Warhammer 40K: Do We Even Need A Primaris Flyer?
We still don’t have a dedicated Primaris Flyer – but do the Primaris Marines even need one? Let’s chat.
Early this week, we recapped all the new Primaris Space Marine units coming in the codex. One notable exception was that the new codex doesn’t have a Primaris Flyer. The Storm Speeder is the Primaris version of a Land Speeder, and while it certainly looks like a flyer, it’s technically not.
While it does have the “Fly” key word – it’s not a flyer in the traditional sense. It doesn’t have Supersonic, Airborne, Hard To Hit, or the movement stat of a typical flyer. But the fact that it DOES have the “Fly” keyword does raise an interesting point about Primaris in general: Do the Primaris even need a traditional flyer?
When the Repulsor was introduced, it laid the groundwork for all Primaris vehicles moving forward. Not only were they going to be larger and more imposing, they were also going to have the newer repulsor tech and be able to hover. And for the most part, GW has carried that aesthetic throughout all the Primaris Vehicles. The notable exceptions have been the Outriders and the Invader ATV.
When you have tanks that can basically fly (at least in terms of movement/terrain interactions) you’ve got a serious leg-up. While the keyword Fly isn’t as potent as it once was, it sure didn’t hurt the rise of the Triple Executioner Meta and Irons hands.
Never Forget
Again, it wasn’t JUST the Fly keyword that was the problem. There were definitely some unforeseen consequences an interactions and both the ITC and GW had responded. I think that many of the changes in 9th are a direct result of these things…but that’s another topic.
The fact still remains that the Primaris will have more than enough hover/anti-grav tanks to make the Aeldari jealous. And while they aren’t “traditional” flyers, they kind of fill that role thanks to their mobility. Sure, they can’t move quite as far, but that’s not always a good thing anyhow. These tanks can slow-roll with your army and provide cover and fire support almost better than a traditional flyer. So it’s not a bad trade off at all.
Do you even need me anymore?
These tanks also have enough shots (and access to enough AA guns) that the Primaris don’t really need any dedicated AA options. Couple that with the fact that negative modifiers top out at -1 total, and a dedicated AA option almost feels like overkill. Hellblasters and the changes to plasma suddenly made them a great option for dropping a flyer. If they end up being Core, well, holy crap – they are still just as good at shooting down flyers as before and can do it even safer than before.
Who’s good at shooting down flyers? That guy. That Primaris right there.
So with all the hover tanks and changes coming down the line, again I ask: Do Primaris even NEED a flyer? I don’t think so. But will we probably get a new Primaris Flyer? Maybe not this edition.
But I wouldn’t rule it out because while the Primaris don’t need a flyer, there are folks out there that might *want* one. And there is another really big factor why GW would make one:
What do you think? Do the Primaris need a flyer and, regardless, how long before we see one?
