Thunder Hammer vs. Lightning claws

[BrotherMoses]

I would like to debate the efficiency and overall mathhammer of these two weapon loadouts. For reference purposes lets say the weapons are for a Vanguard squad. We are also using the lightning claws as a set. I will now list the advantages, as I see them of each loadout and would like to here your thoughts on each loadout as well.

 

Thunderhammer advantages

-high str ID potential

-stuns MC

-high str means wounds easy

-shakes vehicles

-can hurt vehicles

 

Thunderhammer disadvantages

-doesn't benefit from red thirst

-strikes last

-no extra attack

-striking vehicles in melee is often risky business

 

 

Lightning claws advantages

-rerolls to wound

-extra attack

-benefits from red thirst

-strikes at I

 

Lightning claws disadvantages

-not optimum against vehicles

-will need to roll higher against MC's

 

What do you guys think of this debate?

[Hfran Morkai]

I think you can get an extra attack with the thunder hammer, tis just expensive.

[Brother_Dan'l]

And while the Thunder Hammer doesn't benefit from all the effects of The Red Thirst, it does benefit. Being able to smack something with high AV 2-3 times at S9 will much more likely yield a kill than the same attacks at S8. And that makes S4-5 on the LCs pale in comparison.

 

BUT....

 

Against anything T5 or lower, but with good I or Inv Sv, Lightning Claws win hands (claws?) down. Even with the ID potential of the Hammer striking at I1 when it comes to destroying infantry squads is just too darn slow.

[JamesI]

I'd love to use lightning claws, but in my experience, the thunder hammer is more worth the points.

 

When I first started using Vanguard, I had one with 2 claws. Now he has a thunder hammer.

 

Now, if you go with 2 different guys each with 1 claw, then claws win out over thunder hammer for cost.