Blood Angels Unit of the Week series Unit of the Week: Astorath

[Jolemai]

 

Welcome to part one of the Blood Angels Unit of the Week series!

 
Following the release of the 10^th edition Index, 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 discuss the units from the units found within Index: Blood Angels, parts two to four will discuss Index: Space Marines, part five will be Imperial Armour, and part six will be Legends.
 
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:

 

Astorath

What are you thoughts here folks? How best would you play Astorath?

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? 
• Sons of Sanguinius or Gladius Task Force?
• Are using him with Death Company Marines with Jump Packs and what is their setup like?
• How are you going to make best use of Mass of Doom?
• Stratagem synergy of note?

 

Over to you.

Edited July 5, 2023 by Jolemai
Updated!

[Jolemai]

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

 

(Once I work out how best to float it!)

 

***

 

As an aside, the thread setup may change over the coming weeks until I'm happy with them. This includes the photos.

[Karhedron]

I think Astorath can work well in either Detachment. He is not quite the beast he was but most 3D weapons seem to have gone down to 2D. The only use for him is with a unit of Jump DC. Mass of Doom with a large number of basic attacks will translate into a lot of Mortal Wounds, particularly against an OOMed target. He is also good to lead any squad taking part in a Heroic Intervention since the 4+ fight on death rule is a perfect spoiler against glass hammer units that rely on fighting first.

 

Making him DC only is limiting though and he also competes with Lemartes who also looks very strong as a Jump DC leader.

[Paladin777]

Agreed. Mass of doom+10 CS DC would be frightening against anything, especially if it's your OoM target. 
 

That's nearly 14 mortals on average if you reroll all non-6 to-wound rolls before Astorath makes his attacks.

 

if you've got a bunch of TH, use Lemartes instead. 
 

they both have their uses. 

Edited June 13, 2023 by Paladin777

[Jolemai]

There was something about that elsewhere: tailoring your bodyguard to make best use of the Character attachments and with DC that's there are better loadouts for each character we have. Neither is there any competition given folk aren't limited to a FOC and many have multiple DC squads due to Warzone Nephilim.

 

Part of this thread is the discuss what setup Astorath can have as a bodyguard. Other Characters will get their spotlight later.

[Goranged]

I think "Redeemer of the Lost" is going to be very useful since CP are quite limited and having a mini fight on death is quite handy specially with a cheap 10x Jump DC unit with either CS or PW.  Mix with red rampage for anti horde or rapid ingress for extra pressure.   

[Jolemai]

In this instance, perhaps his squad could the second wave DC. Maybe even arrives from Deep Strike.

[Jolemai]

If you popped Mass of Doom (unit gets Devastating Wounds) and used the stratagem Red Rampage (unit gets Lethal Hits and Lance) on a unit, would they stack? i.e a six to hit becomes an auto wound. Does an auto wound count as a six to wound, or is it separate?

[Paladin777]

To my knowledge, auto-wounding from lethal hits doesn't proc mortals from DW. GW learned their lesson from the Votann release. 

[Jolemai]

Confirmed by GW earlier today