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I'm sure this has been said before, but I didn't find it.

Because if one thinks about it, getting struck with a chain blade would be far more devastating than a regular sword. So shouldn't Chainswords be a decently expensive upgrade - with, say, flashbane or some other wound modifier.

Fleshbane would be too much, it is way to powerful.

Something smaller like Shred, or even just Reroll To-Wound rolls of one would be better.

Of course, a simple AP:6 could help separate it out without having to repoint all the Marine and Imperium codices.

AP6, +1 point.

Because according to GW melee sucks

ap6, are you sure? For a point? I mean, thank god you can finally take down the unstoppablee power house armies that are Orks and Termagants, but you might be underpricing it a bit.

S-user AP5 is my vote. It is the basic CC weapon; you need some incentive to upgrade. Comparable to Scything Talons, minus the re-rolls as Marines already get those from Doctrines.

I say just make it S+1ap-

While in real life a chain saw is stronger than a sharp piece of metal. The difference in game terms is probably less noticeable.

Personally I think the power weapon melee weapons are already wrong. And those are disrupter fields that melt through armour and power fields.

I think power axes and swords should be the same. S-user ap3
I think power lances and explosive lances such as rough riders should be the same. +2 int on charge, ap3
I think power clubs, mauls should be str +2, ap4, concussive
They above should all cost the same 5ppm cost.
I think power fists should stay strx2 Ap2
This should cost 10ppm and be limited

Chain swords should just be the same as regular swords unless it's a 2 hander like eviscerator which is entirely over costed in this game and should be 15ppm and limited the same as chain fists.

However this all requires changes through every codex since there are essentially renamed weapons in multiple dexs.

S: User AP:- re-roll ones to wound, would be my vote. Chainswords are usually either the default melee weapon or else free. They should get some kind of bonus, but it shouldn't be huge.

I could go for AP6 too, though that doesn't matter terribly often, and it is kinda the one bonus that Tyranids get (Scytals being AP6, that is). I think AP5 or full-on Shred would be slightly too much.

Didn't they used to be AP6? I could be misremembering, but I'm almost certain that we used to play them as such in my group.

In certain novels the "chain" part of a chainsword is used only when the blade gets lodged in something tough. They use it to tear away from a target and free the sword. It's to prevent you losing your sword inside a big nasty creature. I'm not sure if this is the actual way they work or just what some writers have it as. If anything I see it as needing a strength bonus to represent you stabbing the opponent and then revving it up. Multiple moving cutting surfaces have more difficulty penetrating stuff but when they do get a good grip it rips and tears.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
In certain novels the "chain" part of a chainsword is used only when the blade gets lodged in something tough. They use it to tear away from a target and free the sword. It's to prevent you losing your sword inside a big nasty creature. I'm not sure if this is the actual way they work or just what some writers have it as. If anything I see it as needing a strength bonus to represent you stabbing the opponent and then revving it up. Multiple moving cutting surfaces have more difficulty penetrating stuff but when they do get a good grip it rips and tears.

When we looked at making different types of CCWs have different effects.
This is what we came up with...

We simply made Power weapons better at cutting through armour.(AS modifier/ AP rating, depending on what version of the rules we use.)

2 handed weapons increased strength by 2,( Halves initiative rounding down.)

And chain edged weapons were better at wounding .(Re roll 1 to wound.).

Anything that doubles strength of user, (Power fists.) reduces initiative to 1,

If you have clear and different effects for each weapon type , its better from a game play POV IMO.

Who is it that mostly uses chainswords? The odd Imperial Guard squad leader and officer, assorted characters, but mostly it's Space Marines.

The last time a chainsword had its own statline, it was exactly as deadly as the Marine simply punching someone. I don't think it really warrants it.

I've been of the opinion that all Bolt and Chain weapons should get a "Re-Roll To Wounds of 1" to help give them a slight boost.

 AndrewGPaul wrote:
Who is it that mostly uses chainswords? The odd Imperial Guard squad leader and officer, assorted characters, but mostly it's Space Marines.

Yeup, for every flavor but the Grey Knights, Chaos included.

 AndrewGPaul wrote:
The last time a chainsword had its own statline, it was exactly as deadly as the Marine simply punching someone. I don't think it really warrants it.

It would be nice to differentiate it if they're going to give it an actual name., but I can agree with this.

