Death Company and Lightning Claws

[SM1981]

Just noticed this wasn't a weapon choice for the DC (but is for vanguard vets etc). Does anyone know of a reason behind this? I'd have thought a massive pair of claws to literally tear your enemies apart with would have been right up their street.

[Brother Raul]

I have often wondered the same thing, but I can only speculate. Maybe it has to do with Astorath, and previously reclusiarchs (5th ed) already granting a reroll to hit but I believe in following the money trail and in this case it leads to points. A pair of claws vs more DC seems to be the deal breaker. Their standard load, with more marines vs points per claw mathammer, correct me if I am wrong my esteemed brothers, is in favour of more marines. 

[Charlo]

Aren't in the kit. Simple as that methinks!

 

Plus the crossover with the Astorath and chaplain rules it seems.

[Paikis]

Well, to compare equal points, I'll assume you're taking 4 lightning claws against 3 extra Death Company. Let's assume you've got 5 base death company and you're attacking tactical marines that don't have any arms, so I don't have to worry about you getting hit back... which would have no bearing on this anyway. I'll also assume you get the charge.

 

3 DC with Bolt Pistol + Chainsword and 2 DC with twin lightning claws:

3 Shots with the pistols, 3+ to hit gives 2 hits, 4+ to wounds gives 1 wound, 3+ save leaves 0.34 wounds

5 Hammer of Wrath attacks, 4+ to wound gives 2.5 wounds. 3+ save leaves 0.42 wounds.

BP+CCW: 2 attacks base, +1 for charge, +1 for Rage, +1 for CCW = 5 attacks each

So 15 attacks, needs 4+ to hit, we'll do fractions, so 7.5 hits. Needs 4+ to wound, so 3.75 wounds. 3+ save leaves 2.5 wounds.

Lightning Claws: 2 attacks base, +1 for charge, +1 for Rage, +1 for dual-wielded Specialist Weapons = 5 attacks each, AP3, re-rolling to-wound.

So 10 attacks, needs 4+ to hit, we'll do fractions, so 5 hits. Needs 4+ to wound, so 3.75 wounds. 3+ save countered by AP3 leaves 3.75 wounds

 

Total with 4x Lightning Claws = 8.24 wounds

 

8 DC with BP+CCW

8 Shots with the pistols, 3+ to hit gives 5.3 hits, 4+ to wounds gives 2.64 wounds, 3+ save leaves 1.74 wounds

8 Hammer of Wrath attacks, 4+ to wound gives 4 wounds. 3+ save leaves 1.32 wounds.

BP+CCW: 2 attacks base, +1 for charge, +1 for Rage, +1 for CCW = 5 attacks each

So 40 attacks, needs 4+ to hit, 20 hits. Needs 4+ to wound, so 10 wounds. 3+ save leaves 6.67 wounds.

 

Total with extra bodies = 9.73 wounds

 

So yes, points-wise its better to have extra bodies rather than Lightning Claws. Even when we stack the deck in favour of the LCs by not taking a Chaplain and making the AP3 matter, naked DC cause more wounds and they have 3 extra bodies as well.

 

EDIT: HoW automatically hits. Oops.