Relic blades

[Inquisitor_Lensoven]

I’m just curious how everyone generally feels about relic blades this edition.

[Jolemai]

Moved to "parent" Space Marines forum as it is a common item of wargear that we can all chip in on with our responses.

[Karhedron]

I like it. Hits almost as hard as power Fist without the to-Hit penalty. Blood Angels in particular can make great use of it thanks to Red Thirst.

 

If you want a dedicated melee hitter then other Chapters may be better off with a Thunder Hammer but if you are taking a Firstborn Captain as a buffing Character then this is a good upgrade over the standard MCPS.

[Captain Idaho]

Relic blades are amazing on Captains since they have the lovely D2 we all know and love. Hitting on a 2+ stock is important.

 

And we can get to the magic S8 using Imperium's Sword and Might of Heroes.

 

I think a Thunder Hammer is good if you're planning on using the Captain to take on some seriously dangerous opponents, but for all other purposes (i.e. not Smash Captaining) I recommend the Relic Blade.

[Paladin777]

Since the hammer got nerfed to AP-2 I'd say that the relic blade might be the best pick on anyone hunting for heavy infantry/bikes (especially bikes). On the charge it will absolutely shred MEQ (BA player here)! Just be wary of targets with -1 damage, of which there are many!

 

Relic blades are amazing on Captains since they have the lovely D2 we all know and love. Hitting on a 2+ stock is important.

Especially in this era of characters not benefitting from their own auras. Edited October 22, 2021 by Paladin777

[Inquisitor_Lensoven]

Since the hammer got nerfed to AP-2 I'd say that the relic blade might be the best pick on anyone hunting for heavy infantry/bikes (especially bikes). On the charge it will absolutely shred MEQ (BA player here)! Just be wary of targets with -1 damage, of which there are many!

 

 

Relic blades are amazing on Captains since they have the lovely D2 we all know and love. Hitting on a 2+ stock is important.

Especially in this era of characters not benefitting from their own auras.

-1 damage is annoying but it will still reliably land damage on units with those abilities regardless.

[Captain Idaho]

The AP-2 change does make things annoying sometimes against 2+ armour saves in particular, but Assault Doctrine does give us back AP-3 again.

 

Of course the AP-3 of a Relic Blade is even better in Assault Doctrine.

[Inquisitor_Lensoven]

I like it. Hits almost as hard as power Fist without the to-Hit penalty. Blood Angels in particular can make great use of it thanks to Red Thirst.

 

If you want a dedicated melee hitter then other Chapters may be better off with a Thunder Hammer but if you are taking a Firstborn Captain as a buffing Character then this is a good upgrade over the standard MCPS.

putting it on a VV sarge since I only get 4 shields in the box.

Figured it would give the sarge just a bit more oomph against some bulkier opponents.

[TheNewman]

It's honestly a little weird that a Captain can take a Relic Blade but that same Captain on a Bike cannot. They have completely identical options outside of that one thing.

[Inquisitor_Lensoven]

It's honestly a little weird that a Captain can take a Relic Blade but that same Captain on a Bike cannot. They have completely identical options outside of that one thing.

well that and a jump pack lol.

Imagine a flying biker

[Captain Idaho]

I think White Scars love Relic Blades as well, getting Damage 3 with them and no penalty to hit and superior AP...

 

It's honestly a little weird that a Captain can take a Relic Blade but that same Captain on a Bike cannot. They have completely identical options outside of that one thing.

An odd omission I agree.

[Paladin777]

I think White Scars love Relic Blades as well, getting Damage 3 with them and no penalty to hit and superior AP...

That's kind of annoying that their 'master crusted' is straight-up better than ours. I think we already have one of the best relic weapons with the Hammer of Baal though... the ability to give that damage 4 might be a bit much.

 

Though a 3D teeth of Terra is also pretty horrifying...

Edited October 23, 2021 by Paladin777

[Captain Idaho]

Well, White Scars can get a D4 (in Assault Doctrine) Thunder Hammer easily enough.

 

Don't lose heart though, a flat +1 to wound across the board regardless of turn is worth a lot.

 

As an Ultramarine player who can fall back and shoot with penalty against shooting armies in melee, trust me it's all good ;)

[Paladin777]

True, but the thunder hammer has the to-hit penalty and only -2 AP, and we can get that up to D4 too. However, a D4 AP-3 thunder hammer without any to-hit penalty would be pretty absurd, not to mention the +1 to wound for our Chapter Tactic!

