Does anyone ever use Sanguinary Initiates? (Apothecary)

[Helias_Tancred]

Subject says it all. I'm looking for the benefit of using this character in our lineup. You guys are more knowing than I am with how to squeeze out points and the benefit vs cost of our available units.

 

 

Thanks.

 

Edit: Sanguinary Novitiate. Not Initiate. 

Edited May 12, 2022 by Helias Tancred

[Karhedron]

I have to admit, I almost always run a Sanguinary Priest for the simple reason that he has access to a Jump Pack. I play a fairly fluffy list with lost of fast units (Sanguinary Guard, Inceptors, Attack Bikes) so my healer needs to be able to keep up. I also like the bonus of the Chalice for bumping squads into the Assault Doctrine early if necessary. owever the Sanguinary Novitiate is every bit as good a healer so if you don't need to flying through the skies or you want to preserve your HQ slots, then he is a perfectly good choice.

 

If you want some to heal foot-slogging infantry like Terminators, Bladeguard Vets or shooty squads then a Novitiate may be more cost effective. Terminators in particular are looking like a tasty option with Armour of Contempt so the ability to heal and resurrect them makes them even better. A large squad of Termies with a 6+++ that can be healed and Ressed will be harder to shift from an objective than curry stains from a white shirt.

 

I would definitely consider the Chief apothecary upgrade to maximise the value of your healing. For relics, I would consider one of the relics suits of armour if you expect him to end up anywhere near Combat as apothecaries are a bit squishy. Firstborn Novitiates (and the Priest) can take a chainsword which opens up access to the Teeth of Terra relic. This allows them to actually be a decent threat in melee but is risky due to the lack of protection. Generally speaking I prefer to invest in protection and allow the accompanying squads to do the heavy lifting in terms of damage dealing.

 

If you really want a tooled up character, take one with Chainsword, make him your Warlord and give him the Selfless Healer WLT for double healing. Give him the Teeth of Terra Relic for chopping things. Then use the Angel Exemplar Stratagem to buy the Artisan of War WLT which in turn can be used to take Artificer armour. This means you now have a Character who can fight, has a decent armour save and can double up on healing. This can be a lot of eggs in one basket but I find it works well in smaller games where you cannot afford to take Characters for buffs alone and everyone needs to be able to fight as well as buff.

Edited May 7, 2022 by Karhedron

[FormelyKnownAsSmashyPants]

I’d consider him as a cheap backfield healer for Devastators or Hellblasters. Could bring back a dead marine from overcharged plasma mis fire. Anything up close/melee focussed you’re better with Sanguinary Priest. He’s also worth taking if you have a spare Elite slot and no free HQ slot and you want a healer. Also if you want to collect a BA/SM Coy. you’re going to need one (or a Primaris Apothecary) for completeness/fluff sake, but overall an Apothecary is better in some of the other Space Marine armies who don’t have access to the likes of the Sang Priest.

Edited May 10, 2022 by Captain Smashy Pants

[BloodyB]

They are pretty decent, the Sanguinary Priest is effectively just an upgraded Apothecary, with access to jump packs. Broadly speaking, unless you need mobility or the extra AP, the apothecary could be considered superior due to points cost. That said, the Priest is a little better in combat, so if you are going for a relic chainsword, they are probably the better choice.

[Helias_Tancred]

I just finished painting one, and I'm thinking of using him in lists .... FYI I have two painted SPs, one on foot and one with a jump pack but wanted to give the firstborn apothecary model some hobby love too.

That said, my remaining unpainted healer character is the primaris apothecary. Is he pretty decent for us? I'd imagine the same overall opinion as the one I just painted but with an extra wound, and attack?

But no chainsword :(

[Dont-Be-Haten]

I think he (the Primaris Apothecary) makes a very good looking stand in priest. Maybe one day we'll get a primaris priest.

[XeonDragon]

I just finished painting one, and I'm thinking of using him in lists .... FYI I have two painted SPs, one on foot and one with a jump pack but wanted to give the firstborn apothecary model some hobby love too.

That said, my remaining unpainted healer character is the primaris apothecary. Is he pretty decent for us? I'd imagine the same overall opinion as the one I just painted but with an extra wound, and attack?

But no chainsword

 

I think the Primaris Apothecary is better for babysitting shooting units, things like hell blasters. The first born footslogging apothecary is better at babysitting footslogging melee units (terminators, aggressors, centurions) as it can fight back in melee with the chainsword. 

[Blindhamster]

I’d say there’s not much in it between the two, they have the same number of attacks, the firstborn one has -1 ap in melee which is meaningless vs marines at least. The primaris one has -1 ap in shooting which is similarly meaningless and the primaris one has an additional wound.

[Karhedron]

I would say the Primaris version is superior unless you need it to ride in a Firstborn Transport. The extra wound means he can take 2 hits from a 2D weapon and still survive to heal himself if necessary. The Chainsword is really only significant if you plan to take the Teeth of Terra but I generally prefer an Armour relic for such a squishy Character unless you plan to use Artisan of War to double-dip on Relics.

[Dont-Be-Haten]

If I were to take a noviate it would strictly be for narrative games. That doubles if I'm taking the primaris Apothecary over a Sanguinary priest.

[Majkhel]

...Also if you want to collect a BA/SM Coy. you’re going to need one (or a Primaris Apothecary) for completeness/fluff sake, ....

That got my attention... :) I was thinking of recreating a Command Squad for my 5th Coy

[Paladin777]

Call me a rube, but what's a Coy?

[Cleon]

Call me a rube, but what's a Coy?

It's shorthand for company when used in a military sense - e.g. 5th coy, is 5th company. Never used for company in a business (GW are a company) sense.