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I havn't seen much talk about these since the codex release and I want to talk about them.
As they are, they come with less wargear than the old dreads for 5-10 points more, but with a Crazed rule that's much better. The good thing about this new crazed rule is that we can get a long range turret or a big scary melee distraction, both for about 115-140 points without using our precious HS slots. The fact that we still can't deep strike them hurts thought,

So what are some thoughts about them? Personaly, I like the new rules alot. The absense of smoke launchers hurt, but I feel alot better now that I don't have to plan my entire army setup around the possiblity of a bad fire frenzy.

They're much better than the old Dreads, true. Unfortunately under 6th, as a walker they still kinda lucked out. They're a big easily-spotted target that moves slower than your average vehicle, with (usually) slightly less firepower to make up that shortfall.
Unfortunately, it's too easy at the moment to pick on them before they see action, unless you take a couple extra or some other vehicles for target saturation.

Very true, but I think what you said might be one of the Helbrutes strenghts; target saturation. With predators being so cheap (95 points for a Autocannon w/ heavy bolter sponsos), you could cram in alot of tanks/walkers in a low point game, althought that's assuming tanks arn't dead in 6th like I've heard (don't have much experiance with 6th so). If so, they're still something that can't be left alone ones they start coming up the field. The fact that there's not much competition in the elite slots is great too (most lists will fill up on FA and HS first so)

 Limbo wrote:
Very true, but I think what you said might be one of the Helbrutes strenghts; target saturation.

Exactly my thinking. Barely over 100 points buys you a model that can offer some fire support at a decent BS while the power fist will add some extra AP2 and T5 insta-killing options.
Thanks to it being crazy, I feel that a gun/fist combo is the best way to run it, as it will allow you to take advantage of whatever rule you roll.

As far as guns, I like either the reaper or plasma cannon. The is cheap and provides a decent option for busting tanks and threatening flyers while the other provides more AP2 and horde control which is good in the infantry heavy meta we're seeing.

I like the models.
I like the point cost and the options.

However, the elite part of the codex is a bit crowded. The only thing I can think of is target saturation, with 3 CC dreads running in front of your troops. But that means no chosen or terminators.

As for shooting, the forgefiend do it better IMHO.

Maybe in an all-mech list. Seems like you should be using your Hvy and Fast options first though, the daemon engines or the bikes, they're versatile and can be scoring in some missions. For target saturation, it's better to take things that are fast and an immediate threat, that can be threatening combat on turn 2, or the helldrake for anti-infantry.

 Seb wrote:

However, the elite part of the codex is a bit crowded.

Really? I'm effectively ignoring the Elite section it seems. Things are either too expensive or can be made scoring with the right HQ.

I kinda like to sit mine back with the Lascannon and Missile Launcher, it ends up being okay at taking out vehicles and hordes

 minigun762 wrote:

 Seb wrote:

However, the elite part of the codex is a bit crowded.

Really? I'm effectively ignoring the Elite section it seems. Things are either too expensive or can be made scoring with the right HQ.

The elite section does seem very situational, no real "must have" choices. Terminators for a deep strike list, choosen works best with abbaddon, mutilators and possessed would only be taken for fun. The Helbrute almost seems like the most versatile option imo. I mean, any list could probably benefit from a cheap gunplatform/distraction

I was going to say Possessed are probably the strongest assault units a Meching player has, but instead I'll point out the Hellbrute's price was decreased to 100 in the last FAQ. Anyone else find that really weird?

Compare them to C:SM, or BA dreads. I think that's a better comparison than comparing them to the old versions.

With a TL LC and ML, a hellbrute is 10 points cheaper than a C:SM dread with the same gear.
With an Reaper AC and ML, the hellbrute is 10 points cheaper than a C:SM dread (though the C:SM cannot become a rifleman)
For a bare 100 points a hellbrute can bring dual PFs to a fight.

The crazed rule causes a problem here. If you built a ranged hellbrute, then if you get a crazed result of "Blood Rage" you lose a turn of shooting. Likewise if you built an assault hellbrute "Fire Frenzy", you could lose a turn of effect.
This leads one to believe that the intent was for hellbrutes to fill a dual role with a PF and gun.

The problem with all of this is that walkers are less effective in 6th. Meltabombs and "Our weapons are useless" make them less effective.

now they are cheaper
http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m2710181a_Chaos_Space_Marines_v1.0a.pdf

Yeah the 5 point deduction isn't much but it is something. I've been running two with a reaper auto cannon and have been fairly happy with them. They are cheap and with the other high threat things that you can pack into a chaos list they tend to survive into late game. I haven't found them to be amazing but I think they are a solid addition to a Chaos army for a small price tag.

 alspal8me wrote:
Yeah the 5 point deduction isn't much but it is something. I've been running two with a reaper auto cannon and have been fairly happy with them. They are cheap and with the other high threat things that you can pack into a chaos list they tend to survive into late game. I haven't found them to be amazing but I think they are a solid addition to a Chaos army for a small price tag.

I dont understand the reduction of 5 points. There are so many undercosted/overcosted choices in the game and they change the hellbrute within 2 weeks of it coming out before anyone knows for sure if they are good or bad?

Hellbrutes lost the built in twinlinked bolter and the points were not deducted from the english rule books. It was however removed in the german and french books, so it was faqed/errated to correct the error.