I definitely like the approach being taken to minimise the battlefield capabilities of the THT, which then falls in line with the reduced costs of the unit / formation. This is definitely the way to go.

Regarding my earlier comments, please don't get me wrong Glyn. My point was precisely that the main logistical function of the THT tends to fall outside the scope of the E:A rules. And I totally get the concept of transporting the troops inside their vehicles - and that it runs contrary to the generalisations made by the rules. However, the idea of finding a way to bring this logistical function into the game is appealing both because it provides a better definition of the THT role and seems to be more in line with the 'fluff'.

My suggestion is that if we accept the main function of the THT is *only* to transport vehicles, we might look at other ways of bringing that out. So extrapolating the way that the discussion seem to be going we might consider the following

• Reduce the THT costs to 100 per a/c or upgrade
• Reduce weapons to 2x Heavy bolters, giving the following stats
  
  WE, A/c, Bomber, Armour 4+, CC 6+, FF 6+
  2x Heavy Bolters 15cm AA4+
  
  Notes:-
  
  1. Reinforced armour, DC2,
     
  2. Transport:- THT may carry one Land Raider or two of the following units: Rhino, Razorback, Predator, Hunter, Vindicator, Whirlwind
  3. THT formation may carry the vehicles (but not the troops) from another formation provided they can all be transported together.
  4. Vehicles carried in this way are not destroyed under coherency rules when separated from their parent formation.

This basically removes the ability of the THT to carry any troops (which must arrive in some other way, eg TH, drop pod or teleport), reduces the offensive capability, retains slightly better all round AA defences and enhances the main function of bringing on transport.

Good.

Thanks for the suggestion but I don't accept this at all, I'm not sure where you're getting it from but it's wrong.

The background for THT is clear that it transports vehicles and any troops inside them, that's its role and how it transports in 40k.

Fair enough. So amend the notes to read

Notes:-

1. Reinforced armour, DC2,
   
2. Transport:- THT may carry one Land Raider or two of the following units: Rhino, Razorback, Predator, Hunter, Vindicator, Whirlwind; plus any infantry units being transported by these vehicles
3. THT formation may carry the vehicles (and troops) from another formation provided they can all be transported together.
4. Vehicles carried in a THT separate from their parent formation are not destroyed under coherency rules.

I recommend retaining note #4, as this reinforces the 'logistics' role of ferrying vehicles to front-line troops, which both you and Hena have emphasised several times.

THT can transport formations of vehicles to support front-line troops, if you're suggesting allowing the THT to deploy vehicles as an attachment to troops on the ground that would be complicated and unnecessary.

I'm perfectly happy with the formulation of the THT special rule from the Scions list and will be using that.

"The entire Thunderhawk Transporter detachment is counted as one War Engine for War Engine transport rule (eg. one transported detachment can be split to multiple aircraft within one Thunderhawk Transporter detachment)."

Then with "Notes: DC2, Planetfall, Reinforced Armour, Transport (may carry two from the following units: Rhino, Razorback, Hunter, Predator, Vindicator, or one Land Raider/ Land Raider Crusader, plus any infantry which are carried in any transported vehicle)."

Looks good to me.

Also, nice approach Zoidberg!

Alternatively, as a whacky idea, if you just want to drop vehicles in with troops you could just have the THT as a vehicle drop pod

BTW this whole discussion is drawing away from the original post's intention.

Can we please now refocus on the BTs?

Thanks all!

A feasible abstracted option, but I much prefer having them as units like other aircraft and will keep them that way.

Getting to properly use the THT models I've had sitting in my case for years is one of the attractions of taking on the BT.

Indeed. The discussion has focussed on THTs and been helpful in thinking about the unit but (though I know we don't all agree) I am happy with where we have got to with it and plan to see how it goes in games.

It would be good to get opinions on my other changes and BT generally.