So just give me a Power Sword and Plasma Pistol

[Kilofix]

So fluff-wise; Chainswords and Bolt weapons certainly seem to be effective against unarmored targets.

But against armored targets there are descriptions of Chainswords losing their teeth, getting jammed or outright broken, and there are descriptions of Power Armor taking multiple Bolt rounds and still being somewhat viable. Which I guess, aligns with (or maybe more appropriately, was inferred from) table top stats.

Conversely, there are descriptions of Power Swords cleaving through all sorts of things (except other Power stuff) and Plasma weapons totally decimating everything with the power of a sun, etc. . Which again, is reflective of table top stats.

No wonder lots of 'heroes' sport that combination.

That being the case, if I was a character in 30K / 40K fluff - I'd be like "just give me a Power Sword and Plasma Pistol already".

And, maybe someone up the chain would provide me with such after 100 years of combat service....

On a slightly related note; in Vengeful Spirit:

It was funny when that SoH got his heart shot through by a Volkite that he thought was a Las.

Gamewise, Volkites don't have that good AP but I guess its that Deflagrate.

Anyway, just musing. Feel free to add your thoughts.

[The Red Thirst]

This is my view on the matter also, just have to keep in mind that in 40k Power weapons and Plasma/Volkite/Infernus pistols are relics and only entrusted to, senior/veteran astartes. 

 

In 30k its a little different, an example being tactical support squads all with Volkites

 

Dont forget though that just because an astartes is using a chainsword and bolt pistol doesnt mean he cant use them properly ;)

Also things like 'plot armour' are factored into our favorite novels so these weapons can be seen to be 'less effective' which is why it varies so much from Bolts bouncing off power armour to going through and mulching internal organs

[Conn Eremon]

Chainswords and Bolter might be less effective than power swords and plasma weapons, but they are more than effective against the type of enemies that Space Marines spend about 99.9% of their time fighting.

 

Plus, power swords are meant to be super rare, and plasma weapons more than a little risky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Besides, Power Sword & Plasma would make a terrible board name.

[Chaeron]

 

On a slightly related note; in Vengeful Spirit:

 

It was funny when that SoH got his heart shot through by a Volkite that he thought was a Las.

 

Gamewise, Volkites don't have that good AP but I guess its that Deflagrate.

 

 

Haha, I did really like that! I have a similar thing, in Ravenlord, that bugs me slightly:

 

 

I believe it's Hef whose growth means he can no longer hold a bolter, but only holds a chainsword. Now I understand the logic of not wanting to use the weaponry of others, but surely this would be a huge temptation after he cuts down the female sergeant with a power sword, so that he could dual wield? I know he's got suitable appendages anyway, but it sort of made me wonder why he didn't press this to his advantage further.

 

[Hyaenidae]

Power Swords? Plasma Pistols?

 

Bah. I'll take Phosphex Grenades any day of the week.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Ultramarine Legionnaire: "I am Centurion Necius Amadeaus, Champion of the 32nd Company, Slayer of the Kine Warlord Urg-Magurg, Swordmaster of the..."

 

*sound of pin being pulled, grenade bouncing along the ground*

 

*whooosh*

 

*screams*

 

Word Bearer: "No. No, you're not...."

[Wade Garrett]

Lightning Claws.

 

Good enough for Argel Tal.

 

Good enough for Zso Sahaal.

 

Good enough for Abaddon, Bjorn, Horus, Curze, and Vraal.

 

And good enough for me!

 

@1000heathens:

 

Shouldn't that be "Yes. You were." ? ;)

[Knight of the Raven]

Celestian Miriya used to own the dreaded Plot-pattern plasma pistol, which overheats only when you need it to.

[Volt]

I'd prefer a fusion pistol, volkite pistol, grav pistol, or a bolt pistol loaded with hellfire or kraken rounds opposed to a plasma pistol. While in the fluff it doesn't happen as often on the TT, I don't like weapons that turn into hand grenades.

 

If I was an Astartes though, I'd want a stormshield mounted on my arm with a grav pistol in the shield-hand , and a lightning claw with a wrist-mounted stormbolter. Along with an iron halo, teleporter, MK III Iron Armor, and a backup lasgun.

 

Plasma pistols are cool, but I just really don't like the idea of using a weapon which could remove my arm if things proceed poorly.

[Archaon9]

Chainswords and Bolter might be less effective than power swords and plasma weapons, but they are more than effective against the type of enemies that Space Marines spend about 99.9% of their time fighting.

True. Against light armoured opponents both would be more effective. Other weapons would be massive overkill. I'd imagine you'd be able to have a much better rate of fire with a bolt pistol than plasma (unless you don't mind it vaporizing your arm).

