As in the title, I was wondering what you think is the best choices between those two.
Keep in mind that this is a little over 50% of my total army for a couple of incoming tournament (the remaining is a Dark Angel battalion plus some other stuff: vehicles, rhino and devastator): I've used the Dark Angel extensively for a lot of time and I have a lot of models, so it's not a problem to optimize that part of the list following the Knight Lance. However, I am seriously uncertain between those two different setup for my Knight Lance.
One (Terryn) is faster, more fragile, but put more tactical pressure on the opponent. The other (Cadmus) is relatively slower, much more resilient due to relics and trait (and has a Stratagem up his sleeve to neuter deep striker).
Another Household that never interested me but that I can eventually take into consideration is Griffith. I already though about a Griffith Gallant Seneschal for 7 attack (21 stomps) on the charge... but is it a one-trick pony?
P.S: both setup include 2 Traits and 2 Relics, so they are equivalent from this point of view. The [T] or [R] stand for those. They are also almost exactly the same point.
P.P.S: please don't tell me to buy Guard instead of Dark Angel, or a Castellan to replace the Crusader, or to use a Mechanicus-aligned Household, or to switch to Hawkshroud (which in fact I've played frequently).
I want to play with the miniatures I like, not with those you like, thanks
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OPTION 1 - Household Terryn: 1182 point
Knight Crusader - Thunder of Voltoris [R], Blessed by the Sacristan [T] (applied to the gatling gun obviously)
Knight Gallant - Landstraider [T]
Knight Gallant - Sanctuary [R]
I have NO defensive buffs (I found out that in tournament they aren't worth very much, is best to hit hard or force your opponent to shoot to another target).
The Crusader shoots really a lot (
3d6 discard lower hits of battle cannon, plus 12 shot that on 6 to wound cause a Mortal wound).
All Knight may Advance
2d6 pick highest +2 and charge
3D6 pick higher +2. The Knight with Sanctuary (5++ in close combat) will (usually) charge ahead of his brother with Full Tilt on first turn (advance + charge, with with an average roll will bring me directly in close combat, or in a position where you can't ignore it).
Terryn special stratagems allow you for 3CP to fight again.
OPTION 2 - Household Cadmus: 1201 point
Knight Crusader - Thermal Cannon, Stormspear Rocket Pod, Ion Bulwark [T]
Knight Gallant - Sanctuary [R], Veteran of Gryphonne IV [T]
Knight Gallant - basic stuff
In this setup, the Crusader is more reliable due to a 3++ vs shooting, its firepower should be appropriate thank to the additional 3 missile, while the Gallant (and the Crusader itself, if needed) will stomp most thing to death (reroll 1 to Wound in close combat, if enemy has within 12 wound as Household trait). The main advantage of this setup is that while the basic Gallant is somehow a distraction carnifex (if a Gallant may ever be called a "distraction") the other may face ANYTHING in close combat (even other Knight or units with a Knight-killing setup like Ork Warboss, SlamCaptain etc.) without issue. I think to be honest that it can withstand even Mortarion charging him; since with a single command point it has 4++ and reduce 1 damage in the fight phase... but I haven't done the math.
The Cadmus Stratagem is still pricey but useful, expecially to put a threat on enemy plans: 3CP to intercept a deep striking unit with a knight (the Crusader in the backfield obviously). BUT, differently from Auspex Scan, it will not suffer from a -1 to hit.
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After a few test (2 with both lists) I'm gravitating towards Household Cadmus.... but the Thunder of Voltoris alone is soooo good I don't know honestly what's best (really: the Thunder of Voltoris is the ONLY reason to ever equip a Knight with the rapid-fire battle cannon).
So, what do you will prefer (if you are a Knight player) or what will worries you the most (if you're not)?
As a general strategy, I've noticed that ALL my Knight ALWAYS dies during any game (if one or two are still alive by 3-4 turn I've usually already won by a large margin).
I've also noticed that the Gallant after the Codex very rarely feels like it needs an offensive boost in the Fight Phase (sometimes you may have some issue in clearing unit of bikes bogging you down... but it's ok).
I know that I am exposed to Smite spam. Unfortunately, outside going Mechanicus for the 5+++ or going Hawkshroud for the 4+++ in psychic phase, there is not much that I can do (except killing the psykers). In close combat, instead, very often my opponent has at least a unit able to one-shotting a Knight without an Invulnerable or some kind of protection.
Usually in the last round of the game the Dark Angel half of the army (always completely ignored by enemy in favour of the Knights) swoop in and win me games.
Of course this strategy will need a few tweak for the progressive scoring, but it's nothing complicated (and i have bike, rhino and a lot of fast and resilient stuff that can take objective).
So, with this mindset, it's best to be fast and focus on the offense (Terryn) or it's best to have a more rounded and resilient Lance (Lance), with the occasional Stratagem to punish deep striker (or forcing them outside the 12" bubble of rapid plasma fire and charge)?
