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Both these vehicles perform similar functions, but the Devil Dog is cheaper. Its weapon is also AP1, which is even more effective than the AP2 of the Demolisher (right?). Granted its a small blast and only str 8 but it has the advantage of being Melta. The Demolisher is tougher (AV14) but the Devil Dog is faster (fast vehicle). They are fairly balanced with each other, but I like that the Devil Dog is cheaper, easier to convert (Meltagun/armor plates added to a Chimera). They seem to have about equal killing power, so if they die the Devil Dog would be less of a loss.

Vendetta aside, I think a Devil Dog or two might be a more economical tankbuster for smaller point games. The melta blast synergises with melta vet squads and gives you additional short-range tankbusting power.

Not even close. The demolisher is WAY better.

In order to get into melta range (which is the only range the devil dog is better), you've got to move forward 12" and fire. This gives it a 6" shorter range than the demolisher. More importantly, if you're that close, you're guaranteed to be in melta range (if not close combat) on your opponent's turn, while the demolisher is still sitting a comfortable 24" away.

And the demolisher hits more often with its larger blast template. The larger blast template also means its better against infantry. S10 means it IDs T5 things, which is rather important on some occasions.

And a demolisher is never going to get glanced to death by autocannons or shuriken cannons or plasma guns, or a whole host of S6-7 stuff, and S8 can't kill the demolisher outright.

And the demolisher can take more multimeltas if you want, or other good sponsons if you don't, and has access to a lascannon if you really don't want to have to get in quite so close.

The ONLY thing the devil dog has going for it is its lower price, but for how much worse it is, I think I'd find the 45 points to upgrade it to the real tank.

Good luck instant-deathing a whole paladin squad with a Devil Dog.

If you're just looking for a "run up, pop a tank, and die" platform, then sure, go for the Devil Dog, but the Demolisher is much better at infantry killing, and can reliably pop tanks from a further range.


Against AV14
24" 5+ to Pen for Demolisher (33%)
12" 5+ to Pen for Demolisher (33%)

24" Can't Pen for Devil Dog (0%)
12" 7+ on 2d6 to Pen for Devil Dog (50%)

Since the big deal about Melta is how good they are at killing AV14, any AV lower than 14 will tilt the benefits even further in the Demolisher's favor.

As has been mentioned, the devil dog is not as capable as the demolisher. I find this really sad, as I really like the fluff there.

That being said, there are still uses for the hellhound and variants. The hellhound is great at anti-infantry. Although guard lists rarely lack that.

The bane wolf is a great anti- MEQ piece. That chem cannon was designed to knock them out. If your lists lacks a lot of plasma, or you are planning on some intense assault squads to be in your lines these can work out decent enough.

And lastly there is the devil dog, not a great variant, as melta is not usually something guard lacks. Can be useful along the same idea of the banewolf, only for vehicles. Although do consider anything inside your half should be dealt with by other means or is now useless that it just dropped off its cargo (land raider).

For these kinds of vehicles, I like to reserve them when I know I will be assaulted, they act as counter-act units. Vs hordes or non-assault armies, I use it as a fast tanks going straight into my enemy lines forcing them to take it out or suffer whatever it has to offer.

These vehicles are great because they are fast, thats about it. In almost all lists, there are better tanks available, as was mentioned demolisher, then there is the medusa with bb, your stand lrbt, or vets in chimeras.

 TheCaptain wrote:
Good luck instant-deathing a whole paladin squad with a Devil Dog.

QFT. With changes to ID, S10 became so much more valuable.

Do you mean fnp? In which case, yes, that is another point that should be made.

And for ID-ing paladins with the devil dog, with good placement by your opponent, and you score a hit, that is a single paladin.

Added math so my first post sounds smarter.

 TheCaptain wrote:
Against AV14

24" 5+ to Pen for Demolisher (55%)
12" 5+ to Pen for Demolisher (55%)

24" Can't Pen for Devil Dog (0%)
12" 7+ on 2d6 to Pen for Devil Dog (58%)

Fixed your math.

UMGuy wrote:Do you mean fnp?

Both FNP and ID.

The ID change was that back in the day, a T4(5) model needed only S8 to cause instant death, now it needs S10. Especially useful against certain things on bike models, etc.

Different rolls. The Demolisher squashes infantry and tanks with its cannon, at the forefront and soaking up punishment.

The Devil Dog melts anything that gets >12", but is pretty squishy, and given its high damage vs weak survivability, will be killed sooner rather than later.

How is that fixed?
-(5-7)/6 = 33%.
-(3.5-7)/6=58%.

Blaggard wrote:
How is that fixed?
-(5-7)/6 = 33%.
-(3.5-7)/6=58%.

Because the demolisher is STR 10 ordnance, and the devil dog needs a 7+ on 2D6. This is just basic probability.

Ah yes,
So...
1-(2/6*2/6)=88% of penning, maybe, how did you work out 55%?

Edit:

I was doing it wrong.
4/6*4/6=16/36=44.444% of not rolling a 5 or a 6, so 55.55 chance of rolling a 5 or a 6.

If you want to field some hellhound variants, take the stock Hellhound with hull multimelta.

It's the most reliable, and versatile of the three.
Move 12 inches, and the flame cannon can shoot out to about 20 inches, giving it a good threat range and doesn't have to get as close to targets.
The multimelta can snapshot while moving fast, (when getting into range), or can shoot along with the fire cannon at tanks. Str 6 can still damage light vehicles, and better yet, you can target a tank, and position to template to hit nearby infantry as well (or score multiple hits on a parking lot).

Devildog needs to get very close to be useful, and it's BS3 small template is very unreliable.

Bane wolf also needs to get very close, and it can be harder to position the template for good hits, unlike the hellhound which can always get the most optimal template position.