Warhammer 40K Hot Mess – The Primaris Heavy Intercessor
Let’s take a deep dive into a hot mess of a 40K unit and some thoughts in how we can fix them up. You would think a Primaris Heavy Intercessor would just be better?
Space Marines are in a weird spot. They got some balance update rules, tweaked points, but they are still… well trash. One of the trashier new units from the book is the lamentable Heavy Intercessor. You got a Space Marine with more junk in the trunk but still carries a kind-of-bad weapon, no assault options, and is just too dang expensive. These guys should have been a nice spot in-between of some of the Gravis Armor options for the Primaris line. But instead we just got a very weird unit. Is it just a fatter troop choice meant to hold back? Is the gun supposed to be good? What is the point of the unit?
Heavy Intercessor Basics
Basically, these are the heavier versions of the Primaris Intercessors with 3 different sets of guns that match how the regular ones are – Rapid Fire, Heavy, and Assault variations. Each one is a bit stronger to give the idea that the heavier armor is needed to carry this big ole crappy bolter around. There isn’t any kind of assault upgrade for the Sarge so it isn’t a direct copy of the regular Intercessor unit. This is probably the biggest miss I think with the unit. You could have easily set up a fun 5 man unit with some kind of powerful Powerfist wielding Sarge with a bad back story, terrible attitude, and a chip on his shoulder.
This unit needs some work so let’s dig in.
Why Not Make Them Unique?
These guys are supposed to have better armor that more than makes them tougher – they are supposed to be better. So why not amp up those weapons a bit more. Maybe have some kind of special Ammunition option that lets you shift between the different weapon load-outs. Do you want some armor popping action? The weapon gets hot and causes a mortal wound on a roll of a 1. How about something that shoots really far and can punch thru vehicle armor – have it get pluses to wound versus vehicles and longer range. Do you need to plow thru a bunch of gribblies? Why not give some kind of cool blast option like a super Bolter Shotgun of doom? A simple tweak to the weapon can do wonders for a pretty neat looking model.
Imagine these guys in that Gravis armor – OH YEAH!
Add In Some Assault Options
I know the Bladeguard are the main, elegant assault options for regular Marines so why not make these a bit different. Give them a shock and awe option that makes them a weird in-between choice between the Aggressors and the Centurions. They are meant as a front line style unit that is more maneuverable. They don’t need powerfists but why not some cool heavy chain swords they can use to get personal with the enemy. Chop them down like Ash from Evil Dead and let them go to town with a more unique set up.
Specific Heavy Intercessor Stratagems
Sure you could use Trans-Human but why not have something else they could do too. Something like too big to fail as their armor pumps them full of healing and anger drugs to let them power thru the pain. A simple thing like their armor save can’t be affected by AP for a turn as they turn it on and get ready to bring the pain back to the enemy. Armor of Contempt is neat but something very simple like – this turn the unit ignores all AP values would be unique and different. Have it just be for their armor too so it isn’t usable by some other units like those Golden Flyboys from the Blood Angels.
Make These Models Worth Buying!
These guys are pretty dang cool looking, fun to paint, and a nice model on the tabletop. It just needs some simple changes to be worthwhile… and another nail in the coffin that is needed for Firstborn marines. Make having a few 5 man units of these running around the battlefield a neat option to shift up some of the nonsense we see with Marines. I just want the bolter to be better too but with so many units needing love, we need to break them down, rework rules, and make Marines good again.
Let us know how you would fix the unit, down in the comments!
