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so I was thinking about running a big mob of Bloodreavers soon for my Bloodbound army, and I'm a bit stuck on which load-out to give them, I like the idea of having them all with rending, but the re-rolling ones is also a nice buff, so as it asks in the poll; which has worked best for you guys?

If you could please leave reasons as to why you choose any particular one over the other that'd be appreciated, cheers guys!

Reaver blades is my choice, bloodreavers need to be synergized with to keep getting attacks, with all those attacks the re-rolls makes sure you are getting the most bang for your buck

I don't play bloodbound myself, but I've fought them, and the re-rolls from the reaver blades are very very useful

rend, everytime rend.

The negatives to armour are amazing especially with the mass of attacks that the Reavers can bring

Thanks guys, it's looking good for both sides it seems, personally I think I like the rend better than re-rolls currently simply due to the sheer amount of attacks you can get, but at the same time quantity of hits over quality seems to be very popular for the Reaver Blades, I think I'll try both in seperate games to see how they both fare, but Meatripper looks like the way for me!

I've ran a mob of 40 with the rend axe, I gave them support with the banner guy. They draw a lot of attention and can't take it. Even though you have a butt load of them, they die to any and everything and fast. ive been using them as a throw away unit.

They are Khorne's plague monks; they run in, dump a bunch of decent attacks on something, then roll over and die. But to answer the original question; it depends notably on your local meta, because that will determine how useful the rend is.

I don't think there is much in it - both are good. Because of that, I take units of both because, well, it looks more interesting! It also gives you tactical options - being able to dish out more hits vs. Rend.

The blades are probably better the more you buff the unit(s), as the amount of re-rolls you get magnifies.

Are you using a comp system?

I'm of a mind that the meat ripper axe is the way to go. If you presume that everyone has some kind of save (with, ironically, Bloodreavers being the exception) then the rend is going to help you on 1/6 of the save rolls made. The blades' re-roll triggers 1/6 of the time, but only converts to a new hit half of *those* times, which seems less useful.

As far as buffs magnifying these- if we're just talking about increased attacks, then both weapon options are equally magnified.

Finally, one very corner-case scenario to consider- if you bring a Khorne war-shrine, it will be redundant with its prayer bonus.

Basically to sum up- until there are more models that have a save of "-", I think meat-ripper axes are the better in game option. But I like the way blades look better on the model.

 Red_Zeke wrote:
I'm of a mind that the meat ripper axe is the way to go. If you presume that everyone has some kind of save (with, ironically, Bloodreavers being the exception) then the rend is going to help you on 1/6 of the save rolls made. The blades' re-roll triggers 1/6 of the time, but only converts to a new hit half of *those* times, which seems less useful.

As far as buffs magnifying these- if we're just talking about increased attacks, then both weapon options are equally magnified.

Finally, one very corner-case scenario to consider- if you bring a Khorne war-shrine, it will be redundant with its prayer bonus.

Basically to sum up- until there are more models that have a save of "-", I think meat-ripper axes are the better in game option. But I like the way blades look better on the model.

There are a few units that dont have saves, I know skaven have 2-3 of them, but I see your point and can agree with you. I wouldnt be surprised to see more no save units though in the future.

Much like the bloodreavers, the plague monks are an all or nothing unit as they too have no save, personally I kind like the offset of defense vs offense, just a random 2 cent comment

Hm, looks like there were a few more "-" save units than I realized! That definitely slides the balance a bit more, but I'm still thinking I'd favor the meat rippers for now...

There may be units with out save values but I daresay that you would be unlikely to meet them on the battlefield when there are so many better options to take. The only no save unit I have come across in my games is the Bloodreavers but their no save is far outweighed by the amount of attacks they can put out in the right circumstances. They are also the new shiney and look awesome.

Rend effects ALL your attacks while reroll 1s only effects 1 in 6. That 1/6th off their armour save is better than a 1/12th chance of an extra hit

I haven't played against Skaven yet, but I feel like Plague monks (for reasons similar to Bloodreavers) should be seeing the table. They seem like they can turbo up the offense...

Nerm86 wrote:
There may be units with out save values but I daresay that you would be unlikely to meet them on the battlefield when there are so many better options to take. The only no save unit I have come across in my games is the Bloodreavers but their no save is far outweighed by the amount of attacks they can put out in the right circumstances. They are also the new shiney and look awesome.

Rend effects ALL your attacks while reroll 1s only effects 1 in 6. That 1/6th off their armour save is better than a 1/12th chance of an extra hit

Plague monk, dare i say , should be in alot of skaven lists cause of the amount of woulds they can do when given the right tools

2 attacks with foetide blade, 3 on the charge, if paired re roll all failed hit rolls
Plague scroll- reroll all wounds of 1
Icon of Pestilence- If a monk dies, roll, on a 6 deals mortal wound
Contagion Banner- Wounds of 6's allow you to roll another dice, on a 6 deals mortal wound
Doom Gong- 12" bubble -1 charge range and run to enemies
Bale-chime- Wound rolls of 6 count as rend -1

And you can throw all that in one unit then support it with Nurgle stuff and skaven stuff, I find a plague furnace and Epidemius to be great supports!!

Bonus* Giant rats dont have a save but when taken in a pack of 30 they each get 3 attacks and hit on 2's! lol

You say better option but really better how? Lists in AoS can be far more varied, Lets say you run Nurgle and clan pestilence, would you rather take storm vermin or plague monks? I would take plague monks as they are monster killy and benifit from nurgle spells and abilities, even if they dont have a save like stormvermin. Whats a better chaff unit than that giant pack of giant rats to be between the enemy and your vermin lord why you get into position? The enemy will more likely say "eh take the save from all those rats im attacking the lord, then be sour when 30 rats are attacking 3 times each hitting on 2s, if you space them and pile in right thats a scary unit.

Not trying to be a just trying to show the power of save"-" lol. In 40k there is always the "best option", in AoS, and why im liking it alot is that you actually have options in who to take and why.

Most gaming groups have restrictions on wounds/models etc, so in that case there is always a better option. Yes these are house rules etc but when playing 60 "wound" games you are hardly going to spend 30 wounds on that. Also makes it expensive to collect needing 30+ guys so its not really practical.

Most places I have seen do 100 to 150 wounds, so yeah I would take 30 in a mob cause its not like im taking 4 other units of 30. Even at 60 wounds I would, then I would add 2 plague priests, plague furnace, plague catapult and a grey seer. Bam 60 wounds, and I would be absolutely fine running it and have fun.

If you are upset about taking more than 20 in a mob then play ogres or something cause obviously a horde isnt for you.

The OP is about a unit that comes with 20 in the box, a unit with no saves, a good unit that need to use numbers to cover its weakness. You say a better choice, well lets hear it? Is that a unit the OP wants to run? Maybe the OP doesnt have that unit. Like I stated before there isnt a better choice, just choices that fill other roles.