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Hey mates. Posted this poll not to long ago about which Leman Russ would work best in a Mechanized Imperial Guard list and I am taking a crack at it again. As it stands, I have a list in play already and basically this Poll is to see which Leman Russ Variant would work best with my list. But by all means, feel free to share which Mechanized IG List/Formation you field and which LR Variant has performed the best for you. The more information the better as not only would that help me out, but others as well. As for my list, I am fielding the Death Korps of Krieg Grenadier Assault Brigade out of the IA Books and this is my current list atm:

* 1x Command Squad w/Meltaguns in Storm Chimera

* 6x Grenadier Squads w/Meltaguns in Storm Chimeras

* Thunderbolt Gunship or Avenger Strike Fighter

For those who are not aware, the Storm Chimera is a Chimera that comes with an Autocannon Turret base, and all of my Chimeras will have Hull-Mounted Hvy. Flamers. Reason for that is that DKOK Grenadiers are basically Storm Troopers with different Special Rules, and since they have to be within 18 inches to utilize their Hot-Shot Lasguns, the Hvy. Flamer makes since.

Atm, for the Leman Russ Variant I am debating on to field (plan to field 2x LR Tanks to start for now), I was considering the Annihilator but since I have so much Weaponry already that would be suited against Vehicles already, I am currently leaning towards the Demolisher. S10AP2 is still amazing in this edition, and it would fill my one major weakness, which is a lack of Horde Control Weaponry. Some of my mates have suggested the standard Leman Russ Battle Tank, however I fell that it is not worth taking at this time until GW updates all the tanks and makes it cheaper, but I am praying that they return the Lumbering Behemoth Rule. That alone would be huge for all Leman Russ Tanks. Anyways tell me what you think would be the best Lrman Russ Variant that would go well with this list and we will take it from there.

I'm a fan of the Exterminator with Lascannon and sponson weapons of some sort (mine have heavy bolters). It's a flexible loadout that allows them to engage any sort of target and at least attempt an anti-air role, and can reach out across the board.

I have limited experience playing guard, but what has worked for me very well so far is the classic Pask in Punisher, the standard russ has done some solid work with its base cannon. The executioner with its plasma has done serious work, but has also done nothing. I like it though.

The Vanquisher I would never take if it was not on a tank commander, but its done great work for me.

The final one I like is the exterminator due to its low cost, but effective weapons for dealing with medium and light infantry.

Conqueror with multi-melta sponsons.

You've got the Anti-Tank covered by the Melta Squads, so you might want to pick an Anti-Infantry specialised tank. The Eradicator is perfect for that - it murders any 4+ save unit, and often performs just as well against 3+ Troops as a LRBT because the main gun still wounds T4 stuff on 2s and they were probably getting a cover save anyway which negates the AP3 on the Battlecannon.

Then you can use sponsons of your choice. Heavy Bolters all round for more anti-infantry dakka, or say Plasma Sponsons and a Lascannon for more of an all-rounder.

The executioner is the plasma cannon one right? There's three Leman Russ E------'s so I get a little confused. Anyhow, the plasma cannon with plasma sponsons = 5 blast templates of doom at 36" which at S7 is quite the utility vehicle provided it's not moving

 SpinCycleDreadnought wrote:
The executioner is the plasma cannon one right? There's three Leman Russ E------'s so I get a little confused. Anyhow, the plasma cannon with plasma sponsons = 5 blast templates of doom at 36" which at S7 is quite the utility vehicle provided it's not moving

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but since the LR is a heavy tank it counts as stationary when it moves, meaning you'll always fire your load even when you're moving.


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That aside, I'm a fan of eradicators and standard LRs. As mentioned above, the eradicator's ignoring cover is huge against most infantry based armies, throw on some heavy bolters or heavy flamers to increase levels of fun, or plasma if you expect some heavier resistance.

Equally, the standard LR is just good all around. While you don't want sponsons on it generally (snap firing), the pleasant range and ability to take anything but TEQ while also doing good damage to MCs and light vehicles from afar (in case you lose your transports early on).

The one thing I dislike about punishers and demolishers is the short range, I don't like vanquishers because statistically they're not that good outside of the IA beast hunter shells, and whatever the autocannon one is (you can tell I really never use it, don't know the name) just seems so lackluster... 4 AP 4 shots?

As mentioned, go for an anti-tank option. You're lacking that.

I said it once and I'll say it again. If you are considering the demolisher cannon platform, why noy take Thunderer siege tanks?

