Kings of the Air! Notes from IA Aeronautica

Finally got the book in my grubby little hands, and I thought I'd share some highlights for you all.  I'll do this in dribs and drabs, probably by army (assuming I can be that organized), and I'll try to answer any questions.  Note: I'm not going to just post entries whole-sale, since that's a great way to get in trouble

Quick note:  There is STILL a restriction between Apocalypse and normal 40k.  However, that restriction is basically this: "Everything with Structure points is Apocalypse only.  Anything else fits in 40k."

So, starting with everyone's favorite, the Imperial Guard.
Thunderbolts and Lightnings are both heavy support choices, with the Thunderbolt being 3HP and 11/11/10 and the Lightning being 2Hp and 10 all around.  The Thunderbolt has a Repair rule similar to a Rhino's and comes with an Armored cockpit (negate shacken/stunned on 4+), but the Lightning gets the Agile rule, which adds +1 to it's Jink save.  Both have options for Night-Fighting, Chaff Launchers (4+ invul to missiles), and both can carry Skystrike missiles (T.bolt 4, Light 6) which are Twin-linked vs flyers/fast skimmers, 60" range, S7 AP3.

However, the REAL potential winner of the IG section is the Vulture Gunship.  Rocking 12/12/10 and 3HP, it also boasts Strafing Run AND Vector Dancer, and is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than the other two mentioned.  Unfortunately, it's a fast attack choice, and all the options it can take will probably drive the points up.  That being said, it can be configured for not-bad anti-air, or OH-MY-GOD-MAKE-IT-STOP anti-ground.  Weapon options range from 4 missile pods, 6 hunter killer missiles, TL las, autocannon or missile launchers, bombs, or a pair of hellstrike/hellfury missiles (one is S8 ordance, the other is S4, large blast no cover).  Plus it comes with extra armor and searchlights.

I'm not quite sure what to make of the new Avenger Strike Fighter.  It seems to try to combine all three.  It takes up a heavy support slot (for both IG and Sisters of Battle, interestingly enough), and has 12/10/10 with 2Hp.  It can rock more guns than the T.bolt after upgrades (athough it's 2 autocannons aren't twin-linked), and is the only thing with the Avenger bolt cannon, with is a 36" S6 AP3 Heavy 7 gun.  With the strafing run rule, it definitely seems like this is more for ground work. 

Finally, the highlight of the ground forces is the Air Defense Manticore.  Nicely priced (but no squadron rules), it hits like a brick, firing Sky Eagle missiles up 120" away, which will swat flyers like flies with a Twin-Linked S9, AP2 Ordnance missile.  Only 4 shots, but you shouldn't really need more than 1 per bird.

Infantry platoons can also buy Sabre weapon batteries, which are just heavy weapon teams with Skyfire and Interceptor, taking the place of regular heavy weapon teams.

On to Space Marines
The storm eagle.  A Fast attack choice for SM, DA, SW, or BT, it's only slightly more expensive than a Storm Raven, but with 4HP.  That being said, its much more under-gunned at base price.  I guess the 20 dudes inside might make up for that.  This can be mitigated by buying a pair of TL las cannons, or 4 hellstrike missiles, but pushes the points past land-raider-territory.  It's also an option for Chaos, losing the PotMS, getting a 20 point reduction, and the option to be possessed.

The Caestus, a favorite of mine, is a Fast Attack choice for SM, BA, BT, SW, and DA.  13/13/11 with 3HP, you've got to love a vehicle whose's only purpose in life is to hit things.  And it doesn't get much better than a Flyer that can Ram while Zooming.  You have to buy the frag launchers and ceramite plating separate now, which kinda sucks, but the 5+ invul (in the forward arc) and the AP2 Ordance Ram make up for it.  The Magna-melta is death-incarnate to any group of vehicles now (its a 18" S8 AP1 TWIN-LINKED LARGE BLAST MELTA, in case you didn't know), given that blast weapons are full power now across the template.

