Predators

[Plaguecaster]

Seeing all the Unit tactic posts I was wondering if there could be one for predators. I was thinking of adding a couple as I have a few lying around which I never assembled. How do those that use them find them, I know vehicles are slightly more vulnerable but I love having tanks or daemon engines

Thanks

[Fatespinner]

For sheer volume of fire, the "dakka Predator" is hard to beat.  For 95 pts you get an autocannon and two heavy bolter sponsons all on a chassis with AV 13 in the front.  It chews up infantry quite nicely and at decent range without costing a lot of points.  Just be careful since, in close combat, most MEQs will be able to beat you down since your rear armor is only AV 10.  Personally, I like to sit these bad boys behind an Aegis line whenever possible.

 

The tri-las predator variant is obviously more costly and is typically used to engage heavy armor.  The problem with this variant is that it is designed to fight exactly the kind of targets which traditionally present a threat to it.  It's great for sniping walkers or MCs but you've gotta be careful about your positioning since your side and rear armor is considerably more vulnerable and you've got a lot of points sunk into this model!

[Beachymike123]

Predators are a good investment imho. They can be tailored to deal with hordes, bigger threats or just be all rounders with an AC turret and LC sponsons. Relic predators are good too, and have a wide range of upgrades that can further enhance this. I've got 2 normal preds and one I'm making as a relic with a flamestorm cannon for close infantry support.

As said though they can be vulnerable if not looked after. Bewrae of anything strength 7 or above.

[Plaguecaster]

What are the relic predators like? I know you can get access to a plasma or melta turrent weapon are they quite good?

[Beachymike123]

I've yet to field the relic predator yet, but i like the concept. They can have an ap3 AC turret, TL LC, plasma destroyer or mulyi melta turret as upgrades, but come with a flamestorm cannon as standard. I'm going to have it with daemonic possession and run it close with assault units (flamestorm is ap3 template btw). Not sure if I want to run it with sponsons either, as it will be mostly going flat out but i might in case of needed fire support or weapon destroyed results. Might not be competitive, but will be fun testing.

[Rune Priest Ridcully]

My heavy support for a while has been two tri las preds and a vindicator, and the problem with the predaotrs I've found is that they are brilliant for taking out light armour and even mid armour and can do a fari job of taking down MC, but kind of struggle with AV14, and any MC with an invun save will hurt the, and they are very, very vulnrable to deepstriking or fast units. Admitably now I'm starting to use daemon allies, I can kind of counter it by wrapping the rear and sides of the pred with horrors, but generally I feel, like most of our codex, the predaotr is a relic of 2nd/3rd/4th ed that struggles at it's role in comparison to anything xenos can pull off.

That said, I'm thinking of maybe reconfguring one as a dakka pred, as against the likes of orcs, other mariens that amount of fire power can hurt transports and troops.
The sponsons will drive you mad though, who thought a thing plastic rod a the only connector was a good idea I don't know.

[Sheesh Mode]

What are the relic predators like? I know you can get access to a plasma or melta turrent weapon are they quite good?

 

Relic predators are slightly more expensive than normal predators. About a power sword more to be exact. But you gain access to a variety of weapons, not just the plasma destructor (which does not get hot) or the melta cannon, but an ap3 Autocannon, a 72" range Cykotroke conversion beamer and a twin-linked lascannon as well. 

 

In my opinion the Predator is an excellent fire support model, but is not meant to be used in the manner a flamestorm or melta cannon requires. It is too expensive and too slow. 

[Aspiringchaoschampion]

They can take flame storm cannons? Well il be damned looks like i need to buy a baal predator kit

[40kChrista]

Good stuff in here, I have 2 predators which I barely use.  Now with this thread I'm thinking I need to make one Dakka or Las, and have the other be a Relic of some type.  Time to go through IA:13 and see what calls to me.

[Beachymike123]

In my opinion the Predator is an excellent fire support model, but is not meant to be used in the manner a flamestorm or melta cannon requires. It is too expensive and too slow.

I can see where you're coming from, but I'd also say that the flamestorm cannon is great for keeping up with infantry. I like the idea of a tank rushing forward with flaming turrets. It would be better if we could outflank - which we can with the Legacy of Ruin: Maelstrom Raider, but I would argue completely against giving it a unique upgrade such as that because of the value the upgrade can be placed upon another transport unit (an outflanking Land Raider you say ). But I think in certain scenarios, it can have its worth. Bear in mind the template can be placed a certain distance before laying the template down , that's what I'm thinking of. Especially in urban heavy terrain, I think it will certainly benefit in a more forward role. But the generic predator, certainly needs hanging back and letting fly all guns.

They can take flame storm cannons? Well il be damned looks like i need to buy a baal predator kit

Then you'll be pleased to know that the relic predator has this as it's standard turret. Running naked, I believe it is just a power weapons difference from a normal predator to gain that lil' beauty as said above.

[Aspiringchaoschampion]

Holy flipping dark prince

[GreyCrow]

I run a Predator with my Raven Guard army, armed with 3 Lascannons. Predators are cheap, specialized support : the AC/Heavy Bolter version is long range anti-infantry and the Trilas is obviously designed against armour.

 

In terms of tactics, they are great for area denial. AV13 means that they are relatively comfortable in the open but we have to be wary of their counters, typically high amount of S8-9 firepower. Which is why I feel they are better played on flanks, both so that their front arc will cover most of the battlefield and because it will diminish the amount of return fire.

They should remain stationnary most of the battle. *If* moving them is necessary, I would suggest moving either 12 to 18", because moving 6" will only allow to fire one weapon which isn't that big of a deal. I find it better to sacrifice a turn of shooting rather than shoot a single weapon for 2 turns :)

 

The opponent will likely try to avoid the fire corridors of a Predator and they will try to hug to cover as much as possible. So tactically it's a good tool to funnel their intended targets into specific areas of the battlefield so they can be picked off by the rest of the army.

 

Daemonic possession sounds interesting, but I would tend to say that it's more worth it on Vindicators than Predators. Because BS3 matters less on Blast weapons than it does on Lascannons. In the Autocannon/Heavy Bolter loadout, Daemonic posession could be interesting due to a high number of shots per model.

[Kaldoth]

For light and even medium infantry, the dakka pred is an awesome platform. Great for thinning out enemy squads, and even light armor and walkers if you have nothing to shoot at. Also probably one of the only units I will take gargoyles on, as with the sheer volume of fire you're pretty much guaranteed to keep a wound on that enemy unit. However, the relic sicaran is only 155 with heavy bolter sponsons (or right around there.) Not much more expensive, six shot aurocannon with rending and enemies can't take jink saves against it. Food for thought!

[Sheesh Mode]

However, the relic sicaran is only 155 with heavy bolter sponsons (or right around there.) Not much more expensive, six shot aurocannon with rending and enemies can't take jink saves against it. Food for thought!

It out performs most of the vehicles in our codex. However, it is also more expensive than a predator.