Pros: cheap, robust (AV14.13.11), and mobile (no Lumbering Behemoth).

Cons: no turret, no hull or sponson weapons.

The cons are only a problem if your opponent gets a lucky roll on the vehicle damage table. IMO, hull or sponson weapons are useless on a demolisher platform.

 Crabbit wrote:
I said it once and I'll say it again. If you are considering the demolisher cannon platform, why noy take Thunderer siege tanks?

Pros: cheap, robust (AV14.13.11), and mobile (no Lumbering Behemoth).

Cons: no turret, no hull or sponson weapons.

The cons are only a problem if your opponent gets a lucky roll on the vehicle damage table. IMO, hull or sponson weapons are useless on a demolisher platform.

Aren't those forgeworld though? A that might be a reason why not to take them.

 kingbobbito wrote:

 Crabbit wrote:
I said it once and I'll say it again. If you are considering the demolisher cannon platform, why noy take Thunderer siege tanks?

Pros: cheap, robust (AV14.13.11), and mobile (no Lumbering Behemoth).

Cons: no turret, no hull or sponson weapons.

The cons are only a problem if your opponent gets a lucky roll on the vehicle damage table. IMO, hull or sponson weapons are useless on a demolisher platform.

Aren't those forgeworld though? A that might be a reason why not to take them.

OP's army list and units are FW. Thunderer siege tanks are part of the DKoK Assault Brigade list.

I have considered the Thunderer, however to be honest I don't have the money or the funds to order them for a while so that's why I haven't bothered looking at them. Currently, it might relate to what aircraft and I am currently leaning towards the Thunderbolt as I like the twin linked weaponry that it comes with. With that being the case, I'm still seriously considering the Demolisher as while it is a short-range weapon my entire Army is short-ranged as it's basically a bunch of Stormtroopers in Chimeras, and the S10 AP2 would be useful.

Guess that's the issue with my current list. Well I have 7x Chimeras armed with Autocannons, I really don't have weaponry that's great against hordes other than my Hull-Mounted Heavy Flamers. And at the same time I don't have any High Powered Anti-Tank Weaponry, other then my Thunderbolts. Basically, that's what I'm dealing with atm lol.

 Ironwolf45 wrote:
And at the same time I don't have any High Powered Anti-Tank Weaponry, other then my Thunderbolts.

And the 7 squads of Meltaguns? I mean sure they need to get close, but they'll make a mess out of any vehicle when they do...

Lol bad phrasing on my part. But you make a good point and at this rate I probably would be better off with something more suited towards Infantry. Honestly surprised that the standard Leman Russ is getting so many votes as not too long ago I asked about it and many people said it just wasn't worth the points.

 Ironwolf45 wrote:
Lol bad phrasing on my part. But you make a good point and at this rate I probably would be better off with something more suited towards Infantry. Honestly surprised that the standard Leman Russ is getting so many votes as not too long ago I asked about it and many people said it just wasn't worth the points.

It's really not, though within the context of an Assault Brigade it's better than for a standard Codex force because the prices on the variants are all significantly higher, as are things like sponson & lascannon options that can make the other variants worthwhile but that the basic standard Russ tank can't make terribly effective use out of.

That said, I don't think AP3 pieplates offer much to the army, what a mechanized Assault Brigade needs is some ranged high RoF fire, 7 BS3 autocannons isn't enough to really do that. The list really needs more dice to throw downrange, and a BS3 pieplate doesn't really fit that bill in my personal experience.

If your opponents aren't wysiwyg diehards, perhaps try testing the thunderers using LR hulls with no turrets? I have been playing as the Assault Brigade and am by no means an expert but I do love the cheap demolisher cannon. Beware the no turret though. An immobilized and weapon destroyed is almost as good as a explosion result for your opponent if he is smart so if you expect heavy fire, I like taking track guards and pintle mounts for a 50% chance to keep firing.

If your really hurting for cheaper russes, 120 points with get you a cheap HQ and Troop choice from the DKOK Siege Reg that has updated tank prices but probably wouldn't fit your theme too well.

Hope some of this helps!

I've always liked Pask in punisher with LC and multi-meltas and 2 executioners with plasma sponsons to take advantage of his PE. With the split fire orders he can issue it gives this squadron tons of flexibility as anti-tank or anti infantry. 20 str 5 rending shots, 2 multi-meltas, and a lascannon at BS4 with PE and TH/MC hunter will reliably wipe most MC's and vehicles off the board in one volley from Pask while the executioners gib infantry.