Vorenus Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 How does everyone rate Thunderfire Cannons after the new Codex? I want to like them. But they feel kind of "meh" to me. They have excellent range (60"), they don't require line of sight, but only Strength 5 and AP -1, and the real problem for me is the 4d3 random shots. I hate random shots. They have two Stratagems that are relatively cheap that seem like they should help, one lets them shoot twice if they remain stationary and the other lets them fire a "Tremor Shell" that reduces the target's movement by half. I'm trying to decide whether to take a Thunderfire Cannon in a 1000 point list, or to instead take a Razorback. The Thunderfire is 5 points more expensive. I don't have a lot of wiggle room in my list, so it's either take one or the other. What are everyone's thoughts? Are Thunderfires good now? Or just meh? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishagu Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 One of the best units in the book, hands down. They have access to two key stratagems - shoot an additional time (and at a different target) and tremor shells. For 3CP - which granted is costly, you can halve the movement of two enemy units. This could be a horde running at you or a battle tank trying to get into position. It's incredibly useful, and can stifle an enemy list on the very first turn of a game. Also they have indirect fire - again, incredible useful. If not using the stratagems you can use one to pick off infantry units the opponent has out of line of sight. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5378565 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiñaColada Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 They're crazy useful and I agree with Ishagu that they're one of the better units in the codex. At 1k it might be an issue to squeeze one in but at any higher point level than that, they're never going to be a bad choice. Put one on a backfield objective and fire away, just like that they're decent but Tremor shells can single-handedly win you games, it's that good. Of course that's dependent on who you face but even without it they're solid. BS2+ shots that doesn't require LoS with extreme range will win you games on its own by blasting away that one last guy holding an objective etc. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5378576 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aspecti Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 I liked them even before this new Codex, but now they are a must have. BS 2+ instead of 3+ in previous Codex, 2+ save instead of 3+. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5378619 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Are Verlo Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 As posters above me have said, the ability to reduce the movement of TWO units is crazy good. With som luck/bad placement you can box in large parts of your opponents army. All this from 60" away hidden behind a wall/ruin. And as a bonus the tech-marine can repair a nearby vehicle. It´s all good :-) But you get dimishing returns from having more than one TFC because much of its usefullness comes from the synergy of the two stratagems. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5378627 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesSaboteur Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 The unit offers some really great utility that can not be found elsewhere in the codex and at a reasonable price. With the upgrade to WS2+ it doesnt have to be baby sat either with auras either. Finally just because you can spend CP for its utility effects doesnt mean you have to, the unit by itself can due some damage throughout the game and if you do need it to slow down a unit or two its there for your needs. And as a bonus the tech-marine can repair a nearby vehicle. It´s all good :-) To add to this, if you cant get a good piece of blacking terrain you can always use a vehicle to create your own, I often use this trick with a standard landraider and a hard corner. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5378635 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Corbin Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 Stick one behind a T8 rhino chassis, like a Stalker, to block line of sight to the Cannon, and have the gunner adjacent to the Stalker to repair it as it takes fire. Your opponent will have to devote A LOT of firepower to dig out that artillery piece. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5378889 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claws and Effect Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 And as a bonus the tech-marine can repair a nearby vehicle. It´s all good :-) To add to this, if you cant get a good piece of blacking terrain you can always use a vehicle to create your own, I often use this trick with a standard landraider and a hard corner. Stick it between 2 Whirlwinds, or if you're feeling spendy, 2 Land Raider Achilles (which each have a TFC mounted on them). Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5378951 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCE1981 Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 Remember that not only is it a weapon it is also support to a firing line. It comes with a Techmarine that is free to do repairs while the cannon is firing. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5378952 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malakithe Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 I personally am looking more at Whirlwinds now due to how cheap they are for potential massed firepower and long ranges that dont require LOS. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5378981 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainMarsh Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 The TFC is a perfectly suitable piece of artillery without strategems because of its relative low cost, hitting on 2+, and even saving on a 2+.It comes with a nifty Techmarine to boot, don't forget!I would argue that you have superior options to spend your points on, but there is nothing wrong with these guys. I have three and they don't let me down. The Strategem support just pushes them over the top. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5379161 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Idaho Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 Yes it's widely accepted the unit is very competitive now. Devastator Doctrine, 2 Strategums that work, decent BS and armour... I think a pair of them in the backfield can cause a lot of problems. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5379198 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aspecti Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 I plan on running a TFC and three Whirlwinds in my next game on tuesday, with an additional Techmarine babysitting the Whirlwinds. Just today I realized that the Devastator doctrine applies to all of them, so I think they should perform fairly well. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5379209 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of Sacrifice Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 I'd like to kit bash one. Anybody got some good ideas? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5379264 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal van Trapp Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 Some spare tracks/wheels from a leman russ and the cannons off a stalker would totally work as long as you have enough greeble to make a base for it Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5379368 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Father Ferrum Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 If you face Tau a lot, they're the perfect scalpel for peeling drones away from Riptides. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5379423 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy1391 Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 I'd like to kit bash one. Anybody got some good ideas?I used the guns from the stalker with the tracks from the Kataphron servitors http://a64.tinypic.com/2exas5l.jpg http://a67.tinypic.com/qrj5sn.jpg [http://a64.tinypic.com/30jobpg.jpg Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5379516 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal van Trapp Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 Oh yeah kataphrons would be better! That's a great idea! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5379615 Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronMarsh Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 I'd like to kit bash one. Anybody got some good ideas?I used the guns from the stalker with the tracks from the Kataphron servitorshttp://a64.tinypic.com/2exas5l.jpghttp://a67.tinypic.com/qrj5sn.jpg[http://a64.tinypic.com/30jobpg.jpg Amazing, I was thinking of doing this, searched the web and came upon your sweet post. They look great! Question, how does the tread size of the Kataphrons compare to the dimensions of the actual thunder cannon model? Is the footprint basically the same? (I’m getting back into the game and have not seen Admech on the table yet believe it or not!) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5381646 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exilyth Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 I used the guns from the stalker with the tracks from the Kataphron servitors Great idea! But what does one do with the kataphron torsos then? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5382523 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal van Trapp Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 I used the guns from the stalker with the tracks from the Kataphron servitors Great idea! But what does one do with the kataphron torsos then? Could make servitors! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5382584 Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronMarsh Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 I used the guns from the stalker with the tracks from the Kataphron servitors Great idea!But what does one do with the kataphron torsos then? Could make servitors!Yeah! And if not, can probably buy the Kataphron tracks by themselves at bits sites. I am still wondering about the size comparison, I hope the Kataphron tracks are close in size to the Thunderfire cannon tracks. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5382593 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link2edition Posted September 13, 2019 Share Posted September 13, 2019 The Thunderfire is great value for points. I even use it in patrol games (650). Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5388268 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatOneMarshal Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 After playing a triple lord disco lord list with chaos knights I say they are extremely important for impeding movement of the enemy. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5388430 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aspecti Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 The Tremor Shells stratagem doesn't work on Titanic targets though, so can't slow down knights. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/358090-thunderfire-cannon-viability/#findComment-5388712 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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