The Assault Intercessors are the close-combat arm of the Primaris Space Marine line, a squad of heavily armoured troops who trade bolter fire for chainswords and pistols. They’re the unit you push up the board to take objectives and grind enemy infantry down in melee.
What the assault intercessors actually are
They’re a Primaris Space Marine Battleline squad, which means they hold ground and score objectives rather than sit back and shoot. Each Marine carries a heavy bolt pistol and an Astartes chainsword, so they’re built to close the distance and fight hand to hand.
Compared to standard Intercessors with bolt rifles, they give up range for aggression. You’ll usually see them led by a Sergeant, and in 10th edition they can be joined by characters like a Captain or Lieutenant to punch harder.
How they play on the tabletop
Their job is straightforward: move toward the enemy, survive the trip, and win the fight on an objective. Chainswords give them a high volume of attacks, which makes them good at clearing light and medium infantry.
They’re not a hammer unit on their own. Against elite melee specialists or big monsters they’ll struggle, so you’ll want support. Transports like the Impulsor or a Drop Pod help them arrive intact, and characters add the extra damage they lack.
- Battleline role, so they’re useful for holding objectives and board control.
- Equipped with heavy bolt pistols and Astartes chainswords as standard.
- Best against infantry, weaker against vehicles and monstrous creatures.
- Commonly paired with an Impulsor, Drop Pod, or a melee character.
Wargear and options
The squad’s Sergeant can swap his chainsword for a power fist or thunder hammer, and take a plasma pistol, which gives the unit a way to threaten tougher targets. The rest of the squad keeps the standard pistol and chainsword loadout.
That flexibility is small but real. A power fist on the Sergeant is often the difference between chipping a vehicle and actually hurting it.
Where they fit in the wider lore
Assault Intercessors belong to the Primaris range introduced with the Ultima Founding, and they fill a gap the older Tactical Squad used to cover. They’re the line infantry that charges, not the veterans who hold the line.
If you want a jump-pack version, that’s a separate datasheet: Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs. They trade the footslogging role for speed and deep-strike pressure, and they show up in a lot of aggressive Space Marine lists.
Key facts
- Assault Intercessors are Primaris Space Marines built for close combat.
- Standard loadout is a heavy bolt pistol and an Astartes chainsword.
- They fill a Battleline slot in 10th edition army lists.
- The Sergeant can take a power fist, thunder hammer, or plasma pistol.
- A jump-pack version exists as a separate datasheet.
FAQ
Are Assault Intercessors good in 10th edition?
They’re solid as cheap Battleline troops for objectives and infantry clearing, but they’re not a top-tier melee threat on their own. Support them with characters or transports to get the most out of them.
What’s the difference between Intercessors and Assault Intercessors?
Standard Intercessors carry bolt rifles and shoot from range. Assault Intercessors carry chainswords and pistols and want to get into melee.
Can Assault Intercessors take a transport?
Yes. They fit in an Impulsor or a Drop Pod, and a Repulsor can carry them too if you need a heavier ride.