Lightning Strike, Primaris Fast Attack

Choosing Your Primaris Fast Attack

Even more so than other Detachment slots, Primaris Fast Attack choices should be laser focused on what they do for your force. Go over the the same questions you looked at for your Elites choices, but give the greatest weight to the first one.

How does this unit add capabilities to my force?
Do their abilities compliment my Troops and HQs?
Do their abilities conflict with my existing choices?
Can I find similar capabilities elsewhere for cheaper?

This emphasis derives from the traditional fragility of Fast Attack units. Now, your choices here are Space Marine Primaris, and they are just as tough as the others in your force. However, their units are small and costly. Even a few removed models substantially reduces their effect in your force.

For the record, I’ll be dealing with keyword Primaris units. Vehicles released along side Space Marine Primaris, but don’t share the keyword, appear in the last article.

Outrider Squad

Outriders are small squads of Primaris Marines riding heavily armored and reinforced cycles. While small, no more than 3 in an unit, they are durable with Toughness 5 and 4 Wounds. They mount twin bolt rifles to give the unit some small arms capability, but carry nothing heavier.

Their real power is in maneuverability and assault. Already fast with a base 14 inch Movement, their Turbo-boost permits them to move up to 20 inches when advancing. Their other ability, Devastating Charge, adds 2 Attacks to each model in this unit.

In short, they use Turbo-boost to move to safe positions. On the following turn, they charge the enemy and deliver 13 attacks in the Fight Phase. Alternately, they advance to a remote objective and hold it tight.

Invader ATV Squad

Not quite a vehicle, the Invader ATV takes the place of Attack Bikes for Primaris Marines. With Toughness 5 and 8 Wounds they have twice the staying power, but cannot be hidden inside Bike Squads like the Attack Bike. Still with up to 3 Invader ATVs in a squad, you’ve got a pool of 24 Wounds. As a Biker, your friendly Apothecary may use Combat Restoratives on them and they benefit from his Narthecium. Now, as for weaponry, the Invaders are heavy weapons platforms. They deploy with onslaught gatling cannons or multi-meltas.

Multi-meltas traditionally are used against vehicles, but their profile also makes them excellent character killers. Two shots at 8 Strength and -4 AP make a mockery of all but invulnerable saves. Damage ranges from 1D6 to 1D6 +2 dependent on range.

On the other hand, the onslaught gatling cannon turns the ATVs into piranha schools. Each cannon fires 8 shots at Strength 5. While only having -1 AP and 1 Damage, they are best employed against light infantry and hordes.

Suppressor Squad

Another small size, high firepower Primaris squad, Suppressors set up other units for your charges, any kills scored are a bonus. This comes from their accelerator autocannons, any hits prevent the targeted unit from firing Overwatch. With a 48 inch range and Heavy 3, each model should hit once, even if they moved. Feel free to split fire their fire among several different units. The ones you hit become the ones your units charge in the next phase.

Now, don’t necessarily discount their direct combat ability. Their 2 Damage will kill regular Marines and their equivalents in other armies in one shot. You’ll need to focus the fire of all three models to achieve enough hits to penetrate the heavier armor though.

Also, Fly and Death from Above, combined with that long 48 inch range makes for a nice rear area raider or reinforcement on later turns.

Suppressors may only be found at the moment in Start Collecting! Vanguard Space Marines.

Inceptor Squad

Armed with assault bolters or plasma exterminators, Inceptor squads deliver firepower when and where you need it. A little slower than other Fast Attack options, their 10 movement coupled with Fly or holding back for Death from Above allow you to place them where and when you need them. Also, since both weapons are assault weapons, Inceptors may advance and still fire steadily.

Deciding which loadout to bring, as expected, depends on your opposition. Against light infantry and poor armor units, the higher rate of fire of the bolters makes up for lower Strength. When facing heavier infantry and some vehicles, I’d prefer plasma exterminators. Their rate of fire is variable with 1D3 attacks each, but the higher strength and AP increases wounds and makes them stick. Also, the Blast ability bounces your short back up to 3 when firing at a unit with 6+ models. The only downside would be extra point cost. Finally, while supercharging plasma is tempting, the chance of losing a model from a small squad is too high. Save it from the last stand heroics.

Entries in this series

Space Marine Primaris Beginners Overview – Your Troop selections and what differentiates Primaris from regular Space Marines.
Primaris Marine Leaders, Your HQs
Best of the Best, Primaris Marine Elites
Lightning Strike, Primaris Fast Attack
Hammers of War, Primaris Heavy Support
Heavy Metal, Primaris Tanks and Transports