The Land Raider Helios and Whirlwind Hyperios are back (maybe you'll actually see some whirlwinds out there now ).  Both have added benefit of having their anti-air missiles be twin-linked with 48" range and interceptor, giving space marines some decent ground-based teeth against flyers.

Hyperios batteries are cheap as hell, are BS3 (used to be 2), and are now T6 and W2 instead of having an armor value (available to everyone but GK).  You can get up to 4 of them for a single FA slot, and if you upgrade 1 to a command platform, they can split fire.  I see some conversions in the future.

The Contemptor-Mortis Dreadnought (included because I'm a shameless dreadnought fan, because I have the model, and because it's frickin awesome) has it's choice regarding how it would like to terrify flyers.  Only slightly more expensive than a venerable dread, but gaining 13/12/10 armor and a 5+ invul to shooting (6+ in CC), its also BS 5, and gains the Skyfire and Interceptor rules provided it remains stationary.  Given that it comes with paired Heavy Bolters, and that it can take paired multi-meltas, TL autocannons, TL las cannons, or a pair of the awesome Kheres Assault cannons (a Heavy 6 assault cannon), AND can buy a Cyclone missile launcher in addition to it's other weapons, it can serve as a potent fly-swatter or area-denial platform.

Just to get it out of the way.
Tyranids
Nothing.
Yes, that's right.
They have a single entry, for Apocalypse.

Continuing the vein of getting things out of the way.
Necrons
Nothing.
Granted, they've got 2 pretty-damned-good flyers in their codex already.
Only thing here is the Pylon, for Apocalypse.
One quick note, just to reinforce the potential necron air-superiority.
The Pylon is armed with a Gauss Annihilator, which is a 120" Heavy 3, AP2 "D" weapon with the Skyfire and Interceptor rules.

So how do you think the normal GW flyers will be competing against those mostrosities?
I personally don't like the amount of Skyfire and Interceptor in the new rules...
Let me guess, nothing for Orks?
I personally wouldn't use Forge World stuff. Do the models look cool?

Actually, Orks have a rather large section.

Personally I think the three WD flyers are superior to either the fighta-bommer or the attak fighta.  The fighta-bommer is more expensive, but does have a larger gun load (4 big shootas, and 1 TL turreted big shoota), and comes with 6 rokkits.  The only issue I have with it is the lack of the WAAAGH plane rule, and it's 11/10/10 armor.  It tries to be the 'heavy' aircraft, and isn't.  It also should have been a heavy support choice, to spread the flyers across the force org.

Individually, the attak fighta is much crappier than the dakka jet.  Note the 'individually.'  The attack fighta is cheaper, carries fewer guns, is only 2HP, and can have only 2 bombs or missiles.  BUT it can be bought in squadrons of up to 3 per fast attack choice.

The ground-side is interesting too.  First up is the Flakk Trukk; a little expensive, and may be bought as 1-3 per squadron as a heavy support choice.  10 all-around, but with 3 HP, they have the interesting rule "Go, go, go!" which allows them to move flat-out and still fire their flakk-gunz as long as the target is a flyer.  Makes them hard to get away from.  And unlike the poor hydra, flakk trukks have both skyfire AND interceptor, making that S7 assault 4 gun just as nasty to light vehicles on the ground.  And yes, it's Ramshackle, just for fun

The other option is the slightly more durable (and only slightly more expensive) Flakk Trakk.  This unit entry presents a curiousity.  See, it's called a Flakk Trakk, and the model pictured has a Flakka gun, and the rules mention firing said Flakka gun, but the wargear DOESN'T list it has HAVING a Flakka gun!  Oops!  Regardless, it's 12/11/10 with 3HP, can be given the full breadth of Orky upgrades, can take a bunch of extra weapons, and even has a transport capacity of 6.  It also comes with the ability to reroll dangerous terrain gratis.

Another quickie, the Dark Eldar
Only a single entry here, and I'm not sure about it (although I'm leaning to 'negative'). 

