Unit Focus: Striking Scorpions

[@minitwins2000]

I would absolutely go bananas if GW gave us plastic striking scorpions. What an absolute tragedy that at a time when Aspect Warriors have never been more viable and flavorful in game over half of them are still in fine cast. Love these dudes!

[@ChrisShipway]

I know I would be playing around with hawks, scorpions, etc if they were available in plastic.

[@Tearakan]

@@ChrisShipway you can make decent looking hawks from scourges fyi. You do need the right bases though

[@oitoitoi1]

ebay them in Glorious Metal

[@Gramsci]

And the ones they did update they also nerfed 😂

[@PhthaloGreenskin]

I just buy artel w models and tell GW to lick my Grundle.

[@eldenwarden9673]

Had to listen to the whole thing in one sitting.. Love these Craftworld sermons.

[@kentblacklidge9416]

Such good analysis, every time. Opened my eyes to new uses of the scorpions

[@Bodya_CN]

GUESS WHO'S BACK

[@Ransungg]

BACK AGAIN

[@Korumbos152]

Shady's back

[@getorix1]

Great video Brent. Always loved Scorpions definitely my favourite aspect warrior. They were the first unit I bought for my Biel-Tan swordwind back when they could count as troops. Still got my metal 3rd ed sculpts glad to hear my scorpion claw exarch isn't totally useless to me!

[@ProxyHammer1]

Dude nice! Got to love the scorpion claw and shuriken pistol combo from back in 3rd then immediately became almost unusable WYSIWYG when the 4th ed codex dropped!! One of the coolest scorpion sculpts imo even still!

[@WBConcilio]

Thanks! Yeah, I can't help feeling that Scorpions are the iconic aspect warriors of Biel-Tan, although I can't say exactly what makes me feel that way.

[@ProxyHammer1]

@@WBConcilio The green perhaps? Or the Artwork of the 3rd edition codex featuring a Striking Scorpion next to the Craftworld description? 😉

[@WBConcilio]

@@ProxyHammer1 that's probably it. Also, I am pretty sure I imagine them to be the most viscerally brutal of the aspects, which is totally on-brand for the Swordwind

[@ProxyHammer1]

@@WBConcilio Absolutely! Chainswords and maniblasters must sound and look absolutely brutal. Although truthfully being left crippled after a banshee scream and left for dead might be worse idk!!

[@Benji746]

Ive been checking every day for the next video. Can’t wait to watch

[@Maakeff]

Great, thorough, informative work as always. 🙂 I remain happy supporting this kind of output through Patreon. 🙂

[@WBConcilio]

Thanks so much Mark; I really appreciate your support

[@andysmith2235]

Ditto!

[@Buggritt]

Another fantastic video, now to make the transition between hearing the advice and actually doing it....

[@nuttyfessor]

Great video- I did not really play my striking scorps since AoC became a thing... going from ap1 to ap0 was more than I could bear. But now it is gone I will definitely be bringing them out again!

[@WBConcilio]

Yeah, AOC was rough on Scorpions- the Biting Blade on the Exarch was the saving grace, but you are totally right- now they are even better.

[@davidfeline5850]

Karandras is indeed awesome, thankyou this video is a great help for getting the most out of these aspects. I've only got a squad on the table very recently so I'm still working them out...

[@iamtib]

Love it 😀 and thttank you so much for featuring my models ❤️

[@WBConcilio]

Thanks for sharing them!! Love the black helmets

[@bermudatabletopwargamingbt4048]

I love Scorpions! I always have a unit in any list I play. Once ran 3 squads for a game, out of curiosity, this was 7th or 8th edition. The game was fun for me, not so much the other player. Not an optimal use of points, but fun as they ripped through and tied up so much of his army early in the game. To me Scorpions have always been solid.

[@tonydiep3076]

Not to bring this up again. Please do a longer Army Showcase. Your army and channel is making me want to start a Aeldari (diehard Necrons player here) army. Your army is awesome and deserves a proper respect in a longer form walkthrough showcase. Awesome stuff as always. 😍

[@WBConcilio]

Hahaha- okay, cool. I did a quick pan on Instagram, but I will see about doing something more elaborate, perhaps over the holiday. I am flattered you want to see them all in one place.

[@tonydiep3076]

@@WBConcilio Woohoo! can’t wait! Thank you

[@toysforthetoygod2671]

@@WBConcilio do it

[@andysmith2235]

Here here!

[@thereal_ce0172]

Belter video as always, been listening whilst putting up the deckies for christmas

[@Angelshammer]

Great insight! Really helping me prep for tourneys

[@gabrielbouthillier3954]

Welcome back! Awesome job again! Hope to see a vid on the Yncarne eventually I’m having a hard time playing it optimally, your insights would be much appreciated. Anyway i hope everything is well for you and your family.

