40K Online

The Armies of 40k => Space Marines => Topic started by: laucian_meliamne on September 1, 2010, 03:15:53 AM

Title: Anyone used the Deathstorm Drop Pod?
Post by: laucian_meliamne on September 1, 2010, 03:15:53 AM
Hello all.  I did a quick search and didn't get any hits, so I figured I'd ask the question in the subject:

Have any of you ever used the Deathstorm Drop Pod from Forge World (and/or fought against it)?  If so, what are your thoughts on it?

I ask because I'm currently in the planning-stages of a drop-spam marine army (I've been an Eldar player since third-edition, and think it's high-time to start a second army), and the Deathstorm seems like the best-fit heavy support choice.  The only other fluffy choice seems to be a Thunderfire cannon (but I'm not a big fan of that model), or a Dev squad (which doesn't seem all that cost-effective in a pod).

Looking at the rules in the IA2 errata on FW's website the Deathstorm seems like it's horribly overpowered and/or under-priced.  75 points for something that fires multiple times with a Whirlwind-calibre template at every single unit within 12" just seems... well, wrong (but wrong in a very good way if you're not on the receiving end of it).  Is it really that bad?

Any insight into the Deathstorm would be appreciated.  Thanks a lot for the help!
Title: Re: Anyone used the Deathstorm Drop Pod?
Post by: POD DROPPA-Drop Pods are down but not out!! on September 1, 2010, 10:01:32 AM
There not that good they are veryy easy killpoints.

If your thinking of a pod army i tend to use as few heavy choices as possible because they tend to be expensive.

My oppinion Thunder cannon is better. At surviving (if in cover) and killing stuff.
Title: Re: Anyone used the Deathstorm Drop Pod?
Post by: Blackveil on September 1, 2010, 10:08:38 AM
My oppinion Thunder cannon is better. At surviving (if in cover) and killing stuff.

Where is your justification on this? Drop pods are AV 12. Thunderfire Cannons are AV 10, and ANY glance or pen automatically destroys it. Also, the Death Storm can fire at multiple units, on the (don't quote me on this, I'm not entirely sure) same turn it comes down, whereas the TFC in a pod has to sit around for a turn, which in that turn will most likely die a horrible death.

On to the OP, I have never used one, however it does look rather overpowered, I'd say it's a good unit, although since it's FW, you might have some players call "cheese" on you, due to its high power/low points cost.
Title: Re: Anyone used the Deathstorm Drop Pod?
Post by: Paraplegic on September 1, 2010, 11:35:36 AM
Actually I don't think it can shoot the turn that it comes down, thus killing alot of enthusiasm in it.
Title: Re: Anyone used the Deathstorm Drop Pod?
Post by: POD DROPPA-Drop Pods are down but not out!! on September 1, 2010, 12:05:32 PM
I wouldnt put a TFC in a pod thats stupid and pods rarley get cover. I just find the cannon alot better.

Pods cant fire the turn they come in because they count as moving flat out.
Title: Re: Anyone used the Deathstorm Drop Pod?
Post by: laucian_meliamne on September 1, 2010, 02:04:48 PM
Actually I don't think it can shoot the turn that it comes down, thus killing alot of enthusiasm in it.

According to the rules update for the Deathstorm (found here (http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Downloads/Product/PDF/i/IA2update28AUG.pdf)) it looks like the Deathstorm does fire the turn it lands.  To quote the Automated Weapons special rule:

Quote
When a Deathstorm drop pod lands it opens fire indiscriminately. After landing, each unit (enemy or friendly) within _” of the Deathstorm and in line of sight comes under attack in its shooting phase as a hail of fire sweeps the surrounding area. Roll to hit using the Deathstorm’s BS_ for either D_ Whirlwind attacks or D_ assault cannon attacks against each targeted unit.
In subsequent turns the Deathstorm may continue to fire a single weapon, picking a enemy target and resolving the firing as normal.

To me that means that the turn it lands it pops itself open and unloads on everything around it.  I might be wrong, but that's the most obvious interpretation I can see, and it's certainly how I'd expect other players to use it against me.


Quote
since it's FW, you might have some players call "cheese" on you, due to its high power/low points cost

I'm not so much concerned about it being FW; most players around here seem to have a few FW models and use them regularly (I've personally been using the FW Night Spinner for the last three years or so without anyone complaining too loudly).  I'm more concerned that it'll just wind up killing so much so quickly that it just won't be that much fun to use.  But the model looks great, and it's fluffy, so it's a bit of a tough call right now.
Title: Re: Anyone used the Deathstorm Drop Pod?
Post by: Paraplegic on September 1, 2010, 02:08:28 PM
Sorry I was thinking of the Codex version :-D my bad.
Title: Re: Anyone used the Deathstorm Drop Pod?
Post by: ~Iron Captain Softy~ on September 3, 2010, 04:36:37 AM
I tried them out when they were BS 4. They were way overpowered.

Now they're BS 2. Seems more fair to me.

I personally would be wary of buying the actual model since it's use can be denied by your opponent. Otherwise... I think it can work just fine vs certain opponents (*cough* Tyranids *cough*).
Title: Re: Anyone used the Deathstorm Drop Pod?
Post by: laucian_meliamne on September 4, 2010, 06:04:34 AM
I'm not too worried about people saying "No, you can't use that."  Forge World models are pretty common at my local GW; there are at least one or two Tau players with the FW suits, I used the FW Night Spinner for two or three years, several people have the FW Dreadnought parts, etc, etc...  As long as you're not being a jerk about using Forge World, and you let them know ahead of time (and show them the rules so they're not completely surprised) people are pretty laid-back about it.