Assault Destroyers v Angels Tears

[Xenith]

I might be missing something here, but:

 

Angels tears with 2x volkite each = 150pts [ld7 cl7, 1 less attack on serge]

Assault Destroyers with 2x Volkite + 1x chainsword each = 125pts [ld8 cl8]

 

The Tears have Vanguard 3, which is a wash I think.

 

Am I missing anything there like a special rule that makes the AT's better, as on paper they seem a lot worse, and the volkite loadout is inferior. 

They get better when you add in special weapons, but then you're looking at 200pts for 5x 3+ save wounds. The assault cannon option now seems DOA at 250pts for the same wounds. The rad launchers are prett nice though, and will reliably phage a 3+ save unit, though maybe not as reliably as the AP3 one on the destroyers. 

 

With the models looking as they are, I think they could have been given a 2+ save for the same points, making a truly unique unit in the legions, as they are, they seem a dud. 

 

Thoughts?

[Shard of Magnus]

If you are only taking volkite or a single special weapon, or if you prefer the smell of phosphex, then regular destroyers are the better value. Vanguard is too tricky to rely on for extra vanguard to be of merit for the increased points and loss of other stats. Rad grenades and jump pack positioning do give destroyers a much better chance to get  vanguard, so I wouldn’t discount vanguard entirely, but the unit is relatively fragile so it’s most likely a one shot glass cannon if you do pull it off.

 

Pretty much the only scenario where AT can do something destroyers can’t is if you need/want all special weapons or mixing weapons. The options for heavy flamers and rotor cannons is interesting on paper but have never seen that combo in a game to tell if it is meaningful.  The assault cannons feel like a trap choice due to cost compared to the others. There probably are a few matchups where the higher # of shots and strength are better than phage…but seems niche.

[MARK0SIAN]

Yeah, unfortunately I also came to the conclusion that they’re a bit of a dud. I think it’s a problem with the game though. I don’t think the designers realised the problems with Vanguard as a rule and thought it would be much more impactful than it tends to be and so they priced it as premium boost when it’s really not. 
 

It’s also not this first time they’ve made a Legion unique unit worse or more expensive than its generic counterpart. I think a lot of the Legion units are definitely more of a side grade this edition.