[@WBConcilio]

I always know I left it too long when someone says "welcome back." :) Have you checked out my Ynnari video? The whole thing isn't on the Yncarne, but there is a fair bit. It's true though- I should do a Yncarne unit focus.

[@TheNarwhal85]

@@WBConcilio I second him I keep getting my yncarne killed

[@terrenord1222]

I use them as a delivery system for my Yncarne. Have a unit of ten attack a hard target turn one, survive the strike back, then get killed in my opponent’s turn for the Yncarne to jump in and destroy a softened target.

[@WBConcilio]

This is a fantastic way to play the Yncarne for sure

[@danielfoster6180]

Great content again. +1 vote for playing the primaries plz.

[@bright890]

Just following on from something you said at 5:40 Crushing blows does actually benefit from exploding 6s, the rare rule doesn't apply in this case. The kicker here is that crushing blows doesn't care about a particular roll, just that a hit was scored. The rare rule specifically only prevents hit rolls as counting as the dice value that caused them (i.e, I rolled a 6, got an extra hit, and that extra hit does not count as a '6'). In fact, the rare rule's language makes it clear that it does work with Crushing Blows - " If any additional hits are scored as the result of a particular hit roll, those additional hits are not considered to have been made with any hit roll - they simply hit the target" - simply hitting the target is what procs Crushing Blows - "Each time this unit’s Striking Scorpion Exarch model makes a melee attack that targets a non-TITANIC unit, if a hit is scored, that attack automatically wounds the target." What this rare would would prevent is something like using Bladestorm for exploding 6s in a Hail of Doom list, where those exploding 6s now cannot count as auto wounds.

[@WBConcilio]

Hey! I totally understand this argument, I just don't read the rare rules the same way you do. The summary box at the bottom clearly states: "if an attack scored additional hits, those hits don't benefit from any rules that trigger on a hit role," and Crushing Blows triggers on a hit role.

[@bright890]

​@@WBConcilio All good, I get where you are coming from but that's not the right interpretation. The rare rule simply doesn't apply in this case, because Crushing Blows doesn't trigger on a particular hit roll - just that the attack hit. Also one extra thing, the dot point summaries aren't actually the rules, just a handy summary - in attempting to simplify things, they conflict with a number of the actual rules throughout the core book.

[@bright890]

@@WBConcilio Also, apologies if that came off as rude! YT comments are hard aha

[@WBConcilio]

@@bright890 no, you are good. I understand your argument completely, but I am not persuaded that the intention or implication of Crushing Blow is that additional hits count as autowounds. I was in your camp when the codex dropped, but have since been talked out of it. I think that at the very best the phrase "particular hit role" is a bit like the phrase, "eyesbof the model" in seventh Ed which could be used to argue that wraith units could never have line of sight because they don't have eyes

[@retrovalkyrie2211]

Thanks for the tips! I'm looking at a potential alpha strike Ynnari list for the fun of it. Scorpions will definitely be there for it.

[@coldsteel.and.courage]

I run a alpha strike Biel-Tan. It's actually very successful into most matchups. I'm holding over 60% win rate in large and small tournaments. I often bring the falcons down the 1 and hold the assault until 2 (depending on opponent). I also definitely use Scorpions, one of my favorite aspects.

[@WBConcilio]

That's awesome, and I am glad to hear it is doing well for you. I love the thematic story that your list tells.

[@coldsteel.and.courage]

@@WBConcilio 3x falcon, Avatar, Fortune/Will/Ghostwalk farseer, Baharoth, 3x rangers, squad of warlocks, banshees, scorps, fire dragons, 2x hawks, and shining spears is pretty much it. It's pretty tricky setup like this.

[@ProAntagonistYT]

Was not aware of the interplay issue between Phantasm and Advanced Positions. Whoops.

[@WBConcilio]

You are not alone

[@darriandalangini377]

I just went to The MagnetBaron and they are amazing! I bought so many items.

[@WBConcilio]

I really love their stuff- especially the base magnets

[@ProxyHammer1]

Great video! Genuinely enjoy your content, look forward to seeing more!

[@WBConcilio]

Thank you!

[@ProxyHammer1]

@@WBConcilio My pleasure!

[@chrisgoddard7981]

Awesome video. Extremely helpful. Thanks very much. 👍🤘

[@Gramsci]

Likes for the like god. Comments for the comments throne!

[@Ironeth]

Dude. While you're pausing from tactical videos until 10th drops, a look at all the references would be incredible. Tyranids/Zerg/Heinlein bugs, Orks and soccer hooligans (so I've heard) there's a ton wild and hilarious connections out there. "Chaos magic" and all that. Do it.

[@WBConcilio]

Thanks for the enthusiasm for non-rules based content- I would LOVE to be doing a lot more of it. By late April, it is all going to be rules-free until 10th

[@ChrisShipway]

Comments for the comment throne, engagement for the engagement gods!