The Raven Strike Fighter is expensive.  More so than the thunderbolt.  And it's only a 10 all-around, 2HP flyer.  It has only a single TL dark lance, and a second weapon called a splinterstorm cannon, with is a heavy 10 poisoned gun.  It can be upgraded with night shields and flickerfields (raising the cost still higher), and is a fast attack choice.  What it DOES have, and what might make it worthwhile, is a washer's list of special rules.  Night Vision, Deep Strike, Vector Dancer, Supersonic, Evasive, Strafing Run, and a new one called Sky Assassin.  This allows you to reroll the scatter when entering via deep strike.  Strafing Run from something that's already BS4 is fairly scary, but with such a small and generalized weapon's load out, not so much. 

Plus, it's an ugly little sod. Assuming the moderators don't take down my description, let me just say it looks like a combination between a Batarang and a ribbed item that may or may not be used in female recreational activity.

My verdict: stick with the flyers in the book.  They're cheaper, better, and look cooler.

Cheers for all the info! I can imagine some players getting a bit gnarly if you turn up with an unexpected AA units and nobble all their pretty planes. Flakk Trukks in particular sound a bit of a nightmare!

Oh, and I'm afraid I will have to tidy up a bit. See if you can't be a bit more 'euphemistic' in future.

lol, no problem.  I'll keep it clean.  But seriously, I was staring at the picture and that's exactly what popped into my head, and once there it wouldn't leave.  If I ever see one on the table, I'll probably start laughing.

Did you ever see the Nurgle Baneblade which actually used said item as the main gun?

Just to get it out of the way.
Tyranids
Nothing.
Yes, that's right.
They have a single entry, for Apocalypse.

Freakin arseholes!

oh, and Eg Giant-tripper: Nice reaction time on the mod by the way   

Anyways, onto Eldar.  Lots of stuff here with 6 entries: 3 for 40k and 3 for Apoc.

First we have the Pheonix bomber, a NASTY piece of kit.  An expensive heavy support choice, unlike it's DE counter-part, I think it's worth every point.  10 all around with 3HP, it also comes with Shrouded, granting it a 5+ cover gratis, and a 3+ Jink save.  Vector Dancer and Strafing Run mean it will definitely be able to lay down the hurt where you want it to go.  And what does it use to do that?  A solid weapons package, with 2 shuriken cannons, 2 phoenix missile launchers (S5, AP3, Heavy 3), and a Pulse laser (with options to swap it for a TL bright lance or starcannon for free).  If not hunting marines (or their equivalent), you can swap the pheonix launchers for nightfire missile launchers for cheap, the nightfire's being S4, AP5, Heavy 3 Blast, ignore cover, pinning.  Great for munching hordes.  Plus, it's supersonic, but can't hover.

Then there's the Nightwing Interceptor.  Comparably priced with other light fighters (10 all around, 2HP), this one is argueably the most survivable.  This is due to the shrouded and agile rules, which give it a 4+ cover save standard, and a whopping 2+ cover save when jinking.  Vector Dancer ensures that it'll be able to bring a hard-hitting payload of 2 shuriken cannon and 2 bright lances to bear on it's target.  Oddly enough, it has NO options for different weapons or upgrades.  Take as is.

The last is the Fire Storm, for some ground-based anti-air.  A typical eldar grav tank, decently priced, but with a 6 man tranport capacity and a TL fire Storm scatter laser, which is a nasty S6, AP6, Heavy 6 with skyfire and interceptor.  These are backed up by a TL shuriken catapul, which can be swapped for a shuriken cannon.

Okay, now for the Tau

Again, 6 entries, but only two are for 40k.

