I have to admit, that I expected a lot less out of Scions and the Militarum Tempestus. I have been dwelling on it all day, with the versatility and strength of these new units. My 30 Kasrkins and some as of yet untold new box sets, are definitely going to be getting done up over the next few months.
Scions are so overly flexible in their rules, that its rather surprising once you get down to the rules on how to use them. That is not to say that they are overpowered, as there are some serious drawbacks to their strengths.
Overall the Tempestus are quite flexible when you add together all their tools to take on any kind of enemy. While their close ranged Hot Shot Lasguns are a great strength, its also their glaring weakness. Their fast moving Taurox Primes carry strong arrays or weaponry, yet they are lightly armoured. Some of this army has me feeling like my dark eldar. Hit hard and hit fast, or go home.
Lets look at their orders that I love. First off an officer can only give one order, and he cannot do it from a vehicle, or to a unit that is in a vehicle. Lines of midfield Aegis Defense lines anyone?
Using the two formations, whether its Valkryie supported or Taurox Prime supported, when you disembark your weapons become twin linked. This is huge if you are doing this in unison with orders, as you can combine up abilities to really make your shots count.
Orders include making all hot shot lasguns fire once and they become sniper. This phenomenal, as the now 18" sniper shots still allow you to forward first and then fire. Always wound on a 4+ with an AP3 gun. Don't forget about precision shot and rending with 6's, and a full squad of Scions can wreck someones day.
Also in there you can make all weapons rend against vehicles and monstrous creatures. Other orders like giving preferred enemy or twin linked for orders make scions really have the flexibility to tear up the enemy, no matter what they are. All for a a decent number of points.
The Command Squad is where its at, and if you are playing against the Tempestus, cut off the head of the snake by eliminating the command structure. Just like in IG command squads, they are 5 strong and 4 of which can be given special weapons. Line up a unit with 4 Hot Shot Volley Guns and when stationary they get 16 S4 Ap3 shots at BS4.
Everyone knows the Valkryie. its gone up in base points, but once equipped out its close enough to the same. These allow for lots of airborne units with lots of flying support.
The Taurox Prime though is just loaded with weaponry. For 90pts you can literally get 14 shots while on the move with one vehicle (Taurox Gatling Cannon and Hot-Shot Volley Gun). You can quickly load up the Taurox Prime for severe anti-infantry firepower or S7 or 8 guns to rip apart light tanks and monstrous creatures. Really 14 shots is a lot of anti-infantry power, and when its thrown at BS 4 it becomes something that can be thrown against the hordes on the ground.
Personally I see these working great in conjunction with what heavy guns the guard will bring next week. A formation of Scions in Taurox Primes with the guns of the Imperial Guard may just be that powerful combination that many guard players are looking for.
