Post by calitom on Sept 9, 2011 2:04:14 GMT -5
Now I'm going to sit down and take a look at each of the HQ choices the codex has to offer. A rather large selection of special characters with some gnarly rules and beastly stats await, but one shouldn't always overlook the cheap customizable selections available.
Captain -
The humble Captain has been a real favorite of many Space Marine players over the years. He's relatively cheap even fully equipped and has a very nice stat line - the bad parts for the Cap in the BA codex is the lack of a Relic blade and Artificer armor. Also he doesn't actually give anything to the list he's in other then another punchy HQ. It's ultimately up to you if you overlook this guy, but there's better choices IMO.
Librarian -
Librarians are cheap, effective and bring the much needed Psychic defense most generals have come to rely on. A plethora of buffing and supporting powers are available to him, and a few offensive shooting abilities. Can take a bike, jump pack or Terminator armor and is a more then welcome addition to any BA army. The ability to give his unit Preferred enemy, make himself STR 10 or grant a 5+ cover save to those within 6'' are just a few examples of the wonderful powers he offers to your list. Can't go wrong with him.
Reclusiarchs -
The Reclusiarch is the super charged Chaplain stat-wise. He has the usual Chaplain equipment (Rosarius and Crozius Arcanum) and the usual rules (re roll misses on the charge) but he also allows Death Company to re roll wounds on the charge as well- Awesome! He has the same stat line as the Captain (with one less WS) and gives a nice buff to your army. Yet another very solid choice, and one most wouldn't leave home without. A very iconic figure in most chapters and incredibly sweet looking on the table.
Honor Guard -
4 Veterans with a built in Sanguinary priest. Absolutely customizable, you can make them specialized for CC or Shooting, support and disruption. The biggest plus of this selection is the Priest whom isn't IC status and can't be picked out in CC. Requires 1 HQ selection to pick one up, and is usually something you pick up with extra points.
Chapter Master Gabriel Seth -
Chapter Master of the Flesh Tearers, Gabriel has the usual Chapter Master statline with 4 wounds, a STR 8 rending chainsword and some very awesome special rules. He isn't too expensive and is a whirling death machine to boot. Sadly he doesn't add much to the army in the support department, but he's a solid choice if you just want to beat people up.
Captain Tycho -
Captain Tycho has Captain stats, Artificier armor, a MC Combi-Melta with Special Ammo (a la Sternguard) and hits like a Monstrous Creature in CC. Comes in two flavors, somewhat sane and DC. He gives Rites of Battle - which lends his leadership to your army. Very nice support captain and lends himself well to the playstyle, though again overlooked as a selection.
Astorath the Grim -
He's mean, he's scary and he comes with a MC two handed Power Axe that strikes at STR 6 - furthermore it causes successful Invulnerable saves to be rerolled against it. He has Reclusiarch stats, but comes with Artificier armour and a jump pack... He also gets rid of the 0-1 restriction on Death Company and makes your army suffer the Red Thirst on a 1 to a 3 ! Many swear by him as their main man, and in most cases if you compare what he has for the price difference between him and the usual Reclusiarch choice... he's well worth it.
Chapter Master Dante -
The eldest living Space marine currently and Chapter Master of the Blood Angels himself. Captain stat line with 4 Wounds, Init 6 and 4 attacks base. He makes Sanguinary Guard troops, doesn't scatter with whatever unit he's in when he comes in from reserve... debuffs the enemy HQ with his Death Mask and lends Hit and Run to the unit he's with. He's what most Chapter Masters have come to mean to Space Marine players, a combat beast who lends some valuable buffs to your army. The lack of Eternal warrior sucks, but oh well...
Mephiston -
Vampire Jesus himself! He has a better stat line then a Demon Prince, can cast 3 Psychic powers a turn, fleet and kills most units he comes into contact with before they get to sneeze at him. His glaring weaknesses are the lack of invulnerable save as per being a Librarian, and the lack of Independent Character status. My favorite character by far, but he's expensive as all hell (Landraider Cost). A wild card choice if there was one, but if used well can end games himself. Not suggested as a starting selection.
Sanguinor -
Yet another stupidly expensive character with a beastly stat line, 3++ invulnerable save, an aura that gives +1 attack, supercharges a random sergeant (making them into a character stat wise) and picks an enemy HQ to re roll hits and wounds against. He's even more expensive then Mephiston, and also lacks the Independent character status... He sure is pretty though. Another choice I wouldn't personally suggest to new players.
So there you have it! the HQ choices in a nutshell. So many choices, so few points... but there for a reason- they are in many cases there to personify yourself on the board, getting down and dirty. Taking the fight to those who call themselves enemy of the Emperor!
