How to best use aggressors

[Berzul]

So, I have been seriously considering dipping my feet into the Primaris pool, once digital distribution restarts for GW.

Of the entire primaris range, the ONE model that I actually love the sculpt of, is the aggressor.

 

Thing is, I find myself in doubt about what their best configuration is. I'd love to know the thoughts of the community, here. As you guys have used them MUCH more than me (who, has never used one at all).

 

On the one side, I like the idea of 6 guys dishing out 36 shots for two turns of tactical doctrines, at ap-1, with a couple of characters for rerrolls.

 

But, then I realize their flamer variant is assault, and these guys can punch really hard in melee... So, the thought occurs to me: Would they be best used by placing them front and center, and then just running, running, and running, in a straight line, towards the enemy? So you can get them in 8inch range for the flamers before charging in, or getting charged in and then using the flamers as defense?

[Lord Marshal]

Aggressively.

 

Sorry.

[jaxom]

Bolters, hands down. More dakka for the Lion! Also, statistically their said to do more damage (I haven’t crunched the numbers myself) and that for Chapters without Grim Resolve.

[TempestBlade]

I was just talking about this! Aggressors with a chaplain chanting the Stoic Prosecution = aggressors that count as stationary so they shoot twice and get rerolls of 1s from grim resolve. 72 + 12D6 shots per turn! Dakka Dakka

[Get Thokt]

Would highly conisder grouping them with a chaplain to use the Catechism of Fire Litany to get +1 to wound :D

[Fierce Bear]

The bolters are only 18" range normally, I tend to find they get to punch things with there fists quote regularly.

 

I guess the range on the flamer variant means they need drop pods... At 8" they don't always get to counter incoming charges... I wonder if a 10" range would make them more interesting...

[Skywrath]

A combo I learned from Aggressors is a Chaplain - Aggressor - Primaris Ancient/Ezekiel. Works better with the flame-storm variant (hear me out), and with the express purpose of defending your castle. Imagine someone is charging your castle, and you have 6x flame-storm aggressors barring their way. Put the Primaris Ancient behind, and get the Catechism of Fire off/Stoic Prosecution. Watch 8D6 (shots?? - as they are flame-storm?) go off incinerating everything in their path. And for maximum effect when they die, just repeat the hilarity, while picking them off. Admittedly a very niche combo, but you could apply that technique to say defending a repulsor, as well as having an additional benefit of being hilarious.  

 

But for your general needs - bolt-storm aggressors are the way to go, however I still struggle to come up with a list that makes them shine (and making them interesting!). However, if you are considering aggressors in your army, consider the inceptors as well (plasma exterminator variant). 2d3 shots each (just let that sink for a moment), while being a premier target of the WOTDA stratagem. Not only that, but they have 3 wounds each, and can deep strike. Just imagine - a hellblaster squad, but costing less, moving faster and being more survivable (more-so in deepstrike). That would also make them ideal for moving quickly to points in games such as "Four Pillars". I'm honestly not sure why DA players don't run more of them but *shrug*. Also, consider this - they just work better with the DA plasma shenanigans, then aggressors.   

 

Side-note, I'm surprised Aggressors are considered Elite, and not Fast attack - you would think with the amount of shots they have, it would be the other way around.

Edited May 1, 2020 by Knight-Master Skywrath

[FarFromSam]

Azzy and asmodai. Azzy gives them the 4++ invul they need and reroll all misses, Asmodai gives them +1 attack and Litanies.  All three units have an inherit slow transport unit and compliment each other. Take 2 units of 6 with the HQ's and you have a tough midfield unit that can cover a bit of ground since their weapons are assualt, can overwatch due to reroll all misses, can clear chaff with ease, hits like crazy in CC with rerolls and +1 attack, and is 3W T5, with a 4++

[Fierce Bear]

@Skywrath:

 

" as well as having an additional benefit of being hilarious."

 

Is the only justification you ever need right!!!!?

 

I haven't perfected Plas-Inceptors but now turn 2, deep striking with added -1 AP are worth a look again.

 

 

Berzul,

 

As above, Boltstorm is brutal when reroll buffed, I haven't tried the chaplain litany for +1 to wound but once Re-roll hits are involved that will take down the target!!!

 

The buff units and a repulsor is a considerable investment so I think it pulls you toward a 6-man build... But yeah... #DoubleTap

[Berzul]

Yeah, I am thinking (as a post-pandemic project) to start a division of my army consisting of only gravis dudes... Boltstorm does seem to be the way to go, I see. I'll keep this in consideration.