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I'm voting nob bikers should be in the running as well.

biker boss, pk, cybork, bp,combi skorcha 145
biker boss, pk, cybork, bp, combi skorcha 145
10 Nob Bikers (710)
all cybork, 2 bosspoles, 1 banner, 4 combi skorchas, 5 power klaws, 2 big choppas, grot orderly, painboy

Deathstars Under Consideration

I think in order to have a viable deathstar, you need 2 major components:

1. Resiliency - Your deathstar needs to be tough. It needs to be able to take damage and still dish it out. Tough deathstars usually include 2+ save models (whether it be armour, cover or even invuln's!), multi-wounds, FNP, re-rollable saves or any of the above. All of the deathstars on my list are ultra-tough and combine 2 or more of the characteristics above. The seer council will be getting re-rollable 2+ cover. Draigowing has 2W 2+ models. The Farsight-bomb has 2W models with 2+ cover. Daemons can have re-rollable 2++ Invuln's!!!

2. You need to either have Good Shooting if you are a shooty deathstar or Good Mobility if you are an assault deathstar. I don't consider slow assault deathstars (like hamminators) to be viable unless you have a way to make them go faster (i.e. infiltrate and fleet with Shrike perhaps). They will just get pwned by the shooty deathstars. Likewise, I don't consider shooty deathstars to be viable if they don't have the volume of shots (i.e. deldar wraithguards). With the amount of 2+ cover/invuln saves that some of these deathstars include, 10 AP2 shots that have to get very close don't mean jack and there's nothing to back it up in assault.


Also, some deathstars are on the verge of being a true deathstar, though I consider them more of a mini-star instead because they can't quite get up there in points. Examples of these include the Necron Wraithstar (Destroyer Lord + 6 Wraiths) and the Tyranid Swarmlord (Swarmlord + 3 Tyrant Guards + Tyranid Prime).

So with that in mind, here are some Deathstars under Consideration to make it into my tournament:



1000 Nob Biker Orks

Biker Warboss - Warbike, Cybork Bodies, Power Klaw, Bosspole
Biker Warboss - Warbike, Cybork Bodies, Power Klaw, Bosspole

1x Nob Biker - Warbike, Cybork Bodies, Painboy, Grot Orderly
1x Nob Biker - Warbike, Cybork Bodies, Power Klaw, Waagh Banner, Bosspole
4x Nob Bikers - Warbike, Cybork Bodies, Power Klaws
4x Nob Bikers - Warbike, Cybork Bodies, Big Choppas, Kombi-skorchas

1000


If any deathstar has a chance to make it into my list, this one is it. It's got good resiliency with T5 multi-wound models with 3+ cover and 5+ FNP. It's got good speed and good assault. Lastly, it's got respectable shooting that is often under-estimated.

--- EDITED ---

Swapped out 2 kombi-skorchas for 1 more bosspole and 1 grot orderly, as suggested by skyfi.



1000 Necron Royal Court

Necron Overlord - warscythe, sempiternal weave, phase shifter, minshackle scarabs, resurrection orb 205
Destroyer Lord - warscythe, sempiternal weave, minshackle scarabs 160

Harbingers of Despair - Veil of Darkness 60
Harbinger of Eternity - chronometron 40
Harbinger of Transmogrification - seismic crucible 40
2x Harbingers of Destruction 70

1x Necron Lord - warscythe, sempiternal weave, phase shifter, mindshackle scarabs 120
4x Necron Lords - warscythe, sempiternal weave, mindshackle scarabs 300

995


This is a variant on DexKivuli's Zahndy's Court. I actually like this one, though it is a long-shot to make my list. The Veil gives it some mobility. It's got decent resiliency with 2+ guys, 2 3++ Invuln's and 1 re-rollable save. Then it's got the 4+ We'll Be Back save and because of Ever-living, everyone gets a chance to come back unless the unit gets swept. Finally, it's got some scary assault with 7 mindshackle scarabs!



1000 Khorne Cavalry/Khorne-Dog Daemons (by Arleucs/MarkyMark)

8 crushers, instrument, icon, icon of blood
1 champ, minor gift
Karanak
Skulltaker on Jugger
1 herald on Jugger (exalted reward and exalted loci)
1 herald on Jugger, minor gift

990


This is an interesting deathstar by Arleucs. It's very fast because it can Scout. It's also very killy in combat. I do question it's resiliency but overall, I like it.

or


Herald khorne, exalted reward jugger Exalted Locus of Wrath
Herald khorne, exalted reward jugger
Skulltaker jugger
Karanak
20 Flesh hounds

Skull Cannon of Khorne

975


This list was suggested by MarkyMark. I actually like it better than the crusher cavalry list, mainly because if the dogs get insta-killed, it isn't as bad as if he crushers get insta-killed. But both are good.



