Jump to content

Baneblades in 1.5k and 2k lists


Recommended Posts

Interested to hear people's thoughts on the baneblade now. I'm considering starting a guard list focused around one, mainly because I think they are cool. Think Baneblade + escort as the list theme. I want to run 1,500 and 2,000 versions of the list. So, with that in mind:

 

1) Are baneblades viable at all in this points range?

2) Are baneblades comparable to an equivalent pts amount of Russes?

3) What do you think of as the best way to use it? Artillery? Up close? Transport?

4) Similarly to above, which variant?

5) 2 sponsons or 4?

6) What regiment?

 

 

Any other thoughts or experiences?

 

EDIT: Added 6.

Edited by Drudge Dreadnought
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1. I haven't run one in 8th yet but they are quite powerful, the codex buffed them a lot, given how cheap infantry are, you should be able to fit one in. Though you might not make a brigade so could lose a lot of CP.

 

2. Russ present more targets but aren't as durable and grinding advance is quite powerful especially when combined with tank orders (that being said the guns on the baneblade variants are much better), it's much easier to concentrate fire on a baneblade than it is two or three Russ. 

 

3. Personally I like fire support, though it does depend on what you face most often.

 

4. My favourite is the Shadowsword for pure destructive potential, the Hellhammer looks good too if you prefer to be up close and personal.

 

5. 4 gives great firepower but get's quite expensive, you also need to buy a separate add on frame from the GW webstore for about €15 for the extra sponsons. 

5. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At 1500pts it will easily be a 1/3 of your army and your opponent might not be prepared for it. 2000pts certainly worth a thought.

They certainly got a buff this edition and all have their merits. Mines now been queued to build.

Sponsons will certainly make it more expensive and higher priority. I think the question is 0-1 sponson pairs vs 1-2 pairs.

 

Regimentwise given they've dropped the movement penalty Valhallan or Cadian seem like good choices. One offers extra durability by essentially ignoring the bottom profile and not dropping to BS5+ until its at 6-7? wounds. Cadia offers re-rolls 1, I don't think tank orders will benefit BBs though. Possibly Catachan to re-roll hit profiles.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2k is good for super heavies to arrive I reckon, not only does it give you more points to absorb the cost opponents are more likely to be prepared to handle one so it works out better generally. As duz says at 1,500pts a Baneblade is a pretty big chunk so that's a lot of eggs in one basket for an edition that favours more baskets.

 

I think they work best as the centre to your force, literally and metaphorically. You'll need to protect it from assault so it can more readily carry out the killing so things tend to go that way anyway as you add some escort troops in. When in doubt take the Baneblade classic - it's basically a super heavy scale Russ so can handle most things well as an all rounder :smile.:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At low points level, the opponent isn't going to have as much to handle it.

 

Hellhammers are absolutely brutal, especially Vostroyans. You wouldn't think the extra 6" matters that much, but it allows it to almost always be in range, and 1 CP a turn for BS3+, Add in Yarrick nearby and it's a super crazy tank.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Im currently considering banehammers/doomhammers. Theyre not as powerful as the shadowsword, but they do have a rather nifty transport capacity, and the mainweapons arent too shabby either... while still being a bit less :cuss than the stormlord or shadowsword. :P

As to sponsons... I think at least one pair of sponsons is a decent idea for the casement variants, since theyll have to rely on the HB as their only secondary armament otherwise. The baneblade and hellhammer might be able to function without them though, thanks to the additional demolisher... Though a single pair of sponsons *does* seem to add quite a bit of extra firepower, especially in CC.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My favorite is the Shadowsword, with Tallarn's stratagem, this way your Shadowsword is safe from AT for a turn and he arrives toujours distraction your opponent (DISTRACTIOK CARNI.. SHADOWSWORD !!) and he Can destroy what yo want..

 

In stat, the Shadowsword Can put near 18 wounds to a T8 3+ save...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It seems that Russes provide far more durability, as they have the same toughness and save, but for the price of a baneblade you get 48 wounds worth of russes vs the baneblade's 26. With the new grinding advance, 4 russes with battle cannons = 8d6 shots vs the baneblades 3d6 and d3 demolisher (of course, the baneblade is stronger.) Russes also get orders.

 

However, the baneblade has the advantage of not getting locked in melee, and is easier to buff up with strats, auras and psychic powers (shouldn't be hard to keep Psychic Barrier and Nightshroud up at all times.) Throw in a Salamander Command vehicle for +1 hit and Trohjan support vehicle for re-roll hits. Then if it's Vostroyan, another +1 to hit from strats and you can have it hitting on 2's with a re-roll, 2+ armor, and -1 to hit it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've been using one in a 2K (100 PL) Armoured company since 8th started. Plus it helped in Primaris army as well.

 

1) For fairness I'd say in 2K sure, 1.5K, you can but it might not be as fun for your opponent.
2) In terms of wounds and fire power, no. But in movement and the fact it can't be locked in CC is a major bonus.
3) Artillary/Up close would be best.
4) Can't go wrong with the basic, the bonus dice to it's main gun is nice too.
5) Personally I go 4, but I do PL games. On that I would suggest the HF version if you face a most assault based armies, 8D6 HF shots hitting an assault unit stings.
6) Personally I'm going to say Vahallan since it won't take a penalty until it's nearly dead (6/26 wounds). This way you can also keep up the pace so not need the tallarn version.

Edited by Focslain
Link to comment
Share on other sites

At low points level, the opponent isn't going to have as much to handle it.

 

Hellhammers are absolutely brutal, especially Vostroyans. You wouldn't think the extra 6" matters that much, but it allows it to almost always be in range, and 1 CP a turn for BS3+, Add in Yarrick nearby and it's a super crazy tank.

You don’t get the doctrine if you just take the single super heavy auxiliary formation sadly :/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

At low points level, the opponent isn't going to have as much to handle it.

 

Hellhammers are absolutely brutal, especially Vostroyans. You wouldn't think the extra 6" matters that much, but it allows it to almost always be in range, and 1 CP a turn for BS3+, Add in Yarrick nearby and it's a super crazy tank.

You don’t get the doctrine if you just take the single super heavy auxiliary formation sadly :/

 

 

Add in 120 points for 3 primaris psykers for the supreme command detatchment and you do

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.