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Are the basilisk or manticore competitive? They are super cool modela, but can they compete?

Both are competitive, solid units. Both will treat you just fine. Take whichever you like, either will work well in most lists, just don't let them get shot at.

Indeed, while I haven’t run the numbers on the current price changes... both are solid choices.

I personally prefer the Manticore, though used Bassies are probably cheaper / easier to come by. For me, front-loading the damage with the Manticore makes up for the limited shots. By the 4th turn, games are usually sewn up anyhow.

But that’s just personal preference and not backed up by Mathammer at this time. Both units are good.

In my opinion Basilisks are better in Cadian lists since they can roll 2D6 and pick the highest for number of shots naturally, combined with the cadian re-roll ones to hit and overlapping fields of fire it can be very deadly.

Manticores work best in Catachan lists, because it makes the most use of the Catachan regimental bonus, re-rolling number of shots.

my mate runs 3 bassies in his guard army, give me grief every game.

trick is to keep them protected because they are squished pretty easily

basilisks most certainly, I'd call manticores "upper mid tier" - you only don't see them in tournament lists because there are other options (uh, called basilisks...) that just do their job the tiniest bit better for the points.

Both are crazy good. I’m used to run two Armageddon pattern basilisk with a manticore combined in my Catachan list. With indirect fire and super high strength they are the primary damage dealer no one can hide from. Especially the manticore can be used to kill high toughness targets like vehicles.

I went with a single manticore, I wish I had gone with 2 or more basilisks. Dont get me wrong, the manticore is a very strong choice, but often it runs out of missiles and I need to charge it forward to do something with its hb. I run it cadian and have had a lot of low 2d6 rolls with it, where the basilisk would make up for it.

The manticore pays for its S10, but often won't even fully utilize it, the -3 ap from the basilisk would be stronger against a lot of targets.

I want the manticore to do better against targets like knights, where -2 or -3 still trigger the invul save, but havent had a chance to see it in action on the tabletop

The way I look at it, is no matter what, the Manticore gets at least one extra shot per turn vs the Bassie. Instead of discarding the lowest, you keep it. On average, the Bassie gets 4.47 shots per firing, where the Manticore gets an average of 7. (+2.5 shots, roughly 57% increase in shots, on average) Without factoring Doctrines.

So, for example, with Catachan Bassies you'd roll your two dice, reroll the lower of the two, and expect a 5 or 6 most of the time. But with a Manticore, you'd roll your two dice and if you get a high and low, re-roll that low roll and hope for 10+ shots.

I prefer the higher *potential* damage, from a competitive standpoint. A lucky swing on the first couple of turns can really change a game if your opponent is rocking a tough target and you get a solid shot out from your Manticore.

I haven't run the numbers since the most recent CA. I am not that inclined to pay for price adjustments. The two pieces used to be very close in terms of points per damage output vs a typical vehicle / monster. My view was that front loading the damage was of greater value, as it reduces / eliminates return damage, which keeps the rest of your army alive to do more damage for longer.

I have run both in quantities and found the Bassies to be overall better for the following reasons: Can shoot more than 4 turns, You'd be surprised how much better AP -3 is over AP -2 and can be used with the Vigilus Defiant guard formation thing that allows you to shoot one of your bassies twice for 2CP. That last one was the real nail in the coffin for me. You only own 2 bassies? No problem. You can effectively shoot as if you own 3 Too awesome....just make sure to throw lots of cannon fodder between them and your opponent.

Is there anything good to be said about earthshaker artillery carriages? I have 3 basilisks and 3 carriages, and other than not having 6 basilisks I struggle to see why I’d choose the carriages.

 Wolf_in_Human_Shape wrote:
Is there anything good to be said about earthshaker artillery carriages? I have 3 basilisks and 3 carriages, and other than not having 6 basilisks I struggle to see why I’d choose the carriages.

You wouldn't, the carriages are pointless in a competitive sense. GW basically obliterated 80% of the FW lineup from competitive viability with CA2017.

Oof, figured as much. Such cool models, what a shame. Super expensive, too, I might add... :(

Yeah it sucks. Great model got nerfed into the ground as part of that purtianical repointing GW did - seem to remember it was at the same time as Malefic Lords getting squished.