Legion veteran squad loadout

[Schultzhoffen]

This has probably shown up before but I can't find it.

 

I've got x2 veteran squads. One with heavy flamers, the other with plasma guns.

 

What would be the viability of heavy bolters over plasma?

 

Both squads have snipers (natch).

 

I've also contemplated melta instead of plasma, due to the new marksmen rule.

 

Thoughts?

[Mango Polo]

Plasma is guaranteed in what it does, Heavy Bolters if you're going to keep at range or start on the board and drive up to the enemy.

 

So how are you going to use the vets?

[Ishagu]

Heavy Bolter, upon extensive testing, is really not worth it. You end up paying 10 points more than you would for a Plasma, with no guarantee of even removing a PA model. A Plasma on average dice will do some damage.

 

Best upgrades for shooting are combi-weapons, plasmas and Meltas.

[helterskelter]

Heavy bolter has its place with its rate of fire.

It can be used easily with machine killers (light vehicles), marksmen and xenobane, and combined with DA ammunition maybe even IW shrapnel rounds and IF''s affinity for the bolt weapon is more effective than ishagu gives it credit for. And won't end up Killing you accidentally

[Slips]

Heavy Bolters with Suspensor Webs can also be fired as Assault weapons meaning they don't impede a possible charge were you so inclined.

 

With Plasma Guns, you'd have to use the wielders Bolt Pistol instead to do the same. Theres also no risk of gets hot on a 3+ Save Model.

 

IE: You see MC's: Shoot your Sniper Bolt Pistols and Heavy Bolters into them, charge and punch them with Melta Bombs.

[Raktra]

I personally lover sniper heavy flamers. It's awesome when you get a clustered-up unit.

[Schultzhoffen]

Thanks for the responses.

 

Yes, one squad has dual heavy flamers and a combi flamer on the sgt. Vet skill is the sniper/outflank one. Squad is in a rhino. I'm pretty happy with this squad. It can be quite devastating.

 

The second squad is (currently) a dual plasma squad in a rhino with the sniper/outflank skill.

 

Looking at the answers it seems as if heavy bolters for my set up (rhino borne) is probably not worth it.

 

What about dual melta instead of plasma? The idea is to possibly destroy close range armour.

 

On the other hand, I do have tanks to tackle armour but nothing really beats close range melta from the side.

 

Choices, choices...

[infyrana]

Do what I did... magnetise their arms, buy some extra arms, have the choice of weaponry to suit.  The only downside is the amount of shoulder pads you'd need!

[Jimm]

I personally lover sniper heavy flamers. It's awesome when you get a clustered-up unit.

As a wb player who likes a pod this is really funny.

 

Out if interest has anyone run 2 Missile Launcher with a Web. I know it lacks shots but outflanking + sniper sounds like it could be fun vs contemptors or even flyers if your flush on points

[Charlo]

Heavy Bolters also offer the best rate of fire for cruising around in a Rhino using the top hatch, if you are so inclined.

 

 

Out if interest has anyone run 2 Missile Launcher with a Web. I know it lacks shots but outflanking + sniper sounds like it could be fun vs contemptors or even flyers if your flush on points

 

Good in theory, in practice it's just two S8 AP3 at BS4. So maximum 2 HP. Statistically like 1 if that against the AV12 of a Dread (assuming side armour).

 

Even with the new perk that would mean +1 on the damage table would only make it so they could explode on a 6.

[Emperor's Furor]

If you go Dark Angel you can have poison heavy bolters shots with random ap.

[The Pounder]

I too run 2 squads of vets, I field one squad with heavy flamers and the

second with meltaguns. I've had a lot of joy from them.

Outflanking helps get to the squishier bits of enemy armour.

With the new price drop I'll probably field them every game now.

[Terminus]

I'm frankly a bit at a loss. I have 20 tacticals who I could run as veterans by assigning them some of the plasma or missile specialists, but the addition of mass combis complicates things somewhat. I have already been experimenting with squads without meltabombs in preparation for the draft FAQ being finalized, and with another point reduction I think I will stick with cheap minimalist squads when using them as troops.

 

I may use my seekers as Vets in plasma squads, but it needs some experimentation.

 

I'm most intrigued by the WS5 variant since neither of my current legions have non-terminator WS5 troops.