However, as I said earlier, if it's going to have a change, it needs to be very small. Not only because of the above point about how common it is, but just about the thought of repricing half the Marine units in the game would be a headache.

I personally like AP: 6, just because of how relatively worthless Sv: 6+ is in the first place. It gives it a flavorful change without having to really think about repricing.

Rerolling 1 To-Wounds does give it a little bit of Shred spirit, though, and allows to recognize what a chainsaw will do to flesh, but that still can be a powerful option, and would at least need a look at repricing.

The CSM Chain Axe is AP4 IIRC. Seeing as Power Axes are AP2 and Power Swords are AP3, logically a Chain Sword could be AP5.

It would need a point cost assigned to it of course.

Jefffar wrote:
The CSM Chain Axe is AP4 IIRC. Seeing as Power Axes are AP2 and Power Swords are AP3, logically a Chain Sword could be AP5.

It would need a point cost assigned to it of course.

Heavy Chainsword is also AP: 4 and Str: +2.

Still, as I said, it would be easier to insert, "as is" with the AP: 6 modifier, but that's just my view on it.

Another vote for S: User, AP5.

I'd price it as a 5 point upgrade, I think.

AP6, I'd say. Just enough to make a difference.

Charistoph wrote:

Jefffar wrote:
The CSM Chain Axe is AP4 IIRC. Seeing as Power Axes are AP2 and Power Swords are AP3, logically a Chain Sword could be AP5.

It would need a point cost assigned to it of course.

Heavy Chainsword is also AP: 4 and Str: +2.

Still, as I said, it would be easier to insert, "as is" with the AP: 6 modifier, but that's just my view on it.

I'd prefer AP 5 with it being an actual upgrade over a CCW. I'd also like to see chain axes and heavy chainswords available to more models too. This is from a Space Wolves player who has plenty of CCW carrying models. Making Bloodclaws default to AP 6 and Grey Hunters upgradable to AP 6 isn't as interesting to me as having a wider variety of basic upgrades.

Jefffar wrote:
I'd prefer AP 5 with it being an actual upgrade over a CCW. I'd also like to see chain axes and heavy chainswords available to more models too. This is from a Space Wolves player who has plenty of CCW carrying models. Making Bloodclaws default to AP 6 and Grey Hunters upgradable to AP 6 isn't as interesting to me as having a wider variety of basic upgrades.

True. I was only addressing the ease of changing it without really disrupting all the codices.

Keep in mind that most of the units who get chainswords get them for free the same as any Combat Blade, and the most of the chainsword models do not have a plain CCW option on the sprue.

Honestly, I feel that AP: 5 is a little lower level than rerolling To-Wound rolls of 1, while AP: 4 is higher, but rerolling 1's would fit the weapon better overall.

But like changing to AP to below 6, it would require modifying all the codices to reflect this. Either changing all the Chainsword entries to CCW and adding the option to upgrade, or just flat raising the base prices of the units involved.

For the Grey Hunter example. You get the BP and CS for free if you drop the Boltgun. You pay a point to get all three. It would probably change to +1ppm to swap the Boltgun for the Chainsword, and +2ppm to have all three. Same would apply to Chaos Marines. Templar Crusader Squads would also have to pay +1ppm to swap Boltguns for Chainswords. Assault Marines and Raptors would start 5 points more expensive, with each model adding an additional point to add to their unit.

If you're including all these ramifications in to the change, by all means, it is a great idea. But just flat across the board as is, would be too much for a group to handle as a House Rule (and overturn tables if the next Edition rulebook did it).

Anyone whose ever accidently hit a fencepost with a chainsaw can tell you how bad they would be at going through armor. Not to mention that if you swing into something it tends to "bounce" off. Always thought it was kind of silly (but looked cool) as a melee weapon for non-superhumans.

 TheNewBlood wrote:
S-user AP5 is my vote. It is the basic CC weapon; you need some incentive to upgrade. Comparable to Scything Talons, minus the re-rolls as Marines already get those from Doctrines.

Scything talons don't get rerolls. They are just ap6.

gungo wrote:


I think power axes and swords should be the same. S-user ap3

Er, why? The Power axe is good and uniqish as it is, offering better AP and strength than the power sword/lower points cost and more attacks compared to the PF at the cost of unwieldy/Lower strength so can't IK marines.