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I/m in the process of creating a Deathwing/Ravenwing army and I plan on fielding both Belial and Sammael. I plan on having a Ravenwing Command Squad act as escort for Sammael but I'm a little unsure of who I want to act as escort for Belial, either a Deathwing Command Squad or some Deathwing Knights. My intentions for Belial is to basically act as a battering ram against problematic spots such as a well placed gunline or taking out that problematic unit/vehicle/model that's wrecking more havoc then it should.

I was initially going to get the Deathwing Knights since I will be trying to get into CC and on the turn that these guys come in they will get the Fortress of Shields boost so they will be that little bit harder to kill. But then I wonder if I should just get a Deathwing Command Squad instead and kit them out with 1 or 2 TH&SS (for durability), a heavy flamer or assault cannon (to soften up those targets for the charge), a chainfist (to deal with any vehicles), and a Apothecary (because 2+/3++or 5++ w/FNP will be a bother). It's going to be expensive points-wise, but I'm paying for Terminators so this should come as to no surprise, and gives me some ranged weapons. Also, it frees up a Elite slot (For whatever reason. I don't know, maybe get a dreadnought perhaps?).

So which of these two would work better for the role I intend for them? Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Should probably mention that I will get a LRC at some point so they don't have to foot slog.

DW Command is too expensive for what they offer.

I tried the DWK and they performed more than admirably. However that WAS against Chaos. So they rock against Chaos and most Xenos... but since most armies are power armor i just don't know.

I am trying out spamming regualr DWT squads including Belial's "escort" in upcoming games. I'll be able to better judge the efficacy of DWK vs. DWT in this role.

DWK are really good for countering another deathstar. STR 10 AP 2 attacks are deadly to even MC's. ONly downside I have for them is that I almost always find they need to be in a raider to get them into the right unit reliably.

While the DWK can make a good deathstar, I've never been successful deepstriking them. While T5 is nice to nullify overwatch, having them sit idle for a whole turn let's the enemy focus-fire the crap out of them. I would only use them in a LRC for them to be truly effective (which you said you don't have yet).

For that reason, I would get the DW command squad with a banner (either DW banner for extra CC umph or FNP banner for greater buff). The champion is awesome, you can stick a heavy weapon of your choice in there (with Belial I recommend the HF to barbeque a squad hiding in cover on arrival), if you really like FNP, I would go with the banner as it's not that many more points from the apothecary and you keep a power weapon.

Hmmm...having a counter-deathstar unit sounds really tempting to be honest, lol.