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I see lots of Ravenwing lists with Darkshrouds, but next to none with Power field generator-toting ICs. Is the Darkshroud that much better? The PFG does not have the model coverage that the Darkshoud does, but the PFG seems to have quite a few Pros. You can shoot it down, it provides a 4+ save (huge vs. Heldrake), doesn't take up a FOC slot )if on Techmarine), provides a bonus to Deny the Witch and twin-linking (if on a Librarian), and provides CC support.

Thoughts?

For most I think with Dark Angels having a strong melee component the 4+ bubble that enemies can have makes it a pause.

Special characters cant take it either so Ravenwing/Deathwing armies have difficulty toting it.

With that said a Banner of Devastation list can benefit from it. Tool around the banner plus a character with the bubble in a vehicle and have it buff up supporting bikes, et al.

I run both in my ravenwing list. I have a librarian on bike toting the PFG and he hangs back casting prescience on my land speeder squadrons and giving them a 4++ to boot. The big advantage of the darkshroud is its ability to stack with turbo coost and skilled rider. 2+ cover saves baby! A world better than 4++. But the darkshroud cant be everywhere and you have only so many FA slots in your typical list, so thats where the PFG comes in

So far, I mostly see lists with PFG is they are running Land Raiders. I myself ran one last game with a LRC with a compand command squad with Azreal inside with the banner of devestation. Accompanied by a Lib on a bike with a PFG and a unit of 3 bikers and one of 6 bikers, a darkshroud and 10 scouts.

Especially in a Ravenwing army, the Darkshroud has a much, much larger coverage than the PFG. Let's assume the model with the PFG is on a bike. The PFG only protects models within 3" and then provides a 4++. Effectively, this means you only protect your own unit. The Darkshroud protects units within 6". Not only is this double the range of the PFG, it only requires a single model in a unit within that 6" to benefit. In a Ravenwing army, it effectively gives you a 4+/3+/2+ cover save and you can potentially protect all your bikes with a single Darkshroud.

The character you put your PFG on will become quite expensive with it, as in 100+ points. He will need an escort to provide some protection from sniping and to make use of the PFG at all. You'll want this unit (usually a RW Command Squad or Black Knights) to make its points back. However, if you happen to get into assault, your character can be singled out in a challenge. Both the Libby and a Techmarine on a bike aren't exactly powerhouses. Plus, you'll be granting your opponent that same 4++ save. The Darkshroud is 80 points and will make its points back only by protecting your other bikes. Unless you upgrade its single weapon (which you won't) or have the intention to actually fire that weapon (which you won't), you'll almost always receive a 2+ cover save. You just have to protect it from assault and cover ignoring weapons.

So basically, the Darkshroud synergizes much better than the PFG, especially in a Ravenwing army.

whoadirty wrote:
I see lots of Ravenwing lists with Darkshrouds, but next to none with Power field generator-toting ICs. Is the Darkshroud that much better? The PFG does not have the model coverage that the Darkshoud does, but the PFG seems to have quite a few Pros. You can shoot it down, it provides a 4+ save (huge vs. Heldrake), doesn't take up a FOC slot )if on Techmarine), provides a bonus to Deny the Witch and twin-linking (if on a Librarian), and provides CC support.

Thoughts?

Run PFGs on Techmarines in vehicles (preferably Land Raiders) Darkshrouds for everything else.