Unveiling the Power of Phobos Units in the Salamanders Chapter
Alright, space marine enthusiasts, let's dive deep into the fiery heart of the Salamanders chapter and explore how the Phobos units can scorch the battlefield! If you're a fan of stealth, tactical flexibility, and close-quarters combat, then you're in for a treat. This article will guide you through the best unit and leader options, so you can build a Salamanders force that embodies the chapter's resilience and tactical prowess.
First off, what exactly are Phobos units? Think of them as the special forces of the Adeptus Astartes. They specialize in infiltration, reconnaissance, and operating behind enemy lines. Equipped with advanced camouflage and silent weaponry, Phobos units excel at striking where the enemy least expects it. These units are a game-changer for any chapter, but with the Salamanders' unique chapter traits and their focus on flame and melee, they can be absolute terrors on the tabletop. The synergy between their stealth capabilities and the Salamanders' penchant for getting up close and personal is truly something to behold. In this guide, we'll examine how to utilize these units to their fullest potential, considering both their strengths and the strategic advantages they bring to a Salamanders army. Let's get started, shall we?
Key Advantages of Using Phobos Units with Salamanders
Before we jump into specific units and leader options, it's essential to understand why Phobos units are a fantastic choice for a Salamanders army. The combination of stealth, mobility, and close-combat proficiency provides several key advantages.
- Infiltration and Strategic Positioning: Phobos units can deploy in a variety of ways, including deep striking or infiltrating the battlefield. This allows you to position your units strategically, either to capture objectives early in the game or to outflank your opponent. With the Salamanders, this means you can put your units where they can quickly unleash a devastating melee assault, taking advantage of their chapter tactics.
- Objective Control: Because of their ability to move undetected, Phobos units can be incredibly effective at capturing and holding objectives. This is particularly useful in missions where controlling key points is crucial for victory. Imagine a unit of Infiltrators seizing an objective right under the enemy's nose, providing you with a strong foothold in a critical area.
- Close-Combat Synergy: The Salamanders are known for their brutal efficiency in close combat. By using Phobos units to get in close, you can use their inherent abilities to set up devastating charges with units like Aggressors or Assault Intercessors. The surprise element, combined with the sheer power of the Salamanders' melee weapons, can quickly overwhelm the enemy.
- Fire Support and Versatility: Phobos units also bring some nice fire support to the battlefield. Units like the Incursors and Reivers are excellent at disrupting enemy formations with their grenade launchers or high-powered weapons. This flexibility allows you to adapt to different battlefield scenarios and to respond effectively to your opponent's tactics.
- Chapter Traits Synergy: Finally, and most importantly, Phobos units benefit greatly from the Salamanders' chapter traits. The Salamanders are known for their re-rolls and bonus strength to melee attacks, which make Phobos units even more deadly. In addition, their ability to fall back and still shoot, combined with the Phobos's stealth capabilities, can make them very difficult to pin down.
With these benefits in mind, let's look at the best units and leader options to maximize your Salamanders Phobos force.
Top Phobos Units for Your Salamanders Army
Let's take a look at the best Phobos units to use in your Salamanders army. Remember, the key is to use their strengths to complement your chapter's tactics.
1. Infiltrators
Infiltrators are the cornerstone of any good Phobos force, and with the Salamanders, they can be absolutely deadly. They can deploy via infiltration, which allows you to place them near objectives or to scout the enemy's deployment zone. They are perfect for disrupting enemy plans and creating opportunities for your heavier hitters. Their ability to deny your opponent the ability to deep strike near them is very powerful.
- Tactical Role: Objective holders, area denial, early game pressure.
- Why They Work with Salamanders: Their ability to get close to the enemy, combined with the Salamanders' close-combat proficiency, can quickly turn the tide of battle. They can screen for your more valuable units and provide a strong base for your assaults.
- Loadout Considerations: Consider equipping them with helix gauntlets for added durability, and a multi-melta if you are planning on getting up close and personal.
2. Incursors
Incursors are another excellent choice for any Salamanders force. They are versatile units that excel at close-quarters combat. Equipped with bolt carbines and combat knives, they can engage the enemy in close combat. They also have access to the haywire mine, which can be a nasty surprise for your enemies. And, because they have a marksman, they can easily take down characters and other threats.
- Tactical Role: Melee assault, character hunters, area denial.
- Why They Work with Salamanders: Their close combat capabilities mesh very well with the Salamanders' preference for engaging the enemy in melee. Their bolt carbines can add fire support to your force, allowing them to engage the enemy at multiple ranges.
- Loadout Considerations: Because of their close-combat abilities, consider equipping them with the auxiliary grenade launchers. They are excellent for taking down hordes of enemies, especially when combined with the Salamanders' re-rolls.
3. Reivers
Reivers are your shock troops. These guys specialize in terror tactics, and they can easily demoralize your opponent with their close-combat abilities. They can deploy in the shadows, getting close to the enemy, and can inflict devastating wounds with their combat knives and grav-chutes. Their ability to cause fear in the enemy can be very beneficial to the Salamanders, who often rely on morale tests to keep the enemy at bay.
