Ranking Every Warhammer 40K Faction's CHAMPION Units

[@hyrumcastaneda1427]

Clearly, Boss Snikrot is so stealthy. Auspex tactics didn't see him.

[@watchmano1755]

Neither did GW

[@churchilla5511]

@@watchmano1755 They just gave him a new model wym?

[@noodles6390]

@@churchilla5511 I've got the new model but I personally prefer the old one... much cooler and sneakier...

[@NornQueenKya]

I always send a single termagant to the champion face off before battle. Because that's how low I view the other species

[@Wildwolf5910]

Based.

[@aidonpor8211]

At the end of the day, Champions are biomass that plays hard to get

[@Джудо]

tyranids players are based

[@jimmysmith2249]

Noted.

[@dirtyblonde1011]

You waste a whole Termagaunt? I just send a single Ripper

[@kevlonk]

In The Infinite and the Divine, we briefly meet a character that is essentially a Triarch Praetorian Executioner. Such a character would be a very cool "champion" type unit for the Necrons if GW ever made them.

[@BurnByMoonlight]

Worth mentioning for the Ravenwing Command Squad: while the Champion doesn’t have precision, the Company of Hunter detachment has an enhancement that gives precision melee for only 10 points.

[@Sanctjud]

10 pts overpriced and a waste of an enhancement slot.

[@TheCoremeltdown]

@@Sanctjud considering some of the other enhancements in company of hunters i say ... eh maybe? what i love doing is giving that boy fire discipline in gladius with a full pack of knights gives you some really nice move and fire and even decent on the charge not needing advance and charge to still put some good shots down range and position with

[@SC1ENCEP1E]

Judiciar mentioned!🎉 Love him in the party bus (impulsor) with the Bladeguard. Especially now with 6 pals.

[@123Farsight]

My emperors champion model was just delivered and this is the first video I see while I prepare to put him together. For the Emperor

[@ChristianVonCarmian40kVtuber]

Just because he is Legends doesn't mean you shouldn't give Obyron a score

[@ProxyHammer1]

A fellow Obyron enjoyer 😉

[@lazerbeamhawkins]

I came here to make the same comment.

[@teoarrk]

to be honest this video makes me wish that we got some kind of melee focused royal warden, or captain of the Triarchs to take his place.

[@Pers0n97]

HOPEFULLY he will show up again wit the next codex.

[@carnellfelton5343]

Well hello there

[@gavinziozios1431]

Karanak should fit the bill as well as Skulltaker. Named character hunter flesh hound that can give the unit lethal hits

[@pauluss1130]

I think the Astra Militarum lacks its greatest melee hero: Angered Regimental Enginseer. This dude slayed Chaplain Grimaldus. (yes with epic duel)

[@the_apotecary_from_tf2]

Chaplin didn't wash the toaster

[@Lil-ig7br]

Sly Marbo 😢

[@andrewpoe3975]

I feel like boss snikrot is the closest orks can get to a "character slayer." Granted I take him and komandos to turn 1 charge, with 'ere we go and brutal carnage to 1 shot a character

[@sgthunt118]

Mozrog gets my vote for character/anything slayer from orks

[@Macromonarch]

@@sgthunt118 Mozgrod is a monster. Love him

[@baloonfart8082]

Big fan of the Judiciar and The Emperor's Champion is my favorite unit in the game since I started 40k eons ago. Also as a point of information, The Emperor's Champion is not chosen by the Black Templar, it is a warrior that is inspired by the Emperor to step forward and take the mantle of Champion.

[@FrostandFists]

Great video, as always! Even though Stracken is s leader, I think he's probably the closest thing to a champion in the Emperor's Finest. o7

[@Wind-Whistler]

Besides being an all-around BEAST in melee, Stracken has a key advantage over the Ogryn. Counterintuitively, Ogryn Bodyguards are NOT character models. I think Nork Deddog might be the only unit in the game with the Epic Hero keyword that is not a character. As such, they are not legal targets for the Epic Challenge stratagem. This little quirk leaves Stracken as the undisputed best “champion” unit in the Guard. o7

[@FrostandFists]

@@Wind-Whistler Well put!

[@des-trina]

You're selling the Visarch quite short here. First, in the Troupe unit, he gets lance, so he's wounding TEQ characters on a 3, and MEQ characters on a 2. Even Custodes & tougher space marines on a 4. Second, the Aeldari reroll with a 6 fate die and sustained hits 2 increases his average hits by a lot. If you use a farseer skyrunner (which is very common in Ynnari lists), he gets full rerolls to hit, which is extremely powerful with sustained 2, and the farseer guarantees the 6 on the reroll. He's often hitting 9 or 11 times with a farseer nearby. At AP4 D2, that results in a lot of dead marines or termies and/or an almost assuredly dead character. Then you have Yvraine and the 12 troupe to mulch whatever is left.