 

Agree with Wade Garrett on the melee weapon. Perhaps get a lightening claw on a powerfist like terminators do. Might not be as sturdy as a power sword but even if they break off you've still got a powerfist.

Since these seem like pretty close range weapons I'd probably go for an inferno pistol myself. I've not heard of them exploding and you've got no issues with armoured targets.

[Knight of the Raven]

Inferno pistols don't explode, but as far as I know, they're not manufactured anymore. The only way to get one is to happen upon a cache full of the weapons, such as Baal and the Blood Angels. Dante's pistol even used to be the only one in the Imperium, if I recall the posts I read here correctly. The only pistol that's rarer is the volkite serpenta.

 

Also, if you run out of bolts, you can nab a magazine off a fallen brother (or the gun itself, if you're not enamored with your own weapon). Not so much with an inferno pistol.

[Kilofix]

Also going by Dark Heresy, Infernos only have a 10m effective range and a 3 shot magazine.

[JeffJedi]

If you watch the Ultramarines movie, the Chainsword is passed around like a holy relic when someone dies.

[Kilofix]

If you watch the Ultramarines movie, the Chainsword is passed around like a holy relic when someone dies.

 

I watched but cant remember the movie - could it have been a very specific relic Chainsword?

 

Anyway I agree the BP and  CS are probably more effective (have higher RoF etc.) against unarmored but my concern would still always be the limited effectiveness against armor.

 

So I'm still back to just give me a Power Axe (slight change from PS) and a Plasma Pistol.

[Archaon9]

Inferno pistols don't explode, but as far as I know, they're not manufactured anymore. The only way to get one is to happen upon a cache full of the weapons, such as Baal and the Blood Angels. Dante's pistol even used to be the only one in the Imperium, if I recall the posts I read here correctly. The only pistol that's rarer is the volkite serpenta.

 

Also, if you run out of bolts, you can nab a magazine off a fallen brother (or the gun itself, if you're not enamored with your own weapon). Not so much with an inferno pistol.

Was not aware Infero's had such terrible ammo clip capacity and bad range. Pistols can't have great range in general though?

I'd assume plasma clips are also smaller than bolter ones.

 

I think this comes down to what you're fighting and in what environment. Standard enemies you're good with chainsword and bolter. Heavy armour you need a power weapon and a rarer pistol of some type. Meltas would make sense in boarding operations and bunkers.

Maybe a combi weapon so you have the best of both worlds though they're be pretty rare as well. Always Krak and Frag grenades to fall back on anyway.

[Knight of the Raven]

Also going by Dark Heresy, Infernos only have a 10m effective range and a 3 shot magazine.

Since we're talking about a pistol with the melta rule, what does 'effective' mean? Entire range or 2D6 amor penetration range?

[Kilofix]

 

Also going by Dark Heresy, Infernos only have a 10m effective range and a 3 shot magazine.

Since we're talking about a pistol with the melta rule, what does 'effective' mean? Entire range or 2D6 amor penetration range?

 

 

Well 40K its 6" max and 3" Melta but the Dark Heresy RPG (which btw does a really good job of staying true to the fluff) doesn't have the half range Melta rule - so the Inferno is  simply Damage 2D10+4, Effective Range 10m, Pen 12, Magazine 3.

 

Compared to Plasma Pistol Damage 1D10+6, Effective Range 30m, Pen 6, Magazine 10. But the Plasma also needs time to recharge, takes longer to reload and can overheat and potentially kill the user (just like 40K). Hmmm, ... maybe that Bolt Pistol is looking decent.

 

Edit - Whoops - just checked DH 2nd Ed and Inferno does have Melta now at 5m. Still too short even fluff-wise for my tastes.

[Archaon9]

 

 

Also going by Dark Heresy, Infernos only have a 10m effective range and a 3 shot magazine.

Since we're talking about a pistol with the melta rule, what does 'effective' mean? Entire range or 2D6 amor penetration range?

 

 

Well 40K its 6" max and 3" Melta but the Dark Heresy RPG (which btw does a really good job of staying true to the fluff) doesn't have the half range Melta rule - so the Inferno is  simply Damage 2D10+4, Effective Range 10m, Pen 12, Magazine 3.

 

Compared to Plasma Pistol Damage 1D10+6, Effective Range 30m, Pen 6, Magazine 10. But the Plasma also needs time to recharge, takes longer to reload and can overheat and potentially kill the user (just like 40K). Hmmm, ... maybe that Bolt Pistol is looking decent.

