Blood Slaughterer or Heldrake?

[crazy_tuco]

So, here's my conundrum.  I managed to get my hands on two unopened Heldrake boxes as part of a larger trade.  I originally had the intention of using them as conversion fodder for two kitbashed Blood Slaughterers.  But I see that the Baleflamer has dropped 10 points in CA2019.  My early interactions in 8th with a Heldrake (proxied) were not impressive, leading me to abandon investing time and money into getting one or two on the table, but that was before the CA2018 points drop.  Now it has decreased another 10 points and I'm wondering what the thoughts on this unit are these days.  I run a Dark Mechanicus-themed World Eaters army that's got a heavy amount of Daemon Engine units.  The Blood Slaughterer looks like a lawnmower of a unit, but I haven't even proxied one of these.  

 

If these were yours, would you build and run them as Heldrakes or covert them into Blood Slaughterers?

[Khornestar]

I'd say forget the Blood Slaughterers and juts use the Heldrakes. They are usable now for sure, whereas Blood Slaughterers seem to really be lagging given points drops for the vast majority of codex units. You can get a Lord Discordant with an autocannon for 160 points, so already you have a much better unit for the same cost.

 

If you built any custom models, I'd run them as maulerfiends or venomcrawlers before using blood slaughterers, and I absolutely love the models. 

[Brom MKIV]

Blood slaughterers all the way. The heldrake is a little more durable but its impotent and will be disappointing. Slaughterers are horribly effective at what they do they're a must kill. 8-10 attacks at full power and a soul forged pack lets them move 16" then assault. Even the threat of that is enough without using it. They will often die but when they don't..

[crazy_tuco]

Blood slaughterers all the way. The heldrake is a little more durable but its impotent and will be disappointing. Slaughterers are horribly effective at what they do they're a must kill. 8-10 attacks at full power and a soul forged pack lets them move 16" then assault. Even the threat of that is enough without using it. They will often die but when they don't..

 

The long and sordid tale of my World Eaters summed up in eight words...how fitting.  

[Cheex]

Heldrakes actually dropped 27pts; their claws are now free as well, rather than 17pts.

 

This alone makes them worth a second look at the very least. First turn charges are not only possible but likely, and their massive bases (and lack of AIRCRAFT keyword) makes them excellent movement blockers. With the right target priority and positioning, you can put them in just the right spot to cause a lot of annoyance.

[Sgt. Blank]

Heldrakes may be a better the to the rest of your force. I tried it early this edition and agree it is fast and disruptive but not punchy enough to rate as a serious threat on its own. That said, it make a first turn charge and can go over sure to reach stuff that can threaten your Berzerkers. I've got Worldeaters as well and in general, things turn out best when the Berzerkers can attack the core of the enemy's force.

 

On the other hand, the Blood Slaughterer does similar things to Berzerkers so it would add redundancy, which isn't necessarily bad, but you're still fighting through any opposing board control to a greater degree.