Long Fangs

[Frontline989]

I know most ppl go with bolt pistol/CCW squad leaders for their long fangs. I always do myself but after building 9 new wolf guard I'm considering making the last a long fang leader with a special weapon. Plasmagun is what I'm thinking but flamer could work since it's cheap.

 

A melée weapon is probably a waste since if they get assaulted they're toast. Plus whenever my LF take Wounds the squad leader is always the first to go anyway. Loosing split fire is not as important as loosing a lascannon or missile launcher.

 

Thoughts?

[Natanael]

I always go bolter. Cheap, 24" range, and he can rapid fire if someone get too close. If my LFs get into combat I've done something very wrong anyway.

 

- Natanael

[Wysten]

Plasma gun is probably the best thing to take, as it has a reasonable chance of being in range of horde lists.

 

Sadly, the nature of the leader means that he's often the built in bodyguard of the pack too.

[Natanael]

I would never ever take a plasma gun.

1. If he overheats and dies, you have not only lost your plasma gun but your ablative wwound and your split fire. And the points for the Pgun is wasted.

2. Plasma Gun costs points, the bolter does not. And while worse at shooting, how often are your LFs within 24", let alone 12", of the enemy?

3. As you say, he is the first one to get shot. Why then wast points on arming him at all?

 

He is not meant to be armed, he is meant to direct fire and take one for the team.

 

- Natanael

[Grey Mage]

I know most ppl go with bolt pistol/CCW squad leaders for their long fangs. I always do myself but after building 9 new wolf guard I'm considering making the last a long fang leader with a special weapon. Plasmagun is what I'm thinking but flamer could work since it's cheap.

 

A melée weapon is probably a waste since if they get assaulted they're toast. Plus whenever my LF take Wounds the squad leader is always the first to go anyway. Loosing split fire is not as important as loosing a lascannon or missile launcher.

 

Thoughts?

The last three times my Long Fangs have been in CC?

 

12 Genestealers, including a broodlord.

C:CSM Demon Prince.

7 Stormboyz.

 

Each time... they won. Lost a few heavy weapons, but always had atleast one and the pack leader left.

 

Ive considered giving him a SCCW because of it.

 

If I went with a special weapon on him though, itd be the Flamer- to take down any CC troops who came to close.

[nurglez]

hmmmm, interesting, never considered it but if you are drop podding them in with logan, a special weapon could be useful...

[Wysten]

I would never ever take a plasma gun.

1. If he overheats and dies, you have not only lost your plasma gun but your ablative wwound and your split fire. And the points for the Pgun is wasted.

2. Plasma Gun costs points, the bolter does not. And while worse at shooting, how often are your LFs within 24", let alone 12", of the enemy?

3. As you say, he is the first one to get shot. Why then wast points on arming him at all?

 

He is not meant to be armed, he is meant to direct fire and take one for the team.

 

- Natanael

And I would not arm him normally, but the TC said what special weapon could be used, so I did not include the bolter.

 

Besides, the Long Fang actually dying is not that great, 1 in 6 failing, got to fail the 1 in 3 armour save, then the 1 in 2 toughness save. Most of the time, it's simply a irritation then anything dangerous. Is it ideal? Not really, a bolter also works. Depends whether the ton in strength, armour ignoring and gettting close is worth it. Only with logen with the latter and anytime with the former.

 

If he's using a flamer, he's definately in the wrong place. Probably better just giving him a power weapon, since if they really wanted to get to him, I doubt he would be in postion to use the flamer that well.

[Natanael]

@ Grey Mage: Then you are indeed very lucky, my friend :lol: My guys either die right away, get held up the entire game (scarabs, oh I hate scarabs) or, like most of the time, get slowly shot to death with whatever firepower the enemy can spare from the rest of my army. Most games they survive to the end tough.

 

@ Nurglez: Could be, but then again, if you want to split fire the pack leader cant shoot his own weapon and then it is kind of a waste since they'll probably get shot to bitz in the enemies turn.

 

@ Wysten: Yes, I know he said special but I dont think that the spec wpn is ever good on the pack-leader, that is why I posted the above.

 

- Natanael

[Simo429]

A melée weapon is probably a waste since if they get assaulted they're toast.

 

Thoughts?

I don't agree with this at all. I think people underestimate Longfangs when being charged to their peril.

[Natanael]

That depends of course what they are charged by, and what the mission of the attackers are. My friends usually either attack with something really good (DP, dedicated Assault unit etc) or with stuff made for tying them up (swarms etc). In either case the special CCW doesnt cut it, since the swarms have enough wounds to absorb it and the dedicated assault unit kills them anyway.

 

- Natanael

[Jonas Stromclaw]

I always give the pack leader a pistol and ccw or power weapon because if I need it, then I REALLY need it. The other day in a 500 point game it was literally down to my last three long fangs and the Warboss with powerklaw. The warboss assaulted, killed the two, leaving the leader alone. The next turn he puts the last wound on the Warboss and wins me the game. If I hadn't had that extra attack.... possibly a different ending.