Reaver Bladevane Rules???

Hey guys. I'm still really new and trying to figure out how the rules system works for 40k and all that.

I keep hearing and seeing things in batreps and articles about people turbo boosting reavers over units and dealing bladevane hits. I've looked in the codex and can't find anything about this. Can someone help me find these rules or tell me I'm crazy.

5th edition codex.
Reavers used to deal D3 S4 hits (per reaver) if they boosted over a unit.

So this isn't a thing anymore?

Nope... some pople claimed they got "buffed" when their HoW became S4 and rending.

Sad. Well thanks. Too bad I wasn't around then. It looks like it was a fun mechanic.

LanceDarkstrong wrote:

Sad. Well thanks. Too bad I wasn't around then. It looks like it was a fun mechanic.

It was. They probably have more damage dealing potential now (or at the very least, the potential to damage bigger things) but I've stopped using them myself. I need to figure out how they work for me now!

They're like a can-opener unit now, akin the the Lancers of late medieval Europe. They're role is to loiter in your back line or on a flank (camping objectives, denying your opponent zones of control, dealing with deep strikers) until you need them to crack open whatever tin you need to get inside of. With heat lances and/or blaster and cluster caltrops they can pop tanks charging at your other units, having the speed to fly around them and strike at their weaker armour. Or they can shoot at a transport and murderize whatever spills out (you can pull off the fancy encircling trick to trap the unit inside too. For me their role is as a reserve (they have the speed to be anywhere you need them turn after turn) with a focus for dealing with isolated/flanking armour and transports. You use your Ravagers/Raiders to pour lances into priority armoured targets whilst the Reavers deal with secondary targets that pose an imminent threat to your other units.

I fail to see how 6 S4 hits are a "can opener". On average you wound 3 Marines (one is rending) and cause 1,6666 unsaved wounds. Now you have to endure one combat round before you can use your hit and run.
The old Reavers caused an average of 2 unsaved wounds without having to enter melee. Also they always hit the side armor of tanks instead of the side which they are actually in contact with.

The only models reavers can now fight better are T8+ units and units with a 2+ save. And these are still units you should avoid fighting in melee.

It's the cluster caltrops that are the can opener (D6 Str6 rending)

They also existed in the old codex without the risk of getting into cc. And to be fair the D6 hits are extremely unreliable.

Thanks guys. This has definitely devolved into no longer a rules thread. We can discuss reaver tactics in a more appropriate location. But I appreciate you guys setting me straight on this. Being new I was very confused to see guys move reavers across the map and all the sudden some dice rolls happened and some bad guys died.

Klaivex Charondyr wrote:

I fail to see how 6 S4 hits are a "can opener".

You've failed to account for both the cluster caltrops and the blaster/heat lance shots you equip them with the make them a "can opener". Shoot the transport then assault the troops a they spill out (or surround the vehicle before you shoot it so the occupants are insta killed). Taken without upgrades no they won't open anything. Nor do much against marines. But why are you charging naked Reavers into marines?

This to me seems much better than just zipping around the table wearing troll face and scalping a few heads per turn. They have a tactical combat use now other than to distract/taunt the enemy. And they don't really lose the ability to capture/contest objectives. They're more versatile now.

Are you sure surrounding the vehicle and blowing it up instant kills the occupants? I found nothing about that in the rules, just emergency exit and the emergency exit unit being unable to act in the players turn.

CptMetal wrote:

Are you sure surrounding the vehicle and blowing it up instant kills the occupants? I found nothing about that in the rules, just emergency exit and the emergency exit unit being unable to act in the players turn.

If you're unable to perform an emergency disembark due to not being able to place a model without coming within 1" of an enemy model then you are destroyed.

Is that actually in the rules, Count? Where did you find that?

Quote :

You've failed to account for both the cluster caltrops and the blaster/heat lance shots you equip them with the make them a "can opener".

Both options were available in 5th codex.

CptMetal wrote:

Is that actually in the rules, Count? Where did you find that?

Under Effects of Damage on Passengers