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Storm Eagle or Fire Raptor?


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To start, I absolutely LOVE both models and intend to own at least one of each at some point for my Night Lords army. That being said, I'm having a hard time deciding which I want FIRST and how to use it for that matter.

 

I'm currently leaning towards the Fire Rapto. I love the idea of it deep striking (if Sevatar is on the table can the gunship use him as a teleport homer?) and just dumping an epic payload into a unit.

 

However, I also really like the Storm Eagle for its large transport capacity and it's weapons payload isn't anything terrible either.

 

I foresee the majority of the games I play mostly being up against some form of SM variant if that helps.

 

Also, can someone explain how a flyer works in simple terms? I haven't played since 4e and am still a little uncertain.

 

Thanks in advance!

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I have no experience using either, but a little experience on the receiving end...

 

A Storm Eagle with passengers is a massive eggs-in-basket target, and whilst it will absorb huge amounts of firepower if your opponent is lacking in Skyfire units, it's very unlikely to see the entire game. If you don't get those passengers on the ground they're almost certainly going to die. Sure, it's weapons are good and you could use it for shooting at things, but if that's the case, why not go for the Fire Raptor first and then the Eagle may catch a break in future when it's not the only bullet magnet in the sky!

 

-----

 

Flyers come on as Reserves, and always have to move a certain distance (I think it varies depending on certain types?) and have limited, but decent turning circles. You have to Snap Fire (ie 6's to hit) at them unless the unit has 'Skyfire'. If said unit also has 'Interceptor' then they can shoot at it as it moves on to the board, if they can see it and are in range. The Flyer has no such penalties shooting at units on the ground of course.

If the flier has deepstrike you can either fly it on from reserves or plop it down deepstrike style :) If the latter, you'll be able to use a teleport homer unless it says it only works for specific kinds of models. There are different rules depending on if you deepstrike in zoom or hover mode. This is a bit different from the flier rules in the core 40k rule book. I guess heresy era pilots were better :P

They fill different roles...what hole do you have in your army?

Currently I'm still building up my forces but I'm going for a Pride of the Legion list composed of Sevatar, some Terminators and some sort of Contemptor talon. I have plenty of Land Raiders so I suppose the Raptor would be a better option since I have several transports already?

Nope. 

 

 

It takes a wilful misreading to read Hover mode as allowing you to start on the battlefield. I hate this sites quote system.

AERIAL SUPPORT
Flyers must begin the game as Reserves. Special rules that allow an owning player to move one or more of their units out of Reserves after deployment but before the game begins (for example the C’tan Shard power ‘Grand Illusion’) cannot be used to move a Flyer out of Reserves unless they specifically state that Flyers can start the game deployed on the table (such as a Skyshield Landing Pad’s ‘Ready for Takeoff’ rule).
 

One thing that might help ... Storm Eagles are notoriously difficult kits, while the Fire Raptor is not. I know it may seem ridiculous, since they're basically the same, but I spent a great deal of time heating and reshaping my Storm Eagle parts to get them to fit properly. I expected to have to do the same with my Fire Raptor, but had no problems with it. Others have reported issues with the Storm a Eagle as well.

 

They may have fixed the problem, but if not, it might go much easier with the Storm Eagle if you've already had the experience of assembling the Fire Raptor.

 

~K

One thing that might help ... Storm Eagles are notoriously difficult kits, while the Fire Raptor is not. I know it may seem ridiculous, since they're basically the same, but I spent a great deal of time heating and reshaping my Storm Eagle parts to get them to fit properly. I expected to have to do the same with my Fire Raptor, but had no problems with it. Others have reported issues with the Storm a Eagle as well.

 

They may have fixed the problem, but if not, it might go much easier with the Storm Eagle if you've already had the experience of assembling the Fire Raptor.

 

~K

 

It's always hit or miss with FW's resin kits. My experience is actually exactly the opposite: Storm Eagle had little to no warping, and my Fire Raptor... I don't like to talk about my Fire Raptor...

What about a Caestus assault ram? It functions as a transport and as a juggernaut.

 

I wouldn't discount its blast template melta either to destroy things, especially contemptors, knights, Sicarans, etc.

 

Plus you get the almighty 5++ save on it and AV13 to try and weather the AA storm in the forms of a Deredeo or Kheresnaught.

