> I really must re-state my opposition to using thunderhawks for SM
> deployment. Pods are only slightly less effective at precision, are a
> lot less vulnerable to interceptors and flak, and a HELL of a lot
> cheaper. Why spend 240 points to deploy a detat that can be more safely
> deployed for free. Especially if you have to wait two turns to use the
> awesome 24 fp afterwards. They're almost as powerful individually as 2
> heavy artillery units which can stuff 6 units in their template.
Generally, I agree with you. However, THawks do have certain advantages
and I often use them.
1) Precision. As you say, this is marginal.
2) Firepower. This is the big one for me. Three THawks will lay down
three blast markers on the detachment that their cargo will be
targetting/engaging as the THawks drop off their cargo. If I'm going
to be assaulting something in the enemy rear, these extra three Blast
Markers are quite handy. Note that these markers are in addition to
any your troops themsleves will lay down when they fire if the shooting
phase.
3) Delayed arrival. When your reserves in Drop Pods show up, they land.
Right now. Nothing you can do about it. While I've never tried this
myself, I believe the rules state that any flyers on intercept orders
can loiter if there are no targets you wish to engage with them. You
might want to give you THawks intercept orders on turn 2 so that you could
delay landing your troops until turn 3 or later.
4) Evac, if you are using those rules, is the exclusive territory of THawks for
the Imperials.
I've used both pods and THawks several times. For me, the biggest
deciding factor is if I really think I'll need those 3 blast
markers after landing my troops.
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Allen (The Q&A guy)
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Received on Thu Mar 12 1998 - 01:07:19 UTC