Blood Angels Unit of the Week series Unit of the Week: Gladiator Lancer

[Jolemai]

 

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

 
Following the release of the 10^th edition Codex 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 discuss the units from the units found within Codex Supplement: Blood Angels, parts two to four will discuss Codex: 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:

 

 Gladiator Lancer

What are you thoughts here folks? How best would you use a Gladiator Lancer?

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? 
• Are you taking multiple units?
• Which Detachment are you using?
• What deployment options are you using?
• What weapon options are you using?
• Stratagem synergy of note?

 

Over to you.

 

Please note that the Gladiator Reaper, and Gladiator Valiant will be discussed elsewhere. 

 

[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]

One of the simplest units in the game. The Gladiator Lancer knows exactly what it is for and that is knocking holes in enemy tanks and monsters. There is not really any scope for subtlety here. With its built-in rerolls, it can usually pretty reliably one-shot anything of up to 12 Wounds that doesn't have an Invuln. With 12 T10 Wounds and a 3+ save, its defensive profile is not amazing but the long range on the main gun provides some defense although you may need to screen it a bit.

 

While it does not have much synergy with our Detachments, it is a sold unit and well worth taking. Indeed the only time you will regret it is if your opponent runs an all-infantry list. One place where it does have a bit of extra synergy is the Angelic Inheritors detachment and the "Strike now for Glory!" stratagem. Sustained Hits 1 is swingy on a 2-shot gun built the built-in rerolls mean you have a decent chance of getting a 50% boost to firepower. 

[greatcrusade08]

On 4/7/2025 at 6:05 PM, Karhedron said:

One place where it does have a bit of extra synergy is the Angelic Inheritors detachment and the "Strike now for Glory!" stratagem. Sustained Hits 1 is swingy on a 2-shot gun built the built-in rerolls mean you have a decent chance of getting a 50% boost to firepower. 

 

Oath of moment can work for all hit rerolls too and if your playing bloodless angels youd get the boost to wound also.

not BA specific but 1st co task force would net you full wound rerolls in addition to the above.

I also think armoured wrath is slightly better than angelic inheritors for that synergy, 

[Tokugawa]

+/- 10pts could make difference between "situational playable" and "meta staple" for such a tank. Anyhow it is an unit with clear and effective function.

[Karhedron]

1 hour ago, greatcrusade08 said:

Oath of moment can work for all hit rerolls too and if your playing bloodless angels youd get the boost to wound also.

 

I think that Bloodless Angels is no longer a thing. If you take a BA detachment, (even Angelic Inheritors), you lose the +1 to Wound vs your OOM target.

[greatcrusade08]

5 hours ago, Karhedron said:

 

I think that Bloodless Angels is no longer a thing. If you take a BA detachment, (even Angelic Inheritors), you lose the +1 to Wound vs your OOM target.

 

I didnt know that, but tbf thats how it should be

[Jolemai]

33 minutes ago, greatcrusade08 said:

 

I didnt know that, but tbf thats how it should be

 

It was amended during the latest balance update