We’ve finally got the copy of a new codex of Imperial Agents. And this book is kind of… weird. But that makes it even more interesting. Let’s think about how we could use it.
The goal of this book is to gather all the imperial mini-codexes under the one cover. A lot of them even didn’t have a paper version. The idea itself is nice – just add new interesting rules, synergy, formations, models…Stop. Add nothing. Just create separate detachments, and give the rules which either copy the old ones or slightly change them. That’s it.
Unfortunately, it’s all that sad. All detachments (Adeptus Mechanicus, Sisters of Battle, Inquisition, Death Watch, Gray Knights, Assassins, Legions of the Damned, Adeptus Telepathica and Aeronautica Imperialis) – they all have different factions. According to the new F.A.Q. you can’t even embark them on the same transport before the deployment. There are also no new models. Why?! Inquisition and Sororitas are home for the oldest and ugliest miniatures in the whole Warhammer. When I look at Dialogus, my eyes really bleed. It’s really not a good idea to print photos of such models in the new book. However, there’re always some fans of the old miniatures who think that new meticulously detailed miniatures are heresy.
Well, let’s look deeper into it. How this book can be useful?
First – the factions, who can’t create any synergy – Assassins and Legion of the Damned. Assassins were re-released many times but they’ve taken the place in a codex only today. In fact, no changes – take the one, or all of them and get VP if you kill a warlord with him. Just a paper book to refer now.
Legion is a bit more complicated. They used to have their own codex. They have entry in space marines’ codex. What should I use? I guess, this new detachment is the best way, since it gives you a chance to deep strike on any turn without a dice roll. This detachment is useful as space marines’ demi-company ally – since there’s no such unit in it. However, in this new book the Damned serjeant has lost the ability to take combi-melta (You take them with meltas, don’t you?) So, it’s up to you decide if it’s worth the possibility to arrive automatically on any turn.
Now – the factions, you can combine somehow. Aeronautica Imperialis could be a nice ally for all Imperial factions, if there weren’t obligatory Valkyries. Officer of the Fleet can really ruin the game for the player who strongly relies on reserves. But it can’t happen without the useless plane. Why useless? Because it has Aeronautica Imperialis faction and you can transport only this Officer. And it’s almost useless as a fighter. So, this faction is completely useless.
Adeptus Mechanicus – don’t worry, it doesn’t replace your favourite codex! This is only a recently released tech priest and ordinary servitors. Nothing new for them but now they have Canticles of the Omnissiah as their Mechanicum brothers. Considering that the power of the Canticles depends on the number of units, and you can have only one… Another faction with no particular use.
Adeptus Astra Telepathica These guys will be a frequent guest on your table. Casts on 3+ and a lot of cheap warp-charges. Plus – bonus to your reserves if you’ve taken an Astropath. However, we’ve seen a formation like this in recent Cadian supplement, ant it’s better there.
Sisters of Battle. The girls finally got paper edition but didn’t get any special improvements. They have 2 detachments – a small limited contingents and a full-force detachment. This doesn’t substitute the original codex, but you will use this detachment, since re-rolling ones on any saves is really useful. In general, these are the same Sororitas with all the same problems. Considering new Celestine’s model shown and may be a new codex, it’s really strange, why they were included in this book so quickly. If you play this book as an Inquisitorial codex, you will’ definitely use the small detachment for the sake of priests, giving saves re-roll in unit with 3++ shields.
Death Watch. They have a fresh codex – why are they needed here? It’s really no cinch taking them as an allied detachment. However, this detachment suggests only one obligatory troop choice – so you don’t need to pay for the HQ. From the other hand – there are no drop pods available for them, so it’s only Corvus Blackstar – nice but really expensive. So, no difference, what book to use to ally them.
Grey knights. This part also gives you many questions. In this book we only have terminators, interseptors, dreadknight and 3 land raiders. Could I take other their units in this detachment? Why should I take it, if the standard GK detachment suggests the same bonuses, but with a wider unit choice?
We have only Inquisition left. And it’s the key to this book – it was created mostly for them. If you consider this book as a complete inquisitorial codex, it looks more reasonable. Small factions can solve the problems, Inquisition has – anti-tank, planes, speed, etc. And you don’t need to have many books with you. However, all these factions are taken as separate detachments and you really could do something like this before. Inquisitors have some minor changes in wargear and special rules. One of the most obvious choices – the spam of Jokaero (where else can you get a lascannon which buffs your units for 35 points?) under the nameless Inquisitor’s (or Coteas) command. The ability to generate a warlord trate even if the Inquisitor isn’t a warlord can be really helpful. Also, there’s a formation where you can take any combination of Inquisitorial units and GK, DW or AS unit in addition to them. Such warband will likely have 2+ \ 3++ save on the front, provide a descent shooting (Jokaero and Death Watch) and cast some spells. Nice, but no competition with Tau or Eldar.
All in all, the book is still weird. Looks really quickie. Rules with no thought, no synergy, old models, and the most part of the units either doesn’t play well or plays better if taken with their own codexes. It looks especially poor is compared with recent Chaos releases. However, if you want an army of the Inquisition, you have a chance to build a playable roster. Just try it! Anyway, if you play Inquisition, you must be ready to experiments.