1000 Dark Angels Ravenwing Bikers (by Asmodai Asmodean)

Azrael
Librarian, Lvl 2, Bike, Mace of Redemption, Auspex, rolling Divination or Telepathy
10x Ravenwing Black Knights
and
Allied Sevrin Loth for full access to Biomancy

Bikes have a 3+, 4++, and possible 2+ cover from Invisibility.
Sevrin Loth + Rad Grenade for T2 enemies (Haemorrage)
Azrael blind+Mace of Redemption Blind on -1 I from Stasis Grenades
Hit and Run for disengaging, shooting, and re-charging ( Take Furious Charge warlord trait)
4+ DTW from Sevrin Loth.


I would say this is decent deathstar if they can get Invisibility. Otherwise, resiliency is an issue as 3+ saves aren't really reliable at all. I think the Librarian needs to take Artificer Armor (if that is possible, not too familiar with DA). This way, if he can get Precognition, then you are looking at re-rollable 2+ saves (or re-rollable 2+ cover if Sevrin has access to Telepathy as well....don't know). In any case, this deathstar does have a lot of potential. Sevrin is a beast!



1000 Dark Harliestar Eldar/Dark Eldar (by ALEXisAWESOME)

Eldrad using own powers (see fortune...)
Karandras
Vect
6 Harlequins with kisses
2 Harlequins with kisses and fusion pistols
Troupe master with power axe
Shadowseer with kiss.

All this meets up to 940 odd points, and 600pts of it one 3 models.

Resiliency. stealth plus shrouded leads to a constant 4+ cover, 2 + in cover. Not that survivable. Add in fortune *which WILL go off, he can try twice, rolls 3 dice and picks lowest, and RoW and RoWitnessing cancel each other out* and that become a lot better. Both Karandras and Vect can tank at the front of the unit with there 2+/+ re-rollable. Karandras at front to LOS onto vect for AP2. Speed is an issue but karandras lets his unit infaltrate closer. Then movement and fleet should catch up.

In combat on the charge thats 36 rending wounds which re-roll 1's and to wound *doom will also go off...*, 7 AP3 attacks that wound on 3's and will hit on 3's, re-rolling. 7 stength 8 AP2 hits and 3 woud on 2's ignore armour hits. In other words it hits like a brick. Hit and run means we can keep FC and keep shooting in with fusion pistols + vects ap2 blast. So, what do you think, im sure you have already thought of them.


1000 Ghazzy He Da Manz Orks (by Dakkamite)

Ghazghull
Grotsnik

x8 Meganobs (MANz) 400
+Cybork for all from Grotsnik.
+Kombi Skorchas for all

Battlewagon - Deff'rolla, Red Paint Job, Grot Riggers, Armour Plates, , Wrecking Ball, Boarding Plank, Grabbin Claw, Zzap Gun, 4x Rokkit Launchers 205

990

Here's a deathstar by Dakkamite that is scary in assault and ultra-tough with 2W 2+/5++ models. Normally, I wouldn't consider this deathstar to be viable due to its lack of mobility. However, the battlewagon (souped up because I had extra points) helped to address this issue. It also gives them an extra layer of protection and as an added bonus, allows them to fire 8 skorchas out of it. They do have to be careful not to get surrounded and then wrecked, however.



1000 Spartan Hamminators Space Marines (by ace101)

Sevrin Loth
Vulkan

8x TH/SS Terminators

Land Raider Spartan

1010

This deathstar as suggested by ace101 is a little over 1K. Not a big difference at this level, but if I really wanted to get it under 1K, I'd drop 1 hamminator and give the Land Raider Spartan Armoured Ceramite, thus making it practically immune to melta. Another option would be to replace Vulkan with 1 vanilla chaplain and another 2 hamminators or 1 librarian with terminator armour + storm shield and 1 more hamminator.

In any case, this unit will hit like a rock and is fairly durable. It's biggest issue is its lack of mobility, but the Land Raider Spartan addresses that issue fairly well. The LRS can hold a whopping 25 standard models (or 12 terminators)!!! It is also one the toughest tanks around, with an option for Armoured Ceramite which makes it practically immune to meltas.



