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Only curious.If older dex were open to customize the weapons and newer dex (DA) got
restricted by description,I wonder who is to blame for losing simple descriptions.
Codexwriter or translator?

Or maybe in 5th the chainsword gets some special rules again? A plus 1 to strength or re-roll failed to wound rolls would really kick ass.

Ratbarf wrote:Or maybe in 5th the chainsword gets some special rules again? A plus 1 to strength or re-roll failed to wound rolls would really kick ass.

I like the idea that "named" Entries are special and deserve something to remember.
Strength modifier could be applied to chainswords and also chainaxes.Should be less
effective than a eviscerator (Big brother of em).
Another option to think of: morale modifier =when attacked with "chain"weapon,
Targeted unit has a -1 roll to ld ! Possibility a well done assault send others running increased.

Wraithlordmechanic wrote:

frgsinwntr wrote:A chainsword is awesome. The only way it could be cooler is if it had boobs and was on fire.

you stole that from zero punctuation didn't you?

From the Painkiller review, no less!

DragonPup wrote:

Wraithlordmechanic wrote:

frgsinwntr wrote:A chainsword is awesome. The only way it could be cooler is if it had boobs and was on fire.

you stole that from zero punctuation didn't you?

From the Painkiller review, no less!

that's the one!

on topic, I think it would be both balanced and fluffy if chainswords gave +1 S agaisnt vehicles. I mean think of all the "chain" stuff that gets bonuses vs vehicles; chainfists, eviscerators, biting blades etc.

wouldn't do much though, seeing as most weilders of it are only strength 3/4, though on khorne berzerkeers that could get nasty.

Boni vs armour: DA company cpt (S5) could use it,but with changed damage-tables we
will see what its worth.Berzerks are allowed a +1 on charge,perhaps no way to add twice
a +1? All others seem to weak to profit from this rule.
Str+1: good for everyone,two factions and a group of codices have units to benefit!
Sure of will not be for free
Ld-1: no great deal but can scare enough sometimes to be a nice Bonus,extra points
not necessary.I know this is a "if-then" config, nothing to Plan with,only for the cinematics.
what do you prefer? I'll go for strength +1

Eh, that would really kick butt though on berzerkers, they would strike home at strength 6, iniative 5, thats a ripe ol world of hurt there.

talthar wrote:In the old rules the chainsword did offer you some advanatges, now it's just a cool thing to wave in someone's face. I don't think a power sword or force sword would be as scary. Yeah, they crackle and hum and glow, but this is a cross between a sword and a frickin' chainsaw! Right before it crunches into you, buzzing like a thousand angry hornets, you're thinking "Aw, crap, that thing's gonna eat my f***ing face," and then it does. Who could ask for more?

Ha! Sigged!

I think the chainsword is super under powered. I mean as you say a blade with grinding teeth is bound to do something, in books the chain sword is absolutly awesome!

More power to the chainsword as in the books!
We all want that for fluffy weapons in wh40k.
I fear gw won't add new weapon rules at 5th ed to ccw.
/

It always upset me when one of my space marines with a chainsword fought an Ork back with the old codex was out because his piece of wood with a nail in it was in fact superior to my sergant's chainsword. Although I can't think of any fair rules that wouldn't overpower it it should definitely have some kind of bonus.

Power is not the problem.This weapon is not widespread,
most users are SM-variants.Give it a try: it could ignore
any toughness boni (i.e. 4(5) = 4 ) without changing the
game settings to much.

But power is a problem. It is currently free for most models in these books because it is just a ccw. If it is given a special power of any kind, it is suddenly no longer a ccw. Also, many groups like guard use chainswords and knives interchangably so giving it a power would be a problem.

Yah but in the hands of a space marine it truly becomes something to be feared. I mean the dude could hack through a tree with a regular sword in one blow. What would a sword with an engine do?

I would say give it a rule called killing blow or somethin, instead of dealing one wound it deals two wounds for every wound caused. (before saves are taken) on models with more than one wound.

GW reduced the entry"has a chainsword" to DA and "copyandpasteDA" BA .
SM and BT got ccw as standard gear.IG has only the greater brother,eviscerator,left .
Yes,chainswords are "assault-sprue" weapons for every Marine and many troop-sgt
and officers have it.This is no disadvantage for a change.A boni to assault-type marines,
IG vetsgt and IC isn't to bad?

I think if their was a real advantage to a chain-sword over a regular stabbing implement, it would be psychological. A chain-sword not only scares the bejesus out of your enemy, but is reassuring in the hands off your officer or sergeant. It makes a lot of sense for guardsmen that are garrisoning worlds; all you need to do is fire it up to disperse a riot... and if that doesn't work, bringing it to bear against some poor protester sure as hell will.

As for why there is so much melee, I think it likely has to do with ammunition consumption. I imagine combat in 40k is a lot like the Vietnam war, (close range, chaotic and filled with automatic weapons fire) but with both sides having a lot less self-preserving interests due to fanaticism/insanity/want for violence. Boltguns, catapults, splinter rifles and Ork shootas all seem to have rapid fire rates paired with relatively low ammunition capacity. I know in Dark Heresy the usual situation is for the team of players to fire their overcharged lasguns and straight-mag bolters until out of ammunition, than take their beating sticks and go to town on heretic skull. It's likely that coupled with a low-visiblity, high EMC environments that rocket-propelled bullets and charged ions rushing from lasweapons undoubtedly create, battles can be decided by rushing an unsuspecting or reloading enemy with a knife. I imagine effective combat ranges might actually be something like the tabletop; anything farther away than 50 paces (roughly 24") is wasting ammunition at smoky shadows.

Maybe then a unit with chainswords causes fear? (looking in necromunda or gorkamorka) and that the enemies may have to take some kinda test or will not be engaged in combat and back down abit.

Fear ,test against morale:
1)before attacking?
2)after wounding,before save?
3)at ld test,after saves!?
What do you prefer???

after saves, when they see just how much damage it can do. Or have like all squads within 2D6 take one as they go "Crap, men with weering blades of death, leg it!"
How about it?

Space_hoppo wrote:after saves, when they see just how much damage it can do. Or have like all squads within 2D6 take one as they go "Crap, men with weering blades of death, leg it!"
How about it?

A panic test like WHFB ? One unit flees and others follow?
Would you mind to allow units to use higher morale from IC's to stand the test (officer,standart,...) ??

Of course, a IC would get his mens support from being all tough and mean. They will just stand behind him during combat and let him take the grinding blades of doom. Or will just wind up his own like.
*Chaos hacks through friendly squad with chainswords.* Guardsman: Run!
Commisar:Why Run, my chainsword is louder than thiers, see it grrs more.
Guardsman: Ok stand and fight.!
So it should be fair for IC's after all they are ment to set an example to there allies.