Landspeeder Configurations

[Lithanial]

I am looking at adding a pair of Landspeeders into my Blood Angels 1500 list to compliment the firepower of a Stormraven and run interferance (hooray for cover saves through LOS blocking) - The trouble comes from picking their loadouts.

 

I am a firm believer that you should always run two weapons on a speeder since with just one you would be better off taking Attack bikes - these are gunships and need some teeth to fill that role. That said, all the variants seem to fill similar roles so i am not sure what fits best. I am looking at generalist speeders so have no need for a twin multi-melta variant but all other options are open.

 

List is currently Command squad in razorback, 2 rhino tac squads a stormraven and a furioso.

[daboarder]

I have 2 AC/HB ones at the moment but I've been thinking of either converting them into HF/MM or buying 2 more to make into MM (or HB)/TML to go tank hunting. looking at the entry I think it could also be fun to run a HB/HB for cheap volume of fire, those 6 shots would be nothing to ignore.

 

the MM/TML should make a nice tank hunting vehicle, atleast they would pop most transports and allow my RAS with MG's to handle the heavier stuff...only problem is the points with that one.

[Redo]

Back in the day the assault cannon, HB was popular but with 5th edition and higher costs this configuration is pretty much gone. Landspeeders should always be moving more the 6" to ensure that they are not hit on 4+ in CC and should always be taking advantage of cover for a 4+ cover save. Occasionally the flat out move is handy too.

I also believe that you should always have 2 weapons on the speeder.

 

My favourite combos are Multi Melta/ Heavy Flamer (Great tank hunter and nice redundant weapon at a nice price) and the Typhoon/ HB (Great for tank hunting with the ML's or punishing infantry with the HB and frag missiles. This combo is a bit more expensive but has the advantage of superior range.)

[Emperors Immortals]

I always take at least one LS, and for that ill load it with MM and HB to attack tanks or weak troop formations.

 

If i have two, ill either take double HB (thats 12 HB shots to tear gaunts, guard, etc.) or a typhoon MM and a double HB

 

I regularly run 3 speeders with 2 double HB and one MM/HF - easily takes apart transports and takes care of troops.

 

 

Ive been really disapointed to see the lists lately dropping the versatile LS, so good luck

[angel of justice]

I like the versatility of the Typhoon missile launcher and heavy bolter setup 2 blast templates (strength 4 defensive weapons) and a few heavy bolter rounds thin down light infantry pretty well and if your good or lucky can get in a position behind tanks to fire 2 krak missiles in there weak rear armor not bad for 90 points .

[Rob_Loken]

I run my pair as an AC/MM and a HB/TML. It took me a whil to get the hang of using Landspeeders but now I love 'em. They've consistently knocked out Land Raiders in my last few games and they're great for harassing troops. In my experience anyhoo.

[daboarder]

I like the versatility of the Typhoon missile launcher and heavy bolter setup 2 blast templates (strength 4 defensive weapons) and a few heavy bolter rounds thin down light infantry pretty well and if your good or lucky can get in a position behind tanks to fire 2 krak missiles in there weak rear armor not bad for 90 points .

CRAP! I forgot about that. Ok as soon as exams are over my AC/HB LS's are going to be getting a refit into HB/TML LS's, I even have the parts from some raven wing sprues.

[Bonzi]

I've been having good luck with Multimelta/Missle Launcher setup on my speeders. In my opinion its a wash what the gunners weapon should be (MM/HB) but the one thing my speeders will never do without is the missle launchers. They cost a lot but I've never had them fail to make their points back. With the TML the speeders can hurt transports/MC's/and horde infantry. That's a lot of hurt + a lot of speed which = Blood Angels to me.

[Lithanial]

Thanks for the very VERY nice reminder justice on the Typhoon launchers being defensive when firing frag missiles. Makes for great synergy with the default heavy bolter for anti-infantry while being able to zip 12" and nuke a tanks side armour with 2 kraks is great.

 

Looks like a good option for keeping mobile. Don't think there is any argument about cheap "brawler" style MM/HF speeders being great if suicidal too.

 

Guess that leaves the Tornado (AC) configs to look at. are they worthwhile considering you need to sacrifice mobility to unload your full firepower?

[Burningblood]

I like my landspeeders as throw away units with x2 multi meltas on them. Deepstrike, or rush and fire them at Landraiders or equivilants for a good time. Then they usually die.

[JamesI]

Without a doubt, my favorite is typhoon/heavy bolter. Very versatile and able to stay at distance to reduce number of shots coming at it.

[Hurrey]

Just had a game against Nids ( again ) Used two of the Heavy bolter / Typhoon speeders in a squadron. They did so much damage it was incredible. They put out the same amount of shots as a four missile launcher devastator squad and are infintely more manvourable! Throw in some heavy bolters for even more good times.

 

I am a convert!

 

H

[Burningblood]

Hurrey- the Baal Landraider is a Landraider Redeemer, FYI.

and Yeah those types of landspeeders are great against nids. MUNCH MUNCH!

[voi shet magir]

(hooray for cover saves through LOS blocking)

 

They are skimmers, so: what? Speaking of which, when you have lots of rhino-hulls, attack bikes are very useful for riding in their shadows and taking on serious tanks while the transported units tackle infantry and transports. Speeders are more like for ultradex bike lists, where attack bike units would be the softest targets and not have any LoS-blocking tanks.

 

 

Thanks for the very VERY nice reminder justice on the Typhoon launchers being defensive when firing frag missiles. Makes for great synergy with the default heavy bolter for anti-infantry while being able to zip 12" and nuke a tanks side armour with 2 kraks is great.

 

with their range, they can often end up facing front armor, so they have to take most shots at big tanks from diagonally across the board. Good for range if the list is super fast, but with mostly rhino hulls, a lazorback or heavy dread is more reliable.

 

Don't think there is any argument about cheap "brawler" style MM/HF speeders being great if suicidal too.

 

they can survive if there are other things like a drop-dread or scouting units already in the area. Pretty much the default choice, although the HF does not get used much and is dispensable if you take a second, which is often useful. They work best in pairs, and if one is a typhoon that can push the acceptable points expenditure.

 

Guess that leaves the Tornado (AC) configs to look at. are they worthwhile considering you need to sacrifice mobility to unload your full firepower?

 

no, never. the point is getting there early and softening the field, firepower comes from elsewhere.

[Lithanial]

(hooray for cover saves through LOS blocking)

 

They are skimmers, so: what?

 

So are Stormravens - one skimmer to protect another. Unless of course i am mistaken but i do believe Eldar pull that trick with Vypers alot.

[Zeller]

HF/MM. Good price. Good dual roles. Looks cool.

[wookielips]

I like my landspeeders as throw away units with x2 multi meltas on them. Deepstrike, or rush and fire them at Landraiders or equivilants for a good time. Then they usually die.

 

in a list such as mine with no fast attack, that actually is a very good use of those slots. do you take 1 and 1 (and 1) or a squad? reason i ask is, makes sense to me as a sacrificial unit, to be able to shoot at 2 or more targets. course, that is praying to the gods of BS and dice that i do not need more than one MM....

[Demoulius]

ive used a MM/HF speeder for a while now and the results have been varying (mostly because i needed to learn to play with it) but he has also done me proud at other times. tackling things like defilers, leman russ tanks etc. other times he has contested objectives (and/or flamed off the scoring units from them >D) but no matter what roll he takes he only costed 70 pts. if my opponent targets him with anti-vehicle weapons its a win situation since my tanks arent taking that, if they dont and suffer for it its a win situation and when he contests an objective or blasts whatever was on one to bits then its most defenitly win :)

 

with an army with such costly elite choices a cheap unit like a speeder is a gift!

[Firedrake28]

Heavy bolter and typhoon missile launcher is incredibly effective and flexible. Move 6" and fire both krak missiles and the heavy bolter, move 12" and fire the heavy bolter and frag missiles, or move 12" and fire just the krak missiles, or any mix. It's just an awesome vehicle.

[Mattsama]

I have to be honest. With the recent changes to our codex, I have a hard time justifying the use of a Landspeeder anything when Baals are fast and bikes are arguably just as good...

 

But to the original post, normally I like the HB/TML as I normally find myself struggling against armored foes or high wound models that could use a Krak Missile in the throat.

[daboarder]

Theme is all the justification I need.

can we do HF/HF? could be nasty.

[Morticon]

I think the typhoon speeder is an incredible unit. Fills all roles perfectly.

[mysteriousmaskedmystery]

the typhoon is great, but if you could strap a cyclone missile launcher to an attack bike, i think we all know which we'd pick...

 

for me though, the only way a landspeeder works is if you field them in squadrons, otherwise they are taking up spots in the FOC that could be used for Baals or VV. if you are going to have a squadron of two, or even three speeders, what do you want them armed with then? are then any weapons combinations that work well together in tandem? or is it just a case of more is better?

[Priest33]

You know Ive never even thought about using speeders as I didnt think they could dish out enough damage to make them viable, but that Hbolter typhoon speeder looks real interesting.

[Zeller]

The problem with taking a bunch of Baals is that you have to rely on other assets, namely RAS, to take down tanks with meltas. By taking MM speeders and bikes you give yourself units that can catch any vehicle except for a star engine boosting grav tank. With speeders you also gain the ability to deep strike (like anyone does anyway >.>) and cut ground movement down by flying over something rather than driving around it.

 

Baal is a nice tank. However, 155 points for dakka isn't always necessary from fast attack slots. In my practices, the fast light things kill tanks. The slow heavy things kill infantry. This is where Destructors and Vindies come into play. Now granted I too arm my RAS with meltas, or rather a melta/flamer each, for those opportunities that present themselves but that is not their primary purpose. Preaching to the choir..I know.

 

I'm also biased in that I had 2 attack bikes and 2 speeders before I bought my Baal so I can't let those go to waste simply to get a fast dakka tank with an assault cannon.