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Has someone crunched some numbers for Tesla weapons such as the ones on Annhilation Barges, etc? I ask only because I was just kind of casually doing some math in my head, and was attempting to figure out why they tend to be so well received, compared to something like the 2x-Twin-linked Devourer on Dakkafexes, etc... I understand being S7 has some value all its own, but in terms of raw dakka, don't the Tesla Destructors come out roughly equal as they shoot fewer times, relying on their sixes for the "bonus" shots to kick in?

Well, mathematically, tesla is worth another 1/3rd of a hit per shot. TL a BS4 tesla weapon brings that total up to 1 1/3 hits per shot or exactly twice as a base BS4 not-Tesla or twin linked of the same thing.

You'd expect an average of 2 S6 hits, and 5.333 S7 hits + whatever the arc gives you.

At BS3, you would expect 75% of your shots to hit. Two twin-linked devourers would expect 9 S6 hits.

So 1.66 more hits, but mostly at one point less of strength, shorter range, no ability to arc to a neighboring unit and you get to pay 66% more for it.

Not to mention the Tesla Destructors are widely available on cheap platforms.

Mavnas wrote:
Well, mathematically, tesla is worth another 1/3rd of a hit per shot. TL a BS4 tesla weapon brings that total up to 1 1/3 hits per shot or exactly twice as a base BS4 not-Tesla or twin linked of the same thing.

You'd expect an average of 2 S6 hits, and 5.333 S7 hits + whatever the arc gives you.

At BS3, you would expect 75% of your shots to hit. Two twin-linked devourers would expect 9 S6 hits.

So 1.66 more hits, but mostly at one point less of strength, shorter range, no ability to arc to a neighboring unit and you get to pay 66% more for it.

And the maths mentioned to get that 1/3 extra:
The chance of getting a tesla hit is: chance of first shot getting a six or chance of first shot missing and second shot getting a six. Or means add. And means multiply.
So:
(1/6) + ((1/3) x (1/6)) = 0.2recurring chance of a tesla hit at tl bs 4.

Now you get 2 shots extra per tesla hit. 0.22222 x 3 = 0.6666666 (2/3)

Now the chance of your normal shots is: chance of a 3, 4 or 5 out of 6 (1/2) or the chance of a miss followed by a 3, 4 or 5 (1/3 x 1/2).
So mathmatically tesla creates the following number of hits per shot:
2/3 + ((1/2)+((1/3) x (1/2)) = 1.3333333 (1 and 1/3 hits per shot at tl bs4)




Automatically Appended Next Post:
A destructor also has the potential for 12 st7 hits.
Also bear in mind a dakka fex does nothing against av13 whilst a destructor will get a glance on average. Whilst against av12 a dakka fex will get a glance and a half whilst a destructor gets a glance AND a pen.
There is also the aforementioned chance of arcing.
The anni barge is also on an av13 (effectively) skimmer platform which has a jink save to boot. Meaning small arms are utterly ineffective against it.
Lastly compare it to an assault cannon razor back. For a few points more you get:
-skimmer type
-jink
-tesla (which makes it amazing at snap shooting too - think flyers or moving 12" to get side shots)
-increased strength
-increased av
-extra weapon
-living metal

You lose
-trans cap of 6
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