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I'm collecting myself a SW army, and because I feel like I owe it to the fluff, I wanted to include a Leman Russ. I keep hearing these are tough as nails in IG, but SW players suggest I should just forget about it. This makes me wonder, isn't there a way to give it back the glory it should deserve as THE tank being named after THE primarch?

Well, if I played SW's, and I had a list that had a Predator Destructor, I'd look long and hard at an Exterminator Russ. It does everything the destructor does, but better (and more expensive).

It's a great anti-horde weapon.

In the end, though, it's the army you're collecting and painting. If you want one, even if it's only to look at on the shelf, then do it.

Beware: what you're able to use now you may not be able to use later. Ask the IW players about their Basilisk.

True, but the IW-chapter's Primarch isn't Bas Ilisk.
You have to try hard to screw things around so much that Leman Russ' children can't use his tank. I mean, what are they supposed to do on Friday nights if they can't have the keys and those IG panzies can?!

tegeus-Cromis wrote:Beware: what you're able to use now you may not be able to use later. Ask the IW players about their Basilisk.

Quoted for truth.

The exterminator is great. I have used on in my guard and has never let me down. With the increased BS, I'm sure it will serve your wolves even more.

As an IG player, I own two exterminators. I like them a great deal, but keep in mind the following facts:
1) Almost nobody used them in an IG army in before the TVR, because you couldn't move and shoot all guns.
2) By 4th edition, the IG codex had been revised, removing them, so there aren't a lot of tournament results with exterminators.
3) A SW exterminator is 85 more points then a predator destructor, which is enough to buy a razorback to make up for the loss of a heavy bolter, plus give you two tanks instead of one.
4) The SW exterminator is 60 points more then the IG version, and the IG version is at best a solid performer. BS4 is great, but not worth the 60pts.
5) 5th edition may remove the ability to move and shoot all guns.
6) SW players, unlike IG, can't get long range anti-tank anywhere but heavy support (and dreads), and simultaneously fear horde assault armies much less.

In larger games, it's a ton of fun to throw on the board and rip up anything with a 4+ save. For wolves, at 1850, but the time you buy your packs, your HQ's, and some anti-tank, you probably don't have the room for a luxury item like the exterminator.

As for comparing the option to the IW basilisk, there are a few key difference. First, the basilisk wasn't in the old codex, it merely allowed it to be bought. The Exterminator has been in the SW codex for 8 years or more now. Of course, it was in the IG codex for even longer and they took it out, so... as always, I have not point. Second, the basilisk is a kicking option for chaos, and was virutally mandatory in even smaller games. the exterminator is best used in bigger games, so the whole "it'll be legal in apocolypse" chestnut is a tad more reassuring.

All in all, if you think it's cool, and you just want the tank, then go for it. In my opinion it's not a top shelf unit, but there aren't very many top shelf units left in the SW codex by this point.

Harsh but informative words towards the exterminator.
Thanks for the input and advice.