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The Exterminator is probably in my top 3 Russ types (1st, LC/PC Vanquisher, 2nd 3HB Exterminator, 3rd 3HB punisher). They make good killers of light/medium vehicles and also do a nice job of handling most Xenos infantry thanks to AP4. As a last resort, the TL on the main gun also helps against fliers.

I'm not sure I'd go with plasma on the Exterminator, although the S7 matches nicely, as the PCs are for killing 2/3+ saves and the autocannons are for vehicles. I find it's better to specialise.

I'm not a fan of the eradicator, generally getting my AP4 from the exterminator, although it can be a nice way to put large blasts downrange while still getting use from sponsons. Again, I'd go with HBs here.

The Annihilator is not actually in the codex, and is FW only. I'm not sure on the rules. However, I think it is slightly cheaper than a basic russ, and you just get either a 2-shot or TL lascannon (not sure which). This is all right, but on the whole I'd rather pay the extra points for a Vanquisher when it comes down to AT.

The Annihilator is a good budget AT tank; TL lascannon as primary armament, and 20 points cheaper than a base Russ. Throw a hull lascannon on there, and you've got an affordable AT vehicle. Not about to win any awards, but won't break the bank. I plan on getting one for my Krieg eventually, partially so I can say I own every variant in existence.

I'm of a similar mind as Paradigm, though the Vanquisher is iffy unless you can put, at least, BS4 on it, either from Pask or an Armoured Battlegroup, but they add up in points very quickly and become prime targets for the enemy.

Pask in a Punisher is one of the most glorious tanks in the current meta, in my opinion, however. Can't do anything to something with better than AV12, but the Guard don't hurt for other AT options, but re-rolling to wound MCs (took out a c'tan shard in one round of shooting with mine recently), BS4 and 29 St 5 shots is most excellent against most things. An expensive variant, but can make its points back and then some against the right opponent. Even without tasty Trygons, C'Tan or Riptides to shoot at, it does reliable wounds to infantry and can whittle away the most common armour in the game.

As for the Eradicator, I didn't care for it at first, but in the age of objectives and cover shenanigans, it isn't a bad investment. Most armies rely on units which mediocre armour, but various cover buffs, or large numbers, to hold objectives. Scouts, plaguebearers, Rangers, etc all present either objective holders, or very hard targets to remove with shooting for the Guard. There just aren't that many ignore cover weapons with range in the army, so the eradicator can really help clear objectives and annoy Xeno players enormously. Truth be told, I'm hard pressed to think of an occurrence where something with a 3+ save is sent to hold objectives, even CSM use cultists for the most part.

I personally prefer the regular LRBT, but that's probably because I'm stubborn and old.

You might have problems running a Forgeworld tank regularly, though it depends who you play with. If it's a close group of friends then I doubt anyone would mind.

Personally I think it fills a niche that the guard don't need to be filled - long range anti-tank. I usually have so much short-range anti-tank that the rest of my list is built around anti-infantry (i.e. if all my troops are meltavets, I don't need lascannons on my heavy support). Having said that, I have no idea what point value it is so if it's a steal, go for it.

Oh my bad. I forget the names of the Leman Russ varients outside of a handful, I assumed it used actual Forgeworld rules.

I think that would be a bold move to say the least...150 points is certainly a lot to spend on what amounts to two twin-linked autocannons. I think you'd almost always be better off with a Punisher.

Well it's going to do bugger all against aircraft...it'll average just over 1 hit, against AV 11 you'll get a third of a hull point which is...very poor.

You can still proxy it as almost any varient though. It could certainly be proxied as a punisher, or a vanquisher.

I run 6 Leman Russ regularly at 2,000 Points (Generally 2 Vanquishers, 2 Demolishers and 2 Exterminators).

The high volume of fire the Exterminators put out (with three heavy bolter sponsons) is awesome, absolutley rips through light transports and most non-MEQ infantry with a really satisfying result. I converted the turrets for my Exterminators.

The great thing about the Leman Russ though is you can swap turrets really easily. SO you can have any of them ready to go essentially.

I know maths says the Exterminator isn't that great vs. aircraft, but I have had luck on my side and downed a couple of aircraft with them. Then again I also shot one down with a lucky Vanquisher shell.....

I run 10 Leman Russ tanks at 1700 and above.

2x Vanquishers as command or commissar tanks.
2x regular LRBTs as commissar or command tanks.

(at 2k, everything above this are all command tanks)

4x regular LRBT as troops

2x Thunderer siege tanks as troops

It's also worth noting that, with the standard GW LRBT kit, you get the battlecannon, vanquisher cannon, exterminator and eradicator guns, and with magnets (or even humble blue-tac) you can easily swap out the guns. The same is true of the sponsons, you get the full set and can swap in and out. So in other words, get a couple of hulls (GW one and a FW one) and you'll have enough turrets to go around. You can also pick up the guns from the other set (demolisher, executioner, punisher) online fairly easily, either through ebay or bits sellers.

You probably won't want more than 2 russes at 1k points unless you are going all-out mech, so if you can pick up 2 russes and then the turrets as mentioned above, you can get to use pretty much any variant going.

Not overly practical? The Executioner is one of the best Russ variants, especially with plasma cannon sponsons.