How do you Run your Stromraven?

[IndigoJack]

Counting on a rend to pen AV14 isn't really smart play. You have the MM for that, and numerous psycannons on the ground. The storm ravens purpose is transport and AA, which the MM and the AC do fine. Yes, the AC is less efficient than an AC with psybolts, but it's not worth paying 20pts.

[Rommel44]

Counting on a rend to pen AV14 isn't really smart play. You have the MM for that, and numerous psycannons on the ground. The storm ravens purpose is transport and AA, which the MM and the AC do fine. Yes, the AC is less efficient than an AC with psybolts, but it's not worth paying 20pts.

 

Not necessarily true mate. In my case, again, Im running a pure Inquisition Henchman army with no power armor, so no psycannons for me, which makes the Stormraven build a bit more crucial for an army like mine. And as for builds for taking on AA, a friend suggested this build and I just wanted your guy's take on it. He suggested I run my 2x Stormravens as such:

 

Stormraven:

-w/TLLC, Typhoon Missile Launcher, Searchlight

 

Not the cheapest build but neither the most expensive, this build allows me to have some powerful long-range anti-tank firepower, with the TML giving me some more anti-infantry ability with using them as frag missiles.Plus as he pointed out, it gives me 2x S8 shots, which can give me more chances to destroy enemy armor , and the extra 24 inches compared to the MM is always nice. Part of the reason for this build to is that I also plan on fielding squads of henchman in them to shadow-strike out of it to contest/capture objective or just raise as much hell as possible. These particular Henchman will be fielding: 12x Inquisitorial Henchman w/Carapace Armor, 9x Hot-Shot Lasguns & 3x meltas. Now I know the Hot-Shot Lasgun isnt that amazing of a weapon, however I have seen squads of deep-striking Imperial Guard Stormtroopers just wreak SM's and other armies with these units, as they can dish out a lot of hurt at the right time. Still optimistic about them, but if push comes to shove, then Ill just drop  the Hot-Shot in favor of Bolters to keep them cheap.

[IndigoJack]

Well, henchman armies have have access to melta, which is even better than rending shots. The key to henchman armies, is specialization. Dedicated melta units, fire support, and objective campers are important to making henchman work.

 

While I don't like the TML on the SR, I can see the allure of using it.

[adamv6]

 

Counting on a rend to pen AV14 isn't really smart play.

 

Statistically, I am pretty sure it was been proved that an TL AC has a better chance to Pen AV14 than a TL Lascannon.

 

Adding a +1 to that for 20pts has to make sense?

[IndigoJack]

My point is, why are you using your flyer to hunt AV14, when there are more efficient choice available. Henchman have melta, GKs have psycannons and dreadknights, all of which are more efficient than the assault cannon with psybolt ammo on the storm raven. Yes, an assault has a better chance to pen AV14 than an LC, but an LC is better at hunting AV11, and AV12. I'm not trying to say that the assault cannon is a bad choice, but it's not worth 20pts for psybolts if it's the only weapon affected by the upgrade.

[Brother Maikel]

My point is, why are you using your flyer to hunt AV14, when there are more efficient choice available. Henchman have melta, GKs have psycannons and dreadknights, all of which are more efficient than the assault cannon with psybolt ammo on the storm raven. Yes, an assault has a better chance to pen AV14 than an LC, but an LC is better at hunting AV11, and AV12. I'm not trying to say that the assault cannon is a bad choice, but it's not worth 20pts for psybolts if it's the only weapon affected by the upgrade.

Actually, a TLLC is worse at hunting AV11 or 12 than a TLAC even without psybolts.  See my post on the first page for the actual breakdown: the TLAC will produce at least the same number of pens, while producing additional glances vs AV11, and produces pens vs AV12 when a TLLC would produce a glance.  I agree that I wouldn't pay for psybolts for just the TLAC, but if you've also got Hurricanes the math starts to change IMO.

 

@Rommel44, I'd never pay for a Typhoon.  Its worse at tank hunting of any sort than a TLMM, is worse against 2+ armour, and doesn't provide enough benefit against light/medium infantry in return, even if it weren't 25pts.  And outside of a very few corner cases the 24" of range difference won't be an issue, especially for the nose-mounted weapon.

