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The question came about when I read about the Death Company and World Eaters. As for the size of the competitors' armies, we're assuming that they're equal in terms of size and both armies have only Chainswords (but Kharn and Tycho still have their unique wargear). Your answer though can be based on fluff, crunch, or both.

I'd give it to the bezerkers because of Kharn. During the HH he was lauded as one of the best warriors in the crusade and since then hes had 10000 years to hone even more butchery.
Dont own either units so cant comment on tabletop superiority.

Yeah, both bare bones I would say the Zerkers have it. Add on jump packs, IoW I still give it to Karn's boys. But I don't think anyone takes zerkers with chain axes.

Yeah, the Berzerkers win this. Kharn is just icing on the cake, he could take out a noticeable part of the Death Company on his own.

Zerkers, they are crazy killing ninjas of the blood god

Kharn wins, though how long depends on who gets the charge.

Tycho forgot to bring a melee weapon, so he's toast unless he manages to double kharn out on overwatch/assault with his one shot melta. Feel no pain and a 4++ means he ties kharn up for longer than you'd expect. (~ 3 rounds if Kharn didn't charge).

Mathhammer says that for a 5 man squad per side + HQ;

If neither side got a charge bonus, then Kharn kills Tycho in round 3, then mops up the remaining DC, killing the last 1 or 2 in round 5, also likely taking out the last berserker. Kharn is the last man standing, but has taken a wound.

If the 'Zerkers & Special K get the charge, then Tycho dies in round 2 and then Kharn kills the remaining DC, probably leaving 1, maybe 2, Berserkers still alive at the end of round 4, with Kharn probably taking a wound.

If the DC gets the charge, then Tycho still dies in round 3, but the remaining DC last until round 6 before Kharn kills them, though they probably put a wound on him in addition to the 1 Tycho probably manages. Kharn is still the last man standing.

So yeah, Kharn is the deciding factor, as the DC actually oufight the KB's and if given enough time without Tycho or Kharn, then they would win vs an even number of Berzerkers.

Tycho is a chump for not having a melee weapon, but also allows them to stay alive by tanking Kharn with a 4++/5+++. You'd have more luck with a generic captain with a powerfist/storm shield for cheaper, as there's at least a chance he could survive and double kharn out.

Is that mathhammer with the bare bones units? If so I would like to know how it would go if both units had their signature gear, ie Icon of Wrath and Chain Axes/ Jump packs and whatever DC uses.

Kharn should also be a third option alone, it would also be the correct option.

 Lord Blackscale wrote:
Is that mathhammer with the bare bones units? If so I would like to know how it would go if both units had their signature gear, ie Icon of Wrath and Chain Axes/ Jump packs and whatever DC uses.

Then the Berserkers would get their face chopped off even harder, since DC can take power weapons and the zerkers can only take a Str: User AP4 chain axe and the icon of wrath only lets them re-roll their charge distance, since they already have furious charge. The fact that you'd double the amount of berzerkers wouldn't account for the ability of the DC to ignore armour.

Assuming 9 berserkers (181 points) against 5 death company with power swords (175 points), then Kharn still kills Tycho in round 3, but this time the DC polish off the Berserkers in round 3, then khan kills the DC by round 5, they probably manage 1 wound on him. Same deal with power axes.

If you give the DC the charge, they wipe the Zerkers out on the charge, then give Kharn a quality stabbing, while he's distracted with Tycho on round 2. Kharn finishes off Tycho and mulches another 2 DC, but gets taken down by the DC sarge. If they've got power Axes, they could possibly kill Kharn on round 2.

As for Kharn (160) alone Vs 5 Death Company with 4 power axes (160) on the charge?

Kharn kills a bit over 3 before they strike (assuming one was the chainsword wielding guy), then they attack back, managing about 1.5 wounds. Round 2, Kharn is infurated he can't find any worth prey and kills the remaining 2 before they can strike.

If they manage to get I5 (via formation) and have power swords, the DC will kill him on the charge in exchange for 3 or 4 of their own.

I guess that just shows how underpowered the CSM codex is nowadays. Our most dedicated close combat unit is totally outclassed by a unit that really should be, at best, it's equal. One group of crazed space marines compared to another, they should be more equal. Karn should be ashamed.