Unit of the Week: Stormraven Gunship

[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:

 

 Stormraven Gunship

What are you thoughts here folks? How best would you use a Stormraven Gunship?

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? 
• Are you taking multiple units?
• Which Detachment are you using?
• What wargear options are you taking?
• What are you transporting?
• What deployment options 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!)

 

***

 

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

[DemonGSides]

I'll always like this guy, if only because I own 3 (Thanks to a really awesome LGS back in 2015).  They pay for the sins of being a flyer in the current edition, but they aren't strictly terrible as an alternative to a Land Raider, and they also have a hell of a transport ability with being able to lug around a dreadnought.

I have managed to field all 3 exactly one time, which was in an Apocalypse game back in 7th ed.  Stuffed em full of DC who all died when they disembarked and never got to drop one of the dreads.

I yearn for the ability to try that again.

[Karhedron]

The Stormraven is a similar price to a Land Raider but functions quite differently and is less durable so needs some careful thought to get the most out of.

 

First up is the Transport capacity. 12 bodies + a Dreadnought is a lot of space but it does not have a rule allowing units to disembark and charge after the SR moves so loading up with melee units is probably not the best use of this unit. I think that shorter-ranged firepower units like Hellblasters, Infernus Marines or Sternguard and probably good for cargo with Characters added to taste.

 

10 Sternguard with a Sanguinary Priest and Captain with either Rage Fuelled Warrior or Angel's Fang depending on the detachment. This is a unit that packs a punch at close range and can use the mobility of the SR to get at your OOM target for full rerolls to Hit and Wound. The Priest gives the unit a 5++ and makes them as good in melee as Assault Intercessors. Maybe add Master of the Red Thirst to the Priest to make the unit a scary prospect to charge.

 

For the Dreadnought, I think the Redemptor is the best choice as it has good firepower but also hits well in melee so likes getting close to the enemy. The Redemptor also shares the SR's -1 Damage rule which will help to take the sting out of the enemy's anti-tank shooting.

 

Now the SR is not as durable as a Land Raider so I think works best on the flanks where it will be harder for the opponent to focus fire and bring it down. It's relative fragility makes it less suited to brawling over the centre Objective and also doesn't make the best use of its speed.

[Father Mapple]

I run a Stormraven a lot. I use it as a blocker they can't charge if its flying (rarely), but which I can shoot a lot of stuff at. Hurricane bolters are real chaff clearers, but vehicles/monsters fear a Multi-melta that can cross the table, lascannons, and stormstrike missiles. I think it's best to drop smaller 5 man units to score objectives and do actions. Something you won't miss but is useful if it gets focus fired down. 

I haven't tried to carry a dread in 10th edition. With the Stormraven being 280 points, it's just such a sink to put anything else in it. 

You will use them to hover most of the time. Still fast, and they always have a line of sight on things... meaning they get shot back at a lot!

If you do use it as a flyer, you have to think in big boxes. Short table edge deployment is risky to fly on unless you prepare 2 turns in advance in how its going to turn. I always assume near 90 degree turns or else you'll fly off the table.