Kiting out Noise Marines

[deadfuse]

At first glance, the Noise Marines seem to be troops capable of doing anything. They can put out outrageous amounts of firepower, and with bp/ccw and I5 on every trooper, they can more than hold their own in assaults. The only problem is that fully pimped out, they become very expensive, especially once you add the Rhinos.

 

So how do you kit out your noise marines?

 

Do you go for the "cheap" firebase, parking them somewhere in cover, and whittling down enemy troops?

 

i.e. 6x Noise Marines w/ sonic blasters and blastmaster - 185 points, and arguably in no need of a Rhino.

 

Do you go for a mid-sized unit that can still put out very respectable firepower, and are also quite good in assaults?

 

i.e. 8x Noise Marines w/4 sonic blasters, Aspiring Champion with Doom Siren & power weapon - 225 (+35-50 for rhino)

 

Or do you just say to hell with it, and get the one big uber unit that can do everything?

 

i.e. 10x Noise Marines w/sonic blasters, blast master, Aspiring Champion with Doom Siren & power weapon - 325 (+35-50 for rhino)

 

Is there another option I'm not considering?

 

From a pure theory standpoint, it seems like the big fat unit is horribly inefficient. Every turn, you're wasting points. If you're shooting, you're probably killing whatever it is you're targetting, or at the very least not leaving much worth assaulting. If you're coming in close to assault/use doom siren, you're ignoring the range/volume of fire advantage of their weapons.

 

The mid-line option looks better, since you're not spending 95 points on long-ranged weapons. They aren't as good in assaults as Berserkers (WS5, S5, I5, 4 attacks each), but with the doom siren + the few extra shots from the blasters, coupled with their I5, they should do alright, and in a pinch they can always stand still and throw 16 shots 24" down the field.

 

I don't know if it's my Warmachine bias towards specialists rearing its head, but the cheapo option seems most appealing of all. Inexpensive, pure of purpose, and damn good at what they do.

 

What do you guys think?

[chillin]

In the rare case that I use them, it is as a cheap firebase. 6X NM's w/ sonicblasters, no champ, not even a blastmaster, no rino, jsut a dakka unit 150 pts. They wk well in my "shooty " army.

[Smurfalypse]

The handfull of times ive used them ive actually used them in a similar (but more effective) version of my base CSMs. I dont give any sonic blasters, just keep the bolters for the short range firepower and a champ with doom siren, sometimes if enough points are handy i also will do a blastmaster and use it 90% of the time in assualt mode. A rhino finishes out the unit and i literally just get within 12 disembark and unload as much firepower on the unit near them, if assualted they usually go first or at least simo with init 5 and can beat most things in close combat. Just my two cents.