 

Edit - Whoops - just checked DH 2nd Ed and Inferno does have Melta now at 5m. Still too short even fluff-wise for my tastes.

 

So Inferno is never going to be effective then unless you're a bit out of sword range and/or fighting a tank :| Wonder if the Mechanius got things confused and it was meant to be a long range meat cooker rather than a weapon.

 

Think we mostly agree on a bolter then. Can always switch the ammo for specialisation.

[Volt]

 

 

 

Also going by Dark Heresy, Infernos only have a 10m effective range and a 3 shot magazine.

Since we're talking about a pistol with the melta rule, what does 'effective' mean? Entire range or 2D6 amor penetration range?

 

 

Well 40K its 6" max and 3" Melta but the Dark Heresy RPG (which btw does a really good job of staying true to the fluff) doesn't have the half range Melta rule - so the Inferno is  simply Damage 2D10+4, Effective Range 10m, Pen 12, Magazine 3.

 

Compared to Plasma Pistol Damage 1D10+6, Effective Range 30m, Pen 6, Magazine 10. But the Plasma also needs time to recharge, takes longer to reload and can overheat and potentially kill the user (just like 40K). Hmmm, ... maybe that Bolt Pistol is looking decent.

 

Edit - Whoops - just checked DH 2nd Ed and Inferno does have Melta now at 5m. Still too short even fluff-wise for my tastes.

 

So Inferno is never going to be effective then unless you're a bit out of sword range and/or fighting a tank :| Wonder if the Mechanius got things confused and it was meant to be a long range meat cooker rather than a weapon.

 

Think we mostly agree on a bolter then. Can always switch the ammo for specialisation.

 

I'd also remind people that FFG fluff is highly suspect given their many inconsisties with fluff that has been solid for over a decade, like the Imperium having a million worlds.

[Conn Eremon]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also going by Dark Heresy, Infernos only have a 10m effective range and a 3 shot magazine.

Since we're talking about a pistol with the melta rule, what does 'effective' mean? Entire range or 2D6 amor penetration range?

Well 40K its 6" max and 3" Melta but the Dark Heresy RPG (which btw does a really good job of staying true to the fluff) doesn't have the half range Melta rule - so the Inferno is simply Damage 2D10+4, Effective Range 10m, Pen 12, Magazine 3.

 

Compared to Plasma Pistol Damage 1D10+6, Effective Range 30m, Pen 6, Magazine 10. But the Plasma also needs time to recharge, takes longer to reload and can overheat and potentially kill the user (just like 40K). Hmmm, ... maybe that Bolt Pistol is looking decent.

 

Edit - Whoops - just checked DH 2nd Ed and Inferno does have Melta now at 5m. Still too short even fluff-wise for my tastes.

So Inferno is never going to be effective then unless you're a bit out of sword range and/or fighting a tank :| Wonder if the Mechanius got things confused and it was meant to be a long range meat cooker rather than a weapon.

 

Think we mostly agree on a bolter then. Can always switch the ammo for specialisation.

I'd also remind people that FFG fluff is highly suspect given their many inconsisties with fluff that has been solid for over a decade, like the Imperium having a million worlds.

One: No.

 

Two: Bad example, using GW's standard line on the Imperium's size.

 

Three: Just no.

[Volt]

 

 

 

 

 

Also going by Dark Heresy, Infernos only have a 10m effective range and a 3 shot magazine.

Since we're talking about a pistol with the melta rule, what does 'effective' mean? Entire range or 2D6 amor penetration range?

Well 40K its 6" max and 3" Melta but the Dark Heresy RPG (which btw does a really good job of staying true to the fluff) doesn't have the half range Melta rule - so the Inferno is simply Damage 2D10+4, Effective Range 10m, Pen 12, Magazine 3.

 

Compared to Plasma Pistol Damage 1D10+6, Effective Range 30m, Pen 6, Magazine 10. But the Plasma also needs time to recharge, takes longer to reload and can overheat and potentially kill the user (just like 40K). Hmmm, ... maybe that Bolt Pistol is looking decent.

 

Edit - Whoops - just checked DH 2nd Ed and Inferno does have Melta now at 5m. Still too short even fluff-wise for my tastes.

So Inferno is never going to be effective then unless you're a bit out of sword range and/or fighting a tank :| Wonder if the Mechanius got things confused and it was meant to be a long range meat cooker rather than a weapon.

 

Think we mostly agree on a bolter then. Can always switch the ammo for specialisation.

I'd also remind people that FFG fluff is highly suspect given their many inconsisties with fluff that has been solid for over a decade, like the Imperium having a million worlds.

