The Chonky Bois AKA Gravis army

[Riddlesworth]

Started a thread in Space Marines main. Consensus is we think Salamanders would run a gravis list well. Constraints are simple, If it isn't in gravis armour it either needs to be T5+, or be providing significant benefits. The main concessions here are the character support pieces.

 

Here goes:

Salamanders Battalion - 1990

HQ: Captain on Bike - thunder hammer, storm shield, Salamander's Mantle, Warlord: Forgemaster

HQ: Primaris Chaplain on Bike - Recitation of Focus, Mantra of Strength, Benediction of Fury, Master of Sanctity, Hero of the Chapter: Wise Orator

HQ: Primaris Librarian - Fire Shield, Drakeskin, Obsidian Aquila

 

Tr: Heavy Intercessor squad - 5, heavy bolt rifle

Tr: Heavy Intercessor squad - 5, heavy bolt rifle

Tr: Heavy Intercessor squad - 5, heavy bolt rifle

 

El: Aggressor Squad - 5, flamestorm gauntlets

El: Aggressor Squad - 5, flamestorm gauntlets

El: Primaris Apothecary - Chief Apothecary, Hero of the Chapter: Selfless Healer

 

FA: Inceptor Squad - 4, plasma exterminator

FA: Inceptor Squad - 4, plasma exterminator

 

HS: Eradicator Squad - 3, melta rifle

HS: Eradicator Squad - 3, melta rifle

 

 

2 bubbles of 6+++, good strats for survival, and the usual Salamanders punch of +1 to wound on melta and flame weapons, with a +1 to wound strat for the plasma if needed.

 

This list starts with 8 CP, less if strategic reserves are used. That's the price I pay for the apothecary and chaplain I guess.

 

Questions for the board:

- 6 eradicators in 2 separate units, or 1 unit of 5 with heavy melta rifles? the extra 20 points also affords heavy bolters in all the heavy intercessor squads.

- Litanies on the chaplain - +1 to hit for a squad of plasma inceptors is a no brainer. if he's not going into combat early on though, the relic pick and mantra of strength feels potentially wasted. Should I double down on the shooting litanies and keep the relic? should I drop the relic and pick up the +2S warlord trait? should i drop both, use him as a shooting buff and counter punch but give him adamantine mantle to keep him alive?

- captain on bike - the combination of relic and warlord trait is so good, he makes it into the gravis army. is the second warlord trait for obsec (either art of war or the salamander specific one) worth it? 

Edited April 7, 2021 by Riddlesworth

[Karhedron]

- 6 eradicators in 2 separate units, or 1 unit of 5 with heavy melta rifles? the extra 20 points also affords heavy bolters in all the heavy intercessor squads.

I ran the numbers and the benefit of Heavy Melta Rifles is marginal IF a squad is moving. The damage output is slightly higher but the points efficiency is slightly lower and you lose the ability to Advance and shoot. However if you are stationary or have a way to ignore the -1 to-hit for moving and shooting then Heavy Melta Rifles are a great investment.

 

However Multimeltas are better. The boost to firepower is great and their damage output for their points is significantly higher than either melta rifle variant.

 

TLDR: Heavy Melta Rifles are optional but ALWAYS take as many Multimeltas as you can!

[Riddlesworth]

 

- 6 eradicators in 2 separate units, or 1 unit of 5 with heavy melta rifles? the extra 20 points also affords heavy bolters in all the heavy intercessor squads.

I ran the numbers and the benefit of Heavy Melta Rifles is marginal IF a squad is moving. The damage output is slightly higher but the points efficiency is slightly lower and you lose the ability to Advance and shoot. However if you are stationary or have a way to ignore the -1 to-hit for moving and shooting then Heavy Melta Rifles are a great investment.

 

However Multimeltas are better. The boost to firepower is great and their damage output for their points is significantly higher than either melta rifle variant.

 

TLDR: Heavy Melta Rifles are optional but ALWAYS take as many Multimeltas as you can!

if that thunder hammer on the captain was a power fist, there's 2 multi meltas across 6 eradicators.......good shout!

 

In all honesty, I am not sure the captain - iconic as that build is for salamanders - is doing enough in the list to justify the 2CP and 120 points. 2 more plasma inceptors, eradicators or a bunch of upgrades and having 2 CP back (1CP to count as not moving on heavy melta rifles, for example).

Edited April 8, 2021 by Riddlesworth