What is a decent set-up for our Tactical Squads?

[Red_Lep]

I'm assembling two Tactical Squads my brother gave me(he left the hobby) and I am wondering about the weapons. Since I am using DA Vet models for the Sergeant and weapons carriers I thought I might go all plasma for coolness factor, but would it be a bad investment?

 

Tactical Squad- 220

~Plasma Cannon

~Plasma Gun

~Power Fist

 

 

I feel I should add that I have anti-tank with 3 MM/Typhoon Landspeeders and anti-horde in the form of 2 squads of Terminators with 3 SB/Cyclone and a Predator, but I do not have much to deal with 3+ saves effectively. Would two squads with the above set-up be a good idea to help with this?

 

 

Thanks in advance!

[TyrionTheImp]

Are you using the Dark Angels Codex or the Space Marine Codex?

[Red_Lep]

Dark Angels, I was thinking something like this at 1500:

 

 

Belial

2 Deathwing Squads

2 Tactical Squads

3 Landspeeders

2 Predators

[HiveFleetEzekial]

I thought I might go all plasma for coolness factor, but would it be a bad investment?

 

Yes! Diversify! Plasma is not our shtick.

[EPK]

Dark Angels, I was thinking something like this at 1500:

 

 

Belial

2 Deathwing Squads

2 Tactical Squads

3 Landspeeders

2 Predators

 

I like to run something along those lines as well. The speeders and preds vary though, sometimes there is a LRC in there. For the tactical, sometimes I will split them into two combat squads (bought separate for the sarge) both in razorbacks. So one 10 man and two 5 man squads. Weapons are usually situational depending on my opponent and points.

[Red_Lep]

Thanks for the quick replies!

 

I am kinda lost on the weapons because I have never used them before, the only armies I own are a Pure Deathwing and a pure Grey Knights from the last codex so they haven't been an option for me until now. I plan on using something like the list above, but I am open to suggestions on improvements.

[TyrionTheImp]

Personally, I think using anything but Deathwing and/or Ravenwing in a Codex: Dark Angels army is sort of shooting yourself in the foot. Well, except maybe Venerable Dreads which are so cheap for us, even though we lost our Glancing-only Smoke.

 

Although, aren't our Typhoons cheaper now?

 

Anyways, I say if you want to play a list with non-biker power armor in it, go for Codex: Space Marines. Chances are you can build that same army (though the Terminators would be slightly different of course) in Codex: Space Marines and have it cheaper and better.

[EPK]

Personally, I think using anything but Deathwing and/or Ravenwing in a Codex: Dark Angels army is sort of shooting yourself in the foot. Well, except maybe Venerable Dreads which are so cheap for us, even though we lost our Glancing-only Smoke.

 

Although, aren't our Typhoons cheaper now?

 

Anyways, I say if you want to play a list with non-biker power armor in it, go for Codex: Space Marines. Chances are you can build that same army (though the Terminators would be slightly different of course) in Codex: Space Marines and have it cheaper and better.

 

Actually the terminators would be totally different mainly because they would not be troops, would not be fearless, no apothecary or banner or mixed shooty/cc weapons. And if he ran that list, he'd have 2 troop. With DA codex and Belial he has 4.

 

Yes, Typhoons are cheaper.

 

My opinion is if you want to use C:DA, go for it, especially if you are sort of augmenting your DW army. The prices are just something you have to deal.

 

If you don't plan on moving the tac squads too much, the PCs can be handy I suppose. They have draw backs of course.

[Candleshoes]

Tactical Squad- 220

~Plasma Cannon

~Plasma Gun

~Power Fist

 

I used a similar squad on Thursday to anchor my midfield, a squad of 10 on foot, no transport, not combat squaded, with plasma cannon/plasma gun/bolter vet sarge. I honestly thought they were going to be a regretful mistake, but they sure earned their stripes. They helped kill off a termigaunt unit from concentrated fire, half killed a second termigaunt unit while firing and advancing, killed a third unit of termigaunts in combat after being charged, and then with concentrated fire killed a unit of tyrant guard outright, slogging back to an objective.

