BA Epistolary or Furioso Dred Librarian?

[LoverzCry]

Hey there guys,

I'm in a tough spot and I'm really torn on this list. Here's what's for certain with this situation: I've got my suped up Stormraven Gunship, packed with an 8 Man Death Company Squad w/ a Powerfist & Hand Flaner, a Chaplain with a Powerfist & Combi-Melta, and Chapter Master Gabriel Seth. Also in there is my Librarian/Epistolary, and my Furioso Dred with Blood Talons/Furioso Dred Librarian.

So, do I go with:
-Epistolary
-Furioso Dred w. Blood Talons

or:
-Librarian
-Furioso Dred Librarian

Totally torn. Opinions and comments?

[lowdog]

I would go with the Librarian and the Furioso Librarian. Here are my reasons:

1) Epistolary isn't really necessary with the Librarian. Your best pair of powers is probably Sword and Shield. Sword will give you str 10, and shield can be activated during your opponent's phase, so the fact you aren't an epistolary won't stop you from using both powers in the same game turn (BRB says you can only use one power per PLAYER turn).

2) While the Stormraven helps a dreadnought's maneuverability, the ability to take wings of sanguinus for a libby dred is huge, and goes a long way to ensuring that in later turns your opponent can't avoid him. Plus you get a 2nd librarian for psychic defense.

I would also take the powerfist off the chaplain since he's an IC and already has a power weapon. You can give that powerfist back to a random Death Company guy that can't be targeted and will still benefit from the Chaplain's rules. You can use Sword to make your Librarian the heavy hitter at his normal initiative.

[Midge913]

I would go with the Librarian and the Furioso Librarian. Here are my reasons:

1) Epistolary isn't really necessary with the Librarian. Your best pair of powers is probably Sword and Shield. Sword will give you str 10, and shield can be activated during your opponent's phase, so the fact you aren't an epistolary won't stop you from using both powers in the same game turn (BRB says you can only use one power per PLAYER turn).

2) While the Stormraven helps a dreadnought's maneuverability, the ability to take wings of sanguinus for a libby dred is huge, and goes a long way to ensuring that in later turns your opponent can't avoid him. Plus you get a 2nd librarian for psychic defense.

I would also take the powerfist off the chaplain since he's an IC and already has a power weapon. You can give that powerfist back to a random Death Company guy that can't be targeted and will still benefit from the Chaplain's rules. You can use Sword to make your Librarian the heavy hitter at his normal initiative.

I would tend to agree. If you are going to run the dread, I typically don't because ever time I don the get blown up before being able to do anything, I would run the Furiosos Librarian for the same reasons that Lowdog mentioned. Being able to get that dread into close combat post haste with the Wings is incredibly useful.

As for the epistolary upgrade it depends what you are planning on doing with him. My opponents typically run larger horde armies so I like to throw in might of heroes or unleash rage with sword just to make sure that I am getting the most bang for my buck in assault. In that case I pay for the upgrade. If you are going to run sword and shield then don't bother paying for the upgrade.