Inceptors and Lone Operative

[L30n1d4s]

With Lone Operative being one of the top USRs right and featuring in lots of competitive lists, I think that Inceptors might have a real role as "Lone Operative Hunters" with their ability to Deep Strike just outside 3" of enemy units.

 

Basically, they can come down at 3.1", then unleash their massed TLed shooting to kill the Lone Operative (which are often holding an Objective), and then they can move on next turn and target other enemies. Even Eldar units, which can use their Strat to move in your turn, cannot escape from this unit, since their 7" move still keeps them within 10" of the Inceptors, meaning their Lone Operative cannot save them from shooting.

 

A bonus, if you are Deathwatch, you can use the Teleportarium Strat to go back into Reserve in your opponent's turn and re-deep strike again next turn (this time at 9" away instead of 3", but still quite useful).

 

Anyone else using this in their competitive games so far?

Edited August 14, 2023 by L30n1d4s

[Karhedron]

I don't play Deathwatch but I have been very impressed by the performance of the Bolter Inceptors in my BA list. They have good firepower and mobility, their LO-killing ability is just icing on the cake.

[mel_danes]

Sustained hits does the work, and with Damage 2 it really hurts whatever they hit.

I've used them to contest backfield objectives.

I'll look at using them for nuking backfield meks.

[Sea Creature]

Can’t go wrong with plasma either.

[Karhedron]

3 hours ago, Sea Creature said:

Can’t go wrong with plasma either.

 

Depends on the target to some extent. Up to and including MEQs, bolters do more damage (average 4 dead MEQs from a 3-man squad). Plasma has the advantage that it can overcharge to 3D for dealing with Terminators and other elite infantry. But at only S8 on overcharge, it does not quite have the punch to go tank-hunting.

 

Against T6 is where it performs best vs bolters but the higher ROF and Sustained Hits from the bolters tend to do more more work unless the target has a good save (and preferably no Invuln). Plasma has its uses but I think in a TAC list, bolters and the better option.

[Paladin777]

I think a squad of plasma would make for a good second squad if you really want to lean into inceptors. 
 

Watched a Tabletop Tactics Battle Report with Flesh Tearers vs Necrons, and the overcharged plasma was horrendously potent against 3W heavy infantry. 

[L30n1d4s]

With Seal of Oath and appropriate Strat support, a full squad of Plasma Inceptors can reliably kill "medium" vehicles, so they are pretty versatile and are not just limited to hunting infantry or Lone Operative characters.

 

Also, they are reasonably durable (T6 3W 3+ save) and, if you can get them into cover and use Armour of Contempt, they have the capacity to shrug off a surprising amount of firepower (i.e. it would take an average of 3-4 Lascannon shots to kill a single Inceptor).

[Tacitus]

This is why I stick a Phobos Libby in a unit of Infiltrators to run around next to Bobby G.