The Deathstrike missile launcher is a terrifying weapon of last resort in the arsenal of the Astra Militarum. Understanding its capabilities, strengths, and limitations as detailed in the Deathstrike Datasheet is crucial for any Imperial Guard commander looking to deliver a decisive, earth-shattering blow to the enemy. This article explores the Deathstrike Datasheet, dissecting its key elements and illustrating how to effectively employ this devastating artillery piece on the battlefield.
Decoding the Deathstrike Datasheet
The Deathstrike Datasheet is a concise summary of all the vital statistics and rules governing the Deathstrike missile launcher in a game. It provides the information you need to field this unit, including its movement, weapon profiles, special abilities, and point cost. Mastering the Deathstrike Datasheet is essential to leveraging the Deathstrike’s awesome power effectively.
The Datasheet typically includes several key components:
- **Unit Type:** Indicates that the Deathstrike is a vehicle, typically a tank or artillery piece.
- **Stats:** Provides key stats like Movement (M), Weapon Skill (WS), Ballistic Skill (BS), Strength (S), Toughness (T), Wounds (W), Attacks (A), and Leadership (L). Understanding these stats allows you to assess the Deathstrike’s durability and offensive potential.
- **Weapons:** Details the Deathstrike’s primary weapon, the Deathstrike Missile. This includes its range, profile (Strength, AP, Damage), and special rules.
The special rules section of the Datasheet is particularly important. This is where you’ll find information about abilities such as “Blast” (which increases the area of effect of the explosion), “Indirect Fire” (allowing the weapon to fire without line of sight), and any unique characteristics of the Deathstrike Missile itself, such as potentially dealing mortal wounds. Typically, this involves a one-shot weapon with a lengthy reload procedure. In some cases, this can be represented as a fixed delay before the weapon can be used.
| Characteristic | Example Value |
|---|---|
| Range | Unlimited (Requires Line of Sight to target point) |
| Strength | Variable (D6 + X) |
| AP | -4 |
| Damage | D6 Mortal Wounds |
The Deathstrike’s strategic value lies in its ability to deliver a single, devastating blow to a key enemy target, often deep within enemy lines. Its indirect fire capability allows it to target enemies behind cover, while its immense damage output can cripple or destroy even heavily armored units. However, its one-shot nature and lengthy reload period mean that it must be used judiciously, targeting the most critical enemy threats. Effective use of the Deathstrike requires careful planning, target prioritization, and a willingness to accept the risk of a missed shot.
To truly understand the Deathstrike Missile Launcher and how to unleash its destructive power on the tabletop, refer directly to the official Astra Militarum Codex or accompanying Datacards, where you will find the full and accurate Deathstrike Datasheet.