"Dark Horse" SM Character Builds

[L30n1d4s]

There are several pretty well known and solidly entrenched HQ options that Astartes armies have now, especially since the new Codex has been out for a few months, including the infamous Smash Captain (JP/TH/SS, used by all Chapters), buff Chapter Masters with 9" auras for full re-rolls to Hit, potent named characters like Iron Father Feirros/Tigurius/Shrike, Chaplains with the Master of Sanctity and +1 to Hit/+1 to Wound for shooting Litanies, etc.


What I'd like to do here is explore some of the less obvious, but equally competitive Space Marine HQ builds that Brothers have come up with and/or had success with on the Tabletop.


To start off, here are a few of mine, starting with the Salamanders, Raven Guard, and Black Templar:


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1) Salamander "Smash Drake" Biker Captain -- Captain on Bike with Storm Shield, Teeth of Terra relic, Imperium's Sword and Anvil of Strength WL Traits

With a "base" Strength of 6 (from Anvil of Strength), +1S from Teeth of Terra, another +1S when charging (from Imperium's Sword), and another +1S from the Strength of the Primarch Strat, this Captain can move 14", then charge another 2D6" with 9 x S9 AP-2 Dmg2 attacks that hit on a re-rollable 2+ and do Dmg4 on any to Wound rolls of 6. Additionally, you can use the Salamander "Crucible of Battle" to give him a further +1 to Wound, meaning that he is wounding anything T8 or below on a 2+. Finally, he is T5 with 6W, a 3++ from the Storm Shield, and several durability options like Transhuman Physiology, Rise from the Ashes, and even +1T with a friendly Librarian casting Might of Heroes on him.

What I particularly like about this build is its versatility, since he tough, fast, can take on big threats like Monsters/Vehicles, but also has the volume of Dmg 2 attacks to tear through elite infantry / tough infantry like Plague Bearers without outside support, especially if you "Honor the Chapter" him to fight twice. If you really want to go all in with him, then you can give him a Jump Pack Librarian "squire" to buff him up with Psychic Fortress (to shrug off MWs) and Might of Heroes (making him S10, T6, and granting 10A on the charge).



2) Raven Guard "Assassin" Librarian -- TDA Librarian, upgraded to Chief Librarian with Combi-Plasma (Master-Crafted for Dmg 3 per shot), and Smite/Shadowstep/Enveloping Darkness/The Abyss powers and the "Iron Resolve" WL Trait.

Basically, you can Deepstrike this Librarian within 12" of an enemy Character (positioned so that it is the nearest model) or small unit that you want to "bully," hit the enemy with Smite and The Abyss, then shoot the Plasma portion of the Combi-Plasma (with +1 to Hit/to Wound if it is a character, once Tactical Doctrine is on) for up to another 6W at S8 AP-4.

Against most characters/small units holding objectives, you should have a strong chance of killing them outright (or at least gravely wounding them), and then on subsequent turns you can use Shadowstep to "bounce" around the board and repeat this assassination tactic, grab objectives, debuff enemy units with Enveloping Darkness, or whatever the situation call for. Obviously, proper positioning and target selection are key, but this Librarian can be surprisingly tough as long as it is in cover, with a 1+ save, -1 to Hit, and 6W with a 6+++ FNP (i.e. BS3+ AP-1 Bolt Rifles would take 28 shots to remove a single wound, 168 shots on average to kill the Librarian).

 

 

3) Black Templar "Psyker Hunter" Captain -- Phobos Captain with "Marksman's Honours" WL Trait and Witchseeker Bolts Relics

 

While the Dmg 4 Master-Crafted Instigator Bolt Carbine already being dangerous to all kinds of targets, this gives you an additional "free" D3 mortal wounds when you target Psykers, like Farseers, Warlocks, Astartes Librarians, Primaris Psykers, Weirdboyz, Magos, Patriarchs, Neurothropes, Broodlords, Chaos Sorcerers, Chaos Daemon Psykers of all kinds, etc.

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I am curious, what have other B&C brethren found to work for them in terms of "dark horse" characters from the new Codex?