One: No.

 

Two: Bad example, using GW's standard line on the Imperium's size.

 

Three: Just no.

 

No, I meant that FFG disagrees with the million worlds line, IIRC it's either in Dark Heresy or Rogue Trader where the Imperium suddenly has billions of worlds for some odd reason. Or how Tau Pulse Rifles are more powerful than bolters, despite them really never seeming all that impressive outside of the TT.

[Kilofix]

I've actually found FFG very close to TT - right down to the Psychic Disiplines and all ( like FFG has Prescience, Perfect Timing, etc.).

 

Tau Pulse weapons are stronger than Bolt weapons in both FFG and TT.

 

Its Fluff that has more semantic differences with both FFG and TT.

[Volt]

I've actually found FFG very close to TT - right down to the Psychic Disiplines and all ( like FFG has Prescience, Perfect Timing, etc.).

 

Tau Pulse weapons are stronger than Bolt weapons in both FFG and TT.

 

Its Fluff that has more semantic differences with both FFG and TT.

Not really. I'd take the Black Library over FFG any day considering FFG is an unreliable third party, no different than Relic and its strange, strange games. FFG fluff always seems to bounce around, I'd take it be as valuable a source of information as early Imperial Armor, which gave us things like pauldrons actually being loaded with micro-missiles or Leman Russes with worse armor than Cold War tanks.

[Kilofix]

I've actually found FFG very close to TT - right down to the Psychic Disiplines and all ( like FFG has Prescience, Perfect Timing, etc.).

Tau Pulse weapons are stronger than Bolt weapons in both FFG and TT.

Its Fluff that has more semantic differences with both FFG and TT.

Not really. I'd take the Black Library over FFG any day considering FFG is an unreliable third party, no different than Relic and its strange, strange games. FFG fluff always seems to bounce around, I'd take it be as valuable a source of information as early Imperial Armor, which gave us things like pauldrons actually being loaded with micro-missiles or Leman Russes with worse armor than Cold War tanks.

I can accept that difference.

But back to OT.

Fluffwise - you're sticking to your Storm Shield / Grav Pistol & Lightning Claw / Storm Bolter then? Sounds heavy on a MK III but its probably been done similar in fluff somewhere.

Fluffwise - I myself am still back to Plasma Pistol and Power Axe. Expressions in BL fluff like "power of the sun", "the whine as it spools up", "electrostatic in the air", "blinding as it is fired", etc. - just make me 'want' to have a Plasma Pistol. Even if, over time, I had to get 10 Bionic Arm replacements .

Volkite - I have more trouble imagining its effect in my head - so I'm less attracted to it.

[Volt]

I've actually found FFG very close to TT - right down to the Psychic Disiplines and all ( like FFG has Prescience, Perfect Timing, etc.).

Tau Pulse weapons are stronger than Bolt weapons in both FFG and TT.

Its Fluff that has more semantic differences with both FFG and TT.

Not really. I'd take the Black Library over FFG any day considering FFG is an unreliable third party, no different than Relic and its strange, strange games. FFG fluff always seems to bounce around, I'd take it be as valuable a source of information as early Imperial Armor, which gave us things like pauldrons actually being loaded with micro-missiles or Leman Russes with worse armor than Cold War tanks.

I can accept that difference.

But back to OT.

Fluffwise - you're sticking to your Storm Shield / Grav Pistol & Lightning Claw / Storm Bolter then? Sounds heavy on a MK III but its probably been done similar in fluff somewhere.

Fluffwise - I myself am still back to Plasma Pistol and Power Axe. Expressions in BL fluff like "power of the sun", "the whine as it spools up", "electrostatic in the air", "blinding as it is fired", etc. - just make me 'want' to have a Plasma Pistol. Even if, over time, I had to get 10 Bionic Arm replacements .

Volkite - I have more trouble imagining its effect in my head - so I'm less attracted to it.

Not really heavy at all, considering even an unarmored Astartes swings a lightning claw with little effort. The only thing I would worry about is the shield being connected to my arm, which could be used by the enemy to grapple with it and twist it to snap the limb. Or a blow that breaks the shield would break my arm, instead of just being able to drop the shield. Also, this is what a Volkite gun looks like. The red beam is the gun, they operate like old 40's and 50's pulp sci fi.

http://media.moddb.com/images/groups/1/11/10806/Tallarn-art.jpg

[Kilofix]

Ok, just for those laser rings I think I'll have a Volkite now instead of a Plasma Pistol. Actually two Volkites. And, I need a helmet with either wings or lightning bolts. Thanks Volt!