Omissian Axe (Astartes-Pattern) (p154 Core - 2D10+6 Pen 6 (ERRATA: 1D10+11E Pen 6) - Power Field, Unbalanced - Combi-tool - Req 30, Distinguished)

Artificer Omissian Axe (p99 First Founding - 1D10+9E Pen 7- Power Field, Unbalanced – Mastercrafted, Combi-tool, +10 Fel Machine Cult - Req 25, Distinguished)

Odd: Artificers are supposed to be rare and ancient examples of Artificer tech, combining all the brutal power of teh Astartes Pattern Omnissian Axe with forgotten forgings and flawless craftmanship. In addition to its improved profile, an artificer Omnissian Axe is also always mastercrafted and adds +10 Fellowship vwhen dealing with members of teh Machine Cult. Also counts as a Combi Tool.

The improved profile, where is it? The Damage code is actually lower. You could assume the Mastercraft +2 dam bonus (and I got that from p147 and it technically applies to Astartes weapons which the Artificer doesn't have in its keywords anymore altho I assume it's the 'evolved' version and would count as Astartes) isn't included yet to pull them even at which point the rare item comes ahead with 1 PEN. And then we would conveniently forget that you could compare it with a Mastercrafted Astartes version at which point it falls behind again. At the same time the Artificer is strangly cheap to requisition, cheaper than the actual Astartes version for teh same renown.

I m quite puzzled when I compare these and wonder what I m missing to make this make sense. The Artificer Axe has its own merits taht could make you want it so it's not about inherent value. I m really just wondering what could be meant with 'Improved profile', which you would in fact expect for the rare evolved version of a weapon, while the stats are actually a downgrade. Any ideas?

Downgrade?

I don't see how something with those bonuses constitutes a downgrade, unless you're only playing deathwatch as a up-scalled 40k tabletop game, I guess I could see your point.

On the other hand, for an RPG, the weapon is obviously superior to the basic one, damage or no.

The thing is a kind of badge of office, that should get you a bit of respect from other mechanicum agents. Its also a relic, just like all the other (Deathwatch) items in the First Founding armoury, so you get the privaledge of carrying one of those around.

2 less damage is such a rediculously minor thing considering you are adding another 10-14 damage on top of it, I don't know why this is an issue.

Fel is admittedly not a stat that most Techmarines pump or care about. Unless they're mission leader of course.

On any level, what's the justification of it being easier/cheaper to get an alleged relic than a normal piece of gear?

Mind you herechimo, to preempt answers like yours, I tried to specify that overall the Artificer is certainly worth taking; I wouldn't hesitate for a second. It's even easier to get it than the Astartes oddly enough. But the book itself says IN ADDITION to it's IMPROVED PROFILE it gets all the other bonuses. So it's clearly talking about the Weapon stat line as it appears in the Tables. Personally I don't care either way, I just have the sort of mind that pounces on inconsistencies. As I ve come to DW rather recently it makes sense for me to ask the old-timers if I m overlooking something or whether it's, indeed, just weird.

I've a sneaking suspicion the writer took the stats of an 'ordinary' power axe as a base for this relic instead of the omnissian axe. I think the profile should be at least equal to that of a master-crafted omnissian axe (post-errata).

Well the big thing I immediately notice that's different is that the Artificer axe doesn't have a tag specifically limiting it to Techmarines. This might be an oversight, but since it's a weapon for the Iron Hands, it might have been the intent to leave its requisition open to all Specialties.

Now if we keep that in mind when we make our conclusions, and compare the Axe to other power weapons, the difference between the Artificer axe and the Omnissian Axe seem less of an issue, because it's something more designed for use in lieu of a regular power weapon.

That said, it's also possible that this was just a flub on a writer's part.

Also, the way the text is worded, "In addition to its improved profile, an Artificer Omnissian Axe is also always a master-crafted melee weapon" seems to indicate that the bonuses for being Master Crafted are not included in the profile. But again, this weapon needs just a bit of clarification, but it's something to think about.

Kshatriya said:

I don't think it's easier, it's got the same renown, though it is cheaper. IMO (conjecture) most of the req requirements are based around how much damage it helps you take or helps you deal. When you look at fluffy things like dataslates and combi-tools, the price tags seem a little odd. My gut says this one is cheaper because of the 2 less damage, and the + to Fellowship is just gravy.

In regards to inconsistencies, they're all over, I think the writing staff changes and gets to work on parts in isolation of other bits that are being worked on.

Personally I'd figure it was a mistake, up the req and the profile, and potentially up the renown requirement (or up the requirements in some other way to get your hands on the Artificer version of something).

the 'improved profile' Via the errata is 1d10+11, unbalanced, powerfield as opposed to 1d10+9. with marines Strength Bonus, can't rly complain

I'd say add two damage to the base profile (1d10+11) and that, as it is an artificer weapon, it always comes at master craftsmanship (so 1d10+13). I'm not too worried about it in my game; my Techmarine player prefers a power claymore.

One thing not mentioned in either of the profiles, but is assumed due to its Core rulebook description of "Often carried by Techmarines to show their devotion to the Omnissiah, this weapon has a long staff-like body tipped with half of the circular Adeptus Mechanicus skull and cog icon."

Is it 1 or 2 handed? Largely I ask this because of how Ranged Basic Weapons have the ability to be fired 1 handed by Space Marines with no penalties but others of the Basic class appear to take 2 hands, so why would this change with melee weapons? On that note, would a Tech-Marine with a Bionic Arm have the ability to wield a 2-handed weapon, 1-handed, due to the innate strength the Machine God has bestowed upon the Astartes?