Goatboy’s 40k Thoughts: Return of the Devastator!
Goatboy here again looking at 40k and seeing some interesting new changes in the army building lately. Ever since the Long Bearded friends from the Space Wolves started to rear their ZZ top heads on the field, most Marine armies have started to relook at the old tired and true 4th edition heavy mainstay – the Devastators.
So today I want to look at the advantages this unit actual brings to the table and how we can prepare for them as well as some new options on dealing with them.
Devastator Pros
Cost Advantage
The cost versus output ability of the unit is pretty impressive when compared to a similar mechanical counterpart. I know this goes against the grain of the common 5th edition principles – but point for point the Devastator usually gives more bang for the buck. I know that some armies options are better then others but still no matter what, the Devastator option usually gives a lot more firepower then the equivalent choice from the standard metal box choice.
Cover Advantage
Normally a vehicle takes a lot more work to get cover. Usually if it is getting cover, it is giving cover back to its target. When a Devastator shoots at a vehicle the chances to grant that vehicle cover are much harder to achieve. One of the great advantages experienced players will use is the ability to figure out and create vehicle cover for their own options as well as deny opponents cover options. You place a bunch of your foot slogging rocket dudes in some area terrain and you got a unit that is going to take a lot of attention to get them out.
Flexible Unit Advantage
When you normally purchase a heavy vehicle for your army you normally only get that one option. When you buy a Devastator you also usually get the option of a light tank to help increase their effectiveness. That tank could either be another troop transport to help give more mobile walls or another long range choice to give you a way to get another target on the table top. The Devastator gives you more options for your army.
Devastator Cons
Dawn of War
Dawn of War really hurts your heavy choice as you don’t start on the table. This means you will have to move into position and give up a round of shooting at the enemy. If you are playing versus an opponent with a fast engaging army, that loss of a round of punishing firepower can be a big strain on your heavy choice role.
Lack of Mobility
When you are stuck in one place throwing down firepower, the opponent knows where to go to get rid of it. With a vehicle you have the option of moving and changing the battlefield as well as danger zones for your opponent. Also the lack of movement means you only have a certain distance of pain you can bring. An outflanking opponent can use your lack of movement to their advantage by knowing where to come out to get you. Also, as the unit is normally does not have move/fire any kind of shooting is effective as breaking them is one way to make sure they cannot keep using their heavy weapons.
Granting Cover to Mobs of Models
When you are dealing with a horde army your normal Devastator unit will most likely be granting cover saves to whatever they are shooting at. With the change to a lot of armies starting to bring a central hold unit to the board, having your weapons always at least giving a 4+ save can be rather hard to overcome. This of course all depends on the type of unit you bring, with anti mech and anti troop being options you can take for your unit.
So those are some pros and cons from the new/old kid on the block. Currently I am a big fan of Long Fangs, BA Devastators, and C:SM. I think Chaos Space Marines have one of the more useful options in the Obliterator that is like the bully big brother of the Devastators. The option to get another vehicle is a great one as normally you want the Razorback to sit back and pour out some firepower. I do wish some of the regular Space Marine variants could take Autocannon Devastators as I feel that the option would be a great one to have. I have been on the receiving end of a massive amount of saves from Chaos Space Marine Havoks in the past and would love to throw down with some Space Wolf versions.
Have you had more luck when taking Devastators versus Heavy Vehicles? What is your favorite Devastator load out?
