Runic Armor VS TDA HQ

[Odem]

With the new edition making 2+ armor better than ever in close combat I was wondering what people have been using on their HQ? Obviously Runic is cheaper for just the 2+ but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing any advantages on TDA other than a built in invuln and relentless.

[Khine]

With the new edition making 2+ armor better than ever in close combat I was wondering what people have been using on their HQ? Obviously Runic is cheaper for just the 2+ but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing any advantages on TDA other than a built in invuln and relentless.

 

cheaper weapons, chainfists.

[Wulfebane]

Invuln. and Relentless are the only benefits compared to runic armor, along with the purchase auto- granting you a power weapon, but the detriments far outweigh them.

 

With TDA, you lose combat grenades (unless you're cheesy GKs), cannot embark in rhino chassis and cost two capacity, cannot perform Sweeping Advance, and are unable to join some units for deployment (Scouts, etc).

 

For those reasons, in the instance of Wolf Priests, it is better to give them Runic armor, as their Wolf Amulet is already a better invuln save than TDA, and they come equipped with a crozius (power weapon).

 

For all other models, you're basing it off the wargear options you gain or exclude due to TDA (example: WLs cannot take frost weapons in TDA can take chainfists), as well as weighing the pros and cons already mentioned. If you want a cheap invuln (albeit crappy) then TDA is your best option.

[Odem]

Invuln. and Relentless are the only benefits compared to runic armor, along with the purchase auto- granting you a power weapon, but the detriments far outweigh them.

 

With TDA, you lose combat grenades (unless you're cheesy GKs), cannot embark in rhino chassis and cost two capacity, cannot perform Sweeping Advance, and are unable to join some units for deployment (Scouts, etc).

 

For those reasons, in the instance of Wolf Priests, it is better to give them Runic armor, as their Wolf Amulet is already a better invuln save than TDA, and they come equipped with a crozius (power weapon).

 

For all other models, you're basing it off the wargear options you gain or exclude due to TDA (example: WLs cannot take frost weapons in TDA), as well as eeighing the pros and cons already mentioned. If you want a cheap invuln (albeit crappy) then TDA is your best option.

 

 

Errata gives TDA access to both Frost Weapons for Battle Leaders and Wolf Lords. It costs 10 points under the same option as Power Fists.

 

So basically if I want to run a lord in a Drop Pod with a Wolf Guard TDA it seems a better option to give him Runic Armor and a Belt of Russ or Storm Shield and throw a 5th wolf guard in power armor down with him to get 6 bodies on the table. Would you fine folk consider this cheesy because it takes advantage of our mixed armor profile Termies?

[Wulfebane]

Errata gives TDA access to both Frost Weapons for Battle Leaders and Wolf Lords. It costs 10 points under the same option as Power Fists.

 

GDI.. That FAQ gets me every time....

 

Would you fine folk consider this cheesy because it takes advantage of our mixed armor profile Termies?

 

No. Its what we do! WG are notorious for mixed armor/weapons. In 5th, this was more for wound allocation than anything, but its still legal and viable.

 

...... Just put him up front. :)

[Jarl Kjaran Coldheart]

well, I roll with TDA despite its drawbacks because of Rule of Cool.

 

unless my Lords on a TWM, then its RA.

 

WLK

[Valerian]

From previous threads:

 

Instead of TDA, for the exact same points, you can equip your Character in Runic Armour. With RA, you'll have the same 2+/4++ saves as TDA, but will have the following additional advantages:

 

1. You'll have an additional attack in close combat, because you get to keep your pistol.

2. You get to keep your grenades.

3. You can still conduct a Sweeping Advance.

4. You get a 5+ save against Psychic attacks.

5. You only take up one slot in Transports.

6. You get to ride in all transports (I.e Rhinos and Razorbacks).

7. You can select a Thunderwolf Mount (Wolf Lord and Battle Leader only).

 

The advantages to taking TDA over RA:

1. Grants an Invulnerable Save for characters that don't already have one.

2. Models in TDA will probably look cooler.

 

EDIT: I originally made this list when discussing a Wolf Lord, who had a Belt of Russ, hence the 4++ Inv Save (same goes for Wolf Priest); a Rune Priest doesn't have that, so one advantage of TDA for him would be the 5++ Inv Save that it provides.

 

Valerian

[Odem]

Awesome, I missed that for a rune priest. I love Belt of Russ for a pure assault lord, but a little bit of invuln for a priest is a fantastic idea. Plus runes covering TDA armor will always look cool.

 

From a lore perspective, TDA armor is supposed to be for the oldest and most battle tested and oldest warriors if I remember right. So I guess if I wanted to represent this I would want TDA armor on my Wolf Lord as well.