Helblaster Volley Gun: Statistics

[tlabean]

So, recently I wondered exactly how much damage a HBVG can _actually_ do.
Without further ado, the stats: All at Strength 5, Range 24", Armor Piercing

Without an engineer providing re-rolls and ballistic skill: Avg of 12.6 shots @ BS : 3 with an 8% chance of becoming disabled (destroyed or roll on the black powder miss-fire chart)

With an engineer providing re-rolls and ballistic skill: Avg of 16.3 shots @ BS : 4 with a 2.3% chance of miss-fire/destroyed.

Because the HBVG needs to roll to hit with all those shots now, as opposed to earlier editions where they auto-hit, the added BS of the Engineer is HUGE and the extra 3.7 shots doesn't hurt either

It is interesting to note that a HBVG with a naked Engineer costs almost exactly the same amount as 20 naked handgunners, yet puts out way more firepower. Also, the chance of a miss-fire with the HBVG is much lower than people think. With an engineer around, the HBVG will almost never miss-fire.

[Lord Solar Plexus]

Finally we have a way to write secret messages on a public board, how cool is that?

[Artinam]

I can actually understand it, and it means its almost always worth it to get an engineer with the Hell Blaster Volleygun.

[Lord Solar Plexus]

Okay, sorry, I only now realized that others can read the OP without highlighting. My WS skin is set to white, and light yellow on white = no text, just a smilie.

The HB is okayish when you're killing a couple of elites, that is always nifty. Other than that, meh, 5 kills under ideal circumstances.

[Malorian]

It's also good to understand that a unit of handgunners won't be taken out by a single unit of fast cav, or a single cannon. Not to mention the handgunners can be a detatchment and get those bonus's too.

I think it's a good tool, especially with dealing with mournfag and the like, but I wouldn't say it's an auto take.

It was good to see the math showing how much the engineer helps it though

[SilasOfTheLambs]

The other thing to remember about a HelBlaster is it's actually pretty good when repurposed into monster hunting. Most monsters are t6 and some have pretty good armor saves, so if your cannons are busy elsewhere, going after that Stegadon/Arachnarok/etc isn't a complete waste. I've always found a use for the blaster, and I wouldn't want to leave home without it and its companion engineer.

[Rockgut]

I prefer 5 Outriders in place of the hellblaster. 15 BS4/ST4 AP shots for 15pts less than the basic hellblaster.

They do have 1 less strength and sufer the multi-shot penalty, but you can get 8-9 of them for the price of a hellblaster and enginer, putting out a consistent 24+ shots, not a random amount. Plus no misfire possiblility and they are fast cav that can be used as redirectors, run to perserve pts, etc. if needed. Yea, they can get shot up a little easier with thier lower toughness, but they do have more wounds and a 5+ AS.

I think their mobility and multi-use more than makes up for any differences. Of course it all depends on your army build and what is important to you. Just something to consider.

[Rapahatsutt]

I like the new Helblaster. It's a huge deterrent for units and it's point and click. I will probably drop it now in favour of trying out some other options in the list and getting some use out of the others like Outriders.

[Lord Inquisitor]

Yes. Engineers cost 200 points and come with a free hellblaster.

The Engineer adds so much to the hellblaster, but have been nerfed for other war machines, you really want an engineer per hellblaster but without any hellblasters I wouldn't bother with Engineers.

[Morax]

I think it's a good tool, especially with dealing with mournfag and the like, but I wouldn't say it's an auto take.

This right here sums it up. As with most 8th edition books, the empire book is a tool box chocked full of good stuff. The Hellblaster+Engineer combo is just one of many. It provides decent range with high strength and armor piercing for a moderate price. Its down sides are that it can't shoot first turn more times than not, it has a chance of blowing itself up (even if it is not that likely), has a low wounds count and auto fails most stat tests. If your list is in need of high strength shots from a decent range then this is the tool for you, particularly if you can compensate for some of it's weaknesses. If you can't compensate with those weaknesses, you may want to give a unit of 8 outriders a look, they have more shots and should fire the first turn, but they have a lower strength and a much lower toughness.

[lordlorien]

I am considering taking double HBVG with engis at the moment and kicking the cannons out (well minus the one on the STank ). Wondering if that would be a nice variation since they are far better at killing infantry hordes (or monstous cav/inf) and can still well kill the slightly harder stuff. Only worry is the lack of range. It is quite the points investment though. Would be glad for a couple of comments before buying/painting them .

Thanks


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[Wesser]

Yes. Engineers cost 200 points and come with a free hellblaster.

The Engineer adds so much to the hellblaster, but have been nerfed for other war machines, you really want an engineer per hellblaster but without any hellblasters I wouldn't bother with Engineers.

Say whaaat? Pidgeoneers wants a word with you. Those guys are pure win

[Morax]

Say whaaat? Pidgeoneers wants a word with you. Those guys are pure win

Yes they are, but what Lord Inq said about the engineer being nerfed for other warmachines remains true. The Pidgeoneer is a warmachine unto himself, so that really doesn't count. I look at him built that way as an 85 point mortar that doesn't get partial hits and can hide in units. Seems to work out pretty well.

[Yowzo]

I don't have my armybook by my side but no partials?? Everyone in my group plays it just like a normal template.

[Lord Solar Plexus]

There have been no partial hits for what, two, three years?

The Pidgeon Bomb isn't different from normal templates in this regard.

[Morax]

I meant you can't scatter and partially hit your target. Sorry, I should have made that more clear.