 

Not bad for such a cheap investment in points. However, they must have a place in your list, to get the most out of them.

[Freman Bloodglaive]

The standard tactical squad in a Marine army is flamer, multi-melta, Rhino. That's because the weapons are free and it saves points for real units. If you don't have to take tactical squads, as when taking a biker Captain, you don't.

 

With that combination Dark Angel tacticals are 215 points, or the same as a Deathwing squad. The tactic with them is to drive into the middle of the battlefield (in cover if there is some) and threaten anything that comes within 24 inches with your multi-melta. Alternatively drive-by flaming light infantry if the opportunity presents itself. A normal marine unit has combat tactics and is 10 points cheaper which would pay for a combi-melta. Power fists, given their cost, are better used on units that have some combat potential, like assault squads.

 

Dark Angels have one small advantage in that they can take a special weapon at 5 men. 5 men with a meltagun and Razorback is 150 points, but doesn't have access to las-plas weapon options so is inferior to the Space Marine options yet again.

[Grand Master Raziel]

Well, my typical Tac Squad loadout tends to be the following:

 

10-strong

plasma cannon

meltagun (occasionally flamer instead)

power fist

Rhino (dozer blade, points-permitting)

 

The thinking goes as follows: Tactical Squads have to pull their weight. They're best able to do this if you create as many synergies within the squad as you can. This starts with the plasma cannon as the heavy weapon. If you have a heavy in a Tac Squad, you want it to compliment/be complimented by bolter fire. This basically means antipersonell, and the plasma cannon is effective against the widest range of infantry targets. It can also be used against light vehicles in a pinch, but it is to be admitted that it's not an optimal weapon for doing so. The meltagun does not compliment bolter fire, as it's an anti-vehicle weapon, but if the squad whiffs with the melta, they stand a chance of charging the targeted vehicle and destroying it with krak grenades and the power fist - hence, another synergy. The PF is in the squad because it makes the squad a much more credible threat in assault to a much greater range of foes than they would otherwise be. It would not do to get a near-200pt squad tied up in combat by something it stands little-to-no chance of affecting. The Rhino is the transport of choice because the squad's heavy/special gunners can shoot out the top hatch.

 

Lately, though, I've been considering a different Tac Squad loadout.

 

10-strong

lascannon

meltagun

plasma pistol

 

My casual-play 1500pt list has been not unlike the OP's proposed list:

 

Belial

Venerable Dreadnought

DWT Squad

DWT Squad

10-man Tac Squad

10-man Assault Squad

MM-Typhoon

ACLC Pred

 

What I've been feeling the need for here is a decent objective-minder that can participate from my deployment zone and not tie up a lot of points. Hence the new config. The plan is to combat-squad this one, let the one demi-squad sit on the objective and lascannon things while the other uses the Rhino to advance and put the meltagun and plasma pistol to good use. The sergeant gets the plasma pistol instead of the PW or PF because I want the demi-squad to spend most of its time shooting out of the top hatch and/or possibly nab other objectives rather than go looking for trouble - I've got 2 DWT Squads and a full Assault Squad for that!

[Marshal Wilhelm]

Well, Tacs have always been a problem unit for me, I guess because I want them to beat face in mêlée.... :D

 

But here are some things I have found work well in my shooty Crusader squads, who work like Tacs:

 

The trusty Objective camper. Give them a Las or Plasma cannon for long range help.

But that means you need another five of them. So you can have them tootling around in a LasBack, adding yet more long range anti tank, LRAT, firepower and giving another unit for Objectives work.

 

Another is the MM Bunker. These guys take the midfield Objective and menace nearby foes. They need a Rhino. You can give them a flamer, to tank shock! to condense and flame infantry, and plasma gun, which has harmony with the MM ranges and allows you to move 6" and RF two plasma shots off, and melta gun, to make being within 12" really tough for enemy armour, but also to give some mobility to the Rhino, especially if you need to move to get away from enemy assaulters. Better to get hit on 4s than automatically, eh?

