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I have a land speeder to build for my ravenwing army. I hadn't planned to add a land speeder at all. Then I was tempted to build the ravenwing support squadron, but I would need two more. So I've been tempted to build sableclaw....however I never see anyone take it. Is there a reason? Is he that bad?

200 points for something that has essentially the same durability as a Land Raider but no transport capacity and less firepower doesn't sound like a good deal to me. AV 14 makes him much more resistant to weapons (or immune) that normally wreck Land Speeders unless you let someone in your rear arc, after which it's game over. I'd only ever use Sableclaw in a themed army with nothing but Speeders or if I had absolutely no other choices.

Spending the same amount of points on Sammy on his jetbike is a much better idea, other HQ choices might be even better than that. Remember that he has a plasma cannon, AP2 at I5 and Eternal Warrior, all of which can have their uses in most games. A turbo-boosting jetbike can also help you grab objectives on the last turn.

Yeah, I get the Jetbike iteration. Still think it's a tad expensive for 200 points. Just wondered if the speeder variant was ever used, or whether it was simply as bad as it looked to me. Although you do get a 4++ and a kind of pseudo vector strike. I can see his use against hordes I suppose.

Sable claw is an awesome idea but poorly executed. VERY poorly executed.

AV14 is cute, but I'm pretty sure it is still 2HP.

Landspeeders are not bad, I'd use Sammael on a jetbike and just fill out the squadron. Not as good as bikers, but definitely usable.

He loses Independant Character IIRC, so he can easily be singled out and 2 HP does't last long against anything that wants to target him since Grav, Gauss, Haywire and D give 0 feths about AV14 and melta doesn't care too much either once it's in double-pen range.

All the above are very common in most armies and beating armies that don't have them usually isn't something to be proud of (CSM, Orks, etc)

It'd be fine for fun games, I guess, but even then I'd begrudge it as a waste of points.

Just build your darkshroud and hide it behind a speeder squadron.

 Khaine's Wrath wrote:
Is he that bad?

Yes. He's a huge target by himself. Hide him in a unit then he can multiply their force.

don't forget he does still get 4++, so you never have to jink. but even TL an assualt cannon and a heavy bolter is not a lot of firepower for 200 points