Warhammer 40K Space Marines Desolation Squad

TAG     : Warhammer 40K Space Marines Desolation Squad
GAME : Warhammer 40K

The Desolation Squad is one of the more recent and controversial additions to the Primaris Space Marines arsenal in Warhammer 40,000, known for its focus on overwhelming, indirect-fire missile weaponry. They are designed to deliver a torrent of explosive ordnance from beyond line of sight, denying the enemy cover and softening up targets before a direct assault.

1. Identity & Purpose - The Ranged Bombardiers:

• Artillery Infantry: Desolation Squads are specialized heavy support units whose primary role is to provide long-range, indirect missile fire. They effectively function as mobile artillery batteries, able to launch saturation bombardments.
• Suppressive Fire & Target Elimination: Their goal is to unleash a continuous barrage that can obliterate enemy infantry, suppress positions, and even threaten light-to-medium vehicles without ever having to expose themselves to return fire.
• Primaris-Era: They are Primaris Space Marines, clad in Mk X Gravis armour, which is heavier and bulkier than standard power armour, providing them with enhanced durability to withstand enemy counter-fire should they be exposed.

2. Appearance:

• Gravis Armour: They wear the distinctive, heavy Gravis armour, which gives them a more squat, powerful, and robust appearance compared to standard Intercessors. This armour often comes with integrated power cabling for their heavy weapons.
• Weapon-Centric Design: Their models are dominated by their shoulder-mounted missile launchers, making them look like walking artillery platforms. The launchers themselves are often highly detailed, featuring multiple barrels or intricate targeting systems.
• Integrated Optics: Their helmets often feature advanced optics and sensor suites, reflecting their role in targeting enemies from afar.

3. Weaponry - The Hail of Missiles: The Desolation Squad's entire purpose revolves around its unique and devastating missile launchers. Each Space Marine in the squad is equipped with one of the following:

• Superkrak Rocket Launcher:

  • Role: Anti-tank/Anti-monster specialist. These missiles are powerful, armour-piercing ordnance designed to punch through the toughest hides and vehicle plating.
  • Fire Mode: Can typically be fired in an indirect arc, allowing the squad to hit targets out of line of sight.

• Superfrag Rocket Launcher:

  • Role: Anti-infantry and area denial specialist. These missiles explode into a hail of shrapnel and concussive force, devastating squads of enemy infantry.
  • Fire Mode: Also typically fired indirectly, allowing them to rain down explosive death on hidden or entrenched foes.

• Castellan Launcher (Sergeant): The squad's Sergeant often has a slightly different weapon, sometimes a Castellan Launcher, which combines features of both Superkrak and Superfrag, or offers a more potent version of one.

Key Feature - Indirect Fire (often 'Ignores Line of Sight'): The defining characteristic of Desolation Squads is their ability to launch their rockets at targets they cannot directly see. This means they can hide behind cover, in ruins, or even off the board edge (in some rulesets) and still rain down punishing fire.

4. Battlefield Role:

• Backline Artillery: They are typically deployed in the back or mid-field, behind cover, acting as a mobile fire base.
• Area Denial: Their ability to saturate an area with explosions makes them excellent for clearing objectives, denying enemy advances, or forcing opponents out of favourable positions.
• Support for Advances: They can lay down suppressing fire for friendly units advancing into combat, or soften up enemy lines before a charge.
• Threat to Key Units: The Superkrak variants pose a serious threat to enemy vehicles and heavy infantry, while Superfrag excels at clearing out hordes or light-to-medium infantry.
• Vulnerability: While durable in Gravis armour, if an enemy can get into close combat with them, or directly target them with line-of-sight weapons, they are vulnerable as their primary weapons are not designed for close-quarters fighting.

5. Lore and Thematic Significance:

• Overwhelming Force: The Desolation Squad embodies the Primaris doctrine of overwhelming firepower and specialized units designed for specific battlefield roles. They bring a level of artillery saturation rarely seen from Space Marine infantry.
• Adaptability: They highlight the Imperium's constant efforts to adapt and innovate, even if sometimes controversially, to the myriad threats facing humanity.
• Siege Warfare: They bring significant assets to the Space Marines' ability to conduct siege operations, breaking down enemy strongpoints without needing to sacrifice valuable assault troops.
• Technological Might: Their weapons are a testament to the Imperium's capacity for mass-producing incredibly destructive, if sometimes crude, missile technology.

In summary, the Desolation Squad is a potent, albeit contentious, heavy support unit for the Primaris Space Marines. They are walking missile batteries, capable of launching devastating barrages of indirect fire to obliterate enemy forces from afar, making them a significant threat to any opponent who relies on cover or simply wants to avoid a hail of explosive death.

Warhammer 40K Space Marines Desolation Squad for sale from Leicestershire Airsoft
Leicestershire Airsoft is a Leicester based company.

Leicestershire Airsoft
Unit 2, Queniborough Industrial Estate
(behind the BP petrol station)
1487 Melton Road
Queniborough
Leicestershire
LE7 3FP

Opening times..
Thursday 10-5
Friday 10-5
Saturday 10-5

Our Quenibourough store is Leicestershire based are proud to offer a diverse selection of Warhammer products to cater to every enthusiast's needs. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting your journey into the Warhammer universe, we have something for everyone. Here’s a glimpse of what you can find in our collection: Miniatures, Starter Sets, Paints and Tools, Rulebooks and Codices, Books and Novels

Browse our selection today and unleash your creativity in the Warhammer universe!