Hi folks
id like to make an addition to the characters in the OP. Since Beast masters scourge got a huge buff in the FAQ (it now gives an additional attack) i think that the whip of agony or even a normal BMS should be the cheap weapon of choice for almost any combat character.
If you do the maths for the 4 obvious cheap combat weapons; WoA, Deathpiercer and Crimson Death and Ogre Blade for a Dreadlord the result is the following:
t3 enemies:
WoA is best except if armorsave is 1+ (empire knights)
t4 enemies:
WoA is best except if AS is 4+ or better (chaos warriors, iron breakers...)
t5-7 enemies:
Soulrender is always best (monsters)
t8+ enemies:
Soulrender is best if AS is 2+ or better (steam tank)
However if you dont like the always strike last on soulrender, compare to crimson death (ogre blade is the same):
t3 enemies:
WoA is always better
t4 enemies:
They are exactly the same (!) but WoA wins cause it requires only one hand.
t5-7 enemies:
CD is always better (or the same)
t8+ enemies:
WoA is always best
so, ive rambled a bit off topic here i notice, but in conclusion, Soulrender is naturally powerful against high toughness heavy armored troops, but against everything except t5-7 enemies WoA will be better than crimson death (and ogre blade). Crimson death loses a bit of its charm since it requires 2 hands, so unless you are wearing armor of darkness i would never chose it over WoA. Ogre blade is then viable if you want to go and challenge chaos lords, or kill big monsters (striking last against such foes is not recommended, so soulreaper isnt really an option) WoA seems like the weapon of choice.
ps. i also did the maths for regen armor + dragon bane gem, and i was a bit disappointed. if you field him on foot, he has a 3+ armor save, and that makes him take MORE woulds than he would with just armor of darkness unless the enemy has at least S6 (-3 AS). However, if you stick him on a cold one (1+ AS anyway), you are obviously better off with regen armor