Warhammer 40K: More Boarding Patrol Point Breakdowns
There are six boarding patrols up for grabs this weekend for pre-order. How do they stack-up points-wise? Let’s get to the numbers!
If you’re like us, you’re probably looking at those new Boarding Patrol boxes and thinking “hey, how many points are in those?” Well that’s what we’re here to find out. But first we did want to address something that came up. As a quick aside there was some discussion last time about if these boxes are good for actually playing Boarding Action games and if we could comment on them relative to Boarding Action games.
In general, we think that pretty much all of the Boarding Patrol boxes thus far have been pretty good for use in Boarding Action games. We also think they have all been pretty good stepping stones towards larger armies if all you’re interested in dabbling/starting a new army. That said this article series is for breaking down the points inside each box and not about a detailed tactical analysis for each Boarding Patrol. If you’re interested in something like that drop us a line in the comments and if we get enough interest we might revisit them later.
So, with that out of the way, let’s get to the points and find out where these six boxes land! Once again, we are using the most recent Points Pack from Games Workshop. Feel free to download it and check our math.
Boarding Patrol: T’au
Contents:
Commander Farsight = 130
3x Crisis battlesuits = 135 + wargear
10x Fire Warriors – can be either Breacher or Strike team
- Breacher team = 85 + wargear
- Strike Team = 80 + wargear
8x Drones* = 80-120 points
Total: 425-470 + Wargear
*Drone can be taken as a Tactical Drone unit or as parts of a squad. The points can vary widely depending on the options you go with.
Points-wise, this box is kind of all over the place because you’ve got quite a few options. If you’re already playing T’au this seems like a Swiss Army Knife of options plus you’ve got the new Farsight model.
If you’re looking to start T’au, again, this seems like a great box to jump in with. In terms of using it in a Boarding Action game, again, it seems good. You’ve got bodies to take objectives and some serious firepower to back them up. Plus Farsight is no slouch in close combat, too.
Boarding Patrol: Orks
Contents:
Boss Snikrot = 95
5x Flash Gitz = 100 + wargear
10x Beast Snagga Boyz = 100 + wargear
10x Kommandos + Bomb Squig = 50 points + wargear + 5 (Bomb Squig)
Total: 350 + wargear
This box has the new Snikrot model in it so it’s already a winner in our opinion. That said, it’s a very “meat-and-potatoes” Ork box with loads of bodies to flood the field in a Boarding Action game. The Flash Gitz can provide some nice firepower to sweep-up some of those corridors while the rest of the boyz move in for the kill.
For new ork players this is once again a good place to start. The one warning is that if you want to go with a more vehicle centric build this might not fit that. But if you want to load-up on Boyz and get in there then this is a fine box for that. But you probably just want to get one because it’s got the unique character in it.
Boarding Patrol: Aeldari
Contents:
Jain Zar = 150
5x Howling Banshees = 95 + wargear
20x Corsair Voidscarred
- Corsair Voidreavers = 200 + wargear
- Cosair Voidscarred = 240 (base) + wargear and other options
Total: 445-485 + wargear
Jain Zar leading a relatively elite band of warriors is a scary proposition. This box is a good start for a new Aeldari force and it’s also a good one for Boarding Action games. The tight corridors will benefit the faster moving elements who want to get into close combat while the firepower from the Voidscarred can be surprising.
For folks looking to grow this into a full army you probably only want to get one copy of this box because of Jain Zar. But it’s certainly worth checking out.
Boarding Patrol: Drukhari
Contents:
Succubus = 80
20x Wyches = 200 + wargear
5x Incubi = 90
Total: 370 + wargear
This is a great generic box. There’s no special characters and all the units inside are scary in close combat. That makes this a fast and deadly force in Boarding Action games. You aren’t going to be generating a lot of long range death here, but that’s okay! You’ll mop-up in close.
The Drukhari box is also a perfect pairing with the rest of the combo-boxes and even itself. You could grab two or three of these and have a murder ball of wyches at your disposal. Just grab some transports and you’re off to the races! This is a good start for new players or anyone looking to try out what makes Drukhari unique.
Boarding Patrol: Grey Knights
Contents:
Castellan Crowe = 85
5x Grey Knight Terminators = 175 + wargear
10x Grey Knight
- Interceptors = 240 + wargear
- Purifiers = 230 + wargear
- Strike Squad = 200 + wargear
- Purgiation Squad = 220 + wargear
Total: 460-500 + wargear
Talk about squad options! Once again, this box has them. Crowe is pretty effective in close combat… but so is this entire fighting force. Everyone can move, shoot, and melee well. They are Grey Knights after-all.
For Boarding Action games you don’t have a ton of numbers so each loss is going to sting but that also means each model is a threat on its own. With proper positioning and smart movement you can hit your enemy at range to soften them up and then finish them off up close. Funnel them as best you can — the Grey Knights are no joke!
Because this box does have Castellan Crowe you probably just want one copy. Still, if you’re looking to start this is a great box as you’ll get the ability to build in many different directions. Just plan your list out all the way before you commit to a particular Grey Knight unit type.
Boarding Patrol: Necrons
Contents:
10x Necron Warriors = 110
10x Lychguard = 250
3x Ophydian Destroyers w/ Canoptek Plasmacyte = 90
Total: 450 Points
This is another meat-and-potatoes box. Nothing fancy here just the basics. That’s not a bad thing! The Necrons can get the job done without getting super flashy. In a Boarding Action game, this box can do work. Lychguard shine in cramped spaces while the warriors take objectives and lay down decent firepower. The Ophydian Destroyers are plenty fast, too.
If you’re looking to grow an army from this box you’ve got all the options to choose after the fact. This is another box that you could get 2 or 3 of and have a very solid core Necron army.
That’s a quick point breakdown a summary for these boxes. Do you have one you’re eyeing for this pre-order weekend?
