Is there a reason we can’t have Plasma Cannons in HWTs?

[Wassa]

It seems we’re allowed every generic heavy weapon apart from Plasma Cannons. I just thought that was odd.

 

Is there any reason for it?

[HallofStovokor]

Well, the only differences between plasma cannons and plasma guns are heavy v rapid fire and a 36" range v 24" range. Of course there's a price difference, but there's different prices for BS 3+ and BS 4+ plasma troopers. They have the same strength and damage profiles.

 

I think the reason you can't get them as a heavy weapon platform is that the plasma gun is better than a plasma cannon for something that moves a lot.

[Ranulf]

Probably the same reason IG Sergeants can't take lasguns - army lists were codified in 2nd ed and a lot of core miniatures were released over 2nd & 3rd with equipment to match the codex entries (at least in part). Holes formed as ideas moved on and were never addressed in the cut and paste of edition to edition transitions. 

 

In 2nd edition Plasma weaponry was considered rare and extremely dangerous - Chaos got a lot (HH leftovers) and so did Dark Angels. (Relics held by the first legion) Guard got the basics.

 

-Ran

[Rommel44]

If I were to say from a fluff perspective, Plasma Guns and Cannons are supposed to be much rarer than any other type of weaponry. And since the Imperial Guard prefers to use quantity over quality most of the time, it makes sense to see more standard heavy weapons such as Hvy. Bolters, Autocannons, Missile Launchers, and Mortars compared to Plasma weaponry.

[Wassa]

Tell that to Valhallans with their ‘life is cheap’ motto!

[tychobi]

Lack of cast to make model. GW is not into supporting creative modeling. One of their more important failings in my view.

[Lord Marshal]

Back in the day, plasma cannons were supposed to be rare enough that Dark Angels being able to put them in Tactical Squads was considered one of their unique perks. These days every Tom, Dick and Harry gets them as an option, but the Guard models are around fifteen years old at this point, thus the lack of them.

[Escaflowne_Z]

As mentioned above, plasma weaponry is rare.  Even elite organizations like the Inquisition and Space Marine First Founding chapters don't have a vast supply of them.  The other reason for the Guard not to have them is that everything for the Guard is designed for mass production, ease of use, dependability, and ease of maintenance.  The plasma weapons do not really fit these. 

[Closet Skeleton]

Back in the day, plasma cannons were supposed to be rare enough that Dark Angels being able to put them in Tactical Squads was considered one of their unique perks. These days every Tom, Dick and Harry gets them as an option, but the Guard models are around fifteen years old at this point, thus the lack of them.

 

Only in 3rd edition from what I can tell. 2nd and 4th didn't have any restrictions like that.

[Slasher956]

dont forget you cant take MultiMeltas or Heavy Flamers in your HWTs either...

[HallofStovokor]

dont forget you cant take MultiMeltas or Heavy Flamers in your HWTs either...

Yeah but you wouldn't want either for heavy weapons teams anyways. Heavy flamers have an 8" range and multi-meltas have a 12" max range. These are not the heavy weapons you can really use in a HWT. Also, veterans can take a heavy flamer, so a HWT isn't necessary for that

[Slasher956]

MMs have 24" range...

 

but my point is that HWT cant take every other heavy weapon ......

[Cap'm Heckus]

We had shoulder mounted multi-melta and plasma cannons on individual guardsmen back in rogue trader and the start of 2nd (paper index). Then, when our first real Codex came out, they introduced 2-man heavy weapons teams and shortened our list of options to the what we have now.

 

Multi-melta were okay because they did tons of damage and most enemies had to come to you anyway. You also had larger heavy weapon squads back then (10 man if I recall).