conscripts better than guardsmen

[irwit]

Hi all

 

Just checking out the new codex and conscripts seems stupidly good for their points. Basically same as a guardsman but nearly half the cost. Also is actually more likely to hit with his lasgun when point for point compared.

 

30 conscripts = 90points. Would hit 12 times on average.

 

18 guardsman = 90 points would hit 9 times.

 

What could I use for models though?

[Nicodemus Doloroso]

I wouldn't say conscripts are necessarily better per se, however they are certainly better in some applications. It depends on what you are doing with them.

 

One important thing to keep in mind is that conscripts cannot bring special weapons. So, compare for example:

 

20 guardsmen with two meltaguns = 120

40 conscripts = 120

 

However, those 20 guardsmen have a 50/50 chance (better with certain orders) of hitting and then potentially bringing down anything from a rhino to a Land Raider within 6". The conscripts couldn't even scratch the paint on any vehicle. So in certain scenarios guardsmen will be better, in others conscripts.

 

Also, you can't really compare conscripts to guardmen 1:1 ... because conscripts need a commissar and/or priest(s) to prevent them from fleeing the board at the slightest provocation considering their Ld 5 (versus 8 for guardsmen) plus they can't realistically take orders without a commissar too. So that must be factored in. Not saying conscripts are bad -- I think they've been greatly improved -- but they are different.

[march10k]

Yeah, conscripts were much better when you could run a blob of 50 with 5 flamers...suddenly, the BS2 didn't matter as much (okay, 46 BS2 flashlights at close range was still really really nasty, too, but five flamer templates were stupidly good!)

[WarriorFish]

If you're thinking purely in Lasgun terms, maybe, but you've also got the considerations of the amount of room they take up and special weapons as mentioned. They could provide a useful role in a list certainly but I don't think the Guardsman needs to fear for his job quite yet :P

[Possessed Marine]

I'd use the conscripts as bullet shields for melta/flamer/plas toting veteran squads.

[Minsc]

Conscripts have no options, including special and heavy weapons, and you can only take one squad per infantry-platoon. 

 

Conscripts are really good at their job (being cheap tarpits), especially when you add in a priest or a commissar, but they shouldn't really be compared to regular guardsment. Apples and Oranges and all that...