Need Thoughts on Devastor Squad Weapons

[Redrandy93]

Brothers I am about to build two Devastor squads (10 man squads) for my UM Fourth company.     I will give sgt. a bolter and 5 other sm bolters.    My question is what is best way to out fit the 4 heavy weapon marines?     In my tactical squads I use 2 ML's 2 heavy bolters, one las cannon and a multimelta in the last tactical squad.

 

Should I have 4 las cannons, or 4 heavy bolters or  some other combination.

 

Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated.     Note I intend to add a full squad of Hellblasters to the company when I finally start building my Primaris squads.

[Karhedron]

I am really like Grav Cannons in 9th edition. They are very efficient Marine killers (good with 2W Marines all around now). They have a decent ROF meaning they can threaten vehicles too. The side-benefit of the RoF is that if you need to move, you will likely still be landing 2 hits per turn (before any rerolls) so it is not the end of the world if they need to redeploy. Also the Grav Cannons have a range that synergises well with the bolters so you can maximise their secondary firepower.

[Karhedron]

The other option is 4 Multimeltas in a drop pod. Get in close T1 and vapourise a priority target.

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

Grav cannons are a great choice plus you’ll have an effective 36” range in the tactical phase.

[SvenIronhand]

I run them with heavy bolters and plasma cannons. 

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

I’d advise against using drop pods as that can make them suicide squads plus we can move and ignore penalty second and third turns. Also no aura buff either.

[psyduck]

Grav cannons are generally better than heavy bolters at anti infantry, as for the same price you get 1 extra shot per model, better AP, and similar damage against the bulk of their targets.

 

For anti-tank, multi-melta if you can deliver them easily e.g with drop pod etc. or lascannons can still do work at range, albeit lascannons better on more durable platforms like the venerable dread.

[Karhedron]

I think Melta is probably better on one of the dedicated platforms. ATVs and Attack Bikes are both fast enough to deliver the melta where you want while ignoring the -1 to-Hit penalty. Eradicators are another good source of melta and can be put in Tactical Reserves if necessary without having to buy a drop pod ahead of time.

 

So on that basis, I think Grav is the best option for your Devastator squad.

[Xenith]

The answer is the firepower you wish you had in your games. What kind of opponents do you come up agaisnt?

 

Do you have plenty of anti tank through other things like MM attack bikes? 

 

As per above grav cannons are under pointed right now compared to heavy bolters, making them a great choice. 

[Captain Idaho]

Yeah Devastators with Grav Cannons should go up 5pts each I reckon. They'd still be worthwhile I reckon.

 

They're a great weapon system and will do a number on most targets. They'll even hurt vehicles in a pinch, though not decisively without a decent bit of luck (you ain't doing in a Land Raider in 1 turn).

 

Other than that, I echo Xenith's thoughts. If you have a firepower need then fill it with Devastator squads.

 

For the most part.

 

Remember, a Predator Desctructor will make a good heavy infantry killer, whilst Attack Bikes and Eradicators cover melta. Tactical squads and Attack Bikes also cover Heavy Bolter fire across an army too.

[Redrandy93]

Guys,

 

I thank you for your ideas.     I will go with 4 grav cannons in one squad and second squad will be 2 las cannons and 2 heavy bolters as I found those already built  in one of my sm storage boxes.   I only have to paint them.   

I have 4 turrets for my Razorbacks that are twin plasma guns and a las cannon.    Won 3 on ebay at a great price.       A couple of attack bikes with Multimeltas and some Land speeders in a closet.     

I must have a full company of SM Preadtors, Razorbacks,  3 vindcators,  1 Hunter, 1 Stalker tanks, Several Rhinos,  a couple of land Raiders and at least one each  of the new tanks for Primaris.    Please note I do not play any more as the places my sons and I would go to in Queens (Forest Hills GW Store) Long Island ( Grass Hopper Comics) and sometimes NYC have closed or no more gaming going on.      Sons also are in their 30's and late 20's and no longer play.     I just like to build and paint  stuff.   Shooting for 4 full companies of UM  plus a full  Primaris force.  I  need tp protect my Empire from the Demons that have just taken over.   

If you have any other suggestions please let me know.

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

Modeling and painting are two of favorite aspects of the hobby.

[Prot]

Call me crazy but as swingy as Lascannons are I think I would do a squad up now if I wanted infantry based heavy firepower from Devs. 

 

Looking at Death Guard now that they've been out a bit, I can see similar survival mechanisms hitting a few other armies. 

 

The Multi Melta is huge. I actually think it's worth it to take on Dev's. Other races are getting new weapons that seem to do a base damage + Dx damage. This is actually the adjustment made to Melta for marines.

[Captain Idaho]

Lascannons are still good, even with the swing nature of their damage rolls. Sticking them into support squads makes sense since they're further away, taking advantage of the range on Lascannons. The melta weapons need to be upbclose thus require more reliable damage to be effective, which makes sense.

 

Getting hit by Lascannons 24"+ is annoying and can remove your own support units, so having the capacity yourself is important.