[@MrErchman]

HAVING GROWN UP IN CENNECTICUT!!! LOL So true.

[@messaroundhandleit]

Was reading the 3rd edition codex on biting blades and holy hell it seems broken. If you wound, you can keep rolling till you miss.

[@WBConcilio]

Hahahaha. Third edition was basically an RPG. Second Ed was even worse. Wraith Cannons an DCannons had a 50 percent chance of auto-destroying anything they hit regardless of wounds, armor saves, or remaining health.

[@colouredIncognito]

Do you have a video on shining spears already? Really looking forward to one

[@WBConcilio]

Tell you what- I will bump it to next. :)

[@scottpeoples]

On my 2nd listen through as I paint my 2nd unit of scorpions.

[@МаринПангелов]

It will be smart, to add that crushing blow don`t proc on extra hits is your interpretation of the rule. For me it`s it do, because the rule you are using is just about the hits on certain dice.

[@unbelievablytrash9458]

I never take Crushing Blows because using Guide+Doom and Scorpion's Sting is some of the best dice rolling fun that 40K has to offer.

[@BillyBartels]

Not to be "that guy" but it was 2nd or 3rd edition where the helmets got the stinger tail. I had the original ones in like 1990 and they were kinda plain, but with Mandiblasters

[@Grpace7]

Perfect timing, I just added scorpions to my list! Question about crushing blows, do you HAVE to auto-wound or could you decide to roll it? For example, you have an HQ on 1 wound and a Wound fate dice.

[@WBConcilio]

Woot!

[@pompyromage]

'Each time this unit’s Striking Scorpion Exarch model makes a melee attack that targets a non-TITANIC unit, if a hit is scored, that attack automatically wounds the target.' RAW no you cannot. I don't see how you can choose not to do something that happens automatically.

[@WBConcilio]

@@pompyromage Yup. You don't have a choice- it's just how the weapon works.

[@mikefett5989]

I like that phantasm was errata'd to affect 1 non air unit as I avoid infantry like the plague.

[@WBConcilio]

@@mikefett5989 it was. The video is a year old though

[@unmatterparts5922]

thanks

[@pompyromage]

Forgive me if im wrong but I understand a fight lasted unit cannot use the interrupt strat to fight until all fight first units have fought?

[@WBConcilio]

Yes? But Scorpions don't inflict fight last the Banshees do. So if you charged with a unit of Banshees and Scorpions in the same turn and activated the Banshees first, your opponent could spend 2CP to have whatever the Scorpions were engaged with fight before the Scorpions; however, if you trigger the Scorpions first, your opponent cannot use a CP interrupt on the unit fighting the Banshees BECAUSE banshees inflict "fight last"

[@pompyromage]

@@WBConcilio I understand, apologies i thought in the example they were both charging the same unit!

[@alexadre2142]

If you are able, including timestamps would make these unit focus better for rewatching, thx

[@samhunter1205]

Hi Brent. Sorry for the late comment - what do you think of the free strategic reserves in the upcoming season? Do you think that will help or hinder CWE? I have to say I am quite worried as someone currently running Ynarri. Most of my games involve positioning myself for a turn 2 charge by hiding as many units as I can in the mid board, which doesn't work nearly so well if your opponents can always bring in reserves to gain LoS. Lists relying in battlefocus to avoid LoS for defence could also suffer. Am I only seeing the negatives here? Would be very interested to hear your thoughts.

[@WBConcilio]

Hi Sam, I will definitely do a video on the new CA after it drops. Here is the short answer: new reserve rules will shake up the meta and may hit alpha strike lists- including some of the most competitive Ynnari builds- pretty hard on the front end. That said, I think the style of play that you describe- popular with many Aeldari players of a variety of stripes- will still be effective, you will just need to be even more judicious about screening your flanks before you make your move and being sure not to overcommit resources. Instead of jumping with everything on turn two, maybe you plan more measured pressure for a gradual game of favorable trades and then score big on turns four and five. There will also be some solid opportunities for Craftworlds players to null deploy without a webway gate, which given the fragility of our units is good for us. I think we will definitely need more durable units to screen out our flanks, but I would not overly worry if I were you.

[@samhunter1205]

@@WBConcilio brilliant Brent, look forward to it 🙂

[@alexlloyd2198]

Very useful but could you put a cavite in next time you say garentee charge, there is no garentee you will cast ghostwalk or that it won't get denied, also there are a few factions that can increase your charge range with strats, I have found this out the hard way and feel it would be good to let the new players know lol.

