Warhammer 40,000: Space Marines Imperial Armour

Today we start going over the Imperial Armour Datasheets I missed for the factions I'd already covered before they were released.  I'll be doing each one in turn, using the order on the WarCom article like I usually do.  I'll be skipping Tyranids though, as they'll be getting some special treatment soon.  It's a quick one today, which is good as I'll be spending a chunk of the weekend with family.  We're doing a long overdue Birthday celebration for my Brother From Another Mother and I.  We're hoping to check out the Oppenheimer-Barbie double feature, though we might have to settle for one or the other.  I might pause to air my thoughts on whichever we see.

You've probably already heard that Space Marines are doing very well.  While they're not the powerhouses that Aeldari, Knights, and Genestealer Cults are, they're still incredibly potent.  Both Oath of Moment and Combat Doctrines are potent rules that allow them to easily punch above their weight, and their massive list of Datasheets is filled with synergies and combos.  And, of course, Desolation Marines are continuing to be a nightmare to deal with.  With the many threats that are already in the Index, we haven't heard much from the Imperial Armour options.

But then, it is only two sheets.

The Astraeus - 525 pts

Right off the bat, it's hard not to compare the Space Marine Super-heavy tank to the Repulsor Executioner.  For 230 pts, the Executioner is absolutely bristling with guns, packing an answer to basically anything it might run into.  Now the Executioner is likely too cheap at its current cost, but that's the competition we're working with.  The Astraeus is more than double the cost, and while it has more big guns, those guns aren't as good as the heavy laser destroyer.  

It is significantly tougher, sporting a 2+ Sv and a 5+ Invuln against shooting.  Additionally, while the las-ripper pales in comparison to the laser destroyer, the macro-accelerator cannon is a hell of a gun.  While it's missing AP, the sheer number of shots it puts out at range more than make up for it.  And it suppresses its target, handing out a -1 to Hit.

Still, when you combine the fact that this is a massive model you're going to struggle to move around a board with its massive cost, I think you have to give this one a pass.

Thunderhaw Gunship - 840 pts

Everyone's most requested plastic kit comes with a pts cost that's almost as much as its real dollar cost.  Models this big are always hard to judge, but this gets even tougher for flyers and transports.  

For 840 pts you get:

• 30 T12 Wounds with 2+ Sv (no Invuln)
• Hover
• Either D6+6 S10, AP-2, Dmg3 shots or D3+1 S20, AP-4, DmgD6+6 shots (both with Blast!)
• 2 lascannons
• 4 twin-linked heavy bolters
• Either an anti-fly gun or a mortal wound bomb for an average of 4 mortals
• The ability to transport up to 30 Space Marines

Obviously I think it's the last one you're paying the premium for.  Additionally, if you load any Marines with Deep Strike, such as Terminators, they can disembark after you fly them up the board and still Charge.  The Thunderhawk is also the only Space Marine transport that can carry Mounted units like bikes.

It should also be pointed out that Aircraft get the same benefit as Towering, allowing them to shoot (and be shot at) regardless of any ruins in the way.  And with a 96" range gun, you can basically put those shots anywhere.

Unfortunately, you're not going to get much use out of this.  Unless you're facing something like a Knight player, there's not gonna be space on the board to drop even the 15 Terminators that would make the most use of this.  And while you'll be able to do some nice damage if you go first, this will not survive your opponent's shooting phase.  I'd give this two battle rounds at most, at which point you've lost nearly half your army.  It's just too much to pay for the potential of getting some Turn 1 charges off with some heavy hitters.

FINAL THOUGHTS

While both of these are absolutely amazing models, if you can deal with the Forge World resin, they're just too expensive (in game and out) for what they do.  This honestly isn't too big a loss to Space Marine players.  They have plenty of extremely good Datasheets with lots of tools to make up for what these would bring.  If you're lucky enough to have one of these beautiful models, enjoy them in some friendly games with your crew.  But keep them off the meaner tables and leave them displayed proudly on the shelf.