Tactical Squad Veteran Sergeant loadout

[ixzion]

Hi there. I'm currently planning my first tactical squad for my Flesh Tearers. I'm planning to add a multi-melta and a plasma gun and they will be riding in a rhino. I'm considering giving the sergeant just a bolter and nothing else to keep him cheap. What do you think of this or do you have any suggestions on what to equip him with? What do you usually equip your tactical squad sergeant with?

 

Thank you!

[ElectricPaladin]

Personally, I like to give them some kind of power weapon and a bolt pistol. The squad loses some shooting power, but a sergeant's extra attack and generally badass marine statline make up for it. I've had more than one game decided by a lone sergeant charging into an enemy squad and tying them up in close combat, or even wiping them out!

 

Alternately, if I can afford it, I'll go with power fist and boltgun. This is a particularly good combo for tactical sergeants. The power fist doesn't want a pistol, because it doesn't get an extra attack. The boltgun lets the sergeant participate in shooting, but the fist lets the sergeant beat up tanks. It's nice to have a power fist or two hiding out here and there.

[shortysl]

The only problem with Power Fists on Sergeants is they can be challenged out and killed by most other characters in-game. Even an Imperial Guard Sergeant with a Power Sword is likely to put him down.

 

I usually stick with a Bolt Pistol and a Power Sword or Maul. Most vehicles can be dealt with using Krak Grenades.

[ixzion]

Actually that's why I have been hesitating to give him anything fancy. He won't survive many challenges and I would prefer to keep him cheap. Might consider giving him a power weapon but I think I have a cool idea for a conversion and that's why I just would like to give him a bolter. I will need to do a mock-up with some putty first to see how it would look like.

 

How about a combi-something?

[Xenith]

Combi flamer in case you get charged, the sword works well in a challenge.

 

Do IG players actually give their sergeants power swords? Seems like a massive waste of points, seeing as we are here saying it is a waste to give them to marine sergeants...

[Morticon]

They give them Power Axes- because you can blob squad 4 of them, throw in a Marine IC, and have the squad have ATSKNF- and be swinging with 12 AP2 shots a turn.

[Brother Theseus]

I don't have the new SM codex on hand, but was it ever cleared up who can take the heavy chainsword? If the vet sergeant can take it for a small price, I would consider going with that and a bolter.

[Disruptor_fe404]

There are still no heavy chainswords in the SM 'dex.

[appiah4]

The Combi-Plasma is the only way to go for a MM/Pg squad IMO.

[Jolemai]

These days I tend to shy away from Tactical Squads but I would always give the Sergeant a Combi-weapon and this is usually one that supplements the squad's special weapon. After that should points allow, it's a Melta Bomb. I usually don't tend to go for a combat weapon.

[Memento Of Prospero]

The almighty bolter. Nothing says hello like an explosive shell of pure imperium goodness to a herectic's face.

[Phadeout]

For that squad I echo the combi-plasma as a great choice.  Otherwise just a bolter probably, there will probably be a better place to put 15/25 points in a list that giving PWs or PFs out.

 

I often use a flamer as special weapon and love the combi flamer for extra wall of deathness or for when the xenos scum in cover really must die!  But I digress...

[Fulgens]

Combi-plasma gets my vote. I agree that equipping your I4 Vet Sgts with a combat weapon is a waste. Any Independent Character worth his/her salt will be able to dispatch your Vet Sgt in a Challenge before he gets to swing.

 

Tactical Squads in 6th Edition function best in short range firefights. They already have tons of bolters which shine at 12". More plasma will just make them more better. Alternatively, you could take TWO plasma pistols for a gunfighting sergeant. The difference is that he's more expensive, and you won't be able to fire at 24", but you can fire twice at 12" every turn and still assault! 

[I am Legion]

When I play a tactical squad they are generally best kitted as anti-infantry. So my loadout is combi-plasma, plasma gun, and heavy plasma. Statistically this unit eats any infantry based squad. I think its 205 points. Stick them in a pod with support or sit them in the back and wait for the enemy to deep strike or simply advance towards you. They become a high priority threat and the opponent will waste firepower to take them out, leaving your other squads relatively unscathed. My $0.02

[appiah4]

Combi-plasma gets my vote. I agree that equipping your I4 Vet Sgts with a combat weapon is a waste. Any Independent Character worth his/her salt will be able to dispatch your Vet Sgt in a Challenge before he gets to swing.

 

Tactical Squads in 6th Edition function best in short range firefights. They already have tons of bolters which shine at 12". More plasma will just make them more better. Alternatively, you could take TWO plasma pistols for a gunfighting sergeant. The difference is that he's more expensive, and you won't be able to fire at 24", but you can fire twice at 12" every turn and still assault! 

 

Gunslinger for plasma tacticals is pointless, who would sacrifice a whole unit's double-tap and/or heavy fire for 10 I4 S4 attacks?

[Kem]

really, its combi and\or meltabomb.

 

From my POV Tac. squad worth it's points only in drop pod, with: special + matched combi- + MM\ML (less so HB or LC)

[ixzion]

Alright I think you have me convinced! I will slap a combi-plasma on him. Now I just need to get ahold of a combi-plasma somehow :)

[Memento Of Prospero]

Cut a plasma pistol in half. Cut the top of a bolter off, and slap that bad boy on.

[ixzion]

 

Cut a plasma pistol in half. Cut the top of a bolter off, and slap that bad boy on.

 

 

I was just going to say that I wish I had a plasma pistol so I could do that. But after digging through my bitbox I found one! Ace!

[Memento Of Prospero]

 

 

Cut a plasma pistol in half. Cut the top of a bolter off, and slap that bad boy on.

 

 

I was just going to say that I wish I had a plasma pistol so I could do that. But after digging through my bitbox I found one! Ace!

 

Ask other marine players in your group. Plasma pistols tend to accumulate quite a bit as you go along, as A no one uses them - B they have way too many on kits.

[ChapelXIII]

I will cast my vote for combi-plasma. Almost always combat squad tacticals. 

 

3 reg, 1 plasma, vet with combi-plasma in one group and then 4 reg and a heavy on a back objective. They usually do pretty well running up and hitting high armor save opponents and taking an objectives and are generally overlooked as there are other more important targets. 

[Spagunk]

Cut a plasma pistol in half. Cut the top of a bolter off, and slap that bad boy on.

I was just going to say that I wish I had a plasma pistol so I could do that. But after digging through my bitbox I found one! Ace!

Ask other marine players in your group. Plasma pistols tend to accumulate quite a bit as you go along, as A no one uses them - B they have way too many on kits.

No lie, I have 32 of 'em from stuff I purchased 12 years ago. Plus what comes on the DC/SG sprues x2

[Theredknight]

I checked over my dex after a discussion with my opponent about this. As far as I was it.. Tactical sgts can't gunsling plasma pistols, but assault sgt can do.

Seems a strange quirk or the words, but they are written differently from each other (I know one will say chainsword and the other bolter!!)

[Crusader Bob]

what about a combiflamer or flamer pistol? Looks good to me as far as defensive weapons go. 

A few auto hits on overwatch are nothing to sneeze at if you ask me. Bear in mind that i'm a templar first and foremost, so burn things is pretty rooted in me.

I'd go with combiflamer with the fist, or pistol with PW.