1000 Bad Company Blood Angels (by Tomb King)

19 Death Company, 1000 pts
1 Lemartes, Guardian of the Lost, 150 pts
1 Death Company, 50 pts = (Jump Pack + Infernus Pistol)
1 Death Company, 50 pts = (Jump Pack + Infernus Pistol)
1 Death Company, 50 pts = (Jump Pack + Infernus Pistol)
1 Death Company, 50 pts = (Jump Pack + Infernus Pistol)
1 Death Company, 60 pts = (Jump Pack + Power Fist)
1 Death Company, 60 pts = (Jump Pack + Power Fist)
1 Death Company, 60 pts = (Jump Pack + Power Fist)
1 Death Company, 60 pts = (Jump Pack + Power Fist)
1 Death Company, 60 pts = (Jump Pack + Power Fist)
1 Death Company, 35 pts = (Jump Pack)
1 Death Company, 35 pts = (Jump Pack)
1 Death Company, 35 pts = (Jump Pack)
1 Death Company, 35 pts = (Jump Pack)
1 Death Company, 35 pts = (Jump Pack)
1 Death Company, 35 pts = (Jump Pack)
1 Death Company, 35 pts = (Jump Pack)
1 Death Company, 35 pts = (Jump Pack)
1 Death Company, 35 pts = (Jump Pack)
1 Death Company, 35 pts = (Jump Pack)

Total roster cost: 1000pts

That likes like a darn fun deathstar to play. They don't really have good resiliency. However, they've got the hitting power. Rage gives them +2A on the charge and Lemartes lets them re-roll all hits and all wounds. They've also got some mobility.



1000 Taudar Wraith Bomb

ShadowSun - 2x Shield Drones

Tau Commander - Vectored Retro-thrusters, 2x Plasma Rifles, Onager Gauntlet, Repulsor Impact Field, Puretide Engram Neurochip, Multi-spectrum Sensor Suite, XV8-02 Crisis 'Iridium' Battlesuit)

Eldrad

10x Wraithguards - 1x Siritseer (Warlock) w/Conceal


There have been several people interested in this Wraith Bomb deathstar build. I finally decided to choose the build suggested by Tomb King.

Tomb King wrote:Yes the conceal gives a 5+ cover. The then stacks with shrouding and stealth. Making the 2+ cover save. Then fortune from eldrad gives them the re-roll to save. The list is seriously resilient. Still haven't decided if it should run plasma or missle for the commander. They ignore cover for all shooting. Have hit and run. The neurochip can help with counter attack, furious charge, monster hunter, stubborn, or tank hunter. Ide like to see this list vs Paladin star. I seriously think it eats it for lunch. The toughest match-up for this list would probably be the tau.

----------------------------------------------------------------


More deathstar evaluations coming up. Don't worry, I will get to every deathstar posted here and let you know what I think.

I thought nob bikers only got 4+ cover? 3+ was when they turbo boosted in 5th ed iirc?

Also, I wouldn't run that loadout on bikers myself. i would drop squigs, add at least 1 pole on a normal nob in case both bosses go by wayside, and add a PK over the squigs on a normal nob. 3-4 s8-9 attacks per round for 25 points is better than 2 extra s9-10 attacks for 30.

I think 20 flesh hounds might be a better bet then 10 blood crushers, flesh hounds is 40wounds versus blood crushers 30, attacks on charge (ignoring things like rage) is flesh hounds 40 and blood crushers 30,

Herald khorne, exalted reward jugger
herald khorne exalted reward jugger
skulltaker jugger
karnak
20 flesh hounds

825pts

You're missing out on 'Nids.

The Swarmlord (bio) + 3 Tyrant Guard w/ LW and 1 Tyranid Prime w/ BS&LW, DS, AG, TS, Regen

OR

2 Tyranid Primes w/ BS&LW, DS, AG, TS, Regen and 9 warriors with the same loadout.

I think 'Nids have the deadliest deathstar potential.

zaak wrote:
You're missing out on 'Nids.

The Swarmlord (bio) + 3 Tyrant Guard w/ LW and 1 Tyranid Prime w/ BS&LW, DS, AG, TS, Regen

OR

2 Tyranid Primes w/ BS&LW, DS, AG, TS, Regen and 9 warriors with the same loadout.

I think 'Nids have the deadliest deathstar potential.

The problem with Nid deathstars is that they're slow (though the Swarmlord is capable of deep striking with Gate of Infinity, it can't assault that turn, letting your opponent either charge you first or just run away) also they don't take up enough points to fit in this 100 pt mini-tournament.

How would a Death Companystar work. Just out of curiosity. Had a thing for them since 2nd ed.

