Necron Doomsday Ark

[mallet_man]

This is an open thread (well when are threads not open :p) just wanted to know what other people thought of the doomsday ark as a heavy support choice for necrons, do you think it's worth the points, are you concerned about it having to remain stationary to get the strength 9ap1 large blast? Have you used it in a game yet and if so how did it go?

[Brent]

Hi, mallet man-

I've used the Doosday Ark in several games, and it's generally been worth its points.

With such a long shooting range, I can usually place it so that no one can get much of a shot at it (the only problem is making sure the Ark can see its targets).

Give it a try in a game or two and see how it works for you.

Brent

[HsojVvad]

Just make sure you proxy it first before you buy or make it. This way there will be no regrets, if you take the time to buy it, make it and paint it, and then find you hate it.

Only you can know for sure if you like it. Play a few games with proxies if possible.

[Happosai]

I've used one in a couple games so far (Brand new to 40k, and picked Necrons as the awesome death robots that they are) With the starter army coming with a Ghost Ark, I just put the Doomsday cannon together and slapped it on a base to proxy it as I had already built and not magnetized the Ghost Ark.

This unit is a beast. Wiped out a bunch of Orks with this gun, long before they even reached me. Then proceeded to wound and harass other units in the enemy army until it finally was destroyed. I likes it.

[SaganGree]

As nice as it is... is it worth the points? Especially when you have Annihilation Barges competing for the same slot?

[Chumbalaya]

I'm not impressed by it. It's expensive and has to sit still to make use of its gun. With proper terrain and smart play by your opponent, it won't be firing to full effect very often and likely into/through cover.

It's not bad as area denial or if you have the means to slow down/corral enemy units, but it definitely won't fit in every list.

Definitely try before you buy.

[Tzeentch_Guard]

I haven't actually used the Doomsday Ark in a game yet, but that's because I generally choose the Barges over it due to points difference. The Barges are more mobile (I'm a big fan of the mobile shooting), and if one get destroyed it's not a huge loss points-wise. Also, the Barge has a greater chance of having a higher return for your points ivestment.

[herigonz]

Definitely my big issue with the Doomsday Ark is the placement of the gun and having LOS issues. Unless I manage to play a game where there is a piece of terrain that is higher up or on a plateau like area, it normally gets destroyed before I get to fire off a shot. The other gun it underwhelming by comparison.

[pyroclasm]

Hmmm.... Haven't had a chance to play with it yet, but my friends and I have a rule we follow when we make lists. 10% of the points we dedicate to a unit we wouldn't normally take, or because it isn't as reliable. For instance, for Grey Knights, I will take a Xenos inquisitor with Conversion Beamer, in a squad of 3 plasma Cannon servitors. Not because they are that good, but because they are fun. If I would use the Doomsday Ark, I would use only 1, and only at 2000. I know that it won't reliably do anything, but I feel that having a giant cannon in the corner blasting shots off would be fun.

[docbungle]

As mentioned it does struggle with making points back due to those pesky cover saves.
Although they do have a large target painted on them as people are scared of the gun even before the know what it can do :D they dont generally last that long for me :(

But if they are shooting at that they are ignoring my barges and troops :)

Has anyone tried 2 of them for more coverage of the board?

[FTE-Charge!!!]

I really wish it was ord weapon, but whenever i use it i love it! It laughs at multi wound t4 models and when they are hiding its good for vehicles

[doogansquest]

Proxy it and play it. Only you can make the decision you will be satisfied with.

[the_puritan]

Seems like it would be better in multiples where there is less ability to avoid it. Also, it might be nice to pair up with Writhing Worldscape to disincentivize your opponent from wading through cover to get to you.

[Brother Cruorem]

No one in my gaming groups has used one yet, which is sad. I want to see one in action before I concider using one myself.

[Neb08]

it hasnt won any games for me it hasnt lost any either. I still would rather take annihilation barges instead though.

[billytwix]

I dont think its worth the points in this edition

[trygonprime]

I played with it to day vs a drago wing today and it payed for it self completle. It is a tool that Barges can't do and that ap1. It's not moving has never been a problem for me. For list that are in your oppoents face it can shoot all day long.

I love Barges though always have two.

[Mystery.Shadow]

I really wish it was ord weapon, but whenever i use it i love it! It laughs at multi wound t4 models and when they are hiding its good for vehicles

I've seen Necrons 'win' with the Doomsday Arks in Turn-1. BLAM! Oh, I'm sorry. Was that your Uber Veteran Squad? Whoops. Looks like your Terminators will have to walk now their ride is Scrap Metal....

[Joshh]

I'd imagine they follow the Vindicator Principle for Marines - one of them is a big target and will get slagged first turn, but 2 of them is a more challenging nut to crack and can probably do things before they get blown away.

So take multiples if you want them to make their points back instead of being a fire magnet.

[rebvamp13]

i just got one a few days ago i havent had a chance to use it. i think it will be good it will either not draw the fire then the main gun will fire and do more damage or they will try to bring it down and some of your other units will be able to do what they do best

[o0HoldFast0o]

My recommendation is to build Ghost arks but magnetize a few bits so that you get both vehicle options out of the kit. You can go the long route and magnetize everything.... or do what I did for a friend of mine and just magnetize the very front bit, cut the doomsday cannon down to just being the large bundle in the back and the front of the barrel, and there you have it. You can play it as either vehicle, and the overall length of the doomsday ark is only ~1.5 inches longer than the standard model. It may not look perfect- but good enough for the girls I go with :p

[Toaster36]

When I first went through the codex I thought, "I NEED these!" I'm still just starting my Necron army so I don't have any yet (or any playable models for that matter)

I think, as has been mentioned, you want to bring two if you're going to bring any. Just having one will make it a fire magnet, but two will force your opponent to choose the greater threat. Ark on the left, ark on the right, or 20 warriors with a phaeron marching up the center? That combination in conjunction with their range should give you a good chance to make back their points in enemy kills.

And if they get out flanked in the far corners of the table? BROADSIDE GAUSS FLAYER ARRAYS! /evil laugh

[VSzeus]

I run 2 and it is extremely effective ! I have (so far) always made my points back and more

[SeraphimAngels]

Though i haven't played necrons yet, (just started collecting them) I would have to say hands down I would rather have a pair of Doomsday Arks on my side, for me the template is a bit shaky to use at times but using a template against other vehicles means your hitting side armor automatically. Most side armor vehicles are from 10-13 values respectively. That mean 3+ at the best and 6+ at the wost.
Thats if you have to move it to protect it by moving it away from pesky power fists or the like. Secondly the Quantum shielding as I understand it means it has armor 13 (correct me if i am wrong) thats as strong as a vindicators front armor and one point away from Land Raiders.
I am a definite fan of utilizing cover for my tanks, I would do like some other people here and leave it on top of a building or terrain since its a skimmer. Stationary shot is a large blast S9 AP1 with 72"!!
How are people getting to that tank and blowing it up before you have a shot? Other than tau or insane setup of right on the deployment line, las cannon is 48". If someone is that afraid of your Doomsday Ark good! that means they aren't shooting the rest of your guys which with skimmers can be in their face in no time. I'd throw an Overlord in a command barge jet him across and watch his warscythe pop all the vehicles as the opponent wastes shots on the Doomsday, oh and if they don't shoot cuz your stuff is right in their face then you have basically a Railgun for tau large blast blowing their troops to bits and vehicles. :cool: