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I been taking a Leman Russ Executioner because it combos well with mystics vs deepstrikers and is good at killing marines that fall out of transports but some friends say the demolisher is better.

Lets take a look:

Leman Russ Demolisher (1 24 inch range str 10 ap2 ordinance blast)
The Good
Strength 10 insta kills multi wound models toughness 5 or less.
Strength 10 roll 2 d6 take the highest for penetration is better if you have to shoot vehicles in a pinch.
Large blast has a better chance of hitting more then small blasts if models are spread out.
Costs 25 points less then an Executioner
The Bad
Single shot means a single bad scatter and you hit nothing.
24 range makes you vulnerable to fast moving multimeltas and assaults from Terminators in a Land Raider
Can be risky to shoot at deepstrikers because a bad scatter will have a strength 10 hit on one of your vehicles.


Leman Russ Executioner (3 36 inch range Str 7 AP2 small blasts)
The Good
Awesome versus versus heavy infantry that deepstrike (with help from DH mystics) or fall out of transports and are tightly packed.
Range 36 means you have a good coverage to shoot mostly anywhere on the board if your positioned near the center of the board.
3 Shots means you average 1 hit so you hit something most of the time.
The Bad
Small blasts don't hit much if your opponent spreads out.
Not very good for shooting vehicles.
Costs 25 points more then the Demolisher.

What to you think Demolisher or Executioner?

For me its crystal clear. the 24" range is just too short.

It is very difficult to properly account for gun ranges in theory hammer. Its just got to come from table time. If my list was looking for some strength 10 ordnance for tank busting, then I know what to reach for, and its not a russ, if i want some ap2 FNP passing blasts, then I'll take executioner every time. The added 12" range really takes it to the long fang type units, and allows you to keep the russ behind a screen more easily, protecting its rear armor.

If I may be so bold, I'd like to add one more possible russ config for you. Not everyone loves this russ on paper, but its really cheap and on the table people have told me that its a great toolbox unit (or told me how much they hated it as my opponent)

Leman Russ Exterminator with plasma sponsons.

Cheaper even than the demolisher and puts out exceptional anti-transport firepower. It does a fine job thinning out horde units, and packs two plasma cannons for those long fangs and for those deep striking units. (Don't get too comfortable with those mystics).

Run some numbers on it, its a steal, and if you were built a certain way, it can do great gap filling for your list.

Thank you Shep. I already run 1-2 Manticores in my list depending on the points.

I haven't ever though of running the Leman Russ Exterminator with Plasma Sponsons but it cost 5 more points then an Leman Russ Executioner. Will have to give that a shot on Vassal.

I can definitely see that Exterminator working. I've run an LRBT with Plasma Sponsons and hull LC a couple times and I love it. For 205 points it covers a lot of bases while staying reasonably priced.

-Against transports it can put out 4 quality shots.
-Against heavier armor (12-13), it can put out 2 quality shots while moving
-Against 2+ save stuff it can put out 2 small blasts and the lascannon
Against 3+ or worse it puts out 2 small blasts, a large blast, and the lascannon, 1 large blast and 1 small blast on the move

AV 14 is really the only thing it can't put a hurting on.

I second the Exterminator with plasma sponsonds - hands down my favorite build. Its got good range and pops transports. Doubles as anti-heavy infantry/MC's and decent against hordes. I like it better than the Stock Russ because its better at popping trnasports.

Executioner every time. 24" range is too short, they can bombard you with Railguns, Lascannons etc before you're even in range.

I allways use the executioner. Its great vs. SM armies not to mention it looks awsome!!

I guess I'll be the advocate of the Demolisher here. The Demolisher still has a few advantages over the Executioner. The instant death can make all the difference against certain armies. Even 3++ Thunderwolves will be wary of it, while they can shake off the executioner pretty easily. Small blasts can be weakened significantly with wide spacing (although that is not always possible), while large blasts are going to get at least 4-5 guys with a direct hit. The demolisher also can crack heavy tanks and with a large blast it is possible to clip enemy units who happen to be close to the vehicle as well (do this all the time with drop pods). The demolisher cannon has the ability to threaten anything, while the executioner doesn't (although it by no means has a shortage of targets). The range is limited and it suffers from One Shot Syndrome, but it has its place.

Do you guys mix Executioner with other type of LR?
or do you field squadron of 3?

Or keep them alone of 1?

I don't take Squadrons of Leman Russes ever. Squadrons are too many eggs in one basket and immobilized = destroyed sucks. My current heavy support configurations dependent on points are

Leman Russ Executioner + 1-2 Manticores
or
2 Manticores.

Will have to try out the Exterminator with Plasma sponsons and give a Demolisher a try in a few games again.

I usually field the executioner. It has never failed to kill EVERYTHING it sets its eyes on. It killed 3 warriors, a razorback, 5 sternguard, a Trygon and wounded mephiston, and then the game ended

BUT! against tyranids, the demolisher is a real turn off for them. Next game I'm fielding a LRBT basic and a demolisher, so they will be forced to get in close to kill them and get demolishered! (they will be close to each other, but not in the same squadron.)

My Space Marines know no fear, but if they did they would be far more afraid of Demolishers than Executioners.

Fetterkey wrote:My Space Marines know no fear, but if they did they would be far more afraid of Demolishers than Executioners.

For killing marines? or because they harm LR too?

i love the executioner with plasma sponson build. the problem is that it is too expensive. yet then again the demolisher is too short ranged. if i was forced to choose between the two id say the demolisher. it's cheaper and has the same sponson and hull weapon choices.

Demolisher, although I'm sure they're both competitive options. I just think 230 points is too much for a single tank - most of the armies an executioner shines against will have units capable of taking it out with fast or deepstriking meltaguns. (And an executioner without plasma sponsons is silly, better to get a LRBT or an exterminator with plasma sponsons, as people have said, for the same price)

Demolisher may be short ranged, but it scares everything and it doesn't break the bank as much to do so.

LunaHound wrote:

Fetterkey wrote:My Space Marines know no fear, but if they did they would be far more afraid of Demolishers than Executioners.

For killing marines? or because they harm LR too?

Both. I find that Executioners can rarely hit more than one model with each shot, usually don't get to use both sponsons, and are generally ineffective against vehicles. Demolishers, on the other hand, are threatening against almost everything, don't rely on sponsons, and cost less.

In general, the demolisher is better because it kills things deader, and there's less your opponent can do to stop its firepower (and it's cheaper to boot).

However, the whole mystics strategy thing is basically THE time to use the executioner for obvious reasons. Also, it's pretty much the only time I'd recommend bringing plasma sponsons, as it's likely that one of them will have a target.

-I cant believe no one has mentioned the LR Eradicator. It's one of the most potent cover ignoring arsenal in the IG codex.
-If you want an exterminator, get the hydra flak cannons instead.
-Demolishers and Executioners are both bad choices IMHO. Demolishers mean you need to be near to actually fire them, and the lumbering behemoth restricts this ability. The executioners just doesnt work that well on an MEQ army that can actually exploit maximum cohesion. But I'd take the demolisher any time of the day. Thats AV14 lumbering forward.

The eradicator is pretty craptacular as you pay more to restrict its targets and reduce its range and power over the battle cannon. Ignoring cover is fine and all, but now its poor against tanks, doesn't cause ID against T4 models, and doesn't ignore marine armor (making ignoring cover less potent). A hellhound fills that niche far better than the Eradicator too.

The eradicator actually seems like a really good specialised tank, but the things its good against (light infantry) are actually a lot less common/less of a problem that elite infantry and vehicles, which are by far the most common opponents. And, as said above me, with no scatter roll, the hellhound does the job better for less.

I am actually taking both a Demolisher and an Executioner in my new list, so I guess I will have the best of both worlds

To me, it seems that squadrons are acceptable for less expensive vehicles...for example, 3 Sentinels or 2-3 Hydras in a squadron make sense to me. One thing that I'm not terribly happy about is the fact that I'm taking both of my Hellhounds in a squadron..not ideal, but I really wanted my Vendetta on the table so I was plumb out of FA slots!

Executioner, every time. Works great against infantry and light armor, and most IG armies have plenty of other resources for anti-(heavy)armor work.

A Demolisher can be used for multi targets, smashing infantry and vehicles. It has a short range but it's very imtimidating and you'll find it will be in range by turn 2 or by turn 1 depending on deployment.

A Executioner is more specialist for tough infantry dropping down 3 plasma blasts, but with the sponsons it becomes a very expensive tank.

I would say the Demolisher. It's large blast is also AP2 so can smash infantry just as well, in fact better than the Executioner and enemy units will get cover saves from both of them.

I usually will take both if I'm going more russ heavy with my lists. If I'm running Hydras + manicores, then I'll take the Executioner. They are both great tanks. It really just depends what else is in your army and what units you are taking to support them.

i'd say it boils down to points to spend on the two can help me decide. ususally the Executioner wins the day between the 2 for me.


Ruckdog: are you running sponson weapons on either? is it a consideration?
i like the idea of taking both. at least until you figure out which works better for you.
and squadroning 2 naked Russes has worked well for me in the past. but, i still wouldn't squadron the other tanks...

Given a choice only between the 2 I'd go with the Demolisher, mostly for it's fire-magnet qualities, since Str 10 scares the stuffing out of people. My normal build doesn't use either, instead taking a pair of Medusas loaded with Bastion Breachers in the center with solo LRBTs w/ LC on each flank.

I like demolishers a lot. If I'm running a "target priority over-saturation" list, I'll try to have one of each. If not I'll just have a demolisher and a vanilla russ or two. The way I counter the low range is to make sure that I have the Vendettas hitting whatever is poised to try to take out the tank before it can get the business end going. The Demolisher's 11 rear armor means normal stuff can't assault it, so other than melta spam or a powerfist, there's no reason why it can't roll up close and personal like.

I don't like the Executioner in the games I've played it. The Executioner has a higher damage potential, but that is something your opponent can midigate. Small blast templates are rubbish against smart opponents who spread out, so it gets maybe 3 hits a turn. For my money the Demolisher hits more infantry, causes Instant Death and hurts tanks, for cheaper to boot.

I don't understand how a mobile plasma cannon template is getting one hit per shot? Is everyone playing against all foot MEQ lists? Does anyone mount up anymore? Are these foot MEQ lists just sitting back and outshooting the IG gunline? I thought MEQ lists would need to mount up and charge the gunline to defeat it. Blow up the Rhino/Razorback/Land Raider with another unit and watch the bodies squirm as the plasma cannon template is dropped 3 times on their heads.

DarthDiggler wrote:I don't understand how a mobile plasma cannon template is getting one hit per shot? Is everyone playing against all foot MEQ lists? Does anyone mount up anymore? Are these foot MEQ lists just sitting back and outshooting the IG gunline? I thought MEQ lists would need to mount up and charge the gunline to defeat it. Blow up the Rhino/Razorback/Land Raider with another unit and watch the bodies squirm as the plasma cannon template is dropped 3 times on their heads.

You can do the same with LRBT, for less.