Is the Banesword worthwhile in APOC games?

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**Danzag**

So lately, as in, within the last week, I've been putting together and beginning to paint A LOT of Iron Warrior Chaos Marines.
I'm pretty much gearing up to be playing Apoc games and taking A LOT of tanks and stuff by using an extra "warband" of renegade and/or slave guardsmen (from what i've read, the I.W like to use a lot of slaves for trench digging and such) so I can make use of Artillery Batteries and Baneblade variants.

So I was wondering, to support the already artillery heavy line I will have, whats the better Baneblade variant to build?
I'm thinking making a Banesword for it's Quake Cannon.
Other then that, everything else is kind of unknown to me statline wise.

Thanks in advance.
~ Danzag

**Jidmah**

Try the ones listed here, afaik only the regular Baneblade and the Fortress of Arogance are missing:

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?catId=cat440317a&categoryId=900006§ion=&aId=3400020

In my oppinion the Shadowsword and the regular Baneblade are the best ones. The Banesword is a baneblade which gets 24"-180" barrage instead of 72" blast, but loses the demolisher cannon and co-axial auto-cannon in trade. The Shadowsword has a 120" destroyer weapon, which has a much better punch than the Quake Cannon, even with reduced blast size. 10" barrages allow a lot of cover, so it tends to even out with 5" but denied cover.

However, if you want a Banesword, go for it. Apoc is about fielding the stuff you like, and it's far from unplayable.

**Danzag**

Ahhhk, so the Shadowsword's main cannon denies all cover saves? Or have I misread?
If so, that's a pretty huge upside considering most people will hide from large amounts of artillery and slowly advance.

I may possible run both a Shadowsword and a Banesword as well as a full battery of Basilisks along side my Iron Warriors force.

**Akroma06**

Yeah Shadowswords ignore cover but lower AP...I like to stick with the old reliable the basic Baneblade for the potential TL Baneblade cannon from the autocannon and the Demolisher.

**Danzag**

Yeah, I've been wondering what would be worth taking since I'll most likely come up against Space Wolves, Eldar or Nidz.
I really need to get my rulebook out and work out whats a good middle ground between everything.

**Kommissar Kel**

Let me start by saying this belongs in Tactics, not YMDC; there is no rules question here.

That said for the tactics question: The Baneblade and Hellhammer both have more firepower(1 more main gun), but the Shadowsword Variants all get some different/better Special rules.

I prefer the Storm Sword for the primary weapon, the Str + Ap + Ordnance makes it a great anti-vehicle weapon, and the denial of all cover saves means you can wipe out Fast skimmers, KFF Orks, and anything which relies on Cover for survival(pretty much anything with stealth), also remember it is a 10" blast, which is the largest. Only problem is the somewhat limited range.

**I-bounty-hunt-the-elderly**

I agree that of the single gun variants the Shadowsword is best, strength D kicks ass. I think you could make the main gun easily changeable between a stormsword, banesword and shadowsword.

**Kommissar Kel**

I-bounty-hunt-the-elderly wrote:I agree that of the single gun variants the Shadowsword is best, strength D kicks ass. I think you could make the main gun easily changeable between a stormsword, banesword and shadowsword.

Easily Changeable between: Banehammer, Bane Sword, Doom Hammer, Shadowsword and Stormsword; the only thing the kit does not let you make with ease is the Stormlord(has to do with the weapon mountings it could be done but magnets are required and I didn't have any when I built mine.)

**Jidmah**

If found the stormlord highly unimpressive to a degree that I can chose to ignore it, and it is supposed to counter my army.

So you didn't really lose anything.

**Deathklaat**

i play Nurgle CSM and there are only 3 variants i would really choose.

1) the standard Baneblade - its a very well rounded tank, its hard not to take one

2) the Shadowsword - if you got something that NEEDS to die, use the this. its also tough on grease, terminators and landraiders.

30 the Stormlord - it uses a better version of the vulcan mega bolter, its twin linked AND it can shoot double shots if it stays still. Think about that for a second, now add onto that the ability to carry stuff and have it shoot out.

put IG weapon teams, SM Devastators, CSM Havocs and shoot your AT weapons from saftey. Or... you could cram 3 Daemon Princes in there or 30 Zerkers, charge it into the fray and ruin someone's day.

**Jidmah**

The vulcan mega bolter is not twin-linked, which is probably it's biggest problem. Using it as CRASSUS ARMORED ASSAULT TRANSPORT is probably a good idea though. Note that you could even put two chaos dreads inside and have them shooting out

**Andilus Greatsword**

The Shadowsword is the best - strength D weapons are ridiculously powerful. Since it punches through cover, ignores armour saves and causes instant death, anything under that blast is going to die unless they have invulnerable saves/eternal warrior. I had a Hive Tyrant get vapourized by one once...

**Savnock**

Your first question is whether you want your superheavy to function as a transport/bunker. If so, go Stormlord- especially if you already have a ton of other shooting that can put the hurt on Superheavies (like the Obliterator Cult formation, etc.).

If you don't want a transport, then you probably want something that will eliminate cover, so you want the Shadowsword as others above have mentioned.

Finally, do magnetize! It's totally worth the extra effort.

**mindfield**

Regular baneblade for me. Turret mounted main guns do have some advantage specially so when there are outflanking or deep striking units trying to surround your heavies.