Stormcast Vanguard-Raptors are unparalleled marksmen who help keep the Mortal Realms safe with their immense skills!
The Stormcast is very interesting and is sort of like the Space Marines of AoS. If you like giant armored units that are insanely skilled, this is the army for you! Get out your best suit of armor and let’s learn about some lore!
Stormcast Vanguard-Raptors in the World
At countless battlefields, dozens of bolts fly and strike their target with precision unmatched. Hurled from unseen positions by powerful Hurricane Crossbows or Longstrike Crossbows. Both terrifying weapons that can cause entire armies to route. Wielding these weapons are the equally powerful Vanguard-Raptors of the Stormcast Eternals. Expert marksmen of the Vanguard Auxiliary Chambers whose skill in long-ranged combat is unmatched among the Stormcast Eternals’ ranks. Accompanied by their loyal Aetherwings, these mysterious warriors will wreak havoc on any foe.
The Vanguard Auxiliary Chambers’ Justicar Conclave consists fully of Vanguard-Raptors. These reclusive and distant marksmen mostly keep to themselves. Training and tending to their Aetherwings in their nests at the highest points of the Sidereal Mountains of Azyr. This makes the Vanguard-Raptors the conclave who are based the furthest from the light emitted by Sigmar’s mighty cities. Their Aetherwing companions’ nesting places must constantly be watched by the Vanguard-Raptors. But the reason why is not yet known. Whenever Vanguard-Raptors do walk among the citizens of Azyr the common folk can feel an atmosphere of mystery surrounding them.
In battle, the Vanguard-Raptors will plant themselves at every advantageous position they can find. The high ground, in ruins or nestled in the mountains themselves. From their they will throw their fury. Often wielding Hurricane Crossbows whose bolts are tipped with Sigmarite. Punching through anything and anyone. A rain of bolts will pierce straight through their lines before the main force descends upon them. Others prefer a trustworthy Longstrike Crossbow, powerful tools that need to be firmly planted in the ground. Their bolts will pierce the skulls of commanders and targets of priority, causing entire ranks to panic and flee.
On the Field
On the Tabletop of the Mortal Realms, the Vanguard-Raptors are built in two ways. Either Longstrike wielding character snipers or Hurricane wielding unit killers. Both are perfect additions to any Stormcast army in need of some ranged support. However, this does mean that they are ill-suited for melee combat. As they can only bash their assailant with their Heavy Stock. They must be kept behind the lines and screened by other units such as Liberators.
The Hurricane Crossbows excel in tying up enemy units at a range. With a range of 18″ and 6 attacks they will easily pepper the enemy in a rain of bolts. These attacks can further be increased with Rapid Fire, adding 3 additional attacks if the Vanguard-Raptors didn’t move that turn. Their 4+ to Hit and Wound makes them ideal to deal with low save hordes. Lastly, any enemy that tries to Charge the Vanguard-Raptors will be met with Suppressive Fire. This makes them subtract 1 from their Charge rolls should they be within 12″ of the Vanguard-Raptors.
The Longstrike Crossbows on the other hand are best used as powerful snipers. With their range of 24″, they can easily reach any foe. But it doesn’t end there, with a 2+ needed to Hit and a 3+ to Wound they will make a lot of their shots. Which also do 2 Damage and have a -2 Rend attached to them as well. Piercing through any enemy unfortunate enough to get in their sights. Furthermore they can also aim for Headshots, with any unmodified Hit roll of 6 the Vanguard-Raptor deals 2 Mortal Wounds. Lastly, they also like to do Longshots, adding another 6″ to their range if they haven’t moved that turn.
Both types of units are led by fearless Raptor-Primes. The Raptor-Prime of a unit with Hurricane Crossbows gets an additional attack for both the crossbow itself and its Heavy Stock. While the Raptor-Prime of a unit with Longstrike Crossbows is accompanied by his personal Aetherwing. Which will attack any foe in Melee with its Beak and Claws. Which has 2 attacks instead of the 1 attack their Heavy Stock gets. The Aetherwing also makes perfect call-outs for its allies. Should any enemy finish a charge within 1″ of the Raptor-Prime, he and his unit will fire their crossbows. On a 6+ the enemy unit will suffer 2 Mortal Wounds.
Whether for horde control or sniping, the Vanguard-Raptors are a perfect support unit for a Stormcast Eternals army.
