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For most units, the killability of a powerfist at 2 attacks is higher than a power axe at 3 attacks (assuming one has a bolt pistol too). Is it the cost (typically a difference of 5-10 points) that can quantify the aplicability of the power axe?

Am I missing something? If my unit doesn't come with two power weapons like Death Cult Assassin, why would I want a power axe?

Cost is a pretty big deal. Plus against MEQ (or anything with WS4/T4 or less), you're better off with an axe.

Marine with PF vs MEQ - 2 Attacks, 1 Hit, 5/6 Wound/kill.
Marine with Axe vs MEQ - 3 Attacks, 3/2 hit, 1 Kill.

Because a unit can't take powerfists? Take the guard codex, almost nothing can take powerfists that we would want in close combat. So we need to give them power axes if we plan on killing 2+ save models.

Although after thinking about it, maces are probably more handy on guardsmen. S5 guardsmen are just too much fun to not take.

Saying 10 points, and for marines you wound on a 3 vs a 2, which is hardly that big of a difference.

Per pretre the axe is considerably cheaper than a fist and AP2. Also, will crunch through most vehicles in close combat to boot.

I think basically the axe is cheaper and gives more attacks... so who doesn't want to pay less for more? Obviously there are situations where the Power Fist is better, but I think overall the Power Axe is better for me.

Everyone hates it when their sergeant misses both his attacks, but all of the sudden with 3 attacks a round, 4 on the charge... he starts getting pretty awesome, and he is cheaper than the power fist option.

Less Cost + More Attacks = More Dead Enemies

This is why I love 6th, so many options. You can choose what is best for you and not worry about the internet consensus. I can see why you'd want either weapon, but for me... most of the time... I'll take my Warscythe.

More Dakka wrote:Per pretre the axe is considerably cheaper than a fist and AP2.

This. In most situations it'll serve you better than a fist would.

Its also +1str. Nothing to sniff at.

The axe is cheaper, adds +1 to str and gives an extra attack in most chases. It's a good all around weapon, deters TEQ's from free wins and makes it easier to kill anything thanks to the bonuses above. With the points I save, I can add melta bombs and still have 5 points to spare for other stuff in the army.

Here it is for Marines.
>Power Axe [S5 AP2, Unwieldy]: This is a good choice for Monster Hunting and Tar-Pitting. You get your 2 attacks and can punch 2+ Armor. On the Assault this could give you 3 wounds that would force Terminators to make there invulnerable save.
>Power Fist [S8 AP2, Specialist Weapon, Unwieldy]: Just like the Power Axe but you can add Anti-Armor to the list of targets.

Here it is for Guard
>Power Axe [S4 AP2, Unwieldy]: This is a good choice for Monster Hunting and Tar-Pitting. You get your 2 attacks and can punch 2+ Armor. On the Assault this could give you 3 wounds that would force Terminators to make there invulnerable save.
>Power Fist [S6 AP2, Specialist Weapon, Unwieldy]: Just like the Power Axe but you can add Anti-Armor to the list of targets.

By adding a Melta-Bomb to the Power Axe, you can take on most things.

Anpu42 wrote:Here it is for Marines.
>Power Axe [S5 AP2, Unwieldy]: This is a good choice for Monster Hunting and Tar-Pitting. You get your 2 attacks and can punch 2+ Armor. On the Assault this could give you 3 wounds that would force Terminators to make there invulnerable save.
>Power Fist [S8 AP2, Specialist Weapon, Unwieldy]: Just like the Power Axe but you can add Anti-Armor to the list of targets.

Here it is for Guard
>Power Axe [S4 AP2, Unwieldy]: This is a good choice for Monster Hunting and Tar-Pitting. You get your 2 attacks and can punch 2+ Armor. On the Assault this could give you 3 wounds that would force Terminators to make there invulnerable save.
>Power Fist [S6 AP2, Specialist Weapon, Unwieldy]: Just like the Power Axe but you can add Anti-Armor to the list of targets.

By adding a Melta-Bomb to the Power Axe, you can take on most things.

Guard Sarges and characters almost always have at least 3 attacks thanks to pistol+ccw. We usually get 4 on the charge. However, 2/3 powerfist attacks does hurt, which is why I would take mauls and fists together. Tons of good strength hits in a unit nobody would expect from it.

No love for Power Mauls? I reckon they're awesome, especially for guard. Perfect for beating on vehicles.

Generally, the +1 strength isn't going to help as much as the AP2.

GCMandrake wrote:No love for Power Mauls? I reckon they're awesome, especially for guard. Perfect for beating on vehicles.

Power Mauls are great, I have them on most of my Commissars already and if I can get more, they are going to be all over my Space Wolves Army including my Thunder Wolves. On them its like wielding a Autocannon [S7 AP4 4+ Attacks]

Yeah, but if you're just taking them for vehicles then you might as well take Krak grenades. Tons more attacks from the squad at large and a higher str to boot.

Grey Templar wrote:Yeah, but if you're just taking them for vehicles then you might as well take Krak grenades. Tons more attacks from the squad at large and a higher str to boot.