Next up are the Elite of the chapter.... Lemme know what you think of the info. Spelling errors abound? Too much like rambling? Wanna get it fixed up before it's linked in it's entirety.
Captain -
The humble Captain has been a real favorite of many Space Marine players over the years. He's relatively cheap even fully equipped and has a very nice stat line - the bad parts for the Cap in the BA codex is the lack of a Relic blade and Artificer armor. Also he doesn't actually give anything to the list he's in other then another punchy HQ. It's ultimately up to you if you overlook this guy, but there's better choices IMO.
Librarian -
Librarians are cheap, effective and bring the much needed Psychic defense most generals have come to rely on. A plethora of buffing and supporting powers are available to him, and a few offensive shooting abilities. Can take a bike, jump pack or Terminator armor and is a more then welcome addition to any BA army. The ability to give his unit Preferred enemy, make himself STR 10 or grant a 5+ cover save to those within 6'' are just a few examples of the wonderful powers he offers to your list. Can't go wrong with him.
Reclusiarchs -
The Reclusiarch is the super charged Chaplain stat-wise. He has the usual Chaplain equipment (Rosarius and Crozius Arcanum) and the usual rules (re roll misses on the charge) but he also allows Death Company to re roll wounds on the charge as well- Awesome! He has the same stat line as the Captain (with one less WS) and gives a nice buff to your army. Yet another very solid choice, and one most wouldn't leave home without. A very iconic figure in most chapters and incredibly sweet looking on the table.
Honor Guard -
4 Veterans with a built in Sanguinary priest. Absolutely customizable, you can make them specialized for CC or Shooting, support and disruption. The biggest plus of this selection is the Priest whom isn't IC status and can't be picked out in CC. Requires 1 HQ selection to pick one up, and is usually something you pick up with extra points.
Chapter Master Gabriel Seth -
Chapter Master of the Flesh Tearers, Gabriel has the usual Chapter Master statline with 4 wounds, a STR 8 rending chainsword and some very awesome special rules. He isn't too expensive and is a whirling death machine to boot. Sadly he doesn't add much to the army in the support department, but he's a solid choice if you just want to beat people up.
Captain Tycho -
Captain Tycho has Captain stats, Artificier armor, a MC Combi-Melta with Special Ammo (a la Sternguard) and hits like a Monstrous Creature in CC. Comes in two flavors, somewhat sane and DC. He gives Rites of Battle - which lends his leadership to your army. Very nice support captain and lends himself well to the playstyle, though again overlooked as a selection.
Astorath the Grim -
He's mean, he's scary and he comes with a MC two handed Power Axe that strikes at STR 6 - furthermore it causes successful Invulnerable saves to be rerolled against it. He has Reclusiarch stats, but comes with Artificier armour and a jump pack... He also gets rid of the 0-1 restriction on Death Company and makes your army suffer the Red Thirst on a 1 to a 3 ! Many swear by him as their main man, and in most cases if you compare what he has for the price difference between him and the usual Reclusiarch choice... he's well worth it.
Chapter Master Dante -
The eldest living Space marine currently and Chapter Master of the Blood Angels himself. Captain stat line with 4 Wounds, Init 6 and 4 attacks base. He makes Sanguinary Guard troops, doesn't scatter with whatever unit he's in when he comes in from reserve... debuffs the enemy HQ with his Death Mask and lends Hit and Run to the unit he's with. He's what most Chapter Masters have come to mean to Space Marine players, a combat beast who lends some valuable buffs to your army. The lack of Eternal warrior sucks, but oh well...
Mephiston -
Vampire Jesus himself! He has a better stat line then a Demon Prince, can cast 3 Psychic powers a turn, fleet and kills most units he comes into contact with before they get to sneeze at him. His glaring weaknesses are the lack of invulnerable save as per being a Librarian, and the lack of Independent Character status. My favorite character by far, but he's expensive as all hell (Landraider Cost). A wild card choice if there was one, but if used well can end games himself. Not suggested as a starting selection.
Sanguinor -
Yet another stupidly expensive character with a beastly stat line, 3++ invulnerable save, an aura that gives +1 attack, supercharges a random sergeant (making them into a character stat wise) and picks an enemy HQ to re roll hits and wounds against. He's even more expensive then Mephiston, and also lacks the Independent character status... He sure is pretty though. Another choice I wouldn't personally suggest to new players.
So there you have it! the HQ choices in a nutshell. So many choices, so few points... but there for a reason- they are in many cases there to personify yourself on the board, getting down and dirty. Taking the fight to those who call themselves enemy of the Emperor!
Next up are the Elite of the chapter.... Lemme know what you think of the info. Spelling errors abound? Too much like rambling? Wanna get it fixed up before it's linked in it's entirety.