Something in the area of:

Astorath
Lemartes
14 Death company marines with Jump packs. (2 PF, 3 inferno/plasma pistols, 3 PW of choice)

1000p

Eldenfirefly wrote:
How about 2 Destroyer lords with 12 wraiths? Its actually 2 units, but lots of necron players use the D lord wraithwing as a deathstar.

CSM also like to use either the Khorne Juggerlord with 5 chaos spawn or the Nurgle T6 chaos lord on a bike with black mace, with Sorceror on bike plus 10 nurgle T6 bikes. (A bit similar to nod bikers unit).

And since we allow Draigo, then for CSM, we can have Typhus + Abaddon + 10 Nurgle marked terminators with the works! lol

I would classify the necron wraithwing as a mini-star. It's got good speed, good resiliency and good hitting power. However, it's resiliency and hitting power is no where near that of a true deathstar.

The problem with the Khorne Juggerlord is that its resiliency and hitting power isn't all that great IMO. It is another mini-star who uses the spawns mainly as a delivery vehicle for its Lord. However, the spawns aren't all that killy and the lord will die easily to some of the other more killy units. His 3+/4++ isn't all that impressive.

Nurgle bikers also have the problem of offense and resiliency. While they have respectable firepower, they are in trouble if you catch them in assault and T6 with only a 3+ and 1W isn't all that hard to take down with both shooting or assault. This is what I would call a "tweener" deathstar. It's decent in most categories - mobility, resiliency, assault and firepower - but great in none of them, at least not compared to the other deathstars on my list. Most of the deathstars are my list excel in 2 or even more categories.

I will have to look into Abaddon + Nurgle + terminators. That may be a viable deathstar.

MarkyMark wrote:
Horrors, you dont need three conjurations really, you have enough LOS to protect from shooting and once they are in CC PSA has no effect, therefore I would suggest the other Loci's. Transmaj... etc and locus of change. d3 horror auto hits is a small fallback but it would be nice to see some palies die to it!, also the sd6 could be good rather then their base str3, yes its random but its chaos!. Personnaly I would have chosen a DP to lead/guard the horrors and hope for iron arm mainly for EW, palies will have a field day insta killing the LoC :(


Daemon prince, mark of tzeentch, wings, armour, mastery level 3 2 greater rewards, 1 lesser reward 355pts

Herald, lvl 3 (two rolls on divi, one on tzeentch for FF) locus of conjuration exalted reward (grimourie)

Herald, lvl 3 (two rolls on divi, one on tzeentch for FF)

Herald, lvl 3 (two rolls on divi, one on tzeentch for FF) locus of transmogfrication

Herald, lvl 3 (two rolls on divi, one on tzeentch for FF)

20 Horrors, blasted standard

1k pts dead

I would be hoping for iron arm enfeeble and possibly endurance (fnp for the horrors), greater rewards got to be plus 1 wound IWND and 4 plus FNP or re roll invul's and staff of change as the lesser gift for the DP and misfortune (or a couple at least) forewarning and of course prescience for the horror squad.

I am very interested in the outcome of this as I think, with enfeeble , the palies and tau will take a beating from one shooting phase. Also interested in the eldar vs daemons match up, this will all be down to dice though as runes will laugh at the daemons PSA and buffs debuffs :(

And dont forget, all the heralds shooting can be prescision on a 6, see that warding stave or hammer dude?, assign a few wounds to him, the tau dude with hit n run, assign a few to him etc.

The loci of conjuration is more for redundancy purposes. With Precision Shots, it's somewhat easy to snipe out the Herald even with his LOS rolls. But I suppose I only need 2 for redundancy. However, I do like the Portaglyph because every D6 horrors you generate will also generage 2D6 shots. And if the enemy deathstar is focusing on your newly generated unit, then he isn't shooting at your main unit.

As for the DP, I suppose it's a matter of preference. With 3 powers, there is about a 50/50 chance you may get Iron Arm. Also, Enfeeble and Endurance is very useful as well. I chose the LoC because he is more survivable (extra wound, cannot insta-kill him with S10 attacks), Divination powers such as Misfortune, Forewarning, Prescience and Precognition are great, he can be S8 guaranteed with the lesser gift and he is cheaper than the DP even when all decked out.

I will probably start playing my first games as early as Friday.

