Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Was thinking about Chosen and DA Veteran Squads and got to thinking about doing mathhammer with all the options available...

Figuring the cost of switching 4 guys to power weapons and the most common targets...
SM in Power Armor, SM in Terminator Armor, Some MC with T6 and AC 3.
Added the 3 values together and divided into the cost...

So Power Maul: Costs 240 3.2 dead MEQ 1.6 dead TEQ 1.5 dead MC Average Value: 38.3
Power Sword: 4.4 1.25 1 Average Value: 35.6
Power Axe: 5.5 4.7 2.5 AV: 18.9
Power Fist: 270 5.25 4.45 2.25 AV: 20.1
2x LC: 6 1.5 2.5 AV: 30

Conclusion: If I want maximum effectiveness for cost, I want Power Axes.
If I want maximum effectiveness versus TEQ, I want Power Axes.
If I want maximum effectiveness versus MEQ, I want 2x Lightning Claws.

A power fist gives across the spectrum good coverage.
If I want to preserve going at initiative, Lightning Claws or Power Maul give the best coverage.
If I want to shoot and charge at initiative, Power Mauls or Power Axes make more sense...

Heck, If I want to shoot somebody up, I might just replace the CCW with Plasma Pistols...
I can get 8 versus the cost of 2 Lightning claws and should kill 5 MEQ, and almost 4 TEQ or MC and still be able to charge with bare fists...

If I want to affect Vehicles, it is Power Fist (S8 and AP2) and a probable tie between Power Axes and Power Mauls...

Bottom line, there is no reason to take a power sword in 6th edition. You want axes or mauls most of the time and could make an argument to take Plasma Pistols.

The thing is never, ever is it worth it to take a power sword.

So can anyone find an instance where powersword & bolt pistol is a better choice than the other options.

Suppose it depends on the unit. Some models have to take them if they want AP3 as they don't have claws as an option. Librarians come to mind. However for your specific models your reasoning is acurate to me.

Just bring Mutilators, they get all the options!

*this poster does not support or condone the use of Mutilators and takes no responsibility for this paid testimonial*

 Savageconvoy wrote:
Just bring Mutilators, they get all the options!

*this poster does not support or condone the use of Mutilators and takes no responsibility for this paid testimonial*

LOL, spoken like a finecast GW spokesman.

Just what I want, overprices, slow as heck assault troops...

Which one has the best chance of killing an opponent's sgt in a challenge, without dying as well?

 Redbeard wrote:
Which one has the best chance of killing an opponent's sgt in a challenge, without dying as well?

Ahh there is the rub. A power sword wielded by a SM sgt will likely kill a a SM sgt with a power axe, maul or fist. However a Sgt with a lightning claw is likely to end in mutual death...

Power sword charged - 4 attacks. 2 hits. Kill
versus
Power maul charged - 3 attacks, 1.5 hits, 1.25 wound. 40% chance of killing
A lightning claw - 2 attacks, 1 hit, 75% chance of killing
2 lightning claws - 3 attacks, 1.5 hits, Kill
BP & CCW - 3 attacks, 1.5 hits,.75 wound, 25% chance of mutual death
Power Axe or Fist - Already Dead.

So a chosen or DA Veteran should arm the Sgt with 2 LC or a LC and then Power Axes for the rest.
Sergents on other squads should take a Power Sword to accept and make challenges or give up on challenges and go to affect others...

For IG sargeants, you want axes as well, since you're going to strike last regardless (unless he has a fist or an axe of his own), but you'll have more chance to kill, assuming you survive.

I used power swords very often for my Skull Champions back in 5th, as Furious Charce and its bonus to Initiative meant you could kill a whole mess of MEQ (and TEQ!) at I5. Sadly, it's no longer so.

So yes, power swords are not great. Even a single LC has the same AP and causes more wounds. They may be an option for I5+ characters, since it means you keep the extra attack with a pistol or extra ccw and can go before most sargeants and champions and whatnot.

If you have a 2+ save, you can risk taking an axe of PF and trust you'll be standing after the enemy attacks to kill him back. Othwerwise it's a bit of a crap shoot: try to make your guy killy enough to ensure enough wounds (ideally ignoring armor) without blowing your budget, and pray that the enemy is either unlucky to flub his attacks if he goes faster/at the same time, or is dead after your assault if you went first (such as when fighting PK nobs and such).