Cataphractii loadout [Alpha Legion]

[Xenith]

I'm about to make my AoD Catas, and they'll be becoming Alpha legion. I'm torn between usability/being able to change weapons, and having dudes that are just, the same all the time and can develop a history, if that makes sense?

If I were to avoid magnets and go with a standard loadout, is the normal Combi Bolter + Power fist with a couple of chainfists in there to threaten armour a solid contender?

 

Edited August 2, 2022 by Xenith

[Marshal Mittens]

I think its hard to beat Powerfist + Combibolter. A pair of chainfists for AV14 units is good too, but not always strictly necessary. A heavy flamer might be neat, but most things a heavy flamer kills die to combibolters or being face punched with a powerfist as well.

Sometimes having 2-3 lightening Claw dudes in a 10 man unit is a strong choice to blend elite marines who might have AP2 weapons and strike before the powerfists. 

 

Just my opinions. 

[xxxjtmxxx]

jeah, for a squad of 10 i would do 3 with double claw for 3+ Marines. 

[Xenith]

That was another idea- I know in old rules, anti infantry duty was good for tartaros as they could sweep, however Cataphracts with claws look so damn good. 

So for a 5 man theoretical unit:

Serge - Dagger+ power weapon or combi + chainfist
Special + chainfist
2x combi + fist
1x Dual Claws

 

Then adding in another 5:
Special + chainfist
2x Dual Claws
2x Combi + fist

Is that a decent mix?

 

[Dont-Be-Haten]

Xen, I think it depends on what you want the unit to accomplish. Keeping some cheap with power maces or axes to wound MEQ on 2s and TEQs on 3s while still having a couple chain fists in the squad is a bargain on the table.

I also like single claws rather than dual for the sake of consistency on shooting. On that note, also think autocannons are better than heavy flamers.

Edited August 2, 2022 by Dont-Be-Haten

[Slips]

I should remind you that Power Daggers are no longer specialist weapons unlike HH1.0 so you dont get +1A for having a Power Dagger and Power/Chain Fist/Thunderhammer. But, for PD + PWeapon, I'd honestly go sword or maul. Dagger + Axe is just better off being a power/chain fist or thunderhammer.

For loadouts in general I would:

• Always give the squad at least 1 chainfist regardless of size
• Focus on all ap2 and go elite hunting or all ap3 and bully 3+ saves
• Strongly consider some of the minor combis like Volkite or Grenade for more punch to your shooting; theyre also infinite uses.
• If you have more than 2 dual claws (in 5man), I wouldnt bother on upgrading, really, any model to have special shooting (such as combis or heavy)

Edited August 2, 2022 by Slips

[Xenith]

I've relented and gone with magnets in the end - they were actually pretty easy to do and I got the shoulder pads on in a satisfactory way. Normal non power sword power weapons are tricky without a FW upgade pack, however I've found a way by moving the bolter to a chainfist hand, then the now free right hand can accept a new power weapon. Now I just need to source mauls. Looking at the weapon choices, spears might also be fun to beat on MEQ - I5 is pretty huge. 

[Dont-Be-Haten]

2 hours ago, Xenith said:

I've relented and gone with magnets in the end - they were actually pretty easy to do and I got the shoulder pads on in a satisfactory way. Normal non power sword power weapons are tricky without a FW upgade pack, however I've found a way by moving the bolter to a chainfist hand, then the now free right hand can accept a new power weapon. Now I just need to source mauls. Looking at the weapon choices, spears might also be fun to beat on MEQ - I5 is pretty huge. 

I would just cut up the weapon hands from a chaos terminator squad. Either the old sculpts or the new ones. The maces have aged well and don't look daemon infested

[GenerationTerrorist]

I'm running mine as 9 with Claw/Bolter and the Sgt with Twin Claws and Grenade Harness.

[Xenith]

What was your reasoning behind all claws and no fists/chainfists? I can see claws on the serge for trying to kill stuff in challenges, but no coverage against tough things?

[GenerationTerrorist]

1 hour ago, Xenith said:

What was your reasoning behind all claws and no fists/chainfists? I can see claws on the serge for trying to kill stuff in challenges, but no coverage against tough things?

 

For me, if I am needing a 6 to wound something tough, then I will get Rend on it. The LC also allows me to fight at Initiative unlike the Unwieldy Fist/Chainfist. I guess it is a choice people need to make, but I just love the aesthetic of Lightning Claws on Cataphractii Terminators - They look badass, so rule of cool wins out over drawbacks in terms of effectiveness!

[Brother Sutek]

On 8/4/2022 at 6:25 AM, GenerationTerrorist said:

 

For me, if I am needing a 6 to wound something tough, then I will get Rend on it. The LC also allows me to fight at Initiative unlike the Unwieldy Fist/Chainfist. I guess it is a choice people need to make, but I just love the aesthetic of Lightning Claws on Cataphractii Terminators - They look badass, so rule of cool wins out over drawbacks in terms of effectiveness!

I cant argue with rule of cool.

[Orange Knight]

For an Alpha Legion player, in my opinion it would be best to give them Volkite chargers and run them as the Legion-exclusive Lernaean Terminators.

It would be a pretty simple conversion.

[Xenith]

And pay the cost to upgrade each Lernearn to have a fist/chainfist?

[Orange Knight]

On 8/15/2022 at 9:08 AM, Xenith said:

And pay the cost to upgrade each Lernearn to have a fist/chainfist?

Yes I think so. Power Fists are a great weapon on this unit.

You can throw in a few chain-fists too, but they add up in cost quickly.