| Strength | Durability Increase |
| 2 | 0% |
| 3 | 100% |
| 4 | 50% |
| 5 | 33% |
| 6 | 25% |
| 7+ | 0% |
A mark of Nurgle comes in at amazingly discounted price of 8.57% of the original model When we consider offensive power in addition to the durability increase we see that we need a total of 16.4% increased survivability. This already makes them a great candidate for a mark of Nurgle because it is clearly beneficial vs strength three through strength six.
Since obliterators have multiple wounds we have an added benefit of preventing instant death from strength 8 and 9 weapons. My traditional method of calculating durability increase does not work here since regardless of the change in toughness a strength 8 or 9 weapon will wound 5/6th of the time.
If we define durability as the number of hits on average to kill a model (ignoring saves) we can determine the increase in durability. A single strength 8 or 9 hit will wound 5/6th of the time, so we need 6/5 hits or 1.2 hits to average one wound. If we need two wounds we now will be wounding (5/6)*(5/6) or (25/36) of the time, so if we need two successes we would need 2*(36/25)=72/25=2.88 hits. Moving from 1.2 hits to 2.88 hits gives us a 140% increase in defense. Realistically our table should look more like this.
Since obliterators have multiple wounds we have an added benefit of preventing instant death from strength 8 and 9 weapons. My traditional method of calculating durability increase does not work here since regardless of the change in toughness a strength 8 or 9 weapon will wound 5/6th of the time.
If we define durability as the number of hits on average to kill a model (ignoring saves) we can determine the increase in durability. A single strength 8 or 9 hit will wound 5/6th of the time, so we need 6/5 hits or 1.2 hits to average one wound. If we need two wounds we now will be wounding (5/6)*(5/6) or (25/36) of the time, so if we need two successes we would need 2*(36/25)=72/25=2.88 hits. Moving from 1.2 hits to 2.88 hits gives us a 140% increase in defense. Realistically our table should look more like this.
| Strength | Durability Increase |
| 2 | 0% |
| 3 | 100% |
| 4 | 50% |
| 5 | 33% |
| 6 | 25% |
| 7 | 0% |
| 8 | 140% |
| 9 | 140% |
| 10 | 0% |
So the only times that a mark of Nurgle doesn't help is vs strength 2, 7 and 10.
Let's compare this to a mark of Tzeentch. This increases durability by 33% across the board, but only against weapons that are AP2. Unless you are being focus by tons of plasma and demolisher cannons mark of Nurgle is going to generally be superior to mark of Tzeentch.
Let's compare this to a mark of Tzeentch. This increases durability by 33% across the board, but only against weapons that are AP2. Unless you are being focus by tons of plasma and demolisher cannons mark of Nurgle is going to generally be superior to mark of Tzeentch.
Cool, I like the mathhammer when you factor in instant death. Interesting how it plays out with S7 and S10 being no improvment, but it makes sense. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeletewas realizing somehow for the first time that you can grimoire tzeentch obliterators for a 2+ correct?
ReplyDeleteI've been using Ahriman a lot as my WL lately having quite a bit of fun with him... and attaching him to oblits in a bastion then popping them out of an escape hatch with invisibility and raining doombolts and asscans upon the loyalists... so enjoyable. Is it possible to grimoire them while Ahriman is attached too?
Yes, you can use the grimoire on any unit that has at least one model with the daemon special rule, but the grimoire will not affect non-daemons.
DeleteIf you're planning on running a Tzeentch daemon/CSM army then Tzeentch oblits are pretty good. A psyker with Cursed Earth gives them a 3+ invul and no scatter deep strike. Granted, you still need to be shot with AP1 or 2 for the invul save to come into effect.
DeleteThe Mark of Tzeentch cannot increase your invulnerable save beyond 3++, unfortunately.
DeleteThat is correct. If you are going to use a grimoire on Obliterators, there is no point in making them Tzeentch. Regardless of 4++ from Tzeentch or 5++ base, the grimoire will only get them to 3++. Grimoire plus Cursed Earth will get them to 2++ however if you really want to get there.
DeleteAnd this turns back into, "increased defense vs more models".
DeleteA level 3 herald of Tzeentch with a grimoire is only going to get cursed earth 1/2 of the time and cost 125 points. For this price you can almost get two more obliterators.
Well... Presumably the Cursed Earth is going to hit more than just the Oblits (can't remember if it’s a 12" or 6" circle) and it also serves as a Deep Strike beacon. So solely considering the 125 point herald as a "+1 to Obliterator invul" bot is a bit of narrow-casting.
DeleteBut, yeah, buying a Grimoire just to use on Oblits would probably end up not being worth the points. That said if someone brought one for other reasons and Oblits happened to be the best target in a turn, it's not a bad option.
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DeleteI missed your math articles!
ReplyDeleteI had a busy few months once school started, and so I didn't have much time to think about articles. Now I have a bunch of ideas, but need to balance time between painting and crunching numbers.
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