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Is there any tactic or benefit to running sableclaw over corvus?

It seems like a mistake on GW's part to make it so that it loses the no Character targeting ability, with no defensive gain to compensate.

that does kind of suck.

My guess would be so you buy the Sammael model instead if converting up a land speeder.

Sableclaw has been inferior to the Corvus ever since it came out, since the only thing going for the Sableclaw was it's defensive capabilities (14 front and side armor in 4th edition, that plus a 4+ invul save in 6th+)

The problem was that it was Sableclaw's ONLY perk. Most people realized that you can just ignore it entirely, even if it could speed around the map. The Corvus's Plasma Cannon and the Ravensword have always been consistently devastating due to Sammael's stats, and Sammael himself is only marginally less survivable than the Sableclaw (usually comes with Eternal Warrior and 4+ invul save, not sure about this edition though).

The only reason they still have rules for it is because there existed a model for Sableclaw in 3rd edition and technically one in the current edition if you have the Ravenwing Upgrade Sprue and a normal speeder. As far as I know, no competitive ravenwing player has ever taken it when the Corvus existed as an option, only people for fluff or (like me with my speeder army) gimmick reasons.

Its not finecast or resin.. simply plastic land speeder with a few ravenwing bits added to it.. very simple to make if you have a support wing or two.

 MechaEmperor7000 wrote:
Sableclaw has been inferior to the Corvus ever since it came out, since the only thing going for the Sableclaw was it's defensive capabilities (14 front and side armor in 4th edition, that plus a 4+ invul save in 6th+)

The problem was that it was Sableclaw's ONLY perk. Most people realized that you can just ignore it entirely, even if it could speed around the map. The Corvus's Plasma Cannon and the Ravensword have always been consistently devastating due to Sammael's stats, and Sammael himself is only marginally less survivable than the Sableclaw (usually comes with Eternal Warrior and 4+ invul save, not sure about this edition though).

The only reason they still have rules for it is because there existed a model for Sableclaw in 3rd edition and technically one in the current edition if you have the Ravenwing Upgrade Sprue and a normal speeder. As far as I know, no competitive ravenwing player has ever taken it when the Corvus existed as an option, only people for fluff or (like me with my speeder army) gimmick reasons.

Well put. Yeah this edition...

Gain: +1 Wound, +2" movement, Gain Twin Assault cannon and Twin heavy bolter (which is not a bad combo.. 18 s6/s5 -1Ap shots

Lose: Plasma cannon, 2d6" turboboost, character

Really is a shame. Honestly it would be totally fine if it still had character I think. sableclaw has quite the offense.

Sammael in Sableclaw is very vulnerable, even with a 4+ invul save. Lascannons and other heavy weapons can just pick him out.

I guess if you love Landspeeders, taking him in Sableclaw lets him buff their capabilities although he does not benefit from the Anti-Grav Upwash rule for larger squadrons. A round of re-rolled hits from a squadron of assault cannons or multi-meltas could be good. If they make it into the enemy's backfield, Sableclaw can do some assault damage with the Ravensword. I suppose, though, that Sammael on Corvex could also accompany Landspeeders for the same effect by using Swift Judgment to keep up and would be more survivable.

Perhaps a way to make Sableclaw more viable would be to slightly amend the Sableclaw rule to add "enemy units must target closer vehicles." This would make him stick out on his own but he could fly with Landspeeders and not be the first hit.

Once upon a time, there was a kit for Sammael in Sableclaw (circa 3rd or 4th edition).

Isn't that just a Landspeeder with Ravenwing upgrade sprue now?

I guess they realised it had more potential than just one character.

 Ghaz wrote:


Once upon a time, there was a kit for Sammael in Sableclaw (circa 3rd or 4th edition).

I'm pretty certain that's supposed to be Gideon, Sammael's predecessor.

it is a bummer too - I love the idea of a guy zooming around in a land speeder, whacking units with his sword while yelling and swearing in the heat of battle.

its like bike jousting that goes to 11.

On the reverse if sabreclaw did have the character protection corvus would never be used since sabreclaw has way better weaponry and equal close combat stats.

I recently got wrecked by a sabreclaw list, but that was because my slaanesh daemons have no ranged weapons to benefit from sabreclaw losing the character protection, and he wrecked my lightly armored infantry horde with the help of the other 4 land speeders in the list.

In the new DA codex we got a sableclaw that does benefit from the char rules.

Do you think thats an error, that will be fixed in the coming errata? Because the point costs stayed the same.... which means the sableclaw is now clearly better then corvex.

I honestly don't think they will change it. I think it was purposeful to make these models useful and played on the battlefield. As soon as you take the character rule away, you will never see a talon master or sammael on sableclaw again. It would be the same for a demon prince. There was a reason they dropped the chaos demon princes from 10 to 8 wounds. It's because no one ever used them. In my mind they just gave us options on par with demon princes. Sammy and the TM aren't quite as nasty in combat or psychic but they are nastier in shooting. It's a balance I suppose.

That being said, I think I still prefer corvex... maybe it's aesthetic thing haha that model is so cool looking. But I could easily see sableclaw becoming the preferred Sammy. The talon master is hands down the gem model/unit of the new book. So stoked to try him out.

As much as I love the corvex model, Sableclaw's load out is hands on better. The plasma cannon is so clunky.....

Haeigen wrote:
In the new DA codex we got a sableclaw that does benefit from the char rules.

Do you think thats an error, that will be fixed in the coming errata? Because the point costs stayed the same.... which means the sableclaw is now clearly better then corvex.

No, I don't see them changing anything. For the necrons, the Catacomb Command Barge was in a similar place, and they released an errata giving it the character keyword with no points increase.