Warhammer 40K: This Week’s Meta Hotness – The Sicaran Arcus

5 Minute Read

Nov 10 2021

Let’s take a look at a unit that’s been shooting over the competition- the Sicaran Arcus.

In the ever-shifting meta of 40K armies rise and fall. We’ve spent a lot of time talking about armies that are hot or not and a lot less time looking at units that are running the show. That changes today as we’re taking a look at one of the hottest units currently running around the tabletop: the Sicaran Arcus!

Sicaran Arcus Basics

The Sicaran Arcus is a Space Marine heavy support unit. This tank acts as a mobile rocket launcher, and is able to bombard enemies across the table and out of line of sight. Effectively a Whirlwind on steroids’ the Arcus is a relic of the old times, and can also act as a battle tank.

Why They Are Good

As Arcus has a decent stat line. It’s a fast tank with a 14″ move and 14 wounds and a 2+ save its though. None of that is what makes it good. What makes the Sicaran Arcus good, and why people take it is its spicy main gun. Simply put 2d6 S6 Ap-1 D2 shots that ignore LoS and have blast is really quite good.

This weapon is an excellent weapon for taking down MEQ units, and against a large one can really land some devastating blows. D2 also lets it bypass some of the defensive bonuses that lessor troops get. It has a solid enough stat line to bale to put some hurt on light vehicles, especially ones without any way of mitigating damage. I’ve mentioned before how important ignore LoS is to armies these days and this guy is amazing at doing that. It’s speed means its always in range, and it though enough to keep putting out shots all game. This can be a highly useful little tank.

Saying a unit is hot is all well and good but let’s take a look at how players are using it. Some Space Marine lists have been running Arcus’ and have done well at recent events recently. One list that shows off the use of Arucs is Alex Harrison’s list he ran to take 2nd place at the recent super massive London GT.

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Deathwatch) [105 PL, 4CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Chapter Selection: Deathwatch

Detachment Command Cost

+ Stratagems +

Relics of the Chapter [-2CP]: 2x Number of Extra Relics

+ No Force Org Slot +

Company Veterans [3 PL, 40pts]

. Company Veteran: Bolt pistol, Boltgun, Frag & Krak grenades

. Company Veteran Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Boltgun, Frag & Krak grenades

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.

+ HQ +

Primaris Captain [5 PL, -1CP, 105pts]: Dominus Aegis, Frag & Krak grenades, Rites of War, Stratagem: A Vigil Unmatched, Warlord

. 2. Paragon of their Chapter: Dark Angels: Brilliant Strategist

. Heavy bolt pistol, Master-crafted power sword and Relic shield: Heavy Bolt Pistol, Master-crafted power sword, Relic Shield

Techmarine [4 PL, -1CP, 70pts]: 3. Nowhere to Hide (Aura), Boltgun, Frag & Krak grenades, Omnissian power axe, Servo-arm, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, The Tome of Ectoclades

Techmarine [4 PL, 70pts]: Boltgun, Frag & Krak grenades, Omnissian power axe, Servo-arm, Vhorkan-Pattern Auspicator

+ Troops +

Deathwatch Veterans [8 PL, 140pts]

. Deathwatch Veteran w/ Heavy Weapon: Deathwatch Frag Cannon, Frag & Krak grenades

. Watch Sergeant: Deathwatch Shotgun, Frag & Krak grenades

Deathwatch Veterans [8 PL, 140pts]

. Deathwatch Veteran w/ Heavy Weapon: Deathwatch Frag Cannon, Frag & Krak grenades

. Watch Sergeant: Deathwatch Shotgun, Frag & Krak grenades

Deathwatch Veterans [8 PL, 140pts]

. Deathwatch Veteran w/ Heavy Weapon: Deathwatch Frag Cannon, Frag & Krak grenades

. Watch Sergeant: Deathwatch Shotgun, Frag & Krak grenades

+ Elites +

Redemptor Dreadnought [9 PL, 185pts]: 2x Storm Bolters, Icarus Rocket Pod, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon, Redemptor Fist

Relic Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, -1CP, 175pts]: Cyclone missile launcher, 2x Twin volkite culverin

Relic Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, -1CP, 150pts]: 2x Twin volkite culverin

+ Heavy Support +

Sicaran Arcus [10 PL, -1CP, 170pts]: Arcus multi-launcher, Heavy bolter

+ Dedicated Transport +

Drop Pod [4 PL, 70pts]: Storm bolter

++ Total: [105 PL, 4CP, 2,000pts] ++

++ Total: [114 PL, 1,997pts, 4CP] ++

Using the Unit

Alex’s list is a heavy hitting aggressive list, with a small model count. A few squads of Veterans are there to hold objectives and pump out a ton of damage (with a drop pod to deploy 8 Frag Cannons if needed. The core of the army is a massive block of Dreadnoughts supported by some Techmarines. These guys are resilient, and can put out a lot of fire power at range, while also doing some close up smashing. They are also a bit slow, and with their direct fire weapons they can be easy to hind form on a table with lots of terrain.

Thus the Sicaran Arcus provides a very valuable service. It can not only help target big enemy blocks or MEQs , but also annoying units like hidden bodyguards or units camping hiding backfield objectives. Being Deathwatch means the list also has the tools to make sure it gets AP-2 whenever it needs. Overall the Arcus provides an invaluable service for the list.

Let us know what units you think are hot right now, down in the comments!

Don't Miss:

Author: Abe Apfel

Abe is that rare thing, an Austin local born and raised here. Though he keeps on moving around, DC, Japan, ETC., he always seems to find his way back eventually. Abe has decades of experience with a wide range of tabletop and RPG games, from historicals, to Star Wars to D&D and 40K. He has been contributing to BOLS since almost the start, back when he worked at and then owned a local gaming store. He used to be big into the competitive Warhammer tournament scene but age has mellowed him and he now appreciates a good casual match. He currently covers 40K tactics and lore, as well as all things Star Wars, with occasional dabbling in other topics. Abe remains in mourning over the loss of WFB to this day.

Game Rules Space Marines Warhammer 40k Warhammer 40K 9th Edition