I'd like to apologize in advance if some of my replies appear kind of blunt, but I'm just going to give my honest opinions of some of these deathstars.

 bocatt wrote:
I tried to make a Deathstar with Abaddon, but he would just get kited to eternity without someway to take a transport that can fit him and his ten man strong super termi unit

On the other hand, I made a Dark Angels deathstar that has delivery system, and superb amounts of killyness

Company Master in Terminator armor with Lion's Roar, Digital Weapons, Mace of Redemption and Storm Shield
joining 5x Deathwing Terminators, sarge with TH/SS in front, one guy with AC, deep striking (mostly for twinlink and splitfire the turn they arrive)
5x TH/SS Deathwing Terminators, one with CRM in a Land Raider Redeemer with Multi Melta

1000 points

Not too familiar with DA. Don't have my codex currently (it is "on loan" to one of my friends). These look more like mini-stars to me rather than true deathstars.

Eldenfirefly wrote:
Dragowing can get kited as well. Similar really. Both are terminator unit deathstars.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Are we including tactics in this game instead of just charging the 2 deathstars into each other? Because a CSM biker unit can just keep at range and dakka the opponent to death if it doesn't want to charge in. (Although for the pink horrors unit, it will choose to charge in cos it is out dakkaed).

Tactics wil definitely be involved. That is why I feel that Tau may do well. Move, shoot and run away 3D6" (due to Shadowsun). If you don't have the firepower to hurt them or mobility to get to them, you are going to have a very hard time against them. The seer council may do well as well because they are guaranteed to be able to assault the shooty enemies on Turn 2. You just can't run away from bikers that can move 48"!!! The pinkstar may do well because re-rollable 2++ just don't give a f**k about anything and the LoC "bodyguard" can do the rest.

In any case, you can be sure all these deathstars will use tactics to their fullest.

MarkyMark wrote:

 bocatt wrote:
I tried to make a Deathstar with Abaddon, but he would just get kited to eternity without someway to take a transport that can fit him and his ten man strong super termi unit

On the other hand, I made a Dark Angels deathstar that has delivery system, and superb amounts of killyness

Company Master in Terminator armor with Lion's Roar, Digital Weapons, Mace of Redemption and Storm Shield
joining 5x Deathwing Terminators, sarge with TH/SS in front, one guy with AC, deep striking (mostly for twinlink and splitfire the turn they arrive)
5x TH/SS Deathwing Terminators, one with CRM in a Land Raider Redeemer with Multi Melta

1000 points

It is also three units ,

I think a truer deathstar would be this (keeping in line with FOC)

Librarian, lvl2 psyker, terminator armour, force axe, monster slayer digital weapons melta bombs
Chaplain, terminator armour, mace of redempation, digital weapons, melta bombs
Techmarine plasma pistol, PFG, digital weapons, melta bombs

10 Deathwing terminators, 2 plasma cannons, 4 TH SS


1k pts dead

Hmmm....looks formidable. However, mobility again will be a problem. The deathstar doesn't have good shooting and piss-poor mobility (like so many of the Imperial terminator deathstars with the exception of Draigowing, who has good shooting to make up for its lack of mobility). I really don't see this deathstar as a viable deathstar though I'm sure it'll kick ass in assault.

PredaKhaine wrote:

 BayneMor wrote:
Farseer runes fortune guide
Wraithguard x10
Warlock conceal
Shadowsun (Tau HQ that gives shrouded and stealth)

should be less than 1000 points.

A little tweaking for this one.

Baron Sathonyx instead of Shadowsun.

Gives them stealth (for a 4+ cover with a conceal 'lock) defensive grenades (IIRC) and hit and run. And a 2++ at the front for soaking damages. Add Fuegan for a 2+ and his I7 str 5 ap2 axe.
I'd also add eldrad going for divination book powers so aiming for the 4++ and re-rolls.

Eldrad
Wraithguard + Conceal lock
Fuegan
Baron
Farseer + Fortune (hopefully being just beneath 1k)

So this ends up with avge T6, 3+, 4++, 4+cover, 2++ at the front. With all the saves being re-rollable and Fuegan for challenges. Damage output still isn't the best, but you need an insane amount of anything to take it down. I've run this (at 2k - double FOC) without the Baron - No one has managed to kill it in a game so far. Anything within 12" is dead.

The Baron makes this unit infinitely better now that it can get out of combats it doesn't want to be in. However, it still doesn't change my opinion. It's got excellent resiliency. However, it still doesn't perform very well in assault and it's shooting output is still too low. It'll hurt elite units but it won't do much against another true deathstar.

 gpfunk wrote:
I'll be rooting for the Paladins. Though in these specific match ups I don't know how well they'll do.

Go pallies!

They definitely are one of the more "balanced" deathstars. However, I think they may have their work cut out for them against some of the "newer" deathstars.

