Lets Kill Shining Spears

Alright so, it’s kind of random to just pick out Shining Spears but they represent a really tough target for Thousand Sons to take on. I’ll break down the most point-efficient methods for killing Shining Spears.

Why Shining Spears?

Shining spears make up a really challenging enemy for Thousand Sons to take on. They’re fast, have 2 wounds each, and come with a great 3+ save and a nasty 4++ save against shooting attacks. This is tough for Thousand Sons because their mainstay weapons are geared towards eliminating good saves, which the 4++ negates. On top of that you have to cut through multiple wounds.

The good news is, there are options (and good ones). What I’ve done is gone unit by unit using the Mathhammer tool to calculate ROI across the options available to the Thousand Sons. You get to reap the reward with the results below.

Enjoy

Shooting

Unit Options ROI Tzaangor Enlightened Bows, Auto-wounds not factored in 40% Defiler BattleCannon, Autocannon, Flamer, Combi-bolter 32.4% Predator Autocannon, Heavy Bolters, Combi-bolter, Havoc Launcher 32.1% Predator Autocannon, Lascannons, Combi-Bolter, Havoc Launcher 32.1% Forgefiend 2x Autocannons, Plasma Jaw 31.7% Helbrute Autocannon, Krak Missile 27.6% Defiler BattleCannon, Lascannons, Flamer, Combi-bolter 27.4% Helbrute Heavy Bolters, Krak Missile 27.1% Scarab Occult Terminators Soulreaper Cannon, Missile Rack, 4 Combi-Bolters, RF Range 26% Helbrute Lascannon, Krak Missile 21% Defiler BattleCannon, Autocannon, Combi-Bolter, Havoc Launcher 18.4% Forgefiend 2x Autocannons 17.5% Heldrake Baleflamer 16.7% Forgefiend 3x Plasma 15.7% Predator 3x Lascannons, Combi-Bolter, Havoc Launcher 15.2% Rubric Marines Soulraper Cannon, 8 Bolters 14% Helbrute Autocannon, Frag Missile 0%

Shooting Thoughts

Some interesting things stood out in these results:

There’s not much a difference in effectiveness between the Heavy Bolter / Lascannon side-sponsons. So, why not opt for the cheaper option? If you take a Forgefiend, pay for that extra Jaw Plasma Defilers are pretty good with that Flamer, but take it away and it’s pedestrian. Consider though, you need to get in close for this to work.

Melee

One big thing that stands out against Shining Spears is they are susceptible to melee attacks, which bypass their 4++ invulnerable. So, let’s take a look at how some of the common melee options work against them

Unit Options ROI Tzaangor Bomb Tzaangor Blades 84.5% Daemon Prince Wings, Talons 51.6% Cultist Bomb Brutal Assault Weapons 51.6% Helbrute Power Scourge, Heavy Bolter 46.9% Tzaangor Englightened Spears, Auto-wounds not factored in 43% Maulerfiend Lasher Tendrils 40.7% Magnus, the Red Did nothing wrong 34.8% Scarab Occult Terminators Soulreaper Cannon, Missile Rack, 4 Combi-Bolters, 4 Power Swords, 1 Force Stave 26% Exalted Sorcerer Dual Power Swords 25.6%

Melee Thoughts

It should be no surprise that hitting them with melee attacks are way more efficient than trying to shoot them down. Most of the ROI’s here are not all that surprising except for the Cultists, perhaps. Run them in another detachment as Khorne Cultists and you’ve got a nasty “bomb” with the ability to reset (tide of traitors), warptime, and have at it (twice).

Summary

Your best options here are pretty clear. If you’re going to shoot them, your best option, far and away, is to engage them with Tzaangor Enlightened. Having a Shaman escort them will certainly improve these odds. Your best option though, is to get them into close combat. If you can, you can also try to make use of a Tzaangor Bomb and prevent them from being able to retreat.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments