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I have a general question for everyone. I'm beginning a Heresy-era Death Guard, and I'm wondering if giving the Praetor a power scythe a good option? Feel free to suggest what would be a good Praetor build.

Generally speaking, Praetors are typically taken in artificer armour with iron halos armed with paragon blades + another weapon, typically another specialist weapon to get that tasty +1 attack for two weapons. Everything else then depends on what legion you choose since Salamanders players get their exclusive awesome EW drake mantle upgrade and also storm shields alongside imperial fists.

Power scythe doesn't seem really worth it IMO, its unwieldy unlike the paragon blade which allows you to hit at +1S AP2 at initiative AND it inflicts instant death on a roll to wound of a 6. The power scythe is 2-handed meaning you can never really get more than your base attacks if you don't sweep/charge and its special sweep attack only works well if you have a really large base which even with a termie base doesn't hit all that much. The other issue is that you pay 25 points for it for less strength and utility than a power fist.

 Grimskul wrote:
Generally speaking, Praetors are typically taken in artificer armour with iron halos armed with paragon blades + another weapon, typically another specialist weapon to get that tasty +1 attack for two weapons. Everything else then depends on what legion you choose since Salamanders players get their exclusive awesome EW drake mantle upgrade and also storm shields alongside imperial fists.

Power scythe doesn't seem really worth it IMO, its unwieldy unlike the paragon blade which allows you to hit at +1S AP2 at initiative AND it inflicts instant death on a roll to wound of a 6. The power scythe is 2-handed meaning you can never really get more than your base attacks if you don't sweep/charge and its special sweep attack only works well if you have a really large base which even with a termie base doesn't hit all that much. The other issue is that you pay 25 points for it for less strength and utility than a power fist.

^This.

Although there's no reason why you can't give the model a scythe for aesthetic purposes but use it as a paragon blade (as long as you inform your opponent, of course).

Yeah, give them a paragon blade. The scythe really is a very overcosted power axe.

Thanks guys. It has been a toss up between the Paragon Blade and Power Scythe or just some other weapon. Although I may take the suggestion edbradders gave and model him with a scythe and just inform people it's a Paragon Blade.

Now, I got to decide if I want Deathshroud Termins or Command Squad.

Scythes are rad but not worth the same points wise as a powerfist.

go with paragon blades whenever possible.

 bkiker wrote:
Thanks guys. It has been a toss up between the Paragon Blade and Power Scythe or just some other weapon. Although I may take the suggestion edbradders gave and model him with a scythe and just inform people it's a Paragon Blade.

Now, I got to decide if I want Deathshroud Termins or Command Squad.

Funny thing about the deathshroud; they can be taken as elites, terminator command squads, an HQ, and even troops if you use happen to use pride of the legion.

@Zuul

That's why I'm torn between a Command Squad or Deathshroud. Command Squad would keep sweeping advance and be a tough little unit, but Deahtshroud are just cool looking and very fluffy.

As both a horde world eaters player and a solar Auxila player, I hate the scythes

 bkiker wrote:
@Zuul

That's why I'm torn between a Command Squad or Deathshroud. Command Squad would keep sweeping advance and be a tough little unit, but Deahtshroud are just cool looking and very fluffy.

I got both. The deathshroud are pretty easy to fit in since they start as a 2 man unit.

I usually start taking the command squad when I have at least 150-200 points to spare in a list with a lot of bodies. On smaller lists if I want fearless I will just take a chaplain.

Power Scythes are a cool weapon and work wonders against large units in much the same way as the Rampage special rule, but as with Rampage, if you face off against other small elite forces then it is kinda pointless.

They are great on Deathshroud because of how valuable the unit overall is compared to regular Terminators, they don't lose their ranged weapon and they have superior power axes. For anyone else though, you can get a Power Fist/Paragon Blade (the latter for a Praetor only) for the same cost and both of those are superior in pretty much every way.

If you want the most efficient use of your points, take the alternate melee weapon options. However, if you love the look and theme, the Power Scythes aren't awful, just not optimal. Look at it this way; Eldar players naturally gravitate towards Warp Spiders and Swooping Hawks as the strongest Aspect Warriors currently, but the other Aspect Warrior shrines are still phenomenal in their own right - just not quite as strong.

Caederes wrote:
Power Scythes are a cool weapon and work wonders against large units in much the same way as the Rampage special rule, but as with Rampage, if you face off against other small elite forces then it is kinda pointless.

They are great on Deathshroud because of how valuable the unit overall is compared to regular Terminators, they don't lose their ranged weapon and they have superior power axes. For anyone else though, you can get a Power Fist/Paragon Blade (the latter for a Praetor only) for the same cost and both of those are superior in pretty much every way.

If you want the most efficient use of your points, take the alternate melee weapon options. However, if you love the look and theme, the Power Scythes aren't awful, just not optimal. Look at it this way; Eldar players naturally gravitate towards Warp Spiders and Swooping Hawks as the strongest Aspect Warriors currently, but the other Aspect Warrior shrines are still phenomenal in their own right - just not quite as strong.

Good to know, and food for thought