Though it certainly lacks mobility, and I dont have my codex in front of me:

Max Grotesques, liquifiers, aborration, flesh gauntlet, urien upgrade

Urien
Duke
Eldrad

or something to that ilk, though I think it falls way short of 1000

@Jy2: if you haven't done the Hammerstar analysis, I'd like to update that entry:

trade Darnath Lysander for:
Forgefather Vulkan He'Stan

Add Storm Bolter on LR Redeemer.

Just a tuning effort to further cheese the entry, and make the shooting more powerful.

Ravenwing Deathstar:

Azrael
Librarian, Lvl 2, Bike, Mace of Redemption, Auspex, rolling Divination or Telepathy
10x Ravenwing Black Knights
and
Allied Sevrin Loth for full access to Biomancy

Bikes have a 3+, 4++, and possible 2+ cover from Invisibility.
Sevrin Loth + Rad Grenade for T2 enemies (Haemorrage)
Azrael blind+Mace of Redemption Blind on -1 I from Stasis Grenades
Hit and Run for disengaging, shooting, and re-charging ( Take Furious Charge warlord trait)
4+ DTW from Sevrin Loth.

3 Carnifexes with TL Devs/BioPlasma and ScyTals (or Crushing Claws) (add in Toxin Sacs and Frag Spines to taste) with 2 tooled out Primes. Still relatively slow but very tough.

I don't know about anyone else but I am pumped for this! Brilliant idea

Hey man, for the Nob Bikers Deathstar, consider dropping Kombi-Skorchas on those four klaw-less Nobs and giving them Big Choppas instead - this could give them a better chance to wound some of the big, nasty deathstar units.

Might be worth dropping a Biker and some kit to max out those Power Klaws as well. Bikers are pretty meh in CC without klaws.

My bets go to Tzeentch!

 Riddick40k wrote:
My bets go to Tzeentch!

As much as I championed them I doubt it :(. Against the Tau I reckon a white wash, but against the eldar everything will be psyhic tests on 3d6 and DTW on 5 plus (from the horror squad itself a 4plus) and against dragio wing again 5plus from the heralds and LoC and 4 plus from the squad DTW's.

Now just want to see what the deal is. Nob Bikers could potentially kite a slow melee deathstar (not that any propa Ork would do tha). I honestly reckon these sorts of shenanigans might need to be curtailed.

I know this isn't exactly a "death star" but I wanted to get my vote in.

Huron Blackheart 160
Sorcerer, level 3, spell familiar 125
3 Obliterators, mark of nurgle, veterans of the long war 237
3 Obliterators, mark of nurgle, veterans of the long war 237
3 Obliterators, mark of nurgle, veterans of the long war 237

MarkyMark wrote:

 Riddick40k wrote:
My bets go to Tzeentch!

As much as I championed them I doubt it :(. Against the Tau I reckon a white wash, but against the eldar everything will be psyhic tests on 3d6 and DTW on 5 plus (from the horror squad itself a 4plus) and against dragio wing again 5plus from the heralds and LoC and 4 plus from the squad DTW's.

Which is why i'm glad i'm not betting money

But as a fellow demon player its what i'm going with unless Necrons make it in!

Asmodai Asmodean wrote:
Ravenwing Deathstar:

Azrael
Librarian, Lvl 2, Bike, Mace of Redemption, Auspex, rolling Divination or Telepathy
10x Ravenwing Black Knights
and
Allied Sevrin Loth for full access to Biomancy

Bikes have a 3+, 4++, and possible 2+ cover from Invisibility.
Sevrin Loth + Rad Grenade for T2 enemies (Haemorrage)
Azrael blind+Mace of Redemption Blind on -1 I from Stasis Grenades
Hit and Run for disengaging, shooting, and re-charging ( Take Furious Charge warlord trait)
4+ DTW from Sevrin Loth.

I'd like to see something similar but with everyone on a bike:

Interrorgator Chaplain - Bike, Portarack, Mace of Redemption, Digital Weapons
Librarian - Lvl 2, Bike, Conversion Field, Digital Weapons
2xTechmarine - Servoharness, Bike, PFG (1 with Auspex)
10 Black Knights with 2 or 3 grenade launchers

T5, 3+ Armor, 4++ (3++ turboboost) Cover, 4++ Invulnerable
7-8 twinlinked Plasma Talons, 2 twinlinked plasma pistols, 2 flamers
Zealot (Fearless, reroll all misses on charge), 5+ DtW, Hit and Run

When you go in to charge then the techmarines can peel off if the opponent doesn't have a 4++ invulnerable already
Grenades can drop T, WS, I by one each time you charge.


