5 lascannons in a long fangs pack

[skeletoro]

the title pretty much says it all.

 

It's generally accepted that missile launcher long fangs (28 points per missile launcher, including 20% of the squad leader) are somewhat better bang for buck than lascannon long fangs (even leaving aside the flexibility offered by frag missiles).

 

However, I have to wonder whether the tables turn when you add a rune priest to the unit. Prescience is a force multiplier and the benefit you get from it depends on the firepower the unit possesses. Maybe it's better to give the long fangs accompanying a divination Rune Priest 5 lascannons? (And then add a CML WGPL and Aegis + Icarus lascannon).

[raiders13]

It sounds nice in theory, but you’re talking almost 500 pts for this one unit. That’s just to high of a price. I normally go all ML or 2LC/3ML for my packs.

[skeletoro]

It sounds nice in theory, but you’re talking almost 500 pts for this one unit. That’s just to high of a price. I normally go all ML or 2LC/3ML for my packs.

 

But where are the points wasted?

 

6 long fangs with 5 missile launchers.. not a waste (running total 140).

Add on a Prescience Rune Priest... not a waste (running total 240).

 

Once you've got that very standard, almost cliché unit, it's hard for me to see any of the next options as anything other than a pretty nice deal:

 

Add CML WGPL (running total 303)

Add Aegis and Icarus (running total 388).

 

Now we've got a unit behind cover with the added protection of two characters, and with rerolls on their attacks. Is the following not worth it?

 

Upgrade 5 missile launchers to lascannons (running total 463).

 

Which steps in the process are bad?

 

For 420, you could have 15 missile launcher shots. This gives you 6 twin-linked lascannon shots (1 is skyfire) and 2 twin-linked missile launcher shots. Adjusting for prescience, this is the equivalent of 8 lascannon shots and 2.67 missile launcher shots. Against a flying target, this is the equivalent of 14.5 (non twin-linked, non skyfire) lascannon shots and 3.67 missile launcher shots. If my math fu is not mistaken.

 

Of course, lascannons and missile launchers fill different roles. But if you're buying some long fangs with lascannons anyway, it seems worthwhile to lump them together in the rune priest's entourage... perhaps not 5. But however many you were planning on buying. Why deny the expensive shooters the force multiplier that is prescience?

[Russ Brother 92]

I'll probably try this at some point in the future (mainly due to wanting 10 of each heavy weapon except MMs and 15 of HBs) I can see how if you knew you're up against heavy armour (an army with three LRs or multiple Lemans) as then you want to be able to crack the armour first time round, and I could even see how with a heavy supporting unit and some defences they be the bane of flyers (if they hit which isn't too hard even with 6's when you're re-rolling and have an Interceptor Lascannon to boot.) they really could tear flyers apart - but you also pay a heavy price and wouldn't do this outside of 2000 Points, for me I'd just have too few left to cover the rest of the army.

[pedrogzc]

i'm not really sure about this unit, nearly 500 points in just 7 models is quite pricey.

 

A basilisk indirect hit and the unit would be nearly wiped out.

 

Anyway it's a different way of playing longfangs, surely I'll try it.

[eyeslikethunder]

Has it got a lot of punch yes

Problems I see

 

One unit with all my eggs in it =no resilience

 

Ways my enemy can deal with the unit

LOS

They can block the units LOS stopping the unit shooting with rhinos for example or terrain in alternating terrain deployment as they know where aegis will be.

Because I have single source of Ranged firepower I will have greater problems covering the board with fire lanes allowing my opponent to approach unthreatened

Also I can only engage 2 units rather 6

 

 

CC

it only takes one unit to engage it in CC to stop firing it rather than likely 3 with the alternatives

 

Leadership

Should they fail a LD check and run off the board I have lost my only ranged firepower

 

Lack of bodies

Less bodies than the 18 man alternative

 

 

 

I would take the old favourite of 2LC/3ML in an all comers

 

I might take it if knew what was coming playing on a flat board

[Daddywarcrimes]

My main concern with assigning a Rune Priest to a back line unit is giving up his psychic interdiction on a lot of the table. By pushing priests forward with the Wolf Guard and Grey Hunters, I can interfere with Divination blessings which can be game changing.

 

If you're running 2 or 3 priests, it is less of an issue.

[skeletoro]

Some good points all. So it seems to me that 5 lascannons may be a little over the top - although the unit would be great against fliers it's a few too many eggs in one basket. Nevertheless, I can imagine fielding such a unit in a large game (2000+ pts) but perhaps with slight fewer lascannons... 2 or 3 maybe. Certainly, if you're going to give any of your long fangs lascannons, it should be the unit with the cover save and rerolls.

[Brother Ambroz]

Might run into problems with things like Helldrakes or large plasma infiltrating units. A unit like this would be a prime target for something like that.

[Ozeryk_Sleipnijr]

Its these types of units that will get me to get at least 1 LF plasmacannon. It always a bummer if you lose the initiative and the other guy hammers your über unit.

[DanPesci]

Im currently using a LF unit with 3ML 2LC, not too expensive, I deploy them near enough to a supporting grey hunter twin plasma pack, which deals nicely with any outflanking/DStrike units (or at least gives the opponent a tough choice of which unit to go for). And then i sit the rune priest inbetween these, as long as hes within 12" of both units, he can choose to use prescience on either unit (as re-rolling to hits on a unit putting out a possible 6 plasma shots - when you include the added wolf guard with combi plasma - and a hell of a lot of bolter fire, is also awesome).

I also usually have a second LF pack with 3 Heavy Bolters and 2 Plasma Cannons

 

I dont like the idea of putting too many points into 1 long fang squad, as theyre a relatively small unit, which your opponent can wipe out pretty easily with concentrated fire.

 

However, it is a fun idea. and if it survives, will cause major hassle for armour and heavy infantry (and i guess flyers..havent played any games with flyers yet..so cant comment too much on that ha)