FW Leman Russ Conqueror

[This Dave]

I'm currently working on yet another Guard Armored Regiment (Friesland 11th Hussars, The Furies). As this regiment is supposed to be a fast moving cavalry type I was thinking of making two of the squadrons LR Conquerors from Forge World. They're not quite as punchy as a regular Russ but are more mobile since the main gun is a Heavy not Ordnance. My plan for using them is either to roll with the troops in the Chimeras or flank attack if I get that Warlord Trait.

Has anyone used these things since the update? Are they any good? Or would other LR variants work better as a cavalry tank?

[DWest]

I'd highly recommend against it- while the Conquerer's main gun isn't Ordinance, it also doesn't have any kind of supporting rule to increase its ability to shoot, so if you move 6", you're still firing snap shots with everything but the main gun . . . and it's the same points as a standard Leman Russ. I might say look at using a few Taurox Primes as fire support; they're not as well armoured as the Russ, certainly, but they can get a pretty decent punch for just over half the points of the Conquerer.

[40kGamer]

Not sure about the Taurox... they go down pretty easy for the PV.

[Haighus]

The main advantage of the Conqueror is that it doesn't have the heavy vehicle type, so you can move both 12" and flat out with it. Generally speaking though, this probably isn't that useful, although you could use it to rapidly move a fairly hard hitting vehicle up a flank to start hitting some side armour or get round cover with that S8 gun. I certainly wouldn't bother with sponsons though, as you probably won't be using them. Is also worth remembering that if you take them as part of Codex: AM they are pretty cheap, around the same cost as an Eradicator if I remember correctly.

Their selling point is their mobility, if you are not using it, there are better choices. The only except is if they are part of an Armoured Battlegroup list, they have access to some interesting alternative shells when used by Commanders, and they make a great Commander, because they can benefit from all the Warlord traits IIRC.

[Katharon]

All heavy tanks (of which the Conqueror is one) are not allowed to move Flat Out. Also, for the purposes of firing weapon, the tank is always treated as having remained stationary, so moving at Combat Speed or Cruising Speed doesn't matter.

The only thing that can change the BS is if it has a Ordnance main gun that causes any secondaries to be fired at BS1 -- retarded as all hell, but they felt that they had to do something.

[This Dave]

I'd highly recommend against it- while the Conquerer's main gun isn't Ordinance, it also doesn't have any kind of supporting rule to increase its ability to shoot, so if you move 6", you're still firing snap shots with everything but the main gun . . . and it's the same points as a standard Leman Russ. I might say look at using a few Taurox Primes as fire support; they're not as well armoured as the Russ, certainly, but they can get a pretty decent punch for just over half the points of the Conquerer.

Well damn, I didn't realize the stupid thing isn't a Heavy tank like all other LR variants. That does make it pretty much useless for what I want to use them for. Dissapointing!

Guess it's back to regular Leman Russ' and maybe Exterminators for my mobile(ish) force.

[Katharon]

Well damn, I didn't realize the stupid thing isn't a Heavy tank like all other LR variants. That does make it pretty much useless for what I want to use them for. Dissapointing!

Guess it's back to regular Leman Russ' and maybe Exterminators for my mobile(ish) force.

It was updated in an FAQ, it is a Heavy Tank.

[Haighus]

In IA1 2nd Ed, the Conqueror is not heavy, that is how FW has represented it's increased mobility since the 5th Ed IG codex came out (and they got round to updating the FW IG units)- the Conqueror has never had Lumbering Behemoth either. I was wrong about the points though, I didn't realise they were normal Russ price. They do come with a co-ax weapon that still has the benefits of being a co-ax though, which is nice. Need to be stationary to really make advantage of it unfortunately.

[Katharon]

I've sent an inquiry into FW to get a clear answer. They were updated at one point to say "Hvy Tk" for unit type -- even the Conqueror.

[Haighus]

When did you see the FAQ? I've never seen it listed as heavy. That to me looks more like a copy-paste oversight than anything. If there is a more recent FAQ than IAII 2nd Ed, I will happily update the rules I have in my head though.

[This Dave]

I've sent an inquiry into FW to get a clear answer. They were updated at one point to say "Hvy Tk" for unit type -- even the Conqueror.

The current IA1 2nd edition FAQ on the FW site doesn't mention Heavy vehicles anywhere I can find. If it does somewhere It would make me happy.

Though if GW itself would FAQ the whole Ordnance thing that would make me even more happy. Maybe in 8th edition.

[DWest]

When did you see the FAQ? I've never seen it listed as heavy. That to me looks more like a copy-paste oversight than anything. If there is a more recent FAQ than IAII 2nd Ed, I will happily update the rules I have in my head though.
The FAQ in question was issued at the beginning of 6th edition, updating all FW vehicles to use the HP rules and 6th edition vehicle types (e.g. Heavy). Shortly thereafter, IA1, 2nd Ed was published, with rules updated to 6th Edition standards and adjusted points costs. We're currently waiting for a 7th edition FAQ for IA1, 2nd ed, which is said to be in the works.

[CoffeeGrunt]

The current IA1 2nd edition FAQ on the FW site doesn't mention Heavy vehicles anywhere I can find. If it does somewhere It would make me happy.

Though if GW itself would FAQ the whole Ordnance thing that would make me even more happy. Maybe in 8th edition.

Seems fairly clear that GW feels Ordnance is fine as it is, given how it's held for 2 Editions now.

[This Dave]

Seems fairly clear that GW feels Ordnance is fine as it is, given how it's held for 2 Editions now.

About as clear as usual GW rules writing. The way GW seems to want things to work (standard Leman Russ with all the guns firing normally as seen in every photo and story) versus what they've actually written (Ordnance causes snap shots so almost no one uses standard Russes anymore).

[Charon]

Or barrage hitting more precise than sniper rifles :rolleyes:

[Katharon]

I finally got a reply from FW:


Hi,
Thank you for your email and please accept our apologies for the delay in replying to it. Imperial Armour volume 1, second Edition came out before the current Astra Militarum codex. If a tank is listed as a Leman Russ variant, then it is a Hvy Tank. This is likely to be appear in an updated FAQ for IA1 second edition at some point in the future.


If there is anything further we can do to assist you, or if you have any queries about the information we have requested or provided, please telephone us.

Regards,
Forge World

[CoffeeGrunt]

Ooh, excited for an updated FAQ for IA1:2E. Forge World seem to do more with regards to altering unit rules and points costs when writing an FAQ, so it should be a nice change.

[Da Gargoyle]

So, following Forge World's response, as I see it the Conqueror is a decent looking option. It is a Heavy Vehicle with a main gun that is not ordnance and thus can fire all its weapons at normal ballistic skills. Just drop Pask in to make it extra fun.