Edit: Corrected Zealot

 lambsandlions wrote:
If these are only fighting other deathstars why do the tau battle suits need target locks? What other unit will they be fighting? Maybe change those to counter fire defense systems to protect against the assault because I am sure they will win any shooting fight. I also wonder if you want so many missile pods or to double up on plasma rifles. Plasma rifles will do more damage against every army but demons.

I don't know if I think demons or tau will win. I feel like it will all come down to a single turn when demons fails to get their 2++ save. Tau can sit in cover and get a 2+ cover save at all times which I think makes them the favorite.

I wonder if eldar needs to do anything to actually fight demons or just let demons generate powers and kill themselves from runes of warding?

My current prediction, tau beats everyone but demons, eldar beats everyone but tau, demons beats everyone but eldar, GK loses. Rock paper scissors for the win.

I'm trying to make the deathstars Take-All-Comer's. Basically, I'm trying not to build deathstars tailored to fight other deathstars, but rather, balanced deathstars that can adapt to any situation and against any opponent. In such case, target locks are vital to the Tau deathstar especially so that they can deal with more than 1 unit. Keep in mind that many of these deathstars can split up and some deathstars may consist of multiple units (or produce "free" units in the case of daemons with the Portaglyph).

I like the fireknife load-out (missile pod + plasmas) once again because I think it is the most TAC build for Tau. Missiles let them play the range game (6" move + 36" range and then jump back 3D6") and keep away from the majority of enemy shooting, which is mide-range. Plasmas are for dealing with TEQ's but sometimes will put you at risk from enemy shooting. All guns can be made twin-linked from the Command & Control Node.

Eldar does have the advantage of Runes of Warding.

It may turn out to be a rock-paper-scissors type of matchup. We will see.

 ace101 wrote:
I think I may have one:

Hammernator Demolition Squad

Darnath Lysander
Librarian - TDA, SS (Roll on biomancy/telepathy)

10x Assault Terminators - TH/SS
Land Raider Redeemer - MM & HK missile

1000

Notes: Load-out on the LR is tentative, they're just points fillers. Might consider dropping the gear for Lvl 2 on libby.

I see some potential here, though I much prefer the LRC because it can fit more terminators. The LR does give it some mobility and also a very resilient transport, but the downside is that the unit would have to combat squad if they want to go into the LR. At least with the LRC, you can fit 1 combat squad and both characters in it, though from my experience, a unit of 5 hamminators is actually somewhat lacking in hitting power.

This is a bubble-deathstar. It's got some potential.

Just a quick note, iirc ever-living should work even if the Royal Court gets swept -- they're still 'removed as casualties,' which should trigger ever-living. So they're even more resilient, and their lack of fearless doesn't hurt them as much.

 jy2 wrote:

 ace101 wrote:
I think I may have one:

Hammernator Demolition Squad

Darnath Lysander
Librarian - TDA, SS (Roll on biomancy/telepathy)

10x Assault Terminators - TH/SS
Land Raider Redeemer - MM & HK missile

1000

Notes: Load-out on the LR is tentative, they're just points fillers. Might consider dropping the gear for Lvl 2 on libby.

I see some potential here, though I much prefer the LRC because it can fit more terminators. The LR does give it some mobility and also a very resilient transport, but the downside is that the unit would have to combat squad if they want to go into the LR. At least with the LRC, you can fit 1 combat squad and both characters in it, though from my experience, a unit of 5 hamminators is actually somewhat lacking in hitting power.

This is a bubble-deathstar. It's got some potential.

Yeah, I see, definately switch the Redeemer with LRC. Also a change that I don't know if you saw was to switch Lysander with Vulkan to get the MC THs; this would make them much more deadly, and would also enhance the MM incase a hard target/vehicle in encountered. Sucks how you can't fit 12 terminators in a terminator DT; if FW is an option, i could switch with a CAR (Caestus Assault Ram), since its a flyer; assault vehicle; and has a melta pie-plate, and can fit more than 8 terminators.

I think everyone will have slightly varied opinions... I think you are better off just deciding on a few and playing them otherwise you will never face them off on eachother....lol

Didgeridoo101 wrote:
Hey,

I'm new to this board but I've followed your battle reports for a while. I'm just wondering why the Eldar Harliestar(Eldrad and Fuegan) didn't make it?

