Blood Angels Unit of the Week series Unit of the Week: Desolation Squad

[Jolemai]

 

Welcome to part three 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:

 

Desolation Squad

What are you thoughts here folks? How best would you play a Desolation Squad?

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? 
• Multiple units?
• What wargear options are you using?
• Which Detachment are you using?
• What delivery options are you using? 
• What deployment options are you using?
• What Leader are you using?
• Stratagem synergy of note?

 

Over to you.

 

[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!)

 

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

[Karhedron]

Desolators are still paying for their sins at the start of 10th and are quite overcosted. However, with signs that the horde meta is taking hold, their ability to frag indirectly while shooting their primary target is becoming a bit more relevant. I think the optimum build is Superkrak and Vengor. Pop them on a flank with a bit of LOS to a medium armoured target and let them take it down while bombarding infantry with their Castellan and Vengor launchers. I am not convinced by Character support as they are pretty expensive already. Adding an Lt for Lethal Hits looks nice but I am not sure if he is better there than in any other squad.

[Goranged]

desolation ...

[Karhedron]

Unfortunately the latest rules update have spanked Desolators firmly back out of the meta as their Castellan launchers can now never hit on better than a 4+. 

[Vaclav]

Hello there fellow astartes,

 

as a son of Dorn, I've spend a lot of time to make my Desolation Squad work (I've successfuly converted them to look really cool and it would be shame to let them just catch dust on the shelf), there is one, very specific way. In Anvil Siege Force, you have the option to use a stratagem called Battle Drill Recall (1CP). It gives your unit Sustained Hits 1 AND if you stay stationary in movement phase, you score critical hits on 5+. If you are aiming at your OotM target, with this stratagem is the most recent nerf almost harmless. You can also use Impulsor to sit nearby with Orbital Coms Array and try to get some of the CPs back and hide your Desolators from potential danger, such as oponent's indirect fire or reserves if needed. You will lose Ignores Cover but you can continue with firing from your vehicle. Also, if you move your Desolators inside, but your Impulsor does not move, you can still benefit from +1 to wound while using Firing Deck rule and your shiny Superkrak Missiles (at least, I think so).

 

You can also use Lieutenant with Combi Weapon, Storm Speeder Hailstrike or Storm Speeder Thunderstrike to add further benefits. 

 

As of leaders, there are, in my opinion, none that make sense. Lieutenant would be great but he cannot join Desolation Squad. Librarian or Apothecary can add some resilience or use Fire Discipline combo in Gladius Task Force, but Anvil does this better and they don't add too much to this unit.

 

I hope that this will help and if there are some combinations I didn't consider, I'll be glad to hear about them. For the Emperor!