Blood Angels Unit of the Week series Unit of the Week: Tarantula Sentry Battery

[Jolemai]

Welcome to part five 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. Forge World and Forge World Legends comprise parts five and six.

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:
 

 Tarantula Sentry Battery

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

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? Will the Chapter Approved changes affect your list(s)?
• What units (if any) will you be babysitting? Alternatively, what will be babysitting this unit?
• How many models per unit? Mixed weaponry?
• Are you buffing this unit? If so, how?
• Stratagems of note?

Over to you.

Please note that Tarantula Air Defence Battery will be discussed elsewhere.

Edited September 13, 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.

[Jolemai]

I use Tarantulas quite a bit, usually at 1k level. I have used all four types (twinlas, twinhb, MM, twin assault cannon).

As you can imagine, BS 4+ hurts a lascannon and at such a points level, it either benefits you greatly or you really feel it when it whiffs. MM Tarantula got better going to two shots, but imo, you feel the range harder with this weapon on an immobile platform than you do with the assault cannon. The twinHB is a decent all rounder, but I do like the amount of shots a twin assault cannon puts out in smaller games too (I like this weapon on Razorbacks for that reason too).

I use them as backfield objective holders, but being immobile, it can affect certain secondaries - I can't impress enough how overdoing it on immobile stuff is a problem for us (and yeah, I know that's obvious when you think about it, but if you start fielding these with Drop Pods, etc, it starts to add up...) Personally, I really like them and will keep using them.

Oh yeah, as they have the Fortification Battlefield Role (despite being vehicles), you need to pay attention to the Deploy Armies rule in whatever mission set you are using - so in Nephilim for example, they deploy first before you army, can't within 3" of terrain, etc.