 

I'm not complaining. The HoB is devastating enough without the extra damage, which I think is probably one of, if not *the* reason that the BA Master Crafted specifically prohibits it's use on Relics.

 

I just wish we could use it on a Relic Blade, that's all.

 

Edit: come to think of it, the HoB is slightly better than a D3 relic blade anyway... just a little more expensive.

Edited October 23, 2021 by Paladin777

[Inquisitor_Lensoven]

So the consensus is that the relic blade is a solid all round weapon then

[Paladin777]

So the consensus is that the relic blade is a solid all round weapon then

I think we can agree to that.

[TheNewman]

 

It's honestly a little weird that a Captain can take a Relic Blade but that same Captain on a Bike cannot. They have completely identical options outside of that one thing.

well that and a jump pack lol.

Imagine a flying biker

Speak for yourself, I have the Wrath of Heaven.

[L30n1d4s]

I've brought this up in other threads in the past, but the following is one of my favorite uses of a Relic Blade:

 

-White Scars Chapter Master with Relic Blade, Storm Shield, Jump Pack

**Relic: Master-craft the Relic Blade to take it up to Dmg3

**WL Trait 1: Imperium's Sword

**WL Trait 2: Chogorian Storm

 

 

So, total, that gives you a model that has between 7-9 attacks on the charge, all that hit on re-rollable WS2+ with S8 AP-3 Dmg3. Once you get into Assault Doctrine, those attacks become S8 AP-4 Dmg4 each and, if you really want to turn this Chapter Master up to an 11, send in a JP Librarian alongside him with Might of Heroes and Null Zone.... then you are swinging with 8-10 attacks, all at S9 AP-4 Dmg4 and ignoring Invul saves.... against 90+% of targets, that will kill them in single Fight Phase (even Mortarion will take about 12W from a single round of attacks by this guy).

 

Anyway, for a pretty economical cost, this gives you a very decent combat character who has speed (12" move and Fly, option to Deep Strike, Advance and Charge from White Scars), respectable durability (2+/4++ from the Storm Shield), and very dangerous offensive capabilities in Melee (plus access to all the White Scars mobility and combat oriented Stratagems).

[Paladin777]

Where are you getting damage 4 from on that White Scars build?

[L30n1d4s]

Relic Blade is Dmg2, Mastercrafting makes it makes for Dmg3, WS super Doctrine makes it Dmg4.

[TheNewman]

Relic Blade is Dmg2, Mastercrafting makes it makes for Dmg3, WS super Doctrine makes it Dmg4.

I'd have to double check, but I'm pretty sure you can't Master Craft a weapon with "Relic" in the name.

 

...well shut my mouth.

Edited October 24, 2021 by TheNewman

[Paladin777]

 

Relic Blade is Dmg2, Mastercrafting makes it makes for Dmg3, WS super Doctrine makes it Dmg4.

I'd have to double check, but I'm pretty sure you can't Master Craft a weapon with "Relic" in the name.

The white scars can I think. Blood Angels can't.

[L30n1d4s]

No actual restriction... you can't Mastercraft a "Relic" (which a Relic Blade does not count as, despite the name) or anything with "Mastercrafted" in its name already. Edited October 24, 2021 by L30n1d4s

[Captain Idaho]

Just throwing it out there to bear in mind from the conversation earlier in the thread; a Thunder Hammer on a Terminator Captain can avoid the -1 to hit using Fury of the First... ;)

 

As for Relic Blades, can't the Salamanders get a decent use out of one as well? I think they can be given high strength as a matter of course.

[L30n1d4s]

Well, if you want to go the Salamander route ;) ....

 

Chapter Master in TDA, Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield

-"Drake Smiter" Relic

-WL Trait 1 -- Imperium Sword

-WL Trait 2 -- Anvil of Strength

 

So, activate Fury of the First and Crucible of Battle strats and then you have 6 x S11 AP-3 Dmg3 attacks that hit on a rerollable 2+, wound pretty much anything in the game on a 2+ (with one reroll to wound from Salamander CTs), do Dmg3 normally and Dmg6 on any rolls of 6s to Wound.