Who to lead a DCA assault unit? BC or Inq

[guillaume]

I have been toying with my 1500pts list.

 

Coteaz is the de facto HQ as he allows me a unit of 6 death cult assassins and 4 crusaders to count as scoring unit.

 

The 6DCA and 4 (2 modeled with axes) crusaders are generally in a stormraven, so at best they don't see combat before turn 3.

 

I always used to have a Malleus Inq with grenades (both rad and psycho) as a cheapo addition to this assault unit.

 

However I have been thinking the following.

 

A Inq with Mastery level 1 and prescience (re-roll failed to hit), Rad grenades, psycho grenades and Scythian venom talon (why not, he only has st3, the talon is poisoned 2+. With 4 attack on the charge, why shouldn't he be able to kill things?) is 100pts

 

A Brotherhood champion is 100pts as well.

 

I am having real difficulty in choosing. The Inquisitor presience feels so good, the BC has something similar but only on the charge turn. However the BC will probably live forever (damn st6 weapons against) the Inq) especially if I still 4 crusaders alive.

 

In a complete vacuum, seeing as these two setups cost the same point, which do you feel is more supporting of the DCA and crusader unit considering this unit will have 2-3 left in the game?

 

[Gentlemanloser]

They both give Rerolls to hit, but the Brotherhood Champion doesn't have Rad genades to buff the killing fo the entire unit.

 

On the other hand, he has ATSKNF, while the Inq provides Stubborn.

 

The Inq is the more offensive choice, the BC defensive.

 

There's also a middle ground.

 

Techmarines with Rads is 100 points (and can also take Blind/Psycho).  No rerolls, but the Rad buff and ATSKNF.

[guillaume]

Oh yeah, I didn't really think about the techmarine. You are right though, it really is a case of both having slightly more offensive or defensive purposes.

[IndigoJack]

One thing to consider about the inq, is that things like tyranids, eldar, and SW can nulify prescience, while the BC's re-rolling ability can't be stopped.

[Reclusiarch Darius]

 

One thing to consider about the inq, is that things like tyranids, eldar, and SW can nulify prescience, while the BC's re-rolling ability can't be stopped. 

 

 

True, but his re-rolls only activate on the charge, and he brings no grenades either. 

 

Honestly, I'd just take the rad+psycho 'Prescience' Inquisitor. He's dirt-cheap, annoying, and he can put his re-rolls on someone else if they need it more.

[Zeratul29]

But you forget about challenges, your inquisitor is toast in challenges which he will be challenged if your opponent is competent, your inquisitor will lose, while the brotherhood champion can survive or strike first, plus he basically does the same thing as rad grenades with hammerhand

and honestly, hopping out of a stormraven you should get the charge anyways

[Reclusiarch Darius]

 

But you forget about challenges, your inquisitor is toast in challenges which he will be challenged if your opponent is competent, your inquisitor will lose, while the brotherhood champion can survive or strike first, plus he basically does the same thing as rad grenades with hammerhand

Refuse the challenge. Laugh as they still die to DCA swords in the face. 

 

'Hammerhand' means he can't use his 'lolyoudiewithme' ability if he gets smushed in the challenge. DCA already wound Marines on a 4+ with a boatload of attacks, rad grenades just ensure you'll wipe out whatever you charge. 

[skarn]

The BC will DCA: Challenge with the BC, and adopt the defensive stance (meaning you can't kill the enemy champion). The DC wipe out the enemy unit, but the enemy can't shoot you in their turn as the BC is still locked in with the enemy champion. In his turn, the BC takes out the champion, leaving you free to charge again in your turn. 

[Gentlemanloser]

Unless the DS fails (and you fail your 3++ twice...) of course. ;)

 

Well, I suppose you could forgo activating Heroic Sacrifice, and taking the challengee with you.

 

Hmmm. You wouldn't have the option to HS, if you used your WC on Hammerhand...

[skarn]

The BC has a 2+ save, so he's gtg against almost anything. But yeah, I personally don't use his HH because of PotW. :)

[Gentlemanloser]

If you're not getting challeged by an AP2 Weapon, just laugh anyway. ;)

[guillaume]

I must admit, the Brotherhood champion could be a good idea. Yes, the problem is that his re-roll ability is on the charge only. But the idea is that whatever is left after the first round (hopefully half of whatever was there is gone) would be easy to deal for the DCA without the re-rolls.

 

I play against a lot of Necrons, CSM and Orcs mostly, so never had any problems with my powers getting cancelled. Instead I deal with butt load of bodies (orcs) or stupid "I'll be back" (necrons). CSM don't allow themselves to be charged so easily in the first place using cover or shooting down the raven as quickly as they can forcing me to either emergency disembark or get out of the raven without charging.

 

But the Brotherhood champion brings Hammerhand, and that means I can get similar "rad grenades" effect every psychic turn. Not only that, 2 of my crusader are sporting power axes. When those 2 hit, they'll be cranking St5 AP2...

 

I feel it might be a case of "six of one, half a dozen of the other". The Inq is cheaper though, and at low points level, that might be the killer.

[Reclusiarch Darius]

'Hammerhand' and rad grenades essentially cancel eachother out. With the slight caveat that rad nads always trigger and are unblockable, whereas 'Hammerhand' can be shut down or fail, just not very often. 

 

The more pertinent issue is cost and the re-rolls. 'Prescience' doesn't have to go on the melee warband if you don't think you need it, it can always go on another unit. Additionally, the BC's re-rolls only apply on charge turn. 'Prescience' + rad nades Inquisitor is about 2/3rds the price. 

 

BC does have his 'lolyoudienow' psychic ability of course, which is your trump card in challenges. I'd go with the Inquisitor personally, but either work well with the melee warband.