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 Tigramans wrote:

 Nevelon wrote:


For MEQ, the sword, for TEQ, the axe, for everything else: the Maul!

It is the most versatile of the stock power weapons. 4+ or worse, you get to cash in rolls. The extra strength lets you put wounds on anything, so helps against MC, or just forcing armor saves. Concussive is gravy.

I really need to kitbash up some for my VVs.

The most versatile, yes, and that's why I love it.

However, I'd also love to use power swords, but they lack the strength, and S4 AP3 is just silly. When it comes to Relic blades, I wouldn't really want to pay a power fist's worth of points from AP3 - would you?
And Power axe also needs a boost. Why would I NOT take a power fist instead? S5 versus S8 is pretty obvious, especially when both hit at Iniative 1 and are AP2. Okay, you get +1 attack with an axe for not being a Specialist weapon, but that alone doesn't convince me at all.

And no, the power lances don't exist.

Relic blades are the jack of all trades CC weapon. You get AP3, which is good, and some strength, and you get to keep your initiative. But it’s not the best at anything. There is a lot of mean stuff that has a 2+, S6 is fine vs. people, but once you run across the big nasties, it comes up short. I think they still have a place in a list, particularly vs. MEQ. And I’d rather have a relic blade over a power fist for the non-HQ options who can take them (VV sarge, HG) as 1W models striking last is not good IMHO. For HQs, go for the Teeth of Terra, which is a relic blade++

The reason for the axe over the fist is points. And the points you save will buy you a melta bomb, and still have change left over. The a free extra attack from the bolt pistol also helps, so you don’t need to spend another 15 for a second specialist weapon. Not that LC/PF isn’t a nasty combo, but it’s not cheap. For someone like an assault sarge, you don’t want to break the bank gearing him up, so an axe should be all he needs.

Lances are a crazy niche weapon. I could see them on units that are have hit and run, and the speed to get the charge. Bike command squads mostly. It might be worth it if you wanted to pair one with an axe, not sure. The other reason to take them is looks.

 Xenomancers wrote:
I think it's pretty obvious that the burning blade is the best melee weapon in all of 40k.

Meet the axe of blind fury. Rage, +2st, ap2 at initiative, deamon weapon so +d6 attacks on anything but a 1 (on a 1 hitting at ws1), 35pts.
Put on juggerlord for 9-13 st6 ap2 attacks at initiative on the charge, or a DP of khorne for 10-14 st9 ap2 attacks on the charge. It may reduce the carriers ws and bs by1, but even still, the burning blade has nothing on the axe of blind fury!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
If we are counting chaos it HAS to be AoBF or Black Mace. Deamon Weapon rule is just too strong.

Ravens talons on a 30k praetor, makes mulch of all the 3+, give him a jump pack and he's +1str +1int on the charge and can also crack ap 2 with his 4/5 attacks.

I like thunder hammers and chainswords.

Do you want to hit first/simultaneously with AP3 and user Strength (power sword), or go all in and hit last at AP2 and Strength 8?

I say armour the feth up with Shield Eternal and artificer armour and give him a Thunder Hammer.

Or if you're BA, use Valor's Edge. AP2, user Strength, and hits at Initiative.