Which Baneblade varient

[Dominoris]

I got a Baneblade model for Christmas I still haven't put together.  I am a bit overwhelmed by the choices for one thing.  So many variants.  I am kind of thinking Banesword for taking out knights but I am not even sure that's the best choice for that role.

 

Is there any varient that is a must have?  Any that are not worth having? Or are they all pretty much "you pay for what you get?"

 

 

[MedicMike0708]

Baneblades and variants are not super-competitive at the moment, but they are a fantastic kit, and look amazing on the battlefield. Each variant has its supporters, but until the new codex comes out its really hard to pick a favourite beyond rule of “looks cool to me”, and fulfills a role your chosen army style struggles with.

 

Still there is an excellent magnetization guide on B&C that tells you how to make all the variants with a single kit and a large quantity of magnets, while not for the faint of heart, the actual technical skill required is only moderate. Google Search “octoblade” or go under astra Militarum magnetization guides.

Edited February 13, 2021 by MedicMike0708

[Inso]

With such an imposing kit, magnetising is the way forward. If that isn't to your taste, think about the role you want your tank to fill and pick the build that best represents that role.

 

For example, I am using my super-heavy as a platoon transport vehicle so I have gone straight for the Storm Lord for the infantry platoons (40 troop carrying capacity) and the Bane Hammer for the command platoon (25 troop carrying capacity)... four super heavies will carry an infantry company :) .

 

That said, if you can't decide on the role, just build the Baneblade... it's a capable vehicle and will attract a lot of fire away from your more squishy units :) .

[duz_]

Magnets always magnets

It's actually pretty easy (I've built 3 and now have a 4th to do...)

 

Elmo even has a good tutorial for you

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/297605-tutorial-magnetisation/page-2?do=findComment&comment=3867853

[Dominoris]

Thanks for the advice.  The two versions I am most interested are the Shadowsword and the Banesword.  Both have high strength and damage main guns for taking out knights and other LOW's.   With everyone mentioning magnets I looked at what it would take to covert between these two.  Wow is it trivial.  Whether or not there is a muzzle at the end of the barrel is all the difference there is.  It won't even need a magnet, just slide the muzzle piece inside the barrel and my Quake cannon becomes a Volcano cannon.  Easy as can be.

[BIG ROB OF DEATH]

I don't recall if the kit for Baneblades allows you to build the Shadowsword as well, as the best I recall the Shadowsword comes from a different box set, but I have them both, as well as a Hellhammer, and I like all three, but the one I use most is the Shadowsword with four sponsons of Lascannon/Twin-linked Heavy bolters. Very useful, especially if properly supported. Nowadays I usually take astropaths with psychic barrier and nightshroud, the super-heavy ace of steadfast leviathan (which I believe allows me to take the custom regimental doctrines of gunnery experts and jury-rigged repairs for the shadowsword), and always bring along a techpriest engineseer or two, and 2 manticores, a wyvern, 4 scout sentinels and 4 augemented infantry squads plus a Leman Russ Executioner .... its sort of a brittle army, and vulnerable in several ways as you likely can imagine, but once in awhile it works nicely, and always is just plain fun to run! Enjoy!

[Kain Mor]

I don't recall if the kit for Baneblades allows you to build the Shadowsword as well, as the best I recall the Shadowsword comes from a different box set, but I have them both, as well as a Hellhammer, and I like all three, but the one I use most is the Shadowsword with four sponsons of Lascannon/Twin-linked Heavy bolters. Very useful, especially if properly supported. Nowadays I usually take astropaths with psychic barrier and nightshroud, the super-heavy ace of steadfast leviathan (which I believe allows me to take the custom regimental doctrines of gunnery experts and jury-rigged repairs for the shadowsword), and always bring along a techpriest engineseer or two, and 2 manticores, a wyvern, 4 scout sentinels and 4 augemented infantry squads plus a Leman Russ Executioner .... its sort of a brittle army, and vulnerable in several ways as you likely can imagine, but once in awhile it works nicely, and always is just plain fun to run! Enjoy!

 

The current kit builds all 8 of the codex options, I just tackled my first one a few months ago and loved it! I built it locked as a Baneblade because I modeled a full interior instead.

[WarriorFish]

Magnets are the way to go, as Commissar duz says it's pretty easy on the Baneblade model too not just in the size :tu: They're not great at the moment but have always felt more Rule of Cool to me anyway :P

[BloodyB]

Everyone saying magnets is right. If you don't want to magnetise then the basic baneblade is always a safe choice. My favourite version is the banehammer, if being blasted isn't enough, then feel free to be slowed down as well! Great way to muck up a melee unit for a turn.

[mertbl]

Another vote for magnetizing the kit but a standard baneblade is really stellar. Shooting thunder hammers goes a long way towards laying out anything else on the battlefield.

[jarms48]

Personally, I don’t think any are worth it right now.

 

The stormlord would be my pick though. Simply for the fact that you can stuff a ton of special or heavy weapons in there. Give them Vostroyan and use firstborn pride. Thanks to this rule:

 

If a TRANSPORT model is under the effects of a modifier to its ranged attacks (such as a modifier to its hit rolls, wound rolls, etc.) the same modifier applies each time an embarked model makes a ranged attack.

 

You could give the stormlord, 3 units of heavy weapon teams and 2 command squads +1 to hit for 1 cp. Still probably not worth the CP and points, but it’d be fun to try out.

Edited March 19, 2021 by jarms48