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Since I got such great feedback here on the usefulness of Necron Destroyer Lords recently (and have completed my conversion - more on him in my Plog later) I wanted to ask about the effectiveness of Heavy Destroyers, since I'd like to convert some of them too.

So, in people's experience, opinion, theory, number-crunching, etc., does it seem like Heavy Destroyers are worth taking in armies under the new Necron codex? And if so, what are some circumstances in which they are most effective? Any other units/combos that they synergies well with?

Any input, advice, opinions, warnings, etc. enthusiastically appreciated. Thanks Dakka!

-C6

Ive tried them before, what really hurts them is the small squad size and point cost, other than that they do they job pretty well.

What you should almost ALWAYS do in a list with heavies is bring a stalker, twin-linked heavy Gauss cannons are great at popping light armor or killing a bunch of termies.

This is all of course implying that you WANT to use the heavy destroyers, most people here will tell you to just bring a squad of 10 scarabs, less points and can easily take down a LR or 2 light vehicles in a multi charge.

Destroyers cost a lot of points and don't bring a lot to the table for those points. 1 S9 36" range shot for 60 points? You can get that for 35 points (at S8) in a Cryptek of Destruction, which'd be almost as squishy as the Destroyer (the Cryptek would always get his everliving roll, the Destroyer doesn't get a roll after he dies).

I think if you really want to take them, you need to take 2 or 3 and then pad out the squad with some regular destroyers to soak up the wounds. Either that or through a D-Lord w\ a rez orb in the unit for 155 points to eat some wounds for your destroyers and offer a 4+ RP roll.

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That said, why take them in the first place when Scarabs are better at taking out every possible threat? It's not like the Heavy Destroyers have 48" to 72" range that they can blow away stuff from the back corner of your table.

Destroyers just don't bring enough to the table to makeup for their high cost. If in 6th, preferred enemy works with shooting, then they become much much better.

As it is, you can get Tomb Blades for less points and more utility in a very similar role.

Lore and I will continue to be at odds with the Destroyers, but he's right that they do work best as a mob, 3 HDs and 2 Ds.

When compared to lanceteks, keep in mind they aren't just 1 point higher in strength, but also toughness and save, and their mobility is superior, make their threat range effectively 48". They are also much better at peaking around corners to nab LOS and avoid cover saves then the crypteks are (unless you put them in a GA, which lore would never ever do ).

Key is, use what your paying for. They have superior mobility, use it. They also have RP, use it (as in make the squad big enough to be able to use it).

Thanks for the analysis, guys! This is exactly the kind of info that I was looking for

I think I may still end up converting 1-4 Heavy Destroyers, partially because the conversion I have in mind is a modular one (and not the one you probably are thinking... I'll share my secret plan soon ) Adding the Heavy Destroyer option wouldn't take that much effort, and I enjoy the challenge. Again, you can keep an eye out on my P&M Blog for that and other conversions and so forth:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/369482.page

Another reason I might still do them is that I have about 5-6 on-sprue Destroyers, and I like the design of them, and am enjoying the various conversion possibilities (like my above-mentioned Destroyer lord). I might convert the Destroyers to Canoptek Spyders, so that I can save my Spyder/Wraith duo-kit(s) for the Wraith option, since I'll need those nasty mofos for a scary CC squad to accompany my Destroyer Lord.

Any further thoughts on Heavy Destroyers, etc. still welcome, and thanks again Dakka!

-C6