Forward Operations
Astra Militarum units usually need to stay close to their officers in order to receive their critical Orders. However, the Recon Squad is uniquely suited to operate in relative isolation from the rest of your army. Deployed deep in no-man’s land via their Infiltrators ability, they can still gain access to orders from their Vox-Relay beacon. You will place this token anywhere on the battlefield outside your opponent’s deployment at the start of the battle.
Friendly units can receive orders while within 6″ of the beacon, vastly extending the effective range of the Recon Squad. Your opponent can neutralize the beacon just by getting a unit within 1″ of it, but the Recon Squad has another trick up its sleeve when this inevitably occurs.
The Independent Operatives rule is the heart of the unit’s strength. Unlike other Astra Militarum units, once an order has been issued to a Recon Squad, they don’t lose it at the end of the round. Independent Operatives sustains that Order until they either receive a new Order or become battle shocked. Even cut off from their chain of command the Recon Squad will continue to operate with their mission in mind.
Whatever that mission is, they’re going to be well-equipped to complete it. Multiple options are avaiilable including the choice to take a single autostubber. Specialists in the unit can choose either a plasma gun or meltagun, while another takes careful aim with a long-las. Adding a little extra punch, a pair can form a weapons team armed with a missile launcher carrying frag and krak missiles.
Specialist Forces
There are numerous ways this unit can benefit an Astra Militarum army. They’ve got great synergy with Gaunt’s Ghosts who can infiltrate alongside them. As part of a Recon Element Detachment they’ll enjoy the benefits of stealth and an improved save while taking cover in terrain.
This is a very cool and thematic unit for Astra Militarum players and is chock full of characterful sculpts. I love the idiosyncratic clothing and specialist weaponry that really gives them the feel of hardened operators.
Cadia stands, but also sometimes lurks.
Source: Bell of Lost Souls
