Character Loadout for 6th -- Lightnin´ Punchin´

[Yarlen Fireblade]

I run several armies and wondering how are you people outfitting your ICs for the taking of Challenges and all the new shenanigans in 6th.

I´ll go first:

- My laser lance Autarch stays the same, only change is he got a Shining Spears bodyguard to benefit from withdraw and to keep his 6 str 6 attacks pretty much where needed and not wasted on on a nude sergeant.

- Belial needed a storm shield in 5th just to keep him from being smashed outright. Now I can reassign most wounds with look out sir, and he´s a beast on LCs. If challenged, I get the TH/SS sergeant out to duel, still saving him for the true combat.

- Running an heresy Raven Guard out of codex: BA ( no sanguinaries, no armor, no characters, no BA unique units... just DoA for precision landing, heresy aircraft as stormraven and pods) I´m VERY happy with the Power Fist/Lightnig Claw loadout on a Captain. I always felt LCs were bland, having lost their 2nd edition power fist hitting power. With the specialist weapon rule, now I get full LC or PF attacks depending on what I´m after. That´s just like using the claws or retract them using the power field on the fists, as they should fluffily be. A vanguard veteran (not the sarge, as it can be challenged by a superior character and killed outright) has PF/LC as standard too for me, and also works like a charm.

[Chris*ta]

Not answering your question at all, but ...

I don't think lightning claws can retract. The hand of the guy would be in the way of them doing that, wouldn't it? Also, they seem to be attached to the flat piece of metal across the knuckles, with no sign that they can slide back through that.

Sorry, I won't try to derail your thread anymore ;)

[Yarlen Fireblade]

Sorry, I won't try to derail your thread anymore ;)

No problem :p

Old school lightning claws were modelled so you could hint at retractability. Not complete, but 70%, just enough to use your fists. You can see that on LC old metal terminators. At least that´s what it´s always looked to me.
Nowadays it´s modelled as a power fist with the blades mounted on some sort of brass knuckle accesory. I still like the other model a lot more...

[gcsmith]

According to Fulgrim, heresy era terminator Lightning claws were completely retractable. It happens in the scene where the 1st company Sergeant of emps children kills an iron hands marlock.

[Chris*ta]

No problem :p

Old school lightning claws were modelled so you could hint at retractability. Not complete, but 70%, just enough to use your fists. You can see that on LC old metal terminators. At least that´s what it´s always looked to me.
Nowadays it´s modelled as a power fist with the blades mounted on some sort of brass knuckle accesory. I still like the other model a lot more...

I personally still like the old chainfist model myself. Looks so much better than the modern power-fist-with-a-chainsword-glued-on IMO.

Yay! It looks like I might've derailed the thread! Now I need to find somewhere else in the forum to cause trouble! Maybe I can find a rules thread to troll ;)

[Col.Straken]

It used to say in the LC entry they could be retracted so that the guy could still use his guns (don't know if that's changed now) I like the LC/PF idea though, I think I will try that out best of both worlds and some cool modelling options. So far as I am using Necrons my Challenge load out is a Des Lord with a 2+, war scythe (I2 goes before most AP 2 weapons) and Mindshackle (for the chance of the other guy not attacking me at all)

[Chris*ta]

It used to say in the LC entry they could be retracted so that the guy could still use his guns (don't know if that's changed now) I like the LC/PF idea though, I think I will try that out best of both worlds and some cool modelling options. So far as I am using Necrons my Challenge load out is a Des Lord with a 2+, war scythe (I2 goes before most AP 2 weapons) and Mindshackle (for the chance of the other guy not attacking me at all)

I remember in Deathwing for the 1st edition of Spacehulk, a LC marine specifically couldn't carry the damaged CAT unit/s (for those who don't know, picture a remote controlled car with a camera attached).

[Col.Straken]

I remember in Deathwing for the 1st edition of Spacehulk, a LC marine specifically couldn't carry the damaged CAT unit/s (for those who don't know, picture a remote controlled car with a camera attached).

I don't remember/know that far back as I only started playing mid 4th edition, however I do know what a CAT is (they have them in a Ciaphas Cain book).

[Chris*ta]

And they had one in the new edition of Spacehulk, with quite a nice model:
http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/338/6/1/c_a_t__from_space_hulk_by_olovni-d4i67ad.jpg

[Yarlen Fireblade]

I wouldn´t use my hands to carry that but I´d carry it over my terminator armored shoulders XD

Anyway, Necron Lords are quite good for challenge manipulation. Near imnpossible to insta-kill, 3 Res 5 wounds, a potential 3++ and a full array of CC weapons. You can always challenge other Characters, greatly reducing their impact. That way you can take their attacks from your troops and keep the opponent from piling too many wounds on your morale check.

Had to cope with that personally yesterday and my charge rebounded.

[Chris*ta]

I wouldn´t use my hands to carry that but I´d carry it over my terminator armored shoulders XD

Now I'm picturing a terminator with a CAT balanced on his shoulders.

Go go gadget someone who can be bothered converting/drawing it.

[Denzark]

I'm sure a FAQ (an MEQ one can't be arsed to look for it) stated that LC could retract - in answer to 'how can my character have x and LC?'

[Sinistermind]

Grey knight libby gets a warding stave ap3 but a 2++ oh and forceweapon : )

[pSyberKorps]

Sorry, I won't try to derail your thread anymore ;)

Rofl, looks like this thread got derailed before it even left the station haha

[Cap'nSmurfs]

I'm trying to decide whether to make some upgrades for my Tactical Squad sergeants, who currently have the basic loadout of chainsword and bolt pistol (Assault sarge already has a powerfist). I like how powerfists look, and I appreciate the extra no-nonsense punch they give units. But honestly for all-round use in challenges and beyond, I'm thinking the power sword is a safer bet - still denying most unit champion saves, still able to strike at initiative. Mostly one experience made me think of doing this: my sergeant got into a challenge with a Chaos Champion armed with a fist, and his chainsword plinked off the champion's armour before he batted him away with the fist. A power sword, on the other hand, would've sorted him out. Denying 3+ is still huge, and plenty for dealing with most non-IC types.

What are your thoughts on loadout for mid-range characters like sergeants? Am I insane?

[Tynskel]

I arm my sgts with all sorts of gear. I find the rulebook has rewarded me with my willingness to kit out my sgts.

here's just a handful.
Assault Sgt: Storm Shield and Lightning Claw
Tactical Sgt. Powerfist and Combi--Melta
Tactical Sgt. Power Weapon and Plasma Pistol

[Bellumvinco]

I find myself, more and more, thinking about taking AP 2 weapons with my ICs. I never used to spend points on Artificer armor either, but find myself kicking out the change for that too. The thought of my IC running into termies and not being able to pop the 2+ armor haunts me. The flip side is my opp not being able to pop artificer. I'm very curious to see if there is a pts change up or down in the 1st 6th codex for these items.

My Autarch model has been shelved...power weapon. My farseers don't want any part of being challenged. My Avatar...he is still a beast, but very jealous of the FMCs...

[thelion]

i still like belial with the th/ss option for Challenges with the addition of this new rule i have seen more and more people putting str 8 ap 2 weapons on there sgts. and have had to deal with multpul challenges pointed at belial aganst this the stormshield gives him a fighting chance