Shadowkeepers and Shield Host choices

[Skywrath]

Disclaimer: I'm relatively new to Custodes.

 

After reading about the shield-hosts, watching batreps with Shadowkeepers, and a few lists that test out that selection, I have to say I'm pretty disillusioned with Grim Responsibility and Shadowkeepers as a whole.

 

Here's why - the strategem subtracts 1 from the strength of the attack, in either melee or ranged, correct? So let's take this list I came up with as an example (in spoiler) and let's say I got hit with something equivalent to lascannons on my 4 man brick of Vertus Praetors. The lascannon which is S9, goes down to S8. All well and good, however here's the problem. Both instances of the attacks, they would still be wounding on 3's as the bikes are T6. Same story goes if if said lascannon went up against my sword and board Custodian Guard (S9-8 against T5). Still would be wounding on 3's. Seeing how most of our units are in the T5-6 range, why would you run this shield host?

 

That being said, with this in mind, and with the notable caveat of running Vehicles (T8 or 7) in Shadowkeepers, or up against DG which subtract 1 from your units toughness, and (there I can see a use for Grim Responsibility as they would be wounding on 4's instead of 3's!!), what makes that Shield Host selection actually good? The WL trait is interesting granted, and the Gatekeeper relic in conjunction with Superior Fire Patterns stratagem is also good, but honestly that's probably it. I'm just failing to see why it's the default go-to-choice in nearly every Custodes list I saw played when you have other alternatives such a Dread Host (WL trait = spicy, as well as the strat), or (on occasion) the Emissaries Imperatus with the Emperor's Hand Strategem. 

 

Side-note: In this list I provided, what Shield Host selection/WL trait would you recommend? The SH and WL trait are a placeholder, currently.

 

 

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Imperium - Adeptus Custodes) [101 PL, 10CP, 1,997pts] ++

 

+ Configuration +

 

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) 

 

Detachment Command Cost

 

Shield Host: Solar Watch

 

+ Agents of the Imperium +

 

Vindicare Assassin [5 PL, 100pts]

 

+ HQ +

 

Shield-Captain [6 PL, -1CP, 100pts]: Captain-Commander, Guardian Spear, Strategic Mastermind

 

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike [9 PL, 175pts]: Auric Aquilas, Hurricane Bolter, Warlord, Superior Creation

 

+ Troops +

 

Custodian Guard Squad [7 PL, 149pts]

. Custodian: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield

. Custodian: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield

. Custodian: Guardian Spear

 

Custodian Guard Squad [7 PL, 149pts]

. Custodian: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield

. Custodian: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield

. Custodian: Guardian Spear

 

Custodian Guard Squad [7 PL, 149pts]

. Custodian: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield

. Custodian: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield

. Custodian: Guardian Spear

 

+ Elites +

 

Aquilon Custodians [22 PL, 375pts]

. Aquilon Custodian: Lastrum Storm Bolter, Solerite Power Gauntlet

. Aquilon Custodian: Lastrum Storm Bolter, Solerite Power Gauntlet

. Aquilon Custodian: Lastrum Storm Bolter, Solerite Power Gauntlet

. Aquilon Custodian: Lastrum Storm Bolter, Solerite Power Gauntlet

. Aquilon Custodian: Lastrum Storm Bolter, Solerite Power Gauntlet

 

Vexilus Praetor [6 PL, -1CP, 120pts]: Guardian Spear, Impregnable Mind, Ten Thousand Heroes, Vexilla Magnifica

 

+ Fast Attack +

 

Vertus Praetors [16 PL, 340pts]

. Vertus Praetor: Salvo Launcher

. Vertus Praetor: Salvo Launcher

. Vertus Praetor: Salvo Launcher

. Vertus Praetor: Salvo Launcher

 

Vertus Praetors [16 PL, 340pts]

. Vertus Praetor: Salvo Launcher

. Vertus Praetor: Salvo Launcher

. Vertus Praetor: Salvo Launcher

. Vertus Praetor: Salvo Launcher

 

++ Total: [101 PL, 10CP, 1,997pts] ++

 

Created with BattleScribe

Edited March 30, 2021 by Skywrath

[Wrath of Bruinen]

I think the stratagem is most useful against weapons in the s4-6 range. Volume of fire remains a sound strategy against custodes, and you tend to find things like heavy bolters, assault cannons and the like being in the sweet spot of an efficient strength and a high-ish rate of fire. Hitting these kinds of weapons with -1 strength can have a big increase on survivability.

 

Obviously, you have to pick your moment, and against some weapons the strat will be useless. But I think the thing about custodes shield hosts is that there’s no one host that is the best in every situation

[Emicus]

When you get hosed with S5 weaponry you will thank your lucky stars for -1S. 

I like Dreadhost, bumping up the odds of charges and exploding attacks warlord trait is my beverage of choice.