- Tactical Role: Melee shock troops, character hunters, area denial.
- Why They Work with Salamanders: Their ability to deploy in the shadows, get close to the enemy, and inflict devastating wounds with their combat knives and grav-chutes aligns perfectly with the Salamanders' melee-focused tactics. The terror they induce in the enemy ranks makes them an excellent choice for any Salamanders army.
- Loadout Considerations: Consider equipping them with a heavy bolt pistol for extra firepower and a grapple hook, if you want to ensure your units engage in close combat quickly.
4. Eliminators
Eliminators are the sharpshooters of the Phobos units. They are excellent at taking down characters, tanks, and other high-priority targets. Equipped with sniper rifles, they can eliminate your enemy's threats at a distance, and they are great at controlling the battlefield.
- Tactical Role: Sniper, character hunter, anti-tank.
- Why They Work with Salamanders: The Salamanders have a lot of great melee options, and so the Eliminators can take out the ranged threats while your heavy hitters move up the field.
- Loadout Considerations: When they are Salamanders, they have access to a wide array of weapon upgrades, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Best Leader Options for Your Phobos Units
Now that we've covered the best units, let's look at the leaders you can use to command them.
1. Captain in Phobos Armour
This is your quintessential Phobos commander. The Captain in Phobos armour is a leader who excels at infiltration and close combat. They have access to a wide array of powerful equipment, and they can move around the battlefield with ease.
- Tactical Role: Close combat, unit support, character hunting.
- Why They Work with Salamanders: Their ability to get close to the enemy, combined with the Salamanders' close-combat proficiency, makes them a natural fit. They are also fantastic for buffing nearby Phobos units.
- Abilities to Consider: Master of Ambush, which gives them the ability to deep strike or redeploy, and Combat Master, which makes them very deadly in close combat.
2. Lieutenant in Phobos Armour
The Lieutenant in Phobos Armour is a more specialized leader who focuses on supporting the troops and getting close to the enemy. They provide crucial buffs and can be equipped to fill several roles. They can also take on a leadership role and can be crucial for any Salamanders Phobos force.
- Tactical Role: Unit support, melee support, battlefield control.
- Why They Work with Salamanders: Salamanders are known for their melee prowess, and a Lieutenant with his buffs can make melee units like Incursors and Reivers even more deadly.
- Abilities to Consider: The ability to provide re-rolls to hit for nearby units, which can greatly increase the firepower and damage output of your Phobos units.
3. Librarian in Phobos Armour
For a more psychic-oriented approach, the Librarian in Phobos Armor is a great choice. They can bring powerful psychic abilities to the battlefield, making them a great asset to any Salamanders army.
- Tactical Role: Psychic support, battlefield control.
- Why They Work with Salamanders: Psychic abilities can add a layer of unpredictability and support to your melee-focused Salamanders army. For example, using the Might of Heroes can provide a big boost in strength and toughness.
- Abilities to Consider: Psychic Fortress can increase the durability of your Phobos units, while Smite can be used to target enemy units with precision. Also, the Psychic Hood can make them incredibly resistant to psychic attacks.
Strategic Tips for Maximizing Your Salamanders Phobos Force
Here are some strategic tips to help you get the most out of your Salamanders Phobos army.
Deployment Strategies
- Infiltration: Use the infiltration abilities of units like Infiltrators and Incursors to seize key objectives and deny your opponent the opportunity to deploy where they want.
- Deep Strike: Utilize the deep strike ability of your units to deploy them in strategic locations or to outflank your opponent. Use units like the Captain in Phobos Armour to move units to where they are needed the most.
- Screening: Use your Infiltrators to screen for your more valuable units. This can protect them from enemy fire and prevent them from being charged too quickly. This way, you can set the tempo and flow of the fight.
Tactical Use of Units
- Close-Combat Synergy: Combine your Phobos units with your melee-focused units, such as Aggressors or Assault Intercessors, to create a deadly close-combat assault.
- Objective Control: Use units like Incursors and Reivers to quickly capture and hold objectives, providing a strong base for your assault.
- Fire Support: Use units like Eliminators and Incursors to provide fire support, taking out enemy threats at a distance. This can protect your other units and control the battlefield.
General Strategies
- Aggression: The Salamanders are an aggressive chapter, so use your Phobos units to set the pace and initiate combat when possible.
- Fire Discipline: Since the Salamanders are all about fire, take advantage of that. Make use of Flamers, Meltas, and other flame weapons to burn away your enemies.
- Flexibility: Build a list that is balanced and can respond to multiple situations. Make sure you have a mixture of units that can deal with close-quarters combat, objectives, and fire support.
By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to creating a formidable Salamanders Phobos force. Go out there, brother, and bring the fire of the chapter to bear!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Phobos units can add a new dimension of tactical depth to your Salamanders army. With their combination of stealth, mobility, and combat capabilities, they can provide your force with versatility and resilience. By carefully choosing your units and leaders, you can maximize the strengths of both the Phobos units and the Salamanders chapter, creating a force that is both strong and tactically flexible. So, get your units ready, and let the flames of the Salamanders burn brightly on the battlefield!