[IndigoJack]

Looking at glances and pens does make the AC come out ahead, but when you add in chance of explosion, the TLLC comes out ahead with 20% against AV11 and 15% chance against AV12 vs an assault cannons 10% on AV11 and AV12. I agree, an AC will strip hullpoints faster, and would be my prefered weapon were I not living in fear of the heldrakes that haunt my FLGS. Each weapon has their merits, and each is good at hunting flyers in their own right. The TLLC just satisfies my need for instant gratification

[Inquisitor Fox]

I think you are better off with two krak missiles when trying to kill Marines.  You're better off with two krak missiles when firing at anything with Ceramite Plating / Living Metal (other Marine fliers or Necrons).  If you get that +1BS ace flier trait thing you're better off with two shots at hitting on 2's than one shot with a re-roll IMO.  Also that additional range for long range sniping of enemy vehicles does come into play when dog-fighting other fliers.  Remember it's not just about one single high roll now... you want Hull Points.  If you generate 3 or more glances in a turn what damage result you roll doesn't matter, the vehicle is destroyed.

 

I will admit, if you're looking to just pop heavy vehicles there's a point to the TLMM.  It's also cheaper.  But there are also points to the Typhoon Missile Launcher as well.  Personally I just think the versatility of it pairs well with the "psycannon" and Hurricane Bolter setup.  A TLMM can only handle really enemy vehicles, the Typhoon Missile Launcher handles more things.

 

It comes down to a personal choice between specialization, and well-roundedness while still being able to perform in a tank hunting role.  As my budget is limited, and my playstyle well rounded adaptability, I go with well-roundedness every time.

[Brother Maikel]

If the typhoon were a free swap, like the Heavy Bolter, or were somewhere around 5 points then I'd probably consider it at least.  I still think the TLMM is the better option, since you generally get at least 2/3rds the hits with a (sometimes much) better weapon vs vehicles and heavy infantry, and the frag blasts are a nice option to have, but 25pts is way too much to pay for the package.  Even if the only enemies I ever faced were such that the typhoon was always the better option than the TLMM I'd still probably spend those points on psybolts, or a brotherhood banner, or an extra plasma cannon servitor, or hurricane bolters, or whatever.

 

(BTW, Living Metal no longer affects armour penetration.  It has something to do with crew shaken/stunned results.  My necron-playing friend was rather irked about that when the new codex dropped.)

[Inquisitor Fox]

Heh, shows you how much I have to fight Necrons lately doesn't it? :D

[IndigoJack]

Living metal ingores crew shaken on a 2+, and crew stunned on a 4+. It's like fortitude, just not as good.

[Zeratul29]

Does anyone else find it annoying how prevalant necrons are? I know its a newer army and all but its getting annoying playing them so much, i'm just glad their flyers suck vs our storm raven :)

[thade]

Does anyone else find it annoying how prevalant necrons are? I know its a newer army and all but its getting annoying playing them so much, i'm just glad their flyers suck vs our storm raven

We have very few Necron players out here. The most frequent one is painting a rather spectacular looking Dark Angel army right now. He also plays Salamanders (most frequently) so Necrons are seldom seen. I have a friend who has only Necrons and is painting them and loves them but plays extremely rarely. And...that's my only exposure to Necrons. Out here it's a lot of Space Marines and (finally) some Chaos Marines. Some traitor guard. GK. One bad ass Sisters player. And a Tau guy. Oh, and Awfulawful plays Imperial Fists and a sweet converted Adeptus Custodes force.

[Rommel44]

Does anyone else find it annoying how prevalant necrons are? I know its a newer army and all but its getting annoying playing them so much, i'm just glad their flyers suck vs our storm raven

We have very few Necron players out here. The most frequent one is painting a rather spectacular looking Dark Angel army right now. He also plays Salamanders (most frequently) so Necrons are seldom seen. I have a friend who has only Necrons and is painting them and loves them but plays extremely rarely. And...that's my only exposure to Necrons. Out here it's a lot of Space Marines and (finally) some Chaos Marines. Some traitor guard. GK. One bad ass Sisters player. And a Tau guy. Oh, and Awfulawful plays Imperial Fists and a sweet converted Adeptus Custodes force.

What SOB list does the player run. Also kinda surprised they didnt give the SOB a flyer of there own.

[Inquisitor Fox]

The Sororitas can take the Avenger Strike Fighter, but it's a Forgeworld model so some people get their panties in a knot about it

[Rommel44]

Looks like an awesome model. Is it armed with an Assault Cannon and 2x Lascannons?

[Inquisitor Fox]

No, it's got it's own avenger bolt cannon (s6 ap3 heavy 7), two lascannons, then you can add two additional weapons (i'm taking 2 missile launchers when I get one), in addition to a rear facing heavy stubber.  It's also got strafing run.  Pew pew.

 

That being said, Stormravens :D