Grey Hunters, optimal/common loadouts

[Schlitzaf]

Hello! 

 

Often when I talk about my chapters, chapter tactic (Black Templars), one of the things I often stress is that, our actual tactic is "Best Tactical Variant in the game (Bar maybe Grey Hunters) + some rule", recently I decided to put that to the test, in essence creating an analysis of every 'basic' Tactical Variant in the game. 

 

I'll be looking at the following, CSM, Tacticals, Intercessors, my own Crusader Squads, and of course Grey Hunters. While I intend to look at Deathwatch Kill-Teams, GK Strike Squads, alongside Cult Troops, I decided for now to stick with the above 5. The analysis, will compare in the following manner, optimal (most bang for buck), and commonly taken setups. A Crusader squad would have a three or four(ish) setups, 5 Man MSU (for optimal), 6/4 Fire Support, and 7/(5-7) Tide Squads. Additionally it will look at the squads at 100, 150, and 200 point intervals. Intervals being less 'units to see on tabletop' and more for comparing for "200 points how many attacks/models will a squad have, assuming acceptable level of upgrades". 

 

I'll presumably about to do the, 100, 150 and 200 point interval part myself. But I honestly do not know what you Wolves believe your optimal Grey Hunter loadout to be, and what is some of the most common variants/setups (assuming there is a difference). 

 

A preemptive thanks!

 

[Karhedron]

Grey Hunter's big strength is their ability to really double down on special weapons which gives them a lot of firepower. Add to that they effectively get 2 attacks each from their Chainswords and I think they are one of the best Troop units in the game.

 

My usual loadout for footsloggers is a 10-man squad with 2 plasma guns a pack leader with plasma pistol and power axe and a WGPL with combi-plas and frost sword and a Banner. That is 7 plasma shots at 12" range that can be overcharged if necessary and they pack a respectable punch in CC.

 

For smaller squads, I run 6-strong in a TAC Razorback with melta gun and a WGPLwith combi-melta and power fist. These are good for hunting vehicles and other large targets.

 

Grey Hunters rock and including 3 packs in a Battalion detachment feels like a solid foundation rather than a Troop tax.

[Deadnaughty]

5 Grey Hunters (with chainswords) 1 with Plasma Gun. 1 Wolfguard with Combi-Plasma in a Assault Cannon Razerback.

If you want more cc punch add a Frost Sword to the Wolfguard.

[Wolf Guard Dan]

5 Grey Hunters (with chainswords) 1 with Plasma Gun. 1 Wolfguard with Combi-Plasma in a Assault Cannon Razerback.

If you want more cc punch add a Frost Sword to the Wolfguard.

Also with plasma pistols being cheaper I like to add one to the pack leader.

[Yoyo ninja]

My go to squad is...

Wolf guard pack leader with Combi plasma

A grey hunter with plasma gun

A grey hunter with plasma pistol

3 more regularly grey hunters

All with chainswords

One with a wolf standard

And they get a razorback with Lascannon/tl plasma guns

 

I find them really versatile, they can hunt elite troops and monsters. They can hold objectives, no one wants to come to close to take it with a potential for 9 plasma shots at 12 inches, and they are still a threat even while camping with the Lascannon on the Razorback. They make a great mobile fire support unit. And if needs must they can hold their own in combat. They are a solid core to build any army around.

Including the Razorback that is 239 points though, so it's on the pricey end of the unit build.

[Wolf_Lord_Hardrada]

I tend to run 9 Grey Hunters inc Pack Leader + WGPL in a Rhino, load out on plasma weapons for those that can take it and everyone else gets bolters so they can sit on an objective.

[wulfgar hammerfist]

I run my Grey Hunters in packs of five wuth a plasma gun and chainswords and then add a WG pack leader with a combi-plasma. They all pile into an assault cannon Razorback. Relatively cheap and effective.

[Karhedron]

I am just trying to work out how much plasma I can pack into a 10-man squad assuming I have 8 Hunters, 1 Pack Leader and 1 WGPL. I make it the following:

 

2 Hunters with plasma guns

1 Hunter with plasma pistol

1 Pack Leader with plasma pistol

1 WGPL with combi-plas.

 

Is that correct? 8 plasma shots at up to 12" range?

