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I'm trying to figure out which would be the better choice.

I am thinking of using them to grav chute a squad of Stormtroopers wherever needed. I like the idea of 3 lascannons on the Vendetta but I'm also curious of more options. Perhaps instead of relying on the LCs for taking out armor, I can use two Vanquisher tanks (one with Pask). Perhaps it would be best to take the missile pods for infantry, since I have been playing against Orks a lot.

Thoughts or comments?

This is just one guy's opinion, but I always take the Vendetta. Sure, it took a couple of hits (point cost, capacity) with the nerf-bat in the new book, but still came out looking good.
It's a relatively cheap anti-tank and anti-air option and thanks to the lascannons can pop armor in one shot on a lucky roll, which is assisted by having 3 TL shots.

That said, if your local area is fairly foot infantry heavy: that's what Wyverns are for. Those things will murder some orks that are moving across the table, and you can't beat how friggin' cheap they are. And all the buffs are built-in.

Vanquisher tanks are still pretty mediocre, even with Pask, due to reliability of hitting and overall cost. Pask is also better utilized in other LRs.

Again, just my opinion and experience.

I prefer the valkyrie, as i see it as a good multipurpose gunship, i use it to take out infantry, i have tau allies for anti tank

Thanks for your opinion!
I didn't think the Vanquishers were all that bad. What other Russes would you prefer to use, like the Executioners?
Maybe utilizing a Punisher would be best, and to keep the Vendetta. I was also thinking about dividing my Stormtroopers into two squads, effectively a deep striking flammer squad and a grav chuteing close combat squad to get behind enemies or armor and lay waste to them.
Thoughts on this?

I'd go for the Valkryie. Against unarmoured hordes, the missiles pods are things of beauty. Plus, you can fit a whole Scion squad plus two attached characters in it.

With LRs, Pask in a Punisher is pretty awesome, and he isn't too bad in an Executioner either. His PE rule would allow you to re-roll any "Gets Hot" results from the plasma.

I just think that the role of the Vanquisher is better accomplished by many other units in the codex, and at a cheaper cost. Vendettas being one of them.

While I don't think the Valkyrie is bad, there's just other units that can do the same infantry-shredding job (like Wyverns). The increased capacity is nice, but when you're grav-chuting some dudes out, you run the risk of mishapping when you have a bigger squad due to placement of the models and the associated footprint. Remember, it only takes one model from the unit to make the whole unit mishap. Using a fully loaded Valkyrie also turns it into a huge target, since I know that if I kill it before you dislodge your troopers I can pretty much decimate the squad inside at the same time. A huge Scion squad and two chars inside, and all I have to do is strip 3 HP off your flier? Yes, please. It's also important to note that you'll probably be jinking with your valkyrie, which means your rocket pods become useless. At least with the vendetta you can snap fire your TL-LCs

HOWEVER, if your opponents are light on anti-air, go for it, I suppose.

The huge caveat here is that you can take other factions to accomplish other roles, so if you've got it covered, just do what's best for you.

I personally prefer the vendetta, and I don't even put anything inside it; for me it's a reliable anti-armor, mc-wounding gunboat that's relatively difficult to bring down, and can easily earn it's points back. On the flipside, you don't lose too much if one gets shot down.

Pask in the Punisher is really mean if you can get into range. Otherwise I usually run him in a LRBT if I'm playing space marines or the Exterminator/Eradicator if I only need AP4. I'm tempted to play him in the Demolisher for S10 AP2, but haven't done that yet.

Glad you started this thread though since I just started building my first plane yesterday. I've always been leaning towards the Vendetta for the 3 TL LCs and that would let me exchange the Vanquisher for something. The vanquisher can be very good but I'm curious to try something else since I've had mixed results.

 House Griffith wrote:
I just think that the role of the Vanquisher is better accomplished by many other units in the codex, and at a cheaper cost. Vendettas being one of them.

What else do you like to field in place of a Vanquisher (other than a vendetta)?

What else do you like to field in place of a Vanquisher (other than a vendetta)?

Infantry Platoons/Veteran Platoons with Lascannons. Cheaper, and can usually get some form of a reroll from psychic powers or orders.

 House Griffith wrote:

What else do you like to field in place of a Vanquisher (other than a vendetta)?

Infantry Platoons/Veteran Platoons with Lascannons. Cheaper, and can usually get some form of a reroll from psychic powers or orders.

not a bad option and you're right about it being cheap. biggest downside with that is not being able to move and shoot at full BS. what about a HWS (or is that what you meant)?

