Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

wanted to get peoples thoughts/experiences with the FW chaos decimator daemon engine. the most recent dakka thread I found about the decimator dates back to june '12, so I'm wondering if opinions have changed now that the new CSM codex has been out for a bit. for those that haven't seen the 6th ed decimator rules, you can find them here.

it's an expensive (and gorgeous) unit for sure, but with av13/12/11, a 5++ and a chance to stand back up after being wrecked, it seems fairly survivable. would you run one in a 1500-2000pt CSM list? if so, how would you kit it out? if not, why?

Edit: btw, if this isn't the right forum kindly let me know where posts of this nature belong

I haven't used it but just looking at the rules, I find it difficult to select a role for it that can't be achieved by the cheaper demon engines.

The default loadout isn't as focused as a maulerfiend. Losing the spead bonus is a big deal and S8 doesn't give it enough punch against things like land raiders. What this guy is good at is smashing open rhinos and chimeras and frying the insides, but it's just easier to use long range weapons to open them up and do the same.

If you went with Nurgle and dual butcher cannons, you have a better forgefiend, but you're also spending nearly 100 points extra. AV13 and vigour doesn't seem worth it.

The laser and petard are oddball weapons in my eyes. Laser seems interesting but Chaos already has ways of killing MEQs and S6 isn't quite high enough to rely on for anti-tank. The petard might be a worthwhile choice if you're constantly fighting big hordes but I'm worried about the short range. For less points, you could go with a 3x ectofiend and gain a significant increase in S and AP values for a minimal decrease in target area.

I use the Decimator in my Iron Warrior army and here my experiences and thought about the Decimator.

The Unholy Vigour rule must change if you want the Decimator wort the point. It was very good in the 5th ed, but in the 6th ed, with the fragility of everything with armor, I found the rule not enough aggressive or effective. Players use a lot of lasecannon/melta weapon / necron stuff.. that mean the chance to have exploded are more higher that wreck result.

The mark of chaos we can buy are boring. I found only tzeentch useful if you are a competitive player. Me, I don't used those upgrades because I use those point for upgrading my Rhinos.

Weapon

Siege claws : Shred and smash special rules are good again transport vehicles but don't have the double strength of the Dread CCW.
Butcher cannon : Very good if you do a Riffle Decimator but doesn't have the pinning rule of the Hades auto cannon (who care)
Storm laser : not bad but I don't see the storm with the heavy D3+2 (better use the butcher)
Soul burner petard, not bad and it will be more fun if it have the soul blaze special rules
Heavy conversion bearmer: nuff said, best weapon it can have if you let the decimator on the corner of the table.

I never used the Decimator at is full potential only because it keep dying. keep a warpsmith behind it and it can survive longer. If you make some comparison with dreadnought/hellbrute, better use the hellbrute for cost/effectiveness values. Weapon cost less, hellbrute cost less, better WS and BS (better in everything)

At the end, live it at home and take the hellbrute or the forgefiend are a better choice if you just want to be competitive. If you want to have it just because is cool, it will fit perfectly in a World Eater army or Iron Warrior army.

FW must change the rules of the Decimator or cut the cost to 125 pts if they want people use the Decimator, because for now, the 6ed is bad on it.

sorry for my spelling, english not my native language.