thunderstrike formation.

[skeletoro]

How would you equip the PA WG?

 

There are 10 of them, and combi weapons are really pricy so it seems like a bit of a waste to use them for combi melta duty. Perhaps two or three combi plasmas would be a good idea, as they'd benefit from the twin-linked and could be put to good use against a target that the rest of the pack would want to shoot at with their bolters.

 

Other than that, I am unsure what else is worth spending any points on..? Perhaps 1 wolf claw and 1 power fist. One or two storm shields?

[Valerian]

I'd keep them cheapish, and leave at least half un-upgraded. You'd want a couple Combi-Plasmas, as you suggested, to take advantage of the twin-linked on arrival, and then at most two SCCWs - maybe one or two Storm Shields in front to soak incoming fire. That way you get a bit of an Alpha Strike effect, without going overboard. Then you're going to want to get into close combat, and stay in it for as much of the game as possible. It'll be nice though, with WS5 across the board in the unit, and their Pack Leader will have Preferred Enemy (characters) when fighting in challenges.

[skeletoro]

Hehe, so we're pretty much in agreement on that score ;)

Yeah, not actually that bad for 18ppm. With bolters and bolt pistols they are close to 16 point grey hunters, but with the twin-linked alpha strike, Ld9 and WS5 they have an edge that makes the 2 extra ppm well worth it - though of course they do lack objective secured.

 

I'm actually unsure about bolters though. With WS5 they have the means to make the most of an extra attack and if they're planning on being in cc as much as possible they may spend more time charging than shooting. Perhaps equip 5 to make the most of the twin-linked shooting (position these so they die first to return fire), but equip the other 5 to get things done in CC.

[Valerian]

I would give all of them Bolt Pistols and CCWs, that don't have Combi-weapons.  The twin-linked for the Combi-Plasmas will kill some dudes and make that investment worthwhile, and those would be the models to put Specialist SCCWs (Wolf Claw, Power Fist) since they wouldn't get the extra off-hand attack anyway.  Everybody else is going to be maximizing their close combat potential, and let's be honest here, 8 twin-lnked Bolters aren't going to kill enough extra guys on the Alpha Strike than 8 twin-linked Bolt Pistols.

 

V

[CatSmasher]

I'm thinking that I will put combi weapons, 4 plas, 4 melta, and two with SS, or power weapons. I will unload the TL plas with bolter support, and use them as expensive ablative wounds for a turn two charge with 4 or less melta. If you can position them behind cover and within Rapid Fire range, this unit will bring the pain.

 

You could also melta on the first turn and reverse the strategy, but plas and bolter volume would be great to rip up an expensive unit, or MC. In the reverse role the overwatch volume may compensate if you get charged and are lucky.

[Squark]

Personally, I'd just go with 10 twin-linked boltguns. Simple, inexpensive, but the humble boltgun remains the standard-setter for ranged weapons.

[skeletoro]

Also, keep in mind the TDA squad can also take combi weapons, and only have to pay an extra 5 as they already have storm bolters. My inclination would be to put 3 combi meltas on the terminators and leave the plasma to the PAWGs. But yeah, I am somewhat inclined to just take the bolt pistols.

 

What about plasma pistols, though? They're only 5 points per model more expensive than the combi plasma. You could easily end up firing 3 shots over the course of the game, without sacrificing a close combat attack. A pp+bp gunslinger might be worth it?