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I'm sure this has been asked before, but dakka's search is boned at the moment.

Anyway, I've heard some talk of taking a single lightning claw on characters (not HQs) instead of a power sword. Is the re-roll to wound really that much better than the bonus attack for two CCW that you get with the sword? is this a situational thing?

Here's some quick math for a Space Marine fighting another Marine (no charge):

Power Sword:

3 Attacks (2 Base + 1 for Dual CCWs) = 1.5 Hits.

S4 to T4 = .75 Wounds, no saves allowed.

LIghtning Claw:

2 Attacks = 1 Hit

S4 to T4 with a reroll to wound = .75 Wounds

EDIT: Here's some quick math for a Space Marine fighting another Marine (with the charge):

Power Sword:

4 Attacks (2 Base + 1 for Dual CCWs + 1 for Charging) = 2 Hits.

S4 to T4 = 1 Wound, no saves allowed.

LIghtning Claw:

3 Attacks = 1.5 Hits

S4 to T4 with a reroll to wound = 1 Wound

based on this math, they seem fairly equivalent. so, why the love for lightning claws?

Because is cool to have some Freddy Krueger to slash people...

 varl wrote:
based on this math, they seem fairly equivalent. so, why the love for lightning claws?

Pick what you think is cooler.

because... looks what happens when you do T5.
Also on characters it's normally a 3 to hit, not a 4.
Also you can use a power first and lighting claw to five +1 attack and the option of which you want to use. This is mostly what I do... Then again i use psychic powers to do my shooting for me.

If you've got a bonus CCW, it honestly depends upon how many base attacks you've got. If you're stuck on an A1 model, it's not worth getting a lightning claw even at the same price.

If you're on an A2 model or better, though, the lightning claw is worth losing the extra attack for. And if you've got a powerfist, it's even better.