 

I am toying with the idea of putting a squad like that in a Drop Pod. the trouble is there is no room for a Wolf Lord and that plasma is not quite so scary if you have to risk frying your own men on 1 with no rerolls if you wish to overcharge.

[jerrys]

I sort of like the idea, but I don't think it'll work. Space wolves are just not efficient at doing that right now. That's about 300 points, right? Compare to the kasrkin storm troopers (or whatever they are called), who have 4 plasmaguns for 64 points and can deep strike without the pod. You could ally in a vanguard detachment of three squads like that plus the HQ, which would have 3x as much plasma and cost 50-something points less.

Plus, I have always been widgy about suicide-dropping in astartes. But that kind of thing is what imperial guard are for!

[Karhedron]

I had been thinking about using the Hunters to take objectives too but you make a very good point about the cost efficiency of Tempestus Scions (IG Stormtroopers to you and me ) as plasma spam delivery.

 

[Deadnaughty]

The problem with comparing to guard is that no one wins.

 

A lot of the guard army is simply to cheap for what they do (a few exceptions obv exist).

Be it conscripts, heavy weapon mortars, Storm troopers, Taurox ect.

[DanPesci]

Dont think ive played a single game in 7th or 8th with my wolves where I didnt bring 3 packs of grey hunters :)

 

Have toyed with blood claws but space marines with guard stats has always irked me (especially when other chapters scouts didnt have that nerf).

 

 

These days i run:

 

3x

 

5 Grey Hunters - Plasma Gun, P.Pistol

1 WGPL - Combi Plas

Razorback - TL Ass Cannon.

 

 

Great little units. Keep em close by so they can back each other up. And hopefully have a character nearby for rerolls of 1 when overcharging plasma. Surprisingly 'ok' in combat with no special combat weapons due to their 2A with chainswords.

 

Ill maybe swap one of them for a melta unit instead if the rest of my list ends up feeling a little light on anti-armour, but i haven't had much luck with melta this edition to be honest (lots of misses and poor damage rolls).

Edited September 26, 2017 by DanPesci

[Karhedron]

I like to pack a few melta guns for when something scary is barreling towards your lines. Having said that, plasma is reasonably effective against large targets provided you have a Wolf Lord nearby to reroll 1s when overcharging.

 

A pack of Long Fangs are pretty good too since they can natively reroll 1s.

[Schlitzaf]

Thanks Guys! Hopefully I'll be able to have the post in 2-3 weeks, college work depending.

[Schlitzaf]

The post is up on Vanilla Marine section. For those who are curious on how it came out. 

[jerrys]

For grey hunters -- the combi guy is the sixth guy. So you can't have a squad of 5 with a plasmagun and a combi-plasma.

For 5 guys, I guess the best we can do is:

1x chainsword, plasma pistol, and bolter

1x chainsword, bolt pistol, and plasmagun

1x power weapon, bolt pistol, and bolter (grey hunter pack leader with 2A)

2x chainsword, bolt pistol, and bolter

for 94pts.

Then we can add a 6th guy (wolf guard pack leader with 2A) with a power weapon and combi-plasma.

But that takes us up to 127pts/

[Schlitzaf]

For grey hunters -- the combi guy is the sixth guy. So you can't have a squad of 5 with a plasmagun and a combi-plasma.

For 5 guys, I guess the best we can do is:

1x chainsword, plasma pistol, and bolter

1x chainsword, bolt pistol, and plasmagun

1x power weapon, bolt pistol, and bolter (grey hunter pack leader with 2A)

2x chainsword, bolt pistol, and bolter

for 94pts.

Then we can add a 6th guy (wolf guard pack leader with 2A) with a power weapon and combi-plasma.

But that takes us up to 127pts/

That is what I get for not having my index on me to double check. Mind posting the correction onto the post itself?

[jerrys]

sure. Sorry about that, lot of work! heh

[Schlitzaf]

To say the least also gonna need to recheck Points values tomorrow’s and everything