In the new edition of Warhammer 40,000, the subtle tweak to how objectives are controlled has had quite an impact on the game. Instead of being able to earn victory points on the same turn in which they claim them, units must instead be able to hold onto them, for victory points are now earned at the end of your Command phase – crucially, before the Movement phase. That being the case, your units will not only need to have the strength to wrest objectives from your opponent’s forces, but will need to have staying power to hold onto them…
To offer our humble guidance, we’ve made a list of our top five picks (in no particular order) of units that are incredibly well suited to both taking AND holding objectives. Let’s take a look.
5. Ork Boyz
In addition to being able to unleash a literal bucket-load of Attacks in combat, a unit of 30 Ork Boyz can easily hold an objective against any survivors by virtue of being a Troops unit. After all, their Dis Is Ours! Zog Off! ability for being part of a Battle-forged army essentially gives the unit Objective Secured, meaning their greater numbers will all but ensure their dominance of an objective marker. For a mere 2 Command points before the battle, you can even improve the unit’s Save characteristic with the ’Ard Boyz Stratagem, and a Painboy nearby will help to keep your ladz in the fight with his Dok’s Tools, too!
But that’s not all – if the objective marker you’re holding happens to be in terrain that’s classed as Light and/or Heavy Cover, your ’Ard Boyz can reach the dizzying heights of a 3+ save with the Loot it! Stratagem if the opportunity presents itself!
4. Plaguebearers of Nurgle
Like Ork Boyz, Plaguebearers can be fielded in large units of up to 30 models, and as Troops, they can also benefit from the same advantage in Objective Secured. Yet even though Plaguebearers can’t match the avalanche of Attacks that Ork Boyz can dish out, they’re considerably harder to kill, benefitting from both a 5+ invulnerable save and the ability to ignore any wounds they suffer on a 5+. What’s more, their durability can be elevated to a whole new level while in a large unit, as the Cloud of Flies surrounding them becomes so thick that it thwarts the aim of enemy units!
3. Bullgryns
These heavily armoured Ogryns are the hardest hitting close-range unit available to the Astra Militarum, making them well suited to smashing enemy units on objectives before taking up a position to hold them. However, Bullgryns also carry a door-sized bulwark in the form of either a slabshield, for a boost to their already solid 4+ Save characteristic, or a brute shield for an always-welcome invulnerable save. With a Toughness of 5 and 3 Wounds apiece, Bullgryns can take some serious punishment too!
2. Plague Marines
Clad in archaic power armour and blessed with the unnatural (and disgusting) resilience of Nurgle, Plague Marines have long been famed for their durability on the battlefield, earning them a reputation as one of the most effective units in the game for holding objectives. But do you remember this exciting announcement, in which we said that they’ll soon be jumping up to 2 WOUNDS EACH?! The defence rests.
1. Custodian Guard
Having served as the Emperor’s personal bodyguard for more than 10 millennia, it’s fair to say that the golden warriors of the Custodian Guard know a thing or two about holding their ground and protecting someone (or something) of great value. Though always few in number, the great advantage of the Custodian Guard on the battlefield is their all-round combat excellence. They can effortlessly slaughter many times their own number of enemies, so claiming an objective shouldn’t be a challenge. What’s worse for your opponent is that Custodian Guard have a profile that rivals (or even exceeds) most HQ units. Combined with their ability to carry a storm shield for a 3+ invulnerable save, even concentrated heavy weapons fire can’t be relied upon to sweep them clear of an objective they’ve claimed!
Honourable Mention – Transport Vehicles
Though often overlooked in favour of more actively destructive vehicles, Dedicated Transports such as the Primaris Impulsor are excellent options for holding onto objectives. The trick is to ensure that they’re carrying a unit inside when you do so – that way, should your trusty transport be destroyed, your squad can disembark from the wreckage and maintain your control of the objective!
What did you think of our choices? Are there any units that you feel we missed off our list that are even better at holding onto objectives through thick and thin? Let us know your thoughts on the Warhammer 40,000 Facebook page.