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So with the dawn of 8th, Defilers got a bit cheaper. Then the Codex came out, and they got a liiittle cheaper. Now, in Chapter Approved they're rumored to go down ANOTHER 12 points, to around 140 base. Are they now viable to take as a unit just based on how much cheaper they are than before?

Sadly for me, no, it really boils down to poor BS on what is a gun platform with some CC utility, I would rather take a dread for cheaper.

Agreed with @formosa. I'd still rather take a Hellbrute.

Thats a fair reasoning, I personally think the 5++, regeneration and the raw power of the guns it can take sorta puts it over a helbrute. But i also own two dreads so...ill probably play all three together

I have used them. For a CP you can reroll hits and wounds. I played one the other day in two league matches. They are great foe objective camping. If you park them in an objective, then spend 1 cp a Turn to reroll to hit and wound for the turn, they can threaten the entire board and anyone trying to take the objective has to deal with that beast. 4 Str 16 attack’s and 3 Str 12 attacks can get work done.

Would much prefer to put the points towards a Fireraptor - that is just the gift that keeps on giving!

They received a big (and I mean in the 50+ range if I recall) points drop from the Index which helped them a lot. They're still a bit pricey, but they're statted and costed now that it's not suicide to take one. If you like it, take it. Maybe won't win you tournaments, but who cares.

As you mentioned, decent firepower, daemon save, 14 wounds, etc.

I think they work best with other help from other deamon boosts. For example, a Herald of nurgle is pretty cheap, can give it a +1 to str and heal it d3 additional wounds a turn, that's an effective combo with the cp reroll stratagem.

Also, while I can't think what they are at the moment - there are a few Stratagems which apply only to Daemon engines, so that's something a Helbrute won't benefit from etc.

If the Chapter Approved rumor is correct at 140 points I think it will be much closer to where it needs to be.

 Elbows wrote:
Also, while I can't think what they are at the moment - there are a few Stratagems which apply only to Daemon engines, so that's something a Helbrute won't benefit from etc.

Hellforged something or other. 1 CP for a Daemon Engine to reroll ALL hits and wounds for a phase. Makes that 4+ not seem too bad.

With that strategem they do more damage than a las predator. And they can punch, and with the 5++ they are more durable than a landraider vrs most anti tank. They are ok.

Defilers are great workhorse units. They're not great alpha-strike killers, but they are very durable and put out hardhitting damage (not much else can wound T8 on 2+). Treat the guns as situational loud-noises as they waddle forward for board control and suck up firepower. As others have said, daemonforge makes them really shine, as do dark apostles.
I'm very happy they went down in points again! I used them even from the index though.

 vaklor4 wrote:

 Elbows wrote:
Also, while I can't think what they are at the moment - there are a few Stratagems which apply only to Daemon engines, so that's something a Helbrute won't benefit from etc.

Hellforged something or other. 1 CP for a Daemon Engine to reroll ALL hits and wounds for a phase. Makes that 4+ not seem too bad.

Blaphemous Machines. I prefer to use the move and shoot without penalty. It synergizes better with what the Defiler is trying to be.

Of course you can do both, but that's a lot of CP spend. I'd wait until it's in combat to do the rerolls.