40K: Top 5 Grim-Dark Transports
Come take a look at our top 5 “favorite” transports of all time in Warhammer 40,000!
The Grim-Dark is a dangerous place. That danger, however, doesn’t stop the armies of 40k from fighting! In fact, they have developed new and exciting ways of getting to those battles. Here’s our list of some of our “favorite” transports in all of 40k.
(Note: We’re skipping transports for interstellar travel like Battle Barges and Striker Cruisers. This list is focusing on transports that have rules for use in tabletop games of 40k.)
Wave Serpent
“The Wave Serpent is the Craftworld Eldar‘s main troop transport. Based upon the Falcon grav-tank chassis, it uses powerful anti-gravitic engines to deliver its cargo of Guardians and Aspect Warriors to any part of the battlefield. Its ability to travel all but the smallest Webway routes, and the tremendous speed with which it can operate, puts the Wave Serpent as possibly the best troop transport in the galaxy.”
We went back and forth on this one or the Falcon and we decided to settle on the Wave Serpent. It’s been a staple in Eldar lists for years and in recent codexes the “Serpent Shield” has been devastating when used effectively. While this transport might not be the meta wrecking ball it once was, it’s still one of the most effective transports in the game. Plus, it’s got a great design that’s held-up over the years – you can tell it’s “Eldar” just by looking at it!
Night Scythe
“Despite this emphasis on transport, they are armed with twin-linked Tesla Destructors and are still formidable craft in their own right when compared to the attack craft of lesser races. The favoured tool of any Necron invasion, they are used as the first wave of a Necron attack and transport troops into battle with a captive wormhole linked to a distant Tomb World built into its hull. They are also used as scout ships and are capable of interplanetary travel.”
Advertisement
The Night Scythe is another super effective transport in Warhammer 40,000. That’s because really doesn’t transport troops in the traditional sense. No, this flyer teleports in Necron Warriors, much like the Monolith, where they need to go and then provides air support as needed. There was a time when the “Croissants of Doom” reigned supreme. While this one can technically be considered a space-worthy vessel, we’re including it because of the dominance it once had the tabletop.
Drop Pod
“Drop Pods are transports used primarily by Space Marines and Chaos Marines for orbital insertion and one-way rides.”
Ahhh Drop Pods…This transport might be a one-way ticket to the surface but when it allow you to get that “alpha strike” as effectively as it does, it’s totally worth it. From your basic ‘Pod, to the Lucius, to the Kharybdis and the Dreadclaw (ok, those last two aren’t technically one-way trips) the Drop Pod gets the job done! If you need to get a unit into the thick of the fighting in a relatively safe and reliable manner, Drop Pods are a points efficient way to do just that. Oh, and if you happen to have a way to make them Objective Secured, all the better!
Dark Eldar Venom
“The Venom is a fast and agile anti-grav vehicle with a small transport capacity used by the Harlequins, Eldar Corsairs, and the Dark Eldar. In size and nimbleness it is comparable to the Vyper used by the EldarCraftworlds or the Sky-Chariot of the ancient Eldar Empire.”
This transport was hotly debated by the BoLS Crew for our list. Does it deserve to be on our top 5? Well, we went back-and-forth on this one but we wanted to included it simply because there was a time when Venoms were prevalent. They were so obnoxious we actually held a contest to name the plural of them. And that’s how they became known as “A Douche of Venoms.” The Venom is the reason we put “favorite” transports in quotes….They might not be the hot stuff they once were but we still think they deserve to make the cut.
Thunderhawk
The Thunderhawk gunship is a multi-use aircraft in wide use by Space Marine Chapters. Each Chapter of the Space Marines maintains its own fleet of Thunderhawks. Normally reserved for large-scale battles, time and time again its use in the various fields of war has been proven. With such might like this, only a great threat to the Imperium can demand use of these mighty craft.
Subscribe to our newsletter!Get Tabletop, RPG & Pop Culture news delivered directly to your inbox.By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
We couldn’t NOT include the Thunderhawk! It’s basically the inspiration for ALL the Marine flyers/transports in all of 40k. The Stormraven, Stormbird, Caestus, Fire Raptor…I could go on. Heck, even that weird Space Wolves Flyer takes some of it’s design cues from the classic Thunderhawk. The Thunderhawk is an icon of 40k and that’s why it deserves to be on this list!
Bonus: Ork Battlewagon
“A Battlewagon is a common type of large Ork vehicle.”
Advertisement
The Bonus is the Ork Battlewagon. For one reason: DEF ROLLA!
Bonus Bonus: Tau Manta
“The Manta Missile Destroyer, also known simply as the Manta,is a super-heavy vessel used by the Tau Empire for the transportation of whole Hunter Cadres. A rank of Kor’ui is sufficient to pilot one.On the borderline between an Attack Craft and a full starship, these small spacecraft are useful in a variety of roles. In space they are used to attack enemy starships and are a match for entire squadrons of Imperial starfighters, while during planetary assaults they function as drop ships and heavy fire support for Tau ground forces. Alongside Ballistic Suits they are the Tau’s nearest equivalent to an Imperial Titan or OrkGargant.”
I’m just going to leave these pictures here:
Did we leave your favorite transport off? Let us know in the comments below!
