Regiments and ‘their’ hbvy/special weapons

[Inquisitor_Lensoven]

What heavy and special weapons do you most closely associate with the various major regiments?

 

What regiments do you think should get special rules for specific hvy/special weapons?

[Noserenda]

Why though? Im not sure even more rules is the answer to any question, all the regiments use all the various weapons for the jobs they are designed for. Even in cases where the weapons arent supplied from a central authority like the Munitorium the demands of war usually mean different militaries are using equivalent weaponry in similar ratios... or losing.

[duz_]

There was a thread on this many moons ago... I'll see if I can dig it up for reference or those who want to test their googlefu can try beat me to it

[Karhedron]

I am not aware of anything official but in my head I always imagine Catachans with flamers. Perfect for burning through the jungle undergrowth any anyone trying to hide in it.

[WarriorFish]

The regiments used to have "preferred" weapons many moons ago, though this was largely an excuse for the models that came in the squad box I think :P Such lore has been left behind now which is for the best ;)

 

Unless, of course, some form of buff was applied rather than just being a lore piece... but that said the balance would need to be kept so all weapons are useful. Easier said than done methinks.

[Shamansky]

Well, lore-wise, i think, some regiments do have some preferred weapons depending on homeworld industrial development level. Some feral world would have hard times supplying its regiments with technichally sofisticated weapons like plasmaguns and lascannons. On the other hand Elysians inspite of highly developed industry of their homeworld were limited in heavy weapons choises by their way of deployment which prohibiteted usage of man-portable long barreled cumbersome weapons like las- and autocannons.

[MechaMan]

Regiments absolutely have preferred special and heavy weapons. It used to be the case that some regiments had their own variety of Sentinel too.

 

Cadian Shock Troops

 

Preferred Special Weapon: Grenade Launcher 

Preferred Heavy Weapon: Autocannon

Cadian Pattern Sentinel: Autocannon

 

Valhallan Ice Warriors

 

Preferred Special Weapon: Flamer

Preferred Heavy Weapon: Mortar

 

Tallarn Desert Raiders

 

Preferred Special Weapon: Plasma Gun

Preferred Heavy Weapon: Missile Launcher

 

Mordian Iron Guard 

 

Preferred Special Weapon: Grenade Launcher

Preferred Heavy Weapon: Lascannon

 

Armageddon Steel Legions

 

Preferred Special Weapon: Grenade Launcher

Preferred Heavy Weapon: Missile Launcher

Armageddon Pattern Sentinel: Lascannon

 

Tanith First and Only

 

Preferred Special Weapon: Flamer

Preferred Heavy Weapon: Missile Launcher

 

Catachan Jungle Fighters

 

Preferred Special Weapon: Flamer

Preferred Heavy Weapon: Heavy Bolter

Catachan Pattern Sentinel: Heavy Flamer & Chainsword

 

Death Korps of Krieg

 

Preferred Special Weapon: Meltagun

Preferred Heavy Weapon: Heavy Bolter

 

(All of the above information is taken from Codex 3rd edition, 2nd ed.)

 

Vostroyan Firstborn

 

Preferred Special Weapon: Plasma Guns

Preferred Heavy Weapon: Heavy Bolters

 

(From the White Dwarf)

[sitnam]

Why though? Im not sure even more rules is the answer to any question, all the regiments use all the various weapons for the jobs they are designed for. Even in cases where the weapons arent supplied from a central authority like the Munitorium the demands of war usually mean different militaries are using equivalent weaponry in similar ratios... or losing.

I don't quite agree on that. Different modern armies might have similar weapons in their arsenals, but doctrine and use isn't universal.

 

In rifle squads for instance, the US Army and USMC have much different organization and have even started to diverge with equipment. The Marine Corp has forgone SAW's as integral parts to the squad, instead equipping each man with M27's. The Army still has their squads split into fire teams, each centered around a SAW. The Russians famously use RPG's as a central part of the squad, with their closest SAW equivalent being box-fed RPK's. The French use a 51mm mortar in their rifle squads, and up until the replacement of the FAMAS they preferred rifle grenades to under-barrell grenade launchers.

 

Another example would be US vs Russian SPAAG's ever since WW2, the US has put a low premium on ground based air defence because they have the greatest airpower in the world. The Russians had a much different experience in WW2, and SPAAG's considered much more valuable.

 

Suffice to say, I could definitely see regiments prefer ring and deploying weapons based off their experience and tasks. Melta-guns make great sense for Krieg due to their bunker busting capabilities, whereas the versatile Cadians likely also prefer the versatile grenade launcher.