This unit clocks in at quite possibly the most broken unit in Codex Craftworld. Get the details below.
If you read yesterday’s Eldar Article, you may agree by now that worrying about Jetbikes or Wraithknights, may seem a little silly.
Let’s break down what may just prove to be THE most offensively unstoppable unit in the game; the other version of the Wraithguard.
Long story short, Wraithguard can get TEN ‘D-Scythes’ for about the same cost as a Knight Titan.
So bad is it? Well just like their Wraithcannon Brothers, these guys seems to be able to kill mostly anything in one volley. Big difference is you don’t get a cover save against them, so it’s mostly going to be Invulnerable saves only.
By the Numbers; 10 Wraithguard with ‘D’-Scythes
Pros: Auto-hit templates for the most part. Pairs nicely with Battle focus movement, and ‘Doom’ psychic power. Averages out to 2 (d3) wounds on the Distort Scythe ‘D’ chart! You can also game it to ‘accidentally’ catch invisible units under the template.
They also can fend for themselves in assault via the ‘Wall of Death’ Special rule, so the only real way to deal with them may be high strength low AP weapons.
Cons: Strength 4 for Instant Death purposes – Distort Scythe rule is -1 to rolls on the Destroyer Chart.
10 D Weapon Shots, Average results
- ~10 Hits, Causes 18 Invulnerable Saves (9 x d3). 18 Total ‘D’ Results
- Overwatch (Via ‘Wall of Death’ rule) ~10 Hits, Causes 18 Invulnerable Saves (9 x d3). 18 Total ‘D’ Results
Now compare that to the the same unit with Wraithcannons.
10 D Weapon Shots, Average results
- ~7 Hits at BS 4, Causes 10 Cover/Invulnerable Saves (5 x d3), and 9 Unsavable Wounds (6 +D6). 19 Total ‘D’ Results
- ~9 Hits at BS 4 Guided / Spirit Mark, Causes 14 Cover/Invulnerable Saves (5 x d3), and 9 Unsavable Wounds (6 +D6). 23 Total ‘D’ results
- ~9 Hits at BS 4 Guided / Spirit Mark and Doom Causes 12 Cover/Invulnerable Saves (5 x d3), and 18 Unsavable Wounds (6 +D6). 30 Total ‘D’ results
- Overwatch ~1 Hits, Causes 1 Cover/Invulnerable Save 1 Total ‘D’ Result
So unless their target has an Invulnerable save the D-Scythe squad will shred it’s target regardless of not being able to roll a ‘6’ on the ‘D’ Chart. Slow and steady wins the race, and these bad boys got that covered in both the assault and shooting phases.
Sure it’s game-able a bit with Void Shields and Invulnerable bubbles, but I think we can all agree that smaller units and vehicles can not repel firepower of this magnitude!
The only hope I think we may have to dealing with all of this is coming up with a way to score sportsmanship reliably or perhaps a better hobby scoring system for 40k organized play.
I feel like if your going to be the guy that brings these units en masse, it’s harder to swallow if they are at least painted…Set featured image
Time to bring hobby (scores) back?
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
