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So I bought the raptors/talons box this week and because im playing Khorne, I obviously chose Warp talons as they are better melee. But im curious as to why in general people say raptors are awful? Was this only a 7e iissue or are they still bad, and why?

They just lack killing power for their cost compared to other options like warp talons, terminators or bezerkers (though the latter lacks deepstrike by default). Their other usage, deepstriking special weapons, also isn't that great compared to terminators now that combi weapons work every round.

Whqt about a squad of world eater raptors with 2 plasma pistols, an icon of wrath, and a champ with PF and plasma pistol? They can put out a few good plasma shots, then charge in (getting an extra attack thanks to WE trait), hit something with a PF, then fall back and do it again. Plus they can shot their plasma pistols in cc. I know its not the best, but I have some converted that I really want to make work. Havent tried it in a game yet, but I plan on running 2 of the above squads with a warp talon squad and either a DP or a jump pack lord for the rerill 1s.

If you wanted to run raptors, my advice would probably be use them as a slightly more expensive but mobile CSM squad or a budget havoc/chosen squad and leave deepstriking melee to warp talons and terminators.

There are advantages to using raptors in this way. With three special weapons or plasma pistols per 5 (if we include the champion as his combi/plasma pistol option), they don't need a rhino which generally means they are cheaper. It's a good way to include some flamers and meltas in your army I think, as neither weapon works amazingly with deepstrike but really like being equipped in a squad with 12" movement and fly.

Even then I'd stay away from WE, they really are just better served with other units. I'd prefer renegade as my CT for "footslogging" raptors that used assault weapons and alpha legion for ones toting plasma of either variety.

The other usage I could see is with the plasma pistol+chainsword guys used as a distraction. 2-3 plasma pistols is just threatening enough to get you opponents attention while keeping the squad cheap, and being able to get a charge off out of deepstrike can tie up valuable units. WE trait would work to slightly increase lethality but honestly any of them work.

Basically they have usages but aren't hyper competitive and are more for utility than raw lethality.

One of the other things to remember is rules around deep strike also limit their utility.

Warp Talons suffer from having to make a 9 inch charge after arriving. Their saving grace is the fact they can not be targeted by overwatch fire, so if the charge fails (as it often does) they are not hurt by it.

Raptors have no such rule. Yes, 3 plasma shots are going to hurt something, but they are not going to destroy most things. And you have to give up your chainsword to get the good guns, meaning they are really exposed the next round.

I look at Raptors as 8th editions version of Termicide. Their mobility is what makes them good, not the deep strike, but there are other things that move around just as well.

I deepstrike raptors with 2 plasma guns and a combi-plasma.

Only costs 126 points and rolling 1s when overcharging does not hurt that much compared to terminators or bikes.

But they suck at melee, that's true.

Raptors work best with the Night Lord's as they add onto the -1 Morale bonus.

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
Raptors work best with the Night Lord's as they add onto the -1 Morale bonus.

As someone who's army main-focus is NL, I can tell you right now that the trait is just a gimmick. there are just too many variables that either mitigate casualties to be negligible or just nullifying morale altogether. morale is just 8th ed. bloat.

The issue Raptors have is that their priced for 7th ed. not 8th ed.

They have mobility but as others have said their killing power is hard to really pull of as even DS is footslogging into gunlines most of the time. even in cover for a 2+ is nothing compared to volumes of firepower. WT have the chance to be cheaper and focus on not being shot by overwatch. If you want to make a Raptor army the go just full on WT, don't even bother going Raptors.