From experience I find my Basilisks considerably more survivable than Manticores, it part due to the armour which is statistically far better, but also due to the perceived threat they pose. The fact that indirect fire anywhere on the table is available every turn and they survive to hold objectives at the end of the game makes Basalisks compare very well against Manticores which are very hit and miss. People seem to be forgetting how disappointing Manticores can be! Deathstrikes are my "hit or miss" unit of choice as feelings towards them are more extreme pre and post firing than Manticores and they're cheaper. With the Int and SR of I rarely put mor than one "hit or miss unit in a list", they're too easy to knock out.

We're splitting hairs. Twice the number of Basalisks survive compared to the number of Manticores, ergo they are "twice as survivable", this is very significant when we consider how many hits are generally generated by a formation shooting in a 3k game and that a Battery only has three models in it.

Does someone not agree with Rug's proposal to make the artillery battery 225 points for 3 Basilisks or Bombards, +25 for 3 Manticores?

I think bombards are on the fine line, overpriced at 225, but underpriced at 200......