Jump to content

Is a Power Weapon on a Character any good at all?


Kilofix

Recommended Posts

Hypothetical - Something thats fearsome in close combat has just Assaulted your 30 man Infantry blob.

 

Ignoring the fact that you ideally don't want your blob in close combat in the first place; would a Power Weapon on a Character (like say a Commissar) in that blob be any good at all?

 

I'm thinking the Character would still likely hit and wound on a 4+ with something ike a Power Axe, have 3 Attacks if 2 CC weapons, and still have the other 29 guys as ablative. That could still do some damage against like a smaller TDA or MEQ squad right?

 

If yes, then why is it almost no one ever takes Power Weapons on their Characters? Like, not even one.

 

Is it just because we figure that if we are in CC then we are SOL anyway?

 

Thanks for the opinions.

Here's what normally happens...

 

Oh no, Abaddon/Khorne Bezerkers/Space Marine Captain, etc, etc has charged my squad and issued a Challenge! My Commissar steps forth with I3 and is smashed into the ground before he even swings. Or my Commissar declines and that expensive sword sits doing bugger all.

It's an option, and I've hear it being done to varying degrees of success, but then, why not throw Axes on every sergeant in that blob? 3 Str4 AP2 attacks is nice, but 6 of those is better, and only 2 of those could be pulled away through challenges. It'd make for a very mean blob. 50 guys, with 5 Flamers and 5 Power Axes, meltabombs where available and a Commisar. Hell, let's throw in a Priest for re-roll to hit and a Psyker for Divination stuff. It's the Blob-of-all-Trades! devil.gif

Personally though, 5 of those Power weapons= A Wyvern. And we both know what's the more effective choice.... msn-wink.gif tongue.png

But seriously: When someone engages my guys in CC, I want them to die. Cruel, but true, that's why I invest in as much firepower as I can. Sure, you go wipe my 70pt IS, but be prepared to swallow the firepower from 5 more of those squads, plus 2 Lemans and a Wyvern if need be.

Maybe this is again due to mainly fighting Daemons or Nids, where such weapons make little difference, and a couple of Heavy bolters make all the difference.biggrin.png

So, I'll go for the most wise advice you can receive for 40k: Try it out! Give it a go, and see if it works for you! thumbsup.gif

I too would rather spend those points on guns, which are likely to do more damage.

 

I've often heard of the power axe sergeant blob and always wants to ask: don't you have to be very careful where you position the sergeants so that they're not killed off before they get to strike? You couldn't put them in base to base with I2+ enemy or likely they'd die before swinging...but put them too far back and they might not get to engage, no? If someone can explain the fine points of the tactic, I'd love to hear them.

 

Otherwise, my points will likely remain in hot lead, plasma and laser.

Here's what normally happens...

 

Oh no, Abaddon/Khorne Bezerkers/Space Marine Captain, etc, etc has charged my squad and issued a Challenge! My Commissar steps forth with I3 and is smashed into the ground before he even swings. Or my Commissar declines and that expensive sword sits doing bugger all.

Equine feces.  You should have five expendable sergeants to answer that challenge!  

 

 

I've often heard of the power axe sergeant blob and always wants to ask: don't you have to be very careful where you position the sergeants so that they're not killed off before they get to strike? You couldn't put them in base to base with I2+ enemy or likely they'd die before swinging...but put them too far back and they might not get to engage, no? If someone can explain the fine points of the tactic, I'd love to hear them.

 

Well, how many models are in base to base with that I2+ model?  Last I checked, your opponent doesn't get to pick your casualties.  I think it's probably worthwhile to put a power weapon on a proper character who's joined to a blob, and leave the sergeants naked.  That way the sergeants can take the challenges while the real characters kill the enemy squad members.  Five power axe sergeants in a blob sounds bad, though, for exactly the reason you bring up.

Excessive wounds from a challenge spill over, thus you an not deter chars like abaddon anymore. Having said that, 5 sarges with axes can make a formidable force in melee. 4 of them will get to attack. Add a cheap priest with Hymns and you have a recipe for disaster. While not their job, do not underestimate GM blobs in melee, it might be the last thing you do.
Having said all that, if you have access to more natural power weapons on allies or dedicated melee squads, choose those over blob melee.

I normally always find a gun to upgrade before I bother with power weapons/fist with the current points costing.

 

Though I do sometimes have a moment of madness now and then. Plus I have a good looking commander who has a plasma pistol and powerfist.

Thanks for the opinions - some good points about how it may be better to get more guns and to let the engaged Platoon die so that you can have another fire on your opponents.

 

Some context - reason I was wondering about this is because (playing Chaos) in my last game; my Mutilators (was running Apoc - Cult of Destruction) killed a 30-man IG blob (over a few turns), but as I was in it, I realized that a single Power Fist could have ruined my day.

I tend to think that, with all due respect, folk here tend to undervalue a sprinkling of close combat upgrades here-and- there. I think your example is illustrative of how they can be useful. Nothing is going to help you if you get stuck in with Khârn or Abbaddon or assault terminators it's true. But not every unit is those things. Power weapons have been huge for me against Eldar and Tau who are fairly common nowadays. Against regular marines they can be good too.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.