I typically take both. Advantage of the maul is extra attacks, as you can only make one with the Krak 'nades. Also, it can be used on MCs, which often have inv. saves or low saves anyway, so the AP4 is less of an issue.

I've been taking 5 Guard Platoon Infantry Squads with 5 flamers, 5 power mauls, 5 melta bombs and krak grenades. Mob them into one big unit, add a ministorium priest and Belial or Jacobus (allied from Dark Angels or SoB respectively) for fearless, and away you go. Very, very deadly. Also very very expensive points wise!

Krak grenades can be used on MCs now as well. You're starting to get pretty spendy there.

Easy example 10 Chaos Terminators with PW or 10 with Power Axes.

30 Attacks on the charge, 15 hit, 8 wound. So against marines in power armor 8 dead but against terminators and average of almost 1.5.

Do the same with power axes, 15 hit, 10 wound. 10 dead marines and an average of 7 dead terminators.

Power axes are worth it if you are heavily protected either through armor or bodies in the case of IG squads.

The other example would be the old howling banshee models.
The mask gives you 10 I at the beginning so you get over the unwieldy rule. The +1 S is invaluable for actually killing something. Not to mention the AC2.

Grey Templar wrote:Yeah, but if you're just taking them for vehicles then you might as well take Krak grenades. Tons more attacks from the squad at large and a higher str to boot.

Yes you are correct especially for Guard and Marines. If you want flexibility MEQs and don’t care about shooting take a Power Sword and a Power Axe along with Melta Bombs, but I would not suggest it except for a few Special Cases like Thunderlords or Lone Wolves.

Yeah, so Power Axe and Melta Bombs on IG sergeants with the entire squad having Krak grenades.

DAaddict wrote:The other example would be the old howling banshee models.
The mask gives you 10 I at the beginning so you get over the unwieldy rule. The +1 S is invaluable for actually killing something. Not to mention the AC2.

This is debatable as the verbiage for unwieldy does not modify the users Initiative, it merely says someone using this weapon strikes at I 1. So regardless of their initiative... you attack on 1.

DAaddict wrote:Easy example 10 Chaos Terminators with PW or 10 with Power Axes.

30 Attacks on the charge, 15 hit, 8 wound. So against marines in power armor 8 dead but against terminators and average of almost 1.5.

Do the same with power axes, 15 hit, 10 wound. 10 dead marines and an average of 7 dead terminators.

Power axes are worth it if you are heavily protected either through armor or bodies in the case of IG squads.

The other example would be the old howling banshee models.
The mask gives you 10 I at the beginning so you get over the unwieldy rule. The +1 S is invaluable for actually killing something. Not to mention the AC2.

Unwieldy always makes you iniative 1 though, regardless of modifiers. I can throw as many iniative boosts as I want on a guy, but it will never overrule the "unwieldy" rule.

Your banshees would be striking at Initiative 1 just like everyone else unfortunately.

FAq said they have a set modifier(they said banshee masks and whip coils have to roll off)

Fists I think are good on guys with a decent number of base attacks. I would also put it on commanders that can get a lightning claw as well. That way they both get an extra attack but you have the versatility to take on anything.

As space wolves, a power axe on a wolf guard in terminator armor is a nice trade-off.

Its cheaper, and still gives you an AP2 attack for your wolf guard.

labmouse42 wrote:As space wolves, a power axe on a wolf guard in terminator armor is a nice trade-off.

Its cheaper, and still gives you an AP2 attack for your wolf guard.

Yes I am going to mix a bunch Axes, Mauls and Swords in with one of my Wolf Guard Terminators.
I am also going to be changing my Blood Claw with a Power Sword to a Power Axe.
I am even cosidering giveing one of my Thunder Wolves a Power Lance, mostly for Fluffy reasons and it will look cool to.

Leth wrote:FAq said they have a set modifier(they said banshee masks and whip coils have to roll off).

True, but unwieldy is not a set modifier, as it does not change the initiative of the user. It merely tells you what initiative step his attacks are resolved at. A subtle but important difference. Whip Coils change the initiative value of the model, unwieldy does not.

Trust me I hope an FAQ comes out and says Banshee masks over-ride unwieldy, I'll dust off my 20 Howling Banshees.. convert them up, and actually use them!

...so theyre always resolved at initiative 1, regardless of your actual initiative. I still fail to see what init boosts would do.

Sister Superiors for Battle Sister Squads have access to power weapons but not power fists or eviscerators. Being I3 they don't lose much by dropping to I1, especially with AS 3+ to protect them, and S4 I1 AP2 is netter in my eyes than S3 I3 AP3.

Power axes are pretty good on IG sarges in a blob as you get +1 strength and ap2 for killing marines and have extra sarges if your challenged. IG have bad init anyway so being init one doesn't hurt that much.

I think there's scope for maces. I regularly play Orks, so am thinking of kitting out my BA Assualt Squad sgts with maces. Perfect for challening a nob with a claw in a normal unit of boys.

D