Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5 stars. The rules are solid and the squad functions very well for what it does.
Background.
Getting rid of the destroyer squads was a good move for our humanitarian hero, Vulkan. But his Salamanders still needed something to do a bit of end of days style cleansing with, so he forged the pyroclasts. Their role is one of cleansing. With fire - or more accurately a weapon of Vulkan's own devising.
Strengths.
Two wounds each is very nice here along with It Will Not Die, and an invulnerable save against the very things they bring to the battlefield (fire, fire, and a touch of fire. Or melta, volkite, or plasma as well). I like the melta bombs here a whole lot more than I should as well. The 2+ save is, of course, great.
The flame projectors that they carry have two firing modes that can be used - one is a template with fire at S=6, the other is a melta gun variation. They also double up to perform close combat duty very nicely.
Weaknesses.
Having to select every member in the squad firing in the same mode (template vs melta) might seem like a weakness, but it really isn't. Similarly the limited range of upgrade to the unit may also seem problematic, but the squad is already fairly optimized that you will just use the thunder hammer most of the time and call it a day I guess. And in all honesty, the price tag is not much of a negative compared to the humble support squad either for what you get for it. Pity other upgrades like a Vexilla is not available.
Difference to First Edition.
Two wounds. The melta bombs come as standard now as well.
Builds.
5 Pyroclasts, Warden with Power Fist (195 points).
The basic build. You will need either the power fist or thunder hammer to be fully effective. Take a transport to get where you need to be. Master craft a weapon to taste.
10 Pyroclasts, Warden with Thunder Hammer (350 points).
Can't really go too wrong, but I prefer smaller units for this squad I think. That said, put a praetor in here that is close combat orientated and you have a recipe for a nasty unit straight out of a land raider.
2 comments:
Few other differences from last edition (easy to miss because of how bad they used to be, and were overshadowed by Firedrakes):
- Can take a rhino. cheap transport option and allows them to take termite or drop pod in their respective Rites of War
- Gun is MASSIVELY improved. Used to be either S5 AP5 template or 6" S6 melta gun.
- additional attack to profile, plus an additional attack from the bolt pistol added to the profile (essentially +2 Attacks)
Another note, they're only 3 points per model more than a Tactical Support Squad with meltaguns.
Agree with your star rating, I just wanted to point out how they are probably the most improved legion specific unit from last edition. I love them, they're finally as good as I wanted them to be. I cannot emphasize how bad they were previous edition...
Thanks for the thoughts!
I do try not to repeat everything as I am conscious of copyright issues, so instead go for a higher level review where possible. I totally agree that this unit is now amazing. Whole armies can be made out of it and perform very well.
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