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So my escalation book and Baneblade kit has just arrived.

Exited to get building however reading through the rules I'm now unsure what to build....

Are strength D weapons all that good these days? Am I worth building a a shadowsword or a baneblade as my only super heavy tank?

Strength D is amazing.

Rolling Dice is for Losers.
Go Strength D.
-Matt

I assume it will still scatter 2d6 though?

It scatters as any other blast template. But any target model touched by a D blast can suffer severe damage.

So a 7" D weapon vs a strength 9 10" and demolisher cannon....hmmmm

Ianmr wrote:
So a 7" D weapon vs a strength 9 10" and demolisher cannon....hmmmm

The Shadowsword only has a 5" blast. Still pretty good though.

But is it worth have as my only option....I can't afford both....

There is probably a way to switch between the variants buy magnetising, or just not gluing certain parts. I know that I can switch my shadowsword to a banesword or stormsword by just not gluing the gun barrel in. Something worth looking into anyway.

Ianmr wrote:
But is it worth have as my only option....I can't afford both....

BOTH is the ONLY option! For the EMPRAH!

Whichever you go for, magnets are your friend. The baneblade can switch easily between long and short barrels, both of which have arguments in their favour tactically. Ditto the shadowsword and about 4 of the 6 variants it has (ie all those which don't include the troop deck at the back). I would also magnetise the side sponsons, although I don't like them myself.

As mentioned above... MAGNETS!!!!!!!

That said, I have played with (and against) the Shadowsword; while it's only 1 shot/turn and the tank itself can be destroyed fairly easily (compared to other super-heavies), it will absolutely annihilate whatever the pie-plate lands on. D weapons are disgusting, period.

It might be worth checking if your FLGS has any house rules regarding D weapons.

Being better won’t matter if all the locals play with a no-D rule.

Does the new kit build both kind of variants? (the tank variants and the tank destroyer variants)

I think if I don't glue the top structure of the tank I can which between but unsure how stable this will be, build the outside tracks tonight leaves me the options.
I have never magnetised weapons before....any tips?

Yes the kits gives you the option to build any of the escalation variant tanks.

I'm sure there are guideline and videos in the painting/modeling section of this site. You can get small magnets in bulk on Ebay for dirt-cheap, beyond that you'll need a drilling tool (Dremmel or equivalent) and some superglue and green stuff for cleanup.

I think it's going have to be the Baneblade, one strength D weapon vs a strength 9 and strength 10 all AP 2, I just think there is more killing power there.

Especially when I don't know who or what I will be facing.

I will look tonight to see if I can build it so the hull is switch able between the 2 top sides as I think there is enough parts to so.

Also a lot of people think Strength D inherently unfair. I agree with that sentiment

I prefer the Baneblade, being shot with S10 and S9 is nasty enough.

Remember to magnetise the main armament, both main guns are useful.

Strength D is the nuclear option for sure. I think the only time I consider bringing it out is when I might be looking at having it used on me.

I fear I will be seeing a lot of imperial knights.

Would the strength D be a better option for them specifically over the 9&10?

Ianmr wrote:
I fear I will be seeing a lot of imperial knights.

Would the strength D be a better option for them specifically over the 9&10?

Yes. Destroyer weapons can one-shot knights and ignore Ion Shields, as well as stripping hull points faster on average. The only drawback is that you might miss, but with the size of the knight's base, it's unlikely.

baneblade would be my choice as from experience the shadowsword can be a glass cannon. especially against fast army's that can get close fast.

If you are facing up against a lot of super heavys or a lot of invul saves, the shadowsword is probably the best bet. Against everything else Baneblade is a better "all comers" tank.

I could is it as a Hellhammer giving me strength 10 ap1 but only a range of 36"...... Is this too short a range for such a large item