The Use of Dark Reapers

I have a friend that is trying to perfect the footdar list. In his latest list he asked me to critique it since I know more of the current meta than he does (he is coming off of 4~5 year hiatus) and in it is a squad of 6 Dark Reapers w/ Exarch w/ EML and both powers. My first instict was to drop these bloated point sink, but he adimantly defended that they were key is setting up a fire lane. I tried to explain him about cover and how it is everywhere now, so their AP3 is getting wasted, but he was so sure they would work.

So this got me thinking. Are Dark Reapers worth it compared to say a wraithlord in a footdar list? And if not what are their uses in this cover heavy mech world?

Short answer - they're not worth it.

Long answer - he's doing footdar so competitiveness probably isn't his crowning goal

But, yeah, 5 Reapers with the kitted Exarch is running him around 225. For that he's getting two missile launchers and 8 Str 5 shots.

For around 170-180 points you could get;
Falcon (2 Str 8 Shots, 7 Str 6 shots)
Wraithlord (with...assorted options, probably TL Missiles or something though, maybe a Bright Lance)
Warwalkers (24 Str 6 shots)

So, if his goal is 'fire lanes' he has lots of options in the same slot that will give him equivalent shooting for less cost - or be a MC that is going to stomp forward with his Avatar and provide a solid bulwark while also being a shooting threat.

I do see his position as defensible if he's focused on the 'no vehicles at all - and this means no Warwalkers' concept of footdar. That said, I'll note that this build of Footdar shouldn't be trying to run a firebase that isn't a Troop option. That said, he can at least argue for that. Still, you're absolutely correct that the Reapers are suboptimal at best, and I;ll also note that for what they're bringing to the table a Footdar list doesn't need (really - you're sweating shooting Sphess Mahreenz? Footdar shouldn't have that as a big need if built correctly)

I would say the optimal use of Reapers is as a sitting firebase (that will suffer in 1/3 of deployment types) and that specializes in shooting up infantry, which, in this edition, means they pretty much don't have a purpose at all.

Thats what I thought. I think Im going to steer him towards weapons platforms, as they seem to be the best AT in a non tank form (wraithlords are nice, but get roflstomped by DE and melta weapons) Even though its going to take alot to show him how the meta has changed alot

3 warwalkers with shuriken cannons is where it is at.

For the price of the 5 reapers you can go with 3 warwalkers with 6 EML!

Unfortunatley reapers lack in the current meta being static and solely focused on killing infantry.

Running 3 inc exarch with tempest launcher and crackshot is about the most effective build

Not much can be said that hasn't been said. Dark Reapers are awesome at killing marines not in cover - and I love them for that - but unfortunately they aren't that good at much else. Still, a guided reaper unit does kick SM buttock

Pretty much only viable options for them is 3 man squad with Exarch, Tempest Launcher and Crack Shot. Less then 150 pts.
Thats expensive, specialised, but at least its is doing its job, killing marines and denying them both armor save and cover, can fire out of LOS.

And you probably want Eldrad in the list for Re-Deployment. But you will want him anyway.

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Thats what I thought. I think Im going to steer him towards weapons platforms, as they seem to be the best AT

Never, ever, never. If i chose the crappiest unit in the codex it will be choice between Weapons Platform and Shining Spears.

On the other hand - if your mate really want something Dark Reaper like - tell him to take Maugan Ra - he is good, will be able to do whats reapers doing and something more (S7 Power Weapon). I just love him in the Harlies squad - oversized Death Jester.

I find that against my main opponent (tyranids), given the EML and fast shot, that unit could take out a trygon or tervigon in a couple of turns (or one with some luck and/or psychic powers).

Shadows Revenge wrote:

Thats what I thought. I think Im going to steer him towards weapons platforms, as they seem to be the best AT in a non tank form (wraithlords are nice, but get roflstomped by DE and melta weapons) Even though its going to take alot to show him how the meta has changed alot

roflstomped, now theres a word that conjures brutality, possibly with silly music? is such a funny way of describing being flogged, smeared into the ground and set alight.

are reapers as nerfed in 5th as i seem to think? they used sit up back popin suckers with krak missles, from what ive seen on the field these days nerf guns hurt more!?

They kill infantry super effectively.
5th Edition is mech heavy.
Mech that is good at killing infantry very effectively.
Reapers are expensive, not good at stopping vehicles, infantry.
Thus the story ends.

hmphf! oh well. i miss infantry advance en mass. thats warhammer to me, battlefields alive, crawling with infantry. its also what most of the art is about. anyway. i still think i should crack out my eldar and dust em off. damn shiney new models they keep using to rob me.

When I play footdar and decide to take Dark Reapers (They are a bit too expensive...) I like 3 DRs (Exarch upgrade) + tempest Launcher + crack shot. I then hide the squad if I can (boo hoo if my normal Dark Reapers can't shoot.) and then I rain template death on my foes.... cover or no....

Also don't touch support weapon platforms unless you are a very special person. Too fragile by far... The one major exception to this is the Vibro-cannon if you are playing cities of death. In Which case... Vibro cannons, Harlequins and Pathfinders are all really horrible.