Heavy Support Squad: Missile Launchers or Autocannons?

[Cmdr Shepard]

Greetings fellow Legionaries,

 

I'd like to build a 10 men Heavy Support squad and I'm wondering about the most versatile and/or cost effective weapon of choice.

 

Currently I'm inclined towards Missile Launchers or Autocannons, since they have the same cost the choice should depend on their capabilities.

 

Autocannons fire more shots but Missile Launcher are capable of dealing with AV target, MEQ and even hordes. They have also the chance to take flakk missiles and become able to deal with nearly every threat.

 

What do you about it? Do you have other weapon to suggest?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

 

[Brother Keyaetus]

I think missle launchers just cover alot more roles, the ap3 helps alot too against other legions. Frag can force alot of saves on them while flakk well, that will help with any possible air units.

 

Autocannons on the other hand, while the models look great, are really used for light armour which you shouldnt find too much off in legion lists, and even then krak can do that just as well.

 

I've not got betrayal yet for a few more days though so I can't tell the difference in points. Could always make two 5 man squads with 5 of each weapon instead for a mix?

[Cmdr Shepard]

I think missle launchers just cover alot more roles, the ap3 helps alot too against other legions. Frag can force alot of saves on them while flakk well, that will help with any possible air units.

 

Autocannons on the other hand, while the models look great, are really used for light armour which you shouldnt find too much off in legion lists, and even then krak can do that just as well.

 

I've not got betrayal yet for a few more days though so I can't tell the difference in points. Could always make two 5 man squads with 5 of each weapon instead for a mix?

 

The point cost is the same: that's what makes me to prefer the Missile Launcher. You have to pay for the flakk option, though.

 

If you fire at MEQ 10 ML will kill 5/6 SM, if you fire at an Ork horde (provided you play your own Great Crusade against xenos ;) and we assume 4 hits per blast, they will kill about 20 orks (let's say between 15 and 20 orks. It's quite difficult to miss 30 orks strong mobs ;) )

 

That's an impressive result. In the first case you killed between 25% and 50% of a MEQ unit, in the second you killed between 50% and 66% of the mob.

They should also tear rhinos apart, even though I think all of those shot would be more useful elsewhere.

[ac4155]

I prefer missile launchers. I think they are far more versatile in different situations.

[Brother Keyaetus]

I'm probably biased because my first 30k purchase was a 5 man missile launcher squad for my Iron warrior squad. The first squad I've fully painted and based within a day of getting it in the post haha.

[Cmdr Shepard]

I prefer missile launchers. I think they are far more versatile in different situations.

 

I'm probably biased because my first 30k purchase was a 5 man missile launcher squad for my Iron warrior squad. The first squad I've fully painted and based within a day of getting it in the post haha.

 

Missile Launchers, then ;)

Since Betrayal is the only army list where autocannons cost as much as ML I think we should go for the versatility of the latter...

 

Anyway what do you think about the other weapons?

Plasma Cannons seem better suited for 5 men squads, LasCannons are expensive while Multi-Meltas in 10 men squads seem useful for superheavies hunt (or to protect a zone from superheavy close range assault) or dealing with 2+ save models within 24"

[AllHailTheMachine]

I'm steering away from autocannons too.

 

Missile launchers are great utility weapons that have the potential to hurt just about everything in the game at a decent range. One important factor for me though is strength 8 is a magic number with the potential to instant death most marine characters. Although wounds can be saved by artificer armour or look out sir can put them on someone else, that chance that just one wound will kill and there is nothing feel no pain (hello tactical squads with apothecaries) can do about it is gold to me.

 

I'm also biased as I'm liking the very retro look to the new forge world missile launchers. All those years playing titan legions and space marine have left me very nostalgic about these guys.

[Brother Keyaetus]

I suppose cheap heavy bolter squads can do the trick also.

 

Just got my betrayal book today but didn't check this yet...isn't there a rule that heavy support squads can move and shoot but at half distance? If so...does that mean multi-meltas with that are 12 inches, but their melta rule still applies to 12 inches or is that halved also?

[Cmdr Shepard]

I'm steering away from autocannons too.

 

Missile launchers are great utility weapons that have the potential to hurt just about everything in the game at a decent range. One important factor for me though is strength 8 is a magic number with the potential to instant death most marine characters. Although wounds can be saved by artificer armour or look out sir can put them on someone else, that chance that just one wound will kill and there is nothing feel no pain (hello tactical squads with apothecaries) can do about it is gold to me.

 

I'm also biased as I'm liking the very retro look to the new forge world missile launchers. All those years playing titan legions and space marine have left me very nostalgic about these guys.

 

Good points. 10 ML kill a lot MEQ and are able to damage any armour (with some luck you can glance Land Raiders to death in 2-3 turn, if you don't have other targets ;) ). They can also get flak missiles, so they look golden.

 

 

I suppose cheap heavy bolter squads can do the trick also.

 

Just got my betrayal book today but didn't check this yet...isn't there a rule that heavy support squads can move and shoot but at half distance? If so...does that mean multi-meltas with that are 12 inches, but their melta rule still applies to 12 inches or is that halved also?

 

No.  Veterans and Destroyers have the option for ML, Heavy Bolters (the former) and rad ML (the latter).

[Jolemai]

No one likes the Volkite Culverin?

[Cmdr Shepard]

No one likes the Volkite Culverin?

 

I really like it but

1. There is no model (a part from the jetbikes kit)

2. I was looking for the most versatile weapon choice

 

The Culverin will be devastating on hordes but it will struggle versus MEQ (even though 4 S6 deflagrate attacks per model should still deal some damage) and vehicles.

ML seems a more versatile choice since you have the chance to take flak missiles.