I re-read it. IA2 says that the Hunter is an older STC AA-variant of the Whirlwind than the Hyperios.
And it says that several Space Marine Chapters in the Third War for Armageddon used the Hunter instead of the Hyperios. The standard Whirwind can also be fitted with short ranged AA-missiles.
No rules or further fluff about the Hunter.

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I kind of like this idea and it would be a snap to convert, might even take the IG Hydra turret and put it on a Defiler chassis.

However, I should point out that I voted "nay" before I read this thread as I thought the reference was to the Blood Pact "Stalker" tank, so to clarify...

1. Only have one unit type that fields AA
3. Take it off Oblits and put the ability on the Defiler

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Honda

"Remember Taros? We do"

- 23rd Elysian Drop Regiment

With the Black Legion being a typically short-range army type, I don't think having more than 1 AA unit would be a bad thing.

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The closeness of the vote (so far) leads me to wonder how much of the objection is based on the unit being non-canon, and how much of the objection is based on the Black Legion gaining access to a non-Obliterator AA unit.

I'm interested to know if any who objected to the Stalker being adopted would also object to the Chaos Hunter being adopted (at an appropriate points cost) ?

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I have always considered Oblits with AA as overpowered for a number of reasons, so IMHO it ought to be removed. IMHO it does make sense for the Chaos ground AA to become the light-weight Stalker or the heavy-weight Defiler - or both. However I do like the concept of limiting the Chaos ground AA capability to 1-2 types.  

To follow on from the others, during the earlier stages of a campaign, AA might indeed be provided soley by A/c as opposing forces make initial contactand start developing axes of operations. As plans develop, major points would be defended by ground AA, while mobile forces might well be bolstered by light AA - the roles for the Defiler and Stalker respectively.

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IMHO it's not the non-canon status of the units that I object to it's the 'kitchen sink' effect of adding more units (as I said above, convenient AA options when it suits are something to be avoided IMHO).

The path of least resistance (to me) seems to be to tone down the oblits somewhat and be done with it, failing that either make the Obliterators essentially up-gunned Terminators and either add one dedicated AA unit or make Hell Blades more accessible (i.e. outside of the warengine allowance somehow).

I haven't read all the Horus Heresy books yet but have yet to come across any mention of the Luna Wolves/Sons of Horus using an equivalent of a Chaos style Hunter.  Wouldn't object to an AA variant Defiler though.

TBH, although there probably isn't anything game related against using a Chaos version of the Hunter, I think from a fluff perspective, a Defiler variant seems much more agreeable to me, even if it's only for aesthetic reasons.

As the poll count is essentially tied, the decision could go either way, but it seems like the general sentiment is, tone down the Oblits and pick some sort of AA platform.

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Honda

"Remember Taros? We do"

- 23rd Elysian Drop Regiment

If there has to be ground based AA, then I support this view.

I just feel sorry for the Daemon who is trapped in this structure and devotes their energies to shooting planes rather than tearing up flesh.  

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Unless, in our beneficience, we grant him/her/it an AP/AT value (ala Hydra) so that his anger issues can be worked out.  

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Honda

"Remember Taros? We do"

- 23rd Elysian Drop Regiment

Also in "Dark Apostle" it meantiones Furies taking out Marauder Bombers  

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I think the Obliterator option was a patch and a different option would be nice, but I prefer a Defiler variant AA to the Rhino.

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Neal

A definite 'yes' for the Stalker. I never liked the idea of oblits being AA, it always seemed a far-fetched idea. Also, I prefer when the AA role is taken by units specially suited for that role, not as a bonus for a terminator unit etc. Same with Eldar fireprisms.

Bitter and twisted, Laylo  

I'd certainly like to see some kind of AA unit besides Obliterators (and wouldn't object to the latter losing their AA entirely - and possibly dropping back to 75 points). Whether that should be the Stalker or Desecrator, I don't know. I wouldn't object to both. If I had to pick one, I think I'd prefer to go with the Desecrator, although the Stalker would be easier from a modelling perspective.

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