I was having a discussion on Facebook the other day about what is the best flier in 40k currently. Lets look at what fliers have thrown their hat into the ring in order to take the name as the best flier in 40k.
Imperial Guard Vendetta
The Vendetta is a cheap as chips av12 front and side lascannon death machine; it has three twin-linked lascannons. If that's not good enough you can add on two heavy bolters as well, though this are a mis-match for armour and monstrous creature destruction, the heavy bolters are not very expensive (10 points for the pair) and can strip hull points and put the odd one of two extra wounds out there.
Not only has the Vendetta got the fire power is has troop carrying ability too; it can hold twelve models, but not Ogryns. These troops can disembark via grav chute insert, which means the unit bails out and you roll a scatter dice, if they scatter the models in the unit take dangerous terrain tests. This can be done while the Vendetta moves at zooming speed.
Summary
One of the cheapest and most destructive fliers in the game, the Vendetta is one of the top choices for crown of fliers.
Space Marine Stormraven
The Stormraven aka flying dust buster with wings is like a Vendetta on steroids; whatever the Vendetta can do the Stormraven can do better.
The Stormraven is one of the most expensive fliers but is has; 2 x twin-linked weapons, 4 x missiles, av12 all around, immune to melta weaponry, transport ability (can carry jump troops and a Dreadnought), power of the machine spirit, is an assault vehicle and even has a rule which is the same as the Vendetta's grav chute insert - thew, what a list! If you do want more dakka you can add some hurricane bolters too!
Summary
If there's anything better than the Vendetta then it is this; the Stormraven just completely pisses all over the Vendetta's chips.
Necron Night Scythe
The Night Scythe is perhaps the most under costed flier in the game; it is cheaper than the Vendetta and brings the usual cool Necron stuff to the party.
The Scythe has a twin-linked tesla destructor (so doesn't care too much if it has to jink), living metal (saves against shaken and stunned results) and it can carry 15 models including jump infantry; the best part is the unit isn't actual 'inside' the Night Scythe and if destroyed the unit just goes back into reserve. If that's not good enough the Night Scythe has something called invasion beams which allows Necron units to disembark and lay down some dakka, though must snap fire if the Night Scythe moves over 18" - correct me if I am wrong!
Summary
The cheapest flier in the game, though it doesn't bring the destructive fire power like the Vendetta and Stormraven it is still a force to be reckoned with.
Chaos Space Marine Heldrake
The Heldrake is the baddest newest flier on the block and thus it's points cost reflect high when compared to the other fliers. The Heldrake points cost is mid way between a Vendetta and Stormraven while it's armour is the same as a Vendetta.
It brings something totally different to the party as this flyer has the Daemon special rule, which gives it a 5+ inv save and fear (not that fear matters). To add to the survival the Heldrake has Daemonic Possession which can ignore crew shaken and crew stunned results on a 2+ and also has has It Will Not Die.
In addition the Heldrake has a funky rule called Daemonforge; Daemonforge lets re-roll to wound or to pen once per game, though roll a D6 after and if you get a 1 the Heldrake loses a hull point.
The Heldrake packs two deadly forms of attack; S7 vector strike and the evil baleflamer. The baleflamer is S6 AP3 torrent though what is even more dangerous is the flamer template can be placed ANY WHERE from the Heldrake's base, so the Heldrake can fire flamer templates out of it's ass.
If you do not fancy the bum fire weapon then you can switch for the hades autocannon, though you still have the 360 degree arc of fire as the Heldrake's weapon is counted as a turret.
Summary
The Heldrake may not be as destructive as the Stormraven or Vendetta or have funky tricks like the Night Scythe, but it sure does have survivability and is the most fearful flyer in the game.
The King of the Air...
The title of the King of the Air goes to........................................the Stormraven!
The Stormraven is without a doubt the best flier in 40k. It can lay down a barrage of gun fire, transport multiple units, can still operate if suffers damage and is an assault vehicle - nothing comes close to touching it's crown.
Though if a title was going to be rewarded for fear factor then the Heldrake would take it; a torrent S6 AP3 flamer scares anything on foot which isn't in power armour or isn't high toughness.
Do you agree that the Stormraven is king of the air? Have your say in the comment box.