Empty Razorbacks - Worth it?

[Rokafort Stonewolf]

Do you guys think it's ever worth it to field empty razorbacks, since you can take them for us and for Codex marines, and mount the squad in a Land Raider, or keep them on foot in the case of Long Fangs? If so, do you give the Razorback other weapons? How do you use it? It's certainly better than an empty Rhino for the cost, unless you actually think you'll need the taxi.

 

I really don't see the point of the lascannons when an Autocannon pred is so cheap, and so are Long Fangs, unless you're strapped for heavies (like my 1750 list with 3 land raiders). I also wonder if it's not better to use the points on landspeeders. That said, a melta/flamer LS costs almost twice as much, can't tank shock people off of objectives (admittedly I don't usually expect a razorback to live that long) but packs a lot more punch.

 

Anyway, Razorbacks. When?

[ChapniK]

The only time i field Razorbacks are for when i foot slog as I need my wall of razorbacks to block line of sight and since there moving 6" why not pay 5 points to get a pot shot of. Other than that long fangs if i have the points, block LOS, tank shock people away and if nothings near take a shot or two. That pretty much it for me. I'm sure you will get better answer from are brothers that are longer in the fang, than I am.

[Wolf Lord Jukes]

I've used empty Razorbacks for a long while in the TLLC and LC TWPG formations and think they fill a niche usually taken by landspeeders. The 11 armor all around means it's fairly easy to pop under heavy fire, but can survive light fire, and this makes it worth the while. They add some anti-tank/anti-MC firepower that can be spread around without taking a heavy slot. They do take up quite a few points, but I think they're worth it as long as there are plenty of other vehicles as they cannot take much heavy fire.

 

The reason I compare them to Landspeeders is that they're both lightly armored with a single heavy armament. The landspeeders have mobility while Razorbacks have a bit more survivability and longer range. I say take both :rolleyes:

[Valerian]

Razorbacks are fairly useful for a Long Fangs pack. If you roll for that one deployment option where you initially start with only a HQ unit and two Troops units on the field (Spearhead is it? Can't remember right now), then Long Fangs can take a big hit by not being in the right place to shoot for several turns. By having a Razorback for them to ride in, they can move onto the table in the first turn, move 12", disembark 2", and be in a decent place to act as a Fire Base for the rest of the game. The Razorback can then contribute to the pack's firepower with whatever main weapon that you've given it, and it can also assist by blocking LOS to the pack from a specific direction that they might otherwise be vulnerable to an enemy unit or weapon system.

 

If you don't roll for that type of deployment and get to put them where you want them from the beginning, the RB can still help out with the shooting and LOS blocking, or could shuttle another unit around instead (like a Lone Wolf).

 

V

[Ullr Direfang]

I agree with Valerian on this. I haven't done it yet, because I don't have the models, but I plan to have one or two for normal games when i can fit on in and need a little more AT on the field.

[imperious]

I have to say I've never used them, but I played against a codex marine army the other day who had three empty TLLC ones and used them as a sort of semi mobile battery. I wasn't really that impressed. Maybe he didn't use them right or his luck wasn't great but all I remember him managing to do was immobilize and later destroy one rhino and then pick off a couple marines. It just seems like a lot of points for one lascannon shot a turn.

[Valerian]

I have to say I've never used them, but I played against a codex marine army the other day who had three empty TLLC ones and used them as a sort of semi mobile battery. I wasn't really that impressed. Maybe he didn't use them right or his luck wasn't great but all I remember him managing to do was immobilize and later destroy one rhino and then pick off a couple marines. It just seems like a lot of points for one lascannon shot a turn.

 

I definitely wouldn't do it "just for the extra lascannon shot" per turn; as you stated, it's way too much of a price for that - and you'd be better off just buying a new Long Fang pack for the points. So, I definitely wouldn't make a Razorback battery and expect it to be very effective. As stated earlier, however, the RB is useful as a transport, to "shape" the battlefield by blocking LOS, and then by contributing with the extra (twin-linked) attack, just because it's already there.

 

V

[Grey Mage]

If I want a firesupport Razorback Ill either take Las/plas or Assaultcannons. Those are capable of making back their points- TLLC is just a helpful one if you want it mounted, and could use the extra AT fire.

[Quillen]

That is wierd cause I feel the ass cannon one is a waste and use Twin Linked Las, and it always gets it's points back.

 

I guess different play styles.

[Grey Mage]

That is wierd cause I feel the ass cannon one is a waste and use Twin Linked Las, and it always gets it's points back.

 

I guess different play styles.

Thats usually the answer- I also normally play on 4x4s at tournaments, and 4x8s at home.... with very large points on the latter.

 

So that could color alot of things too.

[Max_Dammit]

I use mine as a support for my GH objective holders, the bolters and plasma gun are there to shot at troops, the las is there to keep dreads and tanks away (i hope)

[Bobman]

I've used them for ages with varying success. They can be good in a mech army, alone they'll just get busted. With more vehicles in the army they either take fire away from more important stuff or gain free reign all game. Used 2 of them in an old list and they were awesome. Just depends on how they fit into your army I guess.

 

(last game my TLLC popped a Land Raider 1st turn! But that can be rare)

 

Bobman out

[Ullr Direfang]

That is wierd cause I feel the ass cannon one is a waste and use Twin Linked Las, and it always gets it's points back.

 

I guess different play styles.

 

It depends really. depending on what my opponent is using for an army can sway the way I look at how I would choose the one I want (I plan to have at least one of each minus the heavy flamers). a friend runs a nidzilla list and a friend had one with the AssC and it did better, because it caused more wounds to the big guys a turn and when his one squad of genesteelers showed up it chewed through them.