Dark Angels Review: HQ: Interrogator-Chaplain

Hi everyone, Michael here with a review of another of the Dark Angels’ unique units, the mighty Interrogator-Chaplain. For more reviews, analyses and battle reports, check out the Tactics Corner.

Overview:

The Interrogator-Chaplain is a Space Marine Chaplain on steroids. He comes with boosted stats compared to a Chaplain and some great special rules. The Interrogator-Chaplain has a Space Marine Captain’s stats (though with WS5 instead of WS6) for only 20 pts more than a regular Chaplain. He is primarily a combat character, his special rules helping to boost a unit that he joins. He can be given a number of wargear options to help keep up with the fastest units in the Dark Angels army.

Wargear:

• Bolt Pistol
• Crozius Arcanum
• Frag and Krak Grenades
• Rosarius
• Can take Melee weapons, Ranged weapons, Special Issue Wargear and Relics of Caliban.
• Can take a Power Fist
• May take a Space Marine Bike
• Can take Terminator Armour (replacing his Bolt Pistol and Frag and Krak Grenades). May also take a Combi-flamer, Combi-melta or Combi-plasma in Terminator Armour.

Special Rules:

• Deathwing- Fearless and Hatred (Chaos Space Marines)
• Fear
• Grim Resolve- Stubborn and fires Overwatch at BS2 (unless Jinking)
• Independent Character
• Preferred Enemy (Chaos Space Marines)
• Zealot

Tactics:

For me, the Interrogator-Chaplain is a buff character for the Dark Angels, particularly boosting any combat units that he joins in the army. He gains +1 BS, I, W and A on a regular Chaplain, for only 20 points more, which I think is well worth the cost. These stats increases give the Interrogator-Chaplain a measure of increased durability and ability in combat.

He also provides a host of Leadership buffs to any unit he joins, having two lots of Fearless and Stubborn! Not that these abilities stack in the game, but he will keep a unit in the fight throughout the game.

The Interrogator-Chaplain will also greatly benefit the Dark Angels army if you are playing against Chaos Space Marines, giving the unit both Hatred and Preferred Enemy for Chaos Space Marines. This will really boost the damage output of any unit he joins when targeting these units.

For me, the Interrogator-Chaplain works best in a unit of Black Knights or Ravenwing Command Squad. These units are already pretty potent in combat and the Zealot re-rolls that the Interrogator-Chaplain provides makes this unit even more awesome in battle, as well as boosting their morale through Fearless. The Black Knights also compliment the Interrogator-Chaplain, providing him with Hit and Run when he joins the unit and stopping him from getting locked in unfavourable combats.

Fear is also a useful special rule for a combat-centred unit, providing you remember it of course! I use the Interrogator-Chaplain all the time and don’t think I’ve ever remembered that he has Fear in a game. With so many units immune to Fear and ignoring its effects, it is a very situational bonus to have, but is well worth remembering for those times when your opponent is likely to fail, further boosting your abilities in combat.

When I field the Interrogator-Chaplain, he comes armed with a Bike, Auspex, Meltabombs and the Mace of Redemption. He will join a unit of Black Knights to greatly boost their abilities with his special rules and wargear. The Auspex helps somewhat negate the cover of saves of your opponent, allowing the Black Knights’ Plasma Talons to cause maximum carnage. The Mace of Redemption is a power weapon with +3S AP3, along with Blind and Concussive. I think the Interrogator-Chaplain really needs at least an AP3 weapon to compete in the game, as this allows him to take on the ever-abundant Space Marines. With this armament, he gets 5 attacks on the charge at S7 and AP3. This should allow him to take on most opponents in combat, wounding on a 2+, but still striking at initiative. Having Blind on the weapon is also great, giving you another chance to make your opponent WS1 if they pass their Blind test or are immune to it. As a further bonus, the Mace of Redemption goes down to AP1 when facing Chaos Space Marines!

Alternatively, you can always equip him with Terminator Armour and put him with a unit of Deathwing Terminators or Deathwing Knights. The Interrogator-Chaplain will further boost the combat abilities of both units, particularly the Deathwing Knights, who can pack a great punch in combat.

Overall, I think the Interrogator-Chaplain is a great HQ choice for a Dark Angels army. He is my first choice for HQ unit thanks to his combat ability and buffs he provides to a unit in the army.

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