Another Imperial special detachment was spotted on the internet recently. Let’s check out what the new Guard artillery can do in 8th edition!
Before we jump into the latest formation, check out what Games Workshop has already previewed for the Imperium.
They’ve also given us a Xenos sneak peek as well heading into the pre-order window.
Now sit back read over the latest on Vigilus, and if you just want the new Emperor’s Wrath Artillery, that follows at the bottom:
Field Commander Stratagem
Before we jump into the detachments themselves, there’s a universal 1CP stratagem that lets you essentially give a non-Warlord non-named character a unique Warlord Trait.
You can also use it as many times as you want (as long as you have a different special detachment each time).
Indomitus Crusaders
The Indomitus Crusader detachment only affects Primaris Captain, Primaris Lieutenants. Primaris Ancients, Intercessor Squads, and Inceptor Squads.
So what does this detachment unlock for you?
the coolest part of this Specialist Detachment is the ability to upgrade your Intercessors further with the Veteran IntercessorsStratagem. Not only does it upgrade their Attacks and Leadership characteristics by 1 for the cost of a single Command Point, but it unlocks one of three additional Stratagems according to their wargear.
You’ll have to spend another stratagem to upgrade your Intercessors to Veterans, but once you do, you have the ability to snipe characters out of the crowd with a 1Cp stratagem. This is strictly better than the Sniper squads.
Sure, this is more CP intensive, but the Stalker bolt rifles have AP on them and still cause mortal wounds.
Imperial Fist-Siegebreaker Cohort
Games Workshop also previewed Imperial Fists’ Siegebreaker Cohort formation recently. It’s what you’d expect from an Imperial Fist army…completely devastating buildings and all-around solid survivability. The Siegebreaker Cohort only costs 1CP and unlocks a new Warlord trait, a relic, and two stratagems.
- 1CP- Siegebreaker Cohort Formation: Pick an Imperial Fists detachment from your army. Captains, Centurion, Dreadnoughts, and Vindicators gain the Siegebreaker Cohort keyword.
Of course, they have to balance the formation a little bit. They only have a select number of units that can have the Siegebreaker Cohort keyword. Let’s check out the stratagems you unlock with this formation.
- 1CP- Structural Demolition: Use this stratagem when a Siegebreaker Cohort unit destroyed a building. The enemy must roll 2D6 for each model disembarking.
This stratagem would be brutal if it would include vehicles as well. There are hardly any buildings in the 40k meta.
- 1CP-Seismic devastation: Use this Stratagem at the start of the shooting or fight phase. Pick a Siegebreaker unit from your army. For each wound roll of a 6+, inflict a mortal wound on top of any additional damage.
- Indomitable Warlord Trait: If your Warlord did not move, friendly units within 6″ automatically pass morale and may gain the benefit of being in cover even if they are not wholly within a terrain feature.
- Eye of Hypnoth Relic: Reroll wound rolls of 1 for friendly Siegebreaker Cohort units within 6″ of the bearer.
Getting a free relic that essentially turns a character into a lieutenant isn’t bad at all. It frees you up to put Lieutenant points somewhere else.
Other Detachments Mentioned:
- Crimson Fists Liberator Strike Force
- Black Templars Sword Brethren
- Ravenwing Attack Squadron
- Space Wolves Stalker Pack
These were mentioned detachments but weren’t gone over in any kind of real detail. However, They did give us a deeper look into the Victrix Guard
Victrix Guard
This detachment turns key units into highly-regarded super soldiers with two exclusive relics and Warlord Trait.
Victrix Guard relics:
- Standard of Macragge Inviolate
- Soldier’s Blade
Victrix Guard Warlord Trait: adds 1 to wound rolls for nearby Victrix Guard units in the Fight phase.
The Warlord Trait essentially gives all Victrix Guard units in the detachment The Red Thirst from the Blood Angels codex.
We’re off to a good start for just 1Cp. But check out the stratagems that are coming along with them as well.
Not only will you be +1 to wound, but you’ll more than likely be hitting on a 2+ in the fight phase with a unit as well.
The way this stratagem is worded, it looks like 3Cp gives you the ability to fight before your opponent selects any of his units that charged. On top of that, they can fight again later in the combat phase assuming they’re still locked up. This is 10X better than Honor the Chapter.
Admech Cybernetica Cohort
As for Admech, they are getting a detachment that seems centered around the Kastelan Robots and their controllers.
In addition to the Power Surge Stratagem that adds 3 to a unit’s charge rolls, or the Strafing Fire Run Stratagem that temporarily turns Heavy weapons into Assault weapons, you’ll have access to a great Warlord Trait for keeping your beloved machines of death in the battle:
On top of being able to turn your Robots into the most badass RC cars to ever exist, you’ll be getting a Warlord Trait that can heal a Robot D6 instead of D3.
You’ll also be able to field a Servitor Maniple for your Kataphron units. Hopefully, we can see just what buffs they give.
Astra Militarum: The Emperor’s Fist Tank Company
If you play Guard with a column full of Tanks (i.e the right way), a special detachment is making its way to you. Starting off, let’s check out the Warlord Trait.
Unflinching Resolve: Friendly Emperor’s Fist units within 6″ of the Warlord can reroll all hit rolls when firing overwatch.
Emperor’s Fist Relic:
Load up a Battle Cannon Leman Russ with this relic and pop armor with the damage of a thunder hammer.
We don’t know any more rules on the detachment past what they gave us above. But that’s not the only detachment they’re getting. Guard are also going to have:
- Emperor’s Blade Assault Companies
- Emperor’s Wrath Artillery Companies (Spotted)
- Tempestus Drop Forces
Emperor’s Wrath Artillery Company
This is another Guard special detachment spotted over on Reddit
Starting off, the detachment only costs 1CP and will affect Company Commanders, Masters of Ordnance, Basilisks, Hydras, and Wyverns. (Basically the long-range fire support you’d expect).
Lord of Ordnance Warlord Trait: Each time you roll a wound roll of 6+ for an attack made by friendly Emperor’s Wrath units within 6″ of your Warlord, increase the AP by 1.
This is essentially the Through Unity, Devastation rule for Tau. So what does the detachment’s relic look like?
Emperor’s Wrath Relic:
Agrippa-Class Orbital Tracker Relic: Pick a friendly Emperor’s Wrath unit within 6″ of the bearer. Until the end of the phase, enemy units do not receive the benefit of cover when targetted by shooting attacks from the unit.
Emperor’s Wrath Stratagems:
- Suppressive Fire (1cp): Pick a friendly Emperor’s Wrath Vehicle. That unit may not shoot. Instead, it lays down suppressive fire. Pick an Enemy Infantry unit in range of one of the vehicle’s weapons. That unit may not fire overwatch and can only move half of its movement distance.
- Pounding Barrage (2cp): Use this stratagem at the start of your shooting phase. Pick an Emperor’s Wrath Vehicle from your army. That unit may fire twice with ONE of its weapons that phase.
This detachment is extremely solid for 1CP. There’s really not anything too special about their relic and Warlord trait, but they do work in tandem with the units. However, the stratagems are where it’s at.
(You can see the silliness that ensues when a Basilisk can fire twice at one target in a turn).
We initially thought these detachments were only going to have a place in Narrative-Play games. However, it’s looking like people will most definitely bringing a select few of these to tournaments (if they allow them). What do you think about these detachments so far?
What is the strongest in your opinion? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.
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.
