Synergy: Why it works

Synergy:

syn⋅er⋅gy
[sin-er-jee]
–noun, plural -gies.
1. combined action or functioning; synergism.
2. the cooperative action of two or more muscles, nerves, or the like.
3. the cooperative action of two or more stimuli or drugs.

Ok, we'll ignore the 2nd two definitions and focus on the first because that is what we need to focus on for 40k.

Combined action or functioning.

We know that for a unit to fit into an army it must have a function, A thundershield terminator squad is good, but with the synergy of the Land Raider, it becomes brutal. Why? because the Land Raider lets it get to the enemy much faster and more reliably than would otherwise be possible. Sure, they can Deep Strike, but then they sit there and get shot to hell for a full turn by the enemy before they can do anything and with some poor luck you can be left out of assault range. This is where the Synergy of the Land Raider shines.

Put 5 of these guys in a Land Raider and you have the protection of Armor 14 all around, Run the land raider up 12" and pop smoke, next turn run it wherever you want to and drop out the thundershield termies and you should be all but guaranteed that they will be able to assault exactly what you want them to.

There are many examples of this, each Codex has them. look for them, use them and your army should improve it's results.

Some are obvious (Thundershield Termies and Land Raiders) Others are not so obvious, such as Drop Pod Locator Beacons and Land Speeders that Deep Strike. Want to put that multi-melta where you want with no chance of scatter? use the Locator Beacon's power.