Edited December 27, 2019 by L30n1d4s

[Aspecti]

Ultramarines Captain on bike, equipped with the relic storm bolter Vengeance of Ultramar. He has a total of 12 shots, getting to reroll wounds against non-vehicle units with 8 of those shots(the relic). His range is 38".

 

So far not very good, right? But the trick is giving him the Paragon of War warlord trait. On an unmodified wound roll of 6, every attack causes a mortal wound plus the normal damage.

[zero88]

These are sweet builds. Here's a simple one:

 

Primaris Chaplain with Benediction of Fury, Imperium's Sword, Master of Sanctity with Mantra of Strength and Canticle of Hate.

 

A measly 77pts, but on the re-rollable +2 charge he delivers 7 S8 AP-2 D4 attacks, before you factor in any chapter bonuses. White Scars and he's getting there quicker and D5 in the final stages, Iron Hands can swap +2 charge for the new litany to hit at S9 and go Knight hunting, etc

[L30n1d4s]

Those are both great builds, thanks for sharing.

 

 

The UM Biker Captain can also do MWs in melee, so if you give him a Lightning Claw and fish for 6s to Wound after you charge, you can do even more damage (and then use the UM Strat to fall back, shoot, and charge all over again next turn).

 

 

The Chaplain build is also great.... if you go White Scars, you can use the awesome new Litany allowing all WS units within 6" to re-roll ALL wounds in combat, making him even more dangerous!

[jeremy1391]

Imperial fist Titan hunter librarian

Librarian with Jump pack and force axe time of malcador.

Give him null zone might of heroes and aspect of Stone.

Imperium sword warlord trait, sentinel of Terra strat to also have the siege master warlord trait.

 

Cast aspect of stone to kick him up to strength 7, strength 8 on the charge, might of heroes brings him to strength 9 and with the siege master trait he will wound knights on a 2+

 

If all powered up that should be 6 strength 9 AP-2 damage D3.

[Claws and Effect]

Kamikaze jump Libby.

 

Jump pack and Force sword, Spectral Blade and Enveloping Darkness.

 

S9 with Spectral Blade and no overwatch via Enveloping Darkness. On turn 2 he's hitting and wounding characters on 2s.

 

If I feel like investing more into him I'll use HOTC for Imperium's Sword and whatever relic I feel like sticking on him. I usually don't though, I call him the Kamikaze Libby for a reason. I send him in knowing he's going to die, and hopefully he'll take something out before he does.

[zero88]

To make the Scars Jump Chaplain even more ridiculous:

 

Master Crafted Power Fist

Mantra of Strength

Imperium's Sword

Might of Heroes Cast

Within Range of Scars Relic Banner

-Assume Assault Doctrine for more laughs

 

+4 Strength from all that becomes S16, AP-4, Damage D3+3 (+1 Mantra, +1 Master Crafted, +1 Super Doctrine). Attacks would be 7 on the charge. Make it a Master of Sanctity if you want another litany. Happy Knight hunting

[SkimaskMohawk]

The problem with a lot of these super character builds is that you have a lot of moving parts. Anything that relies on litanies and psychic powers has me immediately second guessing it. A single litany on a chaplain is easy enough to try and pass with a CP; adding another psychic power or two in there is just asking for half of it to fall apart.

 

My contribution is Raven Guard Phobos Captain with Oppressors End and either Imperium's Sword or Champion, depending on the selection (though I prefer sword for the charge reroll). Out of doctrine you'll one-hit any T5 or lower character bar abbadon or calgar and can threaten out of position units/characters with his concealed position. His gun also directly compliments the role.

[Schlitzaf]

The main ones for me;

Master Swordsman (from Vigilus) builds for Templars. Which I consistently have seen people often look over. Any Master Swordsman build w/ Relic Swords (Burning or Judgement), Teeth or Hammer. People completely pass by or look over. Its not that CP intensive, and doesn’t require any litany buffs or otherwise.

 

Through really any non-Hammer Character build I feel people undervalue.

[L30n1d4s]

Great ideas on both of those Librarian builds there, especially if they can come in and kill a much more powerful/expensive model before your opponent counter attacks.

 

Also, that WS "Smash Chaplain" is definitely a one man wrecking ball, particularly if you can keep him alive long enough to activate the Assault Doctrine.

