It seems to me that the three 'armoured' special choices each have their own merits and drawbacks. Was just wondering which is your fave.

I'm not actually 100% sure of mine: I nearly always take ironbreakers for the 2+ save in HtH, but lately I've drawn to hammerers cos they are stubborn and are S6 with their great weapons. In my opinion, this makes them better at receiving a charge (especially from heavy cav) than even the ironbreakers.

I am not a fan of Longbeards. Never used em since 4th edition and have no intention to. I don't particularly like the models and their special rule? immune to panic . With Ld9/10 if near the general panic ain't a problem, I'd rather have a stubborn unit thanks very much....

..I thought hammerers only had a 3+?
It's been awhile since I looked at Doug's book..But 4+ for Gromril and then a shield..Right?

Nope hammerers don't get 3+, it 4+ max (HA + shield or 3+ if you decide not use GW in combat).

My favourite are Longbeards, they are very fluffy to have and can cause some serious damage. With the GW they get S6 and their shield is free and they cost less than Hammerers, but the downside is the fact they are only immune to panic and not stubborn or have any other special rules. But they are my favourite, also they aren't resticted like Hammerers. I will be getting many units of these :)

I voted Longbeards cause they look awesome.

First, Ironbreakers get a 2+ because of the Hand Weapon/Shield rule, which gives them an extra +1.

Second, my vote went to Hammerers. I play an aggressive list, and I don't like how weak Ironbreakers are, especially as they aren't going to be able to pick their fights. I very much prefer units that can hold their own in a variety of situations, which I really don't see the 'breakers as being capable of.

i like them more than the other two because they are stronger and tougher. ^_^

HAMMERERS
S6 Infantry and 4+ As VS Missile Fire and 5+ AS in close!!!!!!

Stubborn if ther army`s general is with it!!!!!

I had to go with Hammerers, just because of their special rules. But sans general, Longbeards can go toe-to-toe with any unit that hammerers can take on. People seem to play down longbeards alot, because they are overshadowed by the special rule for Hammerers. But this means that if you take an anvil of doom, you're left out in the cold. Thats what I think longbeards are really meant for. That and big games. I would gladly take Hammerers over Longbeards any day, but big games, IMO, are what longbeards were really designed for.

I chose longbeards cos I usually play with an anvil of doom so the hammerer's rule doesn't count. Also because they have the longest beards and that is how you judg e a dwarf!! :blink: :blink:

I would have to say the Ironbreakers are my favorite choice, but depending on the army i am facing i choose the hammerers over the IB.

Hmm.. I've already given my reasons for my favourite unit but I must wonder that when people come to the special units do most automatically go for Ironbreakers? I don't think they're the best elite, ok their high save is want everyone raves about. But with their S4 they're not going to be munching through units like Hammerers or Longbeards are. Also they get no special rules, their bascially a suped up unit of warriors who have a better have a few better stats.

Now don't get me wrong, their great (I have a unit) but I don't see why everyone automatically goes for them. I mean Longbeards and hammerers are better, while they are a few more pts they also get better rules and the high S to deal with most units. But hey your choice right? :D

[SIZE=7]Hammerers of course[SIZE=7]

They're just great...
Ws5, S6, T4, Ld9 and Stubborn...
I have some of t´hem but i haven't tried them yet...

My vote goes to the Longbeards. Why? Because, for example, a Dragon charges their flank. What do Longbeards say to this? They just grumble and say: "Hmph, you call THAT a dragon? When we were just beardlings, people bought those for pets to their children!"

That's assuming they pass their Terror and Fear tests. ;)
Besides, the Longbeards are a lot more likely to break after that first round of combat, too.

What a big u-turn I have made! I have no started to use Longbeard units in my army, and they're really rather good. I still maintain that panic really isn't that much of a problem for Dwarfs (screaming skull catapults aside) and so still doubt the benefits of the Longbeard special rule though. The fact is that Longbeards probably aren't quite as good as Hammerers, but they are pretty close and are not a 0-1 choice.

Also they are fluffier and do not depend upon the presence of the general for their special rule to work. All in all they are still a very good unit - WS5 S4 + Great weapons is nothing to be sniffed at - but just suffer a little because of comparisons to the all-too-similar Hammerers.

Immune to Panic doesn``t help against Terror to ignore terror they most be immune to psychology or joined by a character with the masterrune of kingship!!!

No it doesn't help with terror, but with the high dwarf LD I don't think you fail it that many times. Like Vriishnak said they may break in combat easier but I still think they stand a good chance of surviving the combat, besides I love them (although my lord will be accompanied by his loyal Hammerers - once I get the models ;) ).

The reason that imo you tend to see a lot of ironbreakers in dwarven armies is that they are quite forgiving if any mistakes are made. For example which unit would you like to be on the receiving end of a charge with because you are being out manouevred - T4, 2+as in hth, WS5 dwarves or T4, 5+as in hth, WS5 dwarves. Basically the ironbreakers tend to get abused in my experience, and just used as fodder as most things bounce off them, no brainers, if you like. It is only when you start questioning the role of each unit on the battlefield at a specific time that you get a more indicative value of a unit. Personally I think the style of play that you adopt will make you see the differences and value of each of these units. If you adopt an aggressive style your specials will be different to your defensive specials.
I tend to use my hammerers more than the others but thats just because they were the models I used as the start to my (cohesive) army. I know what that unit can do and what they cant do and more often than not they do it well.

I think Iron Breakers as my regular opponents just nedd to be held up so my longbeards or ahmmers with a dwarf lord in can arrive. It is also so funny when a giant breaks 50 goblins and killed itself this is another reason as I take them as they are just so hard. I do prefer the other 2 for attacking but I just like somthing to take on hard units full in the face.