I think we have to accept that baneblades are just not going to be as useful as shadowswords - too slow, unmanoeuvrable. Tinkering with its long range cannon isn't really going to transform the unit, though making it BP may well do (and with potentially unintended consequences as hinted at already).

The only other thing I can think of which might create a role for the baneblade is as a non-infantry objective holder. Place the TnH on the centre line, march them up, then stick them on overwatch. 500 points is too much to spend on that, but if you could take them in pairs for 350... 6 DC of RA isn't terrible as a break point and should have enough firepower to deter an assault.

_________________
Kyrt's Battle Result Tracker (forum post is here)
Kyrt's trade list

The BP 2 BB Cannon seems quite nice. Like the idea. Thath would be the breaking point to get the BB on par with the SS. Would be very appreciated.

Still not in favour, not least because it would be awful against armour (6+ to hit...)

Give it the option to fire in BP mode (HE shells) or AT mode, like a basilisk?

_________________
AFK with real life, still checking PMs

NOW you're on the trolley....

give that man a cookie!

_________________
NetEA Space Marine, Imperial Fists and Blood Angels Army Champion

NetEA Red Corsairs Army Champion

My hobby/painting threads

Army Forge List Co-ordinator

Hey Rug had told me to split off a dedicated Baneblade test thread last week so I've put one up here (yeah yeah yeah lag-wagon)
viewtopic.php?f=74&t=28456

_________________
He's a lawyer and a super-villian. That's like having a shark with a bazooka!

-I HAVE NO POINT
-Penal Legion-Fan list
-Help me make Whitescars not suck!

Fair point, however, I don't see any price increases in the IG list. I countered the drop to Tacs etc by increasing other unit costs.

What IG units can go up in cost...? What do people think?

(Can you summarise the potential changes?)

Not sure where the point drops are, but if they are drops on non core, non optimal choices, it doesn't have any balance effect... So say arty companies costing 600 - I would still take batteries as they are just too fragile and too many points tied up in attacking one enemy formation a turn. Still I might take them for a giggle in a 4000, okay well more like 4500+ game.

Warhounds should increase to compensate for other price drops/buffs. See marine thread for details...

What is this thread you speak of? I can't seem to find it.

There was discussion in the codex marine section that warhounds should be nurfed to stop them being an auto include. Either bump them to 300pnts, omit singles or limit singles to 0-1 at 300pnts.

Gotcha, thanks.