 

You don't have to leave the other 5 men in the MM Bunker. They can be left on your home Objective, safely tucked behind terrain or Pred.

Or you could use them to make a LR scoring....

[Corton]

It depends on what you want the squad(s) to do. If you want to use them as a base of fire, then I would suggest 10 strong, w 1 Missile Launcher (largest diversity), Plasmagun, and ALL others w bolters. The squad usually will be stagnant, so CCW on the Sergeant in minimal. If you want for a more versatile unit, 10 strong w flamer and Sgt. w Fist in a rhino is always good. It allows you to deal w infantry, and the fist is good for dealing with tanks or other 'hard' targets.

 

I almost always run 3 ten man squads in my army (not really for effectiveness, but more because I like em), and they do a pretty good job of handling most everything.

 

set up-

 

10 Tactical- Missile Launcher, meltagun, Power weapon, Razorback w Twin-Las. (combat squadding for mutual support)

10 Tactical- Plasma Cannon, Plasmagun, Bolters (base of fire)

10 Tactical- Flamer, Power Fist, Rhino (obj. grabbing, and anti-mobbing)

 

These usually combined into other elements of an army are usually very effective against just about anything I come into contact with. It's roughly 700 points, 3 10-man troop squads and a pair of transports, which leaves a large amount of points spare for everything else you want in the army. Additionally, it creates a huge amount of interlocking fire that can support each other, and can deal with most things with relative impunity (assuming your dice don't take a giant deuce on you first).

 

For instance, I usually play at around 2000 points (general size at the local shop). My usual army looks like this:

 

Belial- Th n SS -best option there for the points

Libby- no upgrades-doesn't really need them with the psychic buffs

 

Dreadnought w Plasma n Flamer

 

5 Deathwing- All w TH n SS, Std. Bearer, n Apoc.

10 Tactical- P.cannon, Plasmagun

10 Tactical- Missile, melta, Power Weapon. Razorback w Twin Las(combat squads for maximum effect)

10 Tactical- Flamer, Power Fist. Rhino

 

Ravenwing Bikers- 3 w 2 melta, Sgt. w Power Weapon, attack Bike w Multimelta

Speeder- Typhoon w Multimelta

 

10 Devastators (yes I use devvies!)- 2 Plasmacannon, 2 lascannon

Predator w Autocannon, n Heavy bolters, Storm bolter on top

 

1995 pts.

 

This gives a good degree of flexibility, mobility, fire power, and staying power. I figure if you can get three of the four of these, then you're doin' pretty good.

 

Now I know already even before I posted this, that a lot of people will disagree with this type of load out. That's alright, everyone has their own tastes, and will tell everyone else they play with their little army men the wrong way. But, the way I figure it, I paid an arm and a leg for the things, shouldn't I be able to play them how I want to without having to hear "Yer' doin it wrong"? Besides,

[Red_Lep]

Thanks for all of the replies!

 

The main use I was needing was anti-MEQ so I am going with the Plasma Cannon for the heavy and I'll just try out different combinations of weapons to see what works.

 

Thanks again.

[Makers]

I use a 10man TS squad some times in casual games for fun.

I run usually with a

 

ML

Plasma Gun

Sgt with PF

 

I almost always split them into 2, 5 man's putting the ML and Plasma into one squad, and just sitting them in cover, and then footslogging the other 5.

[Alys Dwr]

I've stuck with my C:DA green marines all along and am rather fond of:

 

Tacticals - 10 men

Power weapon

Flamer

Rhino + PMSB

 

225pts

 

Keep them moving and shooting, avoid getting charged and they do tend to last the game. Saturate enemy units with bolter shells and charge in to mop up any survivors. Don't forget Rites of Battle keeping them all at LD10. I use them to pester the enemy and generally just get in the way. Heavy weapons are placed elsewhere in the army as i like to keep all bolters firing.

 

Al