I'm not opposed, but the name fits the Tzeentch theme rather well. Got any ideas for alternatives?

Distorter
Transformer
Variator
Exchanger
Converter
Adjuster
Transposer

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Oh, come on now. You know you have to stick with the "D" theme as well.

Distorter might work, as might Deviator (though that sounds a bit more Slaaneshi - deviant).

Distorter
Devolver
Dispeller
Disorientator
Disabler
Disputer
Deteriorator

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I actually think that most people could distinguish between The Deceiver and a Deceiver, so I vote no change. Deceiver just has the right ring to it in terms of the Thousand Sons and Tzeentch.

Anathema?

Distorter for me, although the name change isn't really neccesary

Mystifier
Alterer
Altered one
Maker of Wonder
Maker of Marvel
Counterfeiter
Modifier

The "Stan Lee" doesn't ring true for me

conductor

Back to the Defiler AA version...

In brainstorming ideas about new Tzeentch daemon engines, the idea of a scarab-based engine popped into my head. So, rather than stick with a minor mod for a Defiler variant, just changing out weapons to add AA, I am mulling over the idea of a more extensive mod that makes the Defiler into a Scarab-shaped vehicle. Forward claws would be exchanged for pincers. The Defiler torso would be gone and the chassis expanded to look more like a beetle abdomen. A cannon would be centerline, undermounted or possibly between the pincers. The torso/abdomen would have the AA weapons and they could be more substantial, in keeping with downgrading some of the other weaponry to give it better AA for a more defined role.

Defiler Scarab
AV, 20cm, 4+, 4+, 4+
Tzeentch Cannon, 45cm, AP4/AT4
Ether Cannons, 45cm, 2xAA5
Warp Flame, +1EA, First Strike
Fearless, Invulnerable Save, Walker

Optional configurations to consider:
15cm move (allows garrison, but takes out the possible use with armor formations)
25cm move (improves utility with armor formations)
Adding a CC attack from the pincers - possibly MW, possibly with a lower CC value if that's too tough
Adding back in the Flamer weapon (AP/ICFF)

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Possibly adding a Defiler formation:
Defilers - 4 Defilers or Defiler Scarabs in any combination - 300 points

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Thoughts?

My thoughts are that the AA for Tzeentch would be in the form of either a Marine tank or off their titan. Maybe even off their daemons!

Slaanesh have the AA defiler as does Nurgle. Khorne merely has their aircraft for AA.

I think Tzeench should be different and consider even the lesser daemons (disks) or a greater daemon having AA much like gargoyles for the nids. It would promote these units and not re-invent the wheel. I would even go as far as having character stands (certain champion mages) having an AA ability rather than make the defiler.

Failing the above, AA on their greater titans to promote their use much like the Eldar.

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All those options have been discussed repeatedly and the Defiler variant stacks up well against all of them.


On a side note, because it is a pet peeve of mine...

Absolutely not. I've been adamantly opposed to this concept since it was first done with Gargoyles. The idea of a winged beast intercepting a jet is clearly silly, so the premise used to justify it is based on hundreds of pre-positioned troops above the battlefield. That idea doesn't make a bit of sense, even in Epic's normal abstraction. If there were such huge hordes of the enemy over the battlefield that there is even a chance they could flap over and intercept a jet, air cover would be a non-issue. The ground forces would have already been massacred.

Way back when Jervis came out with the original rough draft of the Nid list, he pretty much said the same thing and explained that, historically, Gargoyle AA was just tacked on because the thought was Nids absolutely had to have something even though everyone knew it was a ridiculous idea.

</pet peeve>

Interesting tidbit foundin Imperial Armour 10 about the Land Raider Achilles:

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