Thunderstusk - Viable or not

Hey guys,

I've been wondering about getting a Thunderstusk to finish my first 2400 pts of Ogres. I could get 2 Maneaters for the same price, but I like the idea of getting a centerpiece like the Tusk. I play vs Daemons, High Elves and Dark Elves, so that's not a lot of canons, but it's a lot of T3 troops that will take a good hit from the Thundertusk's Sphere of Frost-wreathed Ice. It would also be very strong to support most units in my army I think.

My question is, how viable is the Thunderstusk? Here's a rough draft on my intended list:

- Slaugthermaster, level 4, Glittering Scales, Fencer's Blade, 5+ Ward Talisman
- Bruiser BSB witch CoC and Dragonhelm, magic weapon maybe or OTS, Look Out Gnoblar
- Firebelly, Level 2, Dispel Scroll
- 7 Ironguts, full command, Standard of Discipline
- 8 Ogres, Ironfist, full command, Look Out Gnoblar
- 10 Gnoblars
- 4 Leadbelchers
- 4 Mournfang Cavalry with Command and Dragonhide Banner, Heavy Armour, Ironfist
- 2 Sabretusks
- Ironblaster

Although it was a one in a million as my opponent didn't fully appreciate the situation, I had a Thundertusk in range of a challenge from my fire belly to a Greater Demon, and the Firebelly killed it between a good fire breath and his normal attacks.  The Thundertusk was a major factor in winning a 6000pt battle because it was initially underestimated in how it would affect the battle

Well, Daemons have a scary cannon...

Anyways, the Thundertusk is very viable, especially against the Elves.  I'll go ahead an say it: It's not as good as two Ironblasters.  That being said, if you go in with a specific plan to use it, it's fantastic.

IMO it combines best with Bulls and Man-Eaters.  It helps MFC as well, but their longer charge range will typically outpace the Thundertusk.  For Ironguts, it ensures they at least get to swing before something eats them.

Regarding it's use against Elves, remember it will have no effect against Sword Masters and White Lions (from HE), and no effect against Executioners (whichever DE guys have great weapons; can never keep them straight  ). 

Remember, the Thundertusk has to work with something else.  My personal favorite is to run 8 maneaters (4x2) in directly in front of it.  The ASL aura reaches over the ME far enough to effect two ranks of anything that charges the Man-Eaters.  32 Poison S5 attacks will take the starch out of any unit.

The Thundertusk can be made viable if it's played correctly, but honestly, it's not a bad model! It's just kinda expensive without much protection (also, don't let it get into combat against anything remotely scary, it gets cut down like a Christmas tree ).

For your rough-draft list, the TTusk would fit great in right between the two core blocks, as its aura will make Ogres hit first and Ironguts hit altogether, which greatly increases the damage output of both units; also, it protects the flanks of the TTusk from any unwanted charges. The TTusk does better adjacent to your main fighting units, unlike the kit's alt-build, the Stonehorn, which prefers a good juicy flank to run through.

If you give it a little protection (via Maw or Beasts), it will do wonders for you as a support unit. If you don't protect it well, or if you treat it like a stand-alone fighting unit, you're gonna throw away 250 points, which is more than 10% of your list I do like mine, though, I just never seem to be able to fit it in points-wise with my other stuff

I would treat it as artillery support with some close range benefits.  Use it to thin down blocks on your way in, then position it so that it is supporting another unit with its aura.

I'm a fan of the unit.  Just remember that it doesn't have impact hits (for some stupid reason)

I ran two t-tusks in a 2999 list and ended up winning the tournament.  (my list is in the army list thread) If you’re running heavens its great to get opponents to reroll 6’s to wound.. hardly takes a wound.
I run 1 in my 2400 as its seen as a soft choice.

How I use them without too much details.

Against mostly Cav lists: I run it one inch behind my ogre units. so the front rank of the cav are within 6" and ASL meaning my ogres (most of the time) get to lay the smack down before they get their str5 attacks.  against the High elf lists it stops them rerolling those STR5 attacks.. generally keeping you in the fight. after the initial charge they're just 2+ save squishy elves/humans so you can manouver him around after the charge. They generally stay out of combat until turn 5-6

Against majority infantry lists(ASF): I run him very similar to above and just minimise the opponent rerolling however I am more willing to get him stuck in for the thunder stomp to end/break combats.
Against majority infantry (nonASF): I run him beside my big ogre units. I never march him so after first round of movement he’s usually 4-5 inches behind the front of the unit beside him.  If ogres get charged I can ASL a few of them.. if they fail my ogres can usually charge then I march the t-tusk to maximise ASL.

There’s plenty of cool tactics to use two str6 ranged weps that do D3 wounds is always handy and scares things like greater daemons, peg captains etc. At the end of the day however; 1 cannonball 2+ wound, 6 wounds will ruin his day.  but you take the good with the bad.