It’s the battle for who is the best Smash Captain in 40k. Check out these builds for Blood Angels versus White Scars and let us know what you think.
Blood Angels Smash Captains have been THE character to take if you want to get work done. With that said, now with the White Scars on the scene, some people are beginning to think the White Scars will be the better option. Here’s what we have to remember for both:
Blood Angels Smash Captain: Good If You Have the CP
Blood Angels Captains, when stripped of Stratagem support, are a regular barebones Captain with nothing really special other than wounding T8 things on a 3+. If you don’t have the CP, these guys won’t perform at the top of their game. With that said, if you have the CP, Smash Captains are unlocked to a whole new tree of insane power. Most people need to run a Guard Battalion just to support these guys. However, we have seen quite a few Blood Angels Scout Battalions do their job in the meta. So to make these guys crazy, here’s what you have to do:
- 1CP: Death Visions of Sanguinius- Gives them the Black Rage which is a 6+++ FNP and extra attack on the charge.
- 1CP: Red Rampage- Gives D3 extra attacks to a character after they charge.
- 2CP: Only in Death Does Duty End- They get to fight when they die.
- 2CP: Decent of Angels- They can charge 3d6 instead of 2d6 (not always used but nice to have in your back pocket).
- 3CP: Honour the Chapter-They get to fight twice. (again not always used but still nice if you NEED to finish off something like Morty/a Knight).
Those Stratagems alone are 9 CP which might be all some Space Marine lists can muster. That being said, that’s not even accounting for the bonus (1/3CP) some players spend shelling out extra relics (like perhaps the Angel’s Wing if he’s not your warlord, etc).
That also doesn’t take into account a Forlorn Fury move as well.
Like we said before: if you’ve got CP these guys are a fantastic option. However, it’s difficult to pull that off in an all-Space Marine force.
If everything goes smoothly, you’ll be charging in with a S8 (+1 to wound) hammer with eight attacks at -3 and 3-4 damage a pop depending on your Warlord Trait. You can also negate any overwatch with a relic jump pack which is incredible vs. things like flamers and Tau.
White Scars Smash Captain: Good With Combos Outside of CP
This combo is a bit gamey, but it’s possible to pull it off. While Blood Angels get +1 to their wound roll when they charge, White Scars Smash Captains might have them beat. Here’s how to pull this off.
- 1CP: Tempered by Wisdom- Allows Warlord to take an additional Warlord Trait. You can start with the Imperium’s Sword trait for +1 attack/+1 strength (as it isn’t on the White Scars trait table) and then play this strat to take either the Chogorian Storm or Hunters instinct. However, when going up against high toughness targets it seems like more attacks are better…
- So instead take from the White Scars traits: Chogorian Storm to get D3 attack on the charge OR Heroic Intervention. Then, take Hunters Instinct trait for +1 to hit/wound against Monster/Vehicle keyworded units (which is what you should be hunting with your Smash Captain anyway).
- Take the Relic called Master-Crafted Weapon for +1 damage to your hammer (bringing it up to 4).
- Then, turn on the Assault Doctrine on your Marines for an additional +1 damage (White Scars Devastating Charge) and -1 AP.
- Ultimately, the Smash Captain will be charging with eight attacks (base 4 +1 Shock Assault, +3 maximum for Chogorian Storm) on the charge smacking things with a S9 -4AP 5 damage Thunder Hammer with +1 to hit AND wound against Vehicles and Monsters.
So against the big boys, you can negate your -1 to hit right off the bat. Against the little stuff, you’re still -1 to hit, but if they fail any invulnerable most normal characters will be pasted.
Ultimately, both seem like fantastic options with a different way of piloting them. What are your thoughts on the two Smash Captains? Which one do you think is better? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group, and sign up to get your free hobby updates newsletter each morning as well!
Editor’s note: these combos do not take into account the new Psychic Awakening book(s). We will put out an updated combo post where appropriate.
About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials: @RealmbrushPainting
About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4. If you like what he writes and want to contact him or have your tabletop minatures painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
