavy weapons platforms pack a punch way beyon their size, and as ARCANA ASTARTES get a 5+ invulnerable save with us.

What are you thoughts, and how best would you use the unit?

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around?
  
• Will you be running multiples?
  
• What <GREAT CULT>, loadouts, spell relic and Stratagem support do you prefer and how much does it depend on the above choices?
  
• Are you buffing this unit, and if so, how?
  
• Are you building as a damage dealer or buff-provider?
  
• Uses in Matched, Narrative and Open Play
  
• How have they fared for you in-game?
  

Over to you.

++Thousand Sons Unit of the Week Index Link++

[Naryn]

I quite like these whenever I've run them. Most often i use the quad bolters, they're something cheap for my Infernal Master to buff turn 1 command phase before my Flamer Rubrics come down in their pod later that turn.

[Brother Kraskor]

Are they just too flimsy even with our 5++? 

[Naryn]

They die incredibly quickly, yeah. I don't think the protective spells are juicy enough to use on them when they could be on Terminators, so cover is helpful but I don't count on more than a couple turns with them.

[Brother Kraskor]

Perhaps the indirect fire one would alleviate this? With an Infernal Master and the strat that's 4D3 S5 AP-1 blast at anything on the table. Could pick off weak objective-holders from enemy backfield? But then you really are wasting the +1S. 

[Xenith]

Don't forget that they're also vehicles so can move and fire without penalty - fully possible to stick them behind cover turn 1 then move them out. Quad bolter is cheap and powerful. Presage that thing and it'll chew through marines. 

[Casual Heresy]

I've got one on the way for my new Sons army. I went Laser Destroyer as I needed some long range anti-tank in the list, and it will also find a place in my Heresy era Sons when I get to them in earnest.