8th Ed. Hellcannon Rules

Right, I think that I have found a MASSIVE point on the effectiveness of the Hellcannon and having checked all rules several times over, I'm pretty sure I'm right but would appreciate any input:

In the Hellcannon Rules, it states that it has to take a leadership test every turn and if it fails it has to turn to face the closest enemy unit and then move 3D6 inches towards it.

It is cited as troop type "Monster" with the "Monster and Handlers" special rule.

It has a leadership of 4. The Chaos Dwarf Handlers have a leadership of 9.

I checked the BRB and under leadership tests it says you use the highest leadership "of the unit".

Under "Monsters and Handlers" it states, "The handlers aren't really a combat unit per se, so we ignore them for most gaming purposes, treating the monster itself as the extent of the unit."

Based on the above, the Hellcannon (as a Monster) would take the leadership test on its own leadership of 4 and if it fails it would swivel to face the closest enemy troops and then move 3D6 based on the Random Movement.

I.E. It can't shoot unless it passes a leadership test on leadership 4.

@NIGHTBRINGER @Lord Agragax of Lunaxoatl @Scalenex @ASSASSIN_NR_1 @Imrahil @airjamy

What do you reckon? I keep looking at it and can't see any flaws in my reasoning, but I think I might be too caught up in it...

Obviously the thing is still pretty flipping dangerous it it gets into combat, but this would take out it's god-like unit status in my opinion.

Cheers.

 

No.... it tests on the Dwarf’s leadership Number. That is the point of them. (And the point of trying to KIA them.)

Sorry

 

But which rule states that?

 

@Aginor would appreciate also any input from you. Cheers.

 

I believe this FAQ entry is what you are looking for...

 

Blast...

WoC are ridiculous.

I will keep searching rulebooks until I have found weaknesses to exploit.

How do I get the PDF of the FAQ's?

 

And am I missing something or is the only way to kill the handlers by a) misfire result or b) rolling 5-6 when the Hellcannon suffers a wound (after it's T6, 4+, 5++) ?(sigh)

 

https://eefl.freeforums.net/thread/129/wfb-edition-official-faqs-download

Bend the knee to the might of Chaos!

I believe you are correct.

Obviously if the hellcannon dies, the handlers are immediately removed as well.

 

Okay, just had an idea... Check this out:

The Hellcannon has the rule "Move or Fire" in this rule it states that it also applies if the unit with this rule has been moved by magic or other reasons.

If you cast Wind Blast from the Lore of Heavens on the Hellcannon, it shouldn't be able to fire in its next phase.

@NIGHTBRINGER @Lord Agragax of Lunaxoatl @Scalenex @ASSASSIN_NR_1 @airjamy @Carnikang @ChapterAquila92 @Imrahil @Paradoxical Pacifism

Thoughts?

If I can build a general consensus on something I've come up with as tactics for the Hellcannon on LO then I will go over with my friend as a rule to apply when we next play.

(I will still try out my tactic of Skink Hero on Terradon, glittering scales, relic blade and dragon helm to see if I can tie up a Hellcannon for a few turns. This would make the Hellcannon 5+ to hit me and I would still have a 4+ armour save after deductions for strength so it's an idea)

 

Well, the idea is nice, but doesn't work as far as I know, since 'Move or Fire' only triggers if the Hellcannon moved earlier in the turn. Since 'Wind Blast' would only move it in your turn, it will not have moved in its own turn, thus it can still shoot.

 

Blast. Fair enough.

 

Casting Spirit Leech on Hellcannon is a flipping great idea!!! It's only Leadership 4!!! Thanks!

Yes, I'm kind of part-time amusing myself with coming up with wild theories (as you may have observed on this thread) for fighting Chaos. I'm looking fowards to trying out the crazier ones.

 

Interesting, though I'm not sure that it works like that.

 

The Lord giveth... and the Lord taketh away...

You mean it should be the handlers leadership?

Doesn't really fit with the concept of the spell attacking the actual Hellcannon though.

 

First, let me just say that I am not entirely sure. I'm just speculating. However, since the crew can't be targeted separately, I view the Hellcannon and crew as essentially a single entity (sort of like a Stegadon and its Skink crew, with the caveat that misfires can remove the crew, and unsaved woulds are randomized 1-4 and 5-6). Then, as per the faq, you would use the highest available leadership, which in this case is the Chaos Dwarf crew's leadership of 9.

 

I think possibly the key to this is the fact that the Spirit Leech spell targets a "single enemy model (even a character in a unit)" and then "add their unmodified leadership values".

If unit had a champion, they would be able to use that models leadership but it would be a MODIFIED leadership figure.

Same with the Monster it seems to me, in relation to the handlers.

The spell is targeting that model and attempting to draw the life from it, not from the handlers.

 

That's the thing, the crew aren't single models. They are part of the Hellcannon model, just like the Stegadon and its howdah skinks. A champion or a character can be sniped and they can be directly targeted if within base-to-base contact; the hellcannon crew cannot be. As such, when the hellcannon is targeted by Spirit Leech, the FAQ ruling comes into play. At least that's the way I see it.