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At first I wanted to mimic the Marauder Destroyer in Imperial Armor. Now I have decided to create an accurate datasheet from scratch, make it a Space Marine model and call it the Avatar Gunship. I hope you guys will assist me in making decisions that are fair and allow me to play this model accurately.

The stats of the Marauder Destroyer upon which I am basing the Avatar's profile: Super Heavy Flyer, BS 3, 10 AV all around, 3 Structure Points, 3 TL Autocannons, 1 TL Heavy Bolter, 1 TL Assault Cannon, 6 Bombs, 425 points. It can add 8 Hellstrike Missles for +80 pts.

First, I want to ditch the Assault Cannon. Then change the bombs to Multiple Launch Rocket Pods, and take advantage of the lazcannons and plasma/melta looking weapons I modeled on the front. So I need to find the cost of those items on other models, so I can make accurate deductions/additions. I also want to have the Hover Mode ability, and perhaps change the Heavy Bolter to an AA mounted weapon.

The same bombs cost 40 pts. for 4 on the Thunderbolt model. So I am costing my 6 bombs at 60 points. The Valkyrie assault carrier can add 2 Rocket Pods for 15 pts. each. Those pods have 24" range, Str 4, AP 6, Hvy 1 - 5" blast, which is equal to the bomb profile. The Vulture Gunship has pods for 10 pts. each for the 1st 2, then 15 pts. each for 2 more, but they are Hvy 2 - 3" blast. So it seems to me that I can choose either profile. The bombs are one use each, and are dropped using the apocalypse barrage template, using the bombing run rules. The rocket pods require that I stay 24" from the target, where the bomb run allows me to escape to the other side of the board. I think the 6 bombs should exchange 1 for 1 with missle pods, and I will take the large template variety for simplicity. So

The Vulture can take TL autocannons for free, or TL lascannons for 15 pts. So I am going to take the 2 lascannons I have modeled on the front as 1 TL lascannon for 15 pts. The 2 other autocannons will exchange for plasma cannons or maybe multimeltas. If we look at space marine squads, they can take a lascannon for 10 pts., a plasma cannon for 5, and multimeltas are free. So using that ratio, the plasma cannon should be 8 points each, and the multimeltas should exchange for free.

I still need to find equal value for the TL assault cannon, and add hover mode to the model. Hover mode simply allows me to act as a flyer, or a skimmer. I have no transport capacity, so the hover mode simply allows me to move less than 36" per movement phase. That seems right for a helicopter gunship. There are dangers and advantages to both methods of travel, so I think the hover mode should add no cost to the model.

A Terminator assault cannon is 30 pts. so a TL assault cannon should be worth 45. I think I should add 4 more rocket pods, and call it a day. That fits the model as well, as there are 5 pods under each wing.

One last thing, Vulture Gunships can take 6 Hunter Killer missles for 40 points. I want to leave that as an option, in place of the 8 Hellstrike missles for 80 pts.

In Summary,

Super Heavy Flyer, 3 Structure Points, 10 AV, BS 3, Hover mode, 6 Hunter Killers, 1 TL Lascannon, 2 TL Plasma Cannons, 1 TL Heavy Bolter on AA mount, and 10 Multiple Rocket Pods (1 shot each). 496 points.

A second option would switch the 2 TL Plasma Cannons for 2 TL Multimeltas, which would reduce the cost to 480 points.

Fair dink'um?

That's a great conversion and look cool but won't it need speical vulnerabilities to cavalry and flying creatures?

Cool, but it needs some detail work.

What sort of detail would you add?

I am looking for help on what point cost people would think is fair. Any help there guys?

Is that made from this? http://www.toywiz.com/scorpionchopper.html

Sure looks like it

Yes, that is the model.

Strikes me more as a Valk variant or IG/Navy flyer than a SM one...

How did you make the AA mount?
i LOVE how it looks.

I made a valkyrie and right now im embarrassed to post it lol

Points Cost:

Start with something that has a similar function/limitations like the Vulture, then decide which army will use it and use their costs for adding or trading out a heavy weapon to come up with the points costs for the load outs. Example; a vulture costs (and I don't know the points so there are completely arbitrary) 200 point, is a flying vehicle that does not transport troops, like you model. Pay IG points (because the BS is 3) to add a lascannon or missile launcher. Otherwise, start with a vulture and use space marines to add a lascannon or whatever. If all else fails, you can still use the old vehicle design rules from 3rd ed.

I chopped off everything but the ring off the top piece of a Razorback. Using that I cut Rhino top hatch doors to make rectangles that fit the octagonal shaped ring. Then it was the space marine half body from the Rhino with 2 heavy bolters slapped side by side. I had to turn one ammo box around. I also had to trim a little curve out of each side of the cupola to fit snug between the engine exhausts.


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Where might I find the vehicle design rules from 3rd edition. That was before I got into the game.

Nice to see someonelse had the same idea. My only suggestion woud be to invest in some forgeworld rockets and missiles to make it look less toyie.

insideprawn wrote:Nice to see someonelse had the same idea. My only suggestion woud be to invest in some forgeworld rockets and missiles to make it look less toyie.

That does not look toyie at all. If its given same heavy metal paint job as FW im sure it'll be the same.

Here are a couple more pics. I play Imperial Fists, so I think I need to put correct decals on. I chopped the TL Assault Gun off the bottom. I am working up a datasheet now.

More pics

How big is this compared to an IG Valkyria?

It does seem to be much bigger on the pictures.

I would say 15% larger.

and $250 cheaper.

I love the model but they are too expensive in the UK, something like £50.

I was hoping the bottom would drop out of the Avatar market the way it did out of the Terminator Salvation market, and I would be able to snap up a few for £10 or less each.

WHY?