I would say fire raptor only because I've had horrible times with transport flyers. Also when deciding between them you should ask what do you need more in your force: a big flying troop assualt carrier? Or a gunship with lots of dakka? I am a new night lords player and I'm definetly getting a fire raptor for my army! They seem like they were made for each other.

What about a Caestus assault ram? It functions as a transport and as a juggernaut.

 

I wouldn't discount its blast template melta either to destroy things, especially contemptors, knights, Sicarans, etc.

 

Plus you get the almighty 5++ save on it and AV13 to try and weather the AA storm in the forms of a Deredeo or Kheresnaught.

 

Not a bad idea! They're really hard to bring down. 2 would be a real head ache for your enemy..

What about a Caestus assault ram? It functions as a transport and as a juggernaut.

 

I wouldn't discount its blast template melta either to destroy things, especially contemptors, knights, Sicarans, etc.

 

Plus you get the almighty 5++ save on it and AV13 to try and weather the AA storm in the forms of a Deredeo or Kheresnaught.

 

It is also able to tank shock, something which most flyers cannot do, and can transport the same number of models (10) whether they be in power armour, or terminator armour. Not used one myself (although I really, really, want to), but they seem like an ideal delivery method for a hard-hitting, shock assault unit, such as a cataphractii squad loaded for bear.

 

It would also look amazing in a VIII Legion midnight & lightning scheme.

I own a pair of Storm Eagles & a single Fire Raptor. They're both great models, although they can be a pain to put together if you're unlucky.

 

I typically run my Storm Eagle with lascannons & multi-melta, which increases the cost dramatically, but makes it an effective vehicle/flyer killer. For the cost though - nearly 300 points - you really want to be transporting people in it most of the time as equivalent firepower is cheaper elsewhere. If you're running a Pride of the Legion list based around Land Raiders, a Fire Raptor would give you a bit more horde killing capability as you'll have plenty of lascannons on your Land Raiders already.

 

That being said, both are really good, and I think that no matter which one you get you'll find yourself pleased with how it performs (and looks) on the tabletop. :)

Thank you everyone for the replies!

 

I always forget about the Caestus! It definitely seems the more viable transport option over the Storm Eagle but I really love the aesthetic of these flyers.

 

I think my mind is set on the Fire Raptor. More dakka is always a good decision lol

Ok so I'm decided on the Fire Raptor. Let's talk about loadouts. Armored ceramite, worth it? What about subbing the HB battery for a Reaper battery? The extra strength could be nice to shoot lighter vehicles I suppose?

 

And slightly off topic; does the 'raptor remind anyone else of an A-10 Warthog?

Reaper Autocannons are always worth the cost. Armored Ceramite is debatable since, unless you go into hover mode, they'll have a hard time hitting you and airborne melta is very rare; the most prevalent example being the Caestus and its a Blast Weapon so can't be shot at other flyers, iirc.

Reaper Autocannons are always worth the cost. Armored Ceramite is debatable since, unless you go into hover mode, they'll have a hard time hitting you and airborne melta is very rare; the most prevalent example being the Caestus and its a Blast Weapon so can't be shot at other flyers, iirc.

What's your logic behind the Reapers if I may ask? I also wondered how common sky fire melta was....

Only Skyborne melta that I know of is the Storm Eagle (and/or Raven if your playing 40k) and Caestus. Former with Front TL-Multi-Melta the latter with the Magna Melta - which can't shoot air.

 

If you're up against SA/FR AirCav lists, consider it. Most cases, the short range of Melta Weapons in general will permit you to shoot them sufficiently before they get close to you anyways.

If you ever need to fill in ~900 points in a list and have 3 Heavy Support Slots empty, you know what to take.

 

Whats that? You have 12 Targets I need to shoot at every turn or I lose? Well, guess what*! :D

 

 

 

*Fire raptors can, at most, shoot at 4 different targets each per turn.

If you ever need to fill in ~900 points in a list and have 3 Heavy Support Slots empty, you know what to take.

 

Whats that? You have 12 Targets I need to shoot at every turn or I lose? Well, guess what*! :D

 

 

 

*Fire raptors can, at most, shoot at 4 different targets each per turn.

While potentially hurting anyting with AV13 or less too....muaaahhahahahaha

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