Yeah, that's what I meant.
The Lascannon is a heavy weapon team within the Infantry/Veteran squad. They're not really intended to move; they've got the range to sit back and shoot, and with the Vets, you can take forward sentries and get +1 to their cover save; they should be in cover to begin with.
Pure HWSs are another option; orders can make these dudes beastly, especially the one that grants ignores cover.

On the topic of Vanquisher for anti-armor: They are fine if you give them the right support. I run a vanquisher as my command tank with an LRBT for support. Vanquisher gets a lascannon and the LRBT comes stock. It works fine for anti-armor, and with many lists not having reliable counters for AV14 behemoths, Leman russes can act almost unopposed. Primaris psykers/ tank orders realy let the vanquisher shine.

 Happygrunt wrote:
On the topic of Vanquisher for anti-armor: They are fine if you give them the right support. I run a vanquisher as my command tank with an LRBT for support. Vanquisher gets a lascannon and the LRBT comes stock. It works fine for anti-armor, and with many lists not having reliable counters for AV14 behemoths, Leman russes can act almost unopposed. Primaris psykers/ tank orders realy let the vanquisher shine.

I think a 30 blob with 3 LC is better anti tank than a tank commander with a vanquish and LC. Cost difference is only 25 I think.

With prescience the downgrade to BS 3 isn't a big hit and orders for ignore cover or tank hunter is huge. It's also the main competition for the vendetta

The second you include prescience and orders into your equation, factor in their points cost. Russes and Vendettas can operate without either.

420 for 2 blobs with 3 LC each. 50 for a primaris and Yarrick as the warlord. Total is 615 and it's a solid foundation of troops. Guard I'd not short on anti tank.

Ignore cover is also a huge deal for Eldar. Without it wave serpents easily junk at 4,3, or even 2+

Pask's nasty in a punisher. 20 bs4 s5 rending shots are a thing. I used sponson multimeltas + lazcannon and this combo proved brutal vs everything - be it infantry or tough vehicles. The only downside is range. Other than that - it wins in anti-tank duty vs a vanquisher unless you want to shoot av14. But that's what meltas are for, right?

Back to the flyers. You have lots of anti-horde anywayz. Vendetta's on the other hand a reliable anti-tank/mc that u'll need more. And it's the best flyer-hunter you can get...probably other than allying in ork traktor kannonz, but those are just skyfire so have a much more narrow role.

 schadenfreude wrote:
420 for 2 blobs with 3 LC each. 50 for a primaris and Yarrick as the warlord. Total is 615 and it's a solid foundation of troops. Guard I'd not short on anti tank.

Ignore cover is also a huge deal for Eldar. Without it wave serpents easily junk at 4,3, or even 2+

I've never tried this approach in a game, but it seems like there would be a TON of wasted lasgun shots if you're not issuing a split fire order. Unless if you're running dedicated HWS rather than embedding with the infantry squads obviously... Might not matter since the LC greatly outrange the lasguns but that's my biggest concern with this anti-heavy option. Regardless, 6 LC with potential for prescience, tank hunter/monster hunter and ignores cover is going to make some stuff explode.

Otherwise the vanquisher/LC and LRBT combo comes in at 295pts.

Definitely go with the vendetta. I wouldn't even bother putting the commandos inside. Helps with threat saturation to have them separate. And you can deplete his firepower more effectively if the stormies and the detta are firing right away at different targets. The valk is useless. Don't take it.

Definitely go with the vendetta. I wouldn't even bother putting the commandos inside. Helps with threat saturation to have them separate. And you can deplete his firepower more effectively if the stormies and the detta are firing right away at different targets. The valk is useless. Don't take it.

Ha, thanks for saying what I really wanted to say. Don't know why I felt the need to soften the blow earlier.

It all depends on how you build your list and what you're lacking. Also depends on the roll of said unit. Like if you plan on using it as a fast transport to drop units off then the valks a better choice. If you already have lots of anti tank/air then take the valk.

Vendetta is definitely more flexible. Use it primarily as a gunship to take out tanks and aircraft. In a pinch you can load it with a demo special weapons squad, or a small scions squad.

The Valkyrie is really needed when you need to fly 10+ men squads - such as in the Tempestus formation, the Elysians, or even if you just want to theme your IG as AirCav. In my AirCav-themed army, I run 2 Valks and 4 Vendettas, with 2 CCS and 5 veteran squads. I don't have any other armor in the army, and in that case, the Valks' rockets are Emperor-sent.