First is the light-fighter class Barracuda.  Actually, it's full title is "Barracuda Air Superiority Fighter."  Maybe with a "Sir" thrown in at the end there.  Personally I don't see it.  Granted, it's a decent bit of kit.  10 all around with 2HP and Agile, it's actually cheaper than the Lightning, while being more up-gunned.  Packing an Ion Cannon, a TL missile pod, and 2 sponson-mounted (so 180 degree arc for these bad-boys) Burst cannon, it sends alot of shots down-range.  Even better, the Burst cannons have auto-targeting, so they ignore jink saves (but not shrouded saves, oddly enough).  It can also carry 4 seeker missiles (bought individually, which is interesting).  So, lots of firepower, but still a light fighter, and easy to bring down if it's not careful.  A good FA choice for the Tau.
 
The other 40k entry is the light(er) flyer, the DX-6 Remora Drone Fighter.  This is only marginally cheaper than the Barracuda, but unlike it's bigger brother, this can be bought in squadrons of up to 5 (!!), and also have the hover rule.  The same stat line for a significantly weaker weapons package, but with some perks.  Weapon-wise, the Remora features only a single TL long barrelled burst cannon (double ranged, for those who don't remember the old vehicle mod rules ) and a pair of seeker missiles.  The Perks come in the fact that this little bugger has its own markerlight and is Shrouded.  So you can fire those missiles with a guaranteed hit when you need to, or provide markerlights to other units in the army when you've shot your wad.

Final entry, Chaos

I've saved these guys for last a.) because their stuff isn't that impressive, and b.) because they're getting a new codex soon, and I'm sure they'll have much cooler stuff in there.  But, for the models already existing, here you are:

First we have the Hell Blade.  Cheaper even than the Barracuda, this is definitely the economy fighter, while still maintaining the capacity to be effective.  10-all-around with 2HP and BS3, Agile, and supersonic, it mounts only a pair of reaper autocannon (which are apparently inherently twin-linked.  Didn't remember that).  It CAN be Daemonically Possessed for 20 points, if you're scared of shaken/stunned results (does that drop it's BS still further?  Haven't looked at Chaos in so long...).  A FA choice for Chaos marines.

Second, there's the interesting Hell Talon.  Interesting in that it is still 10-all-around, but has a 4 (Four?!) HP.  Priced similar to the Thunderbolt, it also has Strafing Run to help it's BS3, but not as many guns.  It mounts only a single Reaper autocannon, a TL las cannon, and 8 Tactical Bombs (S6, AP4, Blast).  Option-wise, it can be Daemonically Possessed, can swap the autocannon for a havoc launcher, or upgrades it's bombs to Heavy bombs.  These are also S6 AP4, but are rolled using the Apocalyptic Barrage template (1 roll per bomb, drop as many as you want...once).  Also a FA choice for Chaos marines.

Next up is the Dreadclaw, or Yoyo Drop Pod as called by some.  Over twice as expensive as a SM drop pod (almost thrice, actually), it's actually a 12-all-around, 3 HP Flyer with hover, frag launchers, and the Assault rule.  And yes, it can carry not only 10 chaos marines, but a single dreadnought instead.  It still arrives via regular reserves deep strike (so no first-turn alpha strikes, sorry ), and embarked units must disembark with 2 inches of the hull, instead of the normal 6 inches.  However, it's free to move after that.  ALSO a FA choice for Chaos space marines (getting crowded in that FOC slot).

Finally, we have the Nurgle Blight Drone.  These little blighters (lol, see what I did there!   Okay, I'll stop) are fairly cheap for the light-fighter range, and can be bought in squadrons of 3.  They also rock 12/11/10 armor with 2HP, Flyer, and Hover, but only BS2 sadly.  They are inherently Daemons (I'm assuming a vehicle still gets the 5++), and have a single reaper autocannon as well as a Mawcannon.  The Mawcannon may be Vomited as a S6, AP4 Template, or Phlegmed (can you verb Phlegm?) 36 inches at S8, AP3 large blast.  For extra amusement, they also come with Explosion of Pus, which causes them to always explode, even when wrecked.  They are a FA choice for a Choas Daemons army, and also for a Chaos Space Marines army, so long as you include at least 1 unit of Plague Marines (and who doesn't?)

So, there you have it folks.  Hope this has been helpful, or at least entertaining!