This is something the gaming group at the GiF Man-cave has been kicking around for ages. We all love the look of the Space Marine Whirlwind, but it really is rather lackluster on the gaming table. Especially against MEQ’s, they are something that on any given week will make up a third to half of the armies on game night.
So this weekend we have decided to try out our latest brainstorming idea. We will be adding Retribution missile upgrades for all Whirlwinds. Located in the warhead of a Retribution missile is a cluster of plasma accelerators. On impact they create a superheated ball of plasma burning through all but the most armored foe.
Any Whirlwind may be upgraded to carry a payload of Retribution missiles for an additional 35 points. This upgrade replaces all other missile payloads. The Retribution upgrade has a limited payload of missiles; because of this a Whirlwind with this upgrade may only fire 4 times in a game.
Range= 12-48
Strength= 7
AP= 3
Type= Ordinance 1, Large blast, Barrage, limited payload 4
((I'd love your thoughts and feedback! If you actually play a game with Retribution Missiles, please let me know what happened.))
You marines, you're just jealous of our guard manticore goodness - lol.
ReplyDeleteI like the rules mate although it does seem to be a hell of a marine killer for 35 points.
Whirlies are hideously effective against some armies. My guard troopers, orks, and kroot hate them. I'm sure little bugs do too. Against marines not too hot on damage output, but given it's something you can hide and still have put out damage it's not bad. And now that you don't have to fire "guess" weapons first, your other weapons can pop open rhinos, then drop a whirlie round on the heads of the clustered former occupants.
ReplyDeleteI think the upgrade is reasonable, maybe even overcosted.
Another way to make them more powerful instead of just upping the S/lowering AP could be to make them more accurate. Like say...have six shots, after rolling scatter can burn an extra shot to re-roll scatter (accept second result), or just an upgrade to reroll scatter, or to get to use BS on indirect shots.
Interesting rules variant.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that the Whirlwind is rather blah on the field, I think there is a reason for that...
...it is suppose to be for anti-horde armies.
However, as you so eloquently stated, more than half of the armies you will face on any given game night or tournament will be MEQ.
I have to agree that I am a bit jealous of the IG when it comes to fantastic templates, but I for one would not modify the rules on the whirlwind....
....then again, maybe that is because I play CSM and I don't even have one!!!
Thanks for the input guys. It's just an idea the guys have been floating around for ages.
ReplyDeleteWe use this upgrade yesterday and boy was it brutal! I even dished out some pain and added one to my Soul Reapers to test it out. I obliterated a squad of deep striking Imp Fist assault marines, good times!
Either way I doubt this will be a staple in the GiF house rule book.
-Jim
Intriguing. Perhaps I will turn my eye to the Whirligig after I finish up the other Homebrew Projects I have in the Pipeline...lol
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of the dead Imperial Fists Assault Marines I will now lead everybody in a silent minute of prayer to the emperor…
ReplyDeleteTwo things. Why not turn it into a transport? Similar to the Razorback. There are no extra missiles to take up space and surely it isn't "worse" than those flying deathdealers that IG can field. I really like the model btw so better rules are welcome:)
Any chance for some occasional pictures from the man cave? You guys seems to have some awesome models and a lot of fun:) (I think you've posted some pics before)
Thanks for the feedback guys.
ReplyDeleteFlekkzo, I will try to remember to shoot some pics when we get together to play next week. I'll post a note on the wall to remind myself to pick up the camera. I usually forget about the camera once the drinking, dice rolling and silliness begins.
What I really should do is video tape the entire night and post it up to youtube. We get at least one moment of comedy gold every week where outta control laughter occurs.
Long story short, I'll give documenting a Man-cave gaming night a good solid try.
-Jim
I also wish Whirlwinds were just a little more powerful---love the model, can't really justify the unit.
ReplyDeleteAnother option would be to basically take the ammo for the Thunderfire Cannon and give it to a Whirlwind, maybe up the points a little, but keep it an indirect fire weapon. The Thunderfire is pretty iffy in its utility---awesome against some, not so much against others---but if it had indirect fire like a Whirlwind, it would be awesome.