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I have always had a special love for the Deathwind Launcher on Drop Pods - a 15 point S5 Large Blast is wonderful at killing all sorts of infantry, but I came across something interesting in 7th edition; Deathwinds can fire the turn they arrive.

Deepstriking transports count as moving at combat speed - i.e. can fire one weapon at normal BS. Is my understanding correct, or is my excitement premature?

Sounds legitimate. Very scary. Further reinforcing that drop pods cannot be ignored.

They are still short ranged guns on an immobile platform, have a chance of scattering onto whatever just got out of the pod, and significantly up the pod’s cost. But one of the (many) strikes, possibly the biggest one at that, was just removed. My opinion has shifted from “paying points to make pods worse” to “might be worth it in some circumstances”. I think it might be worth testing, and seeing how it works on the table.

I might take them on dred pods. The scatter factor is a little less for them.

I can't help but compare them to Whirlwinds.

Pros
15 Points Cheaper
Acts as a Transport for 10 men/Dreadnought
More mobile - deep strikes to where needed.
Acts as an obstacle which is more effective when combined with multiple pods.
Doesn't occupy the much sought after Heavy Support section.

Cons
No armour pen.
Shorter range.
Doesn't ignore cover.
Open topped.
Can't move when landed.

Personally, I think the Pro's definitely outweigh the cons. Any comments?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Nevelon wrote:
They are still short ranged guns on an immobile platform, have a chance of scattering onto whatever just got out of the pod, and significantly up the pod’s cost. But one of the (many) strikes, possibly the biggest one at that, was just removed. My opinion has shifted from “paying points to make pods worse” to “might be worth it in some circumstances”. I think it might be worth testing, and seeing how it works on the table.

I might take them on dred pods. The scatter factor is a little less for them.

Well, if you position them correctly, chances should be minimal. Aim it in one direction, disembark in the other, -4BS means you're not likely to hit. And by unlikely I mean seriously unlikely.

I've tested it already on 6th ed, and they make a huge difference. 3 drop pods, 3 large blast blast on a 10 man MEQ unit. Played last night - Cleared the squad with room to spare.

If you are disembarking on one side, shooting to the other you are doing an very aggressive drop. Given my druthers, I prefer a flank drop. Obviously every game is going to be different, but I only drop into the teeth of the enemy if needed.

That said, I run at most a pair of pods supporting the rest of my army, not a full drop force.

Also, my scatter die hates me. This colors my view of blasts/large blasts quite a bit.

Both of my current pods have the SB magnetized, so I will eventually experiment. Once I paint up the deathwinds that is. The last pod currently on the bench has the SB glued on, so I’ll not be running full missiles ever.

In an empty pod yes. Otherwise the 12" range means the unit you just embarked will likely be in the way. The large blast is, sadly, a defect with such a short range.

Since drop pods are scoring now, and you can fire on the turn you come in, I like deathwinds more and more. The short range isn't much of a detriment if you intend for it to be an area denial weapon against squishy troops. And drop pods are fairly durable, all things considered - open topped, sure, but also AV12.

 buddha wrote:
In an empty pod yes. Otherwise the 12" range means the unit you just embarked will likely be in the way. The large blast is, sadly, a defect with such a short range.

I disagree - If you aim the full distance, factoring in BS - you will scatter 8' as an absolute maximum. If you move you units 90-180 degree from the direction of fire, chances of scattering onto a unit is very low.

Put it this way, I've used this tactic in 20+ games, and haven't once in perhaps 100+ Deathwind Launches landed on my own marines.

They have however killed numerous Terminators, plenty of Marines and scores of Necrons (there are loads in my local GW for some reason). Obviously this is anecdotal evidence, but it goes to show they can be effective when used properly.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Nevelon wrote:
If you are disembarking on one side, shooting to the other you are doing an very aggressive drop.

Come on Nev, you know my play style. If there's anything in my half of the board... I'm playing very defensively.

I agree with the idea of using it for a dread transport. Pop a vehicle with the MM or MG (from ironclad) and drop the large blast on the content.

I'm definitely more open to them now.

 Tigurius wrote:
I have always had a special love for the Deathwind Launcher on Drop Pods - a 15 point S5 Large Blast is wonderful at killing all sorts of infantry, but I came across something interesting in 7th edition; Deathwinds can fire the turn they arrive.

Deepstriking transports count as moving at combat speed - i.e. can fire one weapon at normal BS. Is my understanding correct, or is my excitement premature?

I too have always loved the DL, and thought a DP army of Iron Hands spamming them would be so funny; you'd be forced to waste the firepower on the DP instead of something more meaty. Fifteen points can add up fast in spam, however. I would upgrade from the stormbolter in units that also had a flamer; make it a dedicated squad versus high-model-count, low-armor save opponents.