CHeers

Let's see:

Eldrad
Fuegan
Baron Sathonyx

10x Harlequins - Harlequin Kisses, 2x Fusion Pistols, 1x Troupe Master, 1x Death Jester, 1x Shadowseer 276

796


It's a good deathstar. The problem with it is its mobility, or rather, lack of. Eldrad causes them to lose Fleet and they have practically no shooting. To me, that is a recipe for failure.

Sorry, I'm going for the Seer Council over the Harliestar.

 Shandara wrote:

PredaKhaine wrote:

 BayneMor wrote:
Farseer runes fortune guide
Wraithguard x10
Warlock conceal
Shadowsun (Tau HQ that gives shrouded and stealth)

should be less than 1000 points.

A little tweaking for this one.

Baron Sathonyx instead of Shadowsun.

Gives them stealth (for a 4+ cover with a conceal 'lock) defensive grenades (IIRC) and hit and run. And a 2++ at the front for soaking damages. Add Fuegan for a 2+ and his I7 str 5 ap2 axe.
I'd also add eldrad going for divination book powers so aiming for the 4++ and re-rolls.

Eldrad
Wraithguard + Conceal lock
Fuegan
Baron
Farseer + Fortune (hopefully being just beneath 1k)

So this ends up with avge T6, 3+, 4++, 4+cover, 2++ at the front. With all the saves being re-rollable and Fuegan for challenges. Damage output still isn't the best, but you need an insane amount of anything to take it down. I've run this (at 2k - double FOC) without the Baron - No one has managed to kill it in a game so far. Anything within 12" is dead.

The Wraithguardstar is especailly potent if you get the power that lets you overwatch at full BS. You can't take a 2nd farseer though (unless it's double FOC)

Which means I usually just take the Codex powers, because Fortune > all.

Right. For the purposes of these battles, only single-FOC deathstars are considered.

macexor wrote:
How much Dakka does this pinkstar have?

Apart from the Jetseer Council you can also try a Beastpack but it'll be 800 points max (if you only use 1 FoC)
Vect
Baron
Eldrad
Beastpack
-5 Beast Masters
-4 Khymeraes
-8 Razorwing Flocks

I like this. Though from my experience, precision shots pretty much kill this deathstar dead. In order for this unit to work, you need Invisibility. Now the question becomes, should I go for book powers for Invisibility and Prescience or should I go for codex powers for Fortune and Guide? Also, Vect being only AP3 hurts this unit.

So it's got good mobility and good hitting power. The main question comes down to its resiliency, but this deathstar does have potential to do well. I will add it to my Deathstars Under Consideration list.

I want the horrors to win butm afraid I'm gonna have to say the tau will win...

 ImotekhTheStormlord wrote:
How are you going to set up this scenario? I believe the board size should be fairly small to avoid the faster deathstars kiting the slower ones. Imagine Farsight running across the board in circles shooting the draigowing in pursuit.

I'd probably do it on a normal 6x4 table.

I think I may impose some type of penalty system against deathstars who are stalling for time. You either have to be advancing towards the enemy or making an attempt to get into range to shoot at them (though you can run away afterwards). Maybe -50VP's for each turn spent stalling? Got to think about that one.

 Redbeard wrote:

 ImotekhTheStormlord wrote:
How are you going to set up this scenario? I believe the board size should be fairly small to avoid the faster deathstars kiting the slower ones. Imagine Farsight running across the board in circles shooting the draigowing in pursuit.

Isn't one of the important things about a deathstar how they can control a game? I think it should be a 4x6 table with 24" between starting positions. If Farsight can kite Draigowing, then Farsight should win that matchup. (On the other hand, Draigowing has a lot of shooting too).

Agreed, though deployment will just be standard deployment types.

However, don't under-estimate Draigowing. Keep in mind that Grand Strategy gives them Scout, so they basically have a 36" starting shooting range.

If I'm reading this right, the Dais of Destruction acts like a regular raider so 10 man capacity

Would:
Asdrubael Vect
Drazhar
7x Incubi + Klaivex with all the upgrades
all on a Dais of Destruction (that's still only ten models)

for 921 pts, be worth throwing at someone? It's not the full 1000, but man can they rip and tear

Draigowing is only lacking in mobility which is why I think they'll suffer in most of these match ups. In situations where they can't force the issue, they will struggle. The farsight bomb will be able to completely outrun them with their assault moves while peppering them with fire. Same with the Seer Council. I think that they have a fair shot if they get average rending with their psycannons and the Tau Bomb gets less than average assault jumps.

Still...go paladins! Draigo must carve his name in Farsight's chest!

And also the Baron.