Best Link Skills for Night Lords in Warhammer 40,000
The Night Lords are a notoriously tricky faction to master in Warhammer 40,000. Their strength lies in their ambush tactics, brutal close-combat prowess, and psychological warfare, making choosing the right link skills crucial for success. This guide will explore the best link skills for Night Lords, focusing on maximizing their strengths and mitigating their weaknesses. We'll also consider different playstyles and army compositions.
What are Link Skills and Why are They Important?
Before diving into the specifics, let's define what link skills are. In Warhammer 40,000, link skills are special abilities that units gain when they are within a certain range of a character with a specific keyword, usually a Warlord. These abilities significantly enhance the unit's effectiveness on the battlefield, making strategic placement and careful selection of Warlord traits and link skills crucial. For Night Lords, whose units often operate in small, deadly squads, choosing the right link skills can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Best Link Skills Based on Unit Type and Playstyle
The optimal link skill selection depends heavily on your army's composition and your preferred playstyle. Here's a breakdown focusing on key Night Lords units:
For Close-Combat Focused Armies:
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Preemptive Strike: This skill grants units +1 to their initiative. This is incredibly valuable for Night Lords, allowing them to strike first and potentially wipe out enemy units before they can even react. This synergizes perfectly with their ambush tactics and high melee prowess.
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Swift Assault: Swift Assault lets your units re-roll charges. This is particularly beneficial for Night Lords, reducing the risk of failed charges and ensuring your units reach the enemy in a timely manner. Combined with preemptive strike, this increases the chances of a decisive first round of combat.
For Armies Focusing on Ambushes and Outflanking:
- Shadow in the Warp: This link skill can be incredibly potent for Night Lords, particularly those using units capable of deep strikes or outflanking maneuvers. It allows the units to benefit from the cover of the warp, potentially making them harder to target before they unleash their attacks.
General Purpose Link Skills (Suitable for Various Playstyles):
- Master of the Warp: This grants re-rolls for psychic tests. While less directly impactful than others, this can be vital for reliably casting important psychic powers that enhance your Night Lords’ already formidable abilities.
Units that Benefit Most from Link Skills:
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Outriders/Outriders w/Lascannons: The speed and hitting power of these units are greatly amplified by link skills like Preemptive Strike and Swift Assault.
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Chaos Raptors: These fast-attack units, capable of both melee and ranged combat, benefit immensely from both initiative buffs and re-rolling charge attempts.
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Night Lords Terminators: The heavy-hitting power of these units becomes even more devastating when supported by link skills like Preemptive Strike.
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Talons of the Emperor's Children (as an ally): While not a standard Night Lords unit, their speed and agility are greatly aided by appropriate link skills for combined arms maneuvers.
Which Warlord Trait Synergizes Best?
The choice of Warlord Trait significantly impacts the effectiveness of your link skills. Traits that boost leadership or combat abilities directly synergize well with many of the link skills discussed above.
H2: Are there any other important factors to consider when choosing link skills?
Yes, several other factors influence your decision:
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Your opponent's army list: Understanding your opponent's strengths and weaknesses will help you tailor your link skill choices accordingly. If they are heavily reliant on psychic powers, for instance, Master of the Warp might be a top priority.
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The mission type: The mission objectives will also determine your priorities. If you know you'll be contesting objectives, you might favor link skills that improve combat efficiency.
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Point limitations: Remember to consider the points cost of your units and their associated link skills. Ensure you have enough points available for both your units and your chosen Warlord and their capabilities.
Conclusion
Selecting the best link skills for your Night Lords army requires careful consideration of your overall strategy, unit composition, and opponent. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different link skills and how they interact with your army's unique capabilities, you can significantly enhance your chances of success on the battlefield. Experimentation is key, so try different combinations and find the best setup for your preferred playstyle.
