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Warriors of Chaos · 143 points
Are Chaos javelins good?
Chaos javelins are slightly better than throwing axes, but they are still not good at shooting. They finished 23rd of 29 at short range in my tests and did nothing at all to Ironbreakers at short range.
Quick answer: it depends what you point Chaos javelins at
- Role
- Softening up a target before the charge
- Good against
- Skaven Dregs (3.9, 16th): best ranking
- Struggles against
- Knights of the Realm (0.9, 23rd), Ironbreakers (0.0, 29th), Empire State Troops (3.0, 20th), Skaven Dregs (3.9, 16th), Rat Ogres (1.0, 28th), Skirmishing Empire Archers (2.0, 26th)
- Range
- Loses some damage at range (66% kept)
Softening up a target before the charge is the job Chaos javelins did best in my testing, and it is the yardstick I would judge them by, rather than their 23rd-of-29 overall average.
How many simulations I ran
I ran 120 volleys with Chaos javelins: ten fresh volleys at each of six targets, at both long and short range. I then fired 1,800 more Chaos javelins volleys at fixed distances, after moving and into cover. Those main volleys were part of the 4,080 I ran across 29 shooting units, and these were the Chaos javelins results.
Treat my Chaos javelins results as evidence rather than gospel: I strip out terrain, magic, characters and an opponent’s choices so the unit’s own performance shows through. With ten volleys per result, Chaos javelins (1.8) and Centigors with throwing axes (1.7) finished level at short range, so I would not read anything into their order. Use these Chaos javelins figures as a strong guide to the job, not a promise.
My verdict
In my opinion javelins are worth it only for the extra 3 inches of reach over axes. Point them at light infantry: they managed 3.9 wounds against Dregs at short range.
Best and worst targets for Chaos javelins
Chaos javelins by target. Ranks out of 29. n = 10 volleys per cell
| Target | Long | Rank | Short | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knights of the Realm | 0.8 | 20th | 0.9 | 23rd |
| Ironbreakers | 0.7 | 14th | 0.0 | 29th |
| Empire State Troops | 1.2 | 27th | 3.0 | 20th |
| Skaven Dregs | 2.5 | 21st | 3.9 | 16th |
| Rat Ogres | 0.9 | 26th | 1.0 | 28th |
| Skirmishing Empire Archers | 1.0 | 27th | 2.0 | 26th |
Range and armour
At long range Chaos javelins kept 66% of their short-range damage. Their best long-range target was Skaven Dregs (2.5).
Against my two heavily armoured targets, Knights of the Realm and Ironbreakers, Chaos javelins averaged 0.5 wounds at short range. That puts them 26th of 29 for cracking armour.
Rules that shaped these numbers
- Javelins reach 12 inches: more reach than throwing axes, but still an approach weapon rather than a support battery.
Chaos javelins after moving and in cover
My main table is a clean volley in the open, so I also fired Chaos javelins at fixed distances, after moving and at targets in partial cover. Chaos javelins could not reach a target 22 inches away, so the short distances are the ones that matter here. Standing still in the open at 10 inches, Chaos javelins averaged 1.12 (14th of 18).
Chaos javelins: mean wounds across all six targets. Still or moved, open ground or partial cover. n = 60 volleys per cell
| Distance | Still, open | Moved, open | Still, cover | Moved, cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 inches | 1.12 (14th) | 0.83 (13th) | 0.33 (16th) | 0.50 (10th) |
| 22 inches | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Ranks in brackets compare Chaos javelins with the other 17 units in the fixed-distance test.
Chaos javelins after moving into partial cover, by distance. n = 60 volleys per cell
| 6in | 10in | 16in | 22in | 28in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.65 | 0.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
How I set up the test
11 models could shoot in every matchup. My method page has the full setup.
How do they compare?
Other Warriors of Chaos shooters
- Chaos throwing axes143 pts · 1.7 avg short, 1.2 avg long
- Wolves of the Sea Berserkers144 pts · 2.5 avg short, 1.3 avg long
Similar overall damage
- Centigors with throwing axesBeastmen Brayherds · 1.7 avg short
- Goblin Wolf RidersOrc & Goblin Tribes · 1.7 avg short
- Tomb King Skeleton ArchersTomb Kings of Khemri · 2.0 avg short
My conclusion
Based on these results, I would use Chaos javelins for softening up light infantry from 12 inches before the charge, and not for Ironbreakers or any real ranged job, to get the most out of them on the battlefield.
FAQs
What are Chaos javelins best at shooting?
Skaven Dregs: Chaos javelins did 3.9 wounds per short-range volley against them in my tests. Their lowest number was against Ironbreakers, at 0.0.
Are Chaos javelins better at long or short range?
Short range. Chaos javelins kept 66% of their short-range damage at long range, 18th of 29 for holding up at range. Chaos javelins averaged 1.2 wounds at long range against 1.8 at short range.
Are Chaos javelins good against armour?
Against Knights of the Realm and Ironbreakers, Chaos javelins averaged 0.5 wounds per short-range volley, 26th of the 29 units I tested.