Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I just started a primaris army. So far I have
-Primaris Captain with sheild/sword.
-5 Assault Intercessors
-10 Primaris Intercessors
-3 Primaris Outriders
-6 Eradicators(I know its cliche)
Im trying to have a balance of badass firepower and melee capability to be able to shoot it out and go toe to toe with a melee centric army. My play style will either be punishing my opponent at range until they get close then crush them with my CC squads or have an advancing block of firepower supported by CC units and mobile units to grab objectives. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks again!

well, I'd say you've got a few things to think about.

You've got some outriders, which I believe are 4 wounds (maybe I'm wrong and they're 3, but I thought they were 4) and that's just about on the cusp of where you'd consider them to be "vehicles." As in, something your opponent could shoot a lascannon or a melta gun at and not be kind of wasting their time.

So the question then becomes, do you expand into a couple bigger vehicle things, like a transport for those Assault Intercessors, because you've already kind of popped the bubble of "I'm going to field only marine bodies so my opponent's antitank weapons aren't as useful".

In my experience, assault intercessors are primarily useful in a setup where you've got some kind of way to get them across the board, either in a transport, or using some kind of special stratagem like the Raven Guard to pop them up unexpectedly. Then, they're quite powerful units, but if they have to just walk across the table, they're less useful and you'd rather have the regular gun intercessors who are nearly as effective in assault situations.

the other thing to think about is what you're going to do about your opponent's elites. Eradicators are a meme, but they're not actually good at shooting EVERYTHING, they mostly just kill vehicles. If your opponent is also fielding marines (very very likely) then you'll want something to attack those 2 wound models. Plasma Inceptors are the option I see most people going for in the primaris roster, but Suppressors also do this job quite effectively, and Hellblasters can be good if fielded in a transport.

Sell them all and get a real army, orks.

You could consider a Librarian to allow you to play in that phase of the game.

If sticking to Primaris some Bladeguard would help add some more melee threat, or you could look at Terminators if you were willing to take some old school marines, they are currently as good as they have just about ever been.

Welcome to Dakka and the Space Marines.

What chapter do you play? That can have a pretty big impact on what units to choose.

Do you have any regular opponents? You don’t want to list tailor, but if they are repeatedly hammering a gap in your list, you can shore it up. On that note, is there anything you feel you are lacking on the table?

Adding a second HQ is not a bad call. Lets you take a battalion (If you field the intercessors as 2x5 man squads, you have the troops). They all do their job reasonably well, but do different things. I might choose one based on the fluff of your chapter, but it’s hard to go wrong with Lt.s or Librarians. I love chaplains, but have not fielded one in 9th (due to just playing crusade games and not having room in my roster). They classically lean into assault armies, but are a little more flexible these days. Plus they look cool.

Bladeguard Vets are in a good spot right now, have an awesome kit, and seem like they would fit your playstyle. Plus would give you an Elite pick. My inner Ultramarine likes to see one unit from every force org slot in a list. Makes for a good TAC list.