Space Marine Sormtalon.... First Thoughts

[Kadris]

In the back of the rulebook it is listed as (Fl) Flyer only without a (H) hover option. The faq says to refer to this entry for unit type.

What I was getting at was its special rule allows it to remain stationary but also remain a flier. This is ridiculously powerful as it becomes a platform of doom that most things will hit only on 6's.

[Enigmai]

In the back of the rulebook it is listed as (Fl) Flyer only without a (H) hover option. The faq says to refer to this entry for unit type.

What I was getting at was its special rule allows it to remain stationary but also remain a flier. This is ridiculously powerful as it becomes a platform of doom that most things will hit only on 6's.

WOW, that is nasty! Makes it even more interesting!

[exitusactaprobat1]

In the back of the rulebook it is listed as (Fl) Flyer only without a (H) hover option. The faq says to refer to this entry for unit type.

What I was getting at was its special rule allows it to remain stationary but also remain a flier. This is ridiculously powerful as it becomes a platform of doom that most things will hit only on 6's.

K;
not really. its ruleset in the WD specifically states(WD 389, pg 66, second to last paragraph right column 'Hover Strike');
"at the start of its movement phase, a stormtalon can declare that it is making a special Hover Strike attack...it changes its type to Skimmer until the start of its next movement phase..."(emph mine)
so it in fact loses the 'Flyer' type to become a 'Skimmer' at that point. Basically the same function as the 'hover' type, but as this rule might have been a bit too powerful coupled with movement, they gave it a bit of a nerf (it can't move to do it).


as far as weapons, I find the Skyhammer ML to be just plain sweet. In addition to complimenting the 'lines' of the model, and looking mean with those squat nasty missiles poking out of their pod, it really ramps up the anti-air role of the vehicle with that range+volume of fire. 3 shot, 60" autocannon for ADA? yespleasethankyou!

[Kadris]

i dont have a WD sub, and i dont get the mag either. Didnt know that, thanks for clearing it up. Not as ridiculous as first thought.

[exitusactaprobat1]

K;
oh yeah, I woulda KILLED for that thing to require skyfire to hit normally AND get the Hoverstrike benefits...it woulda been ungawdly awesomesauce then!
as it is, I like the stumpy little gunship, and grabbed a second after I built the first.

[corsair14]

I am fielding mine with TL LCs. I would rather have the armor pen than a low chance to glance an AV12+ flyer since that is my primary reason for bringing them.

I have to say I was kinda on the fence about their looks, even when I had the box in hand, now that I have one built and base painted in shark colors, I really like it. Reminds me of a wasp or hornet. Ill likely get another.

[Enigmai]

I am fielding mine with TL LCs. I would rather have the armor pen than a low chance to glance an AV12+ flyer since that is my primary reason for bringing them.

I have to say I was kinda on the fence about their looks, even when I had the box in hand, now that I have one built and base painted in shark colors, I really like it. Reminds me of a wasp or hornet. Ill likely get another.

Same thoughts and the lascanon and looks.

[exitusactaprobat1]

I am fielding mine with TL LCs. I would rather have the armor pen than a low chance to glance an AV12+ flyer since that is my primary reason for bringing them.

Actually, the bulk of current flyers in the game (as of now) are AV-10/11. Even the rumoured 'dragon' is going to likely be 12/11/10.
With a flyer's speed, there's a good chance to engage the side (if necessary) armour on any flyer that needs it, otherwise you have av-10 all 'round (orks and DE) or av-11 (necrons and 'talon) vying for supremacy in the numerical air availability. against these targets, you have a better chance of racking up hull-point degredation with the Talon if you are opening up with 3 shots vs 1(albeit twin linked) shot.

Vs ground targets, even with current slow shifts in the meta, that may or may not occur in GREAT numbers, av-11/12 front will be common(while av-10 side armour will be prevalent vs IG/GK chimeras). The skyhammer is also superior and grinding away hull points against these targets, while maintaining minimum-safe-distance against them due to flyer maneuverability+wpn range (60"). With the bonuses for hover-strike, these ground targets are just plain arse-out in the wind...and if you really want to get close, the donkey-cannon is going to finish off nearly any light/med armour target you wish!
Now the lascannon are far better for garnering damage vs av-13(and even 14, though melta/assault is still better here), but you aren't going to really degrade hull points quickly enough this way, and are going to be forced to engage at ranges that allow retributive strikes from nearly all medium/hvy weapons.

I know table size doesn't allow for a 'talon to take maximum adv of the range, but with one of the dep zones it's really nice, and careful reserve entry(or support outflank entry) you can still get a turn of long range engagement against ground targets with minimal reprisal.

I have to say I was kinda on the fence about their looks, even when I had the box in hand, now that I have one built and base painted in shark colors, I really like it. Reminds me of a wasp or hornet. Ill likely get another.

I'm still looking at one in the box, trying to come up with some interesting conversions/weapon placement swaps...but I like the looks of the damned thing a sight more than I expected when I saw the rumour pix. It's just a stumpy, mean looking little beast!
I think I'm likely to paint them to go with my Howling Griffons...it just screams for a quartered-scheme look to me! (though the White Scars theme in the WD issue is tempting me to succumb to those vile dorks as well...but I just can't start a whole new army, darnit!)

[ChobitsCrazy]

My favorite is the Attack Helicopter conversion for the thing.
Super pro!

http://blog.spikeybits.com/2012/06/conversion-corner-stormtalon-attack.html

[Haf]

Is everyone forgetting about Storm Raven's and Vendettas/Valk's? These are all flyers and av 12/12/10. The former also negating melta and extra d6 damage while the latter provides a missile battery or las cannon platform that puts most tanks to shame. Oh, and they're both capable of transporting people. Imho, Storm Raven > All Flyers, but the Vendetta is a very very close second due to point cost and location on the FoC (might actually consider it a tie really).