Ah the Terminator armoured Grey Knights, a squad of badass zealots so devoted to the destruction of the foul daemon that the mere mention of them makes Aegis armour glow with contempt!
But are these the new backbone of the chapter's fighting force, and can they really hold their own when assembled in numbers like other terminator armies (yes a battle report will follow soon)...
Now then a squad of Terminators will set you back 200 points from the Grey Knight codex and when you look at what you get on the face of it is a standard Terminator squad armed with storm bolters, nothing too exciting so far. However what you must remember is we get that all important Nemesis force sword as standard, frag and krak, and psyk out grenades along with the Hammerhand power...(now then that's a bit more interesting!) not to mention those options that can really have your opponent shaking in their heretical boots:
Options available:
Include up to 5 more terminators - Do this and combat squad them to maximise firepower.
For every 5 models replace storm bolter with following:
Incinerator - cheap but with only option to take 2 in a squad of 10 could hinder your longer range game.
Psilencer - overpriced for its profile...take if your short the cost of Psycannon.
Psycannon - This is a must for beefing up your longer range game...
Replace Nemesis Force Sword with:
Nemesis Force Halberd - Good for getting attacks in against high Initiative armies or for help with wound allocation.
Nemesis Daemon Hammer - Again good when you want optimised wound allocation...
Nemesis Falchions - another good wound allocation tool...+1A for 5 pts is tempting bonus!!
Replace Nemesis Force Sword with Nemesis Warding Stave - Far too pricey...stick with the sword!
Replace Nemesis Force Sword with Banner - Great with a couple of sets of Falchions and Halberds +1A and automatic Nemesis activation...
Entire squad takes Psybolt ammo - On 10 man squads this is a big YES...20pts to upgrade whole squad's storm bolter to strength 5, how can you say no?
Justicar may master-craft any of his weapons - not a bad idea...do it if you have 5pts spare.
Ok so lets take a few options and think about the best load out for a squad...
Terminator Squad 1: 295pts
5 Grey Knight Terminators
Banner
3x Falchions
1x M/Crafted Falcion
1x Psycannon
1x Hammer
Psybolt ammo
Try sticking this squad in with Grey Knights Grand Master or Grey Knights Brother Captain if you're using 1 (or both) of them, this is a good combination of firepower and close combat awsomeness...if you're not a fan of deep striking or just feel like mixing it up try a Land Raider for some longevity when trying to deliver them to their mark.
Terminator Squad 2: 505pts
10 Grey Knight Terminators.
Banner.
3x Halberd.
2x Falchions.
1x Daemon hammer.
2x Psycannons.
Psybolt ammo.
This is a great load out if you want to mix a strong squad of close combat ability with decent heavy firepower support base, combat squad the unit keeping the Psycannons in 1 half of the squad and the banner and falchions in the other half, now mix up the other weapons to maximise wound allocation between the 2...march forward using the psycannons for heavy support and when in range those falchions with the banner will inflict serious damage on the enemy with the extra attacks they provide.
Conclusion
Ok so there are a couple of combinations for how best to use the Grey Knight Terminator squads to their full potential...backbone of the new Grey Knight Codex? maybe but hey I love a challenge and getting these guys into 24" will be just that, but once they are we all know these guys are hard as nails and in combat they're unstoppable...be warned getting them there can be costly so you have to be tactical especially against Mechanised Guard Lists.
As for can they hold their own against other Terminator Heavy armies such as the infamous Deathwing? Yes I feel they can (pause for ensuing gasps of horror for any reading Dark Angel players)...Yes the Deathwing have Cyclone missile launchers but we have Psycannons, if they are running all Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield combo's it will be a hard fought game but if they run 1 or 2 in a squad they wont last forever just keep shooting. If there is one big squad fully kitted out all Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield, Apothecary, Librarian, Belial well we've spoken already about the Brotherhood Champion...a cheap HQ unit which is excellent for tar-pitting such a unit...Labels: Grey Knights, List Building, Ordo Malleus, Tactics, Terminators
