So, there has been a fair amount of math and analysis on both terminators and obliterators in other posts. I've point out some of the individual pros and cons of those units in those posts, and how legion traits interact with them there. This post will compare/contrast the units with each other in order to help you pick what you want for your list.
So What's the Difference?
The biggest difference between the two is the gun, followed by the footprint and the durability. The gun is the most obvious difference, and frankly the one that I suspect most people hone in on first.
Difference #1 - The Guns
Terminators should be rocking ten combi-plasma whereas the obliterators are going to pack three Assault 6 guns that have randomized strength, AP and damage.
The terminators are significantly more reliable than obliterators, no questions asked. S8, AP-3, 2 damage is a lot easer to plan around than S6+d3, AP-d3, Damage 1-d3 - you're not saving CP for re-rolls to damage. Sure, the oblits can do more damage if they end up with mini-lascannons, but the terminators don't worry about that.
However, there's one big thing the oblits have going for them gun-wise - terminators need to be in rapid-fire range in order to do the most damage. Obliterators get all their shots from 24 inches out.
Terminators win on reliability and volume of shots - Obliterators win when it comes to range.
Difference #2 - The footprint
Obliterators are three guys in 50mm bases. Terminators are ten guys on 40mm bases.
Note that of course you can string the terminators around if needs be - but they do take up a little more space in general. (My Chaos terminators are still soaking in simple green, so I used what I had. Don't judge too much.)
Difference #3 - Durability (on paper)
Both units have 2+ armor saves and 5+ invulnerable saves. Terminators are a bunch of T4 guys with two wounds, whereas Obliterators are a trio of T5 guys with 4 wounds. A full ten-man terminator squad has 20 wounds, whereas the obliterators have 12 wounds.
Bonus Difference - Melee
Let's be clear, you're not bringing these guys for melee. In the terminator article, I'm recommending 8x chain axes and two guys with chainfists. In the first round of combat, that's two dozen swings at S5, AP-1 and then another seven at S8, AP-4, 2 damage swings. Obliterators are going to throw a dozen S6, AP-1, damage 1d3 swings out.
The Sum of the Differences
Remember, the point of both of these units is to drop in and do as much damage as possible. Terminators need to drop in within 12", whereas obliterators can hang back 24" away.
Damage and buffs
Both units can really use the buffs. Terminators are more reliable in their damage output, but really, REALLY want to avoid rolling 1s - 1s blow up guys. Obliterators want to hit as well, but aren't in the habit of spontaneously killing themselves. Note also that terminators that kill themselves on the drop don't produce more shots when you use Endless Cacophony, and that's two less wounds that the enemy has to chew through.
Screens?
Terminators absolutely NEED to have screens shot out of the way - if there's a unit that's four inches between them and their target, they're going to be outside of rapid-fire range.
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| Pictured - sad terminator stand-ins, a lucky knight, and me missing a tabletop setup |
It doesn't take a lot to screen out targets from 12" - also beware of any units that have an innate "thou shalt not arrive from reserves within 12" from me" rule. Terminators ALL need to arrive within 12" of the target - so that footprint starts to matter.
Screening someone with a 24" range is an altogether different beast. You need a unit like Primaris Infiltrators (with their 'no reserves within 12 inches' rule) a foot away from your target in order to screen out a 24" range. Or you just need to not be seen.
Reprisal and Durability
Terminators are dropping in rapid-fire range. They probably just smoked something large and impressive, if not two somethings. What happens next? If the answer is anything other than "terminators are dying and/or getting tied up in assault" you've probably won already.
Your opponent can't let them get a second turn of productivity. They're absolutely in Smite range, and naturally they're in rapid-fire range. Your terminators will absolutely draw fire, but you knew that already - they will make the enemy predictable. You're looking at most small arms wounding you on a 4+, and any AP is liable to matter. You aren't slouches in melee, but melee specialists probably have the AP and damage to get through your 2+ armor (assuming they're around).
On the flip side, Obliterators are more likely to get a second turn of shooting. They are less likely to be in rapid-fire range one turn later, and they may have had the luxury of deploying into cover as well. T5 means that small-arms fire is going to wound them on a 5+, and most anti-tank weapons are going to wound them on a 3+. If you have other beefy units in your army, then the enemy has to choose between the obliterators and other stuff.
Conclusion (at long last, after multiple posts)
Terminators win for reliable damage - Obliterators edge them out when it comes to durability and the part where they won't kill themselves on 1's. Terminators are easier to screen, but absolutely command that your opponent play around those screens and subsequently murdering your terminators.
If reliability matters more to you, I'd build around screen removal and terminators - that being said, Obliterators are a reasonable choice in their own right, and may be more troublesome in a longer fight.
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