40K: The Top 5 Saddest Units
Some units in Warhammer 40,000 just don’t get any love. Here are our Top 5 Saddest Units in 40k.
It’s pretty clear that some codexes have units in them that are, well, sad. No one takes them seriously and seriously – no one takes them anyways. Now most of these units had potential at some point but they just kind of fell of and never really came back. Then again, some of these were dead in the water they day their codex hit the shelves. Let’s take a look at 40K’s saddest units.
Vespids
I forgot these guys existed! Turns out they are still available in Games Workshop’s Webstore, too! Anyways, these poor fellas have been on the cusp of usefulness since their introduction. The models aren’t terrible, really! They could use a few more poses, but really they don’t look awful. No, the problem is their rules. The Vespids have always been a sad, sad unit for the Tau Empire. Why? Think of all the other hyper-effective units in the codex that the Vespids compete with. If you’re a competitive player, you wouldn’t DARE waste points on Vespids.
What about the more causal player? You know, the one that collects an army based on looks or lore. Well, ask those guys what they think of the Vespids in terms of the rest of the Tau and they will be honest: they don’t fit! It’s the same reason you don’t see a whole lot of Kroot with those type of players. They collect the Tau because of Giant Mecha Suits and not strange alien creatures with wings – that’s what the Tyranids are for. And speaking of the Tyranids…
Pyrovores
I feel like I’ve hated on the Pyrovore enough over the years – but I want you to know it’s not because I want to – it’s because I want this unit to be BETTER. I’ve even had lots of suggestions on how to fix it, but as for now it’s one of the saddest units in 40k. I have never seen a serious Tyranid player field a unit as Pyrovores. Ever. Even with the Tyrannocyte as a delivery option. It’s fiscally expensive (but so is the hobby so that’s not a real reason) and it’s points prohibitive too. Turns out dropping a unit of 3 that basically have Heavy Flamers isn’t that scary. Plus they are in the jam-packed Elite slot… and that’s one place the ‘Nids don’t like to waste slots on.
No, these models have been relegated to Biovore duty for now. Maybe one day they can get Torrent and a STR 6 AP3 flamer…probably not anytime soon though.
Rough Riders
Oh boy – where do I start. Let’s talk about the Power Lance. I get it – you were trying to be fluffy when it was created and sure…it was. But the game has changed and so can the wargear. Having a weapon that is only good for the first round of combat is…terrible. And I get that they can get upgraded weapons and such, but really, are you going to spend the points on giving Guardsmen better weapon options? It’s sad to see a unit that used to be somewhat interesting and known for this thunderous charges to get relegated to “you can squeeze 3 special weapons (if you count the squad sarge)” into a unit that moves 12″ in a turn. Yawn.
I’d rather spend the points on a tarpit of conscripts or the thing that replaced Horse Calvary way back in the 20th century – a tank. Sorry, horses are great, majestic beasts – they don’t have a place on a 40k battlefield any more…not with those rules at least. #MakeAttilanRoughRidersCoolAgain
Predators
Okay – this one stings a little. I actually do think the Predator has a place in the 40k universe. Unfortunately that place is 10,000 years earlier in the Heresy-Era. The Baal-Predator is okay I guess, but that’s why the regular Predator made this list. It’s just not worth it. You could load it up with Heavy Bolters and the Autocannon and go infantry hunting. You could load it up with Lascannons and go tank hunting. You could do a mix of both and waste shots that way (hey, it’s your tank you do what you want) – but it’s hard to argue there aren’t BETTER options in the Space Marine Codex.
The Marine forces that are popular today definitely lean more towards the Drop Pod/Deepstrike approach than the old Tank battle line. I’m not saying this unit can’t be effective – I’m saying I’m sad for it because it’s been overshadowed by pretty much all the other options in the heavy slot and the Predator just doesn’t cut-the-mustard anymore.
Techmarines
What does this guy even do anymore? I’ll tell you – nothing of importance. Unless it’s manning a Thunderfire Cannon. And even then you’re taking him because you want the Thunderfire Cannon and not because you want the Techmarine. It’s not his fault that he has been relegated to artillery duty – it’s his rules that make him sad. Sure the fortification thing is nice I guess…But there was a time when a Techmarine on a bike was actually scary. Those days are long gone however.
The repair rule is not good. Think about it: The ability only works after a vehicle has taken a hit and you have a slim chance of the repair even happening. If the Techmarine auto repaired the damage (but maybe not the hull point) that would be better. Or if he could give a boost to vehicles in other ways. Maybe in addition to the repair, he could have a chart that you rolled on:
- 1-2 Grants ‘It Will Not Die’ special rule to a vehicle within 6″ for a turn
- 3-4 +1 BS to a vehicle within 6″ for a turn
- 5-6 Does both to a vehicle within 6″
I’m just spit-balling here, but something that puts him near the things he’s actually supposed to repair is what I’m getting at.
Bonus Unit: Just Plain Guardians
I’m not advocating for a buff to the Eldar… But it’s always been a little sad to me that the plain old guardians get passed over for the fancier Aspect Warriors. Now, with Guardian Jetbikes doing what they do, it’s going to be a hard-fought argument to take “Plain Old Guardians” out for a spin. I guess if you wanted to take them for the heavy weapon option or if you needed cheap objective grabbers they still have a use…but don’t Guardian Jetbikes do that better these days? Oh well. I guess all the units in the Eldar codex can’t be great for every situation.
Bonus Bonus: Chaos Space Marines
Just ask a Chaos Player and they will let you know. And they will keep letting you know…over and over again.
There are many, many, MANY other sad units in all the 40k codexes – which ones are on your list of Sad 40k toys?
