Predator vs Long Fangs

[Guest]

I was looking at some anti-vehicle/monster units and was planning on just getting some long fangs as that was what i typically see people using. Though looking at a Predator Annihilator with Lascannon sponsons. This would give it 4 lascannon and 11 wounds with 12" movement at 202 points. Meanwhile the Long Fangs at 205 points is 5 lascannon, 6 wounds, 6" movement, provided you give the LF Ancient no gear upgrades.

 

To me it seems the Predator is the better option. It put out slightly less damage and yes it gets worst the more wounds it takes BUT it can take 6 wounds before it does get worst and at that point the LF would be wiped out.

 

This is on paper, and seeing as I only have a few smaller games on hand I do not know how effective a Predator would be. I kind of feel like SW ignore the Predator but I will remind us that the SW were the ones you made the Predator Annihilator. It has more connection with the SW then even the Leman Russ tanks.

Edited July 8, 2017 by Caldersson

[Lord Blackwood]

The Predator is the better option always the armor 

[Gherrick]

I disagree. The challenge with comparing one vs the other is able what kind of damage types each is it weak against. vs small arms the pred is better, due to the higher toughness. vs the d3 - d6 damage weapons, the LF unit will not be any more adversely affected than the 1 damage attacks. However, a pred can be repaired via an IP, but we don't have any resurrection option for our WPs.

 

The LF can more easily find cover, and the 2+ save vs AP0 can often mean less overall damage taken than the higher toughness of the pred. I also like the option of including a TDAWG with a CML, giving even more firepower to the unit, and a 2 wound model with a base 2+ save.

 

Both pred and LF can have a place in an army, but you will want similar additional units to draw heat away from them. If the pred is your only vehicle, for example, than any and all multi-wound heavy weapons will focus on it, which means it will get taken out with just a few successful shots. If you don't have enough alternate pressure, the LF will become the focus of that heavy weapon fire, and will feel the effects rather fast.

 

My solution (for higher point games) is to have both a LF unit with 5 LC + TDAWG with CML and a flyer (usually the gunship). This translates into a lot of heavy weapon dakka to take out any and all hard targets fast. My other units will focus on the softer enemy units. My current favorite is a 10 model unit of WG with jump packs, chainsword x2 + storm bolter. 40 attacks in shooting AND melee for a very reasonable price tag, and you can put them in reserve to keep out of harms way initially.

[Deadnaughty]

I was looking at some anti-vehicle/monster units and was planning on just getting some long fangs as that was what i typically see people using. Though looking at a Predator Annihilator with Lascannon sponsons. This would give it 4 lascannon and 11 wounds with 12" movement at 202 points. Meanwhile the Long Fangs at 205 points is 5 lascannon, 6 wounds, 6" movement, provided you give the LF Ancient no gear upgrades.

 

To me it seems the Predator is the better option. It put out slightly less damage and yes it gets worst the more wounds it takes BUT it can take 6 wounds before it does get worst and at that point the LF would be wiped out.

 

This is on paper, and seeing as I only have a few smaller games on hand I do not know how effective a Predator would be. I kind of feel like SW ignore the Predator but I will remind us that the SW were the ones you made the Predator Annihilator. It has more connection with the SW then even the Leman Russ tanks.

Your calculations are ignoring multiple damage shots.

The Long fangs take 6 shots to kill. the predator can die in 2.

 

Against small arms the Predator is better, no doubt but what other units does your army have? Where will their anti-tank weapons be pointed at? Because if there is nothing more important then the Predator around it is going to die quicker then the Long Fangs would.

[Guest]

If it helps I plan on using a stormwolf and/or stormfang with my formation and 2 preds. 

 

Maybe best to go with a single Predator and a group of Long Fangs?

[Karhedron]

2 LC Razorbacks cost only slightly more than a Predator but have nearly double the wounds, same toughness and save etc.

[jerrys]

2 LC Razorbacks cost only slightly more than a Predator but have nearly double the wounds, same toughness and save etc.

This is a very interesting observation.

[Rune Priest Jbickb]

Honestly I find the 2 pretty balanced. I've been bringing both. Usually missiles or plasma on the fangs and lascannon predator. I have found them equally durable due to ap and multidamage weapons respectively.

 

The Razorback observation is interesting

[rgr_maddog]

I think it depends on the rest of your army. If you have lots of infantry and few other vehicles, Longfangs. If you have lots of vehicles and dreads, predator (or 2 LC Razorbacks). This capitalizes on overwhelming your opponents ability to deal with so many similar targets, forcing poor weapon selection.

[rgr_maddog]

Additionally, if going with LFs, especially if you are bringing 2 squads, you can throw in a few HB to protect the LC models and they still add to your army with split fire.

[Bloody Legionnaire]

I would take 4MM Long Fangs in a Pod over the Predator any day. 

[Rune Priest Jbickb]

The multi melta long fangs are my next modeling project I might proxy them with a buddy my next game cuz tgey look vicious if pricy.