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 sub-zero wrote:

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:

 sub-zero wrote:
Does the Helbrute dataslate have any "fluff" or is it just the rules?

Plenty, it is some of the most interesting fluff I've seen yet, and does very well. My favorite has to be the ending story, an Iron Warrior gone insane but only desiring death, angry at those unable to kill him, it's actually well done.

Am I detecting sarcasm??? LOL

None at all, the supplement and dataslate fluff has been top notch lately, and it's one of the things I've enjoyed most about them, since it's been quite some time since we've had decent fluff to fill in gaps of knowledge.

I have to say, I think these helbrute dataslates are actually pretty cool and add something to the chaos codex.

If only the Helcult formation cultists counted toward your primary detachment compulsory troop slots, it would be auto take for me. As it stands, you have to take two troops in your primary detachment AND you get 2 squads of fearless cultists with a Helbrute. Seems a bit redundant, in a bad way. I still like it and will be trying it later, but meh.

The other formations are just too expensive, because it's still a bad idea to spend a major chunk of points on Helbrutes IMO, especially with the crazed rule.

 ZultanQ wrote:
If only the Helcult formation cultists counted toward your primary detachment compulsory troop slots, it would be auto take for me. As it stands, you have to take two troops in your primary detachment AND you get 2 squads of fearless cultists with a Helbrute. Seems a bit redundant, in a bad way. I still like it and will be trying it later, but meh.

People often buy Typhus for plague zombies (hes pretty bad on his own) and thier main bonus is that they are fearless. I would gladly trade FNP for +1 attack (pistol), flamers and ability to run (and hatred too when the helbrute dies). All for 100 points (way less than Typhus). Typhus list usually runs 100 or more zombies so 1 or 2 helcults + a lord in a fifth blob isn't a bad alternative (then throw in plague marines or go daemons primary to fill the remaining troops slot).

Truth.

Tested out the both the Mayhem Pack and Helcult vs Guard the other day, to great effect.
Won the match by throwing cultists in the air for a 3+ cover save on my Dakka brute (MM/ML), and the DSing Helbrutes took down his armoured parking lot, HQs and support models over 3 turns (2x PF/flamer/MM, 1x PF/MM). By the end of the match I still had cultists left too.

As for Helcult not counting as you mandatory 2-troop choices being the issue... How do you even win games if you're only bringing 2 scoring units?!

 Laughingcarp wrote:
Truth.

Tested out the both the Mayhem Pack and Helcult vs Guard the other day, to great effect.
Won the match by throwing cultists in the air for a 3+ cover save on my Dakka brute (MM/ML), and the DSing Helbrutes took down his armoured parking lot, HQs and support models over 3 turns (2x PF/flamer/MM, 1x PF/MM). By the end of the match I still had cultists left too.

As for Helcult not counting as you mandatory 2-troop choices being the issue... How do you even win games if you're only bringing 2 scoring units?!

Yeah I use the helcult to bring in Cultists when I'm bringing my Cult troops instead. Makes for some better 'hold the point' units and 'advanced line' units.

Has there been any clarification on whether or not the cultist can be zombies if you have typhus as your warlord?

Johnnytorrance wrote:
Has there been any clarification on whether or not the cultist can be zombies if you have typhus as your warlord?

Yes, the Typhus rule says "Any cultist units in the same army"

Not sure why'd you do it though, you already get fearless/zealot from the helbrute and lose the ability to get them closer faster.

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:

Johnnytorrance wrote:
Has there been any clarification on whether or not the cultist can be zombies if you have typhus as your warlord?

Yes, the Typhus rule says "Any cultist units in the same army"

Not sure why'd you do it though, you already get fearless/zealot from the helbrute and lose the ability to get them closer faster.

Agreed, I don't see a benefit of using Typhus when you're using the Helcult formation.

If you take a 3+ cover save, you lose a zombie. I guess in my mind the zombie gets a FnP?

Johnnytorrance wrote:
If you take a 3+ cover save, you lose a zombie. I guess in my mind the zombie gets a FnP?

It does not, no saves allowed, not to mention the fact you aren't rolling for wounds and such you cannot make it for the cultist in question to begin with.

What they said.

If you bring Typhus with the intention to field zombies, then you don't need a Helcult. If you're bringing a Helcult, you sure as snot don't need Typhus.
No point paying tax for effective more expensive zombie cultists when they die quicker than Renegade Guard in an Exterminatus.

The Helcult is ending up with dead cultists in the enemy player's shooting phase, even more dead cultists if they're targeting the helbrute; more dead cultists if they assault, even more dead cultists if they assault the helbrute; potentially movement phase vector strikes etc resulting in more dead cultists; AND you're losing cultists in YOUR assault phase if they're in combat, even more dead cultists if your Helbrute is in combat too.
Good times

What I tried to do in that match vs Guard was protect the Helcult 'Brute early on, then when I was getting close enough to charge with cultists I exposed the Helbrute to enemy fire in the hopes he'd give me a free boost to Zealot.

Gear-wise, I believe kitting out both units with flamers is worthwhile. One blob of cultists maybe gets autoguns if you have spare points just to force saves on emery models, and the second unit is always just pistols so you aren't wasting points when you're rolling 3+ helbrute saves. YMMV.

Sadly only now helbrutes have become decent units.