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My research and experiences say lightning claw. Lightning claws can inflict the slightest more damage over time if you sum it up whereas power weapons can do slightly less damage over time and more in few situations. What do you think?

**I'm debating on which to put on my sanguinary priest**

Honestly its up to you, power wep snags you another attack due to two Close Combat Weapons and LC just makes you more reliable wounding.

I'd go for the Power Wep on most occasions, but if I was facing Chaos/Nids/ Anything which loves tough nasty beasties I'd use the LC. but for general use Power wep is more versitile. Although I love 3 attacks base in attack and defence

Pair of lightning claws work a treat.

I think two Lightning Claws will massacre - 2 Thunder Hammers will Obliterate

Priests cannot get a pair if either.

Lightning claw looks awesome. If your priest is in combat he will be singled out and destroyed. Therefore best choice from a tactical prospective is nothing. You want the priest nearby buffing other squads but avoiding combat.

Aren't lightning claws generally more expensive than power weapons?

PraetorDave wrote:Aren't lightning claws generally more expensive than power weapons?

same price
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rogueeyes wrote:
If your priest is in combat he will be singled out and destroyed. Therefore best choice from a tactical prospective is nothing. You want the priest nearby buffing other squads but avoiding combat.

I know that I am just considering furious charge and putting him to combat with lower initiative models. Get me? Also say he does end up charged by initiative 4 he can go out swinging power weapon attacks to get even. Worth it if you think about it, plus my list uses vanguard vets to give my assualt squad the charge.

I am still not convinced!
lets have some more opinions!

well versus normal marines odds are:

lightning claw: 2/3x3/4=1/2 (2 attacks normally)

power weapon; 2/3x1/2=1/3 (3 attacks normally)

so when not charging the likelihood should be 1 wound, but when charging the extra attack swings the chance in favour of the lightning claw.

And since marines are the most common type of army around, I would definitely go for the lightning claw over the power fist.

If you can only take one, take the power weapon to go with bolt pistol. If you can take two options, take the lightning claws-only as a pair.

My decision has been made feel free to continue voting/posting
I happen to have more lightning claws than power weapons atm anyway so I plan on making my sanguinary priests all with lightning claw jump pack bolt pistol thanks everyone for the awesome discussion

I suggested nothing, because I don't want my priests in combat. If I'm going to spend 15 points on a model's gear, I want it to help the model execute its role within the plan better, rather than being a contingency for when things have already gone wrong.

That 15 points is most of the cost of giving another VV a Storm Shield, or it neatly covers giving one a power weapon or lightning claw.

Deepstrike BA wrote:My decision has been made feel free to continue voting/posting
I happen to have more lightning claws than power weapons atm anyway so I plan on making my sanguinary priests all with lightning claw jump pack bolt pistol thanks everyone for the awesome discussion

Wait, can you even shoot your bolt pistol if you have lightning claws?

Lord Rogukiel wrote:Wait, can you even shoot your bolt pistol if you have lightning claws?

with one yes, two no

Deepstrike BA wrote:

Lord Rogukiel wrote:Wait, can you even shoot your bolt pistol if you have lightning claws?

with one yes, two no

False, there's nothing preventing you from firing a ranged weapon if you have two LCs. You obviously cannot fire a bolt pistol if you have to replace the pistol with a claw though.

Mathematically, lightning claws will almost always be a better buy than power weapon+pistol at the same points.

Although I would take lightning claws if I were given a choice between the two weapons, I would personally take nothing on the sanguinary priest except maybe a jump pack. That way you can keep your precious priest near the back of assaults where he won't be targeted.

If choosing between an LC or PW on a model where they both cost the same (BA vet sgt or Sang Priest, for example), the LC is probably the better deal. The greater reliability in wounding is really nice.

A lot of players choose not to give their priests cc upgrades, as they just want to hide them and keep them safe. That's certainly a legitimate and understandable approach. I usually give mine a PW or LC, as IMO it's a multi-attack WS5 model, and not doing so feels like a waste. I rely on careful placement in assaults to keep him alive, and if I'm going in against an enemy which IMO presents an unreasonably-high threat of still being able to kill him, I may keep him at the back out of base contact or in a transport, situationally.

Mannahnin wrote:If choosing between an LC or PW on a model where they both cost the same (BA vet sgt or Sang Priest, for example), the LC is probably the better deal. I usually give mine a PW or LC, as IMO it's a multi-attack WS5 model, and not doing so feels like a waste.

Couldn't agree more. Thanks for your opinion


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Priests should avoid all base to base contact. As such give them nothing. Sure you may get them to attack in cc but you can not depend on the model at the back of you squad to supply the powerweapon goodness.

For Chaos gor lightning claws. They look cooler and kill monsters.

BUT, not on a priest, keep the buff and through the points on something else. CC guys should be expendable, lif you CC your priest he will die and die fast.

Rock on,
OH, Magnets and you can have all 3 options to test out.

Deepstrike BA wrote:My research and experiences say lightning claw. Lightning claws can inflict the slightest more damage over time if you sum it up whereas power weapons can do slightly less damage over time and more in few situations. What do you think?

**I'm debating on which to put on my sanguinary priest**

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH put on lightening claws

You need to keep the priest out of CC, otherwise he'll be targeted and destroyed, removing your FNP save, (and FC, assuming you win and get to charge again).

If you can use the points elsewhere, then don't get either option. If you just happen to have 15 points unused, I defer to the experience of others.

LC, Marines are all mostly about quality. A higher chance to wound is better IMO then +1 attack.