My Little Thread of Noob Questions

[NuclearSnowyOwl]

Hey guys, I'm going to have lots of noob questions come up as I continue to learn the game. So to all those of you with patience, I would appreciate your help

Here's how we'll kick things off:


In the SMs codex, I'm not clear what it costs for a pair of Lightning Claws. The entry says "Lightning Claw" (singular) 15 points. So does it cost 30 to have a pair of Lightning Claws? The rule for the entry states that "A model can replace his bolt pistol and/or Melee weapon with one of the following."

I'm wanting to put a Pair of Lightning Claws onto a Veteran. I'm assuming it's 30 points, but I can see how both interpretations of the rule could work.

Is it possible to have just one Lightning Claw?

Thanks!

[ElectricPaladin]

A lightning claw is a single weapon - it costs 30 to have two. It's possible to have just one claw, but like a power fist, you can't get an extra attack for having two melee weapons or a weapon + pistol because the claw is a Specialist Weapon. The benefit of having two is the bonus attack.

EDIT: Have you settled on a chapter yet, you feckless dilettante?

[NuclearSnowyOwl]

Haha, yes, I'm going with Raven Guard. They have the total package for me: fluff, look, rules that add mobility.

So with the Specialist Weapon rule, wouldn't a model get an extra attack with a pair of Lightning Claws since both Claws have the Specialist Weapon rule? Shrike for instance, has a base Attack value of 3, so I assumed it would get bumped up to 4 with a pair of Lightning Claws.

[ElectricPaladin]

Haha, yes, I'm going with Raven Guard. They have the total package for me: fluff, look, rules that add mobility.

Awesome. If you want any advice on painting black, by all means ask for it. Black is a bear... almost as hard as white or yellow.

So with the Specialist Weapon rule, wouldn't a model get an extra attack with a pair of Lightning Claws since both Claws have the Specialist Weapon rule? Shrike for instance, has a base Attack value of 3, so I assumed it would get bumped up to 4 with a pair of Lightning Claws.

Yes.

It's best to think of it this way:

• Do you have a melee weapon? Splendid. You can use its stats in close combat.
• Do you also have a pistol or a second copy of the same melee weapon? Great! you get an extra attack in melee.
• Do you have a second melee weapon, but it's different than the first? Don't worry, you still get an extra attack, but you have to decide which melee weapon to swing with (you can't use both).
• Wait a second... is one of these weapons a Specialist Weapon? Uh oh... you don't get the bonus attack unless both of your melee weapons are Specialist Weapons.

[Nabterayl]

• Wait a second... is one of these weapons a Specialist Weapon? Uh oh... you don't get the bonus attack unless both of your melee weapons are Specialist Weapons.

EP's absolutely correct with everything he said. Let me add that if you're looking at this and saying, "Wait a minute ... does that I mean I could get the bonus attack even if I have two different Specialist Weapons?" the answer is yes. Two lightning claws gets you the bonus attack, but so does a lightning claw and a power fist (two lightning claws is, of course, cheaper).

Also, glad you were able to decide on a chapter!

[ElectricPaladin]

EP's absolutely correct with everything he said. Let me add that if you're looking at this and saying, "Wait a minute ... does that I mean I could get the bonus attack even if I have two different Specialist Weapons?" the answer is yes. Two lightning claws gets you the bonus attack, but so does a lightning claw and a power fist (two lightning claws is, of course, cheaper).

A second lightning claw is a good way to cheaply get a second powerfist attack... it also gives you the option to swing with either the powerfist or the lightning claw, which is a great tactical benefit.

[This Dave]

A second lightning claw is a good way to cheaply get a second powerfist attack... it also gives you the option to swing with either the powerfist or the lightning claw, which is a great tactical benefit.

Although it's an affront to the Omnissiah my Techmarines are now getting a single Lightning Claw now instead of the traditional Omnissian Axe. Since Servoarms have changed to a Specialist weapon and the LC is the same points cost I might as well to get an extra attack with it.

[Houghten]

Call me cynical, but I think it probably won't last past 6th.

[NuclearSnowyOwl]

Okay, next noob question:

In the codex, what does "X" stand for in the entry for Sniper Rifle under the Strenght column? Trying to determine what Scouts can do. Never used them before and seems like they're extremely fluff appropriate for Raven Guard.

[Asuryan]

X means it has a special rule for that attribute. for snipers it means they wound any model with a toughness on a 4+, with other rules for the sniper rifle in your BRB.