Quote: (Lord Inquisitor @ 21 Jul. 2008, 19:39 )
My main reason for not liking the 2x30cm shots for the hellblade is that it introduces another 30cm interceptor, which doesn't need to enter flack range for bombers. Of the rulebook bombers we have the fighta-bomma and landa (15cm defensive flack), the thunderhawk and landing craft (15cm defensive flack apart from the front arc), the marauder (15cm defensive flack). Only Eldar bombers don't have 360-degree defenses. Of the rulebook interceptors, bommas need to enter defensive flak range and thunderbolts are less effective outside 15cm range.
30cm range means that hellblade interceptors will be able to pull the same trick as Eldar nightwings - fire at full effect while staying outside of defensive flak range. Is this what we want? This is the big question in my mind, the actual firepower is less important, it doesn't really matter that much in the big scheme.
A no-save interceptor under the new air-combat rules (i.e. +1 to AA) is going to suffer heavy casualties on approach if they only have 15cm range. Conversely, with 30cm range, the interceptor can probably intercept just about any enemy without risk of air flack by moving into their side arc and staying more than 15cm.
15cm vs 30cm has a massive effect on the craft's role as an interceptor and its point cost to boot. What role should it have - eldar-like killer, dancing around outside enemy flak, or a much more numerous interceptor hunting in packs and getting shot down by those brave marauder crews with the dashing haircuts, only dragging them down by sheer weight of numbers?
QFT. As far as I'm concerned, Lord_I has the exact right thought process on this. It's a matter of style for the aircraft first, then a matter of approximate proportional power compared to other air units, then a matter of balancing points.
My take on it is that the Hellblade background describes a horde strategy. It's also a dedicated interceptor. A sort of "berzerker" mentality would seem to fit with a semi-kamikaze approach.
My vote is 15cm. Keep the strafing ability moderate.
2x 15cm AP4/AT6/AA5 gives it interception equal to Tbolts without the stand-off ability. It's weaker on strafing except versus pure infantry (and then only marginally). Overall, it comes out weaker than the Tbolt all around, but the problem is that if you go with the 30cm range, not only does it change the style substantially, but it gets much better. If it needs a tweak, give it expanded arcs and/or a mobility-justified armor save.
Something in the neighborhood of 3 for 200 points would be about right for a 15cm range version.
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Other units:
Obliterators: Looks like nice flavorful stats. They would still be 10-15 points higher than a Chosen Termie - Inv save, better ranged fire, better assault (slightly worse CC but 1.5x FF), Fearless.
Stalker: I'd go with 2 shots. At the current stats, I'd put them at no more than 50 points, possibly less. They're comparable to Flakwagons with slightly better ranged fire, half the assault ability and double the AA. They have better command and control, but I still think 50 points is sort of the top end for them and possibly too much.
Defiler: Stats look pretty good to me. Much better emphasis on CC and getting up close and personal. Is the 20cm move to intentionally prevent garrisons? Personally, I think 20cm is slower than 15cm from a practical perspective. I believe it will functionally limit Defilers to 1 per garrison formation.
Desecrator: I think it's okay, but it bears watching. Compared to a Hydra, it has the same AA, comparable or better ground fire, much better durability (armor, invulnerable, fearless), and much better assault (1.5xFF and CC is just ridiculous) and it has better command and control. It's slower, but Walker. Looks pretty close.
Hell Tallons: Looks pretty good. They could be a heavy interceptor and do very well, but depending on points Hellblades should still be better. In any case, their ground attack will be a superior use for them in most cases.
Harbinger: No clue. A bit under 6 hits to kill on average is comparable to an Ork Landa. It's hard to say how much that huge barrage will be worth. I'd start it at 400+ to establish a baseline.