[@WBConcilio]

Okay, fair point. IF Ghostwalk succeeds, the charge is guarenteed, but with Strands of Fate and other potential bonuses, you can make it extremely likely, especially in an Ulthwe list with the Ghosthelm

[@alexlloyd2198]

@Craftworld Eldar you would think but sadly I experienced differently lol, still a very useful article. I keep finding strands of fate dice nice but again had lots of times I did not get that one dice I really needed even with farseer re-rolls, relics and strats.

[@WBConcilio]

@@alexlloyd2198 yeah, it's true. With two Farseers you have about a 77 percent chance of getting the one number you really need, which is not realiable- but at least you know before deciding to set a charge up whether you have a 3

[@NiskRanThawll]

I would say the helms are still scorpion like, they always had the dreads it was karandras and exarchs mainly... But it was always part of their aspect design in Jes Goodwins sketches and art in RT and 2nd Ed.

[@GTXanatos13]

What does (N/M)SU stand for? (not sure if you're saying n or m there)

[@WBConcilio]

"Minimum-sized-unit"- sorry about that! I know how annoying it is for people to use acronyms and lingo that they don't explain. "MSU" is the standard term in the competitive 40k community for squads that are as small as they are allowed to be according to the rules.

[@GTXanatos13]

@@WBConcilio Thanks, I've been calling that "bare points", but I've also been accounting for gear options in that.

[@viktorf6798]

Could you talk about the madlad running Saim-Hann list with 12 something spears and no psykers with actually some good results?

[@viktorf6798]

Realized it was vanguard tactics playing and they have a show about. Sry, thanks for great content as always!

[@scottpeoples]

I'll go rhythm... sound it out.

[@TenebrousFilms]

Wait... *when* did scorps get dreads? That wasn't a thing in the lead/white metal days...

[@WBConcilio]

I think these only exist in resin, so post metal but not super recent. I don't remember, but I feel like around 5th ed

[@AsianViking27]

Karen-dras, LMAO. Well played

[@WBConcilio]

:)

[@Benji746]

A couple of things I’m not sure about. Pretty sure you can’t use the biel tan strat for double exploding? Also banshees rule I think is that whomever they charge, that unit cannot fight untill after all units from the banshees army have fought

[@WBConcilio]

"May not fight until all; other eligible units have done so" means exactly that. This unit does not fight until there are no other eligible units on the table. Also, I know of no rule that would prevent both Sustained Assault and the Biel-Tan strat from activating. I have never heard of a TO disallowing it, and it is routinely allowed in tournament play

[@samhunter1205]

You definitely CAN use the Biel-Tan strat for double exploding 6s. The only rare rule relating to exploding 6s is that an additional hit generated in this way does not count as a hit roll of 6, it just counts as a regular hit.

[@Ransungg]

Oh boy, now I won’t just sacrifice my warriors T1

[@IamtheWV17]

I'm another returner after a very long time... very disappointed that all my converted exarchs with weapons like chainsabres and spinneret rifles have been relegated to legends....

[@ThKiller458]

How would you compare the Scorpions to the Warp Spiders? I have a 5 man squad of each, but my points make it so my spiders cant get gear or powers.

[@Tearakan]

They do completely different jobs. Try and figure out what jobs your units are going to do in your army.

[@ThKiller458]

@@Tearakan majes sense, I might just put one of each

[@scottpeoples]

What craftworld do you take the spiders and scorpions in?

[@ThKiller458]

@@scottpeoples well I wanted a far flung craftworld running vengeance and children if prophecy. Because I heard warlocks draw perils like nobodies business

[@scottpeoples]

@@ThKiller458 gotcha, those are some of my favorites. I guess buffing the scorpions is the better choice since spiders in this list probably are more utility instead of Killy but if you take jinx then they still have some Killy power too.

[@evanwoodham6296]

I think the crab Claw is better for Crushing blows. Apapapapap

[@WBConcilio]

Classic Evan. :)

[@alexwallace5639]

Please included time stamps directing to topics of conversation. If you're not going to do PowerPoints, that's more than fine, the models are lovely. But if I don't wanna listen to a 50 minute video, and only wanted to listen to the points about specific things, i.e Exarch Powers and Loadout, I wouldn't want to bounce about this video to find that.

[@WBConcilio]

Reasonable request. I was in a hurry to get this one up as I got a little behind with content creationb.

[@NickTaggith]

I get what you're trying to do with the whole "she/her" opponent thing... but come on man.

[@WBConcilio]

In some videos I use male pronouns for opponents, and in some I use female pronouns. I just want more people to play the game, and I personally would be less likely to try a hobby if all conversations about it used exclusively female pronouns to describe participants. It isn't virtue-signaling or some sort of activism- I just want more people to play because I love the hobby.

[@NickTaggith]

@@WBConcilio That makes a lot of sense and I should have been more open-minded. I agree, it would be nice to see more female players in this awesome hobby - whatever we can do to make the community feel more inclusive. Thank you for your work and the great videos you create

[@shaftlamer]

horrible presenation.