Heavy Weapons

[Vulkan81]

Greetings,

 

Does anyone use grav cannons?  If so how effective are they?

[burningsky25]

Use? No.  But I plan to as soon as I get some!  I can't say what they'd feel like on the table top experientially, but I do know from doing the math that they actually cause more wounds even on toughness 7 & 8 than lascannons do (grav averages 1.8 wounds before saves, las averages 1.6), and are much better against infantry to boot, though I haven't done the specifics on that.  Weakness of course is the limited range, it better suits a squad that plans to sit in the midfield (tactical or sternguard) than as a true replacement for a full devastator squad as it lacks the range to compete with las-cannons in that role.  

 

I plan to use a single grav-cannon in a squad of sternguard with special issue boltguns - an excellent unit that occupies the midfield with threatening bolter shots, and the grav-cannon synergizes fairly well with their range.

[Ishagu]

Grav cannons are good, yes. People don't rate them as highly but they are equally effective against elite infantry and hordes.

[Xenith]

They're not monstrous as they were last edition, but still solid.

[Charlo]

If you need to hurt things like MEQ/TEQ they're pretty great.

[SickSix]

What heresy is this? Plasma cannons are the only authorized heavy weapon in the First Leg.... I mean Unforgiven!

[Charlo]

What heresy is this? Plasma cannons are the only authorized heavy weapon in the First Leg.... I mean Unforgiven!

 

You in the wrong section Holmes.

[barjed]

3++ has a very nice article full of math that compared all the different weapon choices for Space Marines. You can find it here.

 

The conclusion is that Grav Cannons are actually the way to go for generalist Tacticals, since they are very flexible weapons, can be reliably (somewhat) fired on the move and match the range of regular bolters. For BA Tacts I'd prolly go Heavy Flamer for close support (HF/CF) and Grav Cannon for a more safe approach.

[Brother Crimson]

It is a great choice but also the most expensive. Here is some things if you go point for point.

 

Vs T3/4 and 1W the best coices are heavy bolters and heavy flamers.

 

When you get to multiwound with 3+ save, overcharged plasma and grav are the way to go. Grav is also safer.

 

When you get T6-T8 the lascannon get about same efficiency as grav cannon but with increased range.

 

Multi melta shines versus standard tanks (T7, 3+ no invuln).

 

Missile launcher is sub-standard everywhere point for point but can adapt with lots of shots or T8 krak missile and the stratagem versus flyer.

[Vulkan81]

Thanks guys for all the reply's so far.  I was on the receiving end of a good ass kicking from the Necrons this weekend and was looking for options.  

[Xenith]

 

What heresy is this? Plasma cannons are the only authorized heavy weapon in the First Leg.... I mean Unforgiven!

 

You in the wrong section Holmes.

 

Don't be too harsh on him. It's difficult for those guys to remember which site they're on.

[Are Verlo]

As posted above the mathhammer puts the grav cannon among the best vs many targets. It´s downside is the range. Many times this can be solved my moving and accepting the -1 to hit for moving a firing a heavy weapon. 

 

Then there are those situations where the target you wish to engange is 31" or more inches away and out of range. When/if they camp objectives in your deployment  zone, longer range than 24" is better (unless they come flooding into your DZ). For a squad intended to grab midfield, as tacticals often are since sniper scouts/devs/tanks hold the backfield, the grav cannon is ace.

 

Summary: grav cannons are good, but you need to be at the right place and shoot at the right target to get the most value.

Edited January 25, 2018 by Are Verlo