Containment Operatives

"The Crucible Guard contains many brilliant scientists and alchemists, all segregated into various research orders or combat cells based on their areas of expertise. Combat alchemists, for example, are those individuals with a skill not just in alchemy but in its battlefield application. Often they will sneak onto the battlefield themselves, where they can test all manner of strange brews on the enemy.

Some combat alchemists prefer scientific observation from afar, as it is much more likely you’ll live long enough to record and study your data tomorrow. These cautious types are equipped with long-range alchemical projectors—tubelike weapons that use gas propellant to fire cannisters of chemicals deep into enemy ranks. As long as the alchemist’s aim is true, the results are not only fascinating but occur at a distance that promotes a long life of continued study and alchemical application.

Basic Info

Abilities

• Template:Immunity: Corrosion
• Template:Immunity: Fire
• Template:Pathfinder
• Template:Alchemical Mask
• Template:Prowl

Weapons

Alchemical Projector
File:Gun icon.jpg		RNG			ROF			AOE			POW
		14			1			3			Template:Star
Template:Arcing Fire Template:Attack Type Template:Acid Bomb Template:Hull Tincture Template:Weaponized Psychotropic

Theme Forces

• Crucible Guard
  • Template:Magnum Opus
  • Template:Prima Materia

• Other Factions
  • Infernal players can use this model in the Template:Hearts of Darkness theme, but only if Lukas is leading the army.
  • Mercenary players can use this model in the Template:Llaelese Resistance theme. This unit becomes Llaelese and gains Pathfinder in this theme.

Thoughts on Containment Operatives

Containment Operatives in a nutshell

PP's announcement blurb: Containment Operatives are a 3-model unit armed with long-range alchemical projectors, which can fire three different types of alchemical cannisters via their Attack Types. Some of these Attack Types are purely offensive, such as their Weaponized Psychotropic attack, while others are meant to be beneficial to friendly models. The Hull Tincture attack, for example, does no damage but instead heals all friendly Faction constructs within in its AOE.

The Containment Operatives are a versatile unit that works well with a wide variety of army types, though they particularly appreciate warcasters who can supplement their ranged attacks, such as Marshal General Baldwin Gearhart."

Whereas Combat Alchemists are a close range unit that set up other models with debuffs such as ice cage the Containment Operatives have more of an offensive role and offer...

1) Hull Tincture - your long range repair tool, this shot type is of slightly reduced value when Cutting Edge is a theme benefit.

2) Acid Bomb - although this shot type is also on the combat alchemists the significantly increased range really comes into its own on these guys.

3) Weaponized Psychotropic - useful to take high value Warrior models out of the game for a turn. With reduced LOS they probably won’t be able to charge or aim.

Combos & Synergies

• Baldwin - Veteran Leader makes them RAT 7 and Snipe and Arching Fire lets them deliver their shots deep into enemy lines and harass key support pieces. Deceleration helps them survive blasts.
• Lukas - put a Burning Ash template on them to trigger Prowl
• Mackay or a Railless Interceptor has exhaust fumes which they can hide in.

Drawbacks & Downsides

• 3 person units are rarely worth dedicating spell support to.
• Prima Materia warjacks and battle engines already heal themselves, and while Prospero may appreciate the heal it’s a bit of a waste of a 2.6 point model.
• Expensive points wise.
• They have no game into corrosion immune non warrior models like the Corruptor or Slag Troll unless you can remove the immunity with a Vulcan.

Tricks & Tips

• Weaponized Psychotropic reduces the LOS for everything the model tries to do.
  • Obviously when they try to target your models with ranged attacks or charges, their LOS will be hampered.
  • Less obviously, when they try to target each other with buffs (such as Battle Plans, Empower, Consume Fury, etc) then they're going to have problems with LOS too.
  • It has no "living" clause meaning it applies to Asphyxious4 and every kind of Archon, crippling them severely.

Other

Trivia

Released 2021.05