How do we make the Deathstrike not suck?

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**skchsan**

Tyran wrote:
The Deathstrike should be unreliable, by design it is a one trick pony. The only issue is that it is lacking in firepower.

I would rework the missile abilities:

Blast. This weapon can target units that are not visible to the bearer. This weapon ignores the Look Out, Sir rule. This weapon can be fired even if there is an enemy unit within Engagement Range of the bearer. This weapon can only be fired once per battle. When the this weapon is fired, instead of selecting an enemy unit as a target, select one point one the battlefield that is more than 12" away of the bearer. This weapon must target, and resolve attacks against, every unit (friend and foe) that is within 6" of that point, even if they are within Engagement Range of any units of the opposing army. When resolving an attack made with this weapon that targets a Character with a Wounds characteristic of 9 or less, subtract 1 from the hit roll.

I think the 'ignore Look Out, Sir rule' clause is redundant when you make the weapon as target point ability.

**Tyran**

It is there more for the sake of clarity, because I know someone would ask how it interacts with the Look Out, Sir if it didn't had that clause.

**Slayer6**

Hmm...

We have the currently existing parameters:

3D6 shots
200" range
Can fire indirect
One shot
Firing rule

No current CHARACTERISTIC restrictions.

The only thing going for it, is if you fire at a group of 11 models stuck between a cluster of large important units, and hoping the splash hurts them.

Vortex Missile Stratagem, at 3CP can boost the damage, but is very expensive.

So, we have quite a bit of flexibility to add characteristics for targetting.]

If primary target is a VEHICLE or MONSTER, 1 die counts as a maximum roll (6)
If primary target is TITANIC or has at least 20 wounds, 2 dice count as having rolled their maximum amount (12)

Granted the biggest limiter is the completely average base hit roll of 4+...

**gungo**

Just make it a vortex missle.
Make it a single hit Titan killer followed by mortal wound blast next turn

3d6 str10 ap-4 d2
Place the missile on the table where it hit
Another 2d6 mortal wounds next turn on any units within 6in

Must be on table 1 turn before firing

If you don’t want to make it so much damage then make the secondary blast a detrimental effect instead like movement reduction.

This way your 1 shot weapon works for 2 turns

**Wyldhunt**

gungo wrote:
Just make it a vortex missle.
Make it a single hit Titan killer followed by mortal wound blast next turn

3d6 str10 ap-4 d2
Place the missile on the table where it hit
Another 2d6 mortal wounds next turn on any units within 6in

Must be on table 1 turn before firing

If you don’t want to make it so much damage then make the secondary blast a detrimental effect instead like movement reduction.

This way your 1 shot weapon works for 2 turns

I kind of like that. It still feels very odd to me to shoot a long-range missile such a short distance, but gungo's suggestion would capture the intended "oomph" pretty well.