 

@SkimaskMohawk, I agree with you, if there are too many moving parts then, no matter how great "the ceiling" capacity if a character is, it starts to become too variable to really count on using him effectively... builds centered on WL Traits, Relics, and Strats, which work automatically all the time, are definitely the best way to go.

 

While we are at it, here is another character I have been thinking about:

 

1) Black Templar "Nexus Buffer" Techmarine -- Techmarine upgraded to a Master of the Forge with "Master the Machine" WL Trait and Crusader Helm Relic

 

This MotF gives all vehicles within 9" of him +1 to their hit rolls... combine with advancing LR Crusaders for 24 Bolter shots and 12 Assault Cannon shots, all hitting on 2+s, or use to buff a gunline of Stalkers, Whirlwinds, Predators, shoot Dreads, etc. that are providing fire support to the BT melee threats, or even use to power up BT flyers that are within range. You can m make his aura of +1 to hit for vehicles even bigger, going out to 12", if you use a nearby Chaplain to cast the Fervent Acclamation litany. Finally, the MotF can also make a nearby BT unit use the Assault Doctrine even when the rest of the army is still in a different doctrine.

[chapter master 454]

Want a fun one? Gravis salamander captain, give the stat boost traits and salamander mantle, might of heroes him and now immune to strength 4 and lower.

[redmapa]

The only whacky build I can think of is the Black Templar sniper Captain, a Phobos Captain with Marksman's honor warlord trait and Witchseeker bolts so now he can target a psyker character and deal 4dmg plus d3 Mortal Wounds, on a lucky roll you might one shot kill any infantry character or cripple a monster.

[chapter master 454]

To be honest, any build that isn't smash captain is a dark horse really! The main thing that tends to be the problem is when building characters most people expect smash captain from non-smash captain builds.

 

Things like Phobos Raven Guard Captain with Korvidari bolts is a sniper monster who threatens any and all characters who thought getting within 36" was a good idea. might not be a one shot but losing 3 wounds from that can be scary.

 

Main issue is that most relics are meant to be decent boosts, not outright winners and with the lack of ranged options on characters it hurts their options really. I mean, why not smash when melee is the only good answer. Really, the only other option is Captain Slash for the cheapest, rippiest, teariest captain this side of the cicatrix maledictum with his insane attack count, a double trait version would likely become a terror to anyone with whatever build you like.

 

I mean, you can go for some really wonky and silly build ideas. One of the more annoying ones I know is an ultramarine Librarian, phobos. Precog + Stealth Adept + Ghost mantle means he is -2 to hit, -1 to wound by default. Take him as a successor with stealthy and now he has +1 to his armour save outside of 12". He won't be a melee damage dealer but will be the biggest pain in someones rear at some point.

[Raktra]

Anyone who gives an Iron Hands Captain (or even takes one for that matter) the Betrayer's Bane has my undying respect. Melta guns are cool as HECK, and I adore being the chapter to have a one that fires twice.

[mika_angelus]

I very much like the the bugs bunny buff captain that is usable by any chapter.

 

A Phobos captain with the shoot and fade warlord trait, chapter master upgrade and the vox relic.

 

You can start him wherever you want basically , move and advance to give the full rerolls where you need them, then when one part of your army already shot their weapons you can shoot the captains weapon and then move and advance again to give the rerolls to another part of the army.

 

I find it works exceptionally with an army that has a strong long range and short range elements. Like white scars or Raven guard.

[Jacques Corbin]

Agreed. Let's keep it simple. A Primaris Captain with Auto Bolt Rifle upgraded to the relic Bellicos Rifle, a solid melee weapon, and the Storm of Fire WL Trait. Throw him in an Impulsor with Shield Dome and 5 (Veteran) Intercessors with Auto Bolt Rifles and a Power Sword on the Sergeant. Now, Storm of Fire does not Stack with Tactical Doctrine, but is nice to have during Devastator or Assault Doctrines. They can start in the Impulsor, zoom up, disembark via Assault Vehicle after the Impulsor moves, and hose down the enemy with the Bellicos, 5 Auto Bolt Rifles, and the 2 Storm Bolters on the Impulsor, all benefitting from Storm of Fire and Bolter Discipline, and rerolling 1s to hit. Also, it's a classic narrative, a Captain and his veterans, taking an objective to turn the tide of the battle.

 

From there, just add another Impulsor or 2, a Lieutenant or Ancient, another unit of Auto Bolter Intercessors or even Hellblasters. That is the beginning of a decent light mechanized force right there. If they ever release a Primaris Techmarine (not in Gravis Armor), then an Impulsor with a Shield Dome will be a beast on the Tabletop. .

[MegaVolt87]

Humble power fist with ranged weapon on a capt is nice. It's no thunder hammer but still does the job.

[TrawlingCleaner]

A favourite of mine is a IH captain with Axe of Medusa and the Merciless logic WL trait, Strength 7, -3AP and 3 dmg each, chances are on the charge you're likely to get at least one or two sixes which really adds up over time. I usually run him with a stormbolter too as more shots is more good. You could also give him Imperium's sword (?) WL trait on top for an extra strength and attack making him Strength 8 with 6 attacks on the charge with essentially DttFE. It's not a super smash captain but definitely a pocket rocket that doesn't really need support. With Null Zone from a nearby Librarian he wiped a unit of 6 Necron Wraiths in one combat, my opponent definitely wasn't expecting that!

[tychobi]

My legends pick is techmarine on bike with combiplasma, conversion beamer, and chainsword. Specializes in fixing stormravens on the wing

[Captain Idaho]

Us Ultramarines players won't regard it as a dark horse perhaps, but the Chapter Champion (unit selection AND Strategum) is a brilliant choice.

 

Giving your Chapter Champion the Warlord Trait, Imperium's Sword, along with a Relic (I prefer the Blade of Triumph for D3 but some like the Burning Blade for S8 on the charge) and you actually get 7 attacks with this guy! Hitting on 2s, rerolling failed hits and wounds against characters (Knights usually run as characters remember...) and a plethora of additional rules not least Skillful Parry - you have a character that will cause a lot of pain for just about any army. At sub 50pts (but 1 or more CP) or 60pts (Ultramarines - cheaper in CP) he can fill an Elites slot easily as well.

 

The only downside to him is he ideally needs a transport. Which isn't a downside if you have a unit using a transport anyway.

[SkimaskMohawk]

The raven guard version is one of the best character killers in the game and can use strike from the shadows to deepstrike and ravens blade to reroll charges. Only downside is that he struggles against vehicles as he can't use lay low the tyrant to boost the wound roll.

[Captain Idaho]

Good stuff. I like the thought of a Raven Guard Chapter Champion being entirely different in modus operandi to an Ultramarines one - an assassin as opposed to duelist.

[jeremy1391]

Imperial fist chapter champion with the burning blade, imperium sword and siege master will be wounding knights on a 3 if he charges! And with the burning blade being AP-5

7 attacks on the charge doing up to 14 damage on a knight with a 50 point model lol

[Claws and Effect]

I've modified my jump Chaplain a bit and he's a tanky little dude now.

 

Master of Sanctity, Hero of the Chapter for Iron Resolve, take Mantra of Strength and Canticle of Hate. And I gave him the relic that buffs his invuln to 3+

 

Played a game with him the other night and he murdered a Broodlord and proceeded to tank the counter attack from 12 Genestealers. Lived long enough to use the Raven Guard specific Litany next turn to let my Leviathan fall back and shoot.

 

He's not super killy, but he's durable enough it takes a concerted effort to get rid of him.

 

Things like Phobos Raven Guard Captain with Korvidari bolts is a sniper monster who threatens any and all characters who thought getting within 36" was a good idea. might not be a one shot but losing 3 wounds from that can be scary.

Confirmed that Marksman's Honour works with the Korvidari bolts. The bolts don't make his weapon itself a relic, probably because you still have the option to shoot it normally. 4 damage sniper shot that has a 36" range and doesn't need LOS? Yes please.

Edited January 13, 2020 by Claws and Effect

[jeremy1391]

Imperial fist

Fist of Terra master of sanctity with jump pack, double warlord trait: siege master and imperium sword warlord traits,

Throw canticle of hate and mantra of strength on him.

if you get mantra of strength off and use the basic litany you have the potential to do 28 damage