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Hey mates. Currently I am at the final stages of my IG list and as it stands I have everything I need Infantry and Chimera wise for the core of my army. All that is left is to get the Vehicles to support it. As it stands, I am running the Death Korps of Krieg Grenadier Assault Brigade from the IA books, and the basis of my list is the following:

* Command Squad in Storm Chimera

* 6x Squads of Grenadiers with Meltaguns in Storm Chimeras

Storm Chimeras are Chimeras that come with Autocannon Turrets base, and each of my Chimera have Hull-Mounted Hvy. Flamers as well. Atm, I am currently debating on which flyer I should utilize for my list, and I am debating on which Variant of Leman Russ Tank would be best to support my Mechanized Infantry. And any feedback would be appreciated.

For the Flyer, I am debating between the Thunderbolt and the Avenger Strike Fighter. While the Avenger Strike fighter does have BS4 against ground targets and has an impressive cannon, the Thunderbolt does come with some nice special rules, and has 3x Twin-Linked Weapons base before any upgrades. From looking at my list, I would think the Avenger would be the better option due to the Dakka it brings to the table, but there is an issue/typo with the rules for this list. In this Army List, the Avenger comes in with 3HP, whereas the Thunderbolt has only 2HP. Now I heard it is a typo, but I haven't found any recent FAQ's that address this particular issue, and if I am frank, if it is a typo and I am required to follow the most updated rules for this unit, I would opt for the Thunderbolt as I prefer a flyer with 3HP. Any fighter with 2HP dies way to easily imo.

Which brings me to the Leman Russ Variant, as in a way depending on which Flyer I go might have an impact on which Leman Russ tank I go with. Currently, I am debating between the Leman Russ Annihilator and the Leman Russ Demolisher. Leman Russ Annihilator is an option as it comes with a Twin-Linked Lascannon and a Hull-Mounted one for a solid Long-Range Anti-Tank Platform, which would go well with the Autocannon Chimeras. But, since my list in a way is lacking Horde Control other then the Hull-Mounted Hvy. Flamers, the Demolisher would make a lot of since as there isn't a lot that can stand up to a S10 AP2 Blast Template.

That is where I currently stand mates. Now I will say this now, but I am not interested in fielding a different IG list or formation at this time. Main reason I went with the DKOK Grenadier Assault Brigade list was mainly for the Grenadiers, as I love playing a list with what is basically Storm Trooper Squads in Autocannon Chimeras. Other then that, your feedback would be greatly appreciated and thanks again for the help mates.

Are you willing to consider other Leman russ variants? You would probably have better luck with the vanquished if you want the long range attack but even then it's very hard to one shot anything these days. The Demolisher is a great tank, the downfall of it is its short range. A good option may be the Leman russ eradicator. This is a str 6 ap 4 large blast that ignores cover. And it's also the cheapest russ variant.

If you're going with only one flyer I'd have to recommend the Avenger. If you're open to running a wing of two or three, I'd go with the Thunderbolt. Multiple Thunderbolts can put out enough dakka to compete with an Avenger, as well as being able to take on harder targets.

If you're going with only one Russ id go with the Annihilator, if you're going with two or three I'd go with the Demolisher. Whatever you do, don't run a single Demolisher. It will die every time and then you're out a tank. At least with two you'll get a turn or two to use a pie plate.

 GreenShoes wrote:
If you're going with only one flyer I'd have to recommend the Avenger. If you're open to running a wing of two or three, I'd go with the Thunderbolt. Multiple Thunderbolts can put out enough dakka to compete with an Avenger, as well as being able to take on harder targets.

If you're going with only one Russ id go with the Annihilator, if you're going with two or three I'd go with the Demolisher. Whatever you do, don't run a single Demolisher. It will die every time and then you're out a tank. At least with two you'll get a turn or two to use a pie plate.

Atm I plan to field 1x Aircraft and 2x Leman Russ Battle Tanks. One of the main reasons I went with this Army is that it does not cost a lot compared to most infantry heavy IG armies and it can dish out a lot of firepower. Currently, I am leaning towards the Avenger Strike Fighter and the two Demolishers, but I'm still a fan of the Thunderbolt as it is more suited for Anti-Air and I can still pop armor with ease. That and being twin linked with two Autocannons and a Lascannon gives it an edge in that degree.

With the way aircraft work in the game, you are almost always better off with a ground-attack craft than a dogfighrer, and whike the Thunderbolt's bombs and missiles can let it fill this role, the Avenger's rules win out in most situations. Personally, though, I like the versatility and looks of the Vulture gunship.

On the subject of Russ variants, I'm something of a traditionalist. The Battle Cannon can threaten an awful lot of targets and will never lack for application. Even Deathwing usually rely on a few Power Armoured units to guide them in, and the range of the Battle Cannon can really be a boon in the first couple of turns. That said, a Demolisher's lack of range will often not be all that harmful; it'll reach half way across a standard table and the chassis is tough enough to sit at a point where it can take the punishment associated with such a position. It's certainly the superior tank when comoared with an Annihilator (though I still take them for fluff reasons), although if you look at the Armoured Battlegroup list in IA1, a Vanquisher with a co-axial Heavy Stubber is a fantastic dedicated anti-tank unit.

^ You make some good points about the flyer, but in the Death Korps of Krieg Grenadier Assault Brigade list, they do not have access to the Vulture Gunship. I am just picky in the sense that I prefer Aircraft with 3HP, but I have contacted FW to see if they can clarify the Aircraft profiles and that they are not typos.

As for the tanks, the Grenadier Assault Brigade list does have access to the Vanquisher with the Coaxial Hvy. Stubber as well. However, you have to be 36 inches in order to use it, which defeats the purpose of having a tank with that long range. Plus I have to hit with the Hvy. Stubber to make it Twin-Linked, which isn't guaranteed with IG BS so hence that's why I avoided it.

As it stands, currently basing it on the following: If I get an Avenger Strike Fighter, would probably be inclined to get the LR Annihilator. If I go with the Thunderbolt, then the Demolishers would probably be the way to go. Thoughts?

I'd actually run the Avenger and the Demolishers, personally.

The Avenger has two lascannons as well as the ABC, and you can buy it a pair of autocannons as well (although you'll be snap-firing one of them). Another twin-linked lascannon isn't really what you need when you can put that much S6+ into the side of an enemy vehicle formation.

Assuming I'm right and the LR Annihilator is the one with the TL Lascannon? I don't really do tanks, I'm a flygirl.

Anyway, the demolisher templates are much nicer than... four lascannons, one of them twin-linked, on a full upgraded LRA?

I would go with the Avenger. IMO, the aformentioned pros out weight the cons. A deep strike, bolt cannon strafing run can be punishing!

As for tank choice, I would definitely go with a demolisher platform. The Anihilator is a cool tank, but significantly overcosted. Have you considered a pair of Thunderer siege tanks instead of Demolishers? Use the 50 pts you will save to buy your Grenadiers some goodies.