Unit of the Week: Lieutenants in Phobos Armour

[Jolemai]

Welcome to part two of the Blood Angels Unit of the Week Series!

Following the release of the 8^th edition Codex, 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 focus on the unique BA units and part two will focus on BA units that are new to this edition of the Codex, part three will discuss how to get the best use the generic units from the past that are still with us (and that many of us have in our armies still).

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:

Lieutenants in Phobos Armour

What are you thoughts here folks? How best would you use a Phobos Lieutenant?

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? Will the beta rules affect your list(s)?
• Will you be running multiple units?
• Footslog or transport? Retinue?
• How are you making use of Grav-chutes, Terror Troops, and Smoke Grenades?
• Are you buffing this unit? If so, how?
• Stratagems of note?

Over to you.

Nb: Please note that Lieutenants and Primaris Lieutenants will be covered on a separate entry.

[Jolemai]

Should you want your model on display here (or on another thread from the series), then submit a photo here please.

[Blindhamster]

I really dont think the phobos lieutenant is generally that useful. If they had allowed for mix and match of his options and given him a power weapon option he would probably have been pretty great.

[Panzer]

Same. I'd use him for flavour reasons if he'd keep his Grav-chutes as Reiver Lieutenant but that's one of the big screw ups GW did recently.

[Indefragable]

To me, the only use case for a Phobos LT is to pair with a Phobos Capt and flood the board with Infiltrators w/ comm links so they get the re-rolls no matter where they are.

 

...but that’s an edge case which would really only be good against say GSC in a vacuum and I think we have far better options in almost every way possible.

[The Unseen]

It's kind've depressing that all it would take to make him great is the ability to deep strike like reivers do and access to a melee weapon that isn't an AP- Combat Blade.

[Panzer]

He can deep strike like Reivers. Just not as Reiver Lieutenant. If he could deep strike as Reiver Lieutenant it only would make him thematically fitting but he'd still be far from being great.

[Vermintide]

Yeah, I really don't get why he has to use grav chutes rather than the concealed positions rule. Tbh I think they should have just made a blanket phobos armour = concealed positions rule, but this is off topic.

 

I'm sure he'd be okay dropping in with a bunch of reivers for backline harassment. One of those units which isn't exciting but potentially more useful than you'd expect.

[Dont-Be-Haten]

To me, the only use case for a Phobos LT is to pair with a Phobos Capt and flood the board with Infiltrators w/ comm links so they get the re-rolls no matter where they are.

 

...but that’s an edge case which would really only be good against say GSC in a vacuum and I think we have far better options in almost every way possible.

I think giving him quake bolts for his ranged sniper and being able to pick out characters makes him a good utility.

 

Going large squads of infiltrators alongside him wouldn't be terrible either.

[Jolemai]

Folks, the topic is how best to use the unit. Would appreciate it if we discussed that rather than alternatives.

[mika_angelus]

Try this for fun :

 

Phobos lieutenant with master of vanguard warlord trait and icon of the angel relic.

3*5 Reavers with grav-chutes

 

Drop in Turn three with assault doctrine active.

Have fun :D

[Panzer]

It's a possible use for sure, however to be fair I never really had problems bringing my Reivers to the enemy before. It's just that when they are there they don't do much except for being an annoying target the enemy has to focus with more units than he'd normally like to.

I don't mind them doing just that (though of course I'd prefer it if they could actually kill stuff), however I do think using a character, warlord trait and relic just to help them doing it is a waste of ressources.