Jackalwolf Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Hello fellas, I'm planning to purchase a big centerpiece model for my Vlka Fenryka and I'm torn between the Thunderhawk and the Mastodon, so thought I might ask for advice and opinions before committing to it. Quality of the casting: Having heard so many great things about the assembly ease of the Mastodon, it is playing into my decision, so thought I would ask how well the kit assembles together. Is there tons of warping and green-stuffing to mend? Is there a lot of cleanup / reconstruction required on each individual piece due to mold casting defects? Is it enough with some epoxy glue and pins to assemble it? Coolness factor: I might like a bit more the Thunderhawk since it's been part of the collective imaginarium for that much longer but both are absolutely fantastic pieces. Plus I can customize more the Mastodon with wolf pelts and totems since the Thunderhawk would burn them upon atmospheric entry. Playability: How easy it is to use them in regular games? The Mastodon seems a great choice at 3,000 points but the Thunderhawk seems to really require more the whole army to be tailored around it is my impression. Plus only at 3,500 points plus it unleashes it's true potential. Intangibles: Finally, something else that is keeping me from committing to the Thunderhawk is how likely is GW to release a plastic version of it now that they've improved their plastic molding capabilities and seem to be releasing the wishlist fans have had for years? Thanks for your input and feedback. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Loss Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Aesthetically I much prefer the Thunderhawk because it is such an iconic transport for Space Marines, but as a gaming piece the Mastodon is infinitely superior. The Thunderhawk is an old kit with notorious problems, isn't very practical on the tabletop in all but the largest games and has been outshone by the Stormbird in recent times. The Mastodon isn't the kind of Lord of War that will raise eyebrows for being too powerful on the tabletop and is a far better kit. As for the plastic, rumours have existed for years. It's quite possible but no tangible conclusions can be drawn. If it was me, I'd save up for the Stormbird, but if it's strictly between those two the Mastodon seems the standout choice to me. EDIT: I also have a friend who has a Thunderhawk and it always disappoints him, even in the largest games. It's just not a very good unit, as cool as it is. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4558850 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackalwolf Posted November 10, 2016 Author Share Posted November 10, 2016 Thanks Marshal. The Mastodon is indeed the front-runner at the moment. On the Stormbird, don't hate me but I'm one of the few people not 100% convinced by it's design. I like far more the Thunderhawk aesthethic. If I bought the Stormbird I'd need to heavily convert it to change the cockpit to make it fit better the "Bird" looks. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4558860 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Loss Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Don't blame you, lots of others share your opinion on the design of the Stormbird. The Thunderhawk is certainly far more iconic anyway - but I'm a sucker for the Stormbird and love the rules as much as I love the model so I added it in anyway out of pure fanboyness. Good luck with the decision Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4558865 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarl Kjaran Coldheart Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 I'd go with the Mastadon Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4558867 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackalwolf Posted November 10, 2016 Author Share Posted November 10, 2016 Oh the rules are fluffy and fantastic indeed! It did make the Thunderhawk seem awfully over-costed in comparison, didn't it? It's not that I don't like it, just that it seems to be a bit in no-man's land, not fully embracing the Thunderhawk + aesthethic or the sleek bird one. If time wasn't a factor I'd definitely like to get one and cut the cockpit to make it look like a phoenix to recreate Firebird. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4558869 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dantay VI Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Mastodon.... I have mine on order and am looking forward to building and painting it for my Vlka..... It seem to fit the heavy assault theme pretty well too Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4558895 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teetengee Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Mastodon. It's a beauty. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4558918 Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronDrake28 Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 I didn't even bother reading past the title. MASTODON. So cool. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4558919 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Memento Of Prospero Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 The thunderhawk is an iconic 40k piece, and pales in everyway when compares to the Stormbird. It gets shot out of the sky too easily and it's armament is weak. The mastodon is the glory of the crusade on the ground, just like a spartan outshines the 40k landraider. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4558938 Share on other sites More sharing options...
noigrim Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Thunderhawk all the way, cheaper and more survivable, and with a turbolaser for extra trolling Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4558985 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legionnaire of the VIIth Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 When my Thousand Sons reach a state of completion for me to add a lord of war it will be a Mastodon. I absolutely love the model and think it fits well with the fact I'm building my Thousand Sons Legion around Ahriman and the First Fellowship. Personally I've never liked the Thunderhawk aesthetic so I don't even have it on my "to collect" list. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4559004 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raktra Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 The Mastodon, for all the percentages and high-fives in the land. How many other tanks give you the joyous opportunity to crap out a pair of Dreadnoughts into someone's eyes? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4559070 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACK BLΠFLY Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Mastadon every time ! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4559101 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col.hertford Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 mastadon, for a number of reasons. Main one is it fits on a table... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4559164 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishagu Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Mastodon without a shadow of a doubt. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4559171 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Memento Of Prospero Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Thunderhawk all the way, cheaper and more survivable, and with a turbolaser for extra trolling the thunderhawk is neither of those things. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4559211 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supe robot gangster #1 Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 Both... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4559329 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soldier of Dorn Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 Mastodon, but I'm biased. :P Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4559363 Share on other sites More sharing options...
noigrim Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 When all the eldars begin to shoot at your mastodon with D strength we'll see who's more survivable ;) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4559388 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallen11 Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 ABout bringing drednought's in enemy face...yea, you can do that, or ismply take 4-5 more drednoughts instead of one? Or drop 2 leviathans in drop pods in enemy face? I would go for stormbird. MY friend has thunderhawk, he spend ages building it, and filling it. Not really that good on table, kinda costs too much for what it does, even gets blown up by bolters I think....I am not that big fan of mastadon either. Model is okay, not amaizing, but not that bad too. But only fits certain armys. Still, not sure is it better than let's say 2 spartans?His firepower is also kinda weak for price.I play AL, so unfortunately don't see point in bringing one. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4559397 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackalwolf Posted November 11, 2016 Author Share Posted November 11, 2016 Okay, so first of all thank you for the many responses and suggestions! I think I'm settled and I'll go for a Mastodon and give GW a couple more months to see if the plastic Thunderhawk happens and if not it will be my big project next summer. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4559446 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Memento Of Prospero Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 When all the eldars begin to shoot at your mastodon with D strength we'll see who's more survivable ;) No one cares about eldar in the heresy? When all those low strength weapons begin to snapshoot at the thunderhawk, you'll see what's paper thin armour. 12 all around makes it a great target for any gunship or fighter, or those ever popular Deredeos. I havent seen one survive more than 2 turns in apoc games. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4559497 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackalwolf Posted November 11, 2016 Author Share Posted November 11, 2016 The Thunderhawk does need a rule update since Stormbird came out indeed. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4559512 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionofjudah Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 Ummmm.... Mastodon for sure as its big and nasty and rolls across to the enemy and drops payload after melting the face off Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/327726-mastodon-or-thunderhawk/#findComment-4559531 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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