[@19jsparker19]

This falls into the same thing as the Death Jester, the profiles look kinda powerful but not too standout or anything, then you realize that it can choose Sustained Hits 3, and paired with Fate's Messenger you statistically go from 3 near guaranteed hits to 7-9 hits with the Battle Host rerolls and suddenly your Death Jester is deleting enemy units that were silly enough to walk into his field of vision and his 6/-1/2 dev wounds Shrieker Cannon

[@gillesmelet1044]

Fully agrre ! And you didn't mention he brings FIGHT FIRST to the 11-13 brick of Harlequin Troupe, reason he is regularly picked in competitive lists using this Troupe Deathstar, along with Yvraine in the same unit to resurrect some troupes

[@des-trina]

@@gillesmelet1044 He mentioned the fights first in the video, so I didn't rehash anything he said. Just added important context.

[@Majere613]

The standard CSM Master of Executions does have the rule that he can join a squad that already has a Leader, which does make him a bit more interesting. If running Emperor's Children you can put him and Lucius in a squad of Legionaries to gain a pretty scary amount of Fights First Precision attacks between the two of them.

[@mr_oger]

The absolute champion for me was a naked crisis suit (had no points left for weapons, picked it to be a chaff lol) that deepstriked behind a vindicator, survived the round, charged, penned and rolled the explosion, and survived even that. Good ol times.

[@BartEmbregts]

My emperors champion slapping Angron around for a entire game. Me: "Yeah... he deserves that title."

[@Tydusis1]

Thousands Sons player here. My goto melee infantry unit is actually using a formation of exalted sorcerors on disk, with one of them running arcane vortex to get +1 strength and damage. With torrent weapon profile having str6 ap-2 dmgD3 and melee having 5atk WS 2+ str6 ap-1 dmgD3, and each character running solo for basically un-overwatchable nuisance charges (up to 3 of them), they can work together to absolutely bully all but the most sturdy units off the board. They can even challenge a dedicated melee unit like bladeguard to some effect. For ~350pts, this gives you 6 cabal points as well, so a doombolt can probably be thrown in as well before the charge since you will have other cabal units making points

[@TeeDubzz]

No White Scars? Kor'sarro Khan is a beast of a duellist, has the precision sword Moonfang and +1 CP per character model kill!

[@jonm7512]

I don't think solitaire necessarily fits this bill but I definitely think it is terrifying in this niche.

[@M1tZk1]

Taschengelddieb!! This is an amazing add on thank you. 😊

[@caboose759]

The World Eaters MoE is a bastard and always manages to foil my plans.

[@matthewcheeseman6453]

I like running a brotherhood Champion with the +1 to wound relic, in a full 10 man strike squad. Putting them in a rhino works quite well also, as it reduces their footprint and they can still scout

[@robloxplayer0003]

Neither Old one eye nor the Swarmlord being mentioned in the tyranids made me get twitchy.

[@a_paperweight]

Agreed, old one eye would be perfect Not a general (just an exceptionally durable carnifex) Can lead a unit (attaches to a carnifex unit) Special ability (regeneration) Strong melee (literally only has melee) Named character

[@firedrake110]

The 55pts Lictor is pretty sick for Tyranid anti-hero options, I'm addicted to bringing 3 even in 1,000pts lists. If you keep one near your walking tyrant and the other two holding hands, they can disassemble basically anything by either diving headfirst onto a unit that strays too close, or by pulling a heroic intervention into a combat to protect their Warlord

[@CMDRJoshua]

My Blade Champion has done so much for me every time I take him. He has one-shot a Bloodthirster on turn 1 with so many devastating wounds and done the same against the Silent King. Not to mention, he provides a reliable way to get my other Custode units he's attached to into combat. He synergizes so well with Custodian Guard, with full rerolls on objectives you control. Absolute beast for 110 points!

[@reginlief1]

A skitarii duellist pre-programmed with pure hatred for the enemy champions and tasked with seeking them out to eliminate for the Omnissiah would be pretty cool. Maybe he has some sort of Noosphere link so as to constantly ping for updates on enemy positions. Make him like general grievous, wielding 4 transonic blades and just a whirlwind of humming death. Could be a good Sicarian leader unit that we’ve wanted for a while.

[@jwb590]

I know we’re pretending the BA codex didn’t leak a week or two ago so GW doesn’t get mad, but Mephiston is deffo going to be our one man wrecking ball as opposed to the Sanguinor who’s still just a utility pick

[@nomassgoer8350]

Blood angels are spoiled for champions in the codex! I can’t wait!

[@RSBurgener]

The Death Company Captain is the Champion for the Blood Angels. His commanding days are done, now he's there to Slay the Warmaster.

[@GoldmonX]

With Arjac, you can also attach a Captain or Chapter Master to his unit as well. So you can use him with Grimnar or a Termi Captain.

[@thepurplea1925]

I like to give my Exalted Sorc Epic Challenge whenever he gets caught in a charge; take out the leader a lot of the time (naturally with interrupt, so expensive but if i clear a character, worth it imo)

[@brettmal5298]

Deathwing knight master, he’s a G

[@Gryffyth_Aurum]

27:17 Youz got to be mukin about! No mention of Boss Snikrot?!

[@osogitzgraymane72]

My favorite Ogryn bodyguard set up is actually Ripper + Brute Shield. Gives him a decent gun to support with, ripper in melee isn't too bad of a weapon and gives him a invulnerable save better than his normal save that you cant modify.

[@Brakmek11823]

On Tau, while not a character or a single-model unit, Farstalkers do, I think, fit the bill. At game start you pick something and they get Lethals and Precision on all their attacks against it, so they do literally bounty-hunt a Character out. Granted, their weapons are basically all S4 AP0 D1 but you can bump that and bruise the Character or its unit beforehand for their bonuses to Hit/Wound or fish for Lethals if you really need to with a Lonespear as well.

[@9.11wascausedbyLoganPaul]

Maybe the fireblade

[@chaosheaven23]

I *LOVE* Champion style models in this game. Thanks for the video, Auspex, very cool content to have a look at!

[@bradleygiven5193]

Also worth noting that Skulltaker is one of the best painters in 40k, as he always takes home the Slayer Sword.

[@ecth97]

It’s ridiculous that GW didn’t stat Jain Zar to act as our special character combat champion

[@yabarber6902]

It’s also ridiculous that The Visarch isn’t so good. I don’t think he’d be the greatest in the lore but he managed to beat Yvraine. Yvraine scored some pretty good hits on Lilith. Even the best space marines can’t do that

[@88atahualpa]

Doesn't astorath fit the bill for the ba? 7a s9 ap3 dev and precision look like a character killer to me

[@patriciocarrizo5065]

Well, now we know what will be the next poorhammer podcast episode about

[@huwfairley693]

For the tyranids I suggest a more contoversial pick... Norn emmisary

[@chrisbeau76]

Anrakyr wasn't bad, however he was limited to Immortals only. His Warscythe gave him Devastating Wounds. He had a special ability where he could force a vehicle to make a LD test and if they failed he could choose a ranged weapon your enemiesdata sheet vehicle make it shoot one of his opponents allies.. He added +1 to wound to his unit of Immortals which he also got to use. Immortals also reroll Wound rolls of 1 or completely reroll the attack if targeting a unit on an objective which he also benefitted from. The Immortals Wound reroll doesn't specific ranged or meleeso the wound reroll and the +1 to wound applied to their shooting attacks and close combat attacks. Immortals have 2 basic attacks in the fight phase but lack any AP, so it was usually a good idea to use the Protocol of the Hungry void for an extra +1 Str and -1 AP in addition to the Wound rerolls and +1 to wound rolls. Fun Character when played in the Awakened Dynasty. Zandrek will also be sorely missed. At first his data sheet looked kind of weeak until you realized his Transient Madness ability which was randomly determined in the Command phase each turn applied to his staff of Light and Lychguard with shields which typically dont have any critical effects. The way it worked was you would roll a D6 for his Transient madness. On a result of a 1-2 He and his squad gained lethal hits, 3-4 Sustained Hits or a 5-6 gave his Staff of Light and his Lychguard Devastating Wounds. He also had a spcial rule that allowed you to pair him with Vargard Obyron which was the only way to have 2 Nobles join the same unit.

[@wyatttyson7737]

You know we are *cooked* as a faction when Auspex thinks one of the two Ogyrn Body Guards are better than Iron Hand Straken as a melee champion. When stuck in to a unit Straken and on the charge gets 6 WS2+ S7 AP-3 D2 hits, with Lethals, and full rerolls to hit and rerolls to wound. He isn't as tough as an Ogyrn, sure, though he does have a 3+/4++, but he does significantly more damage.

[@jameskurth3560]

To be fair he kinda does fall into the commander role. He left out several great melee fighters who do more than just hit things.

[@danielbalder]

Ruststalkers are probably the best 'champion' for the Admech.

[@Arkrouyle]

I mean there is Cawl tbh. If we are talking about units prolly punchy bots :)

[@thinkabouthelogic]

Votann arguably have Kahl as well. That said, we don’t discuss Uthar- he’s the kid that never gets picked in the schoolyard kickball game. Orks also have Mozrog, Snikrot.

[@paladin276]

I'm still very upset at losing the Exalted Champion...

[@duetbreaker]

Mono harlequin player sad Sad you didnt mention solitaire 😢

[@YouKnowNothing-s8p]

Emperors Champion is a constant in all of my army builds. I LOVE playing him. Whether solo or with a squad hes just a menace. He has single handedly killed tanks for me on multiple occasions. One of my favorite things to do is put him in a land raider with 5 SB along with Helbrecht and another 5SB an apothecary or castellan/LT with the Helbrecht squad if im running a LR Crusader and depending on what vow im rocking. Personally, I know everyone likes the FNP vow, but I almost always opt for army wide lethal hits. And send forth my land raider and my crusader squads to just barrage the enemy in lethal hit chainsword and powerfist attacks.

[@SirPhatniss]

For my world eaters list, im finding i prefer taking Skulltaker and a Bloodletter block as my character killers over a lord of exicution. Less attacks, but deepstike and rerolling wounds eith dev wounds is pretty spicy. ~200 points vs ~285.

[@jacket2848]

Master of execution gives fights first. That's literally all that matters.

[@samg7430]

The necron champion not in legends is probably Orikan and his glass cannon empowered form 😅

[@rodrigomorenonunez4030]

Locus should add a 6+ FnP to the full unit once a game and Benefictus should add a 6+ invuln once a game, so they can be paired up, it's weird how little use both defensive buffs have otherwise.

[@TheJohnApocalypse]

In Packbound Zealots, the Master of Executions with the Khorne enhancement is kinda boss.

[@lutzeichmeyer9338]

Oberon would be incredibly brocken, because he give a 4+ FNP to character models in the unit, so everything would have a 4+ FNP

[@zoro88h]

I think canis wolfborn had the champion keyword last ed

[@freddymcshreddy6586]

Honestly Mephiston being a 4+++, fights first lone operative now he might be a pretty good contender for Blood Angel champion. Although if Precision is a pre requisite for characters that join units then maybe the new Astorath might be a good Champion for blood angels. Although him being high chaplain does sort of make him more of a commander same with mephiston being chief librarian. Although if we’re going based on lore (and my past experience in games) then the blood angels champion would honestly just be Dante.

[@StrudelKitty5527]

Straken for guard packs a punch. Just watch almost any Moridan glory video and watch him solo almost anything. Run him with +10 wounds for 55pts (catachans) or just throw him in a chimera and have him pop out and charge something scary

[@thebackdoorsanta7044]

So i just learned that The Emperors Champion will most likely mow through a 10 man squad of cultists/ guard/ gaunts by HIMSELF

[@josephkokkinos9326]

I certainly agree that Admech does not have any dedicated melee champion. That said, Cawl is a monster in melee (literally and figuratively).

[@lordinquisitor838]

Worth notging that Skulltaker can be buffed by Bloodthrones to really punch up

[@skatman3278]

IMO, Castellan Crowe needs a much higher score. On his own he's not fantastic, but leading a 10-brick of Purifiers he's pretty broken.

[@Unhallowed_Saint]

BA Player to another BA Player: "Mephiston?" *Both, now nodding in unison*: "Mephiston".

[@ph1lmaker]

I mean most competitive aeldari lists are running the Visarch in the harlequin blob. Sure the 4+ inv is a bit of a waste on the quins but he's decent in melee, gives ASF and the blob it's not quite as scary without him.

[@mikekearney5044]

Admech enginseer after seeing one of his beloved vehicles perish. 6 attacks s6 ap-2 dam2

[@Lil-ig7br]

I thought Auspex Played guard. I was expecting Sly Marbo for the Guard Champion

[@paulboudreau4371]

I'll take Lelith with wyches over Drazhar and incubi in the skysplinter assault

[@Asaliuru]

For guard it is Straken, he is a menace.

[@skinwalker1841]

miss old Berzerker glaive with World Eaters MoE that shit was so funny :D

[@akirakan5086]

Yep I clean swiped a Redemptor dreadnought with 12 devastating wounds with some extra overkill from the regular hits one game. Another game my friend was deathly afraid of engaging his Abbadon + Termi brick with the MoE since he loses on either Fights First or if I get to charge him instead.

[@0MaxK0]

Very harsh on the Visarch I feel, I honestly thought he'd be a 9/10 with his different options of special rules and fights first. Like the Aeldari version of a Blade Champion. Choosing Drahzar over Lelith was a gut punch though 😂

[@thecheesemaster2967]

Would've chosen iron hand straken as the champion for guard

[@jameskurth3560]

To be fair he kinda does fall into the commander role. He left out several great melee fighters who do more than just hit things.

[@TreyCarterJJ]

Raven guard needs love 😢

[@jordansedlacek5627]

Still upset about the Exalted Champion being removed. His combi-weapon's devastating wounds were very strong with dealing with Terminators.

[@SilverDragon5873]

I wish that the company heroes were more like the ravenwing command squad that can have a captain or join a small squad it would give it better options. The squad is too small to give to most captains.

[@Lowlandlord]

Hear me out tho, Master of Executions AND Chaos Lord. Blood for the Blood God, skulls for the Skull Throne, man.

[@aaronnunavabizniz199]

Orks have Snikrot

[@LordyT34]

I do miss my Glaived up Master of Executions doing 45 Damage to enemy characters ;n; Bring back +D3 damage!

[@WheelChair-yy1ji]

tyranids: hive predators adaptation. templars dont want you to know this😂

[@Tulkash01]

About LoV: the only thing Uthar is decent at is duelling...

[@ScholarAtArms]

If Blade Champion in Shield Host could take From the Halls of Armouries for +1S/+1D, he would be 10/10. Shame that enhancement is locked to the captains.

[@Ally.Cat.252]

Gabriel Seth is my Champion.

[@AW-qz4kk]

24:53 the dimachaeron meant warrior slayer. he should be their champion

[@MrMeltdown]

Brings a tear to my eye, what they did...

[@sirflapfla97]

Blade champ is a 10/10 in my book.

[@Taka_82]

Amazing idea for a Poorhammer episode. Pls Brad

[@llrecluse]

Master of Execusions is great for World eaters.

[@shadowywarrior]

maybe....judiciar with company heroes...

[@johnherrera5261]

Malum Caedo should be the new champion model

[@jacobescalante7487]

I'm sad Iron Hands Straken didn't get a mention

[@jameskurth3560]

To be fair he kinda does fall into the commander role. He left out several great melee fighters who do more than just hit things.

[@mikoajpietrych6168]

Someone forgot about: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@eldunae922]

Necrons never had a champion model, they have 0 "duel this guy" models.

[@hannesly6544]

Tyranids Champion type fella is a Norn Emissary would it not?

[@mk-ultraviolence1760]

As a Black Templar player and someone genuinely hates the look of Judiciar and his stupid rectangular sword (don't care if some real swords were rectangular, still stupid), he is still a better unit than the Emperor's Champion... Sure he does not have the raw dueling output or the style of the emperor's champion but fights first on an entire unit literally makes primaris crusaders or sword bretheren one of the most god awful things to deal with for any melee based army. It also doesn't help that said emperor's champion is largely superfluous with characters like helbrecht and his 10+ brothers reducing titans to scrap metal. Brother ZAWARDO actually adds something by making at least one unit more idiot-proof.

[@Damnedlegion40k]

Add a comment...

[@OwenIsDaBoss]

You didn't give the Tyranid champion to the Swarmlord??

[@ryanstucke7811]

There is only one Champion and he is the Emperor’s

[@Ely-vp3ng]

I'm extremely new to this universe... but I really like the Salamanders... do they not have a champion?

[@frostedbutts4340]

Salamanders only have two characters in Adrax and Vulkan, both are more 'captain' types that buff their unit.

[@mistercastillo6517]

I know it's not competitive, but I'm very fond of my visarch + yvraine + clowns unit, since in my LGS I'm mostly up against marines and short-ranged infantry so they've eaten up more than their fair share of squads, with my favorite memory being them moving up to within 6 of my very important and exposed wraithguards only to heroically intervene and eat a charging helbrecht + sword brethren brick

[@ProxyHammer1]

It's very competitive, several very good aeldari players have taken it and won big events or podiumed. You are playing them absolutely correctly as well!

[@reconjames2741]

I believe ragnar Is a solid champion

[@stag2551]

*cries in deathwing champion*

[@drewyoungkim9956]

MY GIRL SHADOWSUN GOT NO LOVE?!?!?!

[@halohead5655]

Wouldn't new lone-op Mephiston be a good BA champion?

[@BillyEichelberger]

Please do a judiciar